Sustainability excellence lands PHIVE 6-Star Green Star rating

Parramatta’s iconic PHIVE building has been recognised for its world leading sustainable design and construction with a 6-Star Green Star rating by the Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA).

The GBCA 6-Star certification represents World Leadership and is the highest sustainability rating for a building awarded by a third-party assessment panel of experts in Australia. 

City of Parramatta Lord Mayor Cr Pierre Esber said PHIVE had been designed with a 6-Star rating in mind.

“We are committed to designing and building infrastructure for our community that is not only world-class but smart and sustainable,” Cr Esber said.

“PHIVE was designed with a focus on environmental performance including a roof façade system made up of 548 individual skylight modules, solar collectors and water harvesting allowing the building to be net zero carbon  from day one.

“It also incorporates a unique smart mixed-mode ventilation system with giant automated louvres permitting fresh air to circulate through PHIVE that are linked to the Bureau of Meteorology and two local weather sensors to ensure optimal building performance while maintain visitor comfort.”

Cr Esber said Council was committed to reducing carbon emissions by 60 per cent by 2038.

“Parramatta Square – where PHIVE is located – last year became the first Council public domain in Australia to achieve carbon neutral certification. 

“We also became the first council in Western Sydney and one of three in NSW to achieve Climate Active carbon neutral certification throughout the LGA last year, so it’s proof we are tackling one of the biggest challenges of our generation head-on.”

PHIVE was named 2022 Project of the Year and Community Project at the Western Sydney Leadership Dialogue’s Boomtown! 2022 Property & Infrastructure Awards, and a global finalist in last year’s Public Library of the Year award at the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) general conference and assembly.

“We are proud of everything PHIVE has achieved and the building’s official 6-Star Green Star is another reason why we value this iconic community and civic hub,” Cr Esber said.

Other sustainability measures by Council include the commencement of a 100% renewable electricity supply contract and installation of solar panels together with energy efficiency upgrades across its portfolio of assets.