Westpac Barangaroo office awarded highest scoring 6 Star Green Star rating in Australia
24 January, 2018
Westpac Group’s fit-out in Tower Two of Barangaroo’s International Towers Sydney has achieved a 6 Star Green Star Interiors rating from the Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA). The project received the highest number of Green Star points achieved by any office fit-out in Australia.
Notable design features of the fit-out include an extensive metering system that monitors major energy and water usage, using materials with lower environmental impact such as 95% reused, recycled, certified or best practice timber and PVC amongst other features.
The GBCA’s Chief Executive Officer, Romilly Madew applauds Westpac for demonstrating leadership and setting an example for other institutions on a global scale.
“The rating reflects Westpac’s ongoing commitment to reducing its environmental impact. This commitment is increasingly expected by investors and consumers alike—the latter increasingly looking for evidence that companies are walking the talk,” Ms Madew said.
Westpac’s John Harries, Group General Manager, Operations, Property and Commercial Services said, “We are proud that we’ve been able to support the Barangaroo precinct’s goal of becoming Australia’s first carbon neutral community. In addition to receiving the highest score, we are also in a 6 Star Green Star Building, with the first 6 Star Green Star bank branch – St.George.”
Following an assessment across nine categories, the fit-out was awarded maximum points for reduced water consumption, reduced dependency on private transport, minimising harm and enhancing the quality of local ecologies and encouraging sustainability practices throughout the fit-out’s design, construction and operation.
“As well as reducing our environmental footprint, our emphasis has been on designing a workplace that provides flexibility and choice to help build an adaptable, health-conscious workforce,” Mr Harries said.
This latest rating builds on Westpac Group’s growing list of world-leading credentials in this area. Recognised as the world’s most sustainable bank for the 10th time in the 2017 Dow Jones Sustainability Index, a number of the Group’s properties have been awarded the 6 Star Green Star rating. This includes Bank of Melbourne’s flagship branch at 525 Collins Street, the St.George branch at Barangaroo, and the Westpac branch at 150 Collins Street Melbourne.
Green Star is an internationally recognised sustainability rating system for the design, construction and operation of buildings, fit-outs and communities. 6 Star is the highest rating achievable and represents a world leading sustainable fit out.