Westpac’s office fitout at Barangaroo in Sydney has gained the most points ever for a Green Star Interiors rating.
Key features of the fitout include a metering system to monitor energy and water use, and a high percentage of reused, recycled and certified timber.
The Fifth Estate previously reported a number of additional features including:
- 10,000-plus indoor plants
- A high-performance air-quality system
- LED lighting
- Landscaped terraces for working outdoors
- Multiple organic and recycling bins on each floor with green waste sent for green energy or fertiliser production
- Ergonomically designed furniture approved by world-leading ergonomist David Caple
- Healthy cafes with menus designed by dieticians and nutritionists
- A wellness centre providing clinical pilates, physiotherapy and massages
- A well-equipped mini medical centre
- Defibrillators on every floor
The 6 Star Green Star fitout is itself in a 6 Star Green Star building – Tower 2 of International Towers Sydney.
Westpac’s property team worked with the building designers, UK-based architectural firm Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners, as well as Australian interior designers Geyer on the fitout.
- See our extensive report What Westpac wanted for Barangaroo and how it got it
The fitout was awarded maximum points for reduced water consumption, reduced dependency on private transport, minimising harm and enhancing the quality of local ecologies, and encouraging sustainability practices throughout the fitout’s design, construction and operation.
“We are proud that we’ve been able to support the Barangaroo precinct’s goal of becoming Australia’s first carbon neutral community,” Westpac group general manager, operations, property and commercial services John Harries said.
“As well as reducing our environmental footprint, our emphasis has been on designing a workplace that provides flexibility and choice to help build an adaptable, health-conscious workforce.”
Green Building Council of Australia chief executive Romilly Madew welcomed the high score, saying such environmental commitments were now expected by investors and consumers, “the latter increasingly looking for evidence that companies are walking the talk”.
The bank has been recognised as the most sustainable in the world, according to the 2017 Dow Jones Sustainability Index.