THE University of Tasmania’s new Medical Science 2 (MS2) building is the first educational building in Tasmania to achieve a Green Star rating.
The Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) has awarded the project a 5 Star Green Star – Education Design v1 rating.
MS2 is also only the fifth building in Tasmania to achieve a Green Star rating.
UTAS commercial services and development executive director Jacinta Young said the rating was a demonstration of the university’s commitment to more sustainable, productive and healthy education facilities.
“MS2 will have teaching facilities for more than 1,000 undergraduate students and office and laboratory facilities for 450 staff and postgraduate students. It is important that while the building provides excellent, cutting-edge facilities for students and staff, its environmental impacts are minimised and the building’s features are sustainably designed and constructed,” she added.
Some of the building’s environmentally-sustainable attributes include a 80,000 litre rainwater harvesting tank, energy-efficient lighting units, 200 secure bike parking spaces with showers and storage for staff and students, and priority parking for small cars.
GBCA chief executive Romilly Madew said a range of studies has confirmed that green education facilities can improve the health and learning of students, reduce teacher sick days and turnover, and offer interactive learning about sustainability and the environment.
“We congratulate the university for demonstrating that sustainability in the built environment can be affordable and achievable.” Madew said.
Leader of the Australian Greens, Senator Christine Milne said a 5 Star Green Star building on campus will save energy, save money, cut pollution and be more pleasant for students to learn in.
“I congratulate the University for taking this step and playing a leadership role for green buildings and the environment.” Milne said.
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