Oscar winner Cate Blanchett and Andrew Upton, Artistic Directors of the Sydney Theatre Company, are making great strides in turning their theatre into one of the greenest in the world. In fact, the eco-couple are working on a collaborative large-scale project called Greening The Wharf with the University of New South Wales, NSW Government Architect's Office and the Australian government. The eighteen-month project is designed to showcase how heritage buildings can be made more sustainable.
The Sydney Theatre Company is currently installing more than 1900-plus solar panels that will generate 614,000 kWh of electrical energy annually - equivalent to heating 88 average homes for a year – which also translates into 70% of the theatre's energy needs. When the project is complete, the theatre will house the second largest capacity rooftop solar energy system in Australia.
In a joint statement, the couple said: “Its our hope that Greening The Wharf increases awareness of climate change and demonstrates that there are a wide range of measures that can be taken to reduce our carbon footprint and conserve resources. Since its inception, Sydney Theatre Company’s initiative has already grown and will now, as a result of the support of DECCW, see the rainwater harvesting project and energy efficiency drive implemented not just at Sydney Theatre Company but within other companies at the Wharf.”
In addition to the solar roof project, Greening The Wharf includes an extensive rainwater harvesting system for the theatre’s non-potable water requirements, recycling, offsite food composting and water efficient bathrooms.
Visit: http://www.sydneytheatre.com.au/
Via Treehugger
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