Green Building Case Study: The Commons Melbourne

Introduction and Background

It is generally recognized that green building is an excellent method by which the necessity for applying sustainability and lasting improvement in the construction industry can be addressed [1]. Green building has been defined as "the practice of creating buildings and utilizing procedures which are ecologically responsible and resource-effective throughout a building's lifecycle" [2]. The creation of green buildings leads to significant reduction of adverse ecological impacts and more effective use of resources. Over the last twenty years, there has been an increasing focus on green building development, resulting in a clear shift toward green buildings worldwide [3].

This report is an evaluation of the green building known as The Commons. The Commons is a multi-residential condominium building situated in Brunswick, Melbourne, approximately 7 km from the CBD. The project was designed by local architect Jeremy McLeod of Breathe Architecture [4]. This case study evaluates resource utilization, building expenses, innovative technologies used in construction, and lessons learned from the project. The evaluation is conducted using the LEED green building assessment framework.

The recognition and adoption of green building practice have triggered the development of various green building technologies (GBTs) to improve sustainability performance throughout the construction process. As defined by Ahmad et al. [5], GBTs are systems integrated into building design and construction to make the final product environmentally friendly. There are various GBTs applicable across the entire process of delivering building projects, with common examples including solar power systems, green roofing and wall systems, and heat pump technologies [6] [7]. The integration of GBTs and their connections with other building techniques and components is increasingly important to successfully implement green building and achieve sustainability objectives.

Implementing GBTs offers a wide range of financial, social, and ecological advantages. Together with growing awareness of climate change, these benefits play a vital role in driving the adoption and development of GBTs. Balaras et al. [8] revealed that the use of higher energy-efficient windows and green wall technologies in residential design can conserve 14–20% and 33–60% of operational energy, respectively. The assessment by Galante and Pasetti [9] demonstrated that retrofitting existing housing stock with higher energy-efficient wall systems and components presents an excellent opportunity for the housing sector to conserve 25% of energy. Furthermore, as Zhang et al. [6] noted, construction companies often adopt GBTs — such as solar power technologies and optimization of building envelope thermal performance — because they contribute to competitive advantages, help build positive public perception, and create additional market opportunities [1]. Despite the numerous advantages associated with GBTs, their implementation still faces various barriers and challenges.

The LEED Green Building Rating System

LEED, or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is the most widely used green building rating program in the world. Available for virtually all building, neighborhood, and residential project types, LEED provides a framework for creating healthy, highly efficient, and cost-saving green buildings. LEED is a third-party green building certification system and the internationally recognized standard for the design, construction, and operation of high-performing green buildings and communities [10].

Addressing all building and space types through various rating systems and adaptations, LEED provides building owners and operators with the tools they need to have an immediate and measurable impact on their buildings' performance. By endorsing a whole-building approach to sustainability, LEED recognizes performance in location and planning, environmentally sensitive site design, water use reduction, energy efficiency, materials selection, waste reduction, indoor environmental quality, innovative practices, and attention to regional priorities.

The LEED® Version 4 was launched in 2016 and is currently in use. The LEED® Green Building Rating Systems are voluntary and are designed to assess the environmental performance of an entire building throughout its life. Different systems are designed for rating new and existing commercial, institutional, and residential buildings. Every system shares the same list of performance criteria laid out in five categories, but the number of credits, requirements, and available points varies significantly based on the specific subject area and building type [10]. All systems provide mandatory prerequisites and optional credits, which may be selected based on the goals to be achieved. The review of points for each credit produces the assessment result. All credits are assigned a single weight based on a clearly defined scoring system. The scoring system features a maximum rating of 100 points, with up to 10 additional bonus points available for adherence to two unique categories [14]. Of the possible total of 100 points, a minimum of 40 points must be achieved to pass the primary assessment.

Bibliography

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