When the Kangan Institute facility’s Health & Community Centre of Excellence (HACCOE) approached completion, the project needed a clear path to complete its Green Star Buildings submission. Co-Perform were brought in to deliver the specialist modelling that would verify the design in accordance with Green Star certification requirements, minimise project risks, and keep the project moving to meet strict timelines.
A building designed for community impact
The Kangan Institute facility HACCOE is a highly considered, three-storey education and training facility designed by Architectus. It brings together health, learning and community spaces beneath a light-filled central atrium, supported by external shading, extensive glazing, and carefully designed lightwells that draw daylight deep into the building.
A 92.4 kW rooftop solar PV array contributes to the building’s operational performance, while the architecture creates a welcoming, contemporary environment for students and staff.
With construction progressing and deadlines approaching, the project entered the phase where design intent needed to be verified through rigorous, as-built modelling for Green Star Buildings. That’s when Co-Perform was engaged.
Stepping in with clarity
As the project moved into the final stages of construction, Co-Perform were brought in to complete the energy, daylight and life cycle assessment (LCA) modelling required for the Green Star Buildings submission.
Taking on specialist modelling in a late stage of a project is not unusual in the industry, but it requires a steady, organised approach. The modelling must reflect the actual building, not the early drawings. The timelines are fixed and the submission must be technically accurate, clearly structured, and compliant with the Green Star Buildings guidelines.
This is the type of work Co-Perform is increasingly asked to support: specialised capability to support projects.
For the Kangan Institute facility project, our role was to deliver the modelling, minimise risk, and help the project team finalise the submission efficiently.
Rebuilding the core simulations
Although the design was well resolved, completing the Green Star Buildings submission required building all three models from scratch. Each one plays a distinct role in the overall rating.
Energy modelling
The energy simulation involved creating a full 3D digital model of the building:
- thermal envelope (walls, glazing, floors, roof)
- mechanical systems
- electrical systems and lighting
- external shading
- integrated rooftop solar PV
Rather than using a simplified approach for solar generation, we embedded the 92.4 kW PV system directly into the simulation. This means the model reflected real-time interaction between solar output and building demand, an important step for accuracy.
The final result showed a 42.3% improvement in energy performance compared to the NCC reference building, meeting the Exceptional Performance benchmark in Green Star Buildings.
Daylight modelling
The daylight simulation used the same geometry but a different configuration, focusing on how natural light moved through the building across every day of the year. It assessed shading, glazing performance, reflectance values, spatial layouts and the contribution of the building’s lightwells.
The building achieved 46.3% compliant daylight coverage, meeting the Green Star credit for daylight performance.
Life cycle assessment
The LCA work involved processing the full Bill of Quantities, hundreds of line items covering concrete, steel, glazing, and internal materials. We cleaned and prepared the data, matched each item to environmental datasets, and applied Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) for the low-carbon concrete and steel used on the project.
This allowed the team to verify the project’s upfront carbon impacts in line with Green Star Buildings requirements.
Getting it right the first time
Green Star submissions are highly detailed and undergo careful review by the Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA). Lack of attention to detail in the first round submission risks submitting for a second and final round.
This one passed first time with no comments.
This clearly showcases the modelling and documentation were clear, accurate and comprehensive.
A second round always carries some risk because you only get two opportunities in total. Passing this component on the first review removed that pressure and gave the team confidence that a key part of the submission was already settled.
For the client, it meant the building achieved its 5-star green star target without delay.
Why time-critical support matters
While this project is a strong example in its own right, it also highlights a growing need across the industry.
Engineering firms and builders don’t always have the internal capacity to complete specialist modelling for Green Star, especially when timing becomes tight or when multiple projects peak at once.
Co-Perform is increasingly being asked to support teams in exactly these situations. The value we bring is simple:
- We’re organised. Workflows and reviews are structured to avoid last-minute scrambles.
- We’re technical. We understand the energy, daylight and LCA methodologies inside out.
- We’re collaborative. We integrate smoothly with architects, builders and consultants.
- We’re realists. We focus on what needs to be done clearly and accurately.
The Kangan Institute facility project is a good example of this in practice: stepping in late, building the models from scratch, working with the entire project team and delivering a first-pass submission.
What this project reinforces
Every project team wants the same thing at the end of a long construction program: clarity. They want to know the modelling reflects the building. They want to know the submission will stand up. And they want to finish well, without unnecessary rework or delay.
This project shows what’s possible when specialist modelling is handled with care:
- The design intent is verified.
- Complexity is managed.
- Timelines are respected.
- The submission process becomes smoother for everyone involved.
And ultimately, the client receives a certified Green Star building that performs the way it was intended.
At Co-Perform, we’re proud to partner with clients who see sustainability as an ongoing commitment.
If you’re looking for support on specialist modelling or need time-critical support for Green Star Buildings, we’d be happy to help.
Ready to build with clarity?
Get in touch.