Adelaide Businesses Showcase Green Offices at the CitySwitch Awards

28 Nov, 2018

The 2018 CitySwitch green office program winners have been announced, showcasing leading practices in office sustainability.

The winners are a diverse, innovative group of companies who are finding ways to improve the performance of their office spaces and create happy, healthy workplaces for staff. These leaders are showing how a sustainable office can be a productive workplace while also saving money.

South Australia’s CitySwitch signatories are businesses and other organisations who have committed to action to improve the sustainability performance of their offices.

The program provides a no-cost network of support, practical resources, knowledge and recognition to assist businesses to successfully implement sustainability initiatives and reduce carbon emissions.

Mark Goldstone, Chief Executive Officer at the City of Adelaide congratulated the award winners on being leaders in contributing to carbon reduction.

“These awards recognise those businesses who are leading the way in transitioning our city to a low carbon economy as we work toward becoming one of the world’s first carbon neutral cities.

“Adelaide has an opportunity to lead climate change action and create economic benefits and employment through innovation and investment in the growth of green industries.

“Programs such as CitySwitch are essential to support businesses to grow our city’s reputation as a hub for clean and green industries.

“Congratulations to all participants, finalists and award recipients.”

Five award winners were announced, as follows.

Oxigen, New Signatory of the Year This landscape architecture firm’s office has features including smart building materials, cross ventilation, natural lighting and LEDs, underfloor heating as well as rooftop and vertical gardens and an enhanced streetscape. Oxigen’s Halifax street studio enjoys lower maintenance and energy costs and a workplace that is great for staff health, wellbeing and efficiency. The team advocates sustainable behaviours and a sustainable design approach, and their space has become an incubator for sustainable design outcomes.

Finalist: Turner Real Estate for their retrofit on Greenhill Road.

Commonwealth Bank of Australia, SA Signatory of the Year (greater than) 2,000 square metres The bank set ambitious targets back in 2015 and is now being recognised for its 2020 Property Sustainability Strategy. The results of its actions include a national average of only 2.3 tonnes of carbon emissions per full time employee – which is more than a 50 per cent reduction from its 2009 baseline. The Commonwealth Bank has invested in auditing, monitoring and reporting on energy and carbon emissions and fine tuning its building operations to make measurable savings.

dsquared Consulting, Signatory of the Year (smaller than) 2,000 square metres dsquared’s office has taken great strides in sustainability through energy efficiency and on-site renewable energy. dsquared is now South Australia’s first carbon neutral certified small-to-medium sized business. Their journey is documented in a detailed case study to assist others in following their lead. Their tenancy has a 5.5 star NABERS Energy rating without GreenPower.

Highly commended: Cundall With a focus on energy efficiency and occupant comfort, Cundall has installed a circadian LED lighting solution, and continuous sensor monitoring for the indoor environment. Cundall has achieved a 5.5 star NABERS energy tenancy rating without GreenPower in a B Grade building.

Finalist: CBRE for their agile office fit-out, that is now virtually paperless.

Knight Frank and the tenants of Westpac House, Partnership of the Year Knight Frank was recognised for their pilot of providing accredited NABERS energy ratings for 17 out of 19 tenants in Westpac House on King William Street. This means that the tenants and the building manager can work together to achieve effective energy savings that benefits everyone in the building.

Finalist: Property Council of Australia and Egans Furniture Removal for minimising waste in an office move.

CitySwitch Hall of Fame Nominated for their unwavering dedication and enthusiasm for more sustainable practice in the work environment, were: • Uniting Communities’ World Environment Week Planning Team of Genevieve Smith, Lucy Manuel, Collette Houlahan, Kelly Johnson and Laura Richards • CBRE’s National Sustainability Manager, Dammika Weerakkody • dsquared Consulting’s Paul Davy, Deborah Davidson and Ken Long.

The City of Adelaide is committed to being one of the world’s first carbon neutral cities, and we support businesses and residents in their ambitions to play their part.

cityofadelaide.com.au/cityswitch carboneutraladelaide.com.au