Facilities Management Services Division
Deakin University
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Project: | International Centre and Business Buildings | ||
| Location: | Melbourne Campus at Burwood | |||
| Project Status: | Complete |
Description of Hollowcore Heating and Cooling System Operation
In line with the University’s commitment to Environmentally Sustainable design, the IC&BB building complex on Elgar Rd was designed to minimise energy use by maximising passive design elements.
The architectural design, air conditioning, ventilation and mechanical systems include special low energy features that use the thermal storage capacity of the building structure to utilise naturally occurring energy aspects of the environment in which the building is located.
Due to the nature of its design, the buildings need to be fine-tuned and tested over the first four seasons of occupancy to help achieve optimum performance.
Features of this building include:
The thermal mass of these concrete planks is used to store the cooler night air in summer, which is then used during the following day, thus reducing energy demand for cooling.
The mechanical system will alert the buildings occupants to close external windows when the natural ventilation mode is not in operation by lighting up the “blue” lights in the corridors.
Cooling, created at night on cheaper night electrical tariffs, from the building air conditioning system is also stored and re-used in these planks in the peak summer season. This shifts electrical demand away from peak periods and reduces demand on the State’s peak power generation capacity.
The building has a natural ventilation operating mode for mild weather conditions.
When in this mode, the buildings mechanical ventilation and air conditioning systems shut down and occupants are encouraged to open the building windows and louvre vents. At the same time, motorised louvre vents within the central atriums in each building open to assist the natural air flow.
This reduces energy usage and improves ventilation, hence improving indoor air quality.
The building’s automatic control systems are connected via the web to the Bureau of Meteorology’s weather forecasts, particularly the predicted maximum and minimum temperatures for the next day.
This predictive control is used to pre-set building schedules and slab temperatures in readiness for the following day’s occupation.
Inside space conditions are run on a slightly wider temperature range to save energy. In line with Deakin policy, conditions will float between 18ºC and 26ºC, which should be reasonably comfortable for most people. Occupants are encouraged to check forecasted temperature, so they can predict how hot or cold it will be, and choose appropriate clothing to suit the season, and to bring removable layers.
This is the first project to be designed in accordance with the Melbourne Campus at Burwood Masterplan, this project comprises of the following:
The design consists of two rectangular buildings. The north building is la and the south building is lb. Between the buildings is an open courtyard, which is an extension of the pedestrian 'spine' connecting with the eastern campus, as identified in the Masterplan. The proposed link between the east and west halves of the campus across Gardiners Creek will complete the spine.
The brief for the buildings was that they be essentially practical and flexible to accommodate Deakin's needs now and in the future. They have been designed with a distinctive curved form to give them 'landmark' status in accordance with their importance as the first buildings to be constructed on the western side of the campus.
Good Design at Deakin includes Environmental sustainability
The incorporation of environmentally sustainable design principles is fundamental to all Deakin's projects. The buildings designs incorporate internal light courts to maximise daylight to the interiors. The east west orientation of the buildings, and the use of sunshading, will ensure minimum heat loading in summer and maximum in winter. The buildings are naturally ventilated with air tempering by ducting air through the concrete floor structure. Supplementary cooling will be provided for areas of high heat load such as computer laboratories.
Building materials include patterned aluminium façade panelling, timber louvres and masonry (using bricks recycled from demolished buildings on the site). The materials have a deliberate relationship with the landscape, following the example set by the Central Precinct project on the eastern side of the Gardiners Creek.
The buildings and landscape are designed in accordance with the Melbourne Campus at Burwood Masterplan and fully respond to the objectives, principles and guidelines of the Masterplan.
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| Building la | Elgar Road car park - ma car park 12 | Building lb |
