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MELBOURNE'S GOODS SHED BEST SUSTAINABLE BUILDING
An exceptionally sustainable project, the Goods Shed North in Melbourne’s Docklands won three awards at the BPN
Sustainability awards last night 13 October, including the BEST OF THE BEST award.
Designed by BVN Architecture and Elenberg Fraser, with heritage architects Lovell Chen, the Goods Shed North was
also given the award for Office Fit-out, as well as the award for a Large Commercial project, where the jury noted
‘it delivers a functional and aesthetically pleasing built environment with lower material consumption and
embodied energy’.
‘It is significant that the jury has chosen to give these awards to a project that is based on adaptive reuse, as
reusing existing buildings is one of the most important principles in sustainable design,’ said Ninotschka Titchkosky,
BVN Principal.
Ms Titchkosky noted that the refurbishment of the Goods Shed North, an old railway goods shed, presented an
incredible opportunity to renew a derelict piece of Melbourne's history whilst applying the latest thinking in
sustainable design.
The Goods Shed North was a derelict heritage listed shed which was constructed in 1889 and formerly used as a
railway goods distribution shed.
It is the first heritage building in Victoria to receive a 5 star Green star rating and one of the tenants VicUrban has
registered their workplace for a Green Star Office Interiors v1.1 rating and is targeting a 6 star Green star rating.
Amongst the esd initiatives is an energy efficient on-site power, heating and cooling system (trigeneration) along
with the use of energy efficient fittings and systems and a rainwater harvesting tank that collects roof water for
use in flushing toilets.
Even the old sliding doors from the shed have been used decoratively as major backdrops to the reception.
‘The Goods Shed North project was always conceived as an exemplar by both the developer Equiset and the tenants
Vic Urban and the Building Commission & Plumbing Industry Commission, so it is really rewarding to be recognised
as the best sustainable project in Australia from a field of quality buildings,’ said Ms Titchkosky.
She also noted that BVN Architecture have recently been commissioned by Walker Corporation to develop a
proposal to rework the south end of the Goods Shed.
The BPN Sustainability Awards recognise building professionals who are leading the way to a more sustainable
future.
Submissions are judged on several criteria, including energy, water and resource efficiency, recycled content and
materials and areas of innovation. ENDS
14 OCTOBER 2010
CONTACT
STELLA DE VULDER +61 2 8297 7200 OR 0412 341 013
NINOTSCHKA TITCHKOSKY +61 3 9639 9199 OR 0410406449
NEWS 
