The Younghusband adaptive reuse precinct in the Melbourne suburb of Kensington is setting a new benchmark for sustainable building design and innovation in Australia. The project has seamlessly integrated cutting-edge automation and technology while preserving the 120-year-old woolstore’s rich heritage. Through the collaboration of ABB, Evolv Building Technologies, D&E Air Conditioning, and Built, the project has achieved world-leading sustainability standards, and incorporates advanced energy management and building automation systems.
A commitment to sustainable building
From the outset, sustainability has been at the heart of the adaptive reuse of the Younghusband precinct. The project is targeting a 5.5-star NABERS Office Energy rating and a 6-star Green Star rating, a distinction that places it among the most sustainable buildings in the world.
Brendan O’Hanlon, Senior Services Engineer at Built, emphasises the significance of this achievement: “The Green Building Council of Australia describes 6-star Green Star as world-leading. Anything above four stars is extremely good, and is very hard to achieve, so six stars is truly a top-tier score.”
The NABERS (National Australian Built Environment Rating System) rating system measures the energy efficiency, water usage, indoor environment quality, and overall sustainability of commercial buildings. A 5.5-star NABERS rating signifies exceptional energy efficiency, meaning Younghusband will consume significantly less power compared to conventional office buildings.
The 6-star Green Star rating is the highest rating possible and signifies world-leading sustainability performance. This certification assesses a building’s design, construction, and operational impact across categories such as energy, water, materials, indoor environment quality, and innovation. Achieving this rating in an adaptive reuse project, rather than a newly built structure, makes it an even more remarkable accomplishment, says Brendan.
Evolv Building Technologies has played a crucial role in the project's sustainability strategy, implementing systems that monitor energy utilisation, thermal performance, and water consumption.
“The project was designed with sustainability in mind from the very start. Our controls have been designed very specifically to ensure that we're maintaining comfort of the tenants, while also optimising the performance of the building from an energy perspective as well,” says Craig Walter, Managing Director, Evolv Building Technologies.
Cutting-edge technology driving efficiency
The Younghusband project is distinguished by its use of state-of-the-art building management and energy efficiency technologies. Rather than traditional mechanical switchboards, Evolv installed a Smart Mechanical Services Switchboard (MSSB) in the main plant room, equipped with an interactive touchscreen for controlling HVAC systems.
“The ABB system provides full control over the mechanical system, including chilled and heating water plants, air handling plants, and the on-floor VAV air distribution system,” says Brent Nagel, Senior Project Engineer at D&E Air Conditioning.
He highlights the intuitive nature of the system, explaining that it has “allowed the efficient commissioning of the building, as well as supporting ongoing maintenance and tuning both on and off-site.”
These controls are built on ABB’s Cylon solution – a flexible and scalable system that provides energy management solutions for commercial and industrial buildings.
“ABB Cylon seamlessly integrates HVAC, lighting, and other building systems into a holistic platform. This makes it easier for the Younghusband facilities management team to monitor the system, improve energy efficiency, and reduce operating costs,” explains Matthew Doley, National Market Development Manager, ABB Electrification.
Cylon is built on open protocols, allowing seamless integration with third-party systems and ensuring long-term adaptability.
“This future-proofs the building by enabling integration with emerging technologies as they become available,” adds Matthew.
Building Analyzer’s landmark deployment in Australia
The Younghusband project represents one of the first deployments of Building Analyzer in Australia. Evolv, in partnership with ABB, is leading the charge in bringing this next-generation technology to the country.
One of Building Analyzer’s main functions is to optimize energy efficiency.
“We collate all of the data from electrical energy, thermal energy and water consumption, and we're using that to analyze the data and make informed decisions around the performance of the building,” says Craig.
“Having a level of control, visibility, and insight with the use of ABB Cylon and Building Analyzer throughout the facility will help the Younghusband team achieve their sustainability goals and ultimately be set up for the future in maintaining their net-zero targets,” Matthew adds.
Overcoming challenges in an adaptive reuse project
One of the most compelling aspects of the redevelopment is its adaptive reuse approach, preserving the integrity of the original woolstore while integrating modern energy-efficient solutions.
“What I find really interesting about the Younghusband project is the repurposing of the building itself and the reuse of materials. It also aligns nicely with ABB’s sustainability goals and our zero waste to landfill targets for 2030,” says Matthew.
Retrofitting a heritage-listed woolstore with modern technology presented unique challenges, particularly in maintaining architectural integrity while implementing advanced infrastructure.
“Like many retrofits, the installation process presented challenges in preserving the building’s heritage while integrating leading technology solutions,” says Craig.
“Every aspect, down to our cable paths and service locations, was carefully planned to respect the original structure while enabling cutting-edge automation.”
Craig also explains an extra personal significance of working on the Younghusband project: “I grew up on a sheep farm in Western Victoria, and I have fond memories of going to the old woolstores. Being involved in transforming a historic woolstore into a modern, sustainable facility has been incredibly rewarding.”
A model for future smart buildings
Younghusband is more than just an office space; it is a model for the future of sustainable smart buildings. It demonstrates how heritage buildings can be retrofitted with world-class energy efficiency solutions without compromising their historical value.
“This project is setting the standard for smart buildings of the future, where sustainability meets cutting-edge technological innovation and top-of-the-line user experience, all powered by 100% renewable energy,” says Craig.
By blending historical preservation with cutting-edge energy management, Younghusband serves as a blueprint for future developments looking to balance sustainability, technology, and heritage preservation.
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