Cbus Property's 720 Bourke achieves WELL Certification with launch of Green by Design Brand

Cbus Property's office development for Medibank at 720 Bourke Street in Docklands recently became the first Australian existing property to receive a WELL Certification, Gold Shell and Core rating. The WELL rating goes beyond sustainable building features with a greater focus on the health and well-being of a building's occupants.

The rating was awarded to 720 Bourke Street's design which enhances the health and well-being of workers via features such as increased natural air to the work environment, community gardens, ramp access for cyclists, bike-repair facilities and a new sustainability library. The Hassell-designed building already boasts a six-star Green Star rating.

The WELL standard was launched two years ago to recognise and encourage buildings that promote health, happiness, mindfulness and productivity based on scientific findings. Innovations in seven categories are measured - these include;

• Air
• Water
• Nourishment
• Light
• Fitness
• Comfort
• Mind.

Under WELL’s ‘core and shell’ classification, building structure, window locations and glazing, building proportions, heating, cooling and ventilation systems and water quality are amongst the criteria considered for accreditation.

Cbus Property undertook a gap analysis to ensure the WELL rating’s 28 preconditions were achievable before embarking on measures to boost the well-being of the office building’s occupants.

An increasing number of commercial projects are embracing well-being as a fundamental principle in building design as they seek to boost their well-being credentials to lure top tenants and help them attract and retain the best employees.

The recent WELL achievement follows Cbus' recent commitment to becoming a global leader in sustainable urban development in launching its Green By Design brand which aims to put sustainability at the forefront of its approach to all existing commercial and future commercial developments investments.

The Green by Design Brand is based on 10 guiding principles including a people and place focused approach in addition to a requirement for innovation at all levels of the business.

Cbus Property plans to apply its Green By Design philosophy by continually seeking and adopting emerging technology and materials that boost the sustainable performance of both its new and existing commercial buildings.
The company has already sought to exceed industry standards by pursuing Australian and international accreditations in green development and well-being, including the NABERs, Green Star and WELL ratings systems.

Victoria and Western Australia currently lead the nation in sustainable office space with 34 per cent of all offices achieving Green Star certification from the Green Building Council Australia.

Australia’s 1462 Green Star certified buildings produce 62 per cent less greenhouse gas emissions than average Australian buildings and use 66 per cent less electricity, 51 per cent less potable water and recycle 96 per cent of construction and demolition waste, according to the Green Building Council.

We are very proud of 720 Bourke Street being recognised as one of the healthiest buildings in Australia for its workers. Our Green By Design brand is all about improving our cities for not only those that live and work in them today but also future generations.

We believe our company and the industry in general has an obligation to future generations to get this right. We understand the enormous impact that sustainable design, construction and building management has on improving the health and well-being of those who work or live in or around our investments.

We as an industry have to adopt a stronger focus on the future and do more to improve the built environment of our growing cities.

With more than half of the world’s population now living in cities, Australia has an opportunity to lead the world in creating urban environments that better the lives of all inhabitants.

- Adrian Pozzo, Cbus Property CEO

Cbus Property's Collins Arch project, currently under construction is also targeting WELL Certification.