The Sydney Opera House was yesterday awarded a 4 Star Green Star – Performance rating by the Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA), putting the national icon among a select few of World Heritage buildings that have achieved green certification globally.
The 4 Star Green Star rating, awarded for ‘best practice’ in the industry, is an extraordinary achievement for a heritage building.
NSW Deputy Premier and Minister for the Arts Troy Grant said the rating is proof that green buildings don't have to be new – even the most recognisable and historic landmarks can earn a place among the most celebrated sustainable buildings in the world.
Green Building Council of Australia CEO, Romilly Madew, said about 340 million square metres of commercial and public building space in Australia needs upgrading.
Despite the operating costs amounting to around $27 billion a year, she said the general consensus has been that it’s ‘too hard’ to improve the sustainability of these buildings.
"The Sydney Opera House has laid down the gauntlet for the property industry with a pragmatic, practical approach which shows even the most iconic, historic and challenging buildings can be high-performing, energy efficient and sustainable. If you can green the Opera House, you can green anything," Madew said.
Sydney Opera House building director Greg McTaggart, outlined a wide range of both environmental and social sustainability initiatives across three core areas that have contributed to the Opera House’s 4 Star rating.
He said energy usage has been reduced by more than 10 per cent over the past five years. This has been made possible through a range of lighting-retrofit and lighting-control projects.
A highly innovative seawater cooling system – considered ahead of its time – still powers the Opera House’s main heating and air-conditioning while an early interpretation of the ‘chilled ceiling’ design remains in the Drama Theatre today to help control the venue’s air temperature.
This is in addition to eco-friendly cleaning methods and Indoor Environment Quality. For example, a temperature of exactly 22.5oC is maintained for the Sydney Symphony Orchestra’s musicians to enjoy optimum instrumental performance.
McTaggart said a dedicated Environmental Sustainability Manager actively engages staff and performers as well as on-site food and beverage operators and venue hirers in ways they can reduce their environmental impact.
He said the Opera House tracks all building waste, with documented processes in place for its recycling and management.
The Opera House welcomes more than 8.2 million visitors on site every year and hosts 1,800 performances attended by 1.4 million people.