Sustainability
While there is always much emphasis placed on the sustainability of individual buildings (how often do we hear mention of Green Star ratings, energy efficiency and indoor environment quality?), Hayball takes a more holistic approach to environmentally sustainable design. While the aforementioned measures are important aspects that we incorporate into our designs on a daily basis, we try not to get bogged down in the detail, but rather, focus on the bigger picture.
Our passion is creating sustainable communities, incorporating smart cities, learning places and living environments.
We understand that traditional construction materials are depleting, but governments are slowly responding and legislation is changing. While, for many, the ‘green wash’ that accompanies many projects can be confusing or even contradictory, Hayball aims to cut through to the core issues so that builders, developers and end users can see the value – and significant benefit – in environmentally sustainable design.
Smart Cities (Urban Design)
Urban design forms a significant part of Hayball’s design output, which is why we’re interested in the idea of cultural sustainability. In order to develop ‘smart cities’, we need to consider the development of ‘place’ and ‘amenity’, particularly as density increases. In our approach to urban design, we specifically pursue the development of:
Housing design
- Low-energy housing models
- Intelligent siting and lot configurations
- Housing models which support adaptation
Technology
- International best practice in transport
- Alternative materials
Energy
- Site potentials for river-specific solutions
- Precinct-based energy systems
- Geo-connected site-wide systems
Water
- The improvement of waterway health
- Water sensitive urban design, including storm water retention/detention
- 100-year flood levels
Learning Places (Education)
To communities, places of education are becoming more outwardly focused and even more significant assets for the community, including as a focus for access to technology. Hayball can be considered a pioneer of 21st century educational design, as we work with leading education consultants to ensure the spaces we create are flexible, interactive spaces where students can participate in many different modes of learning. Hayball-designed schools contain student-centric environments that promote collaboration, engage with their community and embrace environmentally sustainable design.
Research shows that increased fresh air has a direct impact on learning outcomes. Building owners in education are also commonly the occupiers and directly benefit from the building’s performance.
Several of Hayball’s projects have delivered definable sustainable outcomes – for example, Dandenong High School provided a case study for the Australian Building Greenhouse Rating (ABGR) Green Star education rating tool pilot. Extensive planning, consultation and computer modelling allowed for key ESD initiatives, including air tempering, water collection and re-use, improved natural lighting, environmentally preferable materials, building waste management, and active monitoring and display of building performance to aid ongoing research.
Living Environments (Residential)
To communities, places of education are becoming more outwardly focused and
even more significant assets for the community, including as a focus for access to
technology. Hayball can be considered a pioneer of 21st century educational design,
as we work with leading education consultants to ensure the spaces we create are
flexible, interactive spaces where students can participate in many different modes
of learning. Hayball-designed schools contain student-centric environments that
promote collaboration, engage with their community and embrace environmentally
sustainable design.
Research shows that increased fresh air has a direct impact on learning outcomes.
Building owners in education are also commonly the occupiers and directly benefit
from the building’s performance.
Several of Hayball’s projects have delivered definable sustainable outcomes – for
example, Dandenong High School provided a case study for the Australian Building
Greenhouse Rating (ABGR) Green Star education rating tool pilot. Extensive
planning, consultation and computer modelling allowed for key ESD initiatives,
including air tempering, water collection and re-use, improved natural lighting,
environmentally preferable materials, building waste management, and active
monitoring and display of building performance to aid ongoing research.
