SUSTAINABILITY UPGRADE PUBLIC HOUSING AT 118 LORIMER ST, DOCKLANDS

Executive Summary

This proposal report outlines firstly the objectives in regards to the creation of a public housing project in Docklands, Melbourne, Australia from a sustainable building approach where the economic, social and environmental aspects were assessed.

The background presents the drivers for the proposed improvements. The base building Forte is taken as a starting point to analyse what is has been done in the past and propose further changes considering long term costs and benefits for the residents and an analysis of the possible immediate benefits.

Introduction

The main purpose of this project is to be a showcase of a social housing project for a community through the implementation of different strategies and technologies that aim to provide benefits to the inhabitants from the social, economic and environmental aspect.

The proposed improvements aim to ensure a high quality of life with the lowest possible operational and maintenance costs in the long term. The focus is on ultimate benefits such as well being and satisfaction of the residents.

The project lies in all three bottom lines of sustainability: From the social perspective, the inclusion of a high-quality neighbourhood that includes activities and workshops to an excellent indoor air quality as well as the prevention of gentrification of any vulnerable community. The community is considered into the design needs and the implementation of common spaces is set as a priority.

From the environmental aspect, it is aimed to reduce energy, water usage and waste disposal as well as the selection of materials with low embodied energy and high-efficient appliances for water sand energy supply . This is done through the implementation of a Life Cycle Analysis that takes into account several different options and compares possible benefits and impacts.

Through the implementation of high-efficiency water and energy appliances, it is expected a reduction of consumption of these valuable resources that will reduce the negative impacts from the building operations.

Lastly, from the economic aspect, it is desired to reduce the cost of living as well as the operational and maintenance costs in the long term considering aspects such as the increment of energy cost in Victoria over the next 20 years.

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