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3 Green Star New Zealand – Scope of Building Features Assumed in the Value Case

The following sections list the building features assumed under each of the recognised 4-, 5- and 6-star ratings analysed. A further 4-star with energy focus standard has also been developed.

3.1 4-star rating

The following items of tenant fit-out are equivalent to a 4-star best practice standard in accordance with the New Zealand Green Building Council Green Star (NZ) Interiors rating system (pilot). In everyday practice a total score of 50 points (minimum) is required, including a 10 per cent contingency above the minimum score of 45 points, for a 4-star rating.

Management measures

A Green Star New Zealand-accredited professional is appointed to the design team from the start of the project design.
A Green Star New Zealand-accredited professional is appointed to the contractor’s site team from the start of the project construction.
No significant modifications or additions to the base building services are made.
Thirty per cent of the fit-out waste is either recycled or reused.
A tenancy fit-out guide is provided.
A project-based environmental management plan is provided by the fit-out contractor and integrated with the base building plan, as appropriate.
Ongoing operational environmental management is in place. This includes monitoring and managing energy and water use, waste generation, and operating and maintenance regimes.

Indoor environmental quality measures

The base building has achieved a 4-star rating or greater.
The outdoor ventilation rate meets Building Code NZS4303 requirements.
Certified low-VOC² tenancy finishes are used, including paints and varnishes, carpets and floor coverings.
The air-conditioning system is controllable down to 75 m².
Offices are open plan, allowing good natural lighting to 30 per cent, and external views from 60 per cent, of the workplace.
Manually controlled blinds are used, with visual light transmission of less than 10 per cent.
An illuminance of 400 lux average is maintained at the working plane, with careful attention paid to surface reflectances. A proportion of the light is directed towards walls and ceilings.
High-frequency ballasts are used in 95 per cent of the tenancy area.
Noise levels due to building services do not result in office noise levels being greater than 43 dB LAeqT³ for open plan offices.

Energy efficiency measures

The base building is 4-star rated.
An overhead down-lighting system is used, with manual lighting controls to individual offices and 100 m² open-plan zones.
Desktop computers have LCD⁴ screens.
EnergyWise whiteware is used.
Power outlets are integrated into partitioning above desk level.
Electrical sub-metering of tenancy loads is used, if not provided under the base building.
Moderately energy-efficient air-conditioning systems are used in communications equipment rooms (servers, etc).

Transport measures

The allowance of car parking spaces, compared to local council requirements is reduced.
The tenancy is chosen for excellent public transport accessibility.

Water efficiency measures

Tenancy water metering is provided if it is not provided under the base building.
The base building or upgraded building uses reduced-flow (5 star WELS rated)⁵ sanitary fixtures.
3 star WELS-rated dishwashers are used.
Local hot-water generation is used.
Under-sink-mounted boiling-water units are used.

Materials measures

There is integrated fit-out to 90 per cent of the net lettable area.
Finishes (paints, floor coverings, etc) have reduced environmental impact.
Maximum reuse is made of existing tables, chairs, workstations and storage. New furniture is selected for durability and lower environmental impact.
Low environmental impact flooring is used.
The operational office waste management facilities, waste management plan, and collection and separation services are contracted.
The base building ceilings are retained.

Land use and ecology

4-star certified base building is used.
The tenant recycles or reuses computer hardware.
The tenant recycles or reuses lamps.

Emissions

Zero ozone-depleting-potential refrigerants and insulants are used.

3.2 5-star rating

The following items of tenant fit-out are nominally equivalent to a 5-star ‘New Zealand excellence’ standard in accordance with the New Zealand Green Building Council Green Star (NZ) Interiors rating system (pilot). In everyday practice a total score of 66 points (minimum) is required, including a 10 per cent contingency above the minimum score of 60 points, for a 5-star rating.

Management measures

A Green Star New Zealand-accredited professional is appointed to the design team from the start of the project design.
A Green Star New Zealand-accredited professional is appointed to the contractor’s site team from the start of the project construction.
A high standard of commissioning of tenancy fit-out building services is maintained.
Tenancy fit-out services are fine-tuned.
Fifty per cent of fit-out waste is either recycled or reused.
The base building and tenancy fit-out guides are coordinated and integrated, and are issued to the building owner and operator and tenants.
A project-based environmental management plan is provided by the fit-out contractor and integrated with the base building plan, as appropriate.
Ongoing operational environmental management is in place. This includes monitoring and managing energy and water use, waste generation, and operating and maintenance regimes.

Indoor environmental quality measures

The base building has achieved a 4-star rating or better.
Outdoor ventilation rate is 50 per cent above Building Code NZS4303 requirements.
Certified low-VOC tenancy finishes are used, including paints and varnishes, carpets and floor coverings.
Low-formaldehyde wood composite products and ceiling materials are used.
Tenancy exhaust systems are provided for largely enclosed photocopy areas.
The air-conditioning system is controllable down to 75 m².
Offices are open plan, allowing good natural lighting to 60 per cent, and external views from 90 per cent, of the workplace.
Manually controlled blinds are used, with a visual light transmission less than 10 per cent.
An illuminance of 400 lux average is maintained at the working plane, with careful attention paid to surface reflectances. A proportion of the light is directed towards walls and ceilings.
High-frequency ballasts are used in 95 per cent of the tenancy area.
Noise levels due to building services and external noise do not result in office noise levels being greater than 43 dB LAeqT for open-plan offices.
A plant supply and maintenance contract is maintained, with one plant per 15 m2 net lettable area and plants in 15 cm diameter pots.

Energy efficiency measures

A 5-star rated base building is used.
An overhead up/down lighting system with occupancy control and perimeter dimming capabilities is used.
Desktop computers have LCD screens.
EnergyWise whiteware is used.
Power outlets are integrated into partitioning above desk level.
Electrical sub-metering of tenancy loads is used, if not provided under the base building.
Moderately energy-efficient air-conditioning systems are used in communications equipment rooms (servers, etc).

Transport measures

The allowance of car parking spaces compared to local council requirements is reduced.
Cycling facilities are provided for 5 per cent of staff.
Visitor bicycle parking is provided.
The tenancy chosen has excellent public transport accessibility.

Water measures

Tenancy water metering is provided if it is not provided under the base building.
The base building or upgraded building uses reduced-flow (5-star WELS-rated) sanitary fixtures.
4-star WELS-rated dishwashers are used.
Local hot-water generation is used.
Under-sink-mounted boiling-water units are used.

Materials measures

An integrated fit-out is provided to 90 per cent of the net lettable area.
Finishes (paint, floor coverings, etc) with reduced environmental impact are used.
Low environmental impact timber is used.
PVC⁶ use is reduced 30 per cent by cost.
Maximum reuse is made of existing tables, chairs, workstations and storage units. New furniture is selected for durability and lower environmental impacts.
Low-environmental-impact flooring is used.
The operational office waste management facilities, waste management plan, and collection and separation services are contracted.
Base building ceilings are retained.

Land use and ecology

5-star certified base building is used.
The tenant recycles or reuses computer hardware.
The tenant recycles or reuses lamps.

Emissions

Zero ozone-depleting-potential refrigerants and insulants are used.

3.3 6-star rating

The following items of tenant fit-out are nominally equivalent to a 6-star ‘world excellence’ standard in accordance with the New Zealand Green Building Council Green Star (NZ) Interiors rating system (pilot). In everyday practice a total score of 82 points (minimum) is required, including a 10 per cent contingency above the minimum score of 75 points, for a 6-star rating.

Management measures

A Green Star New Zealand-accredited professional is appointed to the design team from the start of the project design.
A Green Star New Zealand-accredited professional is appointed to the contractor’s site team from the start of the project construction.
A high standard of commissioning of tenancy fit-out building services is maintained.
Tenancy fit-out services are fine-tuned.
Seventy per cent of fit-out waste is either recycled or reused.
Base building and tenancy fit-out guides are coordinated and integrated, and issued to the building owner and operator and tenants.
A project-based environmental management plan is provided by the fit-out contractor and integrated with the base building plan, as appropriate.
Ongoing operational environmental management is in place. This includes monitoring and managing energy and water use, waste generation, and operating and maintenance regimes.

Indoor environmental quality measures

The base building has achieved a 4-star rating or greater.
Outdoor ventilation rate is 100 per cent above Building Code NZS4303.
Certified low-VOC tenancy finishes are used, including paints and varnishes, carpets and floor coverings.
Low-formaldehyde wood composite products and ceiling materials are used.
Tenancy exhaust systems are provided for largely enclosed photocopy areas.
The base building air-conditioning system allows individual comfort control to 90 per cent of workstations.
Offices are open plan, allowing good natural lighting to 60 per cent, and external views from 90 per cent, of the workplace.
Manually controlled blinds are used, with a visual light transmission of less than 10 per cent.
An illuminance of 400 lux average is maintained at the working plane, with careful attention paid to surface reflectances and a proportion of the light directed towards walls and ceilings.
High-frequency ballasts are used in 95 per cent of the tenancy area.
Noise levels due to building services and external noise do not result in office noise levels being greater than 43 dB LAeqT for open-plan offices.
A plant supply and maintenance contract is maintained, with one plant per 15 m2 net lettable area and plants in 30 cm diameter pots.

Energy efficiency measures

A 5-star rated base building is used.
Task/up/down ambient lighting is used, with full occupancy and lighting control by a digital addressable lighting interface (DALI) lighting control system.
Lap-tops with LCD screens are used.
EnergyWise whiteware is used.
Power outlets are integrated into partitioning above desk level.
Electrical sub-metering of tenancy loads is used if not provided under the base building.
A highly energy-efficient air-conditioning system is used in communications equipment rooms (servers etc).

Transport measures

The allowance of car parking spaces compared to local council requirements is reduced.
Cycling facilities are provided for 10 per cent of staff.
Visitor bicycle parking is provided.
The tenancy is chosen with excellent public transport accessibility.

Water efficiency measures

Tenancy water metering is provided if it is not provided under the base building.
The base building or upgraded building uses reduced-flow (5-star WELS-rated) sanitary fixtures.
5-star WELS-rated dishwashers are used.
Local hot-water generation is used.
Under-sink-mounted boiling-water units are used.

Materials measures

Integrated fit-out is supplied to 90 per cent of the net lettable area.
Finishes (paint, floor coverings, etc) with reduced environmental impact are used.
Low environmental impact timber is used.
PVC use is reduced 90 per cent by cost.
Ninety per cent of timbers are either reused or certified as having a lower environmental impact and the lowest standard of timber treatment required by the Building Code.
Maximum reuse is made of existing tables, chairs, workstations and storage. New furniture is selected for durability and lower environmental impact.
Low environmental impact partitions and joinery designed for disassembly are used.
Low environmental impact flooring is used.
Operational office waste management facilities, the waste management plan and collection and separation services are contracted.
Base building ceilings are retained.

Land use and ecology

6-star certified base building is used.
The tenant recycles or reuses computer hardware.
The tenant recycles or reuses lamps.

Emissions

Zero ozone-depleting-potential refrigerants and insulants are used.

3.4 4-star with energy focus rating

The following items of tenant fit-out are nominally equivalent to a 4-star best practice rating with an enhanced energy category score based on the New Zealand Green Building Council Green Star (NZ) Interiors rating system (pilot). In everyday practice a total score of 50 points (minimum) is required, including a 10 per cent contingency above the minimum score of 45 points, for a 4-star rating. A 4-star with energy focus rating would also require a minimum unweighted total of 14 points in the energy category.

Management measures

A Green Star New Zealand-accredited professional is appointed to the design team from the start of the project design.
A Green Star New Zealand-accredited professional is appointed to the contractor’s site team from the start of the project construction.
No significant modifications or additions to base building services are made.
Thirty per cent of fit-out waste is either recycled or reused.
A tenancy fit-out guide is provided.
A project-based environmental management plan is provided by the fit-out contractor and integrated with the base building plan, as appropriate.
Ongoing operational environmental management is in place. This includes monitoring and managing energy and water use, waste generation, and operating and maintenance regimes.

Indoor environmental quality measures

The base building has achieved a 4-star rating or greater.
The outdoor ventilation rate only meets Building Code NZS4303 requirements.
Certified low-VOC tenancy finishes are used, including paints and varnishes, carpets and floor coverings.
The air-conditioning system is controllable down to 75 m².
Offices are open plan, allowing good natural lighting to 30 per cent, and external views from 60 per cent, of the workplace.
Manually controlled blinds are used, with visual light transmission of less than 10 per cent.
An illuminance of 400 lux average is maintained at the working plane, with careful attention paid to surface reflectances. A proportion of the light is directed towards walls and ceilings.
High-frequency ballasts are used in 95 per cent of the tenancy area.
Noise levels due to building services do not result in office noise levels greater than 43 dB LAeqT for open-plan offices.

Energy measures

A 4-star rated base building is used.
An overhead down-lighting system with occupancy control and perimeter dimming capabilities is used.
Desktop computers have LCD screens.
EnergyWise whiteware is used.
Power outlets are integrated into partitioning above desk level.
Electrical sub-metering of tenancy loads is used if not provided under the base building.
A moderately energy-efficient air-conditioning system is used in communications equipment rooms (servers, etc).

Transport measures

The allowance for car parking spaces compared to local council requirements is reduced.
The tenancy is chosen with excellent public transport accessibility.

Water efficiency measures

Tenancy water metering is provided if it is not provided under the base building.
The base building or upgraded building uses reduced-flow (5-star WELS-rated) sanitary fixtures.
3-star WELS-rated dishwashers are used.
Local hot-water generation is used.
Under-sink-mounted boiling-water units are used.

Materials measures

Integrated fit-out is supplied to 90 per cent of the net lettable area.
Finishes with reduced environmental impact are used.
Maximum reuse is made of existing tables, chairs, workstations and storage. New furniture is selected for durability and lower environmental impact.
Low environmental impact flooring is used.
Operational office waste management facilities, the waste management plan and collection and separation services are contracted.
Base building ceilings are retained.

Land use and ecology

4-star certified base building is used.
The tenant recycles or reuses computer hardware.
The tenant recycles or reuses lamps.

Emissions

Zero ozone-depleting-potential refrigerants and insulants are used.

2 VOC = volatile organic compound. These are chemicals that are released from items such as paints, carpets, furniture, ceiling tiles, cleaning products, and consumer products. They contribute to indoor air pollution and research has shown that they may have a harmful effect on the building occupant’s health.

3 LAeqT is the average energy of the noise level considered over a period of time as defined by AS/NZS 1269.1:1998.

4 Liquid crystal display.

5 WELS is the Water Efficiency Labelling Scheme under which manufacturers can have their products tested and given a star rating in accordance with AS/NZS 6400:2005.

6 Polyvinyl chloride, a thermoplastic polymer.

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