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The new SA Water headquarters, located in the Victoria Square 1 (VS1) building, is a model of integrated sustainable building, laboratory and workplace design. It is the first building in South Australia, and the largest commercially developed building in Australia, to be awarded a 6 Star Green Star Office Design rating from the Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA).

South Australian Premier Mike Rann says: "This is the first and largest commercially developed building of its kind in Australia, and reinforces our commitment to improving the energy efficiency of government buildings by 25 percent from 2000—01 levels by 2014."

A BENCHMARK IN OFFICE DESIGN
The objective was to set a new benchmark in environmentally sustainable development (ESD) through water and energy efficiencies, clean air and a healthy work environment which attracts and retains staff, fosters an environment for collaboration and innovation, and provides greater opportunities for staff and customer interaction. The design should also reflect SA Water's design values of transparency, flexibility and innovation.

The customer service facilities are located on the ground floor to allow increased transparency and integration with the wider pedestrian precinct of Victoria Square. The workplace and laboratories are arranged around a full-height atrium, which functions as a multi-purpose space containing reception, leisure and service facilities. The atrium allows visual connectivity across all floors, and physical connectivity via the atrium staircase, throughout SA Water's secure tenancy, increasing staff interaction and knowledge sharing. The building has excellent links to public transport—with an easy access, there is lesser need for employees to drive to work, thus resulting in fewer car parks provided compared to planning allowance, with 25 percent of car parking spaces allocated for small or 'Smart' cars. The basement contains bike parks, showers, changing and locker facilities, which provide for up to 140 bicycle commuters, encouraging employees to cycle instead of driving to work.

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