'Green house' idea for buildings wins supporters

A new body to promote development of environmentally friendly buildings was mooted at the Property Council of New Zealand annual conference in Australia this week.

Maria Atkinson, executive director of the Green Building Council of Australia, encouraged private property investors and developers to take the lead and not leave it up to the Government to force compliance.

She wants New Zealanders to join the Australian council to promote the concept in both countries.

Property Council executive director Connall Townsend backed the idea, although questions were raised about potentially higher costs of development, construction and operation in such buildings.

The conference tackled the issue of how to convince people that environmentally sustainable design could improve office productivity, reduce building costs and future-proof a building.

Atkinson said Australian developers had been keen to get a "green badge" on their buildings, showing they met environmentally sustainable standards.

The conference was told that developers, architects and planners were beginning to address the issue keenly in Australia, but the concept was less developed in New Zealand.

One delegate asked Atkinson to define a green house, saying he thought it was a house painted green.

She said state governments in Australia had rules on new developments aimed at enforcing the green building concept nationally.

David Keir, chief operating officer of the major Australian developer Delfin Lend Lease, showed how the Bond office building in Sydney was designed along environmentally friendly lines.

Tenants had reported less tiredness, fewer headaches, less eye irritation and used less sick leave than in other buildings.

BETTER BUILDINGS:

* Use less electricity to run.

* Recycle or re-use water.

* Have more efficient air circulation.

* Are designed along environmental lines.