Frenchmans Rd View

Kemmis St view

D E S I G N  I N I T A T I V E S :

o Social context :: active streetscape :: private homes
o Responsive massing to sense of place
o Materials and texture similarly responsive.
Responsible pro-active ESD components

The brief from the owners of the subject site was to create a building that would attract people to the site to see first hand a development that would surpass Council's environmental objectives and become one of the leading examples of sustainable urban living in Australia.

'Green' is sustainable development though minimal recourse consumption

62 Frenchman's Road utilises 'green' technologies that will reduce water, energy and material consumption.
o Measures to reduce water usage include grey water recycling, rainwater recycling and water saving fixtures to all units.
o Energy consumption is reduced through an efficient centralised gas fired hot water system.
o Measures to reduce material consumption include selection of materials from renewable sources and inclusion of an 'Ecopackage' with purchase documentation.

'Green' is sustainable development through longevity of place

Longevity of the development relates to its liveability. The subject site utilises 'green' principles that improve psychological and physiological wellbeing.
o Selection of materials with low volatile organic compound (VOC) off gassing improving internal air quality
o Breezeway forms core of building improving thermal comfort through natural ventilation
o Green roof and green walls. Leafy building are shown to be psychologically and physiologically beneficial as aesthetically pleasing.
o Encouraging pedestrian and cycle access.
In summary the presented project surpasses current multi-unit developments in NSW. As the only such dwelling to use an in-situ greywater system it is an example of innovation and result of collaborative design approach.

The proposed residential development draws on a number of key ESD strategies:
Energy: Geothermal heat exchange, centralised gas hot water system plumbed to all units.
Water: Grey water recycling, rainwater recycling and AAA rated fixtures
IEQ (Indoor Air Quality and Eco systems): 'The Breathing Apartment', materials with low off gassing of VOC's, enhanced day lighting with glazed facades and high ceilings.
Materials: Materials with low off gassing of VOC's. 'Ecopackage' of finishes fittings and fixtures
Emissions: Potential waste minimisation measures being investigated such as 'Biolytix'
Land Use and Ecology: Water efficient landscaping. Improved value of space to occupants through replacement of hard surfaces with leafy roof, walls and other outdoor spaces
Innovation: The proposed is the only multi unit dwelling with in-situ grey water recycling system.

'Green' is sustainable development though minimal recourse consumption

The presented project integrates several key ESD strategies with tangible benefits these include:
o Greywater treatment of shower and WHB waster water recycled for irrigation resulting in a saving of 2.5 million litres of potable water and waste water to sewer per year
o Recycling of rainwater for WC flushing and laundries resulting in a saving of 560,000 litres of potable water per year
o Cross flow ventilation to all apartments with the use of dedicated ventilation openings to control the amount of fresh air movement minimising the requirements for AC to apartments
Performance glazing will be used to promote occupant comfort whilst providing good levels of daylight. NatHERS 5 star rating throughout
o The installation of solar electric panels to generate green power for the base building systems resulting in a considerable saving in the base building energy consumption and a reduction in the off peak load demand for the building on the local infrastructure
o Geothermal heating and cooling. Provided as an alternative to traditional air-conditioning systems resulting in significant energy savings
o Use of materials that do not off gas significantly reducing VOC emissions and leafy atrium to increase VOC absorption and improve thermal comfort.
Inclusion of 'Ecopackage' with purchase documentation to guide purchaser in selection of energy efficient appliances and reduced VOC apartment finishes.

Geothermal Heating and Cooling

It is proposed to include a geothermal heat pump system for the heating and cooling of air for the development.
The system will replace traditional air-conditioning for the retail tenancies and the apartments in the main building. The rear building will not have geothermal heating and cooling.
The system results in significant energy savings.

Grey Water Recycling

The intention was to develop a system for the treating and reusing of grey water in a multi-unit residential dwelling that will become a benchmark installation for NSW. This will involve close co-operation between Sydney water/ NSW Health and Local Government and Educational Bodies to monitor water quality an measure environmental benefits.

In terms of multi-unit urban dwellings in NSW, it is recognised that at present there are no guidelines or Australian Standards specifically for multi-unit development, there is no installed system precedent and no company manufactures a proprietary system that has been approved for installation by NSW Health.

The installation of an in-situ grey water recycling system represents significant innovation.

The proposed grey water recycling system takes water from showers, wash hand basins and washing machines and treats it to a sufficient standard that it can be reused for non-potable uses. In addition a conventional rainwater harvesting system will be used to collect water from the roof. Water from both sources will be used for common landscape irrigation, car washing and wc flushing.

'The Breathing Apartment'

o High level louvres provide stack ventilation where there is low wind conditions.
o Dedicated natural ventilation openings.
o Excellent cross flow ventilation
o Landscaped roof provides evaporative cooling in the summer and insulation in the winter
o Timber floor from a sustainable source such as bamboo flooring
o Natural paints containing no VOC's
High performance glazing

'Green' is sustainable development through longevity of place

Longevity of the development relates to it's liveability, landscaping is one way the building improves the value of the place to the occupants.
The site, which was previously covered with building or concrete driveways has be revitalised through reintroduction of plants.
Leafy environments have been shown to positively effect wellbeing with. People placed in such environments have shown reduced feelings of stress. Overall we determined the building should have a feeling of green. The green roof, perceived as a grassy knoll whilst commuting East down Frenchmans Rd, was paramount in this regard.

Architects:
Brenchley Architects

Bibliography:
Johnson, C. Greening Sydney: Landscaping the Urban Fabric, Government Architect Publications, 2003.

Credits:
We wish to acknowledge the contributions of the following for their contributions to the project and this presentation:

360 Degrees
Level 5 Ballarat House
68-72 Wentworth Ave
Surry HIlls NSW 2010

CJP Cosulting Engineers
119 Willoughby Rd
Crows Nest NSW 2065

DOTP
Level 2/29 Shepherd St
Chippendale NSW 2008

MJB Planning
PO Box 341
Gymea NSW 2227

Appendix:
DA Architectural Documentation by Brenchley Architects
'ESD Summary' by CJP Consulting Engineers
'Geothermal Heat Pump System' by CJP Consulting Engineers
NatHERS star rating certificate by DTOP

Contact:
Brenchley Architects
81 Queen St, Woollahra, NSW 2025
P: 02 9326 2211, F: 02 9326 2266
E: mail@brenchleyarchitects.com