Championing balance between human activity and environmental protection, EPA Victoria sought a fitout solution that would demonstrate the successful co-habitation of human activity and an acute sensitivity to the environmental envelope. A key aspect of the brief was to create a single home base upon which the organisation could develop its unique identity outside of the traditional government department parameters.
Charged with a responsibility to think radically about our environment, EPA Victoria embraced the opportunity to commission a new workplace environment that would comply to 6 Star Green Star parameters. The design approach was to satisfy Green Star as a minimum and push the ‘sustainability’ ethos beyond the building technology, into the literal spatial experience.
The existing building was strategically examined to map the way in which the quality of the built area changed in response to environmental factors. The impact of light moving through the interior volume was taken as a primary cue, with naturally occurring ‘light paths’ being identified as boundaries for built space. The resulting built forms are approached as ‘shade pavillions’ supporting EPA Victoria’s move to a more ‘lifestyle-orientated’ working environment. A suite of alternative working spaces compliment individual work points, which flow around the built forms, and embrace new architectural interventions including a central atrium and new interconnecting stair. The sustainability message permeates every aspect of the design; from space planning, material selection, services design and technology; to construct a deeply engaging experience of sustainable living and working.
Australian Institute of Building (Victoria) Awards
Professional Excellence Award, Commercial Construction AUD 1-10 million
Area
5,100m²
Completion Date
December 2009
Sustainability
Designed to achieve a 6 Star Greenstar Rating