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IES helps KPMG Tower become recognised as star-rated

Integrated Environmental Solutions Limited (IES) <Virtual Environment> software has been used to great success by former Australian business Adamus Consulting Practice (acquired by Hyder Consulting Pty Ltd in 2004) in a recent building project. The building, KPMG Tower in Kings Street Wharf, Sydney, is one of a small number in the region that has gained a 4.5 star AGBR (Australian Building Greenhouse Rating), and IES Ltd’s <Virtual Environment> software was an integral part of helping to achieve this.

The KPMG Tower is one of the few buildings to have been designed and built from new with a Sustainable Energy Development Authority (SEDA) Commitment Agreement to achieve such a high ABGR. SEDA – currently known as Department of Energy, Utilities and Sustainability (DEUS) developed ABGR for use with commercial buildings Australia-wide. DEUS seeks a commitment agreement that allows a developer to ‘badge’ a building from the outset to have a 4, 4.5 or 5-star rating; the performance of the building is then measured through a series of certified and verified documents provided by the developer and designer against the benchmark.

In order to achieve this Adamus were aware that detailed computer modelling of the design would be required, and that it needed to push the boundaries of what was achievable on both the design and engineering front.

“KPMG Tower will for me become a beacon of what is possible. I also need to wholeheartedly congratulate IES, the company which developed the <Virtual Environment> software we used for the thermal and energy modelling which helped us to achieve this great result,” said Jarek Adamus, Director – Building Infrastructure Technologies, Hyder Consulting Pty Ltd.

The <Virtual Environment> software was used to great effect for the thermal and energy modelling within the design which helped to inform decisions on what could be achieved practically. The ModelIT; ApacheCalc, ApacheSim, Suncast Lite, Macroflow and ApacheHVAC modules within IES Ltd’s <Virtual Environment> software were purchased by the company from IES Ltd in the UK.

The result of the project was a resounding success that recognised not only what was needed and could be achieved, but what could also be brought in on budget. Control of the construction costs was a significant factor in the final outcome.

IES Ltd’s <Virtual Environment> software can predict at any stage in the design process how a building will perform and operate once built and the detailed information provided on the consequences of design changes aids informed design decisions.

Environmentally Sustainable Design (ESD) has become an increasingly important consideration. In a world first for Australia, office buildings can be rated for their energy efficiency using the ABGR scheme, as one of the initiatives being taken to help tackle climate change.

Dr McLean continues: “Globally, ESD is becoming increasingly important; with the Green Building Rating System in Australia, LEED in the US, and the movement in Europe towards a low energy performance-based building regulations system.”

Email: edwinac@thinktank.org.uk