5-STAR GREEN ENERGY TAFE BUILDING
Client: Zauner Constructions
Project: Learning Resource Hub Upgrade for TAFE Western, Mudgee NSW
Barnson’s Role: Data/asset capture, soil testing, concrete testing, structural design and inspections, survey, and civil design
Time frame: 12 month project completed in June 2016
The Mudgee Learning Resource Hub is the first building of its kind for TAFE NSW, demonstrating Australian Excellence in environmentally sustainable design. In January 2015, the building achieved a Five Star Green Star Education design v1 certified rating from the Green Building Council of Australia.
This $7 million project consolidated the existing Mudgee College comprising of two sites; a 19th century two-storey building, and a rural site at Ulan Rd approximately five kilometres from the town centre to create a modern student hub.
The project was primarily aimed at achieving significant improvement to educational delivery at Mudgee College. Consolidating the two sites and building a new Student Hub to support improved service provision to students and to assist the wider community. The Hub aims to improve the library, academic skills, and counselling services.
Additionally, the Hub project was designed to allow TAFE Western to enhance and expand educational delivery in Mudgee. Other objectives included the reduction of the overall environmental footprint of the Mudgee College. This is achieved through increased facilities utilisation rates, and more strategic use of resources.
Barnson provided the client with technical support and all the compiled data sets. Barnson compiled the data capture and asset management systems, including collecting information on built and non-built assets, and incorporated this information into NSW public works databases.
Green Building Council of Australia is a national not-for-profit organisation, supported by government and industry. Their mission is to develop a sustainable property industry and encourage the adoption of green building practices. Green Star is the national rating system for design and construction of sustainable buildings and fit-outs. The Mudgee College Green Star is focused on design (two years), and as built (for life) using the Education rating legacy tool; where 4 star = best practice, 5 star = Australian excellence, and 6 star = world leadership. Some of the features that enabled the site to achieve the Green Star Certification included:
- energy efficient lighting, heating/cooling systems, appliances and building materials
- incorporation of non-toxic and recycled materials in construction products
- use of low environmental impact concrete
- optimisation of natural diffused light
- sustainable transport options
- state-of-the-art water harvesting systems
- minimal use of organic volatile compounds
The Hub itself will serve as a ‘living laboratory’ to demonstrate excellence in sustainable infrastructure renewal and environmental performance to staff, students and other stakeholders.