Bradfield City Centre’s First Building

Innovations

The design and construction of the First Building involved a number of innovations, including innovative materials and construction methods.

The building was designed as a ‘kit of parts’, that is designed to allow for future disassembly. The prefabricated timber components were transported to site and then mechanically fixed together. The components can be taken apart in future and even moved to another location.

Additionally, the First Building has a unique natural ventilation system to assist in the reduction of energy consumption. Natural ventilation is designed to be used 60% of the year, cooling the building by opening the atrium and façade panels to the breeze. During hot summer nights, air can be purged through the chimney stacks, cooling the building and reducing reliance on mechanical systems.

Both innovative and sustainable, the project includes a large green roof planted with 14,000 native plants. Taylor worked with the BDA to source and propagate seeds of local flora for future planting. This expansive green roof serves as a natural insulation barrier, mitigating the urban heat island effect and creating a cooler environment for the occupants below. Additionally, the green roof captures and stores excess rainwater in an underground collection tank for future reuse within the building and irrigation.

Sustainability

Sustainability was a priority in the design and construction of the First Building, setting a high “World Leading” standard for sustainability in the future city of Bradfield and beyond.

The First Building is targeting a 6 Star, Green Star Buildings v1 rating, and a 5.5 Star NABERS Energy and Water rating. Taylor has worked closely with Bradfield Development Authority to meet these targets.

Passive design strategies are incorporated into the building’s design, including a central building spine with natural ventilation, rammed earth walls providing thermal mass, bio-solar PV roofing, and extensive native landscaping. These work to reduce urban heat island effects on the local area, enhance energy efficiency, and promote a connection to the environment.

The project utilised sustainable, lower embodied carbon concrete mixes from our project concrete supplier, Gunlake. The project ultimately achieved an overall total project cement reduction of 54% vs standard concrete mixes. It was through the substitution of high embodied carbon cement with lower embodied carbon, supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) such as fly ash and ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBFS) a lower embodied carbon structure was achieved.

The incorporation of these sustainable concrete mixes and sustainable timber elements, has greatly minimised upfront carbon emissions associated with the concrete, contributing to a 24% reduction in upfront carbon emissions for the project’s 6 Star Green Star Buildings v1 rating.

Key Sustainability Features and Facts 

• 1,300m² Green Roof with 14,000 biodiverse plants, insulating the building from heat and supporting local biodiversity
• On-site 460kWh battery to power the building and efficiently manage power needs
• 180kW solar PV system on rooftop
• In-ground 150kL rainwater tank to harvest rainwater from the roof to be stored, treated and reused on-site to flush toilets, and irrigate the large Green Roof and external landscaping areas
• Use of “green” concrete, using greater than 50% less Portland cement than standard concrete mixes
• EV charging facilities
• Mass timber design with low embodied carbon
• Core walls made of locally sourced rammed earth providing thermal mass while also promoting a connection to country
• Building designed for disassembly, which enables the building to be taken apart and with the timber and structural steel structure to be reused in future if required
• The use of Natural ventilation has been incorporated into the building’s façade design to reduce reliance on the buildings air conditioning systems throughout the year

Impact and Legacy

The construction of the First Building had a positive social impact in its involvement of local suppliers and businesses.

• Over $12 million was spent with local Western Sydney businesses, including more than $3.5 million with First Nations businesses
• 200 jobs created
• The building is open for community events and activities, allowing the local community to enjoy the state-of-the-art facility
• The building reflects the ambitions of Bradfield City Centre in its pursuit of being a vibrant, 24/7 global city:
• driving advancements in industry
• housing innovation
• acting as a central gathering place for arts, culture, community and entertainment

The First Building will enable local manufacturing businesses access to advanced machinery and expertise to help scale-up businesses. This will enhance the capability and economic development of Western Sydney businesses.

Acknowledgments

Taylor extends its sincere thanks to Bradfield Development Authority, NSW Public Works, Hassell, Djinjama and all the subcontractors and suppliers who worked together to bring this project to life.