University of Otago property services director Barry MacKay
examines the native plants atop the new psychology
building, which purify rainwater for the building's water
collection and recycling system. Photo by Linda Robertson.
Passers-by will never see the secret the University of
Otago's new psychology building is hiding.
High above the campus, the six-level building on Leith Walk
has a roof garden - not a space to be admired or sat in, but
one contributing to the building's rainwater collection and
recycling system.
Row upon row of native plants will purify rainwater before it
is delivered to tanks in the basement and recycled, to flush
toilets and irrigate other gardens.
A postgraduate student from the botany department was
monitoring the plants to ensure they were the best varieties
for Dunedin, university property services director Barry
MacKay said yesterday.
"We are not aware of another Dunedin building which has
incorporated a roof-top plant purification system [for
water]. The aim is to establish what sort of plants grow best
. . . in the aggressively salt-laden air we have in this part
of the city."
The $25 million building is almost complete.
Administration staff began moving into levels one and two
last week and research groups and students would move in
progressively between now and June, Mr MacKay said.
It is one of the first New Zealand buildings built to
national Green Star education category standards.
Mr MacKay said it "cost a bit more" to incorporate green
features during construction.
"But generally, you have much lower operating expenses, so
you recoup the cost quite quickly."
He said he was "very pleased" with the building.
"It has a nice feel, and it is well finished.
"It is a credit to the designer, the contractor and the staff
from my department who managed the construction process."
allison.rudd@odt.co.nz
Innovative green features
- Rainwater collection
and recycling system.
- Double glazing.
- Extra insulation.
- Recyclable carpet tiles Wood-chip burner.
- Low-energy artificial lighting which automatically turns off
in daylight or when people vacate rooms.
- Extensive natural light.
- Sunshades doubling as walkways for cleaning windows.
- Adjustable wooden louvres.
- Opening windows to lessen dependence on
air-conditioning.
- Secure bicycle storage area in basement.
- Environmentally-friendly paint and finishes.
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