Ausgrid Smart Grid Smart City Information Centre

An interactive community education space, focusing on sustainability technologies and energy efficiency

Client

Ausgrid

Location

Newcastle, NSW
Ausgrid Smart Grid Smart City Information Centre

 The Centre provides a showcase for sustainable design, aimed at promoting energy-efficiency in mass-market housing.

Sustainable design features include the use of recycled local Ausgrid power poles in wall cladding, providing a dynamic sustainable life-cycle narrative to the project. Natural light is supplemented by a range of low energy lighting options and control systems. Water-efficient taps and toilets are installed in the bathrooms, with toilets using reclaimed water. Flooring is made from recycled rubber, including 70% recycled tyres and bamboo flooring is sustainable and non-toxic. The ceiling is Echopanel containing 60% recycled PET and stone bench tops have 42% recycled content, recovered from production waste. Joinery includes X-board Kraft for internal structure, a material which contains recovered paper waste and sugar-cane fibres and is recyclable. Stacking chairs in the Auditorium are partially constructed from recycled car batteries and can be recycled at the end of their life.

Processes used in this project