Environmentally Sustainable Design (ESD)

Cosgroves specialist ESD group

Cosgroves have a team of engineers whose specialties include the consideration and inclusion of sustainable design elements into projects. To assist this process we have developed a matrix of opportunities to be reviewed for each new project.

GREEN STAR ACCREDITED PROFESSIONALS

We have a number of staff who have trained as accredited professionals for the NZGBC Green Star Rating System.

Jack Ballard
Mechanical Engineer- Christchurch
Jono Smith 
Senior Electrical Engineer - Wellington
Josh Solly 
Mechanical / Hydraulic Engineer- Christchurch 
Stephen French
Associate / Mechanical Engineer - Christchurch
Steve Langley
Mechanical Design Engineer - Christchurch
Tim Yee
Electrical Senior Engineer- Auckland 

NABERSNZ

The NABERSNZ rating scheme was implemented in 2015 and can be used to assess how well a building uses its energy. It uses a similar ‘star’ rating system to the Green Star system, ranging from 0-6 stars. It acts as a post-occupancy tool and aims to provide a ‘real world’ rating system.

Cosgroves have accredited staff who are able to provide feedback on the use of the NABERSNZ Rating process in order to achieve a certified rating for their clients.

Anna Kosiel
Mechanical / Hydraulic Engineering Leader - Christchurch 

Peter Affleck
Wellington Team Leader, Mechanical / Fire Protection Engineer - Wellington

Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) 

Cosgroves have worked closely with EECA as approved energy consultants and can help our clients with EECA funded feasibility studies, design reviews and post-occupancy energy monitoring across New Zealand.

COMPUTER MODELLING

Computer modelling allows us to undertake analysis and calculations that ensure optimum design solutions. Our modelling capabilities include:

  • Thermal performance and insulation modelling
  • Building orientation and solar shading features
  • Daylight harvesting
  • Energy efficient lighting
  • Energy use modelling
  • Modelling internal space temperatures
  • CFD (computational fluid dynamics) modelling. 

EXPERIENCE

We are experienced in the design of energy efficient, sustainably designed buildings. We can provide detailed advice on form and fabric, to optimise thermal performance of the building envelope.

PROJECTS

Selwyn District Council Headquarters
Selwyn District Council's main office located in Rolleston, incorporates many green engineering features which minimise waste and energy consumption whilst maximising the use of sustainable materials. Systems include high efficiency solar collectors for domestic hot water generation, rainwater harvesting, mixed mode ventilation with passive vents, and under-floor heating by way of a high efficiency heat pump connected to the Council water reticulation.

Man Street Carpark, Queenstown
CFD modelling was also successfully applied to an alternative car park ventilation design using impulse ventilation: the first installation of its type in Australasia. By showing that adequate air quality could be achieved, ventilation installation costs were effectively halved.

Waste Management Headquarters, Auckland
A large mixed use site incorporating a large commercial office building which serves as Waste Management’s Headquarters as well as industrial workshops and wash down buildings, a large staff car park and a large yard for bin laydown and truck parking.  The project is a pilot project for the newly created Design and As-Built Rating tool and has been designed to achieve a 5 Star Green Star Rating.   

Camp Glenorchy
Camp Glenorchy, at the gateway to Mount Aspiring National Park, is New Zealand’s most sustainably designed and operated visitor accommodation. It was built to reflect the imperatives of the Living Building Challenge, the most rigorous sustainability standard in the world. Regenerative spaces that connect occupants to light, air, food, nature, and community and self-sufficient while remaining within the resource limits of their site are the basic principles of a Living Building Challenge project

PWC Centre, Christchurch
This high-profile Christchurch development required a sustainable A-grade design to create a modern, high-quality professional environment for top-tier anchor tenants PWC and Chapman Tripp. The building was designed to a 4.5* NABERSNZ rating, requiring extensive thermal and energy modelling using IES Virtual Environment. 

Press House, Christchurch
The new building built for The Press on Gloucester Street in Christchurch consisted of a new Green Star 4 Star rated eight level building with over 7,000m² of floor area providing offices and car parking. 

TECHNICAL LIBRARY

Cosgroves has an extensive library of technical guides and application manuals which describe ESD design methods from the UK, Europe and USA: regions that are leading the world in sustainable design.

Sustainable Design Achievements

  • The Press building was awarded a NZGBC 4 Green Star office design rating.
  • The Solid Energy Building was awarded a NZGBC 5 Green Star office interiors fit-out rating in keeping with the 5 Star Office design that it won earlier.
  • Selwyn District Council offices won the Property Council Excellence Award in the Special Purposes Category in addition to the NZIA Public Architecture and Sustainable Architecture Awards.
  • Club Tower was awarded a NZGBC 5 Green Star office design rating.
  • 5 Sir William Pickering Drive, Christchurch - four star 'as built' rating.
  • Glenorchy Camp Ground achieved a petal of the living building challenge system for being completely self contained in terms of electrical power.