WorkSafe Victoria opens new energy-efficient headquarters

The Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) has congratulated WorkSafe Victoria on the opening of its new Geelong headquarters — a building that has been praised for setting new standards in commercial office sustainability.

The CEFC provided diversified property group Quintessential Equity with $68 million in debt finance to ‘stretch’ the energy efficiency design of the landmark development at 1 Malop Street in the Geelong city centre. The property was designed and constructed to achieve a 5.5 NABERS energy rating (excluding Green Power).

Quintessential Equity worked with architect peckvonhartel, ESD consultant Aurecon and head contractor Built Construction to deliver the 14-storey, A-Grade office building, which was completed on time and on budget. It was designed to encompass the heritage facade of the original Dalgety & Co building while delivering a state-of-the-art commercial office building and environment.

1 Malop Street is the first building in Australia to be WELL Pre-certified Gold by the International WELL Building Institute for its fit-out; certification will be undertaken once full occupancy has been reached. It has also been awarded WELL Certified Platinum status for Base Building (core and shell). This certification recognises that better designed buildings can lead to better health and wellness outcomes for their occupants.

Technologies that helped 1 Malop Street achieve its impressive sustainability standards include:

• a high-performance facade with a leading-edge thermal performance building envelope;
• building air tightness, targeting best practice air leakage rates, to reduce energy use by up to 10%;
• a 90 kW solar array expected to provide 15% of base building energy;
• a high-efficiency mechanical plant with air-to-air heat exchanger;
• humidity and CO₂ sensors and controls;
• electric vehicle charging facilities.
   

“We’re pleased to have worked with Quintessential Equity to achieve its goal of lifting the sustainability of this building, produce a landmark that demonstrates how current technologies can deliver clean energy benefits,” said CEFC CEO Ian Learmonth.

“Buildings produce around 23% of national carbon emissions. That’s why we’re focused on financing stronger sustainability outcomes across the built environment, from commercial offices to health- and aged-care facilities, hotels, retail, student accommodation, residential and affordable housing.

“Increasing energy efficiency and renewable energy in the built environment are critical to lowering Australia’s carbon emissions.”

Image credit: ©stock.adobe.com/au/Andrey Popov