4. INTRODUCTION
Pixel is a ‘Future Office’ - a prototype for
commercial buildings that produce their own power
and collect their own water for a future carbon
constrained world.
SOURCE- http://inhabitat.com/pixel-building-australias-first-
carbon-neutral-building-is-now-complete/pixel-building-
studio505-11/
PERFECT GREENSTAR SCORE
Pixel has achieved all of the available rating credits under all of the categories
of the Green star V3
CARBON EFFICIENT
Pixel was designed to be carbon neutral using definitions from the UK that
were applicable when design began. WATER BALANCE Given that Melbourne
returns to the 10 year rainfall average 1999-2009, Pixel could be disconnected
from the mains supply and would be self sufficient for water supply.
WORLD’S HIGHEST LEED ENVIRONMENTAL RATING
LEED is the environmental rating tool of the United States Green Building
Council. Pixel has achieved a Platinum score under the rating system.
TARGET TO ACHIEVE A BREEAM “OUTSTANDING” SCORE
Pixel is currently being assessed under the BREEAM “Bespoke International”
environmental rating tool. Pixel is targeted to achieve the highest score yet
achieved.
5. IMPORTANT FEATURES IN THE PROJECT
Scoring a perfect 105 points on the
Australia's Green Star rating system, an
amazing example of what is possible in terms of
energy efficiency, renewable energy, water
collection, waste reduction and green roofs.
Capable of collecting all of its own water and
generating all of its own energy, the funky,
colourful pixelated building is totally self-
sustaining.
Energy
•Cooling and heating provided by a gas-fired ammonia absorption heat pump/chiller, with
an air-cooled condenser.
•High efficiency lighting with daylight control
Indoor Environment Quality
•Underfloor air distribution with individual occupant control
•100 per cent outside air, at rates 150 per cent above code requirements
•Slab cooling
Transport
•Bicycle racks, showers and lockers installed for building users
•No car parking provided for the building
Water
•Designed to have 100 per cent water self-sufficiency
•Low flow fixtures and fittings
Emissions
•Zero GWP and ODP refrigerants
Materials
•Building façade designed for disassembly
SOURCE- http://inhabitat.com/pixel-building-australias-
first-carbon-neutral-building-is-now-complete/pixel-
building-studio505-11/
6. FREE NIGHT COOLING
The Pixel facade includes smart
window technology that
automatically opens the windows of
the facade on cool nights to enable
the night air to flood into the building
and cool the structure.
https://s-media-cache-
ak0.pinimg.com/originals/37/69/29/3769291721c9af19051d5cbd873fb0e7.jpg
7. 100% FRESH AIR
All of the air being distributed and used in the Pixel building is 100%
fresh air.
SOURCE- http://inhabitat.com/pixel-building-australias-first-carbon-neutral-building-is-now-
8. GAS FIRED ABSORPTION CHILLER
The gas fired absorption chiller is the first of its kind in a commercial building in Australia. As a consequence
of this technology the carbon emissions from the energy are dramatically lowered.
http://archive.trendsideas.com/media/article/hero/102938.jpg
https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRDeJL-
fYRMol-lBO2ItB5KEp5uvW58ti-9BgnA-tcMPtDxC1nlBw
9. TRACKING AND FIXED PHOTOVOLTAIC PANELS
Pixel has implemented an extensive photovoltaic array on the roof of the
building, which orient the panels towards the sun at all times of the year.
http://dqbasmyouzti2.cloudfront.net/assets/content/cach
e/made/content/images/articles/PV_Booster_410_282_c
1.png http://www.prc-magazine.com/wp-
content/uploads/2012/05/Pixel-Open-
House-768x1024.jpg
10. solar panels and vertical axis wind turbines on the roof generate enough energy to offset the building's
electricity use
SOURCE- http://inhabitat.com/pixel-building-australias-first-carbon-neutral-building-is-now-
complete/pixel-building-studio505-11
VERTICAL AXIS WIND TURBINES
11. DAYLIGHT GLARE CONTROL
Pixel is designed to provide 100% daylight penetration into the office space whilst allowing screen based
technologies to be deployed without the need for blinds.
1. DGP analysis was performed in spaces with dynamic roller shades.
2. Full-scale measurements and integrated day lighting-glare modelling
were performed.
3. Experimental correlations between DGP and indoor illuminances are
presented.
4. Results include limitations of glare indices and application of simplified
metrics.
5. Simple sunlight protection shading controls cannot prevent glare
https://www.google.co.in/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=ima
ges&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwja2bqE1unPAhVEso8
KHT5UCCIQ
12. COLLECTS AND FILTERS RAINWATER
https://marlj018.files.wordpress.com/2013/09/cci09092013-21.jpg
Water falling on the Pixel building as rainwater will be collected after it has been used to irrigate the living roof.
13. The office building includes a native-planted green roof that harvests and collects rainwater
http://inhabitat.com/pixel-building-australias-first-carbon-neutral-building-is-now-complete/pixel-building-studio505-11/
Rainwater falling on the living roof has been
used to irrigate the beds, it will be captured
and stored in tanks within the building. Once
there, it will be treated by reverse osmosis to
potable water standard and then distributed to
all fixtures and fitting within the building.
Pixel aims to be completely self-sufficient in
all its water requirements.
GREEN ROOF INSTALATION
15. VACUUM TOILET TECHNOLOGY
The project achieved a
perfect score of 100
through the Green Star
rating system and
earned an extra five
points for innovation
for achieving carbon
neutrality and including
a vacuum toilet
system, the anaerobic
digestion system and
reduced car parking
• Pixel is the first
project in Australia
to implement small
scale vacuum toilet
technology.
• Vacuum toilet
systems reduce the
water consumption
to an absolute
minimum.
16. EVOLUTION OF THE FACADE STRATEGY
the building’s pixelated façade is a striking
point of difference. Consisting of dozens of
fixed panels of vivid colours arranged at
different angles to minimise heat gain and
maximise light penetration, the façade
resembles a harlequin’s cloak
SOURCE- http://inhabitat.com/pixel-building-australias-first-carbon-neutral-building-is-now-
complete/pixel-building-studio505-11
17. ANAEROBIC DIGESTER
Pixel is the anaerobic digester installed
on the ground level.
Comprised of a tank system which will
hold all of the blackwater waste from
toilets and kitchen facilities, the digester
will extract methane from the waste.
The gas harvested is then used to
replace natural gas for heating and
cooling the water system, while the
blackwater waste remaining is sent to the
sewer in liquefied form, and with reduced
methane levels.
This result means that Pixel both limits
methane emissions and avoids the need
for fossil fuel gas to boost the solar hot
water system.
https://s-media-cache-
ak0.pinimg.com/originals/f4/61/50/f46150b8f5657f15b2354c777f4a7a2a.jpg
18. CONCLUSION
The building was awarded an additional five points for innovation as part of its perfect Green Star rating
With its highly visible use of recycled materials, genuinely innovative technologies concrete fabrication and
installation, and state-of-the-art heating and cooling system
Pixel serves as an admirable and bold model of many features that will no doubt become mainstream in tomorrow’s
commercial buildings.
