There are buildings everywhere, they cast dark shadows over the street. There is a grid lock and the cars make sharp turns in an attempt to manoeuvre the busyness. Gusts of fume rattle out of the exhaust pipe and the carbon emissions leave a layer of smog in the air.

​

 A bleakness has crept upon the natural wildlife in the Great Barrier Reef snatching any remnants of colour; the coral is now bleached a dull grey, no longer a vibrant colour palate of orange, yellow, purple and green. 

​

The grass is brittle and dry. The rainfall reduces every year, with water holes for wildlife scarce. The sun is harsh and beats against the skin of boys and girls. Summer is prolonged and the temperature is rising with 40 degree days not uncommon to the average Australian.

​

The Australian landscape has experienced extreme degradation. Pollutants, such as carbon dioxide are taking its toll on Australia’s environment and other global landscapes however, there is little evidence of the world’s population reacting to the prevalence of climate change.

 

The topic of global warming can no longer be hushed, and tuned into background noise. Small-scale initiatives have the power to enact change and rouse conversation. RMIT is tackling the issue head on, by interweaving sustainability throughout its new infrastructure; the New Academic Street. The project is set to transform the heart of the CBD city campus by creating laneways, gardens and over 2,000 study spaces. A representative from the university has stated, ‘RMIT is committed to developing buildings and facilities that are designed to meet high standards of energy and water efficiency, whilst reducing carbon emissions and encouraging responsible behaviours’.  RMIT is undoubtedly aiming to set sustainability benchmarks, with the hope of a 5-star green rating from the Green Building Council of Australia.

 

The NAS project will see RMIT connecting buildings that were designed during the 60’s and facing away from Swanston Street with the core of the city. RMIT hopes to reinvigorate the current facilities while also improving the indoor Environment Quality (IEQ) for students. IEQ has been linked to improved productivity and wellbeing and will also reduce RMIT’s carbon emissions. This will be achieved through a number of initiatives and progressive infrastructure inclusions. RMIT will be developing cuts in laneways, multiple-height spaces and light ways. The hope is to generate natural light and make electrical fittings redundant in some spaces.  Another progressive feature RMIT is incorporating within its re-purposed spaces is an automated system that will open the louvers and windows during the warmer months, reducing the need for airconditioning. 

 

RMIT has made strict decision making in furniture choices for the students. The university is marrying comfort and sustainability with a range of carefully picked couches, tables and chairs that adhere to either the Green Tag or are Good Environmental Choice Australia certified.

 

All timber for the project has been sourced to ensure the use of low volatile organic compound materials- when material have high volatile organic compound they seep into the air and mix with outdoor pollutants to create ground level o-zone. This is a remarkable feature not to be overlooked. RMIT have gone the extra mile to ensure all materials are sourced both legally and sustainably.

 

In an effort to shed the often lacklustre connotations associated with academia, RMIT will be incorporating progressive spaces. One in particular, includes the Garden Building. Representatives from RMIT have stated, ‘the building structure will utilise glue laminated timber Gluglam’- this is a cutting-edge sustainable material which has a far lower carbon footprint than other building materials, the production process produces zero waste, and timbers are sourced from certified sustainably managed forests. Moreover, RMIT will include the attractive and on-trend feature of rooftops. This will provide students access to daylight and better air quality. In addition, students in programs such as Landscape Architecture will be allocated areas to test soils and plants that work well on urban green roofs.

 

RMIT are proving to have an incredibly green thumb by ensuring sustainability in various building elements. These green features, will hopefully spark conversation on the dire need to remain ethically conscious through energy consumption and the sourcing of materials. RMIT is undoubtedly paving the way for like-minded institutions to follow suit and engage with environmentally savvy materials. The unveiling of the new infrastructure is sure to spark anticipation in past, present and future students and staff alike.

​

Emily Clifton-Bligh

​