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UTS Faculty of Design Architecture and Building Sustainability Evaluation & Retrofit Plan Report January 1, 2015
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Building Sustainability
Evaluation & Retrofit Plan Report 2015
UTS Faculty of Design Architecture and Building (Peter Johnson Building)
720 Harris Street, Sydney
Content
Executive Summary
Page 2
Property Overview
Page 3-6
Sustainability Facts
Page 7-10
Retrofit Plans
Page 11-13
Calculation of Efficiency in Water Saving
Page 14
Calculation of Efficiency in Energy Saving
Page 15-16
Conclusion
Page 17
References
Page 18-19
UTS Faculty of Design Architecture and Building Sustainability Evaluation & Retrofit Plan Report January 1, 2015
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Executive Summary
Background
There is a growing demand for urban development that recognises the
importance of improving buildings sustainability in large-scale. The
climate-change awareness drives the group of urban property
stakeholders include developers, practitioners and researcher across the
globe including in Australia involving a competition of creating and
retrofitting buildings with sustainable technology (RICS 2013). The
concept of sustainability building is to design an integration of eco-
friendly technology and aesthetical building that high-functional in
accommodating various human activities while maintain energy
consumption and renewable resources for the building (RMI 2015).
Aims
The objectives of this report are determining sustainability aspects of UTS
Building 6 in 720 Harris Street Ultimo Sydney and providing solutions to
improve the quality of the building in the future. This assessment for UTS
Building 6, also known as Peter Johnson Building, is a part of UTS Campus
Global Vision to be a leader in sustainable building as well as creating
sophisticated teaching and learning facility. The evaluation assesses the
quality of indoor and outdoor environment of the property, energy
system, water management, building management system, materials,
architectural design, and the dynamic of human activities in this building.
The existing issues of sustainability in this building will put on analysis,
calculation, and estimation as a basis of submissions.
The Retrofit Plan
The retrofit concepts then will address in five years with three different
terms that include short-term, mid-term, and long-term. The idea of
dividing time in the renewal plan is to create efficiency base on the
possibility in adopting and adapting the plan by UTS to overcome every
particular sustainability issue on the building. The solutions will offer
smart investment ideas of the low-cost project but high-impact in
financing and maintaining the property of UTS Building 6.
UTS Faculty of Design Architecture and Building Sustainability Evaluation & Retrofit Plan Report January 1, 2015
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Property Overview
Key Facts
UTS Building 6 was designed by Cox Richardson from Cox Architecture
firm in 1999 for Faculty of Design, Building and Architecture (DAB) and
the construction finished in 2000. This property has several names such
as UTS Building 6 or DAB Building but, for the very first time this building
namely after former UTS Vice-Chancellor, Peter Johnson. The main
purpose of this project was to merge the three different departments of
DAB in one building that link to UTS Tower Building to create City Campus
in the inner cities (Architecture Australia 1999).
This property designed as a mixed-use building for academic and
commercial purposes. The building has seven storeys with different
functions such as car parking, workshops and studios, student centre and
common areas, lecture theatres, exhibition rooms, faculty office, open
space and coffee bar. (Cox Architecture 2015)
UTS Faculty of Design Architecture and Building Sustainability Evaluation & Retrofit Plan Report January 1, 2015
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Key Features: Design
The facade of the Peter Johnson Building is typical of a dominant brick-
layer horizontal building along the Harris Street combined with square
glass windows and canopies panels joint with steel structure.
The Atrium in this building located in wings of level 4. The primary
function of these outdoor atriums is daylight-provider for the building as
well as a pedestrian entrance that connects to the Ultimo Pedestrian
Network. The other function of these atriums is provided fresh air space
for students and staff of the Faculty of Design, Building and Architecture
(DAB) for muti purposes such as eating, reading, discussing and socializing
(Cox Architecture 2015).
Figure 1 the Facade of UTS Building 6, Credit; Cox Architecture
The Pedestrian Bridge is also noticeable as main design elements of the
building. This bridge is across over the Harris Street to link Peter Johnson
Building to UTS Tower Building. This bridge also uses as a shortcut for
pedestrians that going to the Central Railway Station Devonshire Tunnel
and The Ultimo Pedestrian Network. In addition, for access inside the
building there are escalator, elevator and stairs for vertical transport.
Figure 2 and 3 the Entrance Access of UTS Building 6
Credit; Survey & Lost on Campus
UTS Faculty of Design Architecture and Building Sustainability Evaluation & Retrofit Plan Report January 1, 2015
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Key Features: Teaching, Learning & Research
Guthrie Theatre is a principal lecture auditorium in this faculty building
with 330 seats. This modern lecture theatre is fully equipped with
sophisticated visual and audio technology. There are two other
collaborative auditoriums in the same level 3 of the building.
Figure 4 the Guthrie Theatre, Credit; Lost on Campus
There are 47 collaborative classrooms, 20 Studios, ten labs and
workshops that design with various interior designs such futuristic and
minimalist elements, as well as supportive learning technology attached.
Learning commons area are available at every level for students for
informal learning activities such group discussion and self-study activities
(Lost on Campus 2015).
There are also two galleries; The UTS Gallery and DAB research gallery in
the level 4. The UTS Gallery is open to creative practitioners in the art.
The DAB research exhibit is limited to the students.
Figure 5 the Labs & Workshops, Credit; Survey & Lost on Campus
UTS Faculty of Design Architecture and Building Sustainability Evaluation & Retrofit Plan Report January 1, 2015
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Key Features: Social Spaces
There are several social spaces for students and staff of DAB such as the
UTS DAB Cafe, the Atriums and the communal learning areas.
The UTS DAB Cafe is situated in level 4 close to the Atriums, classrooms
and labs. The location in the central of the building is easy to access from
any direction and it is only up to 5 minutes to reach the Cafe.
Figure 6 DAB Cafe, Credit; Survey
The Atriums is ideal for students and staff to relax and get fresh air in an
outdoor environment of the building. It is supportive place for social
interaction with warm sunlight exposure.
The public learning spaces are available for students’ activities inside the
building.
Figure 7 An Atrium & Common Space, Credit; Survey
UTS Faculty of Design Architecture and Building Sustainability Evaluation & Retrofit Plan Report January 1, 2015
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Sustainability Facts
The sustainability assessment in UTS Building 6 collected from
various resources including an interview with the building
manager, site inspection and building energy consumption report.
Water
The water supplier of the building under New South Wales (NSW)
state water corporation namely Sydney Water.
There is no recycling water system.
There is no water collection system for stormwater.
The water consumption in 2012, 2013, and 2014 in average was
11.000 kiloliter.
Figure 8 Water Fixtures, Credit; Survey
Energy
The building has a major problem with the extreme heat that
increases the amount of energy to cooling down more than
heating inside the building.
The use of electricity for campus lighting and HVAC is high-
demanding.
There are some additional air conditionings in level 5-6.
There are fewer sensors for lighting, temperature, and doors.
There lighting still on when rooms or spaces are no longer use for
any activities.
The average use of electricity was 2.500.000 kWh in 2012, 2013,
2014.
The gas is not use for this building.
HVAC heating water is supplied by UTS Building 1 central plant.
Figure 9 Plant Room, Credit; Survey
UTS Faculty of Design Architecture and Building Sustainability Evaluation & Retrofit Plan Report January 1, 2015
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Figure 10 Air Conditionings & Light Sensors, Credit; Survey
Figure 11 Empty Classroom with lighting in the daylight, Credit; Survey
Daylight
The natural light is sufficient but it is not use sufficiently in
building, especially from the west side of the building.
Figure 12 the Daylight, Credit; Survey
UTS Faculty of Design Architecture and Building Sustainability Evaluation & Retrofit Plan Report January 1, 2015
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Green Spaces Element
The number of plants in open spaces is less in level 4 and 5.
The trees are in the front of the building along the Harris Street.
Figure 12 the Vegetation, Credit; Survey
Building Management System
The building control system has been used for 20 years since the
initial use of the building.
There are some partial upgrading at least ten years ago on energy
monitors, air conditioner and energy use, but not universal
throughout the whole campus.
Power control from plant inside the building and automatically
setting mode with less manual.
Figure 13 the Control Management System, Credit; Survey
UTS Faculty of Design Architecture and Building Sustainability Evaluation & Retrofit Plan Report January 1, 2015
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Sustainability Recognition
There is no environmental rating for this building by the Green
Building Council of Australia.
Figure 14 the Environment Recognition,
Credit; the Green Building Council of Australia
Work/teaching/learning environment
This building is the home for 213 DAB staff and approximately
2000 students.
The peak hours on campus start from 7am – 10pm, especially in
from Monday to Friday.
Figure 15 Learning Processes,
Credit; Survey
UTS Faculty of Design Architecture and Building Sustainability Evaluation & Retrofit Plan Report January 1, 2015
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Retrofit Plans
Element Facts Solution Short-Term
Mid-Term
Long-Term
Water
The water supplier of the building under New South Wales (NSW) state water corporation namely Sydney Water.
Installing water recycles technology to conserve water uses.
●
There is no water collection system for stormwater.
Applying Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD) concept to captured stormwater.
●
There is no recycling water system. Installing water recycles technology to conserve water
uses. ●
The water consumption each year in 2012, 2013, and 2014 in average was 11,000 kiloliter.
Install smart water sensors to automatically controlling water consumption, mainly in toilet flushing, urinals and taps.
●
Energy
The building has a major problem with the extreme heat that increases the amount of energy to cooling down more than heating inside the building.
Reducing glare with plants along windows and pot
plants.
Reinstall windows that could be open to allow air
circulation in the daylight and minor use in the night.
●
●
The use of electricity for campus lighting and HVAC is high-demanding whether during peak/off-peak hour with fewer energy sensors.
Install smart lighting control with motion sensors to
reduce energy use for vacant rooms, labs, workshops,
toilets, and corridors.
Audit survey of energy use per floor and user patterns.
●
●
There are some additional air conditionings in level 5-6
Staged refitting of air conditioning units
●
UTS Faculty of Design Architecture and Building Sustainability Evaluation & Retrofit Plan Report January 1, 2015
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Element Facts Solution Short-Term
Mid-Term
Long-Term
The average use of electricity was 2,500,000 kWh in 2012, 2013, 2014
Installing renewable energy resources such solar cell panels
●
The gas is not use for this building Fine
HVAC heating water is supplied by UTS Building 1 central plant
Fine
Daylight The natural light is adequate but it is not use sufficiently in building, especially from the west side of the building.
Design sunlight reflector to produce low-warm luminosity inside the building during daytime
●
Green Spaces Element
The number of plants in open spaces is less in level 4 and 5.
Design a green roof, green walls and green spaces
●
The trees are in the front of the building along the Harris Street.
Design a green roof, green walls and green spaces
●
Building Management
System
The building control system has been used for 20 years since the initial use of the building.
More manual control inputs in staged phases because
BMS is expensive.
●
There are some partial upgrading at least ten years ago on energy monitors, air conditioner, and energy use, but not universal throughout whole campus
Continuing to upgrade CMS in other section.
●
Power control from plant inside the building and automatically setting mode with less manual
More manual control inputs in staged phases because
BMS is expensive.
●
UTS Faculty of Design Architecture and Building Sustainability Evaluation & Retrofit Plan Report January 1, 2015
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Element Facts Solution Short-Term
Mid-Term
Long-Term
Sustainability Recognition
There is no environmental rating for this building by the Green Building Council of Australia.
Sustain a commitment in retrofitting to meet
assessment criteria of environmental rating. ●
Work/teaching/learning
environment
This building is the home for 213 DAB staff and approximately 2000 students.
Rearrange floor plan and rooms schedule based on
energy consumption for lighting, computers, elevator
and electrical facilities. ●
The peak hours on campus start from 7am – 10pm, especially in from Monday to Friday
Rearrange floor plan and rooms schedule based on energy consumption for lighting, computers, elevator and electrical facilities.
●
UTS Faculty of Design Architecture and Building Sustainability Evaluation & Retrofit Plan Report January 1, 2015
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Calculation of Efficiency in Water Saving
Figure 16 UTS Water Consumption Breakdown 2013 Credit: UTS 2013-2015 Water Management Plan
Short-term
Installing Water Efficiency Sensors in Water Fixtures
Assumption in water efficiency calculation is to use average annual water consumption of
UTS Building 6 in 2012-2014 which is 11,000 kilolitres.
If approximately of this property size is 6,000 m2.
Water usage charge is $2.232 a kilolitre the fixed price from Sydney Water*.
By using $70.30 a quarter as the fixed price from Sydney Water for this typical property
1,000 – 10,000 m2 in stormwater service area, the bill calculation will be shown as below.
= ($70.30/quarter x 4) + ($2.232 x 11,000 kiloliter)
= $281 + $24,552
= $24,833 *http://www.sydneywater.com.au/SW/accounts-billing/understanding-your-bill/our-prices/index.htm
For instances, By installing sensors in double flushing toilets which is possible to
implement swiftly as well as detecting users duration in use to improve efficiency
compare to double flushing system from 9 litres/4.5 litres to 3/4.5 litres*. By using
UTS Water Consumption Breakdown 2013 for toilet, approximately 6,000 litres/day
water are using by UTS Building 6 for toilet. In calculation, the water use efficiency
will improve roughly 50 percent and save $6,696/year in cost. *www.enware.com.au/estore/ProductDetail.aspx?ProductID=2170&CategoryID=2738
Long-term
Water Conservation with Integration of Recycling Water System and Stormwater Collection.
This is a major projects and investments that integrated in UTS City Campus Masterplan and possible to achieve in City Campus water conservation
project not partially in building.
Water Consumption on Cooling Towers will be reducing with retrofitting energy system plan and green walls and spaces plan.
UTS Faculty of Design Architecture and Building Sustainability Evaluation & Retrofit Plan Report January 1, 2015
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Calculation of Efficiency in Energy Saving
Figure 17 UTS Energy Consumption Breakdown 2013 Credit: UTS 2013-2020 Energy and Greenhouse Plan
Short-term
Providing Green walls, roofs and spaces in the building
Assumption in water efficiency calculation is to use average annual
water consumption of UTS Building 6 in 2012-2014 which is 2,500,000
kWh.
If using electricity price projection 2014/2015 is 16.2 c/kWh*. *http://cfsites1.uts.edu.au/find/isf/publications/Isonetal2011energypricesto2020.pdf
By using the data, the bill calculation will be shown as below.
= 16.2 c/kWh x 2,500,000 kWh
= $405,000
By using UTS Energy Consumption Breakdown 2013, approximately
$251,100/year water are using by UTS Building 6 for HVAC and
$72,900/year for lighting.
“A tree in full leaf can block 70 to 90 percent of solar radiation”*.
http://www.colostate.edu/Dept/CoopExt/4DMG/Trees/beatheat.htm
By design green walls in the facades of high-sunlight exposed and
provide more plants in the atriums; it is possible to reduce heat and cost
of energy in the building*. This is relatively quick and cheap applying in
building and lower cost maintenance. *https://www.gbca.org.au/gbc_scripts/js/tiny_mce/plugins/filemanager/Living_Wall_and_Green_Ro
of_Plants_for_Australia_Report_230712.pdf
If average assumption for vegetation plans to reduce heat is 75
percent, it will be reduce 62 percent energy consumption to
46.5% or save almost $116,761.5/year.
Short-term
Installing Low-cost Smart Lighting Sensors
“Studies indicate that advanced sensors and controls have the
potential to reduce the energy consumption of buildings by 20-30
percent... ORNL's new wireless sensor prototype could reduce costs
to $1-10 per node by leveraging advanced manufacturing techniques
such as additive roll-to-roll manufacturing”*. *http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/02/150227144825.htm
UTS Faculty of Design Architecture and Building Sustainability Evaluation & Retrofit Plan Report January 1, 2015
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Calculation of Efficiency in Energy Saving
Mid-term
Installing Renewable Solar Cell for Alternative Energy
Australia is one of the most potential solar cells investments because it is naturally high-exposed to sunlight*. Since 2012, solar cell plant for
households and commercial purposes is more affordable in large scales such as City Campus because the value of investment
*http://www.climatecouncil.org.au/uploads/497bcd1f058be45028e3df9d020ed561.pdf
Long-term
Examination of Rooms’ Energy Consumption and Floor Plan Rearrangement
This method are low-cost and effectively to identify the accuracy of energy consumption for long-term plan. This concept primarily focus on
examines the pattern of students and staff of DAB Faculty in consuming energy in electrical appliances and how energy consumption pattern to
support activities in building at peak or off-peak hours.
The examination of energy consumption will record heat production from computer, lighting and people activities in every room in the
building. This information helps to design energy distribution system in the building precisely and saving energy from unnecessary energy
waste. The estimation of efficiency from this concept is approximately up to 60 percent because base on the building inspection, there were
excessive energy use in the building to support empty rooms or few people activities.
The floor plan rearrangement aims to design a communal use of learning and teaching spaces as well as social spaces in the lower floors and
nearby the windows in daylight. This concept plans to reduce energy use on elevator and indoor lighting both on daylight and day night
activities. These two concepts will be integrated with green walls and water conservation.
UTS Faculty of Design Architecture and Building Sustainability Evaluation & Retrofit Plan Report January 1, 2015
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Conclusion
The Assessment of UTS Building 6 in 700 Harris Street shows the facts of building inefficiency in sustainability elements such as water conservation, energy
waste, less using of natural light, less green spaces and green design, and unmanaged activities of students and staff in this building. These issues altogether
burden in the high-cost maintenance of this building for UTS.
However, there is possible submission provide to solve all this disadvantages that time-sensitive, creative and inexpensive. The solution of use emerging
technology such as motion sensors in water facilities helps improving the efficiency of water consumption. The energy consumption rate also predicts to be
lower after use sensors to control redundant lighting in empty rooms and spaces. Another benefit in sustainability aspect will be achieved by investing
green infrastructures such green walls, roof, and vegetation. In addition, the most innovative concept is resetting floor plan and examining the pattern of
human activities and energy consumption in every room and spaces. This plan is important to design a system that provide accurate energy demands for
the building.
UTS Faculty of Design Architecture and Building Sustainability Evaluation & Retrofit Plan Report January 1, 2015
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References
Architecture Australia 1999, ‘UTS has named its Cox Richardson-designed Building 6 (containing Design, Architecture and Building) after a former USydney Architecture Dean, Peter Johnson. He retired as UTS’ Chancellor late last year’, Architecture Australia, July 1999, viewed 11 April 2015, <http://architectureau.com/articles/headlines-67/>.
Climate Commission 2013, The Critical Decade: Australia’s Future–Solar Energy, The Climate Commission, Potts Point, viewed 15 April 2015, <http://www.climatecouncil.org.au/uploads/497bcd1f058be45028e3df9d020ed561.pdf>.
Cox Architecture 2015, Project, viewed in 11 April 2015, <http://www.coxarchitecture.com.au/#/project/12730>.
Enware 2015, Touch-Activated Dual Flush WC Standard Flushing System - Duct Access, viewed in 18 April 2015, <www.enware.com.au/estore/ProductDetail.aspx?ProductID=2170&CategoryID=2738>.
Institute for Sustainable Futures 2011, NSW Business Energy Prices to 2020, UTS, Sydney, viewed in 17 April 2015, <http://cfsites1.uts.edu.au/find/isf/publications/Isonetal2011energypricesto2020.pdf>.
Lost on Campus 2015, CB06 - Peter Johnson Building, viewed in 11 April 2015, <http://lostoncampus.com.au/164>.
Oak Ridge National Laboratory 2015, ‘Energy use in buildings: Innovative, lower cost sensors and controls yield better energy efficiency’, Science Daily, viewed 16 April 2015, <http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/02/150227144825.htm>.
Rocky Mountain Institute 2015, How to Calculate and Present Deep Retrofit Value: A Guide for Investors, RMI, Colorado, viewed 20 April 2015, <http://www.rmi.org/retrofit_depot_deepretrofitvalue#calculateform>.
Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors 2013, Sustainable Urban Retrofit Evaluation, RCIS, United Kingdom, viewed 15 April 2015, <http://www.rics.org/uk/knowledge/research/research-reports/sustainable-urban-retrofit-evaluation/>.
Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation 2012, Living Wall and Green Roof Plants for Australia, RIRDC, Canberra, viewed in 17 April 2015, https://www.gbca.org.au/gbc_scripts/js/tiny_mce/plugins/filemanager/Living_Wall_and_Green_Roof_Plants_for_Australia_Report_230712.pdf>.
Schrock D. 2010, ‘Beat the Heat with Landscape Plants’, CSU/Denver County Extension Master Gardener, viewed in 17 April 2015, <http://www.colostate.edu/Dept/CoopExt/4DMG/Trees/beatheat.htm>.
UTS Faculty of Design Architecture and Building Sustainability Evaluation & Retrofit Plan Report January 1, 2015
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Sydney Water 2015, Our prices, viewed in 18 April 2015, <http://www.sydneywater.com.au/SW/accounts-billing/understanding-your-bill/our-prices/index.htm>.
University of Technology Sydney 2013, 2013-2015 Water Management Plan, UTS, Sydney, viewed 15 April 2015, < https://www.uts.edu.au/sites/default/files/WATER_MANAGEMENT_PLAN.140301.pdf>.
University of Technology Sydney 2013, 2013-2021 Energy and Greenhouse Plan, UTS, Sydney, viewed 15 April 2015, < https://www.uts.edu.au/sites/default/files/ENERGY_GREENHOUSE_PLAN.140301.pdf>.