Yarrawonga - Going Green

(Taken from Monash Memo, 16 November 2011)

As we move toward an environmentally conscious future, Monash University is taking every step possible to become green - including preparing to undertake its first environmentally sustainable refurbishment.

The Yarrawonga Building, currently under construction as part of the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences at Clayton campus, will incorporate solar power, water harvesting and reuse, and recycled materials.

All excess energy the building produces will be used to power neighbouring sites, including the Japanese Centre.

The construction also involves reducing the use of volatile organic compounds, which have been found to be detrimental to health.

Jocelyn Chiew, Office of Environmental Sustainability, Facilities and Services, said the redevelopment showed the University’s commitment to reduce its carbon footprint.

“This building will provide a space with high indoor environmental quality that is ultimately a healthy, pleasant and productive place to work,” Ms Chiew said.

Once the building is complete, Facilities and Services will seek to earn an Australian Excellence Green Star rating for the building, which, if achieved will be another first for Monash.

Award-winning landscape architect Paul Thompson, renowned for his use of indigenous flora, has been commissioned to assist with the refurbishment.