Monash wins TEFMA Innovation Award...

A sustainability rating tool developed by the Office of Environmental Sustainability's Laurie Cuttiford has taken out the prestigious 2009 TEFMA (Tertiary Education Facilities Management Association) Innovation Award.

The award which is given every two years recognises an innovation that has improved the delivery, efficiency and effectiveness of facilities, their management and services.

The Monash entry was voted best in Australasia despite the “very high standard” of submissions which the judging panel said made final selection extremely difficult.

Laurie developed the Model Ecologically Sustainable Design (ESD) Assessment Tool – a rating tool to benchmark Monash buildings in their current condition and to assess the environmental improvement opportunities for the selected buildings.

The tool is based on “Significant Factors” adopted from the Australian best practice resource, “Six Steps to Sustainability” and the Monash University Guide for Design and Management of Ecologically Sustainable Buildings, the Eco-Accord model.

The assessment tool utilises the design strategies incorporated in the ESD Guide to assess each ESD element of the building and to record these as before and after ratings and then to rate the identified projects by their overall significance.

Laurie explained: “The review strategies include Bioclimatic design, building design, spatial design, building technologies, interior architecture, material selection, water conservation, landscape design, operational requirements and innovation.

“The ESD assessments report on the environmental initiatives of water, energy, indoor environmental quality, material and waste minimisation.”

The award submission prepared by Laurie also gave recognition to Aurecon , external consultants who collaborated with Monash on the project.

The company’s Sustainability Leader Jeff Robinson said: “We commend Monash for having the vision and thought leadership to recognise they needed this Model ESD Sustainability Tool.

“Aurecon was delighted to be selected for this project. It is such an important tool.”

Several significant Monash buildings have already been assessed using the tool, including Clayton’s Robert Blackwood Hall, Alexander Theatre, and Sports Centre, along with building H at Caulfield, the George Jenkins Theatre at Peninsula and all campus libraries.

As a result many opportunities have been identified to improve the environmental performance of the buildings including initiatives that will reduce energy consumption, save water, and most importantly for staff and students, improve the environmental comfort of the facilities.

Projects have included installing sensor lighting, improvements to heating and ventilation systems, water harvesting and more day lighting of spaces.