Affinity Village, a Stockland Retirement Living project in Baldivis, Western Australia, now boasts one of Australia’s greenest club houses, having achieved the first 5 star Green Star rating in Australia for such a facility.
This community centre, called the ‘club house’, is a positive example of how a Green Star-rated building not only delivers energy and water efficiency, but also fosters a sense of pride within the community it serves
The brand new club house offers residents a range of activities, including a media room, dining room, swimming pool, gym, bowling green and café. The club house was awarded its 5 star Green Star rating for a range of environmentally sustainable initiatives, including passive solar design, high levels of indoor environment quality, the clever supply of natural light to the building, and individual metering and motion sensors which will reduce energy consumption.
All facets of the Clubhouse are automatically measured using a computer based management system to monitor where and how energy and water are used. This helps manage the building and fine tune its performance in the future.
Insulation to the roof and thermal mass to the walls contribute to the temperature control of the building, keeping it warmer in winter and cooler in summer.
In addition, the concrete used in and around this building supplements some of the cement with Fly ash to give a superior product and reduce its embodied energy. Concrete is an indispensable building product and yet it’s one of the most energy intensive. In contrast, Fly ash is a by-product from coal fired power plants and is usually considered a waste material and sent to landfill.
Key initiatives:
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Careful selection of fittings and fixtures ensures best possible use of the water available
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All toilets are 4 star rated and use 4.5 litres full flush and 3 litre half flush, and all urinals are waterless. Most taps are 6 star rated and use 4.5 litres per minute – as compared to a 3 star rated tap which uses 7.5-9 litres per minute
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Fresh air is important in creating a healthy habitable space. Sensors inside the AC system continually monitor the quality of the air and adjust how much fresh air is pumped into the building
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Our bodies rely on natural light to regulate our internal body clock. Windows and skylights have been carefully designed to allow ample light in and provide easy connection with the outside environment
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Use of low Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC’s) in the carpets, paint and furniture reduce off gassing of toxins into the indoor environment
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Extra insulation in walls and ceilings and high-performance glazing help the Clubhouse retain heat in winter and stay cool in summer
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Individual metering and motion sensors ensure the Clubhouse uses only the energy it really needs
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The Clubhouse has been designed to deliver a 62 per cent reduction in lighting energy consumption, when compared with a standard building of similar size, through the use of high-efficiency light fittings and lighting controls
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The lighting controls enable lights to switch off when rooms are not in use or dim when natural light is available. This ensures energy used for lighting is not wasted
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The building has been designed to maximise natural light by orientation of all social areas including the terrace to the North
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The waste storage area has been specifically designed to cater for recycle bins and provide equal access to recycling. This will help the community cut down on the waste foot print.
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Cycling facilities have been provided to allow staff and visitors to cycle to and from the centre. The provision of facilities for cyclists (bicycle racks, showers and storage lockers) helps to reduce transport-related emissions and supports exercise and activity
