Super sustainable projects

Climate and biodiversity emergencies are global challenges that demand strong, adaptive responses.

In 2019 Hassell joined a group of leading design practices in Australia and the UK to declare a climate and biodiversity emergency and pledged to respond with action.

“The world will add 2 trillion square feet of buildings by 2060 – the equivalent of putting up another New York City every month for the next 40 years.”

Bill Gates

100+ SUSTAINABILITY RATED PROJECTS – A NUMBER THAT’S GROWING EXPONENTIALLY

Hassell has designed over 2,900,000 square metres of buildings certified or registered as sustainable using rating tools including LEED, Green Mark, Green Star and WELL.

As an active member of international industry bodies – such as the Green Building Council of Australia and the US Green Building Council – we constantly update and expand our sustainable design capabilities.

A sustainable building will typically use 25% less energy, cost 20% less to maintain, and have 17% higher occupancy rates.

Source: National Geographic

THERE’S NO ‘ONE SIZE FITS ALL’ APPROACH TO SUSTAINABILITY

The best approach to sustainability depends on the context. What works on one project may not work on another. From designing single buildings to planning whole cities, Hassell responds to the unique natural, cultural and economic circumstances of each project to improve environmental outcomes.

Sustainable and regenerative design creates better performing buildings and spaces that have lasting value. These impact the future of the cities and communities in which we work.

Buildings generate 40% of the world’s greenhouse gasses – twice as much as cars, and planes. The design and construction industries have to do better.

Architecture 2030

CRC FOR LOW CARBON LIVING

Hassell was a partner in the Co-operative Research Centre (CRC) for Low Carbon Living: a $100 million, seven-year, multi-national research collaboration between industry, government and research organisations. Read more about how we’ve playing our part in looking for solutions to long-term challenges facing cities.

We’ve designed over 2.9M sqm of projects certified sustainable through LEED, Green Mark, BREEAM, Green Star and WELL ratings.

KEY PRINCIPLES OF SUSTAINABLE DESIGN

Through these projects, we’ve identified 10 key principles of sustainable design:

Leverage the potential of the site and local climate
Respect and enhance ecosystems
Enhance health and well-being
Protect and conserve water
Optimise energy performance and use renewable energy
Use products and materials that are non-toxic, ethical and sustainable
Reduce pollution and waste, and enable re-use and recycling
Encourage and support use of active and public transport
Consider the full life cycle of projects and materials
Enable adaptation to a changing climate and environment

Some of our standout sustainable projects

130,000sqm building /
83,600sqm fitout

HIGHLIGHTS

A benchmark in robust, responsive and accessible sustainable architecture
6 Star Green Star – Office Design v2 rating from the GBCA
Winner World Architecture Festival’s Interiors and Fitout of the Year award, 2010

“It accommodates the most contemporary ideas of workplace planning and has excellent green credentials. [It] carries the spirit of a respected institution forward into a modern open and accessible one.”

International jury, World Architecture Festival

45,000sqm workplace

HIGHLIGHTS

One of UK’s largest agile workplaces with vast spaces broken up by trees and extensive planting
Rainwater harvesting system, solar panels, a green roof and high-efficiency lighting to reduce energy use
BREEAM rating of ‘excellent’
24,776 plants installed within the building
10% energy needs generated by PV cells
250+ new mature planted trees

“PV cells generate 10% of its electricity needs, the rainwater it harvests feeds its washrooms, the extensive planting oxygenates the atmosphere and the Live Well food program protects waistlines.”

Neil Usher, Sky Workplace Director

View project

18,000sqm

HIGHLIGHTS

Designed for sub-tropical climate, with systems to pre-cool air and external shading to reduce energy use up to 70%
Screens throughout showing real-time energy output, water use and waste production – the building as ‘teaching tool’
Use of local, sustainable hardwoods in striking auditorium with exposed 220-tonne timber truss roof
More than 15 awards for sustainability, timber use and other features

“AEB expertly embraces setting and place and has created an exemplar of engagement with renewable resources and local industry.”

Jury citation, Australian Institute of Architects Queensland Awards

3,865sqm

HIGHLIGHTS

First Australian use of structural geopolymer concrete, a low-carbon product made with low GHG emissions
Naturally ventilated and able to operate with no mechanical heating/cooling for over 80 per cent of the year
More than a dozen national and state awards for sustainable architecture

“The Global Change Institute was founded on the promise of dealing with change … GCI stimulates thinking and generates new ideas to answer community puzzles and global problems.”

Penelope Wensley AC, Former Queensland Governor

500sqm

HIGHLIGHTS

Purpose-built for pioneering research into ‘green’ transformation of cities
World-class research and teaching facility (first of its kind in Australia) and demonstration site for community
Design collaboration with the client’s leading academic green roof technology and urban horticulture researchers

“[Hassell] had a track record of building green roofs in Australia. We hope that the Burnley Living Roofs stimulate the development of the green roof industry in Australia by providing tangible built examples [to] view and visit and also be used in our teaching and research.”

Dr Nick Williams, Senior Lecturer, Urban Ecology and Horticulture University of Melbourne

Topics

Related projects

GSK Asia House

Lendlease Global Headquarters

Medibank Place

Arup Workplaces

Sixty Martin Place

Super sustainable projects

Climate and biodiversity emergencies are global challenges that demand strong, adaptive responses.

“The world will add 2 trillion square feet of buildings by 2060 – the equivalent of putting up another New York City every month for the next 40 years.”