ZEMCH 2015 - International Conference Proceedings | Page 769
The technological aspects considered in sustainable conversion are a combination of the physical
building aspects noted in Table 2, and using less materials and resources, less transport energy
and pollution during construction. Considering embodied energy and retaining structure and
fabric is done where possible. In addition, reduction of operational energy & water consumption
belongs to the technological aspects. Societal aspects include increase of amenities and wellbeing for residents and building users where possible. Environmental assessment tools such as
Green Star in Australia or BREEAM in UK and elsewhere could be adopted to evaluate re-use of
existing buildings. However, where excessive amounts of deleterious materials, such as asbestos
exist, or Sick Building Syndrome is prevalent, conversion adaptation might not be desirable or
viable.
The potential of offices to residential conversion is well recorded (Geraedts and van der Voordt,
2007, Remøy, 2010, Remøy and van der Voordt, 2014, Wilkinson et al, 2014) and described by market, location and building (functional, technical, financial, aesthetic and legal) characteristics.
WATER
Potable water
Water usage
Water meter
Leak detection main water supply
Self closing water supply sanitary functions
Water recycling
Irrigation system
Car cleaning service
MATERIALS
Lifecycle impacts
Responsible building materials
Sustainable products
Construction and demolition waste
Building materials
Sustainable products
Robust design
Building flexibility
WASTE
LAND USE &
ECOLOGY
Waste management building site
Use of recycled material
Storage for reusable material
Compost
Interior
Ecological value
Sustainable sites
Urban heat island effect
Stormwater
Light pollution
Microbial control
Refrigerant impacts
POLLUTION
INNOVATION
Reuse of land
Polluted land
Plants and animals on building site
Plants and animals as users of the site
Long term sustainable co-use with plants and
animals
Efficient land use
GWP (global warming potential) of refrigerants for
climate control
Prevent leakage of refrigerants for climate control
GWP of refrigerants for cool and freeze storage
Heating related Nox-emissions
Minimize light pollution
Noise pollution
Innovative technology or process
Market transformation
Improving on Green Star Benchmarks
Innovation challenge
Global sustainability
Sustainability and office to residential conversion adaptation in Sydney
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