The Maritime Skills Centre is a single storey building designed as a high-end teaching facility associated with the air warfare destroyer project at Port Adelaide.
The plan places teaching and administration rooms wrapped around a “Student Street” that has high level windows to the south, providing natural day-lighting to the interiors.
The Maritime Skills Centre incorporates features that reduce energy, water usage, greenhouse gas emissions and waste, including;
- Recycled and sustainable materials applied throughout the building in the furniture, fit-out and structure,
- East-west orientation to assist the building to stay cool in summer and warm in winter,
- High performance window glazing and automated blinds to reduce heat, glare and a reduced need for air conditioning,
- Variable output air-conditioning system and energy-efficient lights controlled by movement sensors which reduce energy usage,
- Renewable energy harnessed by photovoltaic cells and wind turbines,
- Rainwater collected for use in the building and gardens. Water-efficient tap-ware further reduces water usage,
- Low water-use plants and subsurface irrigation minimises water loss through evaporation,
- Car park water run-off is treated prior to release into the stormwater system,
- Bicycle storage, lockers and showers encourage people to ride to the facility, and
- Dedicated car parks set aside for hybrid cars and for those who car-pool.
