A new green rebuild assessment tool for Christchurch is being developed by the New Zealand Green Building Council and industry specialists as part of the rebuilding program after the massive earthquake February.
The tool is being developed by the NZGBC in partnership with Christchurch City Council, Asia-Pacific engineering group, Beca, Warren & Mahoney, and the Sustainable Steel Council.
NZGBC chief executive Alex Cutler said the tool was a critical, first step in fulfilling the city’s aspiration to be among the world’s most sustainable cities.
Christchurch had led the way in New Zealand with the country’s first six star Green Star designed and built office – Te Hononga, the Christchurch Civic Building – representing world leadership in environmentally sustainable design, Ms Cutler said.
“With the rebuild assessment tool, Christchurch will be an inspiration to the world with sustainably designed, high-performing buildings at the heart of the new city centre.
“New Zealand has some great examples of green office buildings that not only cost less to run, they are also healthier and more comfortable to work in.
“We’re delighted to work with the Christchurch property industry to develop an introductory-level building assessment tool that meets their needs, and responds to the wishes of the people of Christchurch.”
The Christchurch rebuild tool will apply to multiple building types (office, retail and residential and combinations of these) and feature a streamlined, affordable submission and assessment process.
Complementary to the Green Star rating tool, the Christchurch rebuild tool will also have a number of conditional requirements in areas such as energy, thermal comfort, ventilation and water efficiency. Project teams will be able to select from a broad range of additional credits to achieve a pass mark.
The president, of the Property Council of New Zealand, South Island Branch, Graeme McDonald, said: “This new tool makes green building accessible and affordable to a wider audience with a range of options available to owners and developers.
“It will promote awareness of environmental and sustainable building solutions and encourage the development of an appealing, world-class inner Christchurch – The Garden City.”
The Christchurch Green Rebuild Tool Advisory Group includes:
- Alan Barbour, Beca
- Carena Parish, Hawkins
- David MacDonald, MacDonald Consultancy
- Gordon Craig, Ng?i Tahu Property Ltd
- Graeme Finlay, Warren & Mahoney
- Michael Doig, Ganellen
- Philip Neale, Ross Davidson, Davis Langdon
- Susan McLaughlin, Tony Moore, Christchurch City Council
