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Rockcote Pty Ltd developed the Rockcote Design Centre in Nerang primarily to showcase its range of coloured renders and environmentally friendly paints and coatings. As well as acting as a warehouse and showroom for Rockcote’s products the building boasts environmentally friendly credentials such as water self sufficiency, a worm farm, compost systems, photovoltaic panels for energy generation and uses a number of recycled and renewable materials.
Buildings of the Design Centre are oriented to allow winter sun into the main work areas while in summer they are shaded and open to cool breezes. External walls and roof areas are well insulated, keeping the building warm in winter and cool in summer.
Interior walls were clay rendered and Rockcote’s EcoStyle paints and coatings were used throughout, ensuring good indoor air quality.
Landscaping has been used to reduce heat build up, reduce glare and provide an attractive, healthy environment. All food scraps are collected daily and processed through the worm farm or compost systems. Staff at the Centre pick organic herbs from the onsite garden in order to make tea for clients and grow their own flowers and vegetables.
The Rockcote Design Centre is energy positive, in that it produces more energy than it uses. Energy required is produced by the photovoltaic array that forms the roof of the Recycling Centre. Excess energy is sold back to
Rainwater is collected from the roofs and stored in tanks with around 100,000 litre capacity on site. The initial runoff is diverted to the gardens by a first flush system. Drinking water is processed through a micro filtration system and visitors often comment on the quality of the fresh chilled water.
All sewage and trade waste-water is treated on site. Primary treatment is through an Ozzi Kleen EP 20 aerobic system eventuating in a series of landsc aped fishponds. Reclaimed water is used for flushing toilets and for irrigating the living walls and living paving areas.
The multi-award winning Rockcote Design Centre demonstrates that an industrial development can be truly beautiful and fully sustainable. Rockcote has transformed a piece of land – once described as derelict – into a community asset.
Rockcote’s Design Centre is focused on environmentally sensitive education and hosts regularly monthly tours for the general public and ‘on request’ tours for university students, school students, building designers and overseas delegations. For further information and to arrange tours of the Design Centre, call 07 5554 2100
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Date: Saturday 20th November 
