Green Star rating
5 Star Green Star – Interiors
Location
Gadigal land
NSW
Completion
2025
Type
Higher education
5 Star Green Star – Interiors
In the heart of Sydney’s CBD, and sitting in a 5 Star Green Star rated building, UNSW Sydney alongside DesignInc, has been creating a professional campus that puts circularity and wellbeing at the core of its pursuit of its 5 Star Green Star Interiors rating.
With a firm sustainability agenda, the UNSW CBD Campus has a goal of creating a truly multifunctional campus experience within a commercial setting.
“It’s one that supports evolving learning styles, fosters industry connection, and reflects UNSW’s brand and values. We aimed to deliver a space that feels welcoming, adaptable, and environmentally responsible – but also aligned to the quality that students expect of a first-class tertiary institution,” said Nathan Humphries, Principal of Interiors at DesignInc.
The decision to target Green Star followed the same goal.
Melissa Nouel, acting Head of Environmental Sustainability and Sustainable Built Environment Manager, said UNSW targeted a Green Star rating for its CBD Campus fitout in line with its Capital Projects Sustainability Framework (2025), which sets sustainability benchmark requirements far beyond minimum requirements.
Creating healthy and sustainable learning environments is central to UNSW’s commitment to academic excellence and wellbeing.
“Evidence shows that high indoor environmental quality—good air quality, thermal comfort, daylight and acoustics—directly improves learning outcomes, cognitive performance and productivity, while reducing illness and absenteeism. By prioritising these qualities, UNSW delivers spaces that actively support student success, staff performance and long-term institutional value,” explained Nouel.
The business case the team presented was clear; A healthier, more efficient, and future-ready interior that supports wellbeing, reduces operational costs, and reinforces UNSW’s global reputation. It was the client’s support and the construction team’s collaboration that made the pursuit of Green Star possible.
Sustainable fitout at UNSW CBD Campus
With UNSW’s broader commitment to science-based emissions reduction targets – including a 30% reduction by 2025 – opportunities to reduce embodied carbon were actively embraced.
“As the project progressed, several circularity initiatives occurred organically. Recognising that circular approaches offer one of the greatest opportunities to reduce the built environment’s carbon footprint after dematerialisation, the project team – lead by our program manager Daniel Kirris – maximised these outcomes, demonstrating the value of flexibility, collaboration and embedding circular thinking during delivery,” said Nouel.
With DesignInc’s Interiors team leading the project design and retrofit of the education facility within a commercial office building, creativity was needed to design an adaptable space that could meet the needs of students and staff.
“Circularity was key to reducing waste and future-proofing the space. The modular bamboo partition system, developed with a local manufacturer, allowed for more flexibility and reuse. We learned that early collaboration and thoughtful detailing are essential to embedding circular principles without compromising aesthetics or function,” explained Humphries.
Standout features:
- 16sqm of planting and dedicated greenery.
- Modular bamboo partitions and reuse of base building elements.
- LCA-informed material selection with excellent embodied carbon results.
- User-controlled lighting and energy-efficient mechanical systems.
- Views and access to natural daylight through glazing and framed views.
For the team at DesignInc, as important as it was to succeed from an environmental perspective, there was also high value put on how space felt to its daily occupants and improved their experience.
“It’s so comfortable you could live in the space!” said Humphries.
“The environment adapts and changes to the occupant throughout the day and into the evening, making it a great place to work and study.”
“This is because its features enhance air quality, comfort, and wellbeing. Natural materials and greenery create a calming environment, while flexible layouts and smart lighting support diverse learning and working styles. The space feels both professional and welcoming – qualities that matter to students and staff alike.”
A data-led approach
To add further value to the Green Star submission and the sustainability goals of the project, the project team used One Click LCA, a lifecycle assessment tool, to measure and analyse embodied carbon across the fitout.
“A key strategy for the UNSW CBD Campus was the use of a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) tool during the design phase to guide material selection and reduce embodied carbon. This approach allowed the team to make informed decisions that balanced environmental impact with design intent,” explained Humphries.
The goal was clear, understand the carbon impact of the material choices and identify opportunities to reduce emissions.
“Initially, by prioritising low-carbon products during design and procurement, we achieved an approximate 40% reduction in embodied carbon compared to a standard fitout which hadn’t prioritised circularity principles or low carbon material selection. While this was a strong result, we extended the study post-completion – reimagining the design by nominating alternative materials, rethinking buildability, and identifying opportunities to retain existing materials. This re-evaluation showed we could push the embodied carbon reduction to around 70%,” said Humphries.
As the team noted, this kind of data is critical in not only validating decisions, but for informing better design, procurement and more responsible project delivery.
The final embodied carbon measure was 70 kg CO₂e/m², which is considered excellent on international rating scales. This result reflects the project’s commitment to environmental responsibility and offers a valuable benchmark for future developments.
Key sustainability insights
A data-led approach led to key insights on the product choices made, particularly on the traditionally constructed partition walls.
“We noted that the wall and partition construction contributed approximately 43% of the total CO2e, most of this cannot be recycled or reused. In future projects we would try simplifying wall construction by looking at modular wall systems, building less and using alternative plasterboard or insulation materials,” said Humphries.
Challenges overcome
Several challenges arose including constrained ceiling cavities, uneven floor slabs, and integrating reused base building systems. These were addressed through early contractor engagement, meticulous coordination, and adaptive design strategies. Material reselection and modular planning helped meet Green Star criteria while maintaining design integrity.
But it was the conversion from a Class 5 commercial space to a Class 9B education facility that not only increased density but extended operating hours, that required the team to come together and make necessary upgrades to the mechanical systems.
A condenser water system with VRV and water-cooled condensers provided diversified cooling, reducing energy usage from the base build, while after-hours control of mechanical systems further improved energy efficiency, maintained the building’s NABERS rating and reduced operational costs.
The lighting design, developed to meet Green Star requirements, enabled user-controlled lighting that added layers and texture, further enhancing the comfort and experience well beyond standard expectations.
Advice from the DesignInc team :
When it comes to the practical takeaways for the team behind the fitout, recognising that modular and circular design can be both beautiful and practical was high on the list, as was the lesson to invest time upfront.
A well-designed space doesn’t just look good; it lasts longer, it performs better, it’s healthier, more adaptable, and less wasteful over time.
One of DesignInc’s key learning was that when they prioritise design quality, they:
- reduce churn and re-fit
- build in flexibility rather than force change through demolition
- use materials more efficiently and keep them in circulation longer
- create spaces that people want to care for and keep.
“Early engagement with stakeholders and contractors helped us manage risk, streamline approvals, and deliver a better outcome. Also, reuse what you can; existing systems and materials can be integrated thoughtfully to reduce waste and cost. There are several tools which allow designers, contractors and clients to better understand the environmental impact of works – like LCA – which allow for better, more informed decision making.
“And remember, poor design drives waste, but great design prevents it,” concluded Humphries.
