environmentally sustainable design
Sustainability is the condition of being able to meet the needs of the present generation without compromising this ability for future generations; of achieving a balance among extraction and renewal and environmental inputs and outputs, so as to cause no overall environmental burden or deficit.
In the built environment sustainability goes far beyond energy and water consumption, it encompasses the selection of materials, work methods, adaptability and, most importantly, acceptance of the occupants. This can be achieved only through a rigorous, thoughtful and quality-driven design process.
Steensen Varming is committed to minimising the impact on the local and global environment through the application of environmentally sensitive and sustainable design. We continue to reduce the reliance on non-sustainable resources through our designs by developing and incorporating innovative and creative systems that respond to the functional demands of the built form whilst acknowledging climate demands.
In our experience, we have found that all design solutions, including ESD, must support the appropriate priorities of the building. Therefore our design approach begins with identifying ESD solutions within the framework of the building purpose and functions, developed through rigorous tests of practical issues such as economics, buildability, reliability and long term maintenance operation.
In accordance with good practice and from financial and environmental motivations, appropriate designs and levels of technology are applied to reduce energy wastage and carbon dioxide emissions arising from the operation of the built environment, without reducing the functional standards required. We intend that our designs equal or better current energy benchmark figures for services in buildings.
Steensen Varming takes a strong leadership role in delivering environmentally responsible projects. Underlining the strength of this commitment, all our professional staff have undergone the training and testing to become Green Star Accredited Professionals, through the Green Building Council of Australia, and is further demonstrated with the following projects.
the heritage-listed bushells building, 88 george street the rocks
This project is the first heritage listed 5 Star Green Star building in Australia. The design embraces the passive attributes offered by the existing structure to create an A Grade commercial office building. Coupled to this project was the development of a district cooling system that utilises the Harbour as a heat sink to absorb and reject heat.
macquarie university new library
The library is currently under design and is being developed to achieve 5 stars under the Green Star Education tool, and features an automatic storage and retrieval system the first for Australia.
brisbane supreme court
This facility, when completed, will be the second most important building in Queensland. The transparency of the building highlights a new approach to Justice buildings in Australia, after the Parliament. Both the lighting and ESD direction will provide a building of the highest quality and elegance.
G11 chemical science building, unsw
Steensen Varming played an integral role in managing and coordinating the design of the specialist ventilation and laboratory services for this world leading chemical research and educational facility. This project exemplifies how a collaborative design process can deliver a low energy building without compromising the functionality of this highly serviced laboratory environment.
