Health and access

Ultimately, buildings are about people, not technology. They exist to provide clean, safe and healthy environments in which we can live, work and enjoy ourselves.

60L involves and empowers its tenants. The people who work in 60L are encouraged to make choices that can further reduce the environmental impact of the building.

This occurs through:

    • 'green' leases - which include agreed and legally enforceable processes for ensuring that the ongoing environmental management and operation of the building by tenants is based on the principles of shared responsibility, sustainability and waste reduction;
    • environmental information system - a computer-based Building Automation System that manages and provides real-time data on the performance of the building's energy, water and waste systems;
    • involvement of the community of tenants in building management and decisions.

Other specific aspects of design and construction that contribute to the health of tenants include:

  • large bikerack and showers to encourage people to bike it;
  • no on-site car parking - a deliberate decision to encourage people to walk, ride of use public transport;
  • elimination, wherever possible, of glues, sealants and paints using volatile chemicals the 'outgas';
  • restrictions on the use of plywood and chipboard wood products, which contain harmful glues and preservatives that outgas;
  • reduction of synthetics wherever possible in furniture and floor coverings;
  • 60L is a no-smoking building in all areas, including tenancies, common areas and the roof garden.

Disability access

60L has two prominently-placed staircases which are unashamedly 'front-and-centre' for tenants and visitors. We very much want to encourage people to use the stairs rather than the lift, which is placed more towards the back of the atrium.

However, for those who do not use stairs, there was a conscious decision to integrate disability features into the design from the beginning. In this way such features appear to as a standard aspect of the building design, rather than an after-thought to comply with local by-laws.

Specific features include:

    • ramp access to all parts of the building - once you enter 60L it is possible to go anywhere without using stairs or steps;
    • dual audio and visual emergency alarm system to provide better security for people with a hearing or sight disability;
    • braille buttons in the lift;
    • disability-sensitive fittings in handbasins and showers.