Project 1.1 Fact Sheet  (387.54 Kb)

The aim of this project is to investigate ways to enhance the performance of commercial green buildings by considering the post occupancy performance of selected green design elements on energy and water conservation, and improvements to health and productivity of occupants.

The focus of the research will be to:

1. Investigate the relationship between selected green design elements and actual performance (energy and water efficiency, occupant health and productivity) for commercial green buildings;
2. Investigate additional measures to improve the health and productivity of occupants of green buildings, with consideration of their contribution to energy and water efficiency.

The project will select key commercial building green design elements (identified in collaboration with partners and stakeholders) as to their potential for energy and water consumption reductions, as well as improved health and productivity of occupants. In doing so, this project will inform designers to: support the further integration of such design elements in building design; inform building managers as to methods to harness existing such elements; and inform green benchmarking and accreditation initiatives.

In collaboration with project partners, the project will conduct high level analysis of a number of case studies across Australia. The strength of the project is based on industry collaborations which will allow the research team to undertake context relevant and timely research to further the understanding of methods to enhance the performance of commercial green buildings, while providing robust and rigorous tools for industry, accreditation bodies and government.

Project partners include: Parsons Brinckerhoff, John Holland, Western Australian Department of Treasury and Finance, Queensland Depart- ment of Public Works, Victorian Department of Education and Early Childhood Development, Green Building Council of Australia, Curtin University, and QUT.

Project Outcomes

The project team will:

• Collaborate with SBEnrc partners, other key stakeholders, and experts to identify key design elements and methods that impact a building’s energy and water efficiency and health/human performance;
• Undertake an assessment of key design elements (considering aspects related to operation and management) to identify the potential contribution to the energy/water and human performance of green buildings;
• Select and monitor a series of national case studies to investigate the relative contribution of key design elements on a building’s energy/water efficiency and human performance;
• Analyse and interrogate post-occupancy building performance data to investigate the relative contribution of each element to building efficiency and performance and compare to the potential contribution;
• Identify opportunities to enhance and inform design practices, building performance rating schemes, and building management practices - to further improve energy, water and human perform- ance of green buildings; and
• Develop recommendations to Industry, Government and Industry Bodies related to the selection of design elements, design processes and standards, building maintenance and management procedures, and third party building performance accreditation processes.

Program Leader and Project Manager:

Documents for Downloading

   Project 1.1 Fact Sheet  (387.54 Kb)

   Briefing Report - Understanding the Performance of Green Commercial Buildings (391.99 Kb)