Healthy Air and Safe Spaces at University of Auckland
The University of Auckland's Social Sciences Building has set a new benchmark for sustainable architecture by achieving the highest ever 6 Green Star Design rating from the New Zealand Green Building Council. This recognition places the building in the 'world leadership' category, highlighting its exceptional commitment to sustainability and low carbon design. The project repurposes a 50-year-old structure, significantly reducing waste and pollution. It utilizes high-performance solar glazing and low-emission paints, among other solutions, to ensure cleaner air and lower energy consumption. The building incorporates rainwater harvesting and on-site renewable energy generation, using 75% less water than comparable buildings. It features a new lightweight curtain wall for earthquake resilience, flexible multi-use spaces, and timber partitioning for a natural aesthetic. The building's life cycle assessment shows nearly 60% less emissions compared to a new build, reflecting the University's dedication to sustainability and innovation. This project not only supports the University's educational goals but also contributes to New Zealand's climate change objectives by promoting adaptive reuse and sustainable construction practices.
Visit a reference projectIntelligent smoke and heat extraction
During a fire incident, swift smoke clearance is imperative to prevent inhalation risks, particularly in areas such as stairwells, which are crucial for ensuring the safe evacuation of occupants in emergencies. Effective smoke and heat extraction systems are crucial in any building to ensure the safety of its occupants. These systems help to maintain clear escape routes by removing smoke and hot gases from the building, which is vital in preventing suffocation and reducing the risk of fire spreading. By incorporating advanced smoke and heat extraction mechanisms, the structure ensures that, in the event of a fire, smoke does not obscure exits or incapacitate individuals, thus enhancing the overall safety and resilience of the building.
Safety and comfort
To ensure that the building’s users enjoy a safe and comfortable indoor climate, WindowMaster provided our highly efficient solutions for configuring smoke extraction and natural ventilation. These include the FlexiSmoke™ 60A modular smoke control panel with a touch screen and the CompactSmoke™ 10A/20A smoke control panels with touch screens. The FlexiSmoke™ 60A is designed to manage multiple smoke zones within the building, offering a comfortable indoor climate as well as flexibility and reliability in emergency situations. Additionally, the CompactSmoke™ 10A/20A panels cater to smaller smoke control needs while providing comfort and smoke ventilation. These panels are designed to integrate seamlessly with the building's existing systems, enhancing the overall safety infrastructure without requiring extensive modifications. WindowMaster also delivered the elegant chain actuator 600N 1A for large and heavy windows, which ensures robust and reliable window automation for effective ventilation and smoke extraction. This actuator is capable of handling significant loads, making it ideal for the building's larger window installations. For smaller or surface-mounted windows, the 300N chain actuator offered a compact yet powerful solution, providing smooth and efficient operation for the building.
"Our solutions seamlessly automate windows and facilitate efficient smoke extraction, prioritizing the safety and comfort of the occupants of the building. By integrating our technology, WindowMaster is supporting the University's commitment to sustainability and innovation, creating an environment that prioritizes both occupant well-being and protection".
Henrik Gryndahl
Technical Sales Support