Christies Beach High School Environmental Learning Centre is a new building designed to accommodate and provide practical demonstration for the educational programs focussing on Sustainability within the school. The site was chosen for its proximity to the existing Yunggullungalla garden created by the School, enabling the educational program to encompass the natural environment as well as the built. The building is constructed from a range of
materials including rammed earth and straw bale; has systems including reverse veneer; and is fitted with earth pipes (tubes bringing air through the earth to modify its temperatures) and efficient heat pump heating and cooling, in which in floor and trench based hydronic loops and exchangers deliver heat and provide chill. A wind turbine is fitted, and photovoltaic power awaits final Federal Government approval, at which stage the building will be at least “carbon neutral” in its operation. Energy Architecture was engaged by the school to provide within a two week period a sketch design, which was successful in achieving BER funding. The project was documented by Energy Architecture and KBR *(structural and services engineering) within a period of 5 weeks. This project is indicative of EA's capacity to produce design and documentation for a complex and extremely efficient $2m building,
and deliver to the builder within extremely short time frames.