Common Ground

5 Star Green Star social housing

Stonehenge Visitor Centre

Delivering the vision

Data Centre
cooling trends

Volunteering
on top of the world

NDY Lifecycle. Volume 11. January 2013.

 Contents
Editor-in-Chief: 01. Welcome to Lifecycle
Ian Hopkins A letter of introduction by Ian Hopkins
Editor:
Ric Navarro
02. News in brief
Art Director: Sustainable snapshots
Ricky Walker
Contributors: 04. Social housing
Adrianna Forlicz
Ben Mason
a green pioneer
Brian Waddell A progressive social housing project in
Melbourne Water Sydney achieves a unique accolade
Peter Koulos
Stas Brzeski
The Fifth Estate 08. Stonehenge Project
University of Sydney Delivering the vision at Airman's Corner
Front & back cover:
Common Ground Project, Sydney. 10. Engineering delivers flexible
Photography by Brett Boardman.
and efficient working environments
How ABW is improving workplace performance
Common Ground
5 Star Green Star social housing

Stonehenge Visitor Centre

Delivering the vision

13. Operational performance

Data Centre
cooling trends

Volunteering
on top of the world

key for Metronode

Metronode’s national roll out of new
state-of-the-art data centre facilities

14. Cool Data

Sustainability initiatives paramount
NDY Lifecycle. Volume 11. January 2013.

at this award-winning data centre

18. Data Centre cooling trends

The latest technical advice for achieving
optimal data centre energy efficiency

22. Volunteering on top of the world

Adrianna Forlicz tells of her unique
adventure volunteering in Nepal

Printed by Docklands Press

on Impact 100% Recycled Paper
using the Ecoclean chemical
recycling process.
 Welcome
to Lifecycle
A letter of introduction by Ian Hopkins
Commentary on the rapidly growing US production of
shale oil has almost been lost in the publicity surrounding
the US presidential election and the potential breaching of
the US Government debt limit that the re-elected Barrack
Obama will have to deal with. On some predictions, this
source of energy will enable the US to return to energy self
sufficiency by 2030. The global geopolitical ramifications
of this are of course enormous. It is also important to
note that while this “new” source of oil will assist the
US in achieving self-sufficiency, implementation of more
efficient systems in transport and the built environment
are essential prerequisites for achieving the goal.

Meanwhile, in the immediate term, we deal with the continuing

drag on the global economy as Europe has yet another go at dealing
with the economic calamity in Greece.
The new China leadership group is appropriately dampening the
world’s expectations with sustainable growth predictions of 7% down
from the 10% plus pre-GFC rate.
As a result, in Australia we are confronting the economic reality of
the gradual tapering of the mining boom and the continuing hesitation
of consumers to step up and plug the gap that the reduction in mining
development activity will create.
The carbon tax has now been in place in Australia since July,
contributing to a steep rise in electricity prices over the course of
2012. While these price rises are a severe impost on all sections of the
community it is to be expected that the rises will encourage building
owners and developers to continue the uptake of energy efficiency
initiatives as options become viable at the higher prevailing prices.
The recent GRESB survey indicates that Australia and New
Zealand property owners are leaders in the implementation of
sustainability initiatives. As a contribution to maintaining momentum
in this regard, NDY recently hosted the launch of The Fifth Estate’s,
Guide to Environmental Upgrade Agreements. These agreements
provide the opportunity for owners to competitively fund improvements
to their properties that deliver increased energy efficiency.
Data centres are high energy consumers and NDY has been at
the forefront of design initiatives to enhance the energy efficiency of
these facilities. This edition of Lifecycle highlights a number of these
initiatives. We also feature an article on the long awaited Stonehenge
visitor centre on which we have been proud to work with Denton
Corker Marshall.
As Christmas and the festive season approaches it is timely to
reflect on those less fortunate. In this context the efforts of former
NDY Perth staffer Adrianna Forlicz in volunteering to assist Nepalese
children is indeed a wonderful contribution as is NDY’s contribution to
the Common Ground social housing project in Sydney: both stories
are highlighted in this edition.
I trust you enjoy Lifecycle – have a joyous festive season and
Ian Hopkins, CEO
we look forward to a more prosperous and increasingly sustainable
globe in 2013.

1
News in Brief
Sustainable snapshots

NDY sponsors innovative IEQ lab launched

retrofitting initiative The University of Sydney has opened an Indoor Environment
Quality (IEQ) laboratory in recognition of the importance working
Australia’s leading source of sustainable property
environments play in sustainable best practices.
news, The Fifth Estate, launched Australia’s first The IEQ lab will be used to examine how factors such as temperature,
guide to Environmental Upgrade Agreements (EUA) humidity, air quality and movement, ventilation, daylight, artificial lighting, sound
at cocktail functions in Sydney and Melbourne and acoustics attribute to occupants’ comfort, productivity and health outcomes.
hosted by Norman Disney & Young (NDY), a Officially opening the IEQ Laboratory, Climate Change and Energy Efficiency
principal sponsor of the guide. Minister, Greg Combet, said the building and construction industry was an
EUAs are an Australian finance innovation that offer the important part of the transition to a clean energy future.
potential to unlock a boom in retrofitting Australia’s B and "For the first time Australian industries will be able to assess the performance
C grade buildings. These are the buildings requiring urgent of buildings before they are built," Mr Combet said.
improved energy efficiencies, yet whose owners are least "This transition is creating opportunities in renewable energy, low-emissions
resourced to do so. technologies and processes, and new services that will be in high demand in a
EUAs effectively use the energy savings to pay for the competitive low-pollution economy."
retrofit, ensure the tenant can never be worse off, and make Also present at the launch was NDY global director of sustainability, Tony
the repayments via a charge on the council rates. Arnel and former (retired) NDY director, Ashak Nathwani.
NDY and The Fifth Estate are convinced that the EUA NDY is providing Information Management (BIM) programming services to
e-book will become a vital “how to” guide for owners, the lab and Mr Nathwani is a platinum donor of the lab and a member of the
tenants, consultants, government agencies and authorities in University’s Architecture, Design and Planning faculty involved in the IEQ lab.
this undertaking. Director of the IEQ lab, Professor Richard De Dear is a renowned expert in
It explains in an easy to follow format where to start, what IEQ with his adaptive comfort model adopted by several international standards
the issues are and how to find the solutions. The book also organisations as well as being referenced in America’s LEED and the Green
contains a comprehensive glossary and list of key resources. Building Council of Australia’s Green Star rating protocols.
“This is the biggest project ever undertaken by The According to De Dear, to date most green building focus has been on reducing
Fifth Estate,” says managing editor of The Fifth Estate, Tina a building’s impact on the external environment, but the quality of their indoor
Perinotto. “The only way these innovations are possible – and environment is coming under increasingly intense scrutiny.
indeed the whole website – is in partnership with industry. “Most of a building’s operational energy consumption, and by extension,
“Without the generous support of sponsors such as NDY, greenhouse gas emissions, are directly related to the provision of IEQ by energy-
such endeavours would not be possible. Together we build intensive building services like cooling, heating, ventilation and lighting.”
capacity for the sustainable property industry.” Further information: www.sydney.edu.au/architecture
To access a digital version of the guide visit ndy.com

Scan here to
download a
PDF copy of
the EUA guide

Advanced modelling at the IEQ lab

www.ndy.com/lifecycle
GMP project receives top UK award NDY a key player in World
The Greater Manchester Police (GMP) Force HQ has been awarded the Green Building Week
national winner prize in the category of corporate workplace at the 2012 From 17-21 September 2012, sustainable
British Council for Offices Awards. development leaders from around the world
Designed by Aedas architects on behalf of client Ask Goodman Developments, with
came together to celebrate World Green Building
all services by NDY, the new GMP headquarters is an iconic, state-of-the-art headquarters
facility with presence and quality.
Week. This annual event showcases the role that
“The British Council for Offices award for best Corporate Workplace is due sustainable buildings play in creating greener and
acknowledgement of a landmark project for the Greater Manchester Police,” says NDY more profitable, prosperous, productive, healthy
associate director Tim Spies. “It is a project that balances the highly secure nature of its and empowered communities for our future.
operation with the need to provide a stimulating environment in which to work. World Green Building Week is an initiative of the World
“The collaboration between the client, design, construction and teams throughout the Green Building Council and to celebrate, NDY released a
project has resulted in the delivery of a world class commercial office facility. NDY is proud series of videos on the subject of sustainability. The first of
to have been part of the team on this prestigious project.” these was a two-part interview with Tony Arnel – GBCA
According to BCO Awards chairman David Partrige, "The crop of buildings that we Chairman and immediate past Chairman of the World
have seen delivered by the public sector this year demonstrate how with team work and Green Building Council – in which he discusses his views
efficiency, high quality, often state of the art buildings, which provide new standards of on sustainability and his new role as global director of
working-space for staff, are welcoming to visitors and are of high environmental standards sustainability at NDY.
can be delivered within a sensible and often stringent budget.” The second in the series of NDY TV sustainability
videos was a ‘vox-pop’ style interview with the NDY
sustainability leadership team.
“World Green Building Week is another opportunity
to introduce the tremendous potential of buildings into a
conversation about long term sustainability,” Arnel says.
“The built environment is a space in which we can facilitate
significant positive change and World Green Building
Week recognises and celebrates this immense potential.”
NDY also held an ‘Open Mic night’ in Sydney on
Wednesday 19th September where industry luminaries
shared their green building highlights, innovations and
experiences in a relaxed networking environment.

The Greater Manchester Police Force HQ

Scan here to
view the NDY
sustainability video

Awards reinforce commitment

to sustainability NDY named World Green
On the same weekend in November 2012, two Building Week winners
NDY projects received awards for sustainability.
The internationally recognised Royal Children’s The GBCA awarded NDY with the mantle of
Hospital in Melbourne was crowned Australia’s 2012’s World Green Building Week green event
most sustainable building for 2012 at the BPN winners in recognition of its innovative marketing.
The release of innovative sustainability videos, along
Sustainability Awards. The hospital was designed
with hosting of an ‘Open Mic Night’ at its Sydney office,
by Billard Leece Partnership and Bates Smart were the main catalysts for the NDY accolade.
with NDY providing all building services including Read more about World Green Building Week at
sustainability consultancy. www.gbca.org.au
The judges praised the holistic and thoughtful Hospital design. “The implications of
the design success at the New Royal Children's Hospital are major, because, if this level
of sustainability can be achieved in such a large and complex healthcare design project,
then the rest that follow will have no excuse for failure,” the judges commented.
As a further example of NDY’s diversity, the firm took out the 2012 AIRAH Award for
Excellence in Sustainability for its work on the Melbourne Water Data Centre. As project
coordinator, NDY senior associate John Boatto said, “It is a tremendous accolade for the
entire NDY team to receive this AIRAH award. The sustainability initiatives recommended
by NDY were embraced by Melbourne Water, who have a clear mission to reduce their
environmental footprint. This award is due recognition of the positive environmental
outcomes that can be achieved through innovative collaboration.”
Read more about the Melbourne Water Data Centre project on pages 14-17.

3
 Common Ground breaks down the stigma of social housing.

www.ndy.com/lifecycle
Social housing
a green pioneer
A progressive social housing project in inner Sydney east has
achieved a unique accolade: the first 5 Star Green Star Multi
Unit Residential Design v1 rating in NSW.
For residents of this Green Star rated building, many of them chronically homeless,
the accommodation provides stable, high quality permanent housing. Located in the inner
Sydney suburb of Camperdown, the Common Ground building is indistinguishable as
social housing or an institutional building and presents as a contemporary and comfortable
living environment.
Common Ground Sydney adopts the 'street to home' approach of the Common
Ground model of supportive housing, which began in New York in 1990, where facilities
needed by formerly homeless people are provided in the purpose-built facility. The 104
unit building in Camperdown creates a social mix, integrating previously homeless people
along with others on low incomes.
Grocon collaborated with consulting engineers Norman Disney & Young (NDY) and
architects Hassell to design and deliver the project. With the team contributing to the
project on a pro-bono basis, a collaborative approach was evident throughout its delivery.
“The design team was very conscious of budget and the intended use of the building,
and these informed the decisions taken,” says NDY senior electrical engineer and project
coordinator Bernard Farrell. “The building was required to be robust, provide low running
cost and ease of operation, whilst requiring minimal maintenance. These requirements
were key drivers in many of the engineering solutions and system selections.”
Contracted by Housing NSW, Grocon began construction in August 2010 and
completed it in November 2011. Grocon built the facility at cost and returned $1.4 million
in savings to NSW Housing.
Farrell says that despite a tight budget, quality and attention to detail were non-
negotiables. “The project was designed in 3D format by our modelling team. This allowed a
Common
far higher level of design coordination to occur in the design phase and ultimately assisted
with the constructability of the project.
Ground breaks
“Working with the architect and builder, NDYs engineering and ESD teams implemented down the
a number of sustainable solutions which will have a long term beneficial impact on the life
cycle of the building,” says Farrell. misconception
NDY sustainability leader and Green Star accredited professional Chris Nunn agrees.
“Passive design features such as natural ventilation were incorporated into the design, that constructing
thereby greatly reducing the energy usage and operational complexity of the building.
“From a design perspective, the buildings inner spine is key to the ventilation. The a building with
apartments are arranged around a central atrium creating a stack effect to improve
ventilation throughout. This is supported by the high performance building facade and
a reduced
glazing which minimize the amount of energy the building requires to moderate temperature.”
“There are also solar panels to supplement domestic hot water and a centralised
environmental
hydronic heating system serving each apartment. A master switch located at the door to footprint is somehow
each apartment to turn off all the lights and power, in the same way a hotel room operates,
ensures further energy efficiency.” more expensive.
5
 By achieving a 25% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions compared
to a typical comparable residential building, the Common Ground building
is an exemplar project of the nexus between sustainability and affordability.
“Common Ground breaks down the misconception that constructing
a building with a reduced environmental footprint is somehow more
expensive,” says Nunn. “By using low VOCs and formaldehyde finishes,
along with sustainable (FSC) timber throughout, the project achieved 16 out
of 19 points in the materials section of the Green Star rating.
According to Farrell, minimising the building’s ‘footprint’ over its life cycle
drove many of the building engineering solutions. “Water efficiency was
raised as an important consideration for the project and was therefore a key
consideration in all services designs. By linking the Building Management
System (BMS) to the sub-meter in each dwelling, the facility manager can
monitor water consumption of each apartment.”
A 24-hour concierge provides security and casual surveillance for
residents and visitors, and support facilities including medical rooms,
computer training areas, an art room, exercise facilities and kitchens to
teach cooking skills. There is even a community garden, composting
facilities and a worm farm.
The Camperdown project builds on an earlier collaboration between
NDY and Grocon on the Common Ground project in Melbourne, completed
in 2010. Nunn believes contributing to these projects is a deeper reflection
of using engineering to improve the lives of the socially disadvantaged.
“Being located so close to the heart of the city and with strong
transport links, means residents feel connected and part of society. That’s
an immensely satisfying outcome for all involved in the project.”

Common Ground Camperdown Awards

ƒƒ 2011 – Excellence in Community Practices ANZ BRW Private
Business Awards
ƒƒ 2011 – Community Award Australian Business Awards
ƒƒ 2012 – UDIA Award for Affordable Development

About Common Ground

The Common Ground model satisfies the fundamental requirements of
shelter, warmth and basic life needs as a vital first step towards a satisfying
and balanced life for people affected by homelessness. Importantly this
model provides on-site support designed to help tenants maintain their
housing, address health issues and pursue education and employment.

(All Common Ground images by Brett Boardman)

Services provided by NDY / ESD

Electrical
Mechanical
Fire Services
Hydraulics
Lifts
Fire Engineering

Key collaborative team / client Housing NSW

architect Hassel Architects

services NDY

builder Grocon Constructors

structural & civil engineer Meinhardt The central atrium space is key to
the building's improved ventilation.
landscape architect Hassel Architects

www.ndy.com/lifecycle
The project incorporates low VOC's and sustainable (FSC) timber throughout.

One of the community rooftop gardens.

7
 images courtesy of Denton Corker Marshall

Stonehenge Project
Delivering the vision
Something special is happening at Airman’s Corner. This historic location, named
in commemoration of the adjacent site of the 1912 air crash which resulted in the
first fatalities in the ranks of the then newly formed Royal Flying Corps, is soon to
play host to a new Visitor Centre for the nearby Stonehenge World Heritage Site.
UK Director Stas Brzeski reports on progress.

The building will sit in harmony with the surrounding environment.

www.ndy.com/lifecycle
 The new Visitor Centre for the Stonehenge World Heritage Site is expected to be completed by end of 2013.

The brief was to develop a highly sustainable building in an isolated rural resources as integral components of the brief. The adoption of an on-site
location with minimum impact on the ecologically and archaeologically rich borehole water extraction strategy has avoided the need for extensive
landscape. Establishing the engineering response was a significant challenge. disruption of the landscape to bring in new water mains. Vacuum drainage
The new structure is being constructed as part of an overall package systems reduce water consumption associated with flushing such that
of works being undertaken in the Stonehenge Environmental Improvements this can be predominantly satisfied by recycled rainwater. Sewage will
Project, whose aims are to provide enhanced access and an improved be treated on-site to avoid intrusive and costly pumping of waste to the
experience for the estimated 1.1 million visitors expected to access the site nearest available public sewer.
each year. Following completion of a comprehensive public procurement The on-site boreholes also provide the groundwater to feed the heat
process, Vinci Construction UK Ltd were appointed to deliver the much- pump installations which are key to the low energy hybrid environmental
anticipated project for client English Heritage. approach. The roof canopy has been purposefully designed and orientated
The Visitor Centre will consist of two lightweight single storey pods to provide optimal shading to minimise peak solar gains, allowing maximum
housing education facilities, interpretation areas, cafe, retail, ticketing use to be made of natural ventilation, supplemented at times of high load by
and public WCs all within the shelter of an overarching roof canopy. mechanical ventilation and in-slab heating and cooling.
A nearby Ancillary Building will house administrative offices and engineering Together these measures are predicted to achieve a significant
services plant. reduction in CO2 emissions, with resulting levels more than 20% below
Sustainability has featured heavily in the client’s brief and in the design normal benchmarks.
response developed by the project team led by project manager Gardiner At the time of writing, the project is entering an exciting phase, as
& Theobald and including architect Denton Corker Marshall and structural completion of the structural frame gives outline form to the overall vision,
engineer SKM working alongside engineering services consultant Norman and the building cladding is starting to fill in the gaps in the overall picture.
Disney & Young (NDY). Responsibilities for NDY also include sustainability Soon the installation of internal engineering services and finishes will begin,
consultancy, fire strategy engineering and specialist lighting design. ready in time for the opening of the Centre late in 2013.
The sustainability approach for the project addresses both the initial Further information on the full extent of the Stonehenge Environmental
environmental footprint of the project, and its long-term consumption of Improvements Project is available at www.english-heritage.co.uk

9
Engineering
I vividly recall my father taking me to his
workplace as a child. The office he worked in was

delivers flexible
connected to a noisy corridor, had no windows
or natural light, was clad in an awful green vinyl
and the stench of tobacco had permeated the
and efficient walls, furniture and books in the entire office. I
observed that my father’s colleagues smoked

working inside the building and appeared to be at the

same desk they no doubt were given when they

environments first joined the company. Today, this memory

sits juxtaposed to the workplaces of large and
By Ben Mason, progressive organisations on which I collaborate
Associate, Norman Disney & Young as a professional services engineer.

www.ndy.com/lifecycle
 Collaborative spaces contribute to a successful working environment at The Age headquarters, Media House, Melbourne.

The Melbourne CBD office market is a case in point. It has seen style shift away from tight control to flexible management and working
significant levels of new development over recent years with an increase arrangements. No longer will your manager expect to see you at your desk
in the number of Green Star projects entering the market driven by market to know that you're working. The workplace of the future will encourage
sector demands for better and more efficient workspace. you to roam the office and interact with others to accomplish your work.
Tenants are also using their accommodation strategy to support specific ABW includes a range of furniture types and built zones in an office
organisational values such as corporate social responsibility programs. tenancy that suit the work activity that you or your team undertake over the
Accordingly, traditional corporate realestate’s view of the workplace course of a day. The idea is that certain workspaces better support varying
is changing, with an emphasis on more sophisticated tenant briefs to types of work activity. Examples include specific tables for meetings, project
promote flexible and efficient building and engineering services design over rooms for projects, quiet rooms for focus work, café spaces for sharing /
and above base Green Star rating requirements. exchange, traditional work stations for long-term work and single person
With these workplace shifts in the workplace underway, management booths for innovating.
styles and workplace designs are accordingly undergoing a shift to suit. The manufacturing industry has long provided tailored workspaces
The requirement to have efficient, robust, flexible and sustainable building to suit the specific work activities that occur through the manufacturing
services is now becoming the norm for commercial office space. process. ABW follows a similar sentiment noting that the average office
Recent studies by Velndoun+Co. suggest that Activity Based Working worker may be involved in a broader and more flexible variety of work. The
(ABW) – a term coined by corporate real estate professionals – is a result of notion of a traditional workspace is being challenged.
the management style evolution. ABW focuses on a cultural management Recent projects suggest that commercial realestate teams are adopting

11
ABW with enthusiasm. At Maquarie Bank at 1 Shelly Despite the increased challenges in achieving the About the author
Street Sydney, ABW has been incorporated into the desired flexibility and efficiency in an existing building, Ben Mason is an associate at
design. Similarly at NAB Bourke Street Melbourne and there remains a large opportunity to apply revised Norman Disney & Young responsible for
Medibank Bourke Street Melbourne ABW initiatives designs to support ABW. Existing buildings may the design, documentation and contract
are deliberate inclusions to facilitate a comfortable, carry legacy issues with compliance with older fire administration for various projects within
collaborative and productive environment. regulations, air conditioning fresh air limitations and the Melbourne office. Ben's recent project
To facilitate the flexible ABW approach within the communication systems that may be designed for experience in Workplace Fitout projects
context of Green Star rated buildings, the building traditional fixed position workplace design, however, has been with the introduction of Activity
services must be designed to accommodate the modest levels of investment can markedly improve Based Working styles. Ben actively
migration of occupants within the tenancy through the flexibility of the workspace. promotes and coordinates environmental
a working day, in an efficient and sustainable way. Notwithstanding these challenges, the benefits initiatives in workplace designs including
Whilst new buildings are more able to adapt to the of a mobile and collaborative workspace with Green Star ratings, NABERS ratings and
requirements of ABW, fitout within existing buildings unconventional work point settings, has the capacity coordination of the workplace layout to
can also adopt the many of functional designs. to reduce business outgoings whilst simultaneously maximise daylight to work points. Some
Fundamental to supporting a ABW is a robust and improving output and performance. of Ben’s recent landmark projects include
flexible Information and Communications Technology ABW is a significant paradigm shift in the office Media House, 700 Bourke Street and
system (ICT) underpinned by digital business systems environment resulting in behavioural changes. By ANZ headquarters.
that cater for the fluid working environment. Simply reinventing the office via efficient and flexible service
providing building wide WiFi systems is insufficient to design, corporate real estate teams and workplace
maximise the benefits of ABW. consultants are applying sharing factors to work point
Seamless integration of the businesses technology settings, and as a result, organisations incur reduced
to the ABW audio visual systems also enhances the operational costs by reducing their total required
flexibility and efficiency of the workspace. Integrated leased area. In essence, fewer un-occupied spaces
AV systems such as common digital workspaces and better utilisation of space all promote a more
and concurrent document editing enable people to efficient and productive business.
collaborate at a new level. Centralising information
and minimising duplication are key to more efficient
workplaces, and appropriate business systems are
fundamental to supporting the ABW.
Enhancing occupant comfort with high levels ABW is a significant paradigm shift
of acoustic treatment, increased fresh air rates and
flexible lighting solutions also support the ABW. These
in the office environment resulting
enhancements provide a platform for increased staff in behavioural changes.
productivity and collaboration.

ABW was a clear focus for initial planning of the Goods Shed North in Melbourne's Docklands.

www.ndy.com/lifecycle
Operational performance
key for Metronode
As part of Metronode’s National Roll Out of new Metronode’s key vision is to establish facilities that will be recognised
for their operational performance and efficiency by offering a world class
state of the art Data Centre Facilities incorporating PUE (Power Utilisation Effectiveness). Performance of the facility would not
BladeRoom® data hall technology, NDY were just hinge off the operation of the BladeRoom®, but also the operation of
appointed as the Engineering Services Consultant supporting infrastructure, as this impacts the overall PUE. By designing
supporting plant and infrastructure to operate at higher temperatures,
to deliver infrastructure services for the first site in the Design Team were able to utilise direct outside air cooling and natural
Melbourne. In close participation with Metronode ventilation technologies, supplemented by DX cooling plant.
and BladeRoom®, NDY developed the spatial, Technology assessments were also conducted on various Mechanical
and Electrical systems to match the proposed loads and optimise system
load planning strategies and system topologies to operation. NDY were also closely involved with Metronode to validate the
meet all the requirements for an Uptime Institute Tier performance of the systems during commissioning, allowing Metronode to
III certified facility. NDY’s role included the design receive Uptime Institute Tier III certification for the constructed facility.
“This project was both challenging and rewarding as Metronode broke
coordination, mechanical, electrical, fire protection down every element of the data centre to assess its operation and performance
and security services design. in order to deliver the best energy performance across the overall facility,” says
NDY director Peter Koulos.
“NDY, together with the other consultant team members, were challenged
to innovate and question the norms of current data centre operations in order
to provide a better operating solution that remained within the parameters of
the Uptime Institute Tier III requirements. The rigorous commissioning regime
towards the completion of the project acted to validate the basis of the design
and confirm the operation of the facility.”
The Melbourne-2 project was formally launched in August 2012.
Metronode is now successfully expanding this rollout to Sydney, Illawarra
region and Perth with other capital cities to follow. NDY is continuing their
close association with Metronode by providing Engineering Services design
for the roll out of these facilities.

13
 Melbourne Water Data Centre - CFD simulation was undertaken to optimise HVAC efficiency.

www.ndy.com/lifecycle
Cool Data
Turn on a tap and the connection between a clean, reliable water supply and
a data centre with a vast network of server racks may not be immediately
obvious. But when you manage 10 reservoirs with a total capacity of 1,812
billion litres and 37 separate water treatment plants, a state-of-the-art
dedicated data centre is a necessary part of the water supply chain.
As the authority in charge of managing the indirect free cooling solution that aims to reduce
natural resources, Melbourne Water not only overall energy consumption used for cooling and
manages water supply catchments and treats according to NDY Senior Associate & Project
and supplies drinking water but also manages Coordinator John Boatto, does not compromise
waterways and major drainage systems and on providing the required operating performance
removes and treats most of Melbourne’s sewage. within the facility.
As part of their overall mission & vision for “Through the design development of the air
delivering clean water and the safe removal of cooling solution utilising free cooling and rack air
wastewater, and in consideration of the sheer containment technologies, NDY have been able to
labyrinth of interconnected biodiversity networks deliver an approximate 40% reduction in energy
and associated responsibilities, Melbourne Water consumption for the operation of the cooling
was looking to ensure their new data centre facility system compared to the existing facility. This
would provide sustainable design outcomes. equates to a saving for Melbourne Water of over
As part of their strategy to vacate from their $40,000 or 600 tons of CO2 per annum for the
existing accommodation into new facilities, life of the facility and further savings will result as
Melbourne Water acknowledged the need to Melbourne Water’s IT system grows,” says Boatto.
develop a specific space for the accommodation As part of the design phase, NDY undertook
and management of their IT infrastructure. an investigation of the advantages and
With a requirement for combined technical disadvantages of hot and cold aisle containment
expertise and sustainability initiatives, NDY were systems to assist in selecting a suitable system for
appointed by Melbourne Water as the Lead the proposed data centre. In previous data centre
Consultant to deliver the design for the new $7 designs, racks are arranged in ‘hot’ and ‘cold’
million data centre. aisles. Cold supply air is distributed to the cold
The facility has been designed using an aisles via floor grilles located in these aisles.

15
 The cold air is then drawn from the cold aisle and passed through the racks, where
it is heated by the heat generated by the electrical components, and discharged at
the rear into the hot aisle. The use of elevated supply air temperatures to maximise
system efficiency has resulted in air distribution being a critical element in the design
of data centres.
Exhaust chimneys, which take exhaust air directly into a return air duct, can
be used to reduce the potential for hot air recirculation; some contemporary rack
manufacturers claim that racks with chimneys can be arranged in any layout and
will still work effectively.
Extensive computational fluid dynamic (CFD) simulation was undertaken and
a number of alternatives for air distribution were investigated in order to optimise
efficiency in the HVAC system. This needed to be balanced with requirements
for maintaining supply air temperature into the racks in the specified range whilst
minimising the potential for hot spots around equipment cabinets.
“The results of these simulations showed that the initially proposed design layout
would result in local hot spots and that some of the racks would have higher air inlet
temperature than the recommended values,” says Boatto. “The simulations also
highlighted that the use of chimney racks could still lead to local higher temperature
areas at the rack inlet for non-optimised configurations.”
CFD simulation was used to identify the optimal solution based on which design
alternative was most effective at maintaining rack inlet temperatures within the
recommended range.
“With Melbourne Water managing 157,000 hectares of catchments in the Yarra
Ranges and over 8,400 kilometres of rivers and creeks – larger than the entire
coastline of Italy – they were keen to ensure the new Data Centre in Melbourne’s
western suburbs is equipped to meet current demands but also has contingencies
for expansion and future growth,” says Boatto.
Accordingly, NDY worked with Melbourne Water to ensure the facility
also incorporated: increased reliability; maintainability; operational safety;
use of underutilised existing assets; and planned expansion via adaptable
services solutions.
“NDY were appointed to provide a range of services including Mechanical,
Electrical, Fire, Hydraulics and Communications. As the Lead Consultant, NDY
also managed the delivery of the Architectural, Structural and Civil services for this
project,” says Boatto.
“Such was our involvement in the design of this project that NDY was also
appointed to design the communications infrastructure for the data centre and
provided input to the IT infrastructure layout and planning.
“The end result is a true merger of the built and natural environments: a data
centre that satisfies the sustainability requirements of Melbourne Water and delivers
world class IT infrastructure.”

Melbourne Water Data Centre Awards

ƒƒ 2012 – Victorian iAward for Sustainability and Green IT
ƒƒ 2012 – AIRAH Award for Excellence in Sustainability

Services provided by NDY / Communications

Electrical
Fire Protection
Fire Engineering
Hydraulics
Mechanical
Acoustics & Vibration analysis

Key collaborative team / c

 lient Melbourne Water

architect Woods Bagot

builder ISIS

services Stowe(Elec) JLW (mech)

structural engineer Winwards

project management Aurecon

QS & building surveyor Davis Langdon

www.ndy.com/lifecycle
 Integration of new data centre into existing workshop.

Cold supply air is distributed via floor grilles. NDY was also commissioned to design the communications infrastructure.

17
 DATA CENTRE
COOLING TRENDS
By Brian Waddell, Director, Norman Disney & Young

www.ndy.com/lifecycle
Telecommunications and electronic data processing pervades every aspect of
our daily working and social lives.

And delivering these ever-growing services are a network of data centres. But data centres are seen as
environmentally unfriendly due to the large quantity of energy they consume and the carbon they produce.
Proponents of data centre efficiencies argue that there are significant energy efficiences resulting from:
ƒƒ Reduced quantities of hard copy mail delivered by traditional carbon intensive transportation systems
ƒƒ Reduced travel by utilising Video, Webex and teleconferencing
ƒƒ Reduced junk mail production, delivery and disposal
ƒƒ Internet based purchasing and bulk delivery of goods resulting in reduced car journeys.
Despite these advantages, data centres are hungry consumers of energy. By way of example a 1000m2 data
hall built to typical current efficiencies operating at 1kW/m2 consumes 14,892,000kWh of electricity per year or put
a more recognisable way £1,489,200/year or A$1,489,200/year (base on £0.1/kWh and A$0.1/kWh).

19
 Chiller Power

Fan Power

Pump Power

Humidification

UPS Losses
This energy is consumed in supplying the IT equipment
Electrical Loads & Losses
and in providing a temperature and humidity controlled
Lighting
environment to feed the equipment with conditioned
Miscellaneous power. For a typical data centre energy is consumed in the
Data Hall Technical Load following areas highlighted in figure 1.
The pie chart illustrates that a great deal of energy is
used in systems supporting the data centre rather than
Figure 1: Energy Distribution feeding the IT equipment.
As designers, our challenge is to reduce the energy
consumed in all areas other than the IT equipment. This is
currently being addressed by the equipment vendors due
to market pressure.
The efficiency of a data centre is defined by its Power
Power to the whole data centre
PUE = Utilisation Effectiveness (PUE) and is simply a measure
Power to IT equipment of total power into the data centre over the power to
the IT equipment or more meaningfully Energy Utilisation
Annual kWh to the whole data centre Effectiveness (as demonstrated in figure 2).
EUE =
Annual kWh to the IT equipment Typical legacy data centre PUEs are between 1.8 and
2 as indicated by the representative sample of data centre
PUEs highlighted in figure 3.
= Annual PUE
As illustrated in figure 1, the biggest opportunity
to reduce data centre energy consumption is to make
Figure 2: P
 UE & EUE measures the cooling system as energy efficient as possible. This
extends to capitalising on any local resources including sea
water, lakes, fresh air, etc. Often a data centre needs to be
Sample PUE Measurements 49 Sites
‘accessible to’ major urban conurbations and it may not
7.00 possible to use sea water or lakes, etc...however natural
ventilation via fresh air can be utilised to great effect.
6.00 Data centre trends are increasingly being driven by
business case considerations. In recognition of the need
5.00 to save energy ASHRAE (American Society of Heating,
Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers) Technical
4.00
Committee TC9.9, together with IT equipment Vendors,
PUE

have defined wider environmental operating limits for

3.00
IT equipment.

2.00
Ashrae thermal guidelines
1.00 The wider temperature and humidity bands, stated
in the 2011 version (figure 4), make possible more fresh
0.00
air free cooling thereby increasing the opportunities for
1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19 21 23 25 27 29 31 33 35 37 39 41 43 45 47 49
particular technologies. The leading technologies are
Figure 3: Sample PUE Measurements 49 Sites categorised as follows.

2011 Version
2004 Version 2008 Version Recommended Acceptable
(Class A1 Equipment) (Class A1 Equipment)

Low end Temperature 20°C 18°C 18°C 15°C

High end Temperature 25°C 27°C 27°C 32°C

Low end Moisture 40% RH 5.5°C 5.5°C 20% RH

High end Moisture 55% RH 60% RH & 15°C DP 60% RH & 5.5°C DP 80% RH & 17°C DP

Figure 4: ASHRAE Thermal Guidelines

www.ndy.com/lifecycle
Direct fresh air cooling
Where outside air is used directly to cool the IT equipment, following
a process of filtration and mixing as necessary. As an example of this
method, Colt use a direct/indirect air cooling solution in their modular data
centre solution. This solution has a compressor driven cooling option for
warmer regions when the system is required to go into full recirculation due Free cooling chillers
to local air quality issues and results in an EUE of around 1.2 depending on ‘Free cooling’ chillers take up less space than chiller / hybrid cooler /
the geographical region and operational set points. cooling tower combinations but only return a EUE circa 1.45 depending on
NDY’s HP Wynyard Direct Fresh Air cooled data centre has won five the region and operational set points.
environmental awards including a CIBSE Low Carbon Award. Solutions can be broadly compared as per figure 5.
Other solutions use adiabatic (evaporative) cooling supplemented by Economic and environmental pressures towards low energy solutions
compressor driven cooling as necessary. are primary drivers of data centre cooling trends. Where access to fresh air
and space permits, indirect fresh air-cooling solutions are surpassing other
cooling methods and where access to fresh air is not possible, chiller/Hybrid
Indirect fresh air cooler/cooling tower combinations are becoming more commonplace.
This approach uses outside air via a heat exchanger. It has the
Adiabatic cooling is also increasingly more common, and with the
advantage of separating inside and outside air avoiding contamination or the
latest ASHRAE environmental limits, some operators are eliminating
perception of contamination. Indirect fresh air-cooling can be implemented
any compressor driven cooling in favour of accepting excursions out of
through the use of bespoke air handling units or proprietary solutions by
the ASHRAE Recommended temperature range and into the allowable
eXcool, Munters, Schneider’s Ecobreeze or others. Depending on the
temperature range.
geographical region, these units have additional compressor driven and/
Free cooling is being maximised by accepting higher in room supply air
or adiabatic cooling to deal with peak conditions. As the cooling medium
temperatures that approach the ASHRAE recommended thresholds with
is air, these units tend to be physically large. These solutions can return
closer attention to IT rack air flow management and the use of hot and cold
EUE of less than 1.2, depending on geographical region and operational
aisle containment.
set points.
The key to saving energy and operational costs is to fully exploit the
The added advantage of indirect fresh air-cooling is that the electrical
latest ASHRAE Environmental conditions and any local resources such as
maximum power demand is reduced over direct fresh air cooling as the
seawater and cool ambient conditions.
compressor driven cooling is only offsetting the peak condition, not the full
cooling load.
About the author
Brian Waddell, BEng (Hons) CEng MIET, is an NDY director and
Chiller / hybrid cooler / cooling tower assumes overall responsibility for the design, documentation and
combinations construction phase administration of the electrical services on all
Where the required location of the data centre within a building means projects undertaken by NDY, London. Prior to joining NDY, Brian held
that direct or indirect air cannot be used for spatial or configuration reasons the position of technical director for a major consulting engineering
– or is not the client preferred solution – then a chilled water solution is practice based in London. His career also includes positions with a
often deployed. To minimise energy consumption, either hybrid coolers or large pharmaceutical research group and 18 years with the HM Forces,
cooling towers can be installed in conjunction with conventional chillers Royal Engineers. Brian has worked on significant data centre and
to maximise free cooling opportunities. These systems can return a EUE mission critical projects including: HP Wynyard; ABN AMRO; JPMC
of circa 1.3 depending on the geographic environment and operational Basingstoke data centre; Serco solutions; and Virtus data centre.
set points.

Water Consumption Indicative

System EUE* Contamination m3/MW/year (approx) Humidity Footprint Comments

Free Cooling Chillers 1.45 No contamination risk Minimal Little impact on PUE 100%

Water consumption
Contamination risk
Direct Fresh Air 1.20 Minimal Major impact on PUE 80% for adiabatic
(but filtered to MERV11)
cooling solutions.

Indirect Fresh Air 1.25 No contamination risk 4,600 Impact on PUE 150%

Water consumption
Chiller / Hybrid Cooler / Cooling
1.30 No contamination risk 20,300 for cooling towers Affects PUE 200% is an issue in some
Tower Combination
regions.

Figure 5: Free cooling chillers

*subject to set point and geographical regions true for all systems. Figures given reflect temperate climate and ASHRAE recommended set points.

21
www.ndy.com/lifecycle
Volunteering on
top of the world
By Adrianna Forlicz

Volunteering has been a lifelong dream so

knowing very little about Nepal, its customs or
of teaching English to foreign students, was not
sufficient to curb my enthusiasm and embark on
this unique adventure.
For as long as I can remember, I've always wanted to volunteer
on a meaningful project and immerse myself in the local culture: not
just see the side put on show for tourists.
I finally decided on a program to teach English to Nepalese
children in the Himalayas. I knew nothing of Nepal, or of teaching
English, but it was the idea of working with children in such a unique
and remote environment that was the catalyst for my decision.
It was May 2012 and I arrived in the Nepalese capital of
Kathmandu to be greeted by a city of noise, heat, dust, pollution,
crowds and traffic. Cows wander where they wish. Monkeys climb
rooftops teasing the dogs below. Women sell wilted vegetables on
the sandy sidewalks. Butchers leave meat on display in the heat while
flies circle around them. Battered cars and motorbikes somehow
manage to navigate these obstacles without carnage. Power cuts
occur a few times each day. Yet there was a sense of normality, of
routine, that somehow this organised chaos was an important part
of the daily fabric of Kathmandu.
Whilst the city was in a state of civil unrest due to the impending
deadline for the settlement of the Nepalese constitution, I felt safe
as a volunteer. I stayed for one week in a hostel for volunteers in a
suburb called Kalunki. Hygiene at this hostel was poor and I fell ill for
a couple of days but recovered sufficiently to embark on my flight
to what is considered one of the most dangerous airports on the
planet, Lukla airport. Fortunately, the flight was flawless and I was
greeted by the fresh air, soaring green mountains and the blue skies
of the Himalayas.
It was a two-hour trek along precarious pathways made of
stones and sand and over suspension bridges from the airport to the
village where my host family lived. Incredibly, these pathways are the
daily routes used by porters carrying 50-100 kg of goods on their
images (clockwise from top)
backs: porters are both male and female and can be as young as 11. ƒƒ Adrianna (far left) pictured with students
My host family resides in Ghat, a small charming village at the primary school
untouched for decades. Families in this village own plots of land and ƒƒ Students eager to learn
grow wheat, potatoes, rice, spring onion, cauliflower and tomatoes. ƒƒ A proud student reciting the alphabet

23
 Pema Chholing Primary School was a 5-minute walk up a steep
hill from my host family's home. It is perched on the highest point of
the village and has stunning views of the area. The school has 41
students and 5 teachers. My host mother insisted on dressing me in
For as
local Sherpa dress for school - a long wrapped dress with a striped silk
apron that made walking a challenge for a novice! long as I can
remember,
On arrival at the school the headmaster showed me to my
classroom and with no briefing or introduction – most likely due to a
lack of English – and left me with my first class. I had six little faces
eagerly staring up at me but despite feeling overwhelmed, I quickly
adjusted to teaching. Each morning I had four 40-minute classes
I've always
followed by lunch at my host home. I then returned to the school for a
further three classes in the afternoon. wanted to
volunteer on
Most of the children were from poor families in the surrounding areas.
Many of them would walk for 2 hours to get to school in the morning,
wearing cracked and broken sandals, stained clothing and carrying their
backpack with books and a small packet of biscuits for lunch.
The school had no formal schedule for each class and no system
a meaningful
for testing or grading. Facilities were poor but their enthusiasm to learn
was unwavering. Some of my best students were 4 years old who
couldn't wait to show me their copy of the alphabet.
project.
Money raised by NDY Perth staff before my departure was
donated to the school. The money bewildered the teachers and it took
me a while to explain that it was a donation towards the school for
anything they thought would be beneficial. Donations of any amount
go a very long way in Nepal.
After two very rewarding weeks at the school, my host father,
who was also a trekking guide, convinced me to join his group of
volunteers (teaching English at a nearby monastery) on a 10-day trek
to Everest Base Camp. It was a six-day walk up from Ghat (2400m
high) to Everest Base Camp (5300m high). The terrain changed daily,
the conditions become rougher but the experience was phenomenal.
It was an unbelievable feeling to be standing in the midst of a towering
mountain of frozen ice and black rock.
The experience at Everest certainly topped off a remarkable images (clockwise from top)
adventure in Nepal. I constantly remind myself of all those families and ƒƒ The breathtaking scenery frames the
students as they embark on daily prayers
children who have so very little in material terms and yet I’ve come
ƒƒ Adrianna at Everest base camp
away with so much that they’ve given me. That’s one of the great
ƒƒ Adrianna the volunteer
humbling gifts of volunteering.

Adrianna left the NDY Perth office to pursue her lifelong ambition
of volunteering. She was supported in her endeavours by the
generous donations from NDY staff which have gone to good use
at the Nepalese school.

www.ndy.com/lifecycle
25
Melbourne Sydney Darwin Auckland
115 Batman Street Level 1, 60 Miller Street CBC, Level 1 Level 5, AMP Centre
West Melbourne North Sydney 48-50 Smith Street 29 Customs Street West
Victoria, 3003 Australia New South Wales, 2060 Australia Darwin, NT, 0800, Australia 1010 New Zealand
Phone: +61 3 9862 6800 Phone: +61 2 9928 6800 Phone: +61 8 8943 0634 Phone: +64 9307 6596
Fax: +61 3 9862 6900 Fax: +61 2 9955 6900 Fax: +61 8 8943 0848 Fax: +64 9307 6597
email: [email protected] email: [email protected] email: [email protected] email: [email protected]
Contact: Mark Barrie Contact: Chris Nunn Contact: Rob Stoddart Contact: Ross Legh

Brisbane Perth London & Manchester Wellington

Level 14, 120 Edward Street 200 Street Georges Terrace Classic House, 180 Old Street Ground Floor, 1 The Terrace
Queensland, 4000 Australia Western Australia, 6000 Australia EC1V 9RQ United Kingdom 6011 New Zealand
Phone: +61 7 3120 6800 Phone: +61 8 9281 6800 Phone: +44 (0) 20 7553 9494 Phone: +64 4 471 0151
Fax: +61 7 3832 8330 Fax: +61 8 9281 6888 Fax: +44 (0) 20 7553 9499 Fax: +64 4 471 0163
email: [email protected] email: [email protected] email: [email protected] email: [email protected]
Contact: Andrew Gentner Contact: Darrel Williams Contact: Stas Brzeski Contact: Stuart Bagley

Canberra Adelaide Dubai Christchurch

Endeavour House Level 8, 11-19 Grenfell Street Phone: +971 50 101 2917 5 Wordsworth Street, Sydenham
Franklin Street, Manuka South Australia, 5000 Australia email: [email protected] PO Box 8540 Riccarton
Australian Capital Territory Phone: +61 8 8290 6800 Contact: George Balales Christchurch 8440 New Zealand
2603 Australia Fax: +61 8 8290 6805 Phone: +64 3 365 0104
Phone: +61 2 6295 1788 email: [email protected] email: [email protected]
Fax: +61 2 6295 7302 Contact: George Balales Contact: Donna Bridgman
email: [email protected]
Contact: Alan Edler

The case studies in this edition of Lifecycle highlight

NDY’s ability to address sustainability issues across the
built environment and corporate social responsibility.
Lifecycle is an initiative by Norman Disney & Young © 2012 www.ndy.com