“Green buildings are a hallmark of economically sound business decisions, thoughtful environmental decisions, and smart human impact decisions”
Rick Fedrizzi, CEO International WELL Building Institute
NCC Section J Compliance
In May 2020, Section J of the National Construction Code (NCC) 2019 comes in to full effect after a 12 month grace period. New measures have been introduced to increase the energy efficiency of all new commercial buildings, aiming to drive down net Green House Gas (GHG) emissions to align with national climate change and emission reduction targets. Thermal Comfort requirements have been introduced, where 95% of zones within a development must achieve a Predicted Mean Vote (PMV) of +/- 1 for 98% of occupied hours when complying with Section J 2019 using NCC verification methods.
Our Services
Aspire provide Section J Deemed to Satisfy (DtS) & Alternate Solution assessments for all building types, including the newly introduced verification methods contained in the NCC 2019:
- JV1 – NABERS Energy for Offices
- JV2 – Green Star
- JV3 – Verification using a reference building
- Thermal Comfort (PMV) Simulations to comply with JV1, JV2 & JV3
- Statements of Expert Judgement
- Deemed to Satisfy Assessments
Fortunately, a 12-month grace period has been introduced, providing industry time to adapt to the new changes, before becoming mandatory for projects applying for Construction Certification post April 31st 2020.
Book a Complimentary Presentation
What do the changes in Section J 2019 mean for you? If you’d like to find out, Aspire are offering complimentary workshops to architects and developers covering the following topics:
- The changes to various J Parts covered in Section J
- New verification methods and strategies that can reduce project consultant costs
- Case study examples discussing the differences in building performance requirements
- Introduction to thermal bridging
- What is thermal comfort?
- Likely spatial and architectural changes to comply with the new NCC
Contact Aspire on 0421619769 to arrange a presentation time for your office to learn what the changes to Section J 2019 may mean for your future projects.
NABERS
The National Australian Built Environment Rating System (NABERS) aims to measure a buildings energy efficiency & greenhouse gas emission and compare against similar buildings to provide industry with the transparency required to collaboratively and strategically drive efficiencies throughout the built environment.
Historically, NABERS ratings have been required for landlords to obtain prior to selling a property, however recently local councils are beginning to enforce NABERS design ratings through NABERS Commitment Agreements for a range of developments.
NABERS Estimations & Assessments
The team at Aspire have delivered NABERS Energy design estimations & assessments for a variety of building types including commercial offices (Base Building & Tenancy), hotels and shopping centres.
We understand that whilst a high performing building starts at the concept phases of design, it’s true potential will be realised following installation, commissioning, tuning and operation. The team at Aspire assist project teams throughout all project phases to ensure targeted outcomes are achieved.
Our Services
- NABERS Energy & Water concept advice
- NABERS Water Design Estimation & Assessments
- NABERS Energy Estimations for Commitment Agreements:
- Base Building
- Tenancy
- Hotels
- Shopping Centres
- Fit-out design reviews to highlight and eliminate negative impacts on a Base Building Ratings
- NABERS upgrade reports for existing buildings
- Tenancy Lighting Assessment (TLA)
- Building Energy Efficiency Certificate (BEEC)
Green Star Project Delivery & Advice
About Green Star
The GBCA’s sustainable rating tool for new buildings and major refurbishments covers 9 categories:
- Management
- Indoor Environment Quality
- Energy
- Materials
- Transport
- Water
- Land Use & Ecology
- Emissions
- Innovation
Green Star Certification
Benefits of obtaining formal Green Star Certification for your development include:
- Compliance with organisational or regulatory requirements
- Enhanced sustainability credentials
- Increased asset value
- Reduced running costs
- Increased equipment lifetime
- Verifies initiatives are installed as designed
- Provides a healthy space to spend time in
- More attractive to Buyers
Green Star Ratings
Our team are fortunate to have helped deliver some of Australia’s largest Green Star projects. We understand each project has different goals and drivers behind their sustainability aspirations, therefore each Green Star strategy is specifically tailored to meet the needs of our clients.
Aspire work with architects, builders and engineers to deliver the following Green Star ratings:
- Design & As Built
- Interiors
- Performance
Green Star Credits
In addition to managing Green Star submissions, Aspire Sustainability Consulting provide assessment and documentation contained within clear and concise advice required for various Green Star credits, including:
- Daylight Modelling for Credit 12.1 for both Daylight Factor & Spatial Daylight Autonomy compliance methods
- Thermal Comfort Modelling for Credits 13.1 & 13.2 (Interiors) + 14.1 & 14.2 (Design & As Built)
- Energy Modelling for NatHERS, NABERS & Green Star Energy pathways
- Climate Change adaptation Plan
- Building Users Guide
BASIX / NatHERS
When is a BASIX certificate required?
Building Sustainability Index (BASIX) ratings are applicable to all residential dwelling types, and are required to be submitted during the development application stage.
What does BASIX cover?
BASIX covers water, thermal comfort performance and energy consumption that apply to the following dwelling types:
- New residential dwellings
- Alterations & additions when over $50,000 in costs
- Swimming pools over 40,000 Litres
Aspire Sustainability Consulting thoroughly understand the cost implications associated with all BASIX inclusions, and offer a strategic approach when consulting with our clients to ensure maximum benefit per $ spent on project sustainability initiatives. We use a variety of softwares to enable optimum NatHERS star ratings depending on the design features of the dwellings in question.
ESD Reports for DA
Over the last few months local councils have been introducing more stringent measures relating to the sustainable design of a development in to Development Control Plans (DCP’s). Aspire Sustainability Consulting provide concise ESD reports addressing controls and objectives within applicable DCP’s to assist our clients through the development and planning approval process.
Energy, Thermal Comfort & Daylight performance simulations
Aspire Sustainability Consulting specialise in building performance simulations for a range of applications:
Energy
- Compliance modelling for Section J Verification methods JV1:
- JV1 – NABERS Energy for Offices
- JV2 – Green Star
- JV3 – Verification using a reference building
- NABERS Energy modelling
- Green Star Energy modelling
- Thermal modelling for customised applications
- HVAC system performance comparisons
Daylight
- Daylight factor simulations for Green Star
- Spatial Daylight Autonomy simulation for Green Star & WELL Building Standard
Thermal Comfort
- Thermal Comfort simulations for NCC Compliance
- Thermal Comfort for Green Star & WELL Building Standard
Concept Stage Consulting
Sustainability is often considered too late in the design phase, missing key opportunities to improve the energy performance and comfort of a development with simple design solutions that don’t raise project construction costs. Considering key ESD principles as early in the design process as possible can allow these opportunities can be realised, assisting developments to meet required sustainability ratings or energy performance targets with minimal cost uplift.
Aspire Sustainability Consulting specialise in providing concept stage and masterplan advice to our clients relating to:
- Site Orientation
- Thermal Mass
- Façade performance
- Thermal Bridging
- Material Selection
Aspire can assist with concept design strategies for:
- Development Applications
- NABERS Energy & Water for Hotels, Offices & Shopping Centres
- Developments targeting Green Star or WELL certification
Additional Sustainability Consulting Services
Aspire Sustainability Consulting also provide the following services:
- Energy Audits and Upgrade Reports
- Gap Analysis
- Sustainability Workshops
- Renewable Energy Feasibility Studies