Hames Sharley was named the winner of the inaugural CleverGreen Innovators to Watch Awards held on the 16th February 2010 in Adelaide.

Organised by the Department of Trade and Economic Development in South Australia, Hames Sharley was selected from a group of eight finalists for its commitment and holistic approach to green design.

Hames Sharley Director, David Cooke says the award is a great achievement and showcases the proactive leadership the company has been undertaking in the education and provision of sustainable design services both within the office and externally.

“It was identified that as designers, we need to be smarter in the way we use new technology and innovative design to ensure buildings and places of the future are far more sustainable. We, therefore, place great emphasis on the education of our staff so we can provide advice to our clients on sustainable design and introduce methods of achieving it,” Mr Cooke says.

“Our service is unique because it has been applied to many developments in South Australia which are often the first to accomplish a sustainable goal in the state within their market sector.”

“The innovations may have a positive impact on the environment through improved sustainability, lower emissions, reduced energy usage and encouraging broad-based behaviour change. It will also foster economic development and create employment.”

Mr Cooke believes as designers, Hames Sharley can have a major impact on all these aspects, which was demonstrated in the work we have completed recently within an existing building and retail context and developing further in the urban renewal and green precinct sectors.

Hames Sharley redesigned 70 Light Square, South Australia’s first four-star green building refurbishment and 19 Grenfell Street to five star NABERS energy with the assistance of an in-house sustainable design matrix. Hames Sharley is currently involved in upcoming ‘green developments’ 42 Franklin Street commercial building, Nexus Lot 101 and Pasadena Shopping Centre.

In addition to the CleverGreen Awards, Hames Sharley was also one of four winners of the KPMG Excellence in Cleantech Award which provides coaching, mentoring and assistance to nurture innovative approaches to commercial realities.