UTS opens 6 Star science and health building

The University of Technology, Sydney (UTS) last night opened its new Faculty of Science and Graduate School of Health Building - the second university building in NSW to achieve a 6 Star Green Star Design rating from the Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA).

Vice-Chancellor Professor Attila Brungs said the new building houses “a super lab accommodating 220 students, psychology clinics, a simulated drug dispensary, high-tech research technologies and learning aids, and a forensic crime scene simulation lab”. In addition, the building itself is a ‘living lab’, with meters and sensors monitoring its real-time sustainability performance.

The building was constructed from recycled glass, green concrete and sustainable sources of timber and steel. Improved indoor environment quality was achieved through the selection of materials with zero or low VOCs, as well as composite wood products with zero or low formaldehyde content. A wide concrete stairway connects several of the building’s eight occupied levels, providing a way to connect people, reduce lift energy use and improve health and wellbeing.

Natural daylighting is provided via architectural solutions such as portholes and skylights, with adjustable blinds minimising glare and insulated double glazing reducing heat transfer. A green roof provides recreational space, insulation, improved air quality, a plant and animal habitat, and the ability to filter and clean stormwater run-off.

Energy-efficiency features include LED and T5 lighting, zoning and controls. There is floor displacement ventilation in the lecture theatre, while a thermal labyrinth around the Library Retrieval System cools fresh air for supply to the basement plant room.

There are also water-efficient fixtures, such as toilets and hand basin taps, as well as waterless urinals. Rainwater capture, treatment and re-use supply the building’s toilets, green roof and landscaping. Heated and chilled water is supplied from the CB01 Central Thermal Plant, and solar hot water technology has been implemented on the rooftop.

UTS worked collaboratively on the building with project architects Durbach Block Jaggers, in association with BVN Architecture, as well as contractor Richard Crookes Constructions. Professor Brungs said the 6 Star Green Star Design rating demonstrates world leadership in sustainable design of tertiary education buildings.

Images courtesy of Andrew Worssam.