CENTRAL PARK

Perth's tallest building is also one of its greenest.

With 51 floors of offices and approx 3,500 occupants, Central Park is a hive of activity every day of the working week and reducing the level of energy consumption is no small feat when you have nearly 70,000 square metres of floor space to service.

Building managers, Central Park Management, (Jones Lang LaSalle) have embraced the challenge and successfully achieved a 4.5 star base building rating with the Australian Building Greenhouse Rating scheme. Their next goal is to obtain a 5 star base building rating and secure Central Park the title of the greenest building in WA.

Senior Engineer at Jones Lang LaSalle, Shaun Arseven says Central Park is the company's landmark project when it comes to delivering a high greenhouse performing building.

“In the current climate of competition for long term commitments from corporate tenants it's important to promote Central Park as a green building,” Mr Arseven said.

“Central Park has an opportunity to be a leader in the implementation of profitable energy management practices and this is a positive point of difference from many of our competitors. We are 100 per cent committed to the reduction of greenhouse emissions.”

In 2001 Jones Lang LaSalle undertook an energy audit and the building's existing energy saving features were identified. These included a reticulated chilled water air-conditioning system that provided chilled water for the air handling units located on each floor. Multiple fan-assisted variable air volume boxes served the floor space and more than 50 per cent of the air handling units (AHUs) were fitted with variable speed drives. In addition, there is a Building Management System to monitor and control the mechanical services plant.

Following the audit, an ongoing energy management program was implemented. Soon after began the first of many changes to significantly improve the building's energy performance including signing up for Green Power and Central Park now draws 10 per cent of its power from renewable sources.

How much was saved?

Central Park Management has achieved considerable energy savings.
“The savings represent approximately 12 per cent of the building's total energy cost,” said Mr Arseven.

“It's important to note that the energy-saving strategies used to achieve the reductions were relatively easy to implement and with quick payback periods. The ongoing energy usage monitoring now provides us with instant feedback which is a critical factor in improving energy awareness.”

Lessons Learned

While Central Park achieved a base building rating of 4.5 stars, the whole of building rating was only 3.5 stars.

“We have learned that while the operation of the building services is very efficient, there is a 1 star gap between the two types of ratings,” Mr Arseven explained.

“This shows that the tenants' light and energy consumption in this building has potential for savings so we will now concentrate on achieving significant reductions in these areas with consideration to improving occupant comfort and satisfaction.”

Applying the lessons

As part of its enhanced energy management strategy, Jones Lang LaSalle has held energy efficiency seminars with representatives of its tenants at Central Park. With the aim of reducing power consumption, the building's engineers have been promoting the benefits and cost savings that will be possible through an upgrade of the building's lighting to a more energy efficient version.

“We know it's hard to change people's patterns when it comes to turning lights and equipment off when not in use so we are also encouraging more automation of the lighting systems rather than relying on human control,” Mr Arseven explained.

To boost tenants' awareness of their energy use, consumption figures are posted on each tenant's Central Park intranet webpage. These figures are updated each month and enable the tenant to monitor their light and power usage on a monthly basis, throughout the year.

Mr Arseven is aiming for a 60 per cent reduction in energy use by tenants which he believes is highly achievable.


“In line with our ABGR rating Central Park is a well controlled, landmark building with low operating costs and excellent on-site management.”

Shaun Arseven, Senior Engineer
Jones Lang LaSalle.