Eco Features - Massey Leisure Centre and Library

The Floor Plan of the Massey Leisure Centre and Library indicates various eco features and art projects.

Click the images to view an enlargement

1 - Outside the building

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Solar Power Generation (Size 52K)
Photovoltaic panels on the roof generate electricity for the building. The system is fully integrated into the national power grid, drawing extra power when needed and selling excess power back to the grid when available. You will be able to check out how much electricity we are generating at any one time once the system is completed in 2003.

Rainwater systems (Size 58K)
The water feature treats the first rain to fall onto the library roof - called 'first flush'. This water is often contaminated with dust and other pollutants. It travels through flow forms and air is mixed into it, cleansing and re-vitalising the water. The water feature cools the library space and is an educational feature. Not all the roof area is connected to it.

Permeable car parks diagram (Size 103K)
Rainwater falling onto the car park soaks into the ground through permeable pavers, cleansing and slowing the water, preventing flooding and improving water quality in our streams.

A pedestrian path links Don Buck Rd through the building to the Westgate shopping area.

Cycle racks are provided to encourage people to travel by bike rather than car.

Native hardy pioneer species in the landscaping require little maintenance and watering, and reflect the original forest cover.

more info - Landscaping help for your backyard

2 - The foyer

Most of the building does not have air-conditioning, as ventilation and cooling is by natural means or assisted by mechanical fans. Cool air is drawn in from above the water feature and further cooled in under floor ducts before being discharged into the library. These ducts can be purged with cooler night time air, expelling heat build-up from the previous day and storing "coolness" within the concrete ducts for use the next day. Using the stack effect, warmer air escapes through the high level windows in the roof.

Ventilation, heating and cooling (Size 107K)

The exposed concrete floor in the foyer stores heat from the low altitude early morning winter sun, releasing heat slowly throughout the day to supplement the under floor heating system.

High levels of insulation throughout the building prevent heat escaping in winter and overheating in summer. The roof colour was chosen to reflect heat away from the building.

A gas boiler provides water and space heating. Using gas directly is more efficient and causes less greenhouse gas emissions than using electricity generated by a gas fired power station.

Two walls of the meeting room are constructed from pressed earth bricks.

Earth building is becoming more popular and can have significant environmental advantages, such as good thermal performance and utilisation of natural materials.

For more information see the Sustainable Home Guidelines for:

3 - The library

The ripple textured acoustic ceiling in the library reduces noise.

South facing clerestory windows (vertical windows in the roof) in the library maximise natural light and, again, avoid over-heating.

Natural light diagram (Size 104K)

Energy efficient lights supplement natural light where necessary and can be switched off manually when enough natural light is available.

Timbers throughout the building come mainly from New Zealand grown plantations, supporting the local economy and reducing rain forest destruction abroad. Pinus Radiata is used for the fascia and weatherboards and Eucalyptus Saligna for special features, such as the trim on the library issues desk.

For more information see the Sustainable Home Guidelines for:

4 - The meeting room

To achieve good acoustic performance for this meeting room air-conditioning was necessary. Carbon dioxide sensors control the system to ensure adequate fresh air supply while optimising energy efficiency.

5 - The main hall

The main hall is controlled by mechanical and natural ventilation. Low-level louvres let cool air in and high-level louvers let it escape. Ceiling and high level wall-mounted fans can be activated to supplement the natural airflow.

6 - Changing rooms - water conservation

Rainwater is collected from part of the roof to supply showers, toilets and hand basins. This reduces mains water use and stormwater flows.

Water saving features include low flow taps, controlled by push buttons or sensors, dual flush toilets, low flow showers and water-less urinals.

If you would like help incorporating some of these features into your home see Sustainable Home Guidelines for:

For more information on incorporating these features into a work place see The Better Building Code.

Alternatively contact us for further information.