Air - design approach

60L features a clever natural ventilation system that cuts down on the need for artificial heating and cooling without using any sophisticated technology.

The design includes a large central atrium which allows air to flow across tenancies from the light wells and into the atrium from where it is then vented to the atmosphere through four thermal chimneys.

The system is linked to computer controlled louvre windows in all tenancies and louvres on the chimneys which operate according to wind speed & direction to optimise natural air flows through the building. The air system allows automatic cool air purging at night to eliminate the heat build-up from hot summer days.

Tenants can also control air flows through openable windows & louvres in the office areas. When outside temperatures exceed the parameters of the fresh air system, tenancies have small domestic-sized, reverse-cycle air conditioners.

Care has been taken during construction to minimise the use of materials that release volatile organic chemicals such as glues, adhesives, sealants, and organic solvent-based paints.

60L air systems

The approach of the design team was to maximise the use of passive design techniques and then to add the required active systems necessary to achieve all-year round comfort for the occupants of a commercial office building.

The building design considered four interrelated aspects:

daylight - maximising the natural light available to tenants;

natural ventilation - maximising the use of natural systems rather than blocking out the natural world and then use air-conditioning technology to replicate it.

comfort - providing a combination of acceptable temperature and airflow in order to provide a healthy and productive workplace which maximises the potential productivity of its inhabitants.

demand management - offices are rarely fully occupied all of the time, and not all areas require an optimum comfort environment. Also office equipment can be operated so as to minimise energy consumption and heat generation. By managing the demand for lighting and air-conditioning, the size of the systems required and the extent to which they need to be operated can be reduced.