The Melton Library and Learning Hub in Victoria is the first library in Australia to be awarded a 5 Star Green Star – Public Building Design PILOT rating from the Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA).
Designed by FJMT Architects, the library has successfully achieved an 82 percent reduction in potable water use as compared to standard practice building, and a 92 percent recycling rate from the demolishment of the previous buildings on the site.
It has also achieved a 43.7 percent reduction in total CO2 emissions related to the building use. These improvements have allowed the library to save $29,800 a year in utility costs, with $23,700 savings in gas and $5,000 in water, when compared with similar sized buildings that are not built to Green Star benchmarks.
Key instigators for these significant reductions include a 48,000 litre tank that has been installed to collect rainwater for non-potable uses including landscape irrigation and toilet-flushing. Car parking for the library is also 94 percent less, which promotes public and alternative transport use.
At the same time, the building’s orientation and facade is designed to maximise natural light penetration into the building, helping to minimise electricity consumption.
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