Eco Factor: University building designed to harvest renewable energy.
Woods Bagot has unveiled plans for the Australian Catholic University’s new Center for Health and Wellbeing, which is being touted to be an exercise in healthy architecture. The sustainable building will adopt active mass cooling concrete slabs, solar hot water heating panels, wind turbines and a rooftop garden terrace.
The building will set new standards in energy efficient design without compromising on an attractive social and working environment for faculty. Faculty offices will be accommodated within the northern component on a level-by-level basis. This arrangement allows for a naturally illuminated atria and circulation core, which improves air flow and conserves energy.
The green credentials extend to level six, where a landscaped roof terrace has been designed. The project is slated to be completed by the end of 2011 at an estimated cost of $49.5 million.
