GREEN STAR RATING
5 Star Green Star
– Design & As Built v1.2
LOCATION
Kaurna Country
South Australia
COMPLETION
2022
TYPE
Residential
CONTRACTOR
Centina Group
Applicants:
Centina Group and Renewal SA
ESD consultant:
Lucid Consulting Engineers
The neighbourhood of Bowden in South Australia has already made waves in the world of urban renewal, becoming a model for inner city living that blends history, culture and sustainability. One of their latest residential projects is Guild Terrace Townhouses, a development of 41 architecturally designed 5 Star Green Star rated townhouses within the 6 Star Green Star community of Bowden in South Australia.
Centina partnered with Renewal SA to deliver the contemporary townhouses, an opportunity they saw as a chance to contribute to a forward-thinking, sustainable community.
“Pursuing Green Star certification was a challenge we were proud to take on. We were drawn to the vision of Bowden and its commitment to creating healthier, more responsible buildings that align with our values.
“Partnering with Renewal SA, we saw the potential to deliver energy-efficient, well-designed homes that reflect both the area’s heritage and its future. Green Star pushed us to innovate and elevate every aspect of the design and construction. It was a responsibility we welcomed, knowing the outcome would set a benchmark for quality and sustainability,” said Delvin Lim, Site Engineer, Centina.
These learnings, and the team’s passion for this Green Star community, led them to undertake another Green Star development, Tapestry, nearby.
Sustainability in action
The Guild Terrace Townhouses feature several standout sustainable elements that contributed to their 5 Star Green Star certification.
“The beautifully landscaped reserve not only adds amenity but also supports local biodiversity and reduces stormwater runoff,” said Delvin.
Energy efficiency was a key consideration in the design, from the orientation of the rooms to the use of natural ventilation, high-quality windows and sunshades. High SRI (Solar Reflectance Index) roofing helps reduce heat absorption and lower urban heat island effects.
“Throughout the development process, sustainability was prioritised – from careful material selection to construction practices that minimised waste and environmental impact. These measures collectively ensure the homes are not only high performing but also contribute positively to the broader Bowden Green Star community”, continued Delvin.
To support local biodiversity, the team focused on selecting and planting endemic flora, to create food sources and habitat for local fauna – encouraging ecological balance within the urban setting. Each townhouse overlooks a landscape reserve, ensuring residents have direct access to green spaces that reflect and support Bowden’s natural ecosystem. This integration of nature is not just for enhancing biodiversity but also to support the wellbeing of the local community.
Data gathered
The townhouse project achieved notable efficiency and sustainability outcomes, particularly in the area of waste management and responsible construction practices.
99.6% of construction waste was diverted from landfill and sent for recycling, with only 0.4% of waste being sent to landfill. Under sustainable products, 14.6% of the Total Project Contract Value met the transparency and sustainability requirements outlined in the Design & As Built v1.2 Guidelines, continuing the team’s responsible procurement approach.
Lessons learnt
For Renewal SA and Centina, achieving the 5 Star Green Star Design & As Built certification came with challenges, especially when it came to balancing the architectural and heritage character of the building, and the wider Bowden area, with energy efficiency goals.
“Designing for optimal room orientation, selecting high-performance windows, and integrating passive design elements like sunshades and natural ventilation required close collaboration between the design, construction, and sustainability teams. Another key challenge was gathering the necessary documentation and evidence from suppliers and contractors, which called for clear communication and early engagement,” said Delvin.
There is often a narrative that it is too expensive to design and build efficient, resilient and sustainable homes, but for the team behind this project, this was met head on by focusing on the design phase.
“The narrative that sustainable homes are too expensive was addressed by focusing on smart, integrated design choices that delivered long-term value without significantly increasing upfront costs. By prioritising passive design elements – such as room orientation, natural ventilation, and high-performance windows – the project team enhanced energy efficiency without relying solely on costly technologies.
“Collaboration with Renewal SA also ensured a shared vision for delivering high-quality, sustainable homes that were both affordable and aligned with community values. Pursuing Green Star certification was seen not as an added cost, but as an investment in resilience, health, and future-proofed living for residents,” said XX.
For project teams aiming to achieve Green Star certification, early and consistent collaboration across all disciplines is essential. For the team at Centina, ensuring sustainability goals were embedded from the very beginning of the design process was essential.
“Make Green Star a core focus throughout the project lifecycle, not just an afterthought at the end. It’s also important to be proactive in collecting documentation and evidence from contractors early on, as this streamlines the certification process.
“Take the time to understand the intent behind each credit – knowing the ‘why’ helps promote a genuine commitment to sustainability rather than just meeting checklist requirements. With the right mindset and teamwork, delivering high-performing, resilient, and sustainable residential buildings is not only achievable but highly rewarding.”