Pixel is the highest rated sustainable building in the world
Media Release
It’s now official. Pixel is the highest rated sustainable building in the world
8 March 2012
On 29 February 2012 it was announced that Pixel had received the world’s highest LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design*) rating from the US Green Building Council - the first building in Australia to earn this rating.
“There are over 44,000 buildings in 120 countries around the world that have used the LEED rating system,” Shane Esmore, Umow Lai Director and Head of the Sustainability team, said on receiving the news.
“In scoring 105 points out of a possible 110, Pixel has now surpassed all of them. In doing so, Pixel has outscored the previous highest performing LEED building by a massive 10 points.
“The Pixel project demonstrates how excellence and innovation can push the boundaries of sustainable design, and while it may be only a small building, its impact will be felt on the design of other office buildings here and around the world.”
Shane was involved in the Pixel project from the outset. He developed many of the innovative technologies that have helped the building surpass all current sustainable commercial developments and in so doing, provide a benchmark for the office of the future.
A sustainability engineer, Shane said that Grocon, Pixel’s owner, developer and constructor, intend to apply some of the technology used in the building for future developments. Umow Lai and Grocon have already begun a further collaboration on another carbon neutral building in Sydney, Legion House that is seeking to break further ground in sustainable building design.
Pixel is a modest four-level building - with a striking façade, designed by architects Studio 505. Designed to be carbon neutral and water balanced the building contains an impressive array of sustainable design technology and innovation. Located at 205 Queensberry Street, Carlton, it has notched up some impressive achievements since its completion last year. For example, receiving a perfect score in being awarded a ‘world leader’ 6 Star Green Star rating from the Green Building Council of Australia, winning the prestigious Banksia Award along with a host of other industry awards for its sustainability and design achievements.
Achievements: Pixel received a perfect 6 Star Green Star – Office Design v3 rating of 105 points that made it the highest possible and highest ever awarded rating from the Green Building Council of Australia.
Awards:
Include the AIRAH 2011 Excellence in Sustainability Award, Best of the Best and Winner; Highly Commendable, Victorian Engineering Excellence Awards 2011, Buildings & Structures’ (projects up to $10 million), Research & Development/Innovation; Victorian Premier's Sustainability Award Built Environment; Sustainable Architecture Award.
*LEED. Developed by the U.S. Green Building Council, LEED is a leading-edge system for certifying the greenest performing buildings in the world, providing building owners and operators with a framework for identifying and implementing practical and measurable green building design, construction, operations and maintenance solutions.
Umow Lai:
A national, Australian-owned building services and sustainability consultancy established 20 years ago, the firm now employs over 130 staff in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane and has associate offices in Hobart, Adelaide, Perth, Hong Kong and Vietnam.
Their expertise in sustainability and technological innovation is demonstrated by the fact that with the LEED achievement for Pixel, they have worked on numerous other Green Star rated projects, many also among the highest performing in Australia.
Umow Lai is a member of the Green Building Council of Australia, the US Green Building Council, the Property Council of Australia and a Founding Member of the China Green Building Council, one of only 14 foreign founding member firms.
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For further information or media enquiries, please contact:
Rosemary Rule
Publicist,
T: 03 9249 0288
M: 0418 675 734
E: rosemary.rule@umowlai.com.au