16 Jun 2011
Stage two of the William McCormack Place office building in Cairns has been named winner of the ClimateSmart Built Environment Award in the Premier’s 2011 ClimateSmart Awards.
Combining existing best practices with a number of innovations, William McCormack Place Stage 2 (WMP2) has been designed to reduce its environmental impacts. It is the first building in the tropics to be recognised with a ‘World Leader’ 6-Star Green Star – Office Design v2 rating from the Green Building Council of Australia.
An entirely local project team including Laing O’Rourke, CA Architects (in association with Cox Rayner Architects), Arup, MGF Consultants (NQ), Gilboy Hydraulic Solutions, and the client Department of Public Works with Project Services as procurement managers, have helped to set a new benchmark in sustainable building design in a tropical environment – something that was previously not considered feasible.
Shaun Hartley, structural group leader with Arup in Cairns, said: “We are overjoyed to win this national award alongside our engineering collaborators MGF and Gilboy Hydraulic Solutions. In addition to a wealth of local knowledge and experience, the team brought proven expertise in sustainable engineering to produce creative and viable strategies that enabled the client to reach its sustainability outcomes.”
WMP2 is predicted to reduce energy emissions by approximately 60% and reduce potable water use by 75%, while providing improved air quality, daylight, and high-comfort electric lighting. The building’s energy saving initiatives are expected to deliver approximately $450,000 per year in cost savings.
Arup provided structural and civil design as well as fire engineering and traffic advice. MGF Consultants (NQ) provided the mechanical and electrical building services engineering, and Gilboy Hydraulic Solutions provided full hydraulic services.
All elements of the project were proudly delivered by a wholly local Cairns team of consultants which demonstrates the regions ability to achieve world best practice in tropical green building design.
More information
To view the full list of winners and finalists, visit http://www.derm.qld.gov.au/premiersawards/2011finalists_winners.html
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