Green Star rating
6 Star Green Star — Interiors v1.1
Location
Gadigal land
NSW
Completion
2016
Type
Commercial
Developer
International Towers
Acoustic consultant:
Acoustic Logic Consultancy
Architect:
Geyer Services
Building services engineer:
NDY
ESD consultant:
Surface Design Group
Landscaping consultant:
ASPECT Studios
Local planning authority:
City of Sydney
Main contractor:
Buildcorp Group
6 Star Green Star — Interiors v1.1
How a team created the first Green Star Interiors Volume Program in Sydney
When you think of the phrase ‘carpe diem’, it is unlikely that the image forming in your mind is a workplace in the heartbeat of a city. More likely, it is packing your bags, with a plane waiting at Gate 1.
But for the team behind the first Green Star Volume approach of its kind, and the 6 Star Green Star rated International Towers in Barangaroo, Sydney, it meant seizing the day in a different way. What began as a placeholder name for a secret project that would turn commercial real estate on its head, Carpe Diem Community (CDC) organically stuck, resonating with everyone involved well into the post-project phase.
Carpe Diem Community is an innovative 6 Star Green Star rated workplace concept at International Towers that opens the door for small and emerging enterprises seeking tenancy that have traditionally faced barriers to entering world-class commercial environments.
“The concept solves a long-standing challenge in commercial real estate. Smaller, fast-growing businesses often lack the capital, scale or certainty to create work environments that support wellbeing, long-term growth and flexibility.
“CDC reverses this dynamic, delivering a curated vertical community supported by shared on-demand spaces, biophilic environments, premium wellness facilities and a sustainability platform that enables every tenancy, regardless of size, to achieve 6 Star Green Star Interiors certification,” explained Kim Dawson, Fund Manager, International Towers.
For Kim Dawson, Fund Manager at International Towers, delivering the CDC as a fully certified 6 Star Green Star community was both a privilege and a defining moment for the team. The process reaffirmed that sustainability leadership can, and should, be shared, not siloed.
“Partnering with the GBCA to establish the first Green Star Interiors Volume Program allowed us to challenge old assumptions about what’s possible, especially for smaller, high-growth tenants. We’ve demonstrated that sustainability can be inclusive, scalable and commercially compelling and that innovation in our industry is strongest when it brings everyone along for the journey,” said Kim.
Force for good
There were three driving forces behind the decision to roll out Green Star Interiors certification for all tenants, shaping the vision for CDC.
1. Democratising access to sustainability leadership
Creating a fitout that meets the requirements of a 6 Star Green Star certification requires specialist knowledge and resourcing things that are not always accessible for small to medium organisations or not-for-profits. International Towers chose to reverse this by ensuring every tenant inherits the benefit of a high-performing sustainability platform.
“Through the International Towers Green Star Volume Certification Program, our tenants automatically gain not only pre-approved Green Star credits, but documentation templates for Green Star submission, standardised pathways, and significantly reduced costs and complexity, in order to see certification come to fruition,” said Luke Brown, Head of Operations and Sustainability, International Towers.
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2. Workplace experience as a competitive advantage
“Precinct experience and research indicates that high-performing talent is seeking workplaces that are sustainable, socially conscious and centred around their wellbeing.
“By mandating 6 Star Green Star Interiors within a 6 Star Green Star rated building, we are reinforcing International Towers’ position as one of Australia’s healthiest and most sustainable workplaces,” said Rob I’Anson, General Manager, International Towers.
3. Long-term asset and precinct strategy
The business case emphasised:
- Stronger tenant retention outcomes
- Increased operational efficiency
- Enhanced asset resilience and valuation
- Alignment with GBCA, WELL and global ESG benchmarks
In short: a more sustainable building is a more desirable building.
Challenges addressed
Initially, the team faced the challenge of how to support dozens of the small tenancies through Green Star certification. At this point, the solution emerged in the form of a Green Star International Towers Volume Certification program that would standardise not only the pathway but the documentation and material selection for tenants – removing barriers faced by smaller organisations.
Another challenge faced by commercial buildings is the tendency for increased fitout churn due to fast-moving tenancies. Within International Towers and CDC tenancies, reuse first guidelines and mandatory product stewardship for new materials is preferential. Tenancies also retain prior fitout components where possible.
Standout sustainability and cultural features
Across International Towers and the CDC, key features include:
- Tower Two, Tower Three and International House have achieved 6 Star Green Star Design & As Built and Performance ratings, with multiple tenant fitouts also certified under the 6 Star Green Star Interiors rating, demonstrating a consistent commitment to leading sustainability outcomes.
- Fresh air HVAC systems and displacement ventilation
- 100% renewable electricity across base building operations
- Abundant natural light, biophilia and circadian lighting cues
- Shared amenities that reduce individual tenancy footprints and costs, including meeting rooms, event spaces, kitchens, tea points, collaboration zones
- Responsible material selection and chain-of-custody requirements
- Strong digital infrastructure supporting energy efficiency and occupant experience
- Commissioning Indigenous artists for murals and installations & cultural advisory across design decision making
- Engaging Indigenous suppliers via the Responsible Procurement framework
Impact in numbers
The Green Star Interiors framework allowed the team to demonstrate measurable outcomes, including:
- 20 to 30% water savings through low-flow WELS fixtures
- 40% reduction in lighting energy density
- High indoor air quality (IAQ) across CDC and tenant spaces
Sustainability ‘non-negotiables’
For the team behind International Towers, there are several strict sustainability commitments they adhere to.
- The responsible procurement of certified materials with ISO26000-aligned supply chains and no forced labour.
- A reuse-first design mindset incorporating modularity, stewardship and disassemble principles.
“Circularity was embedded in this project from concept to de-fit. This included the retention and reuse of ceilings, lighting, services and carpets to minimise waste. We also included modular and adaptable furniture and joinery in CDC, as well as mandatory product stewardship for all new materials and comprehensive end-of-life reporting at the de-fit stage,” confirmed Luke. - Health and wellbeing were prioritised throughout the design process with low-VOC and low-formaldehyde materials selected for interiors, alongside access to abundant daylight and WELL-aligned practices.
The takeaway
If the team could offer three practical takeaways to infuse into your projects, they would be these.
Prioritise circularity from day one. Embed responsible procurement across all materials and suppliers. Engage First Nations consultants from the outset, as cultural authenticity can only strengthen sustainability outcomes for your project.
A globally respected rating
“The Green Star ratings established by GBCA are globally respected, and achieving 6 Star Green Star certification represents world-leading practice. We’re certainly proud of our investment in delivering best-in-class workplace environments for the people of our community. The concept of Carpe Diem was to establish an egalitarian opportunity for smaller organisations to benefit from robust sustainability standards in a way that was accessible and efficient. Our partnership with GBCA has enabled this vision to be realised, and it is delivering both financial and social dividends for all involved,” Kim Dawson concluded.
It is not an exaggeration to say that International Towers and the Carpe Diem Community went above and beyond to achieve an ambitious vision that sought to build a meaningful bridge between high-performing, sustainable commercial tenancies and small-scale or emerging organisations. Bringing this vision to life, including the creation of a volume certification pathway along the way, while remaining aligned with the team’s core strategic drivers, was no small feat. It demonstrates to industry that when community, social awareness, and sustainability align, all organisations can participate in a 6 Star Green Star future.