RAAF Base Williamtown

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The high security headquarters at RAAF Base Williamtown in New South Wales incorporates many affordable ecologically sustainable development (ESD) features.

After developing the Base master plan and providing various levels of technical assistance for the Base's redevelopment to accommodate the new Airborne Early Warning and Control aircraft for RAAF No. 2 Squadron, GHD designed the initial works and the AUD$11million headquarters building.

While working within a tight budget and program, the multi-disciplinary GHD team introduced effective ESD elements in the architecture, building services and interior design by:

  • Selecting gas heating rather than electrical heating
  • Installing linoleum in lieu of vinyl for resilient flooring to avoid the use of polyvinyl chloride (PVC)
  • Applying cementacious paints for large areas of painted concrete to avoid the use of petrochemicals present in traditional paint
  • Orientating the building with maximum glass to the north and installing exterior sunshades to reduce the impact of the eastern and western sun
  • Using double skin walls of profiled colorbond sheet outside and reinforced concrete blockwork inside to provide an efficient thermal envelope and to meet the standards for security and acoustics for walls and roof
  • Installing double glazing to all windows
  • Using 60,000 litres of water tanks to allow rainwater harvesting from roofs to flush toilets and to irrigate landscaped gardens
  • Installing swale drains and retention ponds to retain stormwater and to minimise stormwater flow off the base

Defence - Property

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The Defence environment is changing; new challenges emerge daily and threats are dynamic and ever changing. Operations are carried out in an environment of increasing global interaction — where systems are critical, facilities are essential and equipment reliability is vital.

A key servicing challenge is how to make the most efficient and effective use of available assets in training and operations. This demands improvements in the development and function of facilities, in facility maintenance, in equipment reliability and in personnel availability – all within tight budgetary constraints.

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Property and Buildings

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Today's built environment presents complex challenges to society and the design professionals who shape it. No longer can projects be addressed in simple terms, as the community demands performance in every aspect of the development cycle. GHD is committed to delivering innovative projects that integrate social, cultural, economic and political values into sustainable design solutions. GHD's urban planners, architects, landscape architects, environmental scientists, building engineers, traffic and civil engineers are some of the in-house design professionals who form our powerful multi-disciplinary project teams.

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