Triptych

Setting a benchmark for Melbourne, ‘Triptych’, Melbourne’s innovative new apartment building, is gaining attention for its dedication to high-end environmentally sustainable design.

Going further than many other ‘green’ initiatives by incorporating extensive environmentally sustainable design (ESD) features throughout, Triptych is not only a model of luxury living but also delivers on broader sustainable objectives.

Unlike many other projects that tout the sustainability tag, Triptych features the very highest standards of ESD principles taking many elements to their optimum sustainable level.  

The design includes natural cross-flow ventilation, co-generation, water harvesting, ‘low e’ double glazed windows and sustainable flooring material; Triptych has been designed to offer its residents a lifestyle benefiting their way of life.

Developed by RI Investment Development Trust, the building has been designed in conjunction with internationally acclaimed ESD firm Cundall with the 29-storey building’s engineering plan scrutinized to ensure ‘green’ is the ultimate theme.

Cundall principal Tim Elgood said the commitment of the developers to create a community which limits its impact on the environment has been fundamental in the design of Triptych ensuring that this building will deliver on what it promises.

“ This building has been designed in a way that places sustainable outcomes at the forefront. The carbon footprint of the building has been considered from its very inception allowing for the implementation of a full range of ESD principles,” Mr Elgood said.

A building that goes way beyond talking about ESD, this Melbourne development is unique for putting its commitment and hip pocket forward to ensure the outcomes are not just for show.

Triptych’s art inspired pattern façade includes floor to ceiling windows that open. These opening windows allow the flow of fresh air into both the central communal areas as well as each individual apartment.

Unlike traditional apartment buildings where hallways and communal spaces are often dark and air conditioned with little or no natural airflow, upon arrival in Triptych’s common areas  or ‘Vertical Villages’, you are presented with beautiful light, bright, glass encased spaces which include nine-metre high ceilings, motorized louvered windows allowing for air flow and a growing creeper wall.

Controlled by a smart, yet simple motorized system, the vertical village windows will open and close automatically in relation to outside weather conditions allowing fresh air in during the lovely spring and summer days and whilst keeping cool air out during Melbourne’s colder months.

While each apartment includes floor to ceiling operable windows, residents can take advantage of the fresh air circulating via the villages with Triptych’s apartment entrance-ways.

Inspired from old European design, each apartment has a dedicated private foyer with a lock-able gate. Featuring the unique aerated pattern of the façade design, the gate allows air flow throughout the apartment but with the peace of mind of a secure entrance, something very rarely experienced in apartment buildings.  

The building’s design ensures residents will be able to enjoy a clean air sensation should they choose to, thus keeping energy consumption and costs to an absolute minimum.

Triptych’s double glazing, optimizes acoustic attenuation and thermal quality.

Reducing energy use and harnessing the natural elements, Triptych’s window system is  a barrier to the outside weather ensuring heat is retained in winter and reflected in summer, and will buffer and reduce exterior noise levels with two variant-depth glass layers encapsulating a provision of air.

Triptych will also reduce its impact on the electricity grid by generating its own electricity through ‘co-generation’ a process that uses gas turbines to create electricity. This electricity is targeted to provide electricity to most of the common area energy needs as well as reducing costs and lowering carbon emissions.

Recycling at its best, the by-product of the co-generation process is ‘heat’ which will be used to warm the building’s vertical villages via a hydronic heating system, as well as supplement the heat for the domestic hot water system and swimming pool, ensuring little goes to waste but most importantly at reducing costs to the residents.

The overall objective of the cogeneration unit at Triptych is to reduce resident’s body corporate costs by powering the bulk of the communal areas naturally and on-site.

Mr Elgood said Triptych’s dedication to reduce its impact on the environment is superior to almost any other building of its type in the state.

“ The cogeneration and cross ventilation are two key features of this design and respond to expectations in the market place about optimizing electricity costs in apartment buildings.

“ A key point of difference for Triptych is that it allows residents choice – they can open a window if they choose – while offering fundamental ESD and maintaining the best lifestyle opportunity in a real community setting,” Mr Elgood said.

Rainwater will be collected from the rooftop and level six podium, for storage onsite and swimming pool replenishment as well as for indoor and outdoor garden irrigation.

Ensuring that its impact on the environment is kept to a minimum, Triptych’s interior design incorporates a purposeful choice of building materials including strand woven bamboo flooring.

More renewable than traditional hardwoods, strand woven bamboo flooring is derived from fully sustainable and environmentally friendly resourced bamboo forests.

Supplied by Style Limited, the only bamboo flooring supplier in Australia to be endorsed by The Good Environmental Choice Label, bamboo flooring at Triptych meets international voluntary environmental performance standards which support the sustainable design of this building. Highly durable, resilient to changes in temperature and with an elevated UV resistance, Triptych’s bamboo flooring will not only offer a stylish look and feel but quality flooring for long term liveability.

Each of Triptych’s apartments will also feature high water efficiency taps, showerheads and dishwashers.

Development Managers for the project, Stable Group, Managing Director, Danny Flynn, said one of the founding principles of Triptych is responsible, sustainable development, which includes everything from pre-development passive engineering design solutions through to each apartment’s form and function for its residents.

“ Our view in optimizing sustainable development is the focus and delivery of passive and active solutions – passive solutions involving intelligent ‘future proofing’ design and active solutions incorporating choice in everyday elements and activities.

“ We believe Triptych will be one of Australia’s most sustainable and livable apartment projects, built not just for today but for future generations,” Mr Flynn said.

Triptych is set to become Melbourne’s most prestigious apartment community, with breathtaking and functional environmentally sustainable design and a focus on the future, this building is sure to stand the test of time.

For more information contact Beatrice Imbert on 1300 785 665.