Sustainability

In November, the planet briefly exceeded a dreaded milestone: 2°C of warming above pre-industrial levels.

Although the use of CO2 in refrigeration has become common in supermarket and retail applications, the misconception that it is limited to refrigeration alone is being undone with the trial of a direct–expansion CO2 HVAC system at Woolworths Gordon, on Sydney’s north shore.

Perched on a rocky crest in Mansfield, Victoria, Robbie J Walker’s off-grid house defies harsh weather conditions to heat and cool itself writes Nick Johns-Wickberg.

An El Niño weather event has been declared, amid realisation that 2023 appears likely to be the hottest year on record.

What role does data play in the electrification of buildings? With a focus on machine learning, artificial intelligence and the interaction with the electricity grid, a panel at AIRAH’s recent Building Date Forum explored this fascinating topic.

What gets measured gets managed is a truism of our age. But in the case of refrigerant gases, could a heavy reliance on one specific measurement be concealing the full sustainability story? Mark Vender reports.

Given the considerable amount of transport infrastructure under construction, on drawing boards and taking shape in the daydreams of ambitious politicians, the concept of zero carbon transport buildings is featuring heavily in discussions amount those concerned about sustainability for our stations.

A six-storey Amsterdam building comprising laboratories and office space incorporates sustainable thinking from every possible angle, writes Laura Timberlake.

In July, industry stakeholders visited the Daikin factory in Sydney to better understand the challenges and opportunities around producing low‑embodied‑carbon products.

A 280m canopy floats across the entirety of the South Beach development in Singapore, filtering sunlight and solar glare, and channelling wind breezes into public spaces.

A much–anticipated community facility in Melbourne’s north–west has done away with gas-fired boilers. Rather, new technologies have been adopted, making the Brimbank Aquatic and Wellness Centre Australia’s first all-electric aquatic centre powered by renewable energy. Ecolibrium explores this ground–breaking project. 

Retreating Arctic ice and a bushfire-ravaged North America are just two indicators of our changing climate.

According to CSIRO, storage of renewable energy is essential to ensure access to secure, reliable and affordable energy as Australia transitions to net zero by 2050. Part of that mix could be thermal energy storage (TES), a concept well established in the HVAC&R industry but often undervalued. Sean McGowan reports.

Professor Tony Arnel has been honoured with a Life Fellowship from the Energy Efficiency Council.

In the GBCA’s Green Star Design and As-Built ratings, projects can now be allocated an extra point by doing a whole-building test – a good thing, according to Sean Maxwell.

An innovative building constructed a decade ago is aging gracefully – and usefully.

The Victorian Pride Centre is one of the first facilities of its type in the world. Located in the Melbourne bayside suburb of St Kilda, the building is a symbol of the freedom of expression and diversity of LGBTIQ communities.

A recent event in Melbourne explored how the themes of sustainability and indoor air quality are intrinsically linked.

An impending lease expiry, predicted growth in headcount and a desire to improve the workplace experience of its staff led SEEK to look beyond its existing office space and set out on a path towards its own, custom-designed environment. Sean McGowan reports on that seven-year quest, which led to a high-performing, comfortable and naturally lit space.