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Award for sustainability tool

4 November 2009

Laurie Cuttiford
Laurie Cuttiford

A rating tool developed by Monash sustainability expert Laurie Cuttiford has taken out the prestigious 2009 TEFMA Innovation Award.

The award, which is given out every two years, recognises an innovation that has improved the "delivery, efficiency and effectiveness of facilities, their management and services".

Developed as part of the University's Model ESD Building Review project, the tool benchmarks buildings in their current condition and assesses opportunities to improve the environmental performance of existing assets.

The tool produces reports on all aspects of sustainability including water, energy, indoor environmental quality, material and waste minimisation.

Mr Cuttiford, who works with the Office of Environmental Sustainability, developed the Model Ecologically Sustainable Design (ESD) Assessment Tool based on ESD strategies listed in the Six Steps to Sustainability and the Monash University Guide for Design and Management of Ecologically Sustainable Buildings, the Eco-Accord Model.

"The assessment takes into account the building's design, technologies, interior architecture, material selection, water conservation, landscape design, operational requirements and innovation to build a report on a building's overall environmental efficiency," Mr Cuttiford said.

Several significant Monash buildings have already been assessed using the tool, including Clayton's Robert Blackwood Hall, Alexander Theatre, and Sports Centre, along with building H at Caulfield, the George Jenkins Theatre at Peninsula and all campus libraries.

As a result many opportunities have been identified to improve the environmental performance of the buildings including initiatives that will reduce energy consumption, save water, and most importantly for staff and students, improve the environmental comfort of the facilities.

Projects have included installing sensor lighting, improvements to heating and ventilation systems, water harvesting and more day lighting of spaces.