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This article was published on Tuesday, 8 March, 2022. The information contained within may be out of date or inaccurate. News articles and media releases older than 60 days are archived for future reference.

SAM building first ever Australian gallery/museum to achieve 6 Star Green Star ‘Design & As Built’ rating

Posted on Tuesday 8th of March, 2022,

Greater Shepparton City Council’s SAM building has achieved a 6 Star Green Star – Design & As Built v1.2 certification – the highest Green Star rating possible, making it the first museum/art gallery in Australia to achieve this level of rating. The achievement represents world leadership in sustainable design of a public building.

Designed by Denton Corker Marshall, with Environmental Consultancy Services provided by Integral Group, SAM’s key sustainable features include the use of Passive House principles for superior airtightness levels to deliver an energy efficient, thermally comfortable space with a healthy indoor environment.

This is supported by the square compact plan extruded over five levels resulting in a small building footprint, a reduction of façade area, and consequent decrease in thermal transfer and energy demand. The compact form of the building and sustainable features in the surrounding landscape are also designed to ameliorate the impact of the adjacent floodway and contribute to the regeneration of the local ecology.

Greater Shepparton Mayor, Councillor Kim O’Keeffe said how proud she was that Greater Shepparton was home to this internationally recognised building.

“SAM will set the standard for healthy, resilient, positive buildings and places across the globe – and it is right here in Shepparton,” she said.

Using a points system, Green Building Council Australia accredited SAM with a 6 Star Green Star – Design & As Built rating based on the following features:

Indoor Environment Quality

Operationally, air quality and humidity control were critical to allow artworks on loan and host international exhibitions. To support the museum to achieve its ambitious sustainability aspirations, two of SAM’s four exhibition spaces are designed to international standards and the consequent energy requirements balanced through the zoning of spaces climatically throughout the museum.

A reduction of indoor air pollutants from materials was achieved through careful selection of low Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) materials, and ventilation systems designed for ease of maintenance and minimisation of pollutants.

Lighting levels are designed to eliminate glare and maximise access to daylight and localised lighting controls. Enclosed spaces are designed to minimise crosstalk between spaces, acoustic separation and reverberation reduction are applied to create comfortable acoustic conditions.

Energy use

Climatic zoning of spaces within the museum. A rooftop array of 162 photovoltaic panels for energy generation as well as all energy sourced from renewable energy sources. A compact building form contributes to lower energy demand.

Water use

Toilet flushing in the museum and adjacent public toilets is supplied from a 10K litre underground rainwater storage tank. Landscape and parkland irrigation does not use potable water, water for irrigation is recycled from Victoria Park Lake.

Land use and ecology

Previously the site of a petrol station with no ecological value, the site was carefully remediated to restore the significant wetlands. Limiting the museum floor area to cover the degraded area of the site allowed more land to be preserved or returned to its natural state. The addition of natural plantings and landscaping significantly reduces the heat island effect throughout the site, while a Bio Retention Garden Bed and Swale assists with stormwater diversion around the building towards the lake, and flood mitigation. These features minimise peak stormwater flows and reduce pollutants entering the public sewer system.

Transportation

Low emissions vehicle transport infrastructure includes four electric car charging stations and the design of a pedestrian centred walkable neighbourhood.

Material

Materials are sourced from sustainable and local sources throughout the project. At least 95% of the steel used in the building was sourced from a responsible steel maker, ensuring the use of sustainable technologies and adherence to certification designed to ensure the environmental credentials of their products.

Monitoring

A formalised environmental management system is used to meter and monitor environmental performance targets.

Innovative technology and processes

SAM’s 6 Star Green Star rating demonstrates a substantial achievement and commitment by Greater Shepparton City Council to set, measure and monitor sustainability targets beyond the requisite benchmarks. The achievement establishes an important contribution to the broader transformation towards sustainable development throughout Australia.

The Shepparton Art Museum building was designed by Denton Corker Marshall. Environmental Services Consultancy was provided by Integral Group.

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