SUSTAINABILITY AND THE YEAR OF THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT 2004

摘要

Sustainability is on everyone's lips and a good thing it is, as it has ceased to be the concern of a hippy fringe and a minority of professionals, architects included, to become the stuff of Government regulations and corporate action. The Green Building Council (GBC) rating tool was launched in 2003, in an effort by business to self regulate, in an area where government at all levels wants to get active. Somewhat ironically, albeit appropriately for an audience of large consulting firms, government regulators and officials, the launch of the GBC took place on the 35th Floor of the Sofitel Hotel, the 47 storey towers originally called Collins Place, designed by I M Pel, in conjunction with local firm Bates Smart. This is the building whose dramatic drape decorating the atrium was once described by our very own Dame Edna as "the towel Melbourne threw in".