THE long-awaited opening of the new Bishops See office building at 235 St Georges Terrace could set the tone for the move towards greener, more sustainable office buildings in Perth.
THE long-awaited opening of the new Bishops See office building at 235 St Georges Terrace could set the tone for the move towards greener, more sustainable office buildings in Perth.
The eight-level building, jointly developed by Brookfield Multiplex and Hawaiian, was the first in Perth to be awarded a five-star green star rating from the Green Building Energy Council.
In addition to the building meeting high environmental standards, Brookfield Multiplex has ensured an integrated fit-out with all tenants to comply with the five-star green star rating.
On the ground floor, Hawaiian has created a dynamic workspace with the design maximising natural light and outlook for staff.
All building materials used are environmentally friendly, including desks made from non-toxic eco-friendly EO board, with non-toxic glues and paint used throughout.
To maintain high air quality, the office features rows of Sansevieria trifasciata plants, an indoor plant known for its ability to absorb carbon dioxide. It also features sensored lights, which dim or switch off if adequate natural light levels are reached, with the motion sensor dimming lights if a certain area is not being used.
But eco-friendly fit-outs do come at a cost, with estimates of about a 30 per cent premium on the cost of more traditional fit-outs.
"It is a big commitment," Hawaiian project manager development James Edwards said. "With the interiors, the green star rating is for the occupants' amenity and health."
KPMG, which takes up almost four floors, has created an inviting work environment that showcases its growing art collection.
The company bought eight new artworks for its corporate art collection, all by WA and Australian artists, with 15 artworks from the collection at its former Central Park office to be maintained.
Features of the fit-out include natural light for all workstations, a greater number of internal meeting rooms, and a number of breakout areas each with a different theme.
It also adheres to high standards of energy and water efficiency and waste management.
The company used interior design firm HBO+EMBT.
Other tenants include WorleyParsons, whose fit-out was designed by Perth-based Marshall Kusinski Design Consultants, and Macquarie Bank.
