Sustainable Buildings Research Centre wins second Master Builders' award

The University of Wollongong’s (UOW) Sustainable Buildings Research Centre has been recognised by Master Builders Australia in its national awards program. The association each year acknowledges excellence in the building and construction industry through the National Excellence in Building and Construction Awards.

The research centre was awarded the National Environment and Energy Efficiency Commercial Building Award for its innovative and sustainable design and its construction by building contractor Baulderstone (now Lend Lease). When it officially opens next year, the centre will conduct sustainable building research and deliver advanced retrofit technologies, integrated component testing and skills training.

Designed by Cox Richardson Architects and located within the UOW’s Innovation Campus, the 2600 m² building features:

• an H-shaped floor plate designed to optimise natural ventilation, natural light and the use of thermal mass;
• a highly insulated exterior envelope which minimises thermal bridges and air leakage;
• a 4 kW building-integrated PV (solar panel);
• onsite rainwater harvesting and treatment and wastewater treatment and disposal systems;
• a 160 kW onsite generator which will produce more power than the building uses every year, sharing all generated power with neighbouring facilities;
• cool roof paint technology and a rooftop garden;
• 32 automatic window control zones with manual override functions;
• extensive use of re-used timber, bricks, rubber and steel railway tracks;
• locally sourced materials where possible;
• FSC-certified new timber;
• concrete with 60% cement replacement and 40% recycled aggregate.

It is also targeting a 6 Star Green Star design rating - a first for the Illawarra region - and aims to be Australia’s first ‘living building’ under the international Living Building Challenge program. 

“The Sustainable Buildings Research Centre was designed to push the envelope of sustainable design,” said Lance Jeffery, Project Manager of the centre. “The end result is the outcome of a terrific team effort between the university and our architects, builders and consultants.”

This isn’t the first time the centre has been awarded - it also won the Energy & Resource Efficiency Award and Tertiary Building Award ($10-20m) in the Master Builders Association of NSW’s 2013 MBA Excellence in Construction Awards.

“We are very proud the Master Builders has recognised the contribution our centre makes to a more sustainable environment,” Jeffery said.