Brisbane commercial tower, King George Central has been recognised for achieving ‘World Leadership’ in environmental sustainability, receiving a 6 Star Green Star – Office Design v2 rating from the Green Building Council of Australia.

The King George Central project located in the heart of Brisbane’s CBD is due for completion in 2012 providing 28 levels and 28,000m2 of A-Grade office space.

Appointed by Leighton Properties as the ESD, mechanical, electrical, fire and BMU building services consultants for the development, Floth Sustainable Building Consultants worked closely with the client and architects to develop a combination of sustainable design features to achieve the targeted green rating.

Floth project manager Ian Osborne said the King George Central project team deliberated over a number of design options in the initial stages; however co-generation technology proved to be the most space and cost efficient option.

“Our primary objective was to reduce the building’s carbon footprint by adopting good design principles. The gas powered co-generation plant incorporates the world’s best practice system of independent energy generation,” Mr Osborne said.

“The inclusion of a 1000kW capacity (generator rating) co-generation plant has further enhanced the reduction in CO2 base building emissions to an estimated 26kg CO2/m2/annum. This is 60 percent less than a building with a 5 Star rating, and equivalent to taking 512 cars off the road.

“Rather than relying on servicing the building with power from the grid, the electricity generated by the gas powered co-gen plant will save up to $85,000 per year in electricity costs.

King George Central also incorporates a sophisticated grey water management system, allowing the grey water to be reused onsite.

“In our modelling for the project, we found that there would be more grey water available than is required onsite, and as a result the development is able to supply the Presbyterian Church located next door with the water needed for landscaping.”

Leighton Properties General Manager Queensland, Brian McGuckin said the award aligned with the project’s overarching goal – to be a highly contemporary, yet genuinely sustainable building.

“Once completed King George Central will be one of the most energy and water efficient buildings in Queensland,” Mr McGuckin said.

“The world leading sustainability initiatives of the building mean operational costs will be less than conventional buildings, providing the owner and tenants with significant cost benefits in the long-term.

“Sustainable benefits with the adjoining Presbyterian Church has seen King George Central offer a shared basement car parking solution whereby commercial parking spaces can be occupied by visitors outside business hours on weekends and for special events”