By Celsias Team
Posted on July 16, 2010. Listed in:
Waikato University’s Student Centre is seeing green after becoming only the second educational building in New Zealand to receive a ‘5 Green Star’ rating from the New Zealand Green Building Council. It is the first 5 Green Star project in the Waikato region.
Coming in at $30 million, the Student Centre is expected to be completed by the middle of next year.
Vice-Chancellor Professor Roy Crawford says achieving the five-star rating reflects the university’s commitment to sustainability.
“Sustainability is a key driver of this University and this achievement demonstrates our ability to apply our core values in ways that will benefit students, staff and the community,” he says.
The Green Star rating scheme, developed by the New Zealand Green Building Council, is a voluntary environmental rating system that evaluates the environmental attributes and performance of buildings in New Zealand. The not-for-profit industry organisation is dedicated to accelerating the development and adoption of market-based green building practices.
Chief executive Alex Cutler says a 5 Green Star certified rating represents New Zealand excellence and the Student Centre is only the second education building to achieve this status. The other one is Canterbury University’s NZi3 building.
“Waikato University has amply demonstrated how it is preparing its built environment for the future. This is evidence of long-term planning that will reap economic rewards in terms of reducing operating costs and environmental rewards with a reduced environmental impact,” says Cutler.
The university’s project manager, Tony Dicks, says the Student Centre project has been scrutinised at every level and from every aspect to ensure it is as sustainable as possible.
“It began with the design team from Warren and Mahoney and AECOM commencing design in late 2006, through to Fletchers Construction beginning building work in 2008. Many parties have contributed to ensure the Student Centre will be an exemplary facility that is a pleasure to use, while minimising its impact on the environment.”
The Student Centre’s features green features include:
- photo-voltaic panels and energy-generating lifts which will create energy for the building;
- sophisticated lighting and heating controls;
- carpet, ceiling tiles, and furniture having as much recycled content as possible;
- high-levels of natural light;
- rainwater collected from the roof to be stored on site and recycled through toilets;
- solar heating of water;
- and recycling of the demolition material where possible back into the building to prevent material going to landfill.
