dsquared Consulting uses Green Star – Interiors to manage energy consumption through good design

December 2020

 

As a CitySwitch signatory, dsquared Consulting diligently manages its energy consumption. dsquared’s office fit out, which achieved a 5-star Green Star – Interiors rating, included a number of initiatives to keep energy use-low from the start. This ultimately helped dsquared secure a high NABERS Energy rating and win the South Australian award for CitySwitch Signatory of the Year in 2019.

These initiatives included making use of the naturally daylit office and low-energy appliances as well as staff efforts to reduce the use of heating and cooling.

Lighting is rarely needed during the day, and the landlord has installed motion and daylight sensors as part of the lease agreement.

Airconditioning is also unnecessary, with the balcony doors providing natural air flow through the space. During the coldest months of the year, manually controlled energy-efficient radiant panel heaters do the job.

All four staff use laptops, instead of desktop computers, and a kill-switch by the front door turns off all power when the office is vacant.

The project achieved 12 points in the ‘Greenhouse Gas Emissions’ credit in Green Star – Interiors for energy efficiency, exceeding the NABERS 4-star benchmark by more than 60 per cent. In practice, the tenancy achieved a 5.5-star NABERS Energy certified rating in June 2014.

“We are proud of the environment we have created for our
staff and clients – it’s a bright and fresh space to work and
an example to our clients of how sustainability can be
addressed and recognised without high upfront costs.
”
— Deborah Davidson, Director, dsquared Consulting