Major renovations by Group GSA at the Pyrmont Fire Station building has seen it restored, extended, upgraded and revitalised.

The heritage listed building underwent major category 4 seismic stabilisation upgrades, removal and replacement of hazardous materials, and where possible, existing materials were recycled. Existing heritage features were retained, repaired or sensitively replaced. The building tenancy achieved a provisional 4 Star Green Star (interior fit-out) rating and an estimated NABERS for the level 1 and 2 offices of 4.5 stars. Overall, the renovation provides greater functionality aligned with contemporary work processes.

Many challenges were presented by the 110-year-old site during design development and construction. The intent to implement all things sustainable was at the forefront of Group GSA’s approach to the building design. However, with projects budget constraints, the structural upgrades were paramount.

The multi-disciplinary consultant team approached each obstacle in a collaborative and supportive manner providing solutions that least impacted the design intent, time and cost. These challenges included methods to prevent the locally listed heritage building from collapse, reticulation of services through the building especially where retention of key heritage items may have been compromised, connection to existing underground services, removal of excessive hazardous materials, and recycling brick dust from pre-drilled structural holes in order to colour mortar used in the façade.

The thermal performance of the building fabrics and glazing helps minimise heat loss or gain to reduce air conditioning load.

A ventilation strategy for the building has allowed the building to maintain internal spaces with the flexibility to open windows for natural ventilation. The introduction of the air conditioning system provides comfort to the occupant on extreme weather days.

Motion sensors and CO2 sensors have been integrated with the air conditioning system to detect activities and occupancy in the room. This allows the system to be switched off if there is no activity and vary the outside air requirement pending occupancy. Both measures allow energy consumption to be reduced in response to the occupants.

Energy efficient light fittings, LED and T5 fittings, have been nominated throughout the redevelopment. Lighting switch zones have been designed to be less than 100m2 to enhance the controllability of each zone in response to the occupancy of each area.

In addition, motion sensors have been incorporated within the lighting design to reduce electricity usage when the space is unoccupied. Daylight sensors and time control contactors provide automated control of the lighting depending on the occupant schedule and ambient light level. This provides seamless lighting control to maximise comfort and security to the occupants, while reducing energy consumption to reflect the needs of users.

As part of ongoing sustainability measures, additional electricity meters have been incorporated to monitor consumption in various parts of the building. This allows identification of abnormal usage and usual peak.

Stars rating high efficient tapwares have been nominated. This effortlessly reduces water consumption without affecting the normal day to day operation.

All products including finishes, fixtures, fittings and services were sourced locally and selected to meet Green Star and NABERS requirements.

 

KEY INITATIVES

  • The building tenancy achieved a provisional 4 Star Greenstar (interior fitout) rating and an estimated NABERS for the level 1 and 2 offices of 4.5 stars
  • Indoor Environmental quality (natural ventilation, mechanical vent sensors and working methodology)
  • Waste Management (paperless office + recycling)
  • Water (efficiency in tapware and methods in line with best practice guidance)
  • Materials (internal finishes, furniture and FFE)
  • Energy (building management)
  • Transport (access to CBD and commuter links)
  • Landscaping (no landscaping within the site had been implemented previously)
  • Retention of the main building coupled with the recycling of materials including timber floor boards and bricks from dismantled buildings minimised environmental and urban context impacts
  • New materials were selected on the basis of durability and recyclability
  • The development utilises existing site services with a minimal increase of use of Sydney's infrastructure
  • The building was assessed under section J1 Building Fabric and J2 glazing to ensure a minimum thermal performance requirement was achieved
  • Low-E tinted double glazing was installed to all highly exposed façades to assist the efficiency of the mechanically ventilated building. The majority of rooms benefit from natural ventilation following the restoration of all operable windows in the existing building
  • The new extension to the rear of the building and use of materials significantly improved the workspace environment and visual impact of the building

PRODUCTS

CARPET TILES
GIBBON GROUP, TRETFORD TILE

PAINTS
DULUX

KITCHEN & BATHROOM BENCHTOPS
CAESARSTONE, EMPERADORO

FLOOR TILES
CALIBRE CONCEPTS, MATT BLACK

KITCHEN JOINERY
LAMINEX, INNOVATIONS IN COPPER METALTEX 970 METALLIC FINISH & BLACK NATURAL FINISH

MARMOLEUM FLOORING
FORBO, MARMOLEUM REAL MARBLED COLLECTION

RUBER FLOORING
REGUPOL, EVERROLL CORE RUBBER FLOOR, 8MM ROLL