Western Sydney's Eastern Creek has a new sustainable landmark - Jacfin's new building for Ricoh Australia. With sustainability a key driver from the outset, native landscaping and bio-retention works have minimised the ecological impact of the development, while the energy and water-saving measures create a healthy and productive workplace.

"At Jacfin, we pride ourselves on creating outstanding developments which are sensitive to the environment. That is why we were committed to achieving the first 5 Star Green Star - Industrial Design v1 rating in NSW." Jackie Waterhouse, Owner, Jacfin

Innovation

Environmental displays at the entrance to the building provide reminders of the building's energy, water and rainwater consumption. Occupants and visitors to the building can check out comparisons to targets and previous performance periods. Signage also highlights the building's impressive environmentally sustainable features, including energy-efficient lighting design, rainwater collection and metering and monitoring.

"It was really important to the building owner to communicate the green initiatives incorporated in this building - to both site visitors and to the general public," says Bernadette Fitzgerald from WSP Built Ecology.

"By placing signage directed towards Eastern Creek Drive for the information of passing motorists and visitors to neighbouring facilities, future industrial developments in this area may emulate this project," Bernadette adds.

"The environmental displays are a fantastic way to encourage occupants and visitors to make a conscious effort to reduce their energy and water consumption on a daily basis," says project manager, Charles Stewart, from Thinc.

IEQ

High indoor environment quality is delivered through a number of initiatives - from acoustically sensitive rooms to an expansive skylight that floods the building with light. With materials low in volatile organic compounds and 100% fresh air rates, ample amounts of outside air counteract any build-up of indoor pollutants.

"The tenant, Ricoh Australia, is committed to sustainability and has featured on the planet's top 100 most sustainable corporations list every year since its inception. The firm recognises the value of the Green Star measures implemented and how they create a great working environment for its people," says the building owner, Jacfin's Jackie Waterhouse.

Water

"Industrial developments provide an exceptional opportunity to harvest rainwater from their extensive roof areas. This is a great benefit to the site's ecology, council infrastructure and the facility's occupants, as rainwater harvesting provides a considerable source of water for irrigation and toilet flushing and reduces utility outgoings while decreasing run off into the local stormwater system," says Bernadette Fitzgerald from WSP Built Ecology.

The project achieved all 10 available points in the 'Water' category for smart, sustainable design features, including a xeriscape garden of drought-resistant natives that required watering for just the first three months. A rainwater collection and reuse system is expected to save more than 12,000 litres of water a week - a 49 per cent reduction in water consumption from one simple but spectacular measure. As Jackie Waterhouse says, "water-saving measures were a key part of the project to maximise the ongoing operational efficiency of the development."