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 APARTMENT BLOCKS JUST KEEP GOING UP. That's because more and more people want to live in them. With apartments in such high demand in Australian cities, it makes sense to find a better way to build them. One sustainable apartment complex is leading the way in multi-residential developments.
Viret, Brisbane's first sustainable apartment development, is ideally located in Clayfield just six kilometres from the city. Pronounced 'veer-ay', which is Latin for green, the development features 14 sustainable abodes. Each apartment has been rated using the Building Energy Rating Scheme (BERS) which estimates the amount of artificial heating and cooling needed to keep the home comfortable. All apartments in the complex can achieve a 5 Star energy-efficiency rating. Artificial heating and cooling is unlikely to be necessary in the dwellings.
Viret is a boutique development that embraces the principles of water and energy efficiency and material conservation. Each apartment is fitted with water saving showerheads, taps, toilets and dishwashers to minimise the amount of water used. Recycling has been made easy, with each apartment containing a recycling cupboard for temporary storage of rubbish. Recycling stations and compost bins are located in the common areas.
Clever design principles have been applied to eliminate the need for expensive heating and cooling.
Unique breezeways maximise natural light and ventilation to all units. The shape and positioning of the spaces in the building stimulate a 'Venturi' effect, creating positive and negative pressure differences between rooms. This makes air flow through the building. All access ways, including the ground level car park, are naturally ventilated. Each apartment has three facades open to the outdoors, a unique feature in multi-storey developments. The benefit is natural climate control all year round and light, airy living spaces.
The apartments enjoy winter sun as they all face north. All have verandahs that shade against the summer sun. The apartments feel bright and spacious as the breezeways allow light to penetrate deep into the unit plan. Skylights on upper floors and high level internal windows on lower levels brighten the central bathroom areas, reducing the need for electric lighting during the day.
Residents use stored rainwater for toilet flushing, balcony taps, garden watering, topping up the swimming pool and car washing, easing the burden on the main water supply. Two 30,000 litre precast concrete rainwater tanks are buried underground, coupled with variable speed submersible pumps. A sub-surface irrigation system waters the garden, which includes plants that can survive with little water. This rainwater harvesting and reuse provides up to 55 per cent of the complex's water requirements.
Body corporate charges are minimised due to a photovoltaic system providing power to common areas. Any excess power is fed back into the electricity grid. Electricity consumption is further reduced with sensor lights in the common areas. They only activate with movement and turn off automatically after a certain time. Outdoor clothes lines reduce energy bills by drying clothes naturally.
Residents can see for themselves which activities are the most power thirsty by consulting an electronic device that displays the real-time power consumption in their unit. A centralised gas hot water system further reduces reliance on mains power. This is better for the environment, as gas produces less greenhouse emissions.
Materials and finishes with low environmental impact are used throughout the complex. Prefinished bamboo boards have been used for interior flooring. External shading and battening is made from a product containing sawdust and recycled plastic. Care has been taken choosing healthy materials indoors, such as low-emission particleboard and high-pressure laminate benchtops in kitchens. Low toxicity paint has been used for internal finishes.
Commitment to a sustainable end result was shared by Viret's project architect Mark Thomson and QM Properties Development Manager Glenn Rix. Without this shared vision, many of the development's environmental features may not have been realised.
Mark sees good communication during the construction phase as a 'key to success. "A special challenge of applying sustainability is to communicate your aims to everyone involved in the project. Any change to the conventional methods of construction can be met with resistance, hence all contractors and subcontractors should understand the environmental approach and features proposed."
Despite lack of interest from some, many were supportive of the environmental agenda and keen to participate, including the builders, who recycled or reused waste wherever possible. "Detailed communication with selected subcontractors was found to be the most time and cost effective way to deliver sustainable solutions, with many details best worked out on site," says Mark.
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