In 2019, the Australian state and territory governments released their Trajectory for Low Energy Buildings, a national plan that sets a trajectory towards zero energy (and carbon) ready buildings for Australia.
This included a commitment to undertake regular reviews and forward planning for minimum energy requirements from the 2022 National Construction Code(NCC) onwards.
The plan was to further strengthen commercial building energy requirements in the 2025 NCC for both new builds and adaptions. At the same time Australia made a commitment last year to achieve net zero emissions by 2050.
In this ARBS presentation ClimateWorks senior project manager for buildings, Gill Armstrong, will set out the policy journey that has been taken from Built to Perform through to strengthen energy standards, and highlight research outcomes that may assist the industry in preparing for a net zero future.
The focus will also include the window of opportunity to retrofit existing buildings and ensure assets are not at risk of becoming stranded by shifts accelerated by COVID-19.
Armstrong has a background in architectural practice as a UK registered architect and chartered architectural technologist. She is currently a senior project manager in the cities system team at ClimateWorks.
Her current research is exploring Sustainable Temporary Adaptive Reuse (STAR) of pockets of vacant space in primary and secondary grade office buildings and retail, and research projects to establish the energy efficiency performance gaps between existing building stocks and net zero buildings.
Sustainable design
Approximately 40 per cent of energy consumed by buildings is used for heating and cooling to achieve thermal comfort.
This rate could be reduced significantly through climate responsive design that integrates HVLS fans into a building’s HVAC system.
With a focus on passive design (working with the climate, not against it ) Ario Narisworoputro of Big Ass Fans will provide a better understanding on how to incorporate air movement in a building’s design, reducing energy consumption and offer a more sustainable comfort solution.
His presentation is part of the demonstrations from exhibitors at the ARBS presentation theatre.