Pixel is a sales office for development company Grocon, built on the site of its major project: transforming Melbourne's CUB Brewery Zone into a mixed-use neighborhood. After the completion of the construction of the complex, it will be converted into an ordinary office building. The small building (area approx. 1000 m2) was designed by the last of all the buildings of the future quarter, but completed first. Its architects, Studio 505, have turned it into a showcase for Grocon's green credentials, while at the same time peaking in Australia's Green Star Eco-Scale and US LEED. Ahead is certification according to the British BREEAM system, which should also “exceed expectations”.
The building received 6 out of 6 possible Green Star "stars", gaining a record 105 points (100 out of 100 + 5 bonus points: CO2 neutral, vacuum flush toilets, anaerobic waste recycling system and reduced parking space). 105 points were obtained for the LEED certificate: the highest, "platinum", awarded for 80 points and above, 100 is the maximum possible, you can still get 10 bonus points, but only buildings in the United States can score 110. Nevertheless, Pixel has become the most environmentally friendly both at home and in America, if we take all the certified buildings (there are already hundreds of thousands of them). Of course, not all green projects have been evaluated
LEED, Green Star and BREEAM, and these systems are not perfect, however, the achievements of Pixel Architects inspire respect.
Since the building now plays the role of a sales office, a "model" apartment is arranged in it for inspection by potential buyers, and on the roof there is an observation terrace. The roof is landscaped, and all floors are surrounded by boxes with plants planted there. This not only allows you to keep the inside cool in the hot season, but also serves as one of the steps in the system for treating gray water, including rainwater: if the level of precipitation in Melbourne remains at the level of the 2000s, the Pixel will do without the water it has collected. use of city water supply.
The façade is protected from excessive sunlight and heat by means of multi-colored panels (they gave the name to the building), solar panels and double glazing. On cool nights, the windows open automatically to cool the building.
Additional solar panels and a new type of wind turbine are installed on the roof, so the Pixel is fully self-sufficient. Concrete used in construction has half the carbon content of conventional concrete.
N. F.
