Shaping the first BREEAM-accredited building in the Southern Hemisphere

Arup provided multidisciplinary engineering and project management services to help MCB turn its distinctive building into reality. 

Supplying clean energy to the building, we installed a total of 980m² of solar panels and combined them with free cooling and floor displacement ventilation systems to minimise energy consumption. The first reduces the need for energy intensive air conditioning by using external ambient temperature to cool water and the second enables the flow of fresh air in the areas where people are likely to be. 

We carefully chose the orientation of the building to prevent heat gains, reducing reliance on air conditioning and energy consumption. In addition, the façade features coverings over its elements such as windows and doors, providing shade and protecting the building against weather events such as wind or rain. 

To efficiently manage the use of water, the design includes below-ground tanks to collect and store rainwater, which could be reused for multiple purposes like toilet flushing or running the building facilities.

As one of the city’s most recognisable buildings, MCB demonstrates that it is possible to create attractive structures with a focus on efficiency, sustainability, and wellbeing. Incorporating renewable energy sources, circular water management systems and energy-efficient cooling technologies, the building minimises environmental impact while caring for its occupants’ comfort through elements such as passive cooling systems. As a result, MBC has since become the first building in the Southern Hemisphere to achieve a good BREEAM rating.