Coorparoo is a shining example of green (and purple!) sustainability
Mon, 06 Sep 2010
Our new Coorparoo centre is state-of-the-art and purpose built.
Vision Australia's new state-of-the-art centre in Coorparoo is a shining example of green (and purple!) sustainability.
The centre comprises open plan offices, workshop and warehouse and has been designed to meet the needs of staff and clients in an environmentally friendly way.
JPA&D Architecture and Design, in conjunction with The TVS Partnership, were engaged to design a responsible and efficient facility that is conscious of electricity and water usage, as well as the importance of a healthy site for staff and visitors.
The Coorparoo facility has been designed to maximise natural light through the strategic placement of ducted skylights and directionally reflective sun shading.
Renewable energy is manufactured on site by way of solar power panels which generate enough electricity to run the workshop. Infrared sensors ensure that the building is efficiently and suitably lit at night without using unnecessary power.
A passive climate control system utilises ventilation and the large size of the building to naturally manage heating and cooling as much as possible, avoiding dependence on devices and minimising the output of greenhouse gas emissions.
Outside, the grounds have been landscaped to provide maximum shade to the building.
Responsible water sourcing and consumption is essential in Australia's drought-stricken environment and Coorparoo has been designed with this firmly in mind. A rainwater harvesting system has been integrated into the roof of the facility allowing water run-off to be collected and stored in underground tanks and used for landscaping and irrigation purposes. Filtration of collected water will also produce safe, high quality water for toilet flushing use inside the building.
This set up greatly reduces the need to rely on mains water, essentially allowing Coorparoo to be an almost self-sufficient and water wise site.
Inside the building, the health of the environment and of Vision Australia staff and visitors has been further considered. Only building and decorative materials with zero to near zero Volatile Organic Compound or formaldehyde content were selected for use.
Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) and formaldehyde can be found in many paints, fabrics, plastics, adhesives and other common building materials. These harsh chemicals are not only destructive to the environment, but they can also have adverse health effects on people and animals.
Therefore, designers have used low VOC paints, furnishings with partial recycled content, and natural materials for the interior. Wherever possible, materials have been selected based on their potential to be deconstructed or recycled.
Vision Australia is proud to be taking steps toward a smaller carbon footprint and a greater awareness of environmental impact and responsibility.
Contact Vision Australia Brisbane
Street Address: 373 Old Cleveland Road, Coorparoo Qld 4151
Postal Address: PO Box 1637, Coorparoo DC Qld 4151
Phone: 1300 84 74 66 and ask for Coorparoo