Windows, doors and door frames for RMIT University Swanston Academic Building

The Swanston Academic Building (SAB) is RMIT’s biggest investment in a teaching and learning facility to date and the largest construction project that RMIT has ever undertaken. Designed by Lyons Architects the building will cover a Gross Floor Area (GFA) of 35,000 square metres, will be 11 storeys and will form a significant part of RMIT University’s “Swanston Street precinct.” The Swanston Academic Building is aiming to achieve a Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) 5-star Green Star Education Rating that signifies “Australian Excellence” in environmentally sustainable design.

The Swanston Academic Building occupies the vacant Swanston Street car park next to the Oxford Hotel, on the corner of Swanston and A’Beckett Streets, and the former site of RMIT Building 48, at 449 Swanston Street, which was demolished in 2009. This new building is an impressive undertaking and Timba Windows are proud to be contracted to supply the internal windows, doors and door frames, glazing and wood paneling. Material specifications have strict design and environmental considerations, with all timber specified to be either re-used, post-consumer recycled or Forest Stewardship Council Certified timber. The certified timber we chose to use is Tasmanian Oak, made to order and painted in Japan Black and satin clear.

Building key features are:

• 35,000sqm of floor space and 11 levels (including basement)
• 12 lecture theatres, 64 teaching spaces and 10 specialist learning venues for the whole RMIT community
• New home for College of Business students and staff
• Two-storey cantilevered student portal that overhangs Swanston Street
• Nine additional double-height student portals for study and recreation, with landscaped indoor gardens and curated spaces for public art
• An innovative mix of teaching and office space on all levels of the building to encourage more interaction between staff and students
• Retail outlets on Swanston, A’Beckett and Stewart Streets

High-performance facade

The high-performance facade includes external sun shading, internal blinds and double-glazed units.

Central Plant
Chilled water for the Swanston Academic Building will be sourced from a chilled water plant room that is located on the roof of RMIT’s Building 12, opposite SAB on Swanston Street on the City Campus. This option is more energy- efficient than the installation of a localised chilled water plant on the roof of SAB.

Water conservation
Rainwater and grey water collection and reuse for toilet flushing and irrigation. Greywater is non-industrial wastewater generated from domestic activities that include dish washing, laundry and bathing. This water collection will reduce the landscaping demand for potable water (water that is safe for drinking) by at least 90%.

Water efficient fittings and fixtures
The fixtures and flow rates for toilet flushing and hand wash basins have 6-Star Water Efficiency and Standard (WELS) ratings. WELS is an Australian Government labelling scheme that is designed to help Australian businesses and households save water.

Demand-based Control Ventilation (DCV)
DCV maintains proper ventilation and improves air quality while saving energy. DCV reduces the total outdoor air supply to an indoor space during peri- ods of less occupancy. Carbon Dioxide Gas (CO2) sensors control the amount of ventilation for the actual number of occupants.

Displacement ventilation in lecture theatres
Displacement ventilation systems supply air directly to the occupied area of a venue. This system is used for ventilation and cooling of large high spaces, such as lecture theatres, where energy can be saved if only the occupied zone is treated rather than trying to control the conditions in the entire space.

Active Chilled Beams
Active Chilled Beams will be installed in cellular and open-plan office spaces. Active Chilled Beam technology is a building conditioning system that uses convection and water that is transferred through a hydronic water loop system – to efficiently move energy throughout a building for the purposes of heating and cooling. The chilled beam units are linear in form, giving the appearance of a beam. Active Chilled Beams are known for energy- efficient, comfortable, quiet operation in a robust system and low maintenance requirements.

Energy efficiency lighting
Occupancy sensors – also known as ultrasonic switchers – activate lighting when movement is detected in a room. The lights remain turned on for as long as there is movement in the room. Lights automatically switch off when rooms are vacated.

Metering (water and electricity)
Building Management System integrated water metres will be installed throughout the Swanston Academic Building to allow remote monitoring of water consumption. Energy metres will also be installed throughout SAB to allow remote monitoring of electricity and gas consumption of electrical and mechanical services.

Low–Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) paints
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) refer to organic chemical compounds that have significant vapor pressures and can affect the environment and human health. Low VOC paints will be used throughout the Swanston Academic Building.