The Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) has recognised the 7-hectare entrepreneurial, innovation, education and cultural neighbourhood on the site of the former Royal Adelaide Hospital, being redeveloped by Renewal SA on behalf of the Government of South Australia, for its livability, governance, economic prosperity, environmental impact and innovation.
Renewal SA has also achieved 6 Star Green Star ratings for two of its other major projects. These are Tonsley Innovation District, which combines businesses, education, training and residential on the site of the former Mitsubishi car factory, and Bowden, a residential development on former industrial land in an inner city suburb which will eventually house 3,500 residents in 2,400 new dwellings.
GBCA Chief Executive Davina Rooney said GBCA had worked in close collaboration with Renewal SA throughout the building and certification process for Lot Fourteen to create a socially, economically and environmentally sustainable community of significant size and scale in South Australia.
“Lot Fourteen marks a great leap in sustainable development and construction in Australia,” she said.
“Not only does it feature innovations in potable water use, waste and energy, it also creates a community where there is easy access to transport, education and jobs.
“This is a model for future urban mixed-use developments across Australia.”
Lot Fourteen includes several projects being developed in conjunction with the federal government and Adelaide City Council under a $550 million Adelaide City Deal.
Redevelopment of Lot Fourteen began in late 2017 and the neighbourhood now has 20 operational businesses with almost 700 business people and employees, which includes 131 entrepreneurs from 31 start-ups. It is on track to accommodate 6000 people when complete in 2028.
It is progressively transforming the North Terrace site into a thriving business precinct, connected to the Adelaide Botanic Garden, the East End entertainment precinct and the University of South Australia and University of Adelaide.
The master plan includes retention of 23,500 m2 of space in six heritage buildings, which are being refurbished for modern accommodation for entrepreneurs. This adaptive reuse of former hospital buildings saves materials and preserves the site's unique heritage.
In addition to the 6 Star Green Star Rating, Lot Fourteen is the first registered WELL Communities Pilot Project in Australia. It is being developed to achieve the International WELL Building Institute standards for sustainable and well communities by offering tenants and their employees an environment that promotes wellbeing with well-designed work spaces and opportunities for planned and incidental exercise and making social connections.
Renewal SA Acting Chief Executive Damian De Luca said Lot Fourteen featured nationally significant innovation and sustainability in its creation and its outcomes.
“The people working from Lot Fourteen will have all the sustainability benefits, including health and wellbeing, from this excellent site redevelopment. The collaboration with GBCA to create and activate the site has been outstanding.
“The benefits of such an integrated and sustainable site are part of its appeal for businesses and education to attract and retain talented staff.”
Lot Fourteen has fibre-to-the-premises internet in all habitable spaces, there will be up to 30 per cent reduction in potable water use compared to similar projects and it will be highly walkable.
Green Building Council of Australia 6 Star Green Star - Communities rated developments are those that have sufficient points to establish them as displaying world leadership.