5-Star Green Star Metropolitan Fire Brigade

Introducing a new commercial buildings is the new 5-Star Green Star Metropolitan Fire Brigade (MFB) Burnley Complex in Melbourne, a government facility for training and community safety. The architect is Andrew Rutt of Spowers Architects. The building and precinct were the result of a highly intensive and comprehensive integrated design process involving stakeholders and consultants. This process was critical for achieving the building solutions required in a commercial development designed to new performance specifications. The team undertook substantial modelling to determine the final form of the complex, to ensure it would perform environmentally, at both a passive and active level. The administration building consists of three levels, with a total NLA of 3600m2. The building layout is based on long, narrow rectangular floor plates, extruded along an east-west axis for optimal northern and southern aspects, and to limit exposure to the western sun. The building is punctuated by a series of glazed atria that allow natural light to penetrate the interior. The atria also form part of the circulation system, and with glazed internal walls, provide a transparency between offices. A large corridor running the length of the northern side of the building provides an environmental buffer to the offices on the south side. The east facade, which fronts Burnley Street, features large, vertical fixed-glass fins. These have a ceramic coating that increases the shading coefficient and reduces the need for active heat controls. The building utilises a mixed-mode HVAC system, with the exposed thermal mass of hollow-core concrete floor and roof slabs forming part of the cooling system. Cooled air is forced through the cylindrical voids in the slabs, which run north-south across the building. As there is no suspended ceiling, the cooling within the slab radiates into the space below. Windows in the corridor on the north side are automated. There are also automated blinds on the west side of the building, which help prevent overheating. It's great arvhitecture inspiration. so keep innovative