Driven by the goal to be net positive by 2030, property
development firm Mirvac are beginning to question traditional motifs of
building design. Why does a building have to consume energy, why can't it
produce energy? Why does a building have to consume water, why can't it collect
water? Why can't a building re-use and recycle all of its outflows? A major
competitor, Lend Lease, is taking a similar approach. Their large mixed-use
development building in London's Elephant and Castle area, due for completion
in 2025, aims to do so with net-zero carbon growth. As touched on in the
previous post, such thinking has far reaching benefits that transcend initial
environmental and economic objectives associated with 'being green.'
In the case of the Elephant and Castle Development,
dwellings will be constructed from cross-laminated timber, a sustainably
sourced and highly insulating material. Subsequently, heaters are rendered
surplus to requirements, and the money saved will be used to install plumbing
which will utilize grey water for toilet flushing. Aforementioned facets of
design help to attract tenants by appealing to their moral obligation to be
sustainable. Of even greater benefit, however, is the developments intention to
influence the behaviour of people living in it and using it. It will improve
public transport links, encourage bicycle use, and a rainwater catchment will be
used to maintain a park in the middle of the development, the largest created
in central London for 70 years.
Bleby, M, 2014. Lend
Lease in 'green' project. Australian Financial Review, 20 March. 54.
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