Green Star and Homestar ratings

The Symphony Centre is poised to become a shining example of green building excellence.

The project is targeting a commercial Green Star 5-Star rating certification, representing a strong focus on reducing its environmental impact while contributing to a more sustainable future.

The Green Star certification, awarded by the New Zealand Green Building Council (NZGBC), is a mark of "New Zealand Excellence" in environmental sustainability.

This rating is given to buildings that demonstrate superior performance across a range of criteria such as energy efficiency, water usage, materials selection and indoor environmental quality.

To achieve this certification, The Symphony Centre has targeted a 35% reduction in energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, a commitment that goes beyond standard practices.

The Symphony Centre incorporates a design that reduces energy use by monitoring demand, improving efficiency, and utilising alternative energy sources.

Key strategies to achieve this reduction include the design and modelling of scenarios that lower peak electricity demand, as well as the use of passive solar-facade performance systems that mitigate the need for excessive heating or cooling.

These measures not only reduce the building's carbon footprint but also enhance its operational efficiency, contributing to long-term sustainability.

Green Star Buildings benefit from reduced energy costs resulting in saving money. 

Research conducted has found that on average: Green Star-certified buildings produce 62% fewer greenhouse gas emissions than average Australian buildings.

The significance of the Green Star certification extends beyond local recognition, as it also aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

These goals serve as a roadmap for a sustainable future, with the Green Star certification aligning with crucial objectives such as energy efficiency and the development of sustainable communities.

By meeting the stringent criteria of the Green Star rating, The Symphony Centre is playing a crucial role in advancing these global objectives.

The Symphony Centre’s commitment to sustainability will leave a lasting legacy in New Zealand’s architectural landscape, signalling a brighter, greener future for generations to come.

The Symphony Centre will also target a 6 Homestar rating for its residential product. 

What is a Homestar rating?

Homestar is an independent rating tool for assessing the health, efficiency, and sustainability of homes across Aotearoa, New Zealand. 

What will this mean for residents living in the apartments?

By targeting a Homestar rating, The Symphony Centre will deliver healthier, warmer, drier, and more comfortable homes that use less power and water than a similar home built to the minimum standard of the New Zealand Building Code.

What are the key features of a Homestar rated home?

Homestar home features over and above a stand code compliant home include:

1. Continuous mechanical ventilation to ensure consistently good indoor air quality.
2. Continuous insulation, including thermal breaks in the building envelope to minimise the risk of condensation, which leads to mould.
3. Carbon: Accounting for both embodied and operation carbon.
4. Cool: design to avoid overheating.

Other benefits include:

• energy, health and comfort with a focus on heating, ventilation and insulation. Energy efficiency is a big part of a Homestar rating and points are awarded for including efficient appliances and lighting. The rating is improved by providing sound insulation in certain rooms (such as the TV room) or glazing that reduces sound transmission.
• water points can be gained with rainwater tanks and low-flow taps and showerheads, and greywater recycling.
  
• waste incorporates steps for reducing construction waste and also considers the long-term running of the home (this includes simple steps such as compost and recycling bins)
• management assesses security and safety measures (additional points are awarded for including a user guide for the home and an environmental management plan)
• materials awards points for eco-label products and choosing non-toxic and VOC-free materials
• site considers whether native plants have been used over exotic species
  
• innovation points are awarded where the design has features that aren’t already included in the rating tool, but help reduce the building’s environmental impact (for example, electric car chargers).