Specifying and sourcing materials for best practice sustainable education facility

The new building that houses the Mirvac School of Sustainable Development at Bond University (Australia), opened in June 2008, is the first education building in Australia to receive a rating of six Green Stars under the Green Building Council of Australia's environmental rating scheme. It was awarded the RICS Sustainability prize for 2009. The building features a wide range of techniques and initiatives that combine to make the building a landmark for sustainable design and building in Australia and beyond. Central to the design is a range of technologies including extensive use of recycled materials, particularly Australian hardwood, onsite power generation through photovoltaics, wind and bio-diesel, rainwater harvesting and greywater recycling, and the recycling or re-use of 90% of the waste generated during construction. The selection and supply of materials contributed significantly to the building achieving the maximum possible Green Star rating.