News
Date: November 16th 2007 Projects: Eden Park
Eden Park Redevelopment Board today announced that international experts in environmentally sustainable design (ESD) had been brought to NZ as one of the first green initiatives for Rugby World Cup 2011.
Board Chairman, John Waller, said "we are conscious there is a public expectation that the redevelopment of the Park needs to be an environmentally responsible project, and so we are taking advice from the world leaders in this area."
Mr Waller said that Stephanie Graham, leading ESD architect from the USA, had been brought to NZ this week to lead a workshop with the Eden Park project team and council officials.
"Stephanie has spent the last decade promoting sustainable design as part of building projects and the spectacular international growth in ESD illustrates the success in selling the 'green' message."
"While ESD building initiatives are now commonplace around the world, there has only been recent recognition of the need for sports stadia to be part of this," Mr Waller said.
He said Ms Graham's firm, HOK Sport Architecture, would be working with local architects, Jasmax, to present a fully costed Green Design Plan to the Board later this month. Once approved, the initiatives would be integrated into the construction project.
Project Design Director, Alastair Richardson, said Stadium Australia pioneered ESD initiatives in the region with the use of rainwater; solar harvesting; and recycling waste during construction and in operation.
Mr Waller said the ESD initiatives did not necessarily add cost to construction projects.
"There are many ideas being considered which will reduce the cost of either building the stadium or its subsequent operations – these include using the demolished South Stand as landfill for the levelling of the car parks; or storing rainwater for pitch irrigation."
Mr Waller said one of the Board's first steps in this direction would be to use a commitment to ESD practices as part of the assessment criteria for appointing a preferred construction company next month.
For further information please contact
Michele Fleming or Alastair Richardson at HOK Sport (Brisbane)
Telephone +61 (0)7 3839 9155
Facsimilie +61 (0)7 3839 9188
Email media@hok.com.au