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IMPACT

Official publication of the Green Building Council of South Africa

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GREEN SHOOTS

Celebrating the seeds of sustainable design growing amidst the crisis of 2020

CONTENTS

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INSIGHT A note from the editor, Mary Anne Constable

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HERITAGE SHIFTING THE GOALPOSTS TO LEVEL UP GREEN BUILDING Lisa Reynolds reflects on GBCSA’s challenges and successes over the last 13 years

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AWARDS GREEN CARPET WINNERS Honouring the winners of the 2020 GBCSA Annual Awards

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MILESTONES HIGH GREEN ACHIEVERS Solid Green celebrates 10 years and 100 green building certifications

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INTERVIEW A GREEN STAR RISING In conversation with 2020’s GBCSA Rising Green Star winner, Catherine Luyt, from Ecolution Consulting

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PROFILE Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo

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THOUGHT LEADERSHIP STOP CUTTING THE GRASS Marc Sherratt reflects on a new sustainable vision for Johannesburg’s public parks

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ENERGY FUTURE-FIT HOME DESIGN Winners of the City of Cape Town’s My Clean Green Home competition announced

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INTERVIEW ESTABLISHED GREEN ROOTS In conversation with 2020’s GBCSA Established Green Star winner, Francois Retief, from Sow & Reap Consulting

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MATERIALS DEMOLISHING PERCEPTIONS Considering environmentally responsible demolitions with Jet Demolition

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CASE STUDIES

47 Thermguard

GREEN BUILDING SERVICES, MATERIALS AND TECHNOLOGIES

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IMPACT The official publication of GBCSA

WINNER

PROPERTY PUBLICATION OF THE YEAR 2019

Editor Mary Anne Constable maryanne@positive-impact.africa General Manager Danielle Solomons danielle@greeneconomy.media Editorial Contributors City of Cape Town Jet Demolition Marc Sherratt Mary Anne Constable Nicole Cameron Solid Green GBCSA Editorial Advisory Georgina Smit Jenni Lombard Jo Anderson Proofreader Bilqis Rawoot Production Administrator Melanie Taylor

Chief Executive Officer Lisa Reynolds

Chief Financial Officer

Pardon Mutasa

Head of Content Alexis Knipe Design and Layout Carla Lawrence, CDC Design Media Sales Gerard Jeffcote Lino Vermaak Vania Reyneke

Publisher Gordon Brown gordon@greeneconomy.media MPeople Resourcing (Pty) Ltd t/a GreenEconomy.Media Reg no. 2005/003854/07 Cover image: The ‘Mahali Hub’ – winning project in the City of Cape Town’s My Clean Green Home competition,

by Team Mahali.

All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any way or in any form without the prior written permission of the Publisher. The opinions expressed herein are not necessarily those of the GBCSA or the Publisher. All editorial and advertising contributions are accepted on the understanding that the contributor either owns or has obtained all necessary copyrights and permissions. GBCSA and the Publisher do not endorse any claims made in the publication by or on behalf of any organisations or products. Please address any concerns in this regard to the Publisher.

CALLING ALL THOUGHT LEADERS +Impact Magazine, the official publication of the GBCSA, presents thought leadership from local and international green building commentators and practitioners, and showcases the excellent work of GBCSA members.

Are you a thought leader in your relevant field? GBCSA members are invited to submit stories about projects, design concepts, materials, research, and anything else that promotes a healthy sustainable built environment. Submit a 200-word description of your content idea with 1-2 images to: maryanne@positive-impact.africa

ADVERTISE WITH US For advertising and sponsored content contact Danielle Solomons: danielle@greeneconomy.media Advertising rates are discounted for GBCSA members and further discounts are available for booking multiple editions in 2021.

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POSITIVE IMPACT ISSUE 0.9

INSIGHT

A

s a rather unusual year draws itself to a close, we find ourselves celebrating in this issue of +Impact Magazine. GBCSA made a bold decision to go ahead with their annual Green Building Convention at the end of October 2020, but took the whole thing online – immersing us in a digital world of virtual presentations and 3D avatars. As might be expected, being the first in the world to run an online convention of this scale and on this particular platform, there were some tiny technical hiccups, one of which led to my avatar getting stuck in a lift somewhere in that 3D world and never coming out! All the same, it was an excellent (and fun) convention.

As always.

It took two years to certify the first Green Star-rated building in South Africa – Nedbank Head Office Phase 2 – but the last five years have seen 100 certifications awarded per year. And climbing!

GBCSA’s CEO, Lisa Reynolds, shares a thought-provoking piece on South Africa’s (official) green building heritage, since the GBCSA’s inception in 2007. It’s interesting, and exciting, to see that the growth is exponential. It took two years to certify the first Green Star-rated building in South Africa – Nedbank Head Office Phase 2 – but the last five years have seen 100 certifications awarded per year. And climbing! 2021 will see the launch of the long-awaited Version 2 of GBCSA’s new build rating tool, as well as the official launch of the residential rating tool, which will broaden the market for green buildings significantly.

Plus, there’s more! Read on to discover the green shoots grown by those in the sector who continue to plant and sow sustainable seeds, despite the crisis that 2020 has presented them. In 2007, the GBCSA planted a seed which became a green shoot, which is now a tree that provides shade and shelter to the built environment. May its boughs grow strong, and its canopy reach far, as we navigate the shift into 2021.

Mary Anne Constable Editor

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Green Shoots

The programme was filled to the brim with inspiring speakers from all over the world, who didn’t have to travel further than their living room sofa. And, dare I say, I’m sure a few of the delegates attended in pyjamas. Wise words were spoken, thoughtprovoking questions were asked, and we left feeling encouraged despite the challenges that the year has held for many.

In terms of celebrations, the 2020 GBSCA award winners were announced on the final day (sadly sans the gala dinner and revelry), proving that despite it being a difficult year, it has still been possible to make strides towards a greener built environment.

Of noteworthy mention is South Africa’s first Net Positive certifications, achieved

by Hotel Nieu (Carbon) and House Baldwin-Ragaven (Waste). These projects were recognised with Non-Standard: Net Zero awards for pushing the envelope. The rest of the winners can be viewed in our awards feature.

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HERITAGE

Shifting the goalposts to level up

Green Building GBCSA CEO, Lisa Reynolds, reflects on GBCSA’s challenges and successes over the last 13 years since the organisation’s inception in 2007.

WORDS Lisa Reynolds

D

I see that the role of the GBCSA is to always be on the aspirational side of the market. When we become the norm, we must pull ahead,.

South Africa’s Green Building Heritage Timeline

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building certifications, with a 5-Star Green Star Existing Building Performance rating, awarded to Kirstenhof Office Park

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6

2014

First Green Star certification awarded to Nedbank Head Office Phase 2

First Green Star certifications in Africa awarded to One Airport Square in Ghana and FNB Freedom Plaza in Namibia

2015

Green Building Council South Africa started

2009

2007

Green Star certifications

The first EDGE project was registered

2016

uring World Green Building Week in September 2020, GBCSA ran an online webinar about South Africa’s green building heritage. In the webinar, we were joined by the team that spear headed the first Green Star certification, awarded in 2009 to Nedbank Head Office Phase 2. The team included Xavier Huyberechts from GLH Architects, Howard Rauff from Nedbank, Marloes Reinink from Solid Green, and Alison Groves from WSP. It was a real trip down memory lane, and, as always, remarkable to see what has been achieved considering the initial inertia and measured embrace to green building over the years. It is clear that we have made significant strides that have contributed to transformation in the built environment. For the Nedbank Phase 2 project the team persuaded Dulux to manufacture low-VOC paint locally, which literally converted the country’s entire paint industry. A black water treatment system was also considered for the Nedbank project, but the installation was unsuccessful.

Nevertheless, this paved the way for the use of black water treatment systems, which have since been installed successfully for other green buildings. Since then, LED lighting and solar panels have also become mainstream and dramatically more affordable.

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certifications reached

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HERITAGE

GBCSA

No.1 Mutual Place in Sandton.

Over the last 13 years, important shifts have taken place on the economic side of building green.

Developers are now understanding the benefits that come from spending more at the beginning of a building project, which leads to savings in the long run. Marloes commented that ‘resilience’ has become a motivating factor over and above ‘building green’, because people, and businesses, want to survive the knock-on effects that come with more frequentlyoccurring uncertainties like load shedding and drought. It’s about energy and water security, and also keeping people healthy and productive in buildings

(something that Covid-19 has brought to the fore).

Xavier Huyberechts emphasised that there has been a shift towards thinking more about operational efficiency. A building is not just a pretty thing to look at, it needs to have resilience built in from the start and the industry is understanding that now.

Something key that became evident through the webinar was that now a 4-Star-rated building is quite easy to attain and can actually be achieved with minimal to no additional premium. It’s become commonplace – which is great – but where is the challenge? This is an indication that it is time to shift the goalposts and

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The pilot Net Zero Tool was introduced and the first Net Zero certified projects were: Greenfields Industrial Park, The Estuaries Plaza, Two Dam Sustainable and Vodafone Site Solution Centre

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500

certifications reached

2020

certifications reached including Green Star, EWP, EDGE and Net Zero

2019

Sustainable Precincts tool launched

400

2018

2017

First post-construction EDGE certification awarded to Fourleaf Estate

600

certifications reached, and counting…

2021 (aspirational)

certifications reached

Launch of version 2 of the new build rating tool and the residential rating tool

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HERITAGE

78 Corlett Drive in Melrose North.

GBCSA

create more ambitious targets. I see that the role of the GBCSA is to always be on the aspirational side of the market. When we become the norm, we must pull ahead. In 2009, a Green Star rating was unheard of, so we need to find that ‘next big thing’ that the building industry can boldly strive towards.

To align with the world’s targets of achieving net zero for all buildings by 2050, we need to shift the status quo significantly. The World Green Building Council’s Cristina Gamboa says that buildings need to move away from being ‘consumers’ and become ‘prosumers’.

Self-sufficiency, net positive, and regenerative design are flagging the direction we need to go in order to achieve a sustainable world in which people and planet thrive – net zero is the next step on this journey.

We’re currently working with the Australian Green Building Council to conceptualise a new building rating tool, and this is likely to include more ambitious net zero goals. We will be drafting a single tool that encompasses all types of buildings, to replace the existing individual ones, and it’s very likely that 6-star ratings in future will require net zero carbon as a minimum (which is similar to the Australian tool).

A building is not just a pretty thing to look at, it needs to have resilience built in from the start and the industry is understanding that now.

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Buildings need to move away from being ‘consumers’ and become ‘prosumers’.

Net zero carbon is easier to achieve than net zero water, waste and ecology and it makes a massive difference in climate change mitigation, so I think it’s a good goalpost to aim for. The new building rating tool will hopefully be ready for launch at Convention in 2021. Next year, GBCSA will also be aiming to launch our new Residential rating tool for existing homes.

This will provide a user-friendly, online platform for homeowners to get on board with green building.

When I reflect on some of my favourite green building projects over the years, one of the projects which really stands out is a community housing project called Belhar Gardens which received an EDGE rating. Over the course of a year, the occupants save more than the equivalent of one month’s rent due to lower operational costs. It’s something that makes a really big difference for communities and for individuals, which is especially important during these challenging financial times.

For me it’s a reflection of the shift from sustainability and green building being more of a technology-focused and theoretical exercise, to one that has become more human-focused. Finally we are starting to understand that green buildings are desirable not only for financial reasons, but also because they allow people to thrive within their walls.

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AWARDS

Green Carpet Winners

The GBCSA Annual Awards 2020 was held at the 13th Green Building Virtual Convention in October. Here’s a round-up of eight of the country’s winning sustainable buildings, which show just how much ambition and innovation there is in the sector and how the green bar continues to be raised each year.

WORDS Nicole Cameron

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Old Mutual Emerging Market Media

AWARDS

HIGHEST RATED BUILDING The highest rated building is determined as the project which attains the highest number of points in the final Green Star rating, in the period since the previous year’s convention.

WINNER: OLD MUTUAL MUTUALPARK (CAPE TOWN)

Old Mutual Emerging Market Media

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Ever since it started its sustainability journey a few years ago, Old Mutual has constantly hit environmental milestones. Every addition to the Cape Town-based Mutualpark has further moulded the office park into a truly aspirational green building – energy efficient, resource efficient, and environmentally responsible.

As the largest green building in the southern hemisphere with a GLA of 166 000m², Mutualpark makes a significant positive impact through features such as its corporate solar carport which reduces the building’s electricity consumption substantially, and the production of its own SANS241 compliant water with a waste water treatment plant. Most recently, in 2019, its war on waste, saw waste equivalent to the weight of three Boeing 747s, being diverted from landfills.

Project type: Commercial Date: Certified December 2019 Green Star Rating: 6-Star Green Star – Existing Building Performance v1 rating (84 points in Round 1) Project owner: Old Mutual AP: Zoë Rushin, Old Mutual

CONTINUE ARTICLE

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AWARDS

Richard Van Zyl

RUNNER UP: FORMFUNC HEAD OFFICE (JOHANNESBURG) With unplastered walls, exposed ceilings and floorto-ceiling glazing, the interior of FormFunc’s Lanseria-based showroom, office and distribution centre minimises redundant resources and takes full advantage of natural ones. Add to that state-of-the-art HVAC systems that modulate indoor air quality above SANS 10400 requirements, sensors to monitor and control carbon dioxide levels, recycling and composting units, and a variety of other features, then it is little surprise that they brought home six green stars. This ambitious attempt was driven by their passion to create an office environment that reflects the Humanscale brand philosophy of recreating workspaces that are simpler and healthier to work in.

Project type: Commercial Date: October 2019 Green Star Rating: 6-Star Green Star – Interiors v1 rating (78 points in Round 2) Project owner: Kim Kowalski AP: Terramanzi

SECOND RUNNER UP: THE REID LIFESTYLE CENTRE (JOHANNESBURG) This lifestyle centre is people-oriented and fit-forpurpose, taking sustainability into account in every way including how it will be used both now and in the future. The challenging location next to a wetland encouraged the team to consider how to upgrade the system, so that now the centre uses the wetlands as an attenuation and water treatment system for storm water. The development has incorporated the wetland area into its landscape design, allowing residents to walk and cycle through the wetland while learning about the sustainability features of the development through informational plaques strategically placed along the trail.

Project type: Residential Community Centre Date: Certified May 2020 Green Star Rating: 6-Star Green Star – Public & Education Buildings v1 Design rating (77 points in Round 2) Project owner: Balwin Properties Limited AP: Nomafengu Mbele, Solid Green

Solid Green

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AWARDS

BEST QUALITY SUBMISSION This award goes to the project whose submission attains the highest percentage of points targeted in the Round 1 submission – before Round 1 clarifications – for the period under consideration (convention to convention), which serves as a primary indicator of the quality of the submission.

High-frequency ballasts in all occupied office areas to reduce light ‘flicker’, blinds to reduce glare, submetered energy usage and zero ozone depletion (ODP) HVAC refrigerants are just some of the many features which demonstrate Nicol Grove Building 11’s commitment to sustainability. Their plans are underpinned by several policies which will see them move towards an even greener future. This pertains to green cleaning, waste management, sustainable procurement and purchasing as well as landscape, hardscape, and integrated pest management plans to encourage environmentally sensitive maintenance and landscape management practices.

Project type: Commercial Date: September 2020 Green Star Rating: 4-Star Green Star – Existing Building Performance v1 rating (52 points awarded in round 1 of 53 points targeted) Project owner: Investec Property Fund AP: Claire Holton, Ecocentric

Shiny Rock Properties

JOINT WINNER: NICOL GROVE BUILDING 11, NICOL GROVE OFFICE PARK (JOHANNESBURG)

JOINT WINNER: WOODLANDS OFFICE PARK BUILDINGS 1 TO 8 (JOHANNESBURG) The Woodlands Office Park is a unique property featuring a wetland and animal reserve within a nature park. The Woodlands’ tranquil setting incorporates a lifestyle centre with a gym, creche and Mugg & Bean.

It comprises 32 buildings and is home to more than 100 businesses. Growthpoint has modernised and customised Buildings 1 to 8 at The Woodlands to meet the needs of a single tenant – Altron. It has seamlessly linked eight buildings with a 360-metre walkway to create a connected campus, and is delivering an integrated internal fit-out solution for the buildings, optimised for high performance.

Project type: Commercial Date: May 2020 Green Star Rating: 4-Star Green Star – Existing Building Performance v1 rating (49 points awarded in Round 1 of 50 points targeted) Project owner: Growthpoint AP: Adrie Fourie, while at Zutari

Growthpoint

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AWARDS

RUNNER UP: 82 MAUDE (JOHANNESBURG)

Project type: Commercial Date: June 2020 Green Star Rating: 4-Star Green Star – Existing Building Performance v1 rating (61 points awarded in Round 1 of 63 points targeted) Project owner: Redefine Properties AP: Sally Misplon, Misplon Consulting

82 Maude sums up what today’s ‘new normal’ should look like across businesses in South Africa.

New Vantage Properties

Located in the centre of Sandton’s commercial district, the refurbishment of 82 Maude provides a green beacon that similar A-Grade offices can strive for.

Indoor environmental quality testing that monitors and controls indoor pollutants, energy and water consumption has been benchmarked against similar green buildings, to reduce the burden on the system as much as possible. Additionally, policies have been put in place with regards to green cleaning, waste and recycling and there is a gradual move towards replacing all non-zero ODP refrigerants in the building. These plans perfectly sum up what today’s ‘new normal’ should look like across businesses in South Africa.

NON-STANDARD AWARDS: NET ZERO This award recognises leading net zero (and net positive) projects that have achieved an innovative and cutting-edge outcome in terms of net zero carbon, water, waste, or ecology.

What more could sustainability-focused travellers to Pretoria ask for than an upmarket, net positive energy (carbon) boutique hotel? Hotel Nieu has been built out of a desire to create intentional urban communities and its philosophy centres around six elements of sustainable net zero living: human capital, water, energy, food, personal security and transport. As a Net Positive Carbon building (the first ever certified) the hotel produces more energy than it uses, which has been achieved through applying passive design principles, solar PV with battery back-up and highperformance materials.

Urban Concept Architects

Project type: Commercial/Hospitality Green Star Rating: First Level 2 Carbon (modelled) certification, first Net Positive Carbon Project owner: Founded by Anthony Fitzhenry & Paul Boshoff Date: Certified April 2020 AP: Zendrè Compion, Solid Green

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Marc Sherratt

WINNER: HOTEL NIEU

RUNNER UP: HOUSE BALDWIN-RAGAVEN The definition of a Net Positive Waste building, according to the GBCSA, is that 5% above the total mass of construction waste must be reused waste from other sites. House Baldwin-Ragaven managed to achieve 104%, an amazing effort which, in practical terms, means that the waste from an entire similar-sized project was diverted from landfills and used as a resource in transforming this 105-year-old heritage Cape Dutch house in Parktown West, Johannesburg.

Project type: Residential Date: Certified March 2020 Green Star Rating: First Level 1 Waste (measured), first Net Positive Waste Project owner: Dr Laurel Baldwin Ragaven AP: Marc Sherratt, Marc Sherratt Sustainability Architects

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High

Green Achievers This year, Solid Green has attained the double milestone of its 10th birthday and 100 green building certifications!

This monumental achievement includes 84 Green Star, seven Net Zero, six EDGE and three LEED certified projects.

WORDS Solid Green Consulting

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MILESTONES

S

Marloes Reinink (right) and Chilufya Lombe (left), directors at Solid Green Consulting.

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olid Green’s 100th certification milestone was marked by the successful 4-Star Green Star multiple building rating for Phase 1 of The Ingress office development in Waterfall City, Gauteng. The development’s first phase comprises two of five buildings in a 20 000m² premium-grade commercial development by Attacq.

Marloes Reinink, Solid Green’s founding director, says: “In light of the many challenges faced by the building industry recently, we are especially proud of this achievement and of our clients for continuing to pursue their green building visions. Over the last decade, we have been honoured to work with trailblazers who have demonstrated both courage and commitment in prioritising sustainability, climate resilience and user wellbeing in the South African property sector.

“Legislation and expectations have put pressure on professionals to up their game when delivering green buildings – which in turn has led to teams who are better educated and experienced in this sector. We have been an active part of this process – engaging with clients and teams from the inception of projects; pushing for innovation at every opportunity; and actively advocating for change within the property sector.”

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MILESTONES

NOTEWORTHY CERTIFICATIONS IN 2020 The Ingress Waterfall certification follows closely on one of the first Net Positive Carbon Level 2: Occupant Emissions (modelled) ratings in South Africa, attained

by Hotel Nieu, an off-the-grid boutique hotel in Pretoria, which provides upmarket hospitality services to people who care deeply about the appropriate stewarding of resources. The development, founded

by Anthony Fitzhenry and Paul Boshoff, is home to older heritage buildings, newer existing buildings and new buildings.

At a historic moment in time, just weeks before South Africa went into lockdown, Westend Building C received its 4-Star Green Star SA Design certification.

Building C is the third of six buildings to be developed

by Abland Property Developers in Westend Office Park, Centurion. This certification, Abland’s 17th in collaboration with Solid Green, further demonstrates the developer’s ongoing commitment to sustainable development. Westend Building D, the development’s fourth, is targeting its Green Star Design certification in early 2021.

Pushing the boundaries at every opportunity, Solid Green and Balwin Properties recently achieved a 6-Star Green Star Public & Education Building (PEB) rating for The Reid Lifestyle Centre. As part of a Balwin upmarket lifestyle estate situated close to the Marlboro Gautrain station, the building is also targeting a Net Zero Carbon Level 2 rating – which is possible thanks to the array of energy efficiency measures that have been implemented, together with a 15kWp photovoltaic solar system that is expected to meet 100% of the building’s energy needs.

And, following an extensive process to regard sustainability as a joint core value, Growthpoint and Serra® Services recently achieved the first Green Star Existing Building Performance (EBP) rating for an industrial building in Gauteng – with a 5-Star certification for a 7 400m² light manufacturing building in Meadowbrook, Germiston.

DRIVING CHANGE IN AFRICA

“Our work on the rest of the continent is growing,” says Chilufya Lombe, director at Solid Green. “There is a large demand for green buildings and precincts in African countries, and we are fortunate to be part of this movement. We have worked on some great projects around legislation and regulations in Nigeria and Ghana. We are also actively involved in education and training – for clients, policy makers and building sector professionals. We have certified buildings in Mauritius, Botswana, Kenya, and Namibia; and are currently working on Green Star and LEED projects in Ghana, Mauritius, Kenya, Namibia, Rwanda, Nigeria, and Zambia.”

One of these recent certifications was for the new SABIS® International School – Runda in Nairobi, which achieved a 4-Star Green Star Africa-Kenya PEB (Public & Education Building) v1 Design rating in April 2020.

This was a Green Star regional first, and the school was presented as a case study at the World Green Building Week (21-25 September 2020). As the first Green Star certified school in Kenya, the aim was to positively impact the project’s design and construction costs, asset value, operating costs, workplace productivity and user health.

In order for cities to grow in a sustainable manner, developments must take the opportunity to move green design beyond the building scale into the public realm to create places that are both good for the environment and good for people.

The Ingress Waterfall is Solid Green’s 100th certification milestone.

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MILESTONES

SABIS® International School – Runda in Nairobi was a Green Star regional first, and was presented as a case study at the World Green Building Week 2020.

FOSTERING AN ENVIRONMENT FOR GROWTH Among its industry-acknowledged achievements, Solid Green can count 19 GBCSA annual awards over the last 10 years. The latest of these was for Hotel Nieu as winner of the Non-Standard Awards: Net Zero category in 2020. Other awards over the years have been achieved under the Established Green Star, Rising Green Star, Highest Rated Building, Best Quality Submission and Net Zero Innovative Project categories; and runner up for company with the Highest Number of Certifications in 2017.

“We put a lot of time and energy into fostering a proactive, inspiring and healthy business culture,” says Reinink, who was named Businesswoman of the Year: Entrepreneur at the South African Women in Property Awards 2018. “We take the practice of mentoring young people very seriously, and we are constantly rewarded by their personal and professional growth. We have also committed to providing a healthy work environment for our team, together with lifestyle guidance and ongoing mentorship. We have been amply rewarded with a highly motivated team that consistently delivers exceptional quality work to meet the expectations of our clients.”

From early 2021 the team will be continuing its sector-leading work from its new premises in Parkhurst, Johannesburg. “We are incredibly proud that we achieved 6-Star Green Star Interior and LEED Commercial Interior Platinum certifications for our offices in Rosebank,” comments Lombe. “We plan on going one step further with our new home in Parkhurst and will be actively pursuing the Living Building Challenge (LBC) Core certification.”

The is a simple framework that “puts the connection to nature, equity and the need for a building to be loved on even footing with the typical water, energy and materials concerns.” (https://living-future.org/core/). Designed by Activate Architecture, the new offices make use of an existing structure and incorporate additional space under a new roof that opens onto a landscaped courtyard garden.

The intention is to reuse as much furniture as possible from the old office with some clever design solutions that will make the new spaces functional, adaptable and

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ergonomically efficient. Natural lighting, glare control, acoustics, multiple workspace options and the inclusion of biophilic elements have been identified as top priorities.

NEW DECADE, NEW CHAPTER “Climate risks have become part of the mainstream building conversation over the last decade,” Reinink observes. “In planning for future building strategies, health-related risks will join the ‘resilience’ conversation – requiring new design and construction methodologies to align with the inevitable changes to regulations that we will see in the coming months and years.”

Moving forward, Solid Green intends to meet these demands by continuing to push for innovation in the African construction sector. Projects underway include regenerative developments targeting Net Positive and Living Building Challenge certifications, and more work on a precinct scale. Reinink adds, “In order for cities to grow in a sustainable manner, developments must take the opportunity to move green design beyond the building scale into the public realm to create places that are both good for the environment and good for people.”

Reinink and Lombe are quick to acknowledge that the company’s achievements have been made possible due to the sector leadership of its clients, the dedication of professional teams, and the ongoing hard work of its staff. Building on the momentum of the last decade, Solid Green will continue its drive for change – towards a more conscious, connected and responsible way of living and doing business.

1 500 000m² sqm space certified 150 million kWh/annum energy saved 200 million kg CO2/annum saved 10 000 households’ worth in energy consumption 45 000 fewer cars on the road (kg CO2 equivalent) 900 million litres of potable drinking water saved

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INTERVIEW

A GREEN STAR RISING 2020’s Rising Green Star (awarded at the 2020 Green Building Convention), has been active in the green building sector for just over five years. +Impact Magazine spoke to Catherine Luyt from Ecolution Consulting . The Rising Green Star award recognises up-and-coming individuals who are making a significant contribution to the green building industry.

COMPILED BY Mary Anne Constable Q: What attracted you to green buildings initially, and why did you become a sustainability consultant?

CL: I did a post-graduate diploma in Environmental Management at Stellenbosch University in 2014 and took a great interest in the urban/built environment aspect of environmental management and sustainability concepts. Upon learning about green building certification towards the end of my studies I really became interested in the topic. I think we can all agree that for any real action to be taken, to mitigate the effects of climate change, it has to happen largely in the urban centres.

There is so much embodied energy in the existing building stock that cannot go to waste. I would really like to see a shift in focus to upgrading the old, and what we already have, as opposed to the notion of new is always better.

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Q: What are the founding principles that you believe all green buildings should aspire to? Describe a couple of examples of the projects you’ve worked on which exemplify these principles.

CL: It sounds obvious, but the main principle is that the project team comprising of developers, architects, engineers and eventually facilities managers and building occupants, have to entirely believe and support the true reasons for deciding to become a green building – whatever these motives may be. This must be communicated to the entire project team, so that everyone is fully behind and supports the client’s intent to pursue a sustainability strategy.

Additionally, there needs to be the understanding that the process is a journey and not a one-stop shop, especially for existing buildings that are interested in retrofitting and altering their operations to become a greener building. The process of becoming ‘green’ takes time. There are lessons to learn and many frustrations as this is still a new concept to many individuals and businesses who are still determined to uphold the old status quo and outdated ways of building.

A great example of a project that has wholly embraced the journey concept is Equator – The Belt Factory, which is based in Pinetown, Kwazulu-Natal. Approximately three years ago Equator embarked on this green journey.

While they recently received a 5-Star Green Star Existing Building Performance certification, there has been a great focus on behaviour change with all staff of the factory and involvement of all building occupants in their sustainability journey, so that the building can optimise its operations. The green journey and its focus have shifted over the years as they have progressed and as everyone has deepened their understanding, but the intent has remained the same that the business wants to be better for the planet and its people.

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INTERVIEW Q: Do you sometimes experience resistance to green building principles, and how do you overcome it?

CL: Of course. There is often resistance to a lot of the work that we do on projects. It mainly stems from a client or company having the intention of building a green building or embarking on a green journey, but there has been no filtering down of these ideals to the rest of the project team who ultimately make the day-to-day decisions. It is also difficult when a client is interested in building a green building for marketable reasons or the perception of doing the right thing but has no vested interest in the building down-the-line once it has been occupied by tenants or sold. Therefore, the client may have little vested interest in technologies or interventions that have a higher capital cost but a long-term saving for the occupants. I have noticed that the best results often come about when the building is owner-occupied because then there is a greater buy-in to invest in interventions that will reap savings further down the line, but may cost more now.

To overcome these challenges often takes a lot of coaxing and good negotiating. Ultimately, we need to communicate the long-term benefits vs the short-term costs – both financially and environmental.

Q: What is your favourite project you have worked on and why?

CL: There are three! Again, I would have to make mention of Equator – The Belt Factory as being one of my favourite projects. There was so much passion and enthusiasm felt for the green journey and the Green Star certification, from the director down to every employee within the company. I felt a huge sense of buy-in and genuine interest to change and seek out more and more ways to become efficient.

We have even worked closely with the company every December, deciding how to do their corporate gifts a bit differently. Last year, in 2019, Equator decided to carbon offset a specific number of flights for each of their major clients. This was a great way to spread awareness within the fashion industry about something as simple as air travel.

Hotel Verde Cape Town was also a standout project for me. I only started working with them a year after they opened so I was more focused on their sustainable operations than the construction. The hotel, its management, and owners are always looking for ways to become more efficient throughout the building.

While the building is fitted out with many amazing, ground-breaking, and efficient technologies, it is again the operations that makes this project one of my favourites. The creativity that goes into keeping operations efficient is truly inspiring. In 2019, I was the AP on their Green Star EBP recertification, for which the project received the highest number of points for any Green Star certification that year.

Virgin Active Constantia Net Zero Waste was another favourite of mine. To look solely at the issue of operational waste and getting waste to net zero, in a building which sees thousands of people through the door each week, was a major challenge that Virgin Active rose to. Creativity had to be involved here in order to

think of ways to reduce waste and encourage members to buy-into the process with Virgin. They achieved their Net Zero Waste certification in 2019.

Q: How do you think Covid-19 will mould the green building movement going forward?

CL: There are two aspects where I think we will see significant changes: Firstly, there will be increased focus on Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ). IEQ has always been considered a rather ‘soft’ topic in green building and often not granted the same prominence as energy and water interventions. This will change now. Companies will place greater focus on improving their space’s IEQ to address health issues where they can – ventilation being one of the key features.

Secondly, I believe most office layouts and structures will change going forward into a more hot-desk type space, where no-one has their own desk. This will most probably reduce the floor plate of offices, and people will start to consider how to use the space more efficiently and effectively to encourage this more flexible style of working.

Q: What key information would you like all property developers to understand about green buildings?

CL: Do not greenwash! People are more clued up in 2020 than you think, and you will be caught out. Building green is still tough in the South African market and by no means status quo yet, but we will get there hopefully.

To build green does take additional effort and possibly cost more, so developers must accept and commit to that. I often get the unpleasant feeling that developers believe that by simply appointing a green building consultant the project will then become green with little other changes to design. This is disheartening to see but things are slowly changing, and it takes a few key-players in the industry to push the boundaries and inspire others to make similar changes.

Q: What has been your greatest challenge so far as a young sustainability consultant?

CL: Trying to show clients, or future clients, the intrinsic value of having a sustainability consultant on their team.

All too often we are viewed as a ‘nice-to-have’ and unfortunately in 2020, with the economic downturn, we are often the first to be dropped from a project or not viewed as a necessity to be hired on new projects.

Q: What key changes would you like to see happen in the green building movement in South Africa and worldwide?

CL: Simply an understanding that we just cannot afford to build how we used to. Green building is the only option for the planet. I would also really like to see more refurbishments of buildings taking place, rather than demolition followed by new buildings. There is so much embodied energy in the existing building stock that cannot go to waste. I would really like to see a shift in focus to upgrading the old, and what we already have, as opposed to the notion of new is always better.

Catherine Luyt has extensive experience in the existing building sphere and sustainable operations in commercial, industrial and hospitality sectors. She also has comprehensive experience in new build projects, assisting to set sustainability goals for the project and ensuring these goals are met throughout the design and construction process, whether this results in a green building certification or simply best practice. Her industry credentials include Green Star Accredited Professional (Interiors, Net Zero, Existing Building Performance), LEED Accredited Professional (BD&C) and EDGE Expert.

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PROFILE

Future-proof

residential developments The summer fun has just begun, and as active lifestyles and outdoor activities are part of healthy neighbourhoods, Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo emphasises planting and maintaining beautiful trees and vibrant green open spaces.

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reening nearby and inside residential development improves the environment, making it more pleasant to enjoy time outside, especially during warm summer days. Shared green spaces enjoyed by surrounding community members contribute significantly to mental and physical health, they cool down the urban heat island, and filter dirty water and help storm water run-off recharge natural ground water levels instead of running off into the pipe network.

NEIGHBOURHOOD’S VALUE GREENING Interestingly there is a direct correlation between property value and the natural beauty of the neighbourhood. Understanding this a key reason why Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo (JCPZ) donates fruit trees to low-cost housing developments to encourage residents to tend and plant more trees.

When considering what plants contribute to a healthy environment, understanding seasonal temperatures and maintenance is key, and so indigenous species Celtis Africana (white stinkwood) and Olea europaea subsp. africana (wild olive) make for beautiful choices.

Tree canopies, maintained landscapes, watersensitive urban design and growth in property values are interlinked. So, in large state-funded housing projects there is a strong requirement for planting space for the ecological effects which enable residents’ comfort, health, efficiency, security, beauty and the joy of having a place to call home.

Sites have the opportunity to be modelled after natural systems to maximise the ecosystem services landscapes can provide. Vegetation can cool the area by shading streets and breathing out water vapour, filter water, restore soil to support healthy vegetation, filter nonpoint source water pollution, slow stormwater run-off, and prevent soil from entering into the pipe network.

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HEALTHY BODY, HEALTHY MIND Studies show that people respond to healthy and attractive environments through better mental and emotional health, reduced stress responses, higher mental functioning and productivity, community cohesion and resilience, and increased safety and security.

Ecological designs that sustain natural, water-wise planting increases the beauty and aesthetic appeal of the site and this contributes to overcoming hesitation expressed by some communities when considering affordable housing.

JCPZ welcomes residents who want to roll up their sleeves and make a difference to their local parks through litter picking, weeding, flowerbed maintenance, grass rehabilitation and beautification.

For more formal contributions, consider adopting a park, joining area community forums and partnering with JCPZ to maintain local parks.

WORKING TOWARDS EFFECTIVE SOLUTIONS Partnerships: Working in partnership with organisations and residents helps users and other central role players work towards beautiful parks.

Be flexible: Even excellent designs may not meet the needs of the site or municipal codes, this may require working directly with the local municipality to come up with a creative solution that meets the original needs as well as that of the site and zoning codes.

A better project will result in one that is more functional and accepted.

Include volunteers: Engaging the local community in the installation process will help educate the community in what is being done as well as gain support for the project. Volunteers, especially any local master gardeners, can also be a good way to help keep an eye on maintenance issues on the site.

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Creating Sustainable Green Spaces for Future Generations Johannesburg is the largest manmade forest, boasting approximately 3.6 million street trees and includes an abundance of spacious green lungs. These green lungs serve the surrounding community with a multitude of functions, settings and benefits that are accessible and welcoming for present and future generations.

Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo is committed to upholding and maintaining Johannesburg’s ‘green crown’ by offering the following key services: Horticultural maintenance, conservation management , open space management, ecological and zoological services to ensure Johannesburg remains one of the greenest cities in the world.

011 712 6600 www.jhbcityparksandzoo.com a world class African City

THOUGHT LEADERSHIP

Stop Cutting the grass

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Sustainability architect, Marc Sherratt, reflects on a new sustainable vision for Johannesburg’s public parks.

WORDS & IMAGES Marc Sherratt

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THOUGHT LEADERSHIP

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THE FAILURE OF THE GARDEN CITY on’t we all love the wonderful purity of an expansive green lawn, people picnicking under oak trees, children playing in a publicly accessible but safe park. However, is this utopian European picture of a great public park naïve in a city like Johannesburg?

I have lived in Johannesburg my whole life. I can’t remember a single time I went to a public park as a child. My parents owned a large home in the northern suburbs with a private garden set out in a classical French style. The approach to the landscape design matched the architecture well, namely a philosophy of imposing symmetry and human control over nature.

Sadly, behind our high, electrified walls we had no need as a family to use public parks. This left us as children climbing trees in safety of course, but I wonder if opportunities to meet others of different races, religions and social-economic positions were missed. For me, one of the most important aspects of any public design scheme, is creating opportunities to build cultural respect and, ultimately, cultural unity through dialogue, but also something as simple as public witness as personified in the Zulu greeting sawubona which literally means ‘I see you’.

There is magic that takes place in Johannesburg’s parks at night.

Spotted eagle owls begin hunting rodents, small spotted genets clamber through our anthropogenic forests, and the homeless silently take up many sleeping spaces under trees, bridges and bushes.

Having travelled most of the developed world I recognised modernist concepts, like that of the ‘garden city’ that has been borrowed from places like London, which form the philosophy, and therefore policy, behind Johannesburg’s public parks. My experiencebased reality of Johannesburg’s public parks, however, is not one of idyllic public parks of safety, natural beauty, physical exercise and rest – yet.

NOCTURNAL MAGIC Many of Johannesburg’s parks have been fenced to control access as a safety measure. This has changed them from a public space to a semi-public space. This trade-off leaves many parks without any formal nocturnal function, and so they become ghostly quiet at night as the middle-class escape to their fortified homes.

There is, however, magic that takes place in Johannesburg’s parks at night. Spotted eagle owls begin hunting rodents, small spotted genets clamber through our anthropogenic forests, and the homeless silently take up many sleeping spaces under trees, bridges and bushes. In light of the above, we felt obligated as a design firm to begin to uncover and highlight this magic to others as we simultaneously sought to develop a model that could move our public parks into an era of contemporary usage.

Noting the challenges but also opportunities in our parks, we presented our company to Joburg City Parks and asked them for their most difficult problems to solve. Homelessness, crime and the lack of finances to manage their parks came up as core issues. Many public parks have uniquely local problems, such as the Braamfontein Spruit (said to be the longest longitudinal park in the world) which has water polluted with e.coli at levels dangerous to human health. These rivers flood dangerously quickly, absorbing most of our stormwater run-off that comes from the excessively hardscaped areas (non-permeable areas to water like tar or paving) of our surrounding roads and buildings. The speed of

The location for the Park of the Light project, next to the Braamfontein Spruit in Johannesburg.

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THOUGHT LEADERSHIP

the alluvial water-rise within these rivers has caused many deaths from floods over the years. If we don’t create sustainable urban drainage systems (SUDS), these deaths will continue.

DEVELOPING AN URBAN PARK REGENERATION STRATEGY (UPRS) So how do we start to develop a model to solve such difficult problems? Our first question was to ask who the real visitors of public parks are. We interviewed many of the homeless and found some have been living in our public parks for more than 30 years. This disproved our assumption that the homeless were only temporary visitors of parks. Of course, many are only temporary visitors, but many are resident and arguably greater users of the parks than anyone else. This led us to form a strategy around the employment of these visitors into what we called an Urban Park Regeneration Strategy (UPRS), rather than dismissing them as outside the scope of existing park policy. Many of these visitors knew local parklands much better than us and had inspirational ideas for development. Things like urban farming, outdoor cinemas and park restaurants all became ideas of social and economic regeneration. In our projects we were able to bring together surrounding residents and the homeless, in collaboration with Joburg City Parks, to take back responsibility of our public park spaces.

Much of our initial conversations were around whose responsibility it is to maintain our parks. The current reality is that Joburg City Parks does not have the finances to maintain all our public parks as effectively as they need to. The responsibility in the short- to medium-term therefore falls to the residents that live around such areas. Once this shift in mindset, that you are also responsible for the maintenance of your public park, happens, people come together. We put our skills in urban, landscape and architectural design to use in order to develop a maintenance plan that

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could be implemented by municipalities. This was conceptualised into a pilot project located on the Braamfontein Spruit, poetically called the ‘Park of light’.

THE PARK OF LIGHT The first hurdle in this project was to break the preconceived idea of what a park should look like and what functions it should have. The idea, for example, that the grass must be cut as soon as new growth appears was shown to be ecologically damaging. Grassland, being Johannesburg’s original landscape before the city developed, is one of the most productive of all terrestrial biomes. The starting point of the project was to build a healthy, indigenous grassland eco-system.

This started by mapping exotic, invasive and indigenous species that existed onsite. We also removed invasive species, re-introduced the correct indigenous species and linked that eco-system into the existing man-made urban forest (a largely overlooked ecological system in the city that needs much strengthening). The second step was to train the staff, the resident homeless that we employed, to know how to manage such a system.

Once the baseline reference habitat was established for the park, other social and economic activities were added to activate the system and make it relevant for the local community. With adequate biodiversity bufferzones, urban farming was designed that would grow produce for high-end, park-based restaurants. The homeless were employed and trained to manage the farm and protect the biodiversity of the riverine habitat.

Water for farming was collected from rainwaterharvesting systems installed in middle-class homes adjacent to the park. This system helps to reduce the large amount of stormwater being channelled into the river during the summer.

At night, an air-pollution-sensing lighting system (sensing gases such as CO, CO₂, NOx) educates and encourages people to use the park on their way to an outdoor dinner. A temporary art gallery located under

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The cleverly designed lighting system changes colour according to air-pollutants.

Temporary sleep pods provide a safe space for the homeless to sleep.

Once this shift in mindset, that you are also responsible for the maintenance of your public park, happens, people come together. a bridge at the entrance to the park was designed to discourage people from sleeping under the bridge because it becomes very dangerous when the river floods.

The most difficult component to solve was the homeless sleeping in the park. When someone permanently sleeps in a park the space changes from public to private, which we wanted to avoid. However, until more permanent facilities exist, we had to provide some sleeping accommodation for vulnerable people.

Our design includes sleeping pods for the homeless that can be used only at night. These are reserved for those who are part of the ‘Park of Light’ project, as they move from homeless and unemployed to employed and eventually into formal accommodation.

FUTURE JOHANNESBURG AS A WATER PURIFIER Many people don’t know that Johannesburg sits on a continental watershed, where rain that falls to the

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south flows to the Atlantic Ocean and rain that falls to the north flows to the Indian Ocean. One aspect of our vision for the city is for it to return the water that flows into these river systems cleaner than it was received, free of pollution and full of life. This is the opposite of what is happening today.

We cannot keep treating our public parks as if they are places that are only the municipality’s responsibility to maintain. With the limited tax base the government has, it cannot fix issues such as these without our support at a local level. If you don’t know how to help, look around at the community in which you live, join your local community organisation and understand your urban issues from a more holistic perspective. Let’s upgrade our parks to indigenous reference habitats that put biodiversity first, intelligently balancing this with a social and economic system that provides the finances and community we need to keep these places safe and healthy for future generations. Johannesburg is not just the modernist inner-city skyscraper or the glazed Sandton office block, it is also the man-made forest with jacaranda in bloom from which the hadeda (grey ibis) pronounces its loud morning call. Perhaps if we regenerate our parks, we can also regenerate our communities which form the basis of attaining our South African dream of a democratic and economically equal society. Perhaps then our children will make the special memories we didn’t, in a city at peace with itself and its environment. www.marcsherratt.com

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ENERGY

Future-fit Home Design 34

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Team Mahali

A team of recent graduates and young African professionals, from South Africa, Zimbabwe and Nigeria, have designed the ultimate sustainable home of the future. Team Mahali was awarded first prize in the City of Cape Town and the GBCSA’s design competition for the ultimate ‘clean green home’. The City’s executive mayor, Alderman Dan Plato, met with the winning team to hand over their My Clean Green Home award.

WORDS City of Cape Town

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ENERGY

NET ZERO CARBON HOME “We all play a part in achieving our city’s energy, water and waste targets, and when we all reduce our consumption in our homes, the overall reductions are significant. The brief for the competition was to design a net zero carbon home which could be used for display purposes – ultimately giving people the opportunity to visualise, and therefore understand, the benefits of living in one. The GBCSA defines a ‘net zero carbon’ building as ‘a building that is highly energy-efficient, and the remaining energy use is from renewable energy, preferably on-site but also off-site where absolutely necessary, so that there are zero net carbon emissions on an annual basis’.

“The entrants went beyond net zero carbon and included resource efficiency. Many designs had water

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The Mahali Hub.

saving, waste reduction and social aspects included,” said Lisa Reynolds, CEO at the GBCSA. The calibre of submissions made reaching a final decision on a winning design very difficult for the judging panel. The criteria used for identifying the winner included passive and active energy efficiency, renewable energy, thermal comfort, materials, ease of construction and overall design. Budget and internal space were key constraints.

“The competition received 13 innovative design entries. Each submission brought their ambitious interpretation of the brief and showed great creativity.

The pool of entries spanned students and professionals and we feel the initiative will have a lasting impact on future design projects.

“From the entries received, it was highly evident that South Africans are exploring new, innovative ways of designing homes. The entries displayed incredibly thoughtful, creative, sustainable designs, and as judges we were thoroughly impressed,” said Manfred Braune on behalf of the judges.

TEAM MAHALI In 2019, Team Mahali was awarded second place for architecture and design at Solar Decathlon in Morocco, an international design competition that challenges university students to integrate renewable energy and architecture.

“The design is inspired by the typical African tradition of community, formal and informal, gatherings under an expansive tree canopy. The design tries to recreate the communal space by creating a courtyard-like space between two more private spaces for sleeping and living,” said Team Mahali’s team leader, Sharné Bloem.

The first runner up, 2AD Space, also had a great proposal with a small, high density unit that made use of an extensive roof area to take advantage of solar energy. The second runner up was Team Panache, with a well-conceptualised layout that integrates sustainability features.

City of Cape Town

From left: Yumna Parker, Abiola Kehinde, Ilyaas Ravat, Sharné Bloem, Shawn Alimohammadi, Wimbayi Kadzere, Alderman Plato, Vikash Parbhoo, Argon Poorun and Natheera Ravat.

Team Mahali

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he My Clean Green Home competition was targeted at students and professionals in the built environment and forms part of the Cape Town Future Energy Festival, a series of virtual events designed to include all Capetonians in the city’s future energy narrative. The brief for the competition was to design a net zero carbon home for display and exhibition purposes.

The ‘Mahali Hub’ will be constructed and displayed as part of the festival finale in early 2021. Members of the public will also be able to tour the winning entry online.

The exhibition will include the full-sized model home, designed to operate at net zero carbon emissions. The public will be able to learn more about the possibilities of energy efficient homes via the exhibition.

“This is a great example of the type of out-of-thebox-thinking that we require to tackle our future climate challenges and opportunities. Our city and our sister cities across the continent need greater design solutions and innovation to ensure that we all become more sustainable and resilient.

“The City is aiming to be carbon neutral by 2050 and it has committed that all new buildings in Cape Town will be net zero carbon by 2030. While net zero carbon homes are seemingly challenging to create, the aim of the competition is to showcase the technologies and building techniques that already exist. Team Mahali’s design for the My Clean Green Home initiative is a modular ‘house in a box’ covered by an overarching tree-like structure that is made from upcycled and locally available materials. The design incorporates rainwater harvesting, solar power generation, passive cooling and an edible food garden. Well done to Team Mahali and the other 12 entrants,” said Alderman Plato.

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INTERVIEW

ESTABLISHED GREEN ROOTS +Impact Magazine caught up with GBCSA’s Established Green Star (awarded at the 2020 Green Building Convention), Francois Retief, who has been active in the green building sector for 11 years. The Established Green Star award recognises individuals who have continually contributed to the green building economy, and particularly through Green Star buildings. They are actively changing the way the world is being built and are recognised for their leadership, passion and contribution to the green building movement.

COMPILED BY Mary Anne Constable Q: What attracted you to green buildings initially, and why did you become a sustainability consultant?

FR: My journey began with energy efficiency and renewables while working in the UK. Keen to move into this sphere in South Africa, I came across the GBCSA and ended up taking a post on their technical team.

I’m still on a major learning curve but it really felt like I had somewhat of an ‘aha-moment’ while at the GBCSA, in seeing glimpses of a more logical, better way to build and operate our spaces. This appealed to the engineer in me. I’ll forever be grateful to the GBCSA for giving me access to such an inspiring network of people, and to each of those people I interacted with along the way.

In our push to develop a better world to live in, we often focus on new buildings, new materials and new urban spaces. I believe that a critical part of sustainable development is to utilise existing infrastructure, materials and spaces.

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Q: What are the founding principles that you believe all green buildings should aspire to? Describe a couple of examples of the projects you’ve worked on which exemplify these principles.

FR: I firmly believe that green buildings should aspire to the same principles that we as individuals or society aspire to. At its core this is to thrive in harmony with the ecosystems that support and depend on us. These ecosystems may be natural, social or economic. Some practical examples could include: • Being a part of the resource cycle, as opposed to simply a drain on it. The net zero movement embodies this thinking where just like plants and animals in nature, our buildings can generate, or sustainably harvest, the energy and water they require to operate, and potentially even give back into the cycle.

Buildings like Growthpoint’s Greenfield Industrial Park have begun this journey through combining efficiency with renewable energy to deliver a netzero baseload. The V&A Waterfront is an excellent example of leadership in this space from a water perspective as well, constantly pushing not only efficiency boundaries but looking to decentralised water sources such as desalination. Another great example is the Newlands Cricket Ground NorthWest quadrant commercial development. Through utilising basement seepage water, instead of sending it to stormwater, they have virtually no need for municipal water on site.

• Respecting the value of materials and heritage. One of the past GBCSA CEOs, Brian Wilkinson, would often say something along the lines of “the greenest building is the one that is already built”. In our push to develop a better world to live in, we often focus

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INTERVIEW on new buildings, new materials and new urban spaces. I believe that a critical part of sustainable development is to utilise existing infrastructure, materials and spaces. An amazing example of this is the Watershed at the V&A Waterfront. Rather than demolishing and re-building a retail centre, this heritage-rich structure was given a new life, enhanced by its history. The building achieved a 6-Star Existing Building Performance rating. This rating tool, at its core, aims to help us better manage the existing infrastructure we have.

If you take the time to understand your needs, green buildings simply mean better buildings.

Q: What kind of resistance have you experienced against green building principles during your career, and how have you overcome it?

FR: Any resistance I have come across is usually due to misperception and, ironically, often because of terminology and constructs such as ‘green’. If you ask a group of people if they want a ‘green building’, each one of them will have a different idea of what you are proposing. If you asked whether they wanted a building which was healthier to live in or had less risk of running out of water in a drought, then, however, you are talking about something of value and almost all would be interested.

Q: What is your favourite project you have worked on and why?

FR: I would have to say the scoping of a rating tool for existing homes, which we undertook last year.

Partly because I got to work with an amazing group of people from varied perspectives, but mostly because it allowed us to engage with every-day South Africans in envisioning what sustainable living might look like for us as a country. This was a hugely rewarding process.

Q: What are the most significant changes you have seen in attitudes towards transformation and sustainable design over your career?

FR: It has been amazing to see the beginnings of a conscious shift from ‘doing less bad’ towards ‘thriving’ or ‘doing things better’. Again, the net zero and net positive movement is a great example of this. Psychologically, we are driven towards positive outcomes as opposed to reducing negatives (we want to be fit and healthy, not less-fat for example), and hence I think this narrative is going to help us leap-frog into the world we want to see.

Q: How do you think Covid-19 will mould the green building movement going forward?

FR: I think that it has us questioning how healthy our spaces are in terms of indoor air quality, and also how we use our spaces. I hope that this translates into a renewed appreciation for natural ventilation, indooroutdoor spaces and flexible, multi-purpose use of space.

Q: What key information would you like all property developers to understand about green buildings?

FR: If you take the time to understand your needs, green buildings simply mean better buildings. There are elements in the green building framework which help you create an asset which is healthier, future-proofed, marketable, cost effective etc. The trick is to choose a strategy that gives you the most value as opposed to simply checking as many boxes as you can.

Q: What knowledge or expertise would you like to impart to a young sustainability consultant starting out?

FR: Stop, collaborate and listen! I would say that sustainability is a sphere as diverse as life itself. It spans ecology, toxicology, all forms of engineering, sociology, economics and more. Unless you are a true sage, there is no way you will know everything there is to know, and so we really do need to share thoughts and skills with as many people as possible. The task ahead of us is bigger than one person and will require collaboration on a scale we have never seen. In a similar vein, I believe there is little place for competition in the drive to build a better world. If you have found a way to make a difference, share it! Not only could it help us all move forward, but in my experience, this always brings you more opportunity than holding on to your ideas.

Q: What key changes would you like to see happen in the green building movement in South Africa and worldwide?

FR: Vision. I really do think we are getting closer to collectively seeing the picture of where we want our world to be. So instead of staring at melting icecaps (which is of course important), I hope that we can focus more on the vision we want to manifest for ourselves.

I firmly believe that green buildings should aspire to the same principles that we as individuals or society aspire to.

Francois Retief has extensive experience in the green building industry. A mechanical engineer by training, his company, Sow & Reap Consulting , specialises in building performance analyses and sustainability strategies.

He is passionate about collaborative working to find pragmatic sustainability solutions in the built environment.

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Demol perceptions Jet Demolition, the leading, largest, and most technically advanced demolition company in Africa, believes that turnkey Green Star projects offer major opportunities for demolition contractors to do things differently and to manage demolitions in an environmentally responsible way.

WORDS & IMAGES Jet Demolition

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MATERIALS

lishing

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he South African construction industry is under enormous pressure due to reduced margins and rising costs, especially given the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the future project pipeline. While detailed planning for new construction projects is fairly common, the same level of care is often not applied to the demolition phases, notes Jet Demolition contracts manager, Kate Bester (NDip Civil Engineering).

The expectation is to conclude demolition quickly and cheaply, without much regard for the end use of the demolished materials. Achieving a fully-compliant site is perceived as an ideal only achievable at a significant cost. However, Green Star certifications are possible with a well-planned and carefully thoughtout approach.

In many cases, clients requesting green-rated buildings prompt consultants and architects to consider alternative construction methods, processes and designs to accomplish these ratings. Different types of ratings hold different requirements, but in general, green buildings have requirements for more environmentally-friendly methods and building materials.

While there is no denying that a large proportion of demolition and construction rubble does go to registered landfill sites, it is critical to note that this material is often used to rehabilitate the landfill sites themselves.

This may include things like designing for LED lighting, recycling of grey water, harvesting of rainwater and making use of more glass to reduce the need for artificial lighting etc. One major aspect of achieving green ratings is waste reduction. Typically, this generally refers to waste generated once a building is occupied, but it can also be taken into consideration prior to a building being constructed. This is where a demolition specialist like Jet Demolition comes into play.

“As you know, South Africa only recently [relative to international standards] started embracing a green rating system. This means that very few technologies exist within the demolition environment to assist clients in achieving their Green Star goals at reasonable and acceptable rates,” comments Bester.

RUBBLE REUSE & WASTE MANAGEMENT “I believe that, as there is an increased need and requirement for turnkey Green Star projects, more opportunities will become available to the demolition contractor. As an example, most inert demolition rubble such as concrete and brick can readily be crushed and reused for future building works,” highlights Bester.

Demolition rubble can, in certain instances, be used in road layerworks to create compacted platforms or even used in site rehabilitation, landscaping and stormwater management. Unfortunately, the cost of preparing this material and converting it from a waste into a reusable resource is often prohibitive and not suitably anticipated or prepared for at the inception stage of a project.

However, Bester points out that there are conditions that may not require such stringent gradings that allow for this material to be used to the benefit of a wide range of potential recipients. For example, local farmers

Confined space demolition within a live facility.

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MATERIALS

Downsizing of demolished concrete for in situ rehabilitation.

often welcome the material to assist in managing stormwater flow or may even request a finely crushed material for use on their road networks. In general, all steel recovered from large-scale demolition projects can be recycled. In addition, recovered trusses or doors may be recycled, mulched or simply reused.

“There is massive potential for the recycling of the vast majority of materials that result from large demolition works. The only exception is the very few hazardous materials that simply cannot safely be reused or recycled,” stresses Bester.

Therefore, waste management is a critical component of any large-scale construction or demolition project.

It is vital that clients, engineers and contractors communicate clearly prior to the commencement of a project in order to ensure alignment across all spheres.

This ensures a co-operative and collaborative approach to projects, with different people actively seeking practical, cost-effective and responsible solutions to very basic problems.

It is essential that all role-players become involved at the beginning of a project, which can be achieved by determining what the thresholds are and then seeking alternative solutions that can meet these thresholds while still being cost-sensitive.

DEALING WITH HAZARDOUS MATERIALS The vast majority of construction materials are able to be sorted and cleaned mechanically either prior to or during demolition activities. Hazardous material abatement is crucial in order to remove the potential risk and contaminants from a structure prior to demolition, thereby resulting in ‘clean’ rubble from a structure.

While general hazardous materials are mostly prevalent in industrial, chemical and mining plants, asbestos-containing material is present across the board from ceilings to insulation wool, fascias, piping,

Removal of asbestos cement cladding.

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MATERIALS

Implosion of the Bank of Lisbon in Johannesburg.

floor tiles and window sills. “There is no specific industrial sphere where there is a greater prevalence.

The older the facility, the more likely and more common asbestos is,” adds Bester.

Jet Demolition offers asbestos abatement, which is often associated with the demolition of older structures.

The company is registered with the Department of Labour as an asbestos contractor and is certified to safely remove all types of asbestos in strict accordance with the relevant regulations and standards, such as the Asbestos Regulations (Regulation 155 of 2002), Environmental Laws Amendment Act 14 of 2009 and Waste Act 59 of 2008.

Most inert demolition rubble such as concrete and brick can readily be crushed and reused for future building works.

Personnel are fully trained and experienced to identify and handle asbestos, including asbestoscontaminated materials. They work closely with independent occupational hygienists to develop a comprehensive asbestos plan of work, and to carry out compliance and air monitoring throughout the course of the project.

Specialised PPE is required to undertake the work, as well as method-specific equipment such as HEPA filter vacuum cleaners. Both dry and wet removal and encapsulation techniques are deployed, thereby limiting the spread of asbestos fibres.

Site safety is always of paramount concern, adds Bester. Jet Demolition typically abates hazardous materials prior to demolition, where practical, and then moves on to the mechanical separation of materials during demolition. Here steel is set aside and processed for delivery to a foundry for recycling.

‘Clean’ demolition rubble is used where possible as on-site layerworks or to backfill voids, and any excess material is loaded and hauled for reuse.

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Achieving a fully compliant site is perceived as an ideal only achievable at a significant cost. However, Green Star certifications are possible with a well-planned and carefully thought-out approach.

DEMOLITION MATERIAL TO LANDFILL While there is no denying that a large proportion of demolition and construction rubble does go to registered landfill sites, it is critical to note that this material is often used to rehabilitate the landfill sites themselves. In this regard, the vast majority of registered landfill sites have very strict controls over the quality and quantum of material they are able to accept.

There is usually a strict grading in terms of the size limitation of the material accepted, with most material crushed prior to delivery. This material itself can then be used to cap the site or even as an engineered fill that serves as a permeable drainage layer.

In the event that there is material that cannot be suitably downsized or cleaned prior to disposal, the surcharge on the disposal is generally very high. This is specifically done to discourage the disposal of material that could otherwise have been recycled.

The fact that ‘clean’ material goes to landfill should not necessarily result in it being classified as waste.

“What may be needed is a reclassification of the different waste materials,” notes Bester. The vast majority of this material is being reused and recycled, albeit through a landfill facility for capping, erosion control by farmers or backfilling sinkholes by local councils.

“I look forward to South Africa progressing to a point where demolition waste management becomes a requirement, and to working with clients to find suitable, affordable and responsible approaches to their demolition waste management,” concludes Bester. www.jetdemolition.co.za

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CASE STUDIES: GREEN BUILDING SERVICES, MATERIALS AND TECHNOLOGIES

G

lobal warming is real, whether you choose to believe it or not. Unfortunately, it's the bad decisions of past and current generations that have put the world in the position it is today. We must all change our mindsets in every aspect of our lives from our purchasing decisions to the way we dispose of our waste in order to minimise our impact on the environment.

One way construction professionals can reduce the effects of climate change is to make more responsible purchasing decisions. This needs to start right now!

The world is moving towards a low-carbon economy and Thermguard is committed to doing its part for the South African market. By manufacturing insulation that consumes 10 to 14 times less energy than equivalent polyester and fibreglass products, we are offering a more sustainable product to all South Africans. Thermguard doesn't use any heat in the manufacturing process since our raw materials don't need to be melted in a furnace, as is the case with the above two products. If that isn’t enough – no water is used in the manufacturing process either.

There isn’t another product on the market that is more energy and water efficient to make than Thermguard. Our cellulose fibre insulation is easily blown over pipes and wiring, filling all the nooks and crannies in a roof space, and sealing off the movement of air, heat and sound.

Sustainable purchasing decisions are being made more often now than ever before to help save our beautiful planet for future generations. The responsible decisions

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of construction professionals are a driving force in reducing the negative effects that buildings have on our environment.

Thermguard has insulated South African homes since the ‘80s and it is an expert in insulation technology.

It now also offers an affordable installation machine which is available to anyone who wants to install a more effective and sustainable insulation – Thermguard.

Combined with our passion to look after our planet, we aim to offer the most eco-friendly roof insulation available.

Remember, Thermguard is Recycled for Your Future.

For more information about our products and services, or if you wish to find out more about our locally made installation machines, get in touch with the team at Thermguard today!

CASE STUDY THERMGUARD

ENERGY AND WATER-EFFICIENT INSULATION: THIS IS WHY THERMGUARD IS THE BEST!

THERMGUARD

www.thermguard.co.za

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