target sustainability @ marrickville

Case Study 1 - Architect Vaughn Lane

Architect Vaughn Lane
73 Australia Street
Camperdown, NSW 2050
T: (02) 9557 5911
F: (02) 9550 6469
architect@vaughn.com.au
www.vaughn.com.au

Summary of business

Architect Vaughn Lane (AVL) is a studio based practice providing sustainable architecture. The studio works on a mixture of residential and commercial projects.

Sustainability Vision

We strive to embrace sustainable principles of living in our projects so that the environmental response and creative objective of our projects are synthesised into a single design intent.

Our vision is that the outcomes developed in the studio for our small and experimental projects can also be applied to large scale projects and provide sustainability as an added value to the process of development.

Carbon dioxide emissions from electricity usage

AVL has committed to target 1, a 10% reduction on existing carbon dioxide emissions from energy (electricity), by December 2009. The total carbon dioxide emissions for the office equates to approximately 19.5 tonnes based on the electricity usage for the previous financial year. It was determined that Architect Vaughn Lane had reduced their carbon output from electricity usage by 4% in 2008.

AVL's energy reduction initiatives, which will be reflected in the electricity bills for this financial year, include:

• Installation of Compact Fluorescent light globes in the studio;
• Computers, monitors, printers and photocopiers are switched off at night;
• Air conditioners and heaters are only used when absolutely necessary.

AVL plans to research Accredited Green Power electricity suppliers. As the current metering system is connected to other tenants in the building, AVL is researching the option of installing a separate electricity meter.

We aim to be a carbon neutral practice by December 2009.

Water Imported from Outside the Catchment

Water bills go to the building owner and are not passed on. Therefore AVL is unable to determine baseline water usage or commit to a reduction target. However, AVL is introducing water reduction initiatives even though this business is a relatively low water user with the only water being used in the bathroom and kitchen.

A water education process has begun at AVL with simple messages, such as using a plug in the sink. AVL intends to reduce water consumption by installing an integrated water plug and 4A rated taps. It is also planned to continue the education campaign to further encourage a 'water conserving' office culture.

Waste to Landfill

AVL has reached target 5 for waste with 50% of the waste generated by the office being recycled. All cardboard, paper, glass bottles, cans and plastics (1 to 7) are recycled through a co-mingled recycling service. Office staff are continually educated on the recycling system.

AVL has committed to target 7 to further reduce waste going to landfill from the office premises by 20%. It was determined that Architect Vaughn Lane is diverting 80% of its waste from landfill, which means they surpassed their nominated target of 70%.

AVL will employ to further reduce waste to landfill include:

• Educating office staff to avoid bringing non-recyclable waste into the office;
• Providing a recycled bin at every work station; and
• Researching a Bokashi System for organic waste.

Other Sustainability Initiatives

The lease of a new multi-function printer has created a number of sustainable outcomes:

• Auto double sided printing;
•  Multiple trays for new or re-used paper selection;
• Cartridge recycling by supplier;
• Replaces a number of energy inefficient machines
• Supply of 100% recycled (new) paper

As an architectural firm sustainability principles are carefully considered on our projects when working with clients.

We encourage cycling to and from the office by providing bike storage.