Pinocchio
About
Melbourne’s First 5-Star Green Star Accredited Office Building
In 2021, 500 Collins Street became the first existing building in Australia to achieve WELL Platinum Certification under the International WELL Building Institute’s (IWBI) WELL Building Standard, positioning it as an industry leader in the advancement of health and wellbeing in office towers.
Back in 2007, 500 Collins street was the first existing office building in Australia to achieve a 5-star Green Star Office Design rating from the Green Building Council of Australia. This achievement was all the more noteworthy as the refurbishment was undertaken while the building was tenanted. With existing office buildings comprising greater than 95% of commercial property in Australia, this achievement represented a significant benchmark for owners and occupiers alike, by establishing that existing stock can be transformed into leading-edge environmentally friendly buildings.
A Productivity Study commissioned in partnership with Sustainability Victoria has also demonstrated the value of the introduction of sustainable initiatives into the built environment. 500 Collins Street has been viewed by the property industry as the pioneer of environmental sustainability in high-rise office towers, by demonstrating that it is commercially viable to transform existing buildings to quality green space and with tenants remaining in occupation during the refurbishment.
A Productivity Study commissioned in partnership with Sustainability Victoria has also demonstrated the value of the introduction of sustainable initiatives into the built environment. 500 Collins Street has been viewed by the property industry as the pioneer of environmental sustainability in high-rise office towers, by demonstrating that it is commercially viable to transform existing buildings to quality green space and with tenants remaining in occupation during the refurbishment.
History
The site known as 500 Collins has an interesting history. It was originally developed as a brewery in 1851. McCracken’s Brewery and, later, Carlton United Breweries managed the property for 118 years. The brewery was demolished in the late 1960’s and the current building was constructed.
When first opened around 1972, the current 500 Collins building was one of the tallest structures in Melbourne. Its striking architecture was reflective of its prominent status on the Melbourne skyline. Now, following its extensive refurbishment, 500 Collins is set to regain its former iconic status.
In 2002, the building’s new owner began to progressively and comprehensibly raise the building’s profile and quality back to its former pre-eminent status through an extensive internal and external refurbishment. At the heart of the refurbishment, philosophy was the desire to position the building at the forefront of environmentally progressive office accommodation.
500 Collins is Australia’s first fully refurbished, multi-tenanted office building to achieve a 5 Star Green Start Office Design V1 rating under the Green Building Council of Australia’s Green Star environmental rating system.
The Building
500 Collins rises 28 stories above Collins Street. The building accommodates approximately 25,000 square metres of office space over 26 levels, approximately 1,500 square metres of retail space and two basement car parking levels. Pedestrian approach to the building is from either of two entrances; ground floor Collins Street or first floor Little Collins Street. The car park and bicycle enclosure entrances are accessed from McCracken’s Lane.
The building benefits from natural light to all four facades. Floors are oriented in a north-south direction with the lift core and fire stairs centrally located on the west core. A typical floor provides tenants with direct access to amenities. Access to the basement car park is via the lifts, whilst shower and change room facilities are located on level 1 and Ground floor.
A retail precinct known as McCracken’s is located at the Little Collins Street end of the building and extends down Church Lane.
The Path to Renewal
500 Collins has been refurbished to an A Grade standard throughout. The architectural style is fresh and contemporary. The internal palette of colours and materials has been specifically selected to complement a range of tenancy fit-out designs and styles.
The environmentally sustainable development (ESD) initiatives implemented at 500 Collins go far beyond a reduction in energy consumption. The energy and environmental strategy take a holistic approach to sustainability encompassing management practices, indoor environment quality, energy use, water consumption, material selection and atmospheric emissions.
The main foyer features an elegant limestone floor,polished marble wall panels, feature light fittings, designer furniture and commissioned artworks by Warren Langley, Astrid Dahl and Stewart Merrett. A concierge desk and a tenant directory are located within the main foyer.
Office floor lift lobbies feature new carpet and limestone tiled floors, polished wall panels, tenant identification graphics and stylish light fittings within an attractive new ceiling. Office floors feature 2.7 metre high ceilings, perforated metal pan ceiling tiles, energy efficient T5 light fittings and 100% wool commercial grade carpet.
ESD Initiatives
500 Collins has achieved a 5 Star Green Star Office Design V1 accreditation from the Green Building Council of Australia. This represents Australian excellence.
Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA)
evaluates the environmental performance of new and refurbished buildings, considering a wide range of environmental impact and human health concerns including waste management, indoor environment quality, water conservation, materials specification, ecological impact and biodiversity, global warming and greenhouse gas emissions. 5 Star Green Star accreditation was awarded in November 2006.
500 Collins is designed to achieve a 5 Star NABERS rating under a preliminary assessment.
National Australian Built Environment Rating System (NABERS) assesses buildings for energy efficiency and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. These results reflect the overwhelming commitment of the building’s owner and management to providing tenants with a sustainable, workplace environment.
The following ESD initiatives adopted in the refurbishment and repositioning of 500 Collins have made the high star rating possible.
Energy Efficiency Initiatives
- Chilled Beam air conditioning technology which uses 30% less energy than conventional air conditioning systems
- Energy efficient chillers and cooling towers
- Sub-meters to fine tune power requirements which in turn minimises power consumption
- Solar panels for supply of domestic hot water
- Gas fired boilers (replaces oil fired)
- Low energy T5 light fittings and zoned lighting
- Strong focus on commissioning of plant and equipment (12 months commissioning period with quarterly reviews)
Indoor Environment Quality Initiatives
- 50% more fresh air through the use of chilled beam technology
- Radiant cooling provided by the chilled beams
- Low VOC materials and finishes
- Reduction in indoor ambient noise levels
Water Conservation Initiatives
Water efficiency initiatives adopted at 500 Collins include:
- Waterless urinals
- 3/6 litre flush toilets
- Flow restricting devices on fixtures
- Rainwater and condensate capture for landscape irrigation & cleaning
Refurbishment Materials
Materials selection involved the following criteria:
- Low embodied energy
- PVC-free materials wherever possible
- Low VOC emissions
- Materials that contain high recycled content
- Materials that are durable, fit for purpose and from sustainable sources
Emissions
Global warming has been largely caused by ozone depleting substances released into the atmosphere. Harmful gases, such as CFC, are often used as refrigerants or insulation in commercial buildings. 500 Collins specifications limit the use of ozone depleting substances.
Productivity Study
500 Collins is managed by ECS Property Group. ECS focuses on effective asset management.
Building Management
The building offers the services of a full-time Facilities Manager and a Concierge. They are the tenant’s first point of call on operational matters such as security monitoring, fire alarm activation and building services generally.The Facilities Manager's office, located off the ground floor foyer, is immediately adjacent to the Concierge desk. The Concierge provides the building with a friendly face whilst maintaining security and assisting visitors and occupants with directions, deliveries and daily needs.
Access and Security
500 Collins is open to building occupants and visitors between the hours of 8.00am and 6.00pm from Monday to Friday.
After hours access is available via a security pass from the Collins Street and Little Collins Street entrances. Security pass readers are also located at entry points to the car park, bike enclosure, lift cars, change room and shower amenities.
Building entry points are secured by an access control alarm system and monitored by digital closed circuit television (CCTV).
A security patrol service monitors the building after normal business hours.
Parking for Vehicles and Bicycles
The basement levels provide private and secure parking accommodation for the exclusive use of building occupants. A dedicated bicycle parking facility is also provided. Its use is encouraged and complemented by secure change room amenities featuring showers, toilets and casual lockers.
Access to the car and bike park is via McCracken’s Lane using a security pass. The car park has been reconfigured to meet the high standard required by the Melbourne City Council’s Carpark Planning and Design Guidelines.
Equitable Access
Access in and around the building has been designed to provide equitable access for all, including people with disabilities. The refurbishment has addressed the requirements of the Building Code of Australia, applicable Australian Standards and the intent of the Disability Discrimination Act 1992.
An accessible path of travel is available from both principal building entrances. Lift car controls and landing call buttons have tactile, illuminated controls installed at an appropriate height, together with audible lanterns. Clear signage is provided with appropriate levels of illuminance contrast. Unisex accessible toilets are available at rear of Ground Entry Lobby (including appropriate Shower Facilities) & levels 1, 9 and 17.
Cleaning Services
The Facilities Manager coordinates daily cleaning services to both tenanted and common areas. Fortnightly inspections of the cleaner’s services ensure that a high standard of presentation is maintained throughout the building.
Materials used in the cleaning of 500 Collins have been rigorously tested to minimise adverse impact to both human health and the environment. This helps to ensure the indoor air environment is kept free from harmful chemical compounds.
A day cleaner is onsite between 6.30am and 3.30pm each day.
Recycling and Waste Management
500 Collins was the first multi-tenanted building in Victoria to attain Waste Wise accreditation from EcoRecycle Victoria. Accreditation is supported by a recycling and waste management programme that aims to avoid, reuse or recycle waste generated by the building and its occupants.
The principles of the programme include:
- Dedication of a waste storage area
- Provision of recycling bins to assist tenants in separating recyclable waste
- Recycling of materials such as glass, metal, plastic, toner cartridges and food waste is encouraged but optional
- Facilitation of weekly recyclable waste collection on behalf of the tenant.
- Implementation of a monthly waste audit to monitor the performance of the programme
Independent consultancy firm, Business Outlook and Evaluation, with the support of Sustainability Victoria, was commissioned to conduct a study on two whole floor tenants within 500 Collins on the effects of office environment on tenant health and productivity.
The result is a landmark report documenting improvements in business performance from working in an environmentally sustainable building. The tenants had relocated from un-refurbished space within the building to newly renovated floors. The study involved pre and post-relocation analysis.
- A 39% reduction in average sick leave days per employee per month: from 0.46 days before the move to 0.28 after the move.
- A 44% reduction in the monthly average cost of sick leave (senior staff’s sick leave fell more than that of support staff).
- A 9% improvement in the average typing speed of secretaries, and a significant improvement in overall accuracy.
- A 7% increase in lawyers’ billings ratio, despite a 12% decline in the average monthly hours worked by the lawyers. This would indicate that despite working fewer hours after the move, more of the lawyers’ time was spent on billable work.
Despite the small sample size, the changes were found to be significant when subjected to statistical tests. Significant, non-work related health incidents prior to the move were removed from the leave data so that the focus was on short-term sick leave, more likely to be work-related.