A building once known for its dilapidated condition has been revived into an ecologically sustainable structure. The 120-year-old Docklands railway shed is the first historic building of Victoria that has received a five “green star” rating by the Green building Council of Australia. The name behind this green transformation is Equiset, a Grollo company that is gaining popularity in the field of property development, project management and construction.
The shed that fronts Bourke and Collins streets includes green features like a gray water system, rainwater harvesting, a relatively new cooling technology of slim beams of steel in the ceiling that are chilled in summer using power from a gas-fired co-generation plant and under-floor ventilation to help cut energy and water resources.
The site that was a nightmare was bought last year, after several years of negotiation with the future tenants. The maltreatment that was bestowed on it blessed the shed with contaminated soil and damaged piles, steel work and roof. One corner of the building was deteriorated to an extent that it had to be dismantled and reconstructed to preserve the original structure. After the work is complete in November state developer VicUrban and the Building and Plumbing Industry commissions will house the green dwelling. The refurbishment of this heritage-listed shed will sum up to some $60 million.