An exemplary low-energy office building incorporating phase-change material.

The Academic Offices Building Stage 3 on the Charles Sturt University Albury-Wodonga campus has been designed to be a very low-energy building. An innovative iterative design process supported by rigorous scientific investigation and analysis
has led to a very energy-efficient design solution, with the overall energy efficiency performance modelled to be well above the NABERS maximum 5 star greenhouse standard. The two-storey building incorporates passive elements, which are enhanced through the use of a phase-change material. Cooling is achieved through the use of a cooling tower only, and is supported by a control strategy that optimises the potential of the encapsulated phase-change material. This material has been incorporated into the building as either plaster board fixed to the underneath of the ceiling slabs or in a floor screed. The hydronic system delivers heating or cooling water as required to the slabs. Natural ventilation is used. This building has achieved a 6 star Green Star rating under Office Design. Actual performance is still a work in progress but a performance significantly better than 5 stars NABERS appears likely.