_Knight Frank and LaSalle Investment Management’s Journey to Energy Efficiency and Tenant Comfort
222 Exhibition Street in Melbourne’s East End stands as a testament to the power of strategic collaboration in the pursuit of sustainability. The onset of COVID-19 presented challenges in building management with reduced occupancy and limited operations. As workplaces began to return to normal, Knight Frank’s Asset Management Services (AMS) team, in partnership with building owner LaSalle Investment Management, embarked on a journey to enhance 222 Exhibition Street’s energy efficiency as the building progressively returned to full building operations.
The Journey
In 2021, the NABERS Energy rating was 5.572 Stars due to the pandemic-induced reduction in building services. Lower occupancy and limited operations meant decreased energy consumption, providing a temporary boost to the NABERS Energy rating. By 2022 as building services resumed, the rating decreased to 5.314 Stars and further to 5.010 Stars in 2023 as energy consumption increased further in line with building occupancy.
During this period the team were forced to take a more nuanced approach to energy management, taking into account abnormal daily and weekly activity as tenants slowly returned to the office.
Following an iterative approach to energy efficiency initiatives and building optimisation the team were rewarded with a 5.503 Star energy rating in 2024 putting the building in the top 15% in Melbourne CBD.
Indoor Environment Quality (IEQ) Enhancements
By choosing to focus on IEQ – which encompasses indoor air quality, airborne pollutant levels, ventilation effectiveness, acoustics and lighting quality, and thermal comfort factors – the NABERS Indoor Environment (IE) rating at 222 Exhibition Street has risen from 4.5 Stars in 2022 to 6.0 stars in 2024.
Changes/actions that were implemented include:
• Regular inspections to identify and assess HVAC irregularities
• Lowering fan speeds whilst minimising the impact on tenant comfort
• Introducing floating global set points for more flexible and adaptive temperature control, leading to improved energy efficiency by reducing unnecessary heating or cooling
• Upgrading the building’s start logic systems to ensure that systems only operated when needed, reducing energy consumption during off-peak times
• Replacing existing filters with rigid glass bag filters in the Air Handling Units (AHUs) to improve air quality and system performance
• Conducting duct leakage audits followed by necessary repairs to minimise energy loss through leaks
The Benefits
The journey underscores the importance of active building management to foster a healthier indoor environment thus boosting occupant satisfaction and productivity whilst supporting investor sustainability objectives.
Kris Campbell, Knight Frank’s Senior Facilities Manager at 222 Exhibition Street, reflects on the process: “Our commitment to energy efficiency and tenant comfort has been unwavering. Over an extended period, through active management and close collaboration with our base build contractors, we’ve worked tirelessly to enhance the building’s performance. This achievement not only reflects our dedication but also showcases Knight Frank’s ability to go above and beyond in delivering sustainable and comfortable environments for our tenants.”
The partnership with LaSalle Investment Management has both enhanced the building’s energy efficiency and tenant comfortability as well as add significant value to the asset through positioning it as a leader in sustainability within Melbourne’s prestigious East End market.
For further information, please contact:
Kris Campbell – Senior Facilities Manager, Knight Frank
Kris.Campbell@au.knightfrank.com +61 415 326 497