Sustainable building design solutions from Vim Sustainability Consulting

Our strength lies in understanding how utilising integrated sustainable practices with project management improves your outcome. Our services add value irrespective of whether your project is a small one bedroom home or a multi-storey shopping centre development.

We provide consultations for:

• New 'Greenfield' housing development sites and estates.
• Concept designs.
• Council approved and D.A designs.
• Refurbishment of existing buildings.
• Multi storey structures.
• Hotels, motels and clubs.
• Manufacturing plants and factories.
• Aged care centres and hospitals.
• Schools.
• Shopping centres.
• Residential homes and apartments.
• Retreat and recreation facilities.
• All business operations.
• Cost analysis.

Through our specialist consulting team, we offer you the ability to review your design concepts and/or existing plans. We can address your company's operational policies, your management philosophy and your builder's construction techniques to ensure that sustainable outcomes are achieved.

What is sustainability?
Sustainability is about improving efficiencies by integrating design, construction and operations of any home, apartment, facility or business through an integrated and coordinated sustainable approach. This process is about improving your building design, reducing your environmental footprint, improving occupant comfort and reducing your running costs. It is a scientific and proven practice that provides myriad of proven and measurable benefits to any project.

Why do we need it?
The current awareness of climate change and how it is affecting us, together with the amount of waste, inefficiency and pollution we have based our culture around, demands a sustainable approach. It is smart practice for the small home or the large business. As the costs of irreplaceable 'Natural Capital' increase, it will make even more business sense.

In addition, when you consider that over 80% of all buildings in Australia are incorrectly designed for the climate of their location, it is easy to see how improving the design and therefore the comfortability of any structure would be of great benefit to occupants and to improving operational efficiencies.

How do we do it?
By making the commitment to a sustainable outcome, then ensuring you integrate your design, construct and operations in any built environment to create a sustainable result. It requires the use of assorted design and operational concepts that when correctly implemented result in a functional sustainable outcome.

What will it cost me?
The Building Code of Australia (BCA) says between .6% and 2% of project cost. In many cases it will cost you a lot less than what it will save you in a relatively short period of time. In many cases it won't cost you any more than a construction cost incurred with a non sustainable approach. It some cases it will cost you less.

The Green Building Council (USA) says between 0-2% of construction cost but with a 10 times repayment over 20 years in energy efficiency alone. This doesn't include all the other advantages, financial, environmental and otherwise.

The greatest outcomes are achieved the earlier sustainable practice is agreed as a project basis. None the less significant benefits can be gained if you are simply refurbishing your building.

How will it benefit me?
The list of benefits is too long to list here but they include:

• Improved comfortability without powered ventilation.
• Reduced running costs.
• Reduced greenhouse gas emissions.
• Reduced water consumption.
• Improved daylighting.
• Improved functionality.
• Improved profitability.
• Reduced maintenance.
• Improved resale.
• Improved marketability.
• Improved occupant health.
• Improved productivity.