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Bargoonga Nganjin, North Fitzroy Library

Learn about Bargoonga Nganjin, North Fitzroy Library and read about project updates

Development Summary

Yarra City Council proposes the development of a Community Hub on a prominent triangular shaped site in North Fitzroy. The building will house community rooms and gathering spaces, a library and offices. Council has committed early on to demonstrated exemplary sustainability initiatives and signed up for the project’s design certification under the Green Star Public Building rating tool. Currently in detailed design phase, the project is on track to earn a 6 Star Green Star rating.

The video below provides a virtual tour of the 6 Star Green Star building and its sustainability features.


 

Owner/applicant

Yarra City Council

Development size

2800m2 floor area, 3 storeys

Project team

Group GSA, architect
Cundall, ESD consultant

Selection of key sustainable design commitments

1.0 Indoor environment quality

  • The project design emphasised the importance of access to natural daylight in occupied spaces. This will be achieved through the careful positioning of external shading and the selection of window glazing with a high visual light transmission (VLT); commonly clear glazing.

2.0 Energy efficiency

  • The base building services and thermal envelope will be designed to achieve a 40% energy efficiency improvement when compared to a standard practise building.
  • Through a combination of fixed shading, blinds and screens, the project will eliminate 95% of all direct sun penetration for at least 80% of operational hours. This building design initiative will considerably reduce air-conditioning (cooling) requirements which in a commercial building are commonly much greater than in residential buildings.
  • The mechanical ventilation demand to the library spaces is controlled by CO2 and other pollutant monitors.
  • Solar photovoltaic panels will provide on-site renewable electricity.

3.0 Water efficiency

  • Efficient fittings with high WELS ratings will be installed in the bathrooms. Waterless urinals will be investigated.

4.0 Stormwater management

  • A 22,000L rainwater tank will harvest and store rainwater from the roof and provide water for toilet flushing and irrigation.
  • Raingardens will filter runoff from selected roof areas and provide attractive landscaping.

6.0 Transport

  • Secure bicycle parking, changing and locker facilities will be provided for at least 15% of staff. Additional bicycle parking will be provided for 5% of visitors.

8.0 Urban Ecology

  • Landscaping on the roof deck area and on the ground floor.
  • Indoor planting to provide amenity and a sense of connection to the outdoors

9.0 Innovation

  • Aiming for a 6 Star Green Star certification by GBCA using the Public Buildings tool, upon completion of the project.
  • The design of the façade’s shading devices has been informed by computer modelling, taking real local climate conditions into consideration.
  • Air tightness testing of the façade to identify and minimise air leakage and associated energy losses.
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For more information contact us on 9205 5555 or email [email protected].