Industry Superannuation Property Trust Office Building – Design Review

Date: 2001
Client: Industry Superannuation Property Trust (ISPT)

The proposed Industry Superannuation Property Trust (ISPT) development on National Circuit is a large, high-quality office building to be located on the perimeter Canberra’s parliamentary triangle. The developers wish to create a building with strong energy and environmental credentials, and have specified a five-star performance under the Australian Building Greenhouse Rating Scheme.  In 2001, Exergy completed a comprehensive energy and environmental review of the preliminary building design.

Exergy’s review covered all aspects the architectural, mechanical and electrical services specification.  Exergy also completed a building simulation to predict the performance of the building and to identify performance risks.  All of Exergy’s building simulations are developed using the DOE-2 software package, which is internationally recognised as a leading simulation package and is accredited with the BESTEST validation program.

The key general findings of Exergy’s review included:

• The need to apply consistent financial assessment criteria when evaluating environmental initiatives;
• The importance of considering alternatives to VAV air conditioning if 5 star performance is to be achieved; and
• The potential for reconsidering how the building projects its environmental image, in order to achieve greater differentiation from surrounding buildings.

Exergy’s review also included recommendations on sizing and control of air conditioning systems, cooling and heating plant.  This should help ensure better and more efficient performance.