Sustainable buildings take out top honours at state property awards
Efficiency in energy and water use, as well as a sophisticated approach to adaptive reuse in commercial spaces prove to be winning combinations
2 min
Heritage preservation and sustainability concerns have won out at the Property Council of Australia’s state awards.
Brookfield Place in the heart of Sydney’s CBD took out the NSW Development of the Year award. With direct access to Wynyard Station it offers more than 6,300sqm of lettable retail space and 27 floors, while providing expansive views across Wynyard Park. While it represents an attractive commercial opportunity, Brookfield Place has achieved a 6 Star Green Star Office Design & As Built v3 rating as well as WELL Health/Safety accredited in 2022. It is also targeting NABERS ratings for energy and water.
In further signs that sustainable building practices have gained ground, the state honours in Queensland went to the Midtown Centre, where two 1970s buildings have been reimagined to create a commercial precinct including office spaces, a retail laneway and wellness destination. As the hybrid working model becomes the norm, office spaces are outward looking towards green vistas.
The building also has a 6 Star Green Star Design & As Built v1.1 rating and 5 Star NABERS energy rating. It also works as a celebration of the past, with the older buildings on show, contrasting with the new work.
Other state winners include the BHP workplace in Adelaide, which took the top state honour in South Australia, and the cantilevered 405 Bourke Street in Victoria.
The state winners will now go through to the Property Council’s National Innovation & Excellence Awards with winners to be announced in Sydney later this year.
Property Council of Australia Chief Executive Mike Zorbas said the winners represent the pinnacle of property innovation, design and construction in Australia.
“Our winners have created incredible places for people to enjoy and to thrive in. I congratulate them for their extraordinary rolemodelling and their dedication to the communities they serve,” he said.
Chris Dixon, a partner who led the charge, says he has a ‘very long-term horizon’
Americans now think they need at least $1.25 million for retirement, a 20% increase from a year ago, according to a survey by Northwestern Mutual
Lamborghini Esperienza Giro 2024 in Langhe, Piedmont
3 min
A three-day super sports car driving experience immersed in authentic Italian culture, the Esperienza Giro brought together Lamborghini super sports car owners from across Europe for an exclusive tour celebrating the picturesque region of Langhe in Piedmont, northern Italy. Participants enjoyed luxurious accommodations, exceptional authentic dining, and an immersive experience of the region’s culture, traditions, and landscapes, during the exclusive VIP experience all organized by Automobili Lamborghini.
Il Boscareto Resort and Spa, nestled between the hills of Serralunga d’Alba, provided a luxurious setting for the guests. Upon arrival, Lamborghini clients were treated to a two Michelin-starred dinner crafted by chef Michelangelo Mammoliti at the Rei Natura restaurant, which embraces the natural elements of the region in both its interior design and cuisine.
The tour covered a total of 488 kilometers over several days, beginning with a drive to the medieval Castello di Prunetto, where guests enjoyed a specially curated hazelnut tasting experience, a regional delicacy. The super sports cars then proceeded to Pico Maccario winery, known for its innovative winemaking techniques, picturesque vineyards, and the historic Cru Cannubi wine: a bottle of which is recognized as the oldest in Italy (dated 1752), and considered one of the most important vineyards in the world. Set in rolling vineyards punctuated with the famous Pico colored pencils, denoting the different varieties of grapes and wines, the Lamborghini owners enjoyed a private tour of the production facilities and a lunch before heading back to Il Boscareto. The day ended at the remote 11th century Castello di Grinzane Cavour, a site of significant importance in Italian history and owned over the centuries by several noble Piedmontese families where guests attended a dinner in a medieval setting entertained by flag-throwers and a falconry performance.
The following day featured an exhilarating drive through mountain scenery with a coffee stop at BAart in Agliano Terme, a village renowned for its Barbera grape winemaking and gastronomy. BAart, located in the deconsecrated Chiesa di San Michele, is a community project that blends contemporary art with traditional regional flavors. The group then visited Castello di Razzano, a historic estate dating back to the 17th century, for a private lunch featuring local products, including the estate’s own olive oil. The day ended with a private dinner at Winery Cecilia Monte, where guests savored typical Piedmontese dishes and participated in a unique workshop using wine as paint.
Heading off on day four the Lamborghini owners arrived at Santuario dei Piloni for a mid-morning stop, in a craggy, rural area famed for its history and traditions; here, participants engaged in a truffle hunting experience with dogs, culminating with a tasting of the finest truffle. The tour concluded with a drive to Pollenzo, an ancient city on the banks of the Tanaro river and the home to the University of Gastronomic Studies. Reflecting the university’s dedication to culinary excellence, guests experienced a private lunch of Piedmontese specialities next door at Scuderie Sabaude, where the king of Italy’s stables once stood. Like each edition of Esperienza Giro, Lamborghini guests in Langhe enjoyed a holistic journey incorporating the exceptional and emotional performance of Lamborghini super sports cars, while celebrating the enduring allure of local cultural experiences, exceptional cuisines and Italian heritage.
Chris Dixon, a partner who led the charge, says he has a ‘very long-term horizon’
Americans now think they need at least $1.25 million for retirement, a 20% increase from a year ago, according to a survey by Northwestern Mutual
