Amdec Group Brochure - 2015

Growing a Green Future

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Amdec Group

Growing a Green Future

Written by: John O’Hanlon Produced by: Richard Deane

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AMDEC GROUP

The future sustainability of our built environment is in the hands of today’s property developers

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he iconic Melrose Arch mixed-use precinct in Johannesburg’s leafy northern suburbs has set the precedent for sustainable cities in South Africa for over a decade, starting long before the green building movement officially began in the country.

Today, it continues its legacy of pioneering sustainability. Leading South African property company Amdec are owners in Melrose Arch.

By taking a long-term view and optimising the critical mass of mixed-use developments, Amdec has become a front-runner in green building innovation in South Africa.

Josef Quraishi, Head of Sustainability and Green Building for Amdec group, stated it will continue to push the sustainability envelope.

Sustainability is a win-win Amdec sees sustainability as a win-win. “When we develop, we look at the broader context of investing in communities. A thriving community is good for business; the more attractive a community is, the more desirable our buildings become,” said Quraishi.

He adds: “Amdec will continue with our commitment to find new and better ways to create greater sustainability and better resource efficiency, and use our hard-earned experience in sustainable development not only to benefit those who live, work and visit our developments, but also for the property industry as a whole.”

Quraishi believes that, as a pioneer in sustainable development in South Africa, Amdec has a lot to

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offer by sharing its experiences and knowledge.

“Our sustainability journey hasn’t been easy, and Amdec believes that sharing our lessons is important, as it helps others along the learning curve, and supports the movement for sustainability,” he said.

Quraishi was part of the team who helped develop Green Building Council South Africa’s (GBCSA) Socio-Economic Category - a world-first for rating tools. In doing so, the GBCSA took the lead in developing a set of socio-economic criteria for green building rating tools. Socio-economic factors are particularly relevant in developing countries such as South Africa, and extend green buildings to encompass not just environmental sustainability but also socio-economic sustainability.

Melrose Arch The Piazza

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AMDEC GROUP

The Koolcon Group is a property specialist group, that provides a hands-on approach through the appointment of our in house professionals. We specialize in design, construction, handover and maintenance. Offering a comprehensive design build solution in the commercial property market. We endeavour to ensure the best level of service with regular quality control, keeping our clients current, up to date and our projects on time.

We are able to provide a service across a broad range of sectors including: • • • • • •

Banking and Financial institutions Factories Student accommodation Spa’s, conference facilities and hotels Shopping centres Industrial

• • • • •

Office Parks Civil works Residential developments Telecommunication Towers Medical centres

Johannesburg (Head Office) Tel: +27 (0) 465 6947, Fax: +27 (0) 86 600 2947, E-mail: info@koolcon.co.za Address: Unit D8, Deco Park, Cnr New Market & Witkoppen, North Ridge, Johannesburg www.koolcon.co.za .

Regional offices include: Durban, Port Elizabeth and Cape Town

Complete solutions for the resources and energy sectors

WorleyParsons is a leading provider of project delivery and consulting services to the resources & energy sectors and complex process industries. Our services cover the full asset spectrum both in size and lifecycle – from the creation of new assets to services that sustain and enhance operating assets.

- BBBEE Level 2 - 30% PDI ownership

- Over 60 years’ experience - Deep local knowledge - Global expertise ContaCt Details www.novabuild.co.za 021 794 2874 info@novabuild.co.za

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www.worleyparsons.com

offices

35,600

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AMDEC GROUP

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Encouraging positive impacts The way we design, build and operate our buildings can address, to some extent, societal challenges such as poverty, unemployment, lack of education and skills, and health. This GBCSA tool is designed to both measure, and encourage, these positive impacts.

The Socio-Economic Category allows the socioeconomic achievements of new buildings and major retrofits to be recognised and rewarded under Green Star SA tools. It is a separate optional category for which projects can be rated alongside their standard Green Star SA certifications. As part of the initiative, the GBCSA simultaneously developed an International SocioEconomic Framework for the World Green Building Council, which can be used by other green building councils to apply to their rating tools.

Quraishi points out that while South Africa has building codes that talk to sustainability, Amdec always looks to do more and do better.

By considering the bigger picture, Amdec’s green building ethos has far-reaching positive impacts.

Its holistic approach to green building is helping to change the way people think and live. “Developers like ourselves can contribute to our socio-economic context, not only with green building but by uplifting local communities, transferring skills, training and mentoring, and using local people and products. Even when contracting large building companies for developments, we can ensure they pay it forward as part of our agreement

Melrose Arch

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AMDEC GROUP

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with them. From a sustainability perspective, as a developer we have a responsibility to do what we can where we can.” noted Quraishi.

Uplifting local communities Amdec puts this ethos into action wherever it develops. Among its community-specific initiatives, it has used material from construction excavation to rehabilitate a public park and is also taking care of a river course to ensure its banks are well maintained and help reduced flooding.

When it comes to green building itself, Amdec is aware this is a skill that existed long before the company did. “Yes, technology plays a big role in today’s green building, but it isn’t the only factor.

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There are age-old proven methods of creating greener buildings, going back to nomadic structures that were oriented and built to a height that would provide shade for cattle. Similarly there are exciting ways to reuse and upcycle materials happening all around us, as smart people and communities find ways of creating exciting opportunities with items that others may see as worthless.” said Quraishi.

So, Amdec’s approach to green building goes beyond active green building technologies to also incorporating more subtle elements of green building in design and orientation.

While tree-lined streets, such as those found at Melrose Arch, are beautiful, what may not be immediately apparent is that they also play an important role in green building. The tree canopies provide shading on the front of buildings, helping to keep them cool. The bottom level of a building, and the upper levels, are usually the hottest. The trees mitigate the heat of the sun that bounces off the road. This increases comfort inside the building and decreases a building’s cooling costs.

With Melrose Arch, and Amdec’s next R4 billion mega development of Westbrook, a 128,000ha mixed-use suburb in Port Elizabeth, it is taking the opportunity to explore the latest technologies in sustainability. In fact, Amdec hopes to take Westbrook entirely off the grid.

Reducing electricity consumption Among the solutions Amdec has identified is the gas-powered trigeneration plant, which is only

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High Street

Iconic View

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in use at a handful of properties in the country.

Capitalising on its benefits, it would reduce electricity consumption at a mixed-use precinct such as Melrose Arch by 50 percent, halving its dependence on the country’s power grid. Alongside this, Amdec has also invested over R100 million into alternative fuels, recycling waste and biofuel, and putting gas back into its system to be used within Melrose Arch. This will be the first time this is deployed in context of a South African mixed-used precinct.

Quraishi noted that for Amdec, it is not just about sustainability and doing the right thing, but also about helping its clients to reduce their occupation costs and keeping them working when load-shedding hits. “Amdec is responding to the challenges of South Africa’s energy crisis,” said Quraishi. “This helps to take strain off our power grid, and our building users’ pockets, as well as being good for the environment and helping communities prosper.”

While Amdec is adding more resource-efficient features to its assets, whether there is a rating tool available for them or not, it is also pursuing more green ratings for its properties. Having already earned Green Star SA ratings for two of its buildings in the last two years; Amdec plans to boost its pace of investing in green buildings by taking this number to six in the next 24 months. This means it will pursue more Green Star SA ratings for all its new developments, and some of its existing ones.

At Melrose Arch, Amdec has earned its two Green Star SA ratings: 40 on Oak was South Africa’s first multi-unit residential project certified

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Colourful Detailed Buildings

under the Green Star SA system, with a 4-Star Green Star SA Pilot certification and The Worley Parsons head office was awarded a 4-Star Green Star SA Office v1 Design rating.

As part of its multiunit residential rating at 40 on Oak, Amdec cut energy consumption for each apartment by 50 percent and water consumption by 40 percent making the Melrose Arch apartments even more desirable. For the green rated office, it lowered energy consumption by 40 percent and water consumption by 50 percent.

A platform for sustainable buildings Melrose Arch will also play a leading role in Amdec’s future targeted green star ratings, two of which have already been registered at GBCSA. For existing buildings, Josef explains that Amdec has prioritised getting ratings for single-tenant buildings. “Then

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Number of staff employed by Amdec Group

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AMDEC GROUP Melrose Arch

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we’ll move on to our multi-tenanted buildings, which can be more challenging.” said Josef.

The green inner-workings of Melrose Arch support more than a single building, they underpin a whole precinct, making it an enabling platform for sustainable buildings. Melrose Arch is also packed with ingenious designs and small, smart green touches that also create an enjoyable environment. It includes a central district cooling plant that utilises evaporative cooling so its buildings use less air conditioning than usual, it uses gas and has integrated recycling. Its mixed-uses and pedestrianisation reduces the need for cars, it also benefits from good access to public transport.

Josef explains that blue-chip businesses want their markets to know they are doing the right thing, so occupying a green rated building is becoming a business imperative for them. Amdec is like-minded and answering the call for green rated buildings in South Africa. Quraishi said: “Green buildings are also commercially desirable because they boost productivity and profitability by creating healthy workspaces that also mean lower absenteeism.”

With soaring energy costs, clients across Amdec’s portfolio of assets, including its Evergreen Lifestyle Villages, enjoy the benefits of Amdec’s energyefficient, water-efficient and cost-efficient focus.

For Amdec, its green building ethos is simply good business. “With our sustainability initiatives, Amdec ensures that whatever we do has a positive impact on their environment, in their community and beyond.” concluded Quraishi.

Company Information INDUSTRY

Construction HEADQUARTERS

Cape Town FOUNDED

1989 EMPLOYEES

51-200 PRODUCTS/ SERVICES

Sustainable development foundation for developing worldclass real estate and building design

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AMDEC GROUP Address: Amdec House, Silverwood Close, Steenberg Office Park, Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa, 7945 Tel. +27 21 702 3200/2 Fax. +27 21 702 3201 www.amdec.co.za info@amdec.co.za