Green streets

Environmental considerations play a huge part in Sydney’s newest mixed-use development, The Village, at Balgowlah. This $345 million project - developed by Stockland and designed by Allen Jack+Cottier - will include a Coles supermarket, 60 specialty shops, 246 flats, 25 townhouses, restaurants and cafes with outdoor dining, plus gardens and a resort-style pool.
Water will be collected from the rooftop, filtered and stored in an underground 500,000-litre tank, to be used for residential toilets, washing machines and landscape irrigation.
Another clever innovation is the way that waste heat generated by the retail centre’s air-conditioning system will be captured and used to heat the residents’ swimming pool. Some will also be used as a pre-heat system for the hot water services in the apartments.
The majority of apartments will face north-south, reducing the need for artificial lighting. Louvred balcony screens provide shade and catch coastal breezes. A swag of energy- and water-efficient appliances and low-energy lighting will be standard.
Until recently, shopping centres and multi-unit residential buildings have been ignored when it comes to proving environmental credentials. The Green Building Council of Australia will use The Village as a benchmark for its Green Star rating tool, which will judge it on a variety of criteria, including emissions, water use and innovation.
Green? Blue? Purple? Whatever...
Cheers!