The Monash Woodside Building for Technology and Design has been chosen from over 900 projects globally to be one of only 17 included in Build Better Now →, the COP26 Built Environment Virtual Pavilion – a virtual reality (VR) online exhibition demonstrating the opportunities for tackling the climate emergency and limiting the environmental impact of the buildings and cities we inhabit. Build Better Now will act as a global call for climate action and is supported by a coalition of over 100 partner organisations from the built environment industry.

The exhibition, which coincides with the Glasgow COP26 - UN Climate Change Conference →, highlights the central role that the built environment will play in the world’s transition to a net carbon zero future. Grimshaw, in collaboration with Monash University → and Aurecon → engineers created the Woodside Building as a transformative education facility for the next generation of technologists and engineers who will develop these sustainable solutions.

The building is one of the largest certified Passive House structures globally, and the largest education building to be certified. A transdisciplinary facility for the Faculties of Engineering and Information Technology, it initiates new models of learning alongside academic research with industry-related enterprise, while simultaneously integrating precedent establishing environmental innovation. The built environment has a central role to play in supporting the world’s transition to a net zero carbon economy. Globally, buildings consume over a third of energy produced, and are responsible for 40% of global energy related carbon emissions. The Woodside Building consumes only 75% of the operational energy required for a conventional building of its size and will contribute to carbon reduction over its entire lifespan.

In recognition of the importance of the built environment sector in tackling climate change, the UN’s Climate Conference COP26 will feature a dedicated Built Environment Day as part of its presidency programme. Climate change has never been higher on the global public agenda and Build Better Now has been curated to give the sector a strong voice within this internationally significant event. 

Following the Open Call, which was launched in June 2021, a rigorous and transparent selection process was undertaken to find projects for the exhibition. A judging panel comprising industry leaders from across the world, with insight into the complexities of built environment sustainability issues on a regional and local level, selected projects that are making an immediate positive impact on the planet and people’s lives. These projects are both scalable and replicable - giving the potential to deliver far-reaching impacts. Exploring themes such as natural resource use, climate mitigation and adaptation and nature and biodiversity, Build Better Now will showcase some of the most innovative solutions from across the globe.

To take part in the virtual exhibition, click here: https://buildbetternow.co/ →