Burwood Brickworks, The World’s Most Sustainable Shopping Centre

The LBC is the most advanced and considered award of sustainability in the building environment. No ‘greenwashing’ in sight, the requirements for this award are specific. To be awarded, the project needs to have a net positive impact by challenging them to operate as cleanly and efficiently as nature’s architecture. Making reference to the award’s intention by using the motif of a flower, the LBC is organised into seven separate ‘petals’ of performance. The petals include Place, Materials, Health & Happiness, Beauty, Water, Energy and Equity. The first four have been achieved by Frasers Property, and the remaining three will relate to the centre’s function over time, and are longer-term achievements. By the end of 2022, the Fraser Property team hope to have achieved the Water, Energy and Equity petals. 

Acre Farm & Eatery is one of the key tenants of the shopping centre. Situated on the rooftop of the development, on a 2,000m2 plot, acre is one of the largest urban agriculture projects. A unique experience, acre Farm & Eatery uses locally-grown produce to create a remarkable dining experience. Luke Heard of acre Farm & Eatery said that being a part of such an innovative and immense global sustainability achievement brings him both personal and professional satisfaction. “This project is an example of individuals and organisations being willing to push the boundaries to unlock new sustainable possibilities. What we’ve learned on this journey will help not only our business, but also other business operators and property development companies to make a positive impact on the places they occupy and the communities they’re a part of.”

With sustainability becoming more important to our urban landscape, Fraser Property’s Burwood Brickworks is paving the way for more considered, environmental retail spaces. 

“The LBC is organised into seven separate ‘petals’ of performance. The petals include Place, Materials, Health & Happiness, Beauty, Water, Energy and Equity. ”

“The LBC is organised into seven separate ‘petals’ of performance. The petals include Place, Materials, Health & Happiness, Beauty, Water, Energy and Equity. ”

The International Living Future Institute (ILFI) is the global authority that administers the Living Building Challenge (LBC). The LBC is described by the company as being “the ultimate green building standard that can be applied to any building type around the world. The goal is to create Living Buildings that incorporate regenerative design solutions that actually improve the local environment rather than simply reducing harm”. 

Fraser’s Burwood Centre is the only retail centre that has ever attempted the LBC. The team’s determination and desire to create an environmentally friendly centre paid off, and at present, Frasers Property are the only organisation globally to achieve the prestigious LBC Petal Certification for a retail centre. Anthony Boyd, CEO of Frasers Property Australia knew that achieving this standard would push both the Fraser Property company and the development community more broadly to “create buildings that deliver a net benefit to the environment and the community”. When speaking about the challenges encountered, Boyd explains how, “The lessons we’ve learned through the Living Building Challenge process, and the knowledge we’ve committed to sharing through the industry, will reveal new paths to better sustainability outcomes not only for our projects, but also the industry at large”.