The Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) saluted leaders in sustainable design for 2013 in a December media release.
The organisation reported the Australian green building industry could now boast more than 100 Green Star-certified projects and 134 new Green Start projects registered during 2013.
“We now have 641 Green Star-certified projects across every state and territory, with a further 486 projects registered to achieve ratings,” said GBCA Chief Executive Romilly Madew.
“We are particularly proud of the fact that 20 per cent of Australia’s office space is now Green Star certified – a phenomenal achievement in just 10 years."
Among the people and organisations singled out for excellence in sustainable architecture during 2013 was the government of Victoria. Six projects, including four government buildings in Victoria, were Green Star-certified during 2013.
In addition to boasting the most government projects, the state of Victoria also certified the most projects in 2013, reaching 26.
“The Victorian government has shown visionary government leadership and understands the value of Green Star as the method of measurement to demonstrate accountability, financial responsibility and transparency in our buildings,” Ms Madew said.
Looking back and planning ahead
A separate release from the GBCA also took into account many of the steps forward sustainable design took in Australia during 2013.
These included the launch of the Green Star performance rating tool in October, as well as the specific ratings tools regarding Green Star design & as built, interiors, performance and communities.
Other highlights included two new Green Star-certified hospitals, more than 70 Green Star-certified office projects and 11 registered interiors projects.