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SUSTAINABLE BUILDINGS RESEARCH CENTRE (SBRC)
UNIVERSITY OF WOLLONGONG
The SBRC demonstrates a
holistic and integrated design
approach to sustainability,
which has resulted in a
building that incorporates a
range of passive initiatives
supplemented by active
systems, which together
create a number of important
social end economic
dividends.
The building has been
designed to achieve
certification with the Living
Building Challenge, arguably
the worlds most stringent
environmental rating tool
that applies to buildings.
The building seeks to be
water, energy and carbon
neutral; beautiful, inspiring
and educational; socially
responsible and equitable;
nontoxic and healthy.
Passive solutions include
optimisation of the building
envelope & solar control to
ensure effective daylight
and natural ventilation,
maximising insulation and
activated thermal mass, and
the careful reuse of reclaimed
construction materials.
Active systems have been
designed for ‘plug and
play’ to allow experimental
technologies to connect
to building services, and
researchers to modify
operations and monitor
occupant response. These
systems include ground
sourced heat exchangers
connected to an in-
slab hydronic system, a
160kW photovoltaic array,
5kW building integrated
photovoltaic thermal system,
micro-grid distribution system,
rainwater capture storage and
treatment, and a blackwater
treatment system.
Social and economic
dividends for the project
have been demonstrated by
additional employment in
Illawarra, and the creation of
workspaces that are healthy
and inspiring. Display and
training areas provide a
location for events, meetings
and training. The selection
of materials are also socially
responsible and directed to
local economies, and the
campus’s operational costs
have been reduced.
PROJECT TEAM
Practice Team:
Michael Bradburn
Project Architect
Joe Agius
Design Director
Andy Marlow
Andrew Noonan
Anna Brown
Andrew Hosking
Tony Lam
Consultant Team:
TLB Engineers
Structural
Consultant
TLB Engineers
Civil Consultant
Taylor Brammer
Landscape
Consultant
COX Richardson
Architect
Cundall
ESD Consultant
Construction Team:
Lend Lease
Builder
SUSTAINABLE BUILDINGS RESEARCH CENTRE (SBRC)
UNIVERSITY OF WOLLONGONG
SUSTAINABLE BUILDINGS RESEARCH CENTRE (SBRC)
UNIVERSITY OF WOLLONGONG
Established 1996
The previous environment and energy awards
have become the Milo Dunphy Award for
sustainable architecture. There is no longer
a single category for this award as all entries
into the NSW Architecture Awards are now
judged in terms of their sustainability and are
eligible for this award which commemorates
Milo Dunphy’s longstanding commitment to
conserving the environment.
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