Pixel takes it name from the many coloured dots that make up a digital image and was designed to achieve carbon neutrality by using renewable energy sources on site. The building utilises three wind turbines and both fixed and tracking photovoltaic arrays for its energy needs, with surplus energy being fed back into the grid. Pixel also features a 100% fresh air cooling system powered by a gas-fired ammonia absorption chiller and delivered hydronically through a raised floor with individually controlled diffusers at each work station.
The four story building used 6000 meters of 20mm REHAU Rautitan Pink pipe for the cooling system, with each level taking a five-man crew three days to complete. All the pipe work is connected to a co-generation unit which services all the cooling requirements for the entire building.
Cooling system installer, Inner City Hydronic of Melbourne, was happy to be a part of this revolutionary building. "We are extremely proud to be involved in such a ground breaking project which has attracted worldwide recognition," owner James Barnham said.
Applauded around the world for its innovative design, Pixel achieved a perfect score of 100 points under the Green Star rating system, the highest score ever awarded by the Green Building Council of Australia.
Project: Pixel Building, Melbourne
Scope of project: 6,000m of RAUTITAN pink pipe
Architect/Engineer: Studio505/Umow Lai
Installer: Inner City Hydronics
REHAU systems used: Radiant cooling (RAUTITAN pink)