Latest news with #PERFORM
Perth Now
06-08-2025
- Business
- Perth Now
$39M arts centre in western suburbs to be approved
Christ Church Grammar School's revised plans for a lavish three-storey performing arts centre on the banks of the Swan River have received backing from the Town of Claremont. The new centre, named PERFORM, is expected to cost the school $39.2 million and feature a 470-seat auditorium, a 220-seat black box theatre with retractable seating, an ensemble room, an orchestral rehearsal room and a terrace, all with sweeping river views. The proposed centre will also have music classrooms, a percussion studio, a green room, a costume design room and a recording studio. Although the school had previously stated a new performing arts centre would be available for community use outside school hours, the current application indicates its intention that it will not be leased to groups outside the school community. Concept images for the proposed 470-seat auditorium. Credit: Supplied The development application for the centre will be considered by the Metro Inner Development Assessment Panel on Thursday, August 14, where the town has recommended it be approved. In 2022, State planning officials approved a $29 million four-storey 480-seat performing arts centre at a similar location on the school campus, but rising construction costs have since made the design plan 'unfeasible' and it has not proceeded. Existing buildings — including the school's music classrooms, chaplain's residence, and preparatory school — will be demolished to make way for the new centre, which the school says is required as the current teaching and performance spaces are 'no longer meeting the school's developing curriculum and requirements'. Although parts of the school are on the Town of Claremont's Heritage List, the buildings proposed for demolition are not heritage-listed. Concept images of the proposed 220-seat Black Box theatre at Christ Church Grammar School. Credit: Supplied Seven non-heritage listed trees will be chopped down for the centre, while new shrubs, grassed turf and other landscaping elements will be planted. Established in 1910, Christ Church Grammar School is an elite all-boys Anglican day and boarding school in Claremont, with students from pre-kindergarten to Year 12. The school has about 1700 students enrolled each year and employs around 200 staff members. The performing arts centre is set to be built on the banks of the Swan River in Claremont. Credit: Supplied CCGS says this will be the biggest building investment it has ever made and expects it to be the cultural centre of the school, which prides itself on its arts program. 'PERFORM lays a vital foundation for lifelong success by cultivating confidence, communication, critical thinking, and creativity — skills that seamlessly translate from the classroom to the boardroom, the workplace, and every aspect of life,' the school said. 'It is a place dedicated to building the inner man, supporting health and wellbeing, fostering 21st century skills, and providing a home for the Centre for Ethics and the performing arts.' If approved, the school expects demolition and construction to begin in 2026, with completion scheduled for December 2027.
Khaleej Times
19-03-2025
- Business
- Khaleej Times
UAE green building push gains momentum with new sustainability standards
The UAE is strengthening its position as a global leader in sustainable real estate, with progressive policies accelerating the adoption of green building practices, an industry expert has said. "The UAE has set an exceptional example, with progressive policies supporting green buildings," said Peter Templeton, president and CEO of the US Green Building Council (USGBC) and Green Business Certification Inc (GBCI). "The country's 2030 sustainability goals and 2050 Net Zero commitments provide a clear framework for developers," he added. However, he noted that achieving Net Zero would require a shift beyond individual building certifications to broader, community-driven initiatives. With over 2,500 LEED professionals, the UAE has the expertise to drive large-scale sustainable transformation. Rapid urbanisation across the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) region has made sustainability a priority for real estate development. Founded in 1993, the USGBC is a non-profit organisation that promotes sustainable building design and operations. It developed LEED, the world's most widely used green building certification system, which sets stringent standards for energy efficiency and environmental responsibility. In 2024, the UAE ranked fifth globally for LEED-certified projects outside the US, with more than 130 developments covering three million square metres. The latest version, LEED v5, introduces stricter accountability measures, requiring developers to assess greenhouse gas emissions, climate risks and human health impacts. "For over 25 years, LEED-certified buildings have led the way in reducing inefficiencies, waste and emissions," Templeton said. "LEED v5 provides a structured pathway towards ultra-low carbon buildings, addressing not just operational emissions but also embodied carbon in materials." The framework enhances decarbonisation efforts, ecosystem restoration and resilience strategies while ensuring long-term asset value. "It's a game-changer for developers seeking to align with ESG goals while maintaining commercial viability," he added. While government policies have played a key role in driving green building adoption in the UAE, Templeton emphasised the need for greater private sector involvement. "Globally, private investment has been a major force in sustainable construction, yet in the UAE, the public sector has taken the lead," he said. "The challenge now is ensuring developers and investors fully integrate sustainability into their business strategies." A key concern remains cost. "Sustainable buildings can be delivered at or below traditional costs while offering long-term financial benefits," Templeton explained. "The industry must rethink how efficiencies are incorporated into project budgets." Beyond individual projects, USGBC recently launched PERFORM, a programme designed to track and enhance sustainability across entire real estate portfolios. Unlike traditional certification models, PERFORM provides continuous assessment and goal setting. "It bridges the gap between corporate sustainability targets and real-world results," Templeton said. "With rising ESG demands, organisations in the region now have a way to measure and improve sustainability at scale." The financial sector is also playing a key role in accelerating the transition through green bonds and sustainability-linked loans (SLLs), which incentivise LEED-certified projects. In 2023, Mena issued $24 billion in green and sustainability-linked bonds - a 155 per cent increase from 2022, with the UAE and Saudi Arabia leading the market. "As sustainable finance grows, developers are leveraging these tools to integrate high-performance sustainability measures," Templeton said. "Banks are offering incentives such as interest rate reductions and higher loan proceeds for LEED-certified developments," he added.
