Buildings
and major projects - Massey Leisure Centre and Library
Summary
Waitakere City Council built the Massey Leisure Centre
and Library between 2000 and 2002. The vision was to create an inspiring
new
building, integrating local arts, history and environmental sustainability
and to provide much needed library and leisure facilities to the
Massey and Westgate areas. Collectively this is the third building
completed by Waitakere to incorporate sustainable building principles
using the Better Building Code as the basis.
Key drivers
In 2001 senior management endorsed the Better Building Code to be the basis for all new council buildings (see 1.1 Better Building Code above). This code has been applied to three projects including the Massey Leisure Centre and Library, as well as four new developments that are currently in the design or building stage (June 2004).
Project detail
Stage 1 of the project was the Massey Leisure Centre building in 2000 and Stage 2 was the Massey Library was built in 2002. Throughout the project development council looked to incorporate environmentally sustainable design principles in all aspects of the design, construction, fit out and end use stages, based on council's Better Building Code.
A section on eco-design was incorporated into the design tender document noting that the '"design is to have a regard for eco-design and sustainable construction principles". Detailed guidelines were appended to the design tender to provide guidelines for the sustainability features.
Key challenges
Once the decision had been made to construct all new buildings in a more sustainable manner, the biggest challenge was to determine what this meant in practice and then to ensure that the designers delivered building designs that met council's expectations. One of the key success factors, identified by council, is a truly collaborative design process involving the architects and all sub consultants, especially the services engineer. As part of all council's briefs a collaborative approach is required, however, it is seen as an ongoing challenge to ensure that this happens.
Outcomes of project
Many sustainable outcomes were achieved in the building design, which is seen to meet council's quadruple bottom line outcomes. Council is currently completing an energy audit of the building to assess if the project has met its energy goals, as well as highlighting areas for building improvement. Council is also planning to install water meters to monitor water savings through the water tanks and water saving features.
A summary of the key environmental outcomes of the project are listed below:
Heating/Cooling
- Most of the building does not have air-conditioning, with ventilation and cooling by natural means or assisted by ceiling and high level wall-mounted fans to supplement the natural airflow.
- Cool air is drawn in from above a water feature and further cooled in under-floor ducts.
- An exposed concrete floor in the foyer stores heat from the low altitude early morning winter sun, releasing heat slowly throughout the day to supplement the under floor heating system.
- High levels of insulation throughout the building prevent heat escaping in winter and overheating in summer.
- The roof colour was chosen to reflect heat away from the building.
- Where air-conditioning was necessary, carbon dioxide sensors control the system to ensure adequate fresh air supply while optimising energy efficiency.
- Low-level louvres let cool air in and high-level louvres let it escape.
- A gas boiler provides direct water and space heating, increasing efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
- Two walls of the meeting room are constructed from pressed earth bricks, utilising natural materials, and increasing thermal performance.
Energy
- Energy efficient lights supplement natural light where necessary
- Photovoltaic panels on the roof will convert sunlight into around 11,090 kWh of electricity per annum. Extra power can be drawn from the national electricity grid when needed, but excess power generation can also be sold back to the grid generating money for council.
Water
- Rainwater is collected from part of the roof to supply showers, toilets and hand basins, reducing mains water use and stormwater discharge.
- A water feature treats the first rain to fall onto the library roof, often contaminated with dust and other pollutants, cleansing and re-vitalising the water. The water feature cools the library space and is also an educational feature.
- Water saving features include low flow taps, controlled by push buttons or sensors, dual flush toilets, low flow showers and water-less urinals.
Permeable Car Park
- Rainwater falling onto the car park soaks into the ground through permeable pavers, cleansing and slowing the water, preventing flooding and improving water quality in local streams.
Other
- Timbers throughout the building come mainly from New Zealand grown plantations, supporting the local economy and reducing rain forest destruction abroad.
- Native hardy pioneer species in the landscaping require little maintenance and watering, and reflect the original forest cover.
- Cycle racks are provided to encourage people to travel by bike rather than car.
- A pedestrian path links the building to the local shopping area.
For more information on the features of Massey Leisure Centre and Library see Massey Leisure Centre and Library page on the Waitakere City Council website.
