GREEN STAR RATING
6 Star Green Star —
Interiors v1.3
LOCATION
New South Wales
Dharug Country
COMPLETION
2023
TYPE
Commercial
OWNER
Endeavour Energy
Contractor:
Built
ESD consultant:
E-LAB
Architect:
WMK Architecture
Nestled in Parramatta Square, Endeavour Energy’s newly certified 6 Star Green Star rated fitout is like a Russian doll of sustainability – a 6 Star Green Star rated office located within a 6 Star Green Star rated building, 8 Parramatta Square, itself part of a Green Star rated community.
As one of the flourishing central business districts in Greater Western Sydney, Parramatta Square proved to be the ideal location for Endeavour Energy’s new office – a project constructed by Australian-owned contractor, Built.
For Endeavour Energy’s Chief Data, People and Sustainability Officer, Melissa Irwin, the project aligned with Endeavour Energy’s broader goals and commitment to innovation.
By designing a workspace that prioritises energy efficiency, resource conservation, and employee wellbeing, we’re not only minimising our carbon footprint but also setting a benchmark for what’s possible as we drive the transition to a clean-energy future."
Standout sustainable features
Energy efficiency and lighting
Highly energy-efficient lighting systems, including circadian lighting in the 24/7 operations room. This innovative system mimics natural daylight cycles, enhancing employee health, boosts productivity and helps deliver energy savings.
Sustainable materials
The fitout incorporates low-impact, sustainable materials including reused and recycled components. Repurposed power poles from the 1970s and 1980s have been transformed into functional elements as supports for the reception desk and boardroom table. Approximately 60% of the materials used within the fitout meet Green Star’s Product Transparency and Sustainability Requirements.
Waste reduction
Over 97% of construction and demolition waste was recycled. Where possible, materials were reused such as by preserving existing base-building ceiling tiles, carpet tiles, and exposed concrete flooring, further minimising waste.
Cultural and community connection
Indigenous motifs and locally significant design elements have been integrated throughout the fitout, fostering a connection to Country, promoting community engagement, and celebrating local heritage – the home of the Dharug people.
Water efficiency
Integrated water-efficient systems and fixtures throughout the office, helping to reduce water usage and contribute to the operational efficiency of the fitout.
Transport accessibility
The office’s location offers excellent access to public transport hubs encouraging employees to use sustainable modes of transportation and reducing the carbon impact of commuting.
Success in Innovation
This project excelled in innovation, both through the Living Building Challenge, and Indigenous Design incorporation.
The Living Building Challenge: Beauty & Spirit credit, ensure that the buildings contribute to the local communities’ sense of place, celebrating local culture and including design features solely for human delight.
For Endeavour Energy’s fitout project at 8 Parramatta Square, this meant focusing on creating an inspirational workplace that focused on enhancing employee experience and showcasing Parramatta’s unique environment and history.
For Built, it’s a recognition of the project team’s care in integrating public art and thoughtful design features that celebrate the history of the company, Indigenous culture and the surrounding Parramatta community, showcasing how to create community connections through a high performance, low-environmental impact space.
The strategies that led to these Innovation credits were part of Endeavour Energy’s vision for this space. The Green Star credits provided the framework to effectively implement and measure their impact. The project’s success in both areas elevated this project by blending functionality with deeper, more impactful design ethos."
Maintaining connection to nature and community
From enclosed wintergardens to a sky garden and more – the fitout ensured planted areas and natural light were included in the design for not only aesthetic, but also for their critical role in supporting cognitive functions, physical health and psychological wellbeing.
“Maintaining a strong connection to nature and community was a central part of our design approach on this project. We employed several strategies to seamlessly integrate natural elements and celebrate culture, ensuring the creation of a workspace that fosters a sense of belonging.
“One standout feature of the fit out is the integration of biophilic elements throughout the space. Expansive indoor planting areas, such as the wintergarden on Levels 40 and 41 and the sky garden on Level 42, bring nature indoors, creating vibrant, calming, and restorative spaces.
“We also incorporated circadian lighting systems in the 24/7 operational areas, mimicking employee’s natural light cycles. This innovation helps to improve sleep quality, reducing fatigue, and enhance overall health and productivity, ensuring that employees remain connected to the rhythms of the natural world, even within an indoor workspace,” added Joe Karten.
Cultural connection was also key to the design of 8 Parramatta Square.
“We worked closely with an Indigenous design consultant and a local Dharug artist Jamie Eastwood to embrace local Indigenous culture and storytelling by incorporating motifs, graphic elements, and commissioned artworks that reflect the spirit of Parramatta and the Dharug people. Notable elements, such as the eel bench and floor motifs, highlight the significance of Burramatta – “the place where eels lie down” – creating a tangible link to the area’s Indigenous heritage and its waterways. These elements not only honour the land’s original custodians but also provide a deep sense of place for all who occupy the space,” explained Endeavour Energy’s Melissa Irwin.
The pieces of art and materials used throughout the design were chosen to reflect Endeavor Energy’s unique legacy and story, “Copper details symbolise the company’s role in transmitting energy, while repurposed power poles from the 1970s and 1980s have been integrated into the Reception Desk and Board Room table. Jamie Eastwood’s commissioned artwork depicting the five Indigenous nations in which Endeavour Energy operates (Wiradjuri, Gundugurra, Dharug, Yuin and Dharawal), serve as a physical representation of the company’s connection to its history and local communities.
“By prioritising biophilic design and celebrating local culture, we’ve created a workplace that transcends the typical office environments to strengthen the connection between nature, community, and the people who use the space to foster a workplace with a genuine sense of purpose, wellbeing and belonging,” Melissa said.
But the incorporation of Indigenous design in this project goes far beyond displaying beautiful artwork – Endeavour Energy wove it into the very fabric of their project, explained Joe.
“Indigenous design consultants Balarinji were engaged early in the project to actively contribute to the design process. One of the standout contributions is a bespoke collection of wayfinding signage featuring wall and floor symbols and applications that reflect the land and culture of the Dharug country on which the office stands. These symbols serve not only as navigational aids but also as storytelling elements that connect the space to Country, history, and community.”
While achieving a 6 Star Green Star rating did not pose major obstacles for the team behind Endeavor Energy’s Fitout, it required a high level of diligence, collaboration and alignment across all stakeholders.
Frequent design phase meetings were a key element to this process. These check-ins provided a regular forum to review and monitor every element of the design to ensure it aligned with the Green Star pathway. Every decision, from material selection to operational strategies, was made with sustainability in mind, and the team remained focused on integrating these initiatives throughout the entire project."