Kapitol: ESG at the Core of Every Project
Kapitol embeds ESG in every project, from carbon reduction and ethical procurement to transparent governance, creating lasting value for clients and communities.
Located on the doorstep of University of Melbourne and the Melbourne Law School in the bustling student mecca of Carlton, the Scape Leicester Street project is one of Kapitol most acclaimed residential developments — and also one of the most sustainable and energy efficient in Australia.
Delivered over a tight and challenging 20-month programme in a highly activated educational, commercial and retail environment, the development provides a high-quality, community-focused living environment. Designed for long-term resilience and operational efficiency, the project integrates student housing, retail, and communal amenities to create an engaging, activated urban precinct.
Design Smarts for Sustainability Excellence
As a client, Scape expects a high benchmark for sustainability and environmental performance across its ever-growing portfolio of student accommodation developments. As a recipient of the prestigious Global Sector Leader status in Residential Developments, awarded by GRESB, Scape is on a mission to redefine the standard for sustainable structures and crafting future-ready developments.
Achieving Scape’s objectives involved the full depth of talented resources and expertise from across the Kapitol, along with close collaboration with key consultants including the architect Bayley Ward and ESD specialist WRAP Engineering. From our digital design and engineering team developing point cloud scans and immersive 3D models to our Head Office Support Team of ESG, Structures and Services experts, all elements of the project’s design and intent were forensically analysed to ensure absolute buildability and high-quality delivery — and make certain that ESD initiatives were captured as early as possible.
Innovations included a fully digitalised compliance framework, embedding Green Star requirements into procurement, scheduling, and on-site verification. Trade partners received filtered, exportable compliance reports, ensuring consistent sustainability adherence across disciplines.
This digital-first methodology enhanced collaboration, project transparency, and certification accuracy, setting a new standard for integrated ESD project delivery. By combining advanced digital workflows with passive design strategies and circular economy principles, the project has delivered a high-performance model for sustainable high-density living.
Collaboration Is The Key
Nowhere was this attention to detail more focused than on Scape’s ESD objectives for the project. Using Sharepoint Trackers and PowerBi, our site and office-based teams were able to watch in real time works progress in relation to programme.
A major challenge was maintaining accountability among trade partners (TPs), ensuring consistent data tracking and record-keeping. The team worked collaboratively with our trade partners and consultants to ensure they each understood the full requirements of the ESD approach, keeping all project partners aligned with our sustainability expectations and ensuring all required information was delivered in a timely manner.
Beyond the building’s own sustainability achievements, Scape extended its ESD principles to tenants, launching EnviroSCAPE workshops to promote sustainable living practices within the student community.
This collaborative approach enabled the project to exceed its performance expectations and allow our team to develop a Green Star ratings approach and tool that has since been enhanced and shared across Kapitol’s other active projects.
Going Above and Beyond
The input and leadership of our digital design team, ESG, Structures and Services experts together with our site-based staff was critical to our team exceeding Scape’s expectations for the development’s sustainable and energy-efficient performance.
Initially contracted to deliver a 5-star Green Star building, our team went beyond and handed over the first PBSA building of its kind anywhere in Australia to receive a prestigious 6 Star Green Star Design and As Built (v1.3) rating from the Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA).
Taking ESG Seriously
In achieving this exceptional sustainability outcome, our project team drove a 31.19% reduction in Portland cement, used 95.45% of reclaimed water for concrete mixing, reduced the use of reinforcing steel by 10%, utilised 100% certified timber, steel, and PVC and ensured that 97% of construction and demolition waste was diverted from landfill. In addition over 80% of our trade partners were from the local area, providing exceptional economic uplift to the community as well as industry training and employment opportunities.
A Connected and Vibrant Student Community
Designed with sustainability, community, and flexibility at its core, the 15-storey project integrates modular construction, passive design strategies, and high-performance materials, ensuring long-term efficiency and resilience. Offering 296 premium student residences in one and two-bedroom apartments, it enhances social connection and wellbeing, through a rooftop retreat, gym, gaming lounge, outdoor terraces, shops and cafes and includes a new laneway between Leicester Street and Leicester Place. Located on a 991m2 site the development provides GFA of 11,206m2.
Internally, the student residences prioritise comfort, efficiency, and social connection, with high-performance façades ensuring acoustic and thermal comfort. Communal spaces — including study zones, wellness areas, and shared kitchens — promote collaboration and a sense of belonging.
