CWA were approached by the project client to deliver a carbon
neutral (in operation) solution for an environmentally sensitive site off-grid
on the edge of the FNQ beachfront rainforest. The aim was not to simply produce
an engineered outcome but produce a building which made the most of the sites
natural amenity and re-introduced the surrounding native wetland environment.
The building is literally reflected by way of its siting over an engineered
water ecosystem which was the result of lengthy liaison & collaboration
with National Parks, Environmental Agencies, State and Local Government.
The design is formed in an innovative combination of in-situ and
precast concrete. The concrete has been engineered & insulated
incorporating a total solar panelled roof to provide for a constant cooler
& more comfortable ambient temperature year-round. The design utilises
massive cantilevers to mitigate impact from potential flooding & king tide
inundation associated with cyclonic activity. The project has been designed to
be solid and to withstand intense cyclones.
ESD initiatives include: total 250,000 ltr water harvesting,
recycling & reticulation, renewable solar energy generation with solar
backup non-reliant on fossil fuel backup generation, On-site Advanced Tertiary
Sewerage treatment plant, grey water recycling & irrigation, Shaded &
Insulated Thermal mass engineering, ‘green’ cooling & energy conservation
controlled via building automation system (CBUS).