The GPT property group headquarters at the MLC Centre in Sydney has received a six Star Green Star rating from the Green Building Council of Australia and a five Star NABERS rating.
The carbon neutral, 33 year old building originally designed by Harry Seidler Architects follows a movement towards sustainable workplaces and is the first building to achieve the rating in a building that hasn’t been completely refurbished.
Image courtesy of GPT Group
Woods Bagot were employed as the principal interior designers for the project which is one of many new upgrades occurring in workplaces throughout Australia including the completion of the Origin Building by Group GSA in May which has also been designed with sustainability principles at the forefront. The Origin building features recycled office furnishings designed for longevity and sustainably sourced storage systems as well as carbon offset carpet and other initiatives.
The GPT headquarters has achieved a decrease in paper usage, 500 plants have been added, incorporation and recycling of original materials and a fresh air intake increase by 25 percent with the addition of external louvres into the façade.
GPT's development project director, responsible for the work environment project, Robert Hitchcock said that the benefits of sustainable workplaces will lead to better design in the future as it has proven in GPT's case to have a positive impact on employees and increased productivity.
"World leading sustainability ratings, a premium location and first-class design are all expected by today's leading corporates. Achieving a 6 Star Green Star for our fit out and a zero carbon rating for our workplace within the MLC Centre is testament to how landmark office buildings will be moulded to maintain their Premium status into the future," said Hitchcock.
"Equipping our employees with the technology and flexibility that enable their best work is what we are most proud of at GPT. We have seamlessly integrated technology to enable employees to work collaboratively, creatively and wirelessly wherever they choose. People have a choice of where they work and are telling us that, on average, they are 15 percent more productive," he said.
