the right place
Brett Crellin, General Manager of Mirvac Design, attributes Mirvac’s celebrated reputation for design and construction excellence to the successful fusion of form and function, neither taking precedence over the other.
“Something we have really focused upon, right from our foundation years, is designing from the inside out, because the living experience, the outlook, the views and access to natural light and ventilation have such a material impact on people’s health and wellbeing,” says Mr Crellin.
“We take a holistic approach to design in our buildings, considering form and function, both of which need to be developed simultaneously.”
Mr Crellin has a background in building services design, an expertise that is critical to ensuring quality in design extends beyond the façade.
Living on the upper floors of skyscrapers gives access to the best views but making the living experience in the stratosphere as premium as the apartment, involves complex science and engineering. The fact that you can be metres above the ground and open doors and windows without impacting the building’s indoor environment, is testament to good design.
“Our goal is to ensure people are able to live the way they want to live. The quality of the living experience and longevity of the building is determined by factors that people rarely think about. It’s our job to make sure that our residents never have to worry about the elements of the building they cannot see.”
New buildings are more tightly sealed than they were using older construction methods, and while that is a positive advance, it can impact indoor air quality unless the façade and services of the building are appropriately considered.
“Newer methods of construction result in buildings that are tightly sealed and higher performing,” explains Mr Crellin. “The challenge becomes how you design healthy buildings that can breathe without compromising thermal comfort or introducing other problems.
“A lot of work goes into designing buildings to achieve that balance and that must be done in the early stages of design. What we aim for is thermal efficiencies and high indoor air quality, looking to passive measures to achieve these goals.
“Ultimately we are seeking to hand over a building that is low maintenance and trouble free, something that owners and building managers don’t have to constantly worry about.”
“The primary considerations from a design perspective are maintenance and drainage to ensure the plants look good over the long term. The close working relationship with the construction team enables design that delivers the level of amenity that customers want without over-burdening them with maintenance.
“This means installing energy efficient plant, as well as solar systems where rooftops and podiums are available. The inclusion of timers, sensors and smart technology for various building systems all contribute to reducing the electrical base load on the building and ultimately the running costs.”
It’s the quality factor that resonates most strongly with Mirvac customers, and has earned Mirvac the highest possible 5 Gold Star iCIRT rating for three years running. Add to that extraordinary levels of customer loyalty and it would seem Mirvac has discovered the secret to looks that last a lifetime.
Among the passive measures employed are the arrangement of shading and glazing, the placement of balconies, bedrooms and living spaces. If a home can do some of the heavy lifting to be cool when it’s hot and warm when it’s not, the energy demand is significantly reduced.
The ideal in any living environment is to have windows and doors that can be opened up to let in fresh air, but there are times when it’s necessary to close up. That’s when mechanical systems take over and the quality of the filtration system is put to the test.
Lifestyle changes and a growing awareness that a connection to nature has a positive impact on health and wellbeing have also led to greener buildings, with podiums and rooftops planted to create gardens in the sky.
It’s a feature incorporated into many Mirvac buildings but is not as simple as planting trees and shrubs in planter boxes. “Quay in Brisbane is a great example where we have brought the park into the building,” says Mr Crellin. “Across the portfolio our customers expect to have access to these private open oases.
*The article is intended as a guide only to provide general information. Mirvac is not a provider of financial or investment advice and this information should not be relied on as such. Before acting on any information in this publication, purchasers should fully consider the appropriateness of the information, having regard to their objectives, and financial and tax situation and needs, and seek their own advice from appropriately qualified advisers. Mirvac has made all reasonable efforts and inquiries it believes necessary in preparing the publication but is not responsible for confirming the completeness or accuracy of such data and information. Purchasers must rely on their own continuing enquiries about purchasing decisions. Mirvac expressly excludes any and all liability relating to, or resulting from, the use of or reliance on, any information contained in this brochure by any person.
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