Core ESD design principles are what guides our infrastructure projects. At the project outset, these principles are analyzed and this ranges from sustainable transport to humidity risk and stormwater use to waste separation.

“We thoroughly conceptualize a proposed building project using ESD design principles to ensure we maximize the opportunities for government assets to be Future Ready.” says Michelle Brownlie, Director – Defence and Sustainability. Ultimately, creating a smart, green and inclusive place is what makes a community thrive.

 
There are many best practice solutions that are applied to current urban housing projects that respond to changing and warmer climates. To reimagine the new accommodation blocks at Robertson Barracks, we utilized the following ESD principles to ensure the proposed infrastructure met current and future needs: 

• Passive building design to determine optimal thermal comfort within the accommodation blocks, e.g., hoods around windows to increase shade and reduce glare and direct sun exposure by at least 35%. Landscaping canopy covers throughout key corridors to reduce heat and increase annual energy savings.

• Delivering decarbonization by enabling connectivity of all buildings to Defence’s Resource Data Management System (RDMS), to track and ultimately facilitate energy and water usage improvements. 

• Influencing the way residents move by minimizing accommodation car parking and installing general power outlets for charging of e-scooters, plus more bike infrastructure to encourage sustainable travel on base.

• Water efficiency by capturing dehumidifier condensation for reuse in cooling towers, incorporating energy efficient appliances and equipment within new buildings, provision of energy efficient heat pump dryers and the installation of clothes lines in laundry rooms.

• Electrification of key kitchen equipment to significantly reduce gas demand and installing solar domestic hot water (DHW) systems to meet 75% of demand.

For the Robertson Barracks development, our team considered how the community within that complex would interact, gather, move and connect to ensure the spaces are productive and supportive to everyone’s wellbeing.

“From the outset of this project, we focused on listening to our client, understanding the unique challenges and priorities of this project, and working seamlessly with the project team to establish significant sustainability solutions. I am pleased to say we have gone a long way to delivering on our client’s needs.” says Philip Massey, Director, Defence Sector Lead.

In our project feedback and lessons learnt session, a representative of Defence Capital Facilities Infrastructure (CFI) branch noted that WSP showcased a proven ability for managing and maintaining good communications with both the client and complex stakeholder environments. This enabled effective client and stakeholder management, establishing clear work priorities and successful execution of deliverables under their control.