WAITAKERE CITY COUNCIL, NEW ZEALAND
Municipal Profile
Population: 180,000
Budget: US$135 million
Land Area: 367 square kilometers
Economic Activities: service industry, construction, manufacturing
Environmental Expertise: water, energy, biodiversity, waste
Issue Addressed
Green Building
Key Management Concept
Establishing an environmental standard in a municipal building code sets consistent targets for the assessment of new municipal buildings, reduces long-term building operating costs, and inspires private companies and institutions to construct sustainable buildings.
Program Name
Better Building Code
Program Goals
The goals of the program are to set a minimum environmental standard for all new council buildings, inspire the development community by leading by example, simplify the tendering and briefing process by providing standard clauses for environmentally sustainable design, and provide guidance for the management and refurbishment of existing buildings.
Program Abstract
First published in May 2000, Waitakere City Council's Better Building Code aims to set a minimum environmental standard for all new council buildings that addresses energy, water, resource use, indoor health, and accessibility issues.
While the code was developed for Waitakere Council, it is equally applicable to other public buildings and private commercial buildings. The code has not yet been officially adopted as the minimum standard for council buildings, but currently serves as a discussion document and "starting point"../ for council projects.
The code states that new council buildings should be energy, water, and resource efficient and should be built of materials that do not harm the environment or the people who will use them. Building design should reflect environmental and sustainability principles and offer a healthy indoor environment. Simple solutions and passive systems are preferable to high-technology options. The buildings should be inviting and safely accessible for all people including children, older persons, and people with disabilities. The building should be adaptable to changing uses, durable, and easy to maintain.
Several new council buildings have been constructed in accordance with the code. In 2001, the New Lynn Community Centre was completed. The facility features largely passive energy (natural ventilation and light) and water efficient design and integrates visual art throughout the building. Its location has good public transport access that is supported by pedestrian friendly design: safe, inviting pedestrian spaces and bicycle parking at the front of the building with car parking at the back of the building. Parking lots drain into swales to clean and delay stormwater runoff.
The Massey Leisure Centre and Library was also completed in 2001 and is naturally cooled by drawing air from above the water feature (an artificial stream that runs along the front of the library) through under-floor concrete ducts into the building. The water feature treats the first rain to fall onto the library roof (also known as the "first flush"../), which is often contaminated with pollutants such as particulates from car exhaust and bird droppings. The facility has permeable parking lots, and will soon be equipped with photovoltaic panels.
Completed in 2002, the Westwave Aquatic Centre features solar hot water heating, rainwater collection for pool use, pool filter backwash water reused for toilet flushing, high levels of insulation, double glazed windows, lots of natural light, and natural gas cogeneration.
The Massey Leisure Centre and Library and the New Lynn Community Centre have performed well with low water and energy bills in comparison with similar buildings. The community, councillors, and council management are very pleased with the buildings and are committed to the construction of more sustainable buildings in the future.
Waitakere City Council is now well known for its sustainable buildings. Both the New Lynn Community Centre and the Massey Leisure Centre and Library have won architectural awards and there has been considerable interest and coverage by the media. Staff are frequently consulted by representatives of other municipalities, government agencies, and private companies, and have also made presentations at green building conferences.
Current council projects include the Glen Eden Library (to be completed in 2004), the Henderson Library (to be completed in 2006), and a new Civic Centre (to be completed in 2006).
The Better Building Code has brought consistency to council's building program and ensured that all new municipal buildings meet a certain environmental standard. Architects now know what is expected when they submit tenders for council projects and council staff have standards against which to assess designs. As a result, the quality of tenders received and the designs produced have improved dramatically.
Financing
The budget for the Better Building Code was US$2,000, which consisted mainly of printing and promotion costs. The development of the code was partly funded by the New Zealand Ministry for the Environment. The environmental features of the buildings are covered in each building's normal construction budget.
Staff
Council has a dedicated staff member who ensures that council buildings incorporate sustainability features. The Better Building Code was developed through extensive external and internal consultation with national experts, the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority, and other councils that contributed information and peer reviewed drafts.
Lessons Learned
Spending time at the beginning of the project to ensure that the architect and all sub-consultants have a clear understanding of and commitment to the sustainability aims of the project helps achieve good outcomes.
A fully integrated design process involving all sub-consultants early in the process is crucial. For example, to achieve effective natural temperature control it is important that the services engineer and the acoustics engineer are involved in siting the building and shaping its form. A fully integrated, collaborative approach can avoid uninformed decisions that may undo a good concept.
Relying on building occupants to operate complicated manual systems does not always work.
Key Publications
Hulse, Councillor Penny, and Katja Lietz. 2003. Building an Eco City (conference paper).
Lietz, Katja. 2000. Better Building Code.
Contact
Katja Lietz, Project Manager, Sustainability Projects
Waitakere City Council
Private Bag 93109
Henderson, Waitakere City, New Zealand
Tel: +64-9/8368000 ext. 8365
Fax: +64-9/8368087
Email: katja.lietz@waitakere.govt.nz
Website
www.waitakere.govt.nz
Population: 180,000
Budget: US$135 million
Land Area: 367 square kilometers
Economic Activities: service industry, construction, manufacturing
Environmental Expertise: water, energy, biodiversity, waste
Issue Addressed
Green Building
Key Management Concept
Establishing an environmental standard in a municipal building code sets consistent targets for the assessment of new municipal buildings, reduces long-term building operating costs, and inspires private companies and institutions to construct sustainable buildings.
Program Name
Better Building Code
Program Goals
The goals of the program are to set a minimum environmental standard for all new council buildings, inspire the development community by leading by example, simplify the tendering and briefing process by providing standard clauses for environmentally sustainable design, and provide guidance for the management and refurbishment of existing buildings.
Program Abstract
First published in May 2000, Waitakere City Council's Better Building Code aims to set a minimum environmental standard for all new council buildings that addresses energy, water, resource use, indoor health, and accessibility issues.
While the code was developed for Waitakere Council, it is equally applicable to other public buildings and private commercial buildings. The code has not yet been officially adopted as the minimum standard for council buildings, but currently serves as a discussion document and "starting point"../ for council projects.
The code states that new council buildings should be energy, water, and resource efficient and should be built of materials that do not harm the environment or the people who will use them. Building design should reflect environmental and sustainability principles and offer a healthy indoor environment. Simple solutions and passive systems are preferable to high-technology options. The buildings should be inviting and safely accessible for all people including children, older persons, and people with disabilities. The building should be adaptable to changing uses, durable, and easy to maintain.
Several new council buildings have been constructed in accordance with the code. In 2001, the New Lynn Community Centre was completed. The facility features largely passive energy (natural ventilation and light) and water efficient design and integrates visual art throughout the building. Its location has good public transport access that is supported by pedestrian friendly design: safe, inviting pedestrian spaces and bicycle parking at the front of the building with car parking at the back of the building. Parking lots drain into swales to clean and delay stormwater runoff.
The Massey Leisure Centre and Library was also completed in 2001 and is naturally cooled by drawing air from above the water feature (an artificial stream that runs along the front of the library) through under-floor concrete ducts into the building. The water feature treats the first rain to fall onto the library roof (also known as the "first flush"../), which is often contaminated with pollutants such as particulates from car exhaust and bird droppings. The facility has permeable parking lots, and will soon be equipped with photovoltaic panels.
Completed in 2002, the Westwave Aquatic Centre features solar hot water heating, rainwater collection for pool use, pool filter backwash water reused for toilet flushing, high levels of insulation, double glazed windows, lots of natural light, and natural gas cogeneration.
The Massey Leisure Centre and Library and the New Lynn Community Centre have performed well with low water and energy bills in comparison with similar buildings. The community, councillors, and council management are very pleased with the buildings and are committed to the construction of more sustainable buildings in the future.
Waitakere City Council is now well known for its sustainable buildings. Both the New Lynn Community Centre and the Massey Leisure Centre and Library have won architectural awards and there has been considerable interest and coverage by the media. Staff are frequently consulted by representatives of other municipalities, government agencies, and private companies, and have also made presentations at green building conferences.
Current council projects include the Glen Eden Library (to be completed in 2004), the Henderson Library (to be completed in 2006), and a new Civic Centre (to be completed in 2006).
The Better Building Code has brought consistency to council's building program and ensured that all new municipal buildings meet a certain environmental standard. Architects now know what is expected when they submit tenders for council projects and council staff have standards against which to assess designs. As a result, the quality of tenders received and the designs produced have improved dramatically.
Financing
The budget for the Better Building Code was US$2,000, which consisted mainly of printing and promotion costs. The development of the code was partly funded by the New Zealand Ministry for the Environment. The environmental features of the buildings are covered in each building's normal construction budget.
Staff
Council has a dedicated staff member who ensures that council buildings incorporate sustainability features. The Better Building Code was developed through extensive external and internal consultation with national experts, the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority, and other councils that contributed information and peer reviewed drafts.
Lessons Learned
Spending time at the beginning of the project to ensure that the architect and all sub-consultants have a clear understanding of and commitment to the sustainability aims of the project helps achieve good outcomes.
A fully integrated design process involving all sub-consultants early in the process is crucial. For example, to achieve effective natural temperature control it is important that the services engineer and the acoustics engineer are involved in siting the building and shaping its form. A fully integrated, collaborative approach can avoid uninformed decisions that may undo a good concept.
Relying on building occupants to operate complicated manual systems does not always work.
Key Publications
Hulse, Councillor Penny, and Katja Lietz. 2003. Building an Eco City (conference paper).
Lietz, Katja. 2000. Better Building Code.
Contact
Katja Lietz, Project Manager, Sustainability Projects
Waitakere City Council
Private Bag 93109
Henderson, Waitakere City, New Zealand
Tel: +64-9/8368000 ext. 8365
Fax: +64-9/8368087
Email: katja.lietz@waitakere.govt.nz
Website
www.waitakere.govt.nz
