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June 25, 2008
New Alcoa Regional Office built on foundation of Environmental Sustainability
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Alcoa of Australia’s new Peel Regional Office has been designed to superior energy performance standards with the company entering into a commitment with the Australian Building Greenhouse Rating scheme (ABGR), striving to achieve a 4-star energy rating after 12 months of operation - which will formally recognise its low production of greenhouse gases and minimised environmental impact.
The new state of the art building which is located in Pinjarra and houses the company’s Peel Regional Office, was designed by WA architects Hames Sharley and built by Pindan Constructions over 12 months.
The building’s numerous sustainability features include extensive sun shading and roof overhangs, clerestory roof lights which assist daylight harvesting, economy cycles and natural ventilation in the heating, ventilation and air conditioning system and the use of white roofs and low emissivity window glazing.
The building was designed to create a bold presence in the regional south west town, and incorporates colours symbolic of the smelting process, including white to represent alumina, silver to represent aluminium and the use of earthy masonry walls and plinths rendered in bauxite tones.
Alcoa’s Managing Director Alan Cransberg says the building design is representative of Alcoa’s global commitment to sustainability.
“Alcoa seeks to demonstrate leadership in environmental management throughout our business, and in all new projects we work hard to reduce energy and water use as well as cut greenhouse gas emissions,” he said.
“Almost every corner of the building contains an example of the environmentally friendly nature of our new workplace, which maximises daylight and fresh air, reduces waste and showcases innovative sustainable technologies. We even have a wormfarm to recycle kitchen waste.”
Alcoa’s new Regional Peel Office, which is located on the corner of Pinjarra Road and Roe Avenue, will be officially opened by the Premier of Western Australia, the Hon Alan Carpenter MLA, on 4 July 2008.
Alcoa has partnered with the Peel Harvey Catchment Council, Greening Australia, the South West Catchment Council, the Shire of Murray and the Peel Development Commission to rejuvenate the wetlands adjacent to the Peel Regional Office. Community seedling planting days have recently taken place.
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Background on building design:
- The building form has been broken down into a series of small scale single storey pavilions appropriate to a rural town setting.
- Three departments are each housed in separate office pavilions under vaulted steel roofs with large overhangs for solar shading and a central south facing clerestorey ridge light to ensure good levels of natural daylight throughout the depth of the floor plate.
- These pavilions are linked by a wing of public reception areas and meeting pods grouped under a unifying canopy roof.
- Between the pavilions sheltered courtyard spaces provide facilities for outdoor break out and lunch terraces.
- Circulation between the pavilions is through generously proportioned public spaces with visual permeability to the courtyards on one side and the street on the other rather than through corridors or passageways.
- Enclosed meeting rooms are grouped into masonry elements which articulate the public and staff sections of the public wing.
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To arrange media interviews or for further information on the building contact: Ruth Gourley 0434 330 384
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