News Archives | Solid Green Consulting
The Solid Green news section features the latest in green industry news from here in South Africa and around the world as a major player in the South African Green Building landscape. Join us for the ride!
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Our Journey in 2024
2024 has been a memorable year for Solid Green, marked by the fruition of months of dedication and transformative growth, together with the loss of a beloved team member. Here, we share more about this journey.
+10th December 2024
Biomimicry: Nature’s Blueprint for Sustainable Innovation
Biomimicry is not just a buzzword; it is a transformative approach to engineering and design that takes inspiration from nature to address complex human challenges. Here, Thato Molapo, shares his insights.
+10th December 2024
From Laughter to Leadership: the 2024 Green Building Convention
Here we share highlights from the Green Building Convention 2024 – a whirlwind of learning, laughter, and sustainability.
+10th December 2024
Balwin’s tenth Lifestyle Centre receives its 6-Star certification
In September 2024, Balwin Properties achieved its tenth 6-Star Green Star Design Rating for the Thaba Eco-Village Lifestyle Centre. Solid Green has been a fundamental part of this Green Star journey.
+10th December 2024
Mellissa Laubscher is Empowering Sustainability Through Finance
Mellissa Laubscher is a seasoned financial expert with over 11 years of experience, who plays a pivotal role in steering the Solid Green’s financial health toward sustainable growth.
+10th December 2024
How Design can change Human Habits
Design is a powerful tool that can shape human habits and behaviours. Here, Cebisa Mafukuzela explores how design can aid in fostering sustainable practices and improving overall quality of life.
+2nd October 2024
L2D Sets New Standards for Waste Reduction in Malls
Liberty Two Degrees (L2D) has become the first property group in South Africa to receive the Net Zero Waste Level 2 certification from the GBCSA for five of its malls in Johannesburg, Pietermaritzburg, Bloemfontein, and Cape Town.
+2nd October 2024
Reimagining Banking: two Nedbank branches receive Interiors ratings
In April 2024, Nedbank branches at Alex Mall and Fox Street, Johannesburg, proudly received their Green Star Interiors ratings, underlining their commitment to creating healthy and comfortable indoor environments for both employees and clients.
+2nd October 2024
Plumblink redefines the Sustainable Industrial Typology
The recent 4-Star Green Star PEB Custom Industrial Certification for Plumblink Head Office and Distribution Centre in Gauteng, proves that it’s absolutely possible to design industrial spaces that are mindful of their environmental impact. The plaque was handed over in May 2024.
+2nd October 2024
Thobeka Zuma: contributing to the Green Building industry
EDGE Project Manager, Thobeka Zuma, recently joined the Solid Green team. Here, she shares her journey in sustainability as well as her enriching experience working in our office.
+2nd October 2024
Menlyn Maine Residences: Best Practice for Sustainable Living
Menlyn Maine Residences’ recent certification with a 4-Star Green Star Multi Unit Residential Design V1 rating, proves that luxury living doesn’t have to be wasteful and harmful to the environment.
+12th June 2024
Pioneering Net Zero Construction Waste in Commercial Property
Setting an important example for the property sector to follow, we are proud to have been part of the first commercial-level Net Zero Waste Level 1 (construction waste) certification in South Africa.
+12th June 2024
Making a Difference: Our Day with Rise Against Hunger
On Saturday 8th June, the Solid Green team had the privilege of participating in a volunteering event with Rise Against Hunger. Here, Aadil Fayzoo shares our experience.
+12th June 2024
iKusasa demonstrates Sustained Sustainability
The iKusasa building, situated in Johannesburg’s Oxford Parks Precinct, is the first in developer Intaprop’s portfolio to achieve a 6-Star Green Star As Built Rating, which was officially awarded in May 2024.
+12th June 2024
Solid Green’s New Mural: A Journey of Art and Sustainability
Solid Green is thrilled to share an exciting development in our ongoing journey to renovate our new office in Parkhurst – an inspiring mural that reflects a highly successful collaboration.
+12th June 2024
Liberty Two Degrees: Waste not, Want not
Liberty Two Degrees has become the first property group in South Africa to achieve the coveted Net Zero Waste Level 2 certification by the GBCSA for four of its malls in Johannesburg, Pietermaritzburg and Cape Town.
+12th June 2024
Green Star New Build V2: the Healthy and Places categories
The Green Star New Build V2 rating tool, piloted at the end of 2023, expands the minimum requirements that need to be met by project teams seeking this certification. Here, Adrie Fourie and Annelidé Sherratt share their expert insights.
+20th March 2024
In loving memory: Mthokozisi ‘Giant’ Nxumalo
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Mthokozisi ‘Giant’ Nxumalo, a highly regarded member of the Solid Green family and a man like no other.
+20th March 2024
Four EDGE Residential Certifications
Recently, Solid Green has supported two major residential property clients in obtaining EDGE certifications. These certifications demonstrate marked savings in Energy, Water and Embodied Energy in Materials.
+20th March 2024
Showcasing our Certifications in 2023
In 2023, Solid Green supported our clients with a number of certifications that reflect the evolution of the building sector towards a better future for planet and people.
+20th March 2024
Our Office Chapter 12: Far from Yesteryear
In reflecting on the office journey for this year, the “How it started … How it’s going” meme resonates with us – encapsulating the journey through time by juxtaposing contrasting starting and current points
+17th March 2024
2023 – WHAT A JOURNEY!
Solid Green has had an exhilarating 2023, reaping the rewards of many months of diligent effort and witnessing several exciting changes within our team. Here we highlight some of our achievements.
+11th December 2023
Y/OUR SPACE – Green Building Convention 2023
The annual Green Building Convention was once again held at the Century City Conference Centre. It was the year of Y/OUR SPACE. Here, Elri Syfert shares more about the presentations, parties and vibes.
+11th December 2023
Our recent EDGE certifications
In recent months, Solid Green has assisted clients in obtaining EDGE certifications for three very different types of projects. These certifications demonstrate marked savings in Energy, Water and Embodied Energy in Materials.
+11th December 2023
Sustainable Architecture & Urban Identity: How Green Buildings Shape Cities
In the dynamic landscape of South African urban development, sustainable architecture should not only focus on environmental responsibility. It is an increasingly powerful narrative tool, shaping the identity of our cities using the voices of our communities.
+11th December 2023
5 Parks Boulevard: a contemporary and adaptable workspace
5 Parks Boulevard, located in the Oxford Park precinct developed by Intaprop, was recognised as ‘World Leadership’ when it was awarded a 6-Star Office v1.1 Design certification, as well as a Net Zero Carbon Level 1 (Modelled) Certification, in November 2023.
+11th December 2023
UIA Congress Copenhagen: Leave No One Behind
In July, Cebisa Mafukuzela attended the UIA Congress in Copenhagen to present a paper and learn from her peers. Here are some of her experiences, insights and reflections.
+13th November 2023
Designing for Community Integration: How Green Buildings Enhance Connectivity
In this thought leadership piece, Adrie Fourie, Head of Sustainable Cities & Research at Solid Green, shares how Green Buildings can catalyse urban connectivity and interconnected, thriving communities.
+13th November 2023
Kayce Theunissen is taking the initiative to further Sustainability
Kayce Theunissen recently joined Solid Green as an EDGE Expert in the modelling department. In this blog, he shares his thoughts and optimism for a brighter future for all.
+13th November 2023
The Living Product Challenge: Health, Inspiration and Regeneration
The Living Product Challenge is the world’s most advanced product sustainability standard. This article for Building and Décor features information and links to a webinar supplied by the Regenerative Collaborative South Africa and GreenED.
+13th November 2023
Park Lane West: Shaping Sustainability in Urban Living
Park Lane West, the latest addition to the Menlyn Maine precinct, has achieved a 4-Star Green Star Office As-built certification, highlighting the client and project team’s commitment to wellbeing and sustainability.
+13th November 2023
Contextual Harmony: Integrating Green Buildings into the Urban Fabric
Today, buildings are no longer standalone entities. They are integral threads woven into the fabric of the neighbourhoods they form part of. Here, Adrie Fourie delves into green buildings as catalysts for placemaking.
+4th October 2023
Greenbay Lifestyle Centre achieves 6-Star and Net Zero certifications
In mid-September 2023, Balwin Properties’ Greenbay Lifestyle Centre achieved a Net Zero Carbon Level 1 (building emissions) certification. The development stands as a beacon of sustainability, featuring cutting-edge internal building service and architectural initiatives that set a global standard for excellence.
+4th October 2023
Ellipse Cassini aligns with Sustainable Urban Living
The Cassini Tower, the third building in the Ellipse development at Waterfall, recently achieved its 4-Star Green Star SA MUR (Multi Unit Residential) v1 design certification, which is in keeping with the ethos of the development as a whole.
+4th October 2023
Pioneering Urban Ecological Regeneration
In an important step towards sustainable urban development, we are proud to have collaborated with architectural firm MSSA on South Africa’s First Net Positive Ecology Project.
+4th October 2023
Xenia Scott is working towards a more Sustainable Future
Modelling & Simulation Consultant, Xenia Scott, recently joined the Solid Green team. Here, she shares her views on sustainability as well as her experience working in our office.
+4th October 2023
110 Oxford: Shaping a more Resilient and Sustainable Future
In February 2023, 110 Oxford achieved a 4-Star Green Star Office Design v1.1 certification – a testament to the project team’s commitment to sustainable development that benefits both people and the environment.
+16th July 2023
ENS Interiors Certification – Collaboration, Productivity and Wellbeing
The fit-out for ENS, Africa’s largest law firm, recently achieved a commendable 5-Star Green Star Interiors v1 certification.
+16th July 2023
Lapalala Wilderness School inspires with its Net Zero certification
Lapalala Wilderness School achieved a Green Star Net Zero Carbon Level 2 certification late last year.
+16th July 2023
Adrie Fourie comments on the GBCSA’s new Places Category
As the Places Category Director of the revised Green Star New Buildings rating tool, Adrie Fourie shares her insights on the importance of people-centred urban spaces in this article for the Green Building Council SA.
+16th July 2023
Ranjita Pillai: working towards making a Real Difference
Sustainable Building Consultant, Ranjita Pillai, recently joined the Solid Green team. Here, she shares her influences, her experience in our office, as well as her vision for the future.
+16th July 2023
Redefine leads the way with three Net Zero Carbon Level 2 certifications
Redefine has recently achieved an impressive milestone in its sustainability efforts. Three of their properties in Gauteng have been awarded the highly regarded Net Zero Carbon Level 2: Building & Occupant Emissions (Measured) certification by the GBCSA.
+9th May 2023
5 Parks Boulevard: A Sustainable and Innovative Workspace
Oxford Parks’ 5 Parks, developed by Intaprop, is setting a new benchmark for sustainable and innovative workspaces by targeting both a 6-Star Green Star SA Office v1.1 Design certification as well as a Net Zero Carbon Level 1 (modelled) certification.
+9th May 2023
Kamohelo Selepe on growing Green Building Knowledge
Kamohelo Selepe recently joined Solid Green as a Junior Green Building Consultant. Here, she shares her passion for sustainability as she embarks on the journey to add value and increase awareness in the built environment industry.
+9th May 2023
Our visit to Stiebel Eltron and the ISH Exhibition in Germany
From 13 to 17 March 2023, Solid Green joined a delegation of property developers, HVAC and wet service engineers from South Africa who were hosted by Stiebel Eltron in Germany. Marloes Reinink attended from Solid Green.
+9th May 2023
The Precinct targets Mauritius’ first EcoDistrict certification
Solid Green’s Sustainable Cities and Research Department recently visited Mauritius as part of our role in supporting The Precinct to target an EcoDistrict certification. Here, Cebisa Mafukuzela shares more about their work-holiday adventure on the island.
+9th May 2023
First Capital Bank: Zambia’s first Green Star rating
The First Capital Bank Head Office in Lusaka, which was recently awarded a 5-star Design rating, is the first building in Zambia to achieve a Green Star rating. This required commitment from both the client and the professional team.
+10th March 2023
Nedbank Head Office Campus leads the way to building excellence in Namibia
The Nedbank Head Office Campus in Windhoek has been awarded a 6-star New Build Office As-built rating by the Green Building Council South Africa, making it the first 6-star building in Namibia to receive this certification and ‘World Leadership Excellence’ status in environmentally sustainable building practices.
+10th March 2023
Our Office: Chapter 11 – Embracing regeneration
With the expansion of our staff complement in 2022, the next phase of our office evolution involved workspaces for up to twenty people, together with the need for more agile spaces for work, collaboration and reflection.
+10th March 2023
STeDe-CCD Presentation: Sustainable and Territorial Development
Towards the end of January, the University of Johannesburg hosted its international STeDe-CCD partners and 2023 student cohort. Solid Green was invited to present around the theme of climate change and sustainable and territorial development.
+10th March 2023
Muhammed Aadil Fayzoo: meaningful impact though Sustainability
Muhammed Aadil Fayzoo joined Solid Green at the end of 2022 as a Junior Green Building Consultant. Here, he tells us about his journey towards a career in sustainability, and highlights what is means to be part of the team.
+10th March 2023
Net Zero Carbon goals for Fuchs Lubricants Headquarters
The new headquarters of Fuchs Lubricants has received a Net Zero Carbon certification from the GBCSA. The office, with a usable floor area of 2554m², is located in Kempton Park and lies within a campus that includes several of the client’s production facilities.
+13th December 2022
ENSafrica fit-out: people-centred spaces
35 Lower Long, developed by Abland, is an iconic new building situated on Cape Town’s foreshore. The new office building, certified as a 4-star Green Star Office 1.1 Design, is for tenant ENSafrica, Africa’s largest law firm.
+13th December 2022
DRIVING CHANGE IN 2022!
2022 has been an exciting year for Solid Green as we have experienced the fruits of many months of hard work and seen several changes to our team. Here we highlight some of our achievements as we continue to drive change towards a transformed and regenerative built environment.
+13th December 2022
Our participation in the Soweto Marathon
The 27th edition of the ever-popular Soweto Marathon, ‘The People’s Race’, took place on Sunday 6th November 2022. It started and ended at the iconic Soccer City Stadium in Johannesburg, and Solid Green was there! Here, Thato Molapo tells us more.
+13th December 2022
The RE-GENERATION – GREEN BUILDING CONVENTION 2022
It was recently that time of year again for the South African Green Building industry, when professionals from all over the country gathered for the annual GBCSA Green Building Convention. Here, Jennifer Dean shares more.
+13th December 2022
Solid Green wins at the GBCSA Convention!
We are super proud of our proactive and dedicated team, who collectively scored five wins at the GBCSA Convention Awards, which was held at the Century City Conference Centre in Cape Town on Thursday 3 November 2022.
+9th November 2022
A breath of fresh air: 6-Star Interiors rating for Firmenich’s Firsouth Office
Firmenich, the world’s largest privately-owned fragrance and taste company, is committed to providing both their staff and visitors with a healthy and comfortable interior environment.
+9th November 2022
Waterfall City’s first net zero building sets sustainable office space benchmark
Waterfall City, the award‐winning 2 200-hectare lifestyle precinct, is setting a benchmark for sustainable premium office space with the launch of Nexus Building 01, its first net zero carbon level 1 building.
+9th November 2022
Our New Office: Chapter 10 – targeting Net Zero
Solid Green’s new office in Parkhurst runs completely off the grid. Here, Chilufya Lombe shares the reality of what it has taken to embark on the solar journey, and the benefits experienced.
+9th November 2022
Prominent Rewardsco Block B achieves a 5-star certification
Reflecting Rewardsco’s commitment to sustainable building practices, Block B in the 2 Ncondo Place precinct in Umhlanga has achieved an impressive 5-Star Green Star SA Office v1.1 Design certification. The building is now aiming for a 5-star As Built certification to match.
+9th November 2022
Wardah Peters: a positive perception of sustainability
In her new role as Solid Green’s Technical Services Success Manager, Wardah Peters intends to help improve the perception of what sustainability truly means and the value that it can bring to the property sector.
+9th November 2022
Our Green Building Certifications in 2021
In 2021, Solid Green continued to make waves of impact in the sustainable building sector with 20 Green Star and 8 Net Zero certifications. Here, Marloes Reinink shares her reflections as well as updates on the team and the Green Star tool overhaul.
+22nd September 2022
Ikusasa, 7 Parks Boulevard: Setting the tone for a sustainable future
The most recently completed building in the mixed-use Oxford Parks precinct is 7 Parks Boulevard, located at the corner of Eastwood Road in Dunkeld. The Ikusasa Building (the Zulu word for ‘future’), developed by Intaprop, received a 6-star Green Star Office v1.1. Design certification in July and is targeting the As Built and Interiors certifications as well as a Net Zero Level 1 certification.
+22nd September 2022
Liberty Two Degrees’ pillars of success
Liberty Two Degrees (L2D), located on the 3rd Floor of the West Office Block at Nelson Mandela Square in Johannesburg, is targeting a 6-Star Green Star SA Interiors v1 certification for their interior fit-out, demonstrating world leadership in environmental sustainability initiatives.
+22nd September 2022
Nedbank’s star performance in Existing Buildings
While many Green Star certifications are done for new builds, property owners are becoming increasingly aware of the benefits of shifting to a sustainable approach to managing their existing buildings.
+22nd September 2022
Thato Molapo on taking responsibility for our future
With his appointment as Solid Green’s newest team member, Thato Molapo is bringing to his work enthusiasm and commitment to a more sustainable future for all.
+22nd September 2022
Gemini Chapter 1: How it all started
Construction on one of two high-end residential buildings in Oranjezicht, Cape Town, is currently underway. Both projects are targeting the stringent Living Building Challenge certification. Here, we look at how the projects started.
+5th July 2022
First certified Ecodistricts in Africa
The S&J Industrial Estate secured EcoDistricts endorsement for both its Imperatives Commitment and Declaration of Collaboration on the 31 March 2022; and it secured the final endorsement required to reach full certification on the 14 June 2022.
+5th July 2022
Monte Circle Building H: 4 STARS INSPIRED BY A COMMON VISION
Monte Circle Building H, developed by Abland, achieved a 4-Star Green Star Office Design certification in June. Building H is the latest addition to the Monte Circle office park, an exciting new commercial office park development situated in Fourways, Johannesburg.
+5th July 2022
Green Song
In this lyrical story, Jennifer Dean, Sustainable Building Consultant, shares some of her formative experience and motivation for the work that she does as part of the Solid Green team.
+5th July 2022
The Precinct, Unity Building, Mauritius: Collaboration in design
The Precinct, Unity Building, an office development in Mauritius, has achieved a 5-Star Green Star Office Design certification. The development, future home of the Gateway Real Estate Africa Head Office, is the first building in Mauritius to achieve a 5-star design rating.
+5th July 2022
Balwin Headquarters achieves both Net Zero and 6-star certifications
The new Balwin Headquarters on 105 Corlett Drive has achieved a Green Star Net Zero Carbon-Level 1 certification. The project, a refurbishment of the iconic Creative Council building on the M1 highway near Melrose Arch, also received a 6-star certification last year.
+11th May 2022
Our New Office: Chapter 9 – The Multipurpose Space
After developing the garden and really enjoying the first months of 2022, Solid Green decided to bite the bullet and deal with the last phase of their new office renovation – the back building. Here, Marloes Reinink tells us more.
+11th May 2022
Oxford Parks Red Radisson excels with a 5-Star Custom Hotel Certification
The Red Radisson Hotel at Oxford Parks has achieved a 5-Star Green Star Custom Hotel v1 certification, making it only the fourth project to be certified under this tool.
+11th May 2022
CPD Roadshow – Net Zero Buildings in South Africa
In March 2022, Marloes Reinink was invited to present at the CPD Rigifoam Roadshow, which was held throughout South Africa. Titled ‘The Journey to Net Zero’, her presentation unpacked the global and local drive to net-zero carbon buildings, and how it will shape our built environment.
+11th May 2022
Tlokweng Road Gaborone – early Green Star adopter in Botswana
The Tlokweng Road Commercial Development in Gaborone, a modern office development, is currently targeting a 4-Star Green Star New Build Office Design certification. The project is only the third development to target this certification in Botswana.
+11th May 2022
Multi-unit residential rating for iconic Waterfall Ellipse I
Ellipse Waterfall Phase 1, developed by Attacq and Tricolt, achieved a 4-star Green Star multi-unit residential rating for the 10-storey Newton and 11-storey Kepler towers in January 2022. Construction on the first phase of this high-rise luxury apartment development began in November 2019 and is now complete
+28th February 2022
EcoDistricts: in conversation with Adrie Fourie
Watch this conversation between Adrie Fourie, Head of Solid Green’s department of Sustainable Cities & Research, and Teva Needleman, Program Manager at EcoDistricts, on bringing EcoDistricts to South Africa and Johannesburg.
+24th February 2022
The Integrated Design process for SA
In this article for +IMPACT magazine, Marloes Reinink takes a deep dive into Integrated Design, an effective method for clients to cut resource consumption while attaining their green certification ambitions.
+24th February 2022
Floating Communities and Cities of the Future
Since the beginning of time, the planet has experienced dramatic changes including in climatic conditions. In this blog Andile Shange, sustainability consultant at Solid Green, reflects on the challenges faced by coastal cities.
+24th February 2022
Old Building, New Life: Exploring Adaptive Reuse of Existing Buildings
Cities are the social, cultural, and economic hubs of most countries. Here, Cebisa Mafukuzela, Sustainable Building Consultant at Solid Green discusses the Adaptive Reuse of old, under-utilised and abandoned buildings.
+24th February 2022
A Rewarding 2021!
2021 has been a challenging year for the entire South African business sector, but we are grateful that, for Solid Green, it has also been a rewarding one. We acknowledge the hard work, dedication and support of all those who have made this possible.
+15th December 2021
Green Building Convention & Awards 2021
The Solid Green team virtually attended the 14th Green Building Convention held by the GBCSA from 2-4 November, taking up the opportunity of being fully engaged in the presentations and robust dialogues that were had during the convention, from a safe distance. Nomamfengu Mbele tells us more.
+14th December 2021
In2food Bonaero Park achieves Green Star and Net Zero certifications
The In2food Bonaero Park facility manufactures food for Woolworths and is situated in the OR Tambo Special Economic Zone. The site is one of the few industrial facilities in South Africa achieving both 4-Star Green Star Industrial Design v1 and Net Zero Carbon Level 1 certifications, setting the benchmark for other industrial developments.
+14th December 2021
Mail & Guardian’s Greening the Future flagship awards
This year, the 17th edition of the Mail & Guardian’s Greening the Future flagship awards aligned with the 26th session of the Conference of the Parties, the COP 26 Global Summit.
+14th December 2021
Reflecting on the Regenerative Collaborative South Africa
The Regenerative Collaborative South Africa believes in holistically addressing the multiple challenges faced by South African cities. Here, Marloes Reinink reflects on the organisation’s journey to date.
+14th December 2021
The development challenges of Rural Towns
As the year winds down, most of us are planning our holidays. Cebisa Mafukuzela, Sustainable Building Consultant at Solid Green, will be travelling to the Eastern Cape. Here she shares her reflections on the predicaments faced by rural towns.
+14th December 2021
203 Oxford surpasses initial Green Star targets
203 Oxford, a building in the Oxford Parks precinct developed by Intaprop, achieved a 5-Star Green Star Office v1.1. Design certification in July. This latest addition to the precinct, a mixed-use area comprising offices, retail and residential, is a premium grade commercial development.
+3rd November 2021
Ghana Green Building Summit – the Hybrid edition
The saying “never waste a good crisis” well applied to this year’s Ghana Green Building Summit (GGBS). With the theme ‘Rethinking Operations Management for High Performance Buildings’, the summit was held virtually and was able to reach many people around the world.
+2nd November 2021
Prioritising mental wellbeing as a Sustainability young professional.
As we approach the end of the year and as fatigue looms over all professionals, tasks are starting to take a little bit longer and seem a tad more difficult.
+2nd November 2021
Our new office – Chapter 8: The Garden
After two years of construction, Solid Green’s garden is finally taking shape and providing joy and respite to everyone who works and visits the new office. Here, Marloes Reinink and Ryoko Tamada, landscape consultant, share their process.
+2nd November 2021
Balwin Headquarters – Net Zero ambitions for a 6-star building
The new Balwin Headquarters on 105 Corlett Drive has been awarded a 6-star Green Star Office Design v1.1 rating – one of the first 6-star major refurbishments in South Africa. The project is a refurbishment of the iconic Creative Council building, located adjacent to Melrose Arch in Johannesburg.
+2nd November 2021
8 Parks Boulevard exceeds Green Star benchmarks
8 Parks Boulevard, developed by Intaprop and Oxford Parks, received a 5-Star Green Star Office v.1.1 Design Certification on 30 June.
+31st August 2021
Samantha Phiri: A new direction
Our new Financial Accountant, Samantha Phiri, believes that open communication and staying up to date with technology are both essential and empowering for young professionals.
+31st August 2021
Marking Earth Overshoot Day 2021
On the 29th of July 2021, the world reached Earth Overshoot Day, the date when our demand for ecological resources each year exceeds what the planet can regenerate in that year. Here, Adrie Fourie looks at how this impacts cities and their inhabitants.
+31st August 2021
OUR NEW OFFICE: CHAPTER 7!
Progress at our new office in Parkhurst is slow but steady and, with the onset of spring, we are looking forward to developing and using our new garden. Marloes Reinink tells us more.
+31st August 2021
The Living Product Challenge CPD course
On 29 July, the Living Future Collaborative SA hosted the Living Product Challenge live webinar, sponsored by Formfunc, with expert speakers Stephanie Richardson from Humanscale and Ren DeCherney from the International Living Future Institute.
+31st August 2021
Double certifications for Greenlee and Greenpark
The Greenlee Greenbarn in Linbro Park and the Greenpark Lifestyle Centre in Boksburg, both developed as part of the Balwin Properties’ portfolio, each received Net Zero Carbon Level 1 (building emissions) and 6-Star Green Star Public & Education Building (PEB) Design certifications earlier this year.
+31st August 2021
Ballito Hills Lifestyle Centre certifications
Ballito Hills Lifestyle Centre, developed by Balwin Properties, achieved a 6-Star Green Star Public & Education Building (PEB) certification in April this year. Part of the upmarket Ballito Hills Lifestyle estate, the building also achieved a Net Zero Carbon Level 1 rating in March – with both certifications undertaken by Solid Green.
+12th July 2021
Motswere Prime Plaza II – Gaborone’s latest 5-Star Design certification
Motswere Prime Plaza II, an A-grade office space with a total floor area of 2,780m², is the first phase of the upcoming Prime Plaza II development in Botswana. Named after the stunning Leadwood Combretum trees that will inhabit the site, the building achieved its 5-Star Green Star Office Design v1.1 rating in May 2021.
+7th July 2021
Park Lane West delivers human-centred design
Park Lane West, situated in the Menlyn Maine mixed-use precinct in Pretoria, is a seven-storey contemporary office building that was co-developed by Menlyn Maine Investment Holdings and Barrow Properties. The 19,900sqm building received its 4-Star Green Star Office Design v1.1 rating in March 2021 and is currently targeting a 4-Star As-built certification
+7th July 2021
Two webinars: Re-connecting our Cities with Nature
As the importance of the human connection with nature becomes more and more evident, we need practical solutions for introducing nature into our demanding urban environments – for all the resulting social, economic and environmental benefits that can be gleaned.
+7th July 2021
Fit for Purpose and Future Focused
Irene Link Building B and Westend Office Park Building D, both developed by Abland Property Developers and located in Tshwane, have recently achieved 4-Star Green Star Office v1.1 certifications from the Green Building Council South Africa (GBCSA).
+7th July 2021
NERSA’s existing building achieves 4 Green Stars
The National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) recently undertook a major refurbishment on an existing building located on Madiba Street, Arcadia, in the Pretoria City Centre. This included targeting a 4-Star Green Star SA Office v1.1 As-built certification, which was awarded in March this year.
+4th May 2021
The De Zicht Lifestyle Centre – a Balwin first for Cape Town
In February 2021, the De Zicht Lifestyle Centre achieved a 6-Star Green Star Public & Education Building (PEB) certification. Situated within the De Zicht Lifestyle estate developed by Balwin Properties in Milnerton, Cape Town, the project has also been certified for Net Zero Carbon
+4th May 2021
OUR NEW OFFICE: CHAPTER 6!
The journey to continue our sector-leading sustainability work from our new office in Parkhurst has certainly been an interesting one. Here, Marloes Reinink shares the process and the joy of being able to slowly move into our new home!
+3rd May 2021
LFCSA Event: EMBODIED CARBON OF MATERIALS
On 25 February 2021, the Living Future Collaborative South Africa held the ‘Embodied Carbon of Materials’ event online, sponsored by Saint-Gobain. The webinar aimed to inform industry professionals about the importance of understanding Embodied Carbon – namely, the emissions related to producing materials that are used to build a building.
+3rd May 2021
Insights from a Solid Green Intern
Final year student, Sarah Jacob, recently completed an internship with Solid Green. Here she recalls her learnings in our energy modelling and simulations department, and shares her experience gained as part of a larger team.
+3rd May 2021
Exploring Sustainable and Resilient Cities
The Covid-19 pandemic has placed a global focus on the urgent need to develop sustainable and resilient cities for future generations. Here Adrie Fourie, head of Solid Green’s Sustainable Cities & Research unit, speaks about the vision for this newly created department.
+3rd May 2021
Energy Performance Certificates
Alex Varughese, Modelling and Simulations Consultant at Solid Green, recently attended a GBCSA webinar on Energy Performance Certificates. Here, he shares his insights on the EPC process and what it means for the South African market.
+3rd March 2021
A Masters in Energy & Sustainability
Annelide Sherratt, Green Building Certification Manager at Solid Green, is currently completing the second year of her Master of Science (MSc) degree in Energy and Sustainable Building Design at De Montfort University, Leicester, in the UK. Here, she talks about her particular areas of focus in this 3-year long, distance learning programme.
+3rd March 2021
Custom certification for The Courtyard Hotel Waterfall City
The Courtyard Hotel Waterfall City, developed by Attacq, has recently achieved a 4-Star Green Star Custom Hotel v1 Design Rating. This is in line with Attacq’s goal of having all buildings in The Nexus Waterfall business park Green Star certified.
+1st March 2021
LFCSA Event: NET POSITIVE WATER
On 19 November 2020, the Living Future Collaborative South Africa held its second online Net Zero event, ‘NET POSITIVE WATER’, sponsored by Maskam Water. The webinar aimed to inform industry professionals about the positive impact that can be achieved through water conservation, reuse, and on-site capture and treatment.
+1st March 2021
Adrie Fourie: Sustainable Cities & Research
Sustainability expert, Adrie Fourie, has recently been appointed to head up Solid Green’s department of Sustainable Cities & Research. This work will focus on providing support to our clients and delivery partners on projects that have an impact beyond the scale of individual buildings. Here, Adrie speaks about her new role.
+24th February 2021
OUR NEW OFFICE: CHAPTER 5
From early 2021, the Solid Green team will be continuing its sector-leading sustainability work from its new premises in Parkhurst, Johannesburg. A great deal of work has been put into ensuring that these new offices reflect the company’s values and ethos.
+10th December 2020
5-Star rating for new Pareto Interior Fitout
In December 2020, the Pareto Head Office in Sandton received its 5-Star Green Star Interior v1 certification for its custom designed interior fitout. The intention was to reflect the organisation’s brand, culture and ethos as well as to promote health and wellness for users of the space.
+10th December 2020
As-Built certification for Lakeview Phase II
In August 2020, Lakeview Phase II Office Park in Roodepoort, Gauteng, received its 5 Star – Green Star SA Office v1.1 As-Built rating. Developed by Abland for Nedbank, the development is recognised as having reached ‘Excellence’ through this commendable achievement in sustainability.
+10th December 2020
2020: A Year of Challenge, Change and Celebration
As Solid Green celebrates its 10th Anniversary and reaching the significant milestone of over 100 green building certifications, we reflect back on the last twelve months, look forward to our next chapter, and acknowledge those who have been part of our journey.
+10th December 2020
Next Level Green: Sustainability Leapfrogging
At the GBCSA’s Virtual Green Building Convention 2020, Marloes Reinink presented ‘Next Level Green: Sustainability Leapfrogging’, which looked at how crisis can be a positive catalyst in driving proactive change towards a more regenerative built environment.
+10th December 2020
Celebrating 10 Years and 100 Certifications!
This year, Solid Green has attained the double milestone of its tenth birthday and one hundred green building certifications! This monumental achievement includes 84 Green Star, 7 Net Zero, 6 EDGE and 3 LEED certified projects.
+9th November 2020
Solid Green’s 100th green building certification!
Phase 1 of The Ingress office development in Waterfall City, Gauteng, has achieved a 4-Star Green Star SA multiple building rating for the first two buildings in the development. This is a monumental achievement for Solid Green – our 100th green building certification!
+5th November 2020
LFCSA Event: NET POSITIVE ENERGY
On 15 October 2020, the Living Future Collaborative South Africa held its first online Net Zero event entitled ‘NET POSITIVE ENERGY’, which aimed to inspire industry professionals with case studies of super energy-efficient building designs supplemented by renewable energy, with the goal of adding value for building owners and end users.
+5th November 2020
4-Star As-Built rating for 29 Richefond Circle
In September 2020, 29 Richefond Circle received a 4-Star Green Star As-Built rating – a commendable achievement that recognizes that the development’s sustainable design initiatives have been carried through to practical completion and occupancy for future tenants.
+4th November 2020
SABIS International School – Runda, Nairobi, sets a regional precedent
The new SABIS® International School – Runda in Nairobi achieved a 4-Star Green Star Africa-Kenya PEB v1 Design Rating in April 2020. The school was presented as a case study at the World Green Building Week (21-25 September), and a tree-planting ceremony was held as part of the Green Star design certificate handover process.
+21st September 2020
New 4-Star home for Women’s Development Bank
WDB House, located on the northern edge of the iconic Oxford Parks precinct, is the new home of WDB Investment Holdings. The building was developed by Intaprop and has recently achieved a 4-Star Green Star SA Office v1.1 Design certification, which was handled by Solid Green.
+7th September 2020
The new, healthier normal
At the recent Ghana Green Building Summit, held online from 23rd – 24th July, Chilufya Lombe spoke about the focus shift towards a new, healthier normal, necessitated by environmental risks like the global Covid-19 pandemic.
+1st September 2020
Hotel Nieu: Net Positive rating achieved!
Hotel Nieu, an upmarket off-the-grid boutique hotel in Pretoria, has received one of the first Net Positive – Carbon Level 2: Occupant Emissions (modelled) ratings in South Africa. The development provides upmarket hospitality services to people who care deeply about the appropriate stewarding of resources.
+1st September 2020
#lockdownSA: Life & Learnings
Since the lockdown started more than 5 months ago, Adrie Fourie, like so many others, has had to move her entire life online. Here she shares her experience and insights around the online learning events that she has attended to date.
+19th August 2020
REID Lifestyle Centre targets Green Star & Net-Zero certifications
In May 2020, The REID Lifestyle Centre achieved a 6-Star Green Star Public & Education Building (PEB) certification. Part of an upmarket lifestyle estate situated close to the Marlboro Gautrain station, the building is also targeting a Net-zero Carbon Level 2 rating.
+22nd July 2020
EDGE certification for Pullman Hotel in Ghana
On 12 June 2020, the Pullman Accra Airport City Hotel achieved an EDGE Preliminary Certificate, making it the second hotel in Ghana to receive an EDGE certification.
+9th July 2020
Changing times: Cloth Nappies
Working for a sustainable building consultancy means incorporating sustainable practices into your everyday life. So, when children came into the picture, Bronwyn Byrne decided to continue this trend.
+9th July 2020
Inner-City Revitalisation and EcoDistricts
The City of Johannesburg has been on a decade-long journey to encourage urban revitalisation of the inner city. Here, Nomamfengu Mbele shares her views on the value of integrating the EcoDistricts Protocol with this process.
+7th July 2020
In Loving Memory of Francois Joubert
It is with immense sadness that we learnt of the passing of Francois Joubert. Here, Marloes, Chilu and Warren speak about the impact that he had on their lives as young professionals.
+7th July 2020
Lockdown Education Activities
While the Covid-19 lockdown has certainly been an unexpected journey, it has provided an opportunity for team members to improve their knowledge and skills in line with best international practice and emerging trends in the built environment.
+7th July 2020
Growthpoint & Serra® achieve Gauteng’s first EBP Industrial rating
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 7400sqm facility in Meadowbrook, Germiston.
+7th July 2020
Westend Building C scores 4 Green Stars!
Westend Building C, part of the modern Westend office development in Centurion, received its 4-Star Green Star SA Design certification from the GBCSA at a historic moment in time, just weeks before South Africa went into lockdown.
+4th May 2020
Alliances for Climate Action – we’re taking Climate Action seriously!
Solid Green has signed up to Alliances for Climate Action! This initiative is a call to the private sector, cities, provinces, investors, and universities to work together and with our national government to collectively achieve a nett carbon neutral economy by 2050 and champion more ambitious NDC’s.
+4th May 2020
Our New Office: Chapter 4
Solid Green’s move out of our old home in Rosebank coincided with the global COVID-19 pandemic and delays on the site of our new home in Parkhurst. Marloes Reinink talks about how the company is coping in these strange and uncertain times
+4th May 2020
Professional Leadership towards a more Resilient Future
As public health leaps to the fore in both local and global social and economic agendas, Marloes Reinink believes that in-depth collaboration is critical between the public and private sectors in planning, building and managing cities – as we navigate the increasingly complex road towards a more resilient and inclusive future.
+30th April 2020
Streetlight Schools: COVID-19 lockdown Appeal for Support
Since Wednesday 18 March, South African schools have been closed due to the COVID-19 lockdown. While many schools discuss learning contingency plans, Streetlight Schools has an additional consideration to prepare for – meals.
+30th April 2020
Living Future unConference – Sustaining Hope Within Crisis
On 7-8 May 2020, the first-ever online Living Future unConference will take place, ‘Living Future 2020 Online: Sustaining Hope Within Crisis’, hosted by the International Living Future Institute (ILFI). Marloes Reinink will be attending and here she speaks about this game-changing event and its impressive speaker line-up.
+25th April 2020
Solid Green appointed for CoJ EcoDistrict Methodology
In October 2019, the City of Johannesburg (CoJ) and the Johannesburg Development Agency (JDA) called for proposals to develop an EcoDistrict Methodology.
+25th April 2020
COVID-19: Driving Change Together
At Solid Green, we believe in driving change. Change towards a more conscious, connected and responsible way of living and doing business. The Covid-19 pandemic has presented us all with the opportunity to rethink how we conduct ourselves socially and in business – as we draw on our collective resilience to navigate this unprecedented challenge.
+30th March 2020
Menlyn Central adds to Menlyn Maine’s offerings
Menlyn Central, situated opposite the bustling shopping node of Menlyn Maine precinct, received a 4-Star Green Star Office v1.1 Design certification in February 2020. The development broke ground in May 2018, and completion is scheduled for March 2020.
+9th March 2020
Our New Office: Chapter 3
Work is progressing well at our new office in Parkhurst. Gavin Westbrook explains that, as one of Africa’s foremost sustainability consultancies, Solid Green is walking the talk and actively pursuing the Living Building Challenge (LBC) Core certification.
+4th March 2020
Schools of the Future should be bright Green!
Green buildings are becoming quite the norm in South Africa, and updated legislation is on the way to make the energy efficiency of buildings even better. But how does this apply to schools? Marloes Reinink and Chilufya Lombe ask if it will ever be possible for schools on low budgets to be green and sustainable.
+4th March 2020
Andile Shange is taking on the World
As a budding dedicated sustainability consultant with a passion for sustainable and regenerative design, Andile Shange is taking on the world from the Solid Green offices while working on several inspiring Green Star submissions.
+26th February 2020
Living Future Collaborative in South Africa
As part of the drive towards a regenerative and net zero built environment, the Living Future Collaborative of South Africa has been officially launched. The organisation held its first series of events, ‘Truth in Action’, in November 2019.
+21st February 2020
Our New Office: Chapter 2
In October 2019, Solid Green hosted a Biophilia workshop for our staff and the professional team working on our new office in Parkhurst, to get everyone’s input on the design and to explore how they want the building to relate to them and the environment.
+12th December 2019
Leading the Race in 2019!
As the green building sector gains momentum in the race for climate action, we are continuing our drive for a built environment that contributes positively to social, environmental and economic regeneration – not only in South Africa, but throughout Africa.
+10th December 2019
Newest Oxford-Glenhove buildings target Green Star rating
The two newest buildings in the OxGlen precinct, located on the increasingly vibrant intersection of Oxford and Glenhove roads in Rosebank, are targeting a 4-Star Green Star SA Office v1.1 Design rating from the Green Building Council South Africa (GBCSA).
+10th December 2019
Living Future Collaborative SA’s Inaugural Events
On 20 and 21 November 2019, the Living Future Collaborative South Africa hosted two presentations in Johannesburg and Pretoria respectively, as part of the ‘24 Hours of Reality: Truth in Action’ daylong worldwide conversation about the climate crisis and how to solve it.
+10th December 2019
5-Star Certification for new Barloworld Automotive & Logistics Head Office in Centurion
Barloworld Automotive & Logistics Head Office, the first building to be completed in the mixed-use Irene Link precinct in Centurion, has recently been awarded a 5-Star Green Star SA Design Rating v1.1.
+10th December 2019
GEMS scores on Innovation
The new GEMS building, situated in the Menlyn Maine precinct in Pretoria on a previously occupied site, was awarded a 5-Star Green Star SA Office v1.1 Design certification at the end of August 2019.
+4th November 2019
Green Training in Ghana
In October 2019, Marloes Reinink and Makhosazana Mthethwa visited Ghana for the first time to conduct three one-day green building training workshops for the Ghana Green Building Council and professionals in the built environment. Here, Khosi shares details of the training experience.
+30th October 2019
Relishing the Abland Potjiekos Competition
On Saturday the 7th of September 2019, the Solid Green Team participated in the Abcon Group Foundation’s Potjie Competition – an annual event where the group’s strategic partners and networks are invited to participate. Here, Alex Varughese and Jeffy Palamattam share Solid Green’s experience.
+23rd October 2019
Jesse Hamman on a year in the Netherlands
Jesse Hamman, Sustainability Consultant at Solid Green and GBCSA Rising Green Star 2018, shares her experience of a year in the Netherlands studying under the Urban Management and Development Masters Programme at the Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS) in Rotterdam.
+21st October 2019
Sandton Gate achieves 4-Star Sustainable Precincts certification!
Sandton Gate, located in South Africa’s economic powerhouse, has been awarded a 4-star certification under the Green Star SA Sustainable Precincts v1.1 tool, following the project’s second-round submission in mid-August. Phase 1 of the development achieved a 5-Star Green Star SA Office v1.1 Design certification in July 2019.
+12th October 2019
Solid Green’s New Offices in Parkhurst!
As Solid Green approaches its 10th birthday, directors Marloes Reinink and Chilufya Lombe have taken the bold step of purchasing a property in Parkhurst, Johannesburg, for the company’s new offices. Here we share the start of our journey towards our new home!
+29th August 2019
ILFI Unconference 2019
Marloes Reinink and Gavin Westbrook were fortunate enough to attend the Living Future unConference 2019 in Seattle Washington. Here, Gavin Westbrook shares his experience of the event, which is a chance to see what projects are underway, what new technologies and ideas are developing, and how to do it yourself.
+29th August 2019
29 Richefond Circle
29 Richefond Circle is a 4-Star Green Star Office v.1.1 Design certified, boutique office development situated in the scenic neighborhood of Umhlanga Ridge, within walking distance of the Indian ocean.
+29th August 2019
Mbongiseni Thwala on learning about Sustainability
Mbongiseni Thwala, Solid Green’s recently appointed office assistant, is finding great value in learning about the green building and sustainability sector; and looks forward to having a positive impact on the world around him in the future.
+19th August 2019
Streetlight Schools wins the Eco-Build Award 2019!
At the recent Eco-Logic Awards 2019, presented by The Enviropaedia on 5 June 2019 (World Environment Day), Streetlight Schools was awarded GOLD under the Eco-Build category, sponsored by AfriSam.
+19th August 2019
Boutique Hotel targets Net Zero Carbon
Hotel Nieu, an upmarket off-the-grid boutique hotel on the corner of Cameron and Marais streets in Nieu Muckleneuk, Pretoria, was born out of a desire to create intentional urban communities. The project is aiming to achieve a Net Zero Carbon rating through the Green Building Council South Africa.
+3rd July 2019
78 Corlett wins Overall Green Award at SAPOA
On Thursday 20 June 2019, the winners in the 2019 edition of the SAPOA Property Development Awards for Innovative Excellence were announced at a gala dinner and awards evening held as part of the 2019 SAPOA Convention & Property Exhibition.
+3rd July 2019
Makhosazana Mthethwa: Towards an Integrated Design Approach
Makhosazana Mthethwa joined the vibrant team at Solid Green in November 2018 and has had a pacey start in her new job with work on several exciting Net Zero and Green Star project submissions. Here, Khosi shares her experience.
+28th June 2019
Ghana Green Building Summit 2019
At the recent Ghana Green Building Summit, held on 13 June 2019 at the Kempinski Hotel, Gold Coast City, Solid Green was represented by Chilufya Lombe who spoke and conducted a workshop on high-performance buildings.
+28th June 2019
Paying for Pollution: the shadow price of carbon
As concerns grow over the impacts of climate change, policy makers and industries are looking for ways to effectively gauge the economic cost of carbon emissions, related to environmental and social impacts. Here, Jesse Hamman shares her thoughts around the shadow price of carbon.
+27th June 2019
The Bullitt Center – what an experience!
The International Living Future Institute (ILFI) held its annual conference, the Living Future Unconference 2019, from 1st to 3rd May. This event took Marloes Reinink to Seattle where she visited the Bullitt Center – the very first FULL Living Building Challenge certified commercial building.
+27th June 2019
Vegan and Plastic Free travelling!
As Marloes Reinink, Director at Solid Green, travels through the USA on her way to the Living Future Unconference 2019, she shares some of her experiences as she endeavours to remain faithful to her vegan diet and plastic-free principles.
+27th April 2019
Jeffy Palamattam on making a Positive Impact
Modelling and Simulations Consultant at Solid Green, Jeffy Palamattam, is a young and enthusiastic new addition to the team who believes that his work is making an impact on an environment that is bigger than his immediate surroundings.
+27th April 2019
Literary Museum: User Satisfaction Study
A recent post-occupancy study of the National English Literary Museum revealed useful findings with regards to user satisfaction, user comfort and user tolerance of the internal environment.
+27th April 2019
New MDA Office is Net Zero Carbon early adopter
The new office for MDA Attorneys is one of the first buildings in the country to receive a Net Zero Carbon pilot certification. Designed by Activate Architecture, with Solid Green Consulting as sustainability consultants, MDA’s new home in Houghton, Johannesburg, is intended to give its users a workplace that both enhances their productivity and reduces natural resource depletion.
+22nd April 2019
Exploring Net Zero Carbon
For the inaugural edition of Positive Impact, Chilufya Lombe and Jesse Hamman shared their thoughts on solving the energy efficiency gap and the opportunities presented by Net Zero Carbon.
+22nd April 2019
Iconic 35 Lower Long gets 4 Stars
The new 35 Lower Long is an elegant 24-storey tower designed by DHK Architects and developed by owners, Abland and Ellerine Bros, on Cape Town’s Foreshore precinct. With Solid Green as sustainability consultants, the project received a 4-star Green Star Design certification after Round 1 in December 2018.
+26th February 2019
Solid Green Team Building 2019
In mid-January 2019, the Solid Green team spent three days at the self-catering Blue Sky Lodge in Hartbeespoort, learning, exploring and generally having fun as part of their annual team building event.
+26th February 2019
Small Business Boost
On 19 February 2019, Marloes Reinink graduated from the J.P. Morgan GIBS Small Business Boost Programme – a 10-month business management scholarship at GIBS, specifically focused for businesses in the green economy. Here, Marloes shares her experience.
+26th February 2019
Greenovate 2018: Celebrating Student Innovation
During 2018, Solid Green was again delighted to be actively involved in the Greenovate Awards through mentorship and judging. Directors Marloes Reinink and Chilufya Lombe believe that this platform is at the forefront of showcasing student innovation in the sustainability sector.
+26th February 2019
KFC Newmarket receives LEED Retail certification
In early 2019, KFC Newmarket achieved a prestigious LEED certification under the LEED 2009 for Retail – New Construction tool. This project was used as a test case project to update the baseline specification for all KFC branches. The LEED certification process was undertaken by Solid Green Consulting.
+26th February 2019
Your Support in 2018
In the last two years, Solid Green has more than doubled the number of Green Building Certifications in its portfolio! To date, we have obtained 63 Green Star Certifications and 2 LEED Certifications, including 32 Green Star Office certifications, 15 Green Star Interior certifications, and 6 Green Star EBP (Existing Building Performance) ratings.
+11th December 2018
Boogertman Interior: 5-Star Interior Rating on Round 1
The interior scheme of Boogertman + Partners’ new Johannesburg office, in the Main Straight Office Park in Bryanston, achieved a 5-Star Interiors rating on round 1 of its Green Star submission thanks to a number of innovative green design features.
+29th November 2018
Linden Vleihuis: Reintroducing Biodiversity into Urban Living
In September 2018, Solid Green demonstrated sector leadership when the Vleihuis Development in Linden, Johannesburg, achieved Net Zero Certifications from the GBCSA for Carbon, Water and Ecology.
+29th November 2018
Sustainable Transport Transitions
As urban environments either push or pull us into sustainable modes of transport, Jessé Hamman, Sustainable Building Consultant at Solid Green, shares her personal behavioural shift from single-occupant vehicle use to carpooling, commuting and cycling.
+27th November 2018
Challenge: Plastic-free Month
Recently the media has paid a lot of attention to single-use plastics products – from takeaway coffee cups and straws to plastic bags – and the amount of plastic and microplastic waste in the oceans. Gavin Westbrook, Sustainable Building Consultant at Solid Green, set himself the challenge of going plastic-free for a month.
+27th November 2018
Green Building Convention & Awards 2018
Solid Green took centre stage at the Green Building Council Leadership Awards, held on 4 October 2018 at the 11th Annual Green Building Convention’s gala dinner at the Century City Conference Centre in Cape Town.
+10th October 2018
Nomamfengu Mbele: Realising Holistic Development
Nomamfengu Mbele is a young graduate with an Honours Degree in Urban & Regional Planning, who is engaging head on with the opportunities around sustainable precincts offered through her work experience at Solid Green.
+9th October 2018
Towards Zero Waste Living
As an urbanizing consumer society, the amount of waste we produce is growing significantly with the result that our landfill spaces are filling up and our municipal waste services will become more expensive as time goes on. Zendré Compion investigates.
+9th October 2018
Marloes Reinink : Property Business Woman of the Year 2018
On 23 October 2018, at the national 4th South African Women in Property Awards (SAWIPA), Marloes Reinink was named Business Woman of the Year: Entrepreneur.
+17th September 2018
South African team takes MultiComfort House Students Contest
Saint-Gobain recently presented the awards for the international final of its 14th MultiComfort House Students Contest following the competition held in Dubai (United Arab Emirates).
+31st July 2018
Main Straight C: Boogertman + Partners Head Office
The Main Straight Office Park, Block C, owned by RPP Developments, and designed and occupied by Boogertman + Partners, has been awarded a 4-Star Green Star Design Office v1.1 rating. Solid Green was the sustainability consultant on the certification.
+31st July 2018
Mon Trésor: Mauritius’ first Green Star certification
The Mon Trésor Business Gateway, a 13,500sqm office park in the district of Grand Port, has recently become the first project in Mauritius to receive a Green Star certification, achieving a 4-Star Green Star SA Office v1.1 Design rating in July 2018.
+31st July 2018
Solid Green scores its Half Century on Green Building Certifications!
This year, Solid Green Consulting celebrates the achievement of more than 50 certifications, demonstrating the company’s ongoing leadership in the African Green Building sector.
+31st July 2018
Standard Bank improves its EBP rating
In April 2018, the Standard Bank Global Leadership Centre (GLC) achieved a 5-Star Green Star Existing Building Performance (EBP) v1 rating. Owned and operated by the Standard Bank of South Africa (SBSA), the building’s performance has improved over the last 3 years, enabling a higher certification than its initial 2015 4-Star EBP Pilot rating.
+29th May 2018
Drive towards Sustainable Transportation
In the last five years, Solid Green has made sustainable transport a priority, successfully encouraging its employees to rethink their transport options, and enabling people to move away from private car use.
+28th May 2018
Nedbank’s Lakeview Phase II
Nedbank has once again confirmed its commitment to driving green building in the property sector with the second phase of the Lakeview office park, which achieved a 4-Star Green Star Office V1.1 Design certification early in March this year.
+28th May 2018
Solid Green’s Offices on the Biophilic Map
Leading the green building sector, Solid Green has achieved another First with its own office being the first project in Africa to make it onto the Biophilic Map.
+21st May 2018
Oxford Parks: A catalyst for urban regeneration
Oxford Parks, which officially broke ground in April 2017, is envisaged to be a sustainable and cosmopolitan medium-density urban environment that brings 300,000sqm of development rights to the Dunkeld Precinct linking Illovo to Rosebank along Oxford Road in Johannesburg.
+21st May 2018
Mbombela Square
Mbombela Square, part of a new spatial development framework, is the first Green Star rated project in Mbombela, having recently received a 4-Star Green Star Office v1 certification. The multi-use development comprises office and retail space within easy walking distance of restaurants and other amenities.
+28th March 2018
A Boost for Small Green Business
Earlier this year, Marloes Reinink, Director of Solid Green Consulting and GreenED, was selected for the J.P. Morgan GIBS Small Business Boost Programme, a 10-month business management scholarship at GIBS that is specifically focused on optimising opportunities for businesses in the green economy.
+26th March 2018
EDGE certification for Belhar Gardens
Belhar Gardens Rental Estate in the Western Cape is the first affordable housing project in South Africa to achieve an EDGE (Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiencies) certification from the Green Building Council South Africa. Solid Green was the EDGE Auditor on the certification.
+26th March 2018
Solid Green Internship: Mapula Matlakala
From its inception, Solid Green has taken the practice of mentoring students very seriously. Here, Mapula Matlakala shares her experience of working as a young, enthusiastic member of the Solid Green team.
+26th March 2018
Living Building Challenge – A reality for South Africa?
The Living Building Challenge is possibly the most rigorous green building certification programme and sustainable design framework in the world. Developed by the International Living Future Institute (ILFI) with the mandate of leading transformation toward a civilization that is socially just, culturally rich, and ecologically restorative, the Living Building Challenge standard raises the bar for sustainable development globally.
+26th March 2018
Food Choices and the Environment
As a veteran vegetarian, Marloes Reinink has recently made the transition to an entirely plant-based diet. Here she shares her experience, as well as some key motivating facts and figures about how our food choices affect the environment.
+5th February 2018
GreenBuild 2017 Boston – CASE STUDIES
GreenBuild 2017, the world’s largest conference and expo dedicated to green building, was held in Boston in November 2017. Solid Green’s Marloes Reinink and Gavin Westbrook share some of the case studies that were featured over three days in 14 educational parallel sessions.
+5th February 2018
Greenovate Awards 2017
Held for the third time in 2017, the Greenovate Awards are a joint initiative by Growthpoint Properties and the Green Building Council South Africa (GBCSA), and seek to recognise innovative solutions by students, to environmental challenges for the property industry.
+5th February 2018
Online Green Education with a Click
Technology is in the process of changing both how knowledge is delivered and the educational process itself, and the speed of this change is likely to accelerate in the next few years. GreenED is a new online learning resource that seeks to meet the requirements and expectations of the African green building market.
+5th February 2018
The Race to Zero: 78 Corlett Drive
As one of the first projects in Africa to be certified Net Zero, 78 Corlett Drive in Johannesburg is leading the local green building sector into a new phase of evolution. The project was awarded a Net Zero Carbon (Pilot) Level 1 Certification in late November 2017, and a 6-star Green Star Office V1.1 Design certification in January 2018.
+5th February 2018
Solid Highlights for 2017!
Solid Green’s drive to demonstrate green building sector leadership certainly paid off in 2017, with a number of ‘Firsts’ and highlights to celebrate. In doing so, we wish to thank all those who have been part of our journey, and look forward to working with you in 2018!
+6th December 2017
GreenBuild 2017 Boston
Solid Green’s Marloes Reinink and Gavin Westbrook visited Boston from 6 to 10 November to attend GreenBuild 2017, the world’s largest conference and expo dedicated to green building. Here they share their experiences, which included sessions on industry leadership, cutting edge technologies, development in green building certification systems and courses.
+6th December 2017
Energy Efficiency: the way forward for Nigeria
On 29 August 2017, Nigeria’s first Building Energy Efficiency Code (BEEC) was officially launched in Abuja by the Federal Minister for Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN). Solid Green was commissioned as technical consultant on the project, and Director, Chilufya Lombe, spoke at the launch event.
+6th December 2017
Hack4Climate and Blockchain Technology
Coinciding with the recent COP 23 event in Bonn, Germany, Cleantech21 hosted the hack4climate hackathon in November. The focus of this event was to bring together Developers and Climate Experts to build innovative solutions to fight climate change. Solid Green’s Warren Gray shares his experience.
+6th December 2017
Organic Waste – What to do?
Have you ever felt frustrated with the food waste that you throw away, knowing that it will be sent to landfill, and not knowing what could be done instead? To address this problem in its own office, Solid Green introduced both a worm farm and a Bokashi composting system.
+29th September 2017
Sandton Gate pilots new Sustainable Precincts Tool
Strategically located on William Nicol Drive within minutes of Sandton, Hyde Park, Rosebank and Bryanston, Sandton Gate is an ambitious mixed-use development that will seamlessly integrate commercial, residential and retail space with a number of lifestyle amenities in a connected, green, pedestrian-friendly precinct.
+26th September 2017
Streetlight Schools: Wellness in Education
In keeping with sustainable school design and child mental health development, Streetlight Schools has developed a Wellness Education Policy that specifically focuses on young learners’ wellbeing and health.
+26th September 2017
Water: Capture, Filter and Reuse
The supply of fresh potable water is an issue that continues to generate considerable media attention. Gavin Westbrook investigates the principle causes of water shortages and looks at positive actions that can be taken to mitigate the problem.
+27th July 2017
2017 EcoDistricts Incubator, Portland Oregon
In April, USAID Low-Emissions Development (USAID-LED) co-sponsored three South African project teams to attend the 2017 EcoDistricts Incubator in Portland, Oregon, USA. Zendré Compion from Solid Green was privileged to be able to participate in this exciting learning experience.
+25th May 2017
There and Back Again
Following his trip to Cape Town in the BMW i3 REX, Warren Gray decided to undertake a more quantitative recollection of the return to Johannesburg, investigating the real-world performance figures of this enlightening drive.
+25th May 2017
Standard Bank Leads Transformation in Sustainable Interiors
With 10 branches achieving 4-Star Green Star SA Interiors certifications in May 2017, Standard Bank is continuing to demonstrate sector leadership and its commitment to providing healthy and comfortable interior environments for both staff and clients.
+25th May 2017
Streetlight Schools: Sustainable Awareness in Education
Streetlight Schools have developed a Sustainable Education Awareness Program – which has been developed with a specific focus on young learners’ wellbeing – to teach learners new behaviours in using resources optimally from an early age, writes Solid Green’s Jesse Hamman.
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15th May 2017
Bitcoin not batteries: converting excess solar power into money
Solid Green director Warren Gray looks at the business case of ditching batteries and feed-in-tariffs altogether in favour of a less conventional approach to profiting from solar power.
+4th April 2017
Pegasus, Menlyn Maine
Menlyn Maine Pegasus was the very first building registered with the GBCSA for a Green Star SA rating in 2009. In 2015, the project’s 4-Star Green Star SA Office v1 Design rating was the twentieth certification facilitated by Solid Green Consulting, and the development received its 4-Star Green Star SA As-built rating in December 2016.
+30th March 2017
Rethinking Waste as a Resource
Annelide Sherratt, Sustainable Building Consultant at Solid Green, explains the impact of current waste management practices and how we, as individuals, can play a proactive role in limiting the harmful effects of waste on both our health and the environment.
+30th March 2017
Trend Analysis: Greening Interiors
In response to market demand for spaces that foster improved well-being and higher productivity, interior design priorities are shifting from aesthetics and branding towards healthy and sustainable indoor environments – as ever, Solid Green is at the forefront of these new trends.
+30th March 2017
Green Building Past, Present and Future
With the GBCSA certifying its 200th project in 2016 and with ten rating tools in operation, green building is quickly becoming the new ‘business as usual’ across all building typologies.
+31st January 2017
A Year as a Solid Intern
Derisha Govender shares her experiences of sustainability in the built environment: its ability to solve problems while contributing towards meaningful and beautiful architecture; and how the skills that she learned will inform her choices in the future.
+31st January 2017
New Green Building Benchmarks for Waterfall
Two new green buildings are setting benchmarks for sustainable development in the Waterfall area – the Attacq/Schneider Electric office building is targeting a LEED Gold certification while the Waterfall Public Transport Holding Facility is the first project to achieve a 5-Star Green Star SA PEB v1 rating.
+25th January 2017
Oh, the Places you’ll Charge
From Johannesburg to Cape Town via the Drakensberg and Eastern Cape, Solid Green’s Warren Gray shares his experiences of road tripping in South Africa in the BMW i3.
+25th January 2017
Our Year in 2016
With green building forecast to double globally by 2018, market awareness of the benefits of health and wellbeing in the built environment grew significantly over the last year, in line with savings in consumption of resources and related costs.
+14th December 2016
Green Building in West Africa
Rapid urbanisation in most of sub-Saharan Africa has created a substantial need for infrastructure and energy efficiency. Solid Green is excited to be involved in meeting this need, having been appointed to assist the Federal Republic of Nigeria in developing a Nigerian Building Energy Efficiency code by April 2017.
+25th October 2016
Solid Green Offices Awarded Prestigious LEED Green Building Certification
Solid Green recently achieved the LEED Platinum certification for commercial interiors for its Rosebank offices. The U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED rating system is the foremost programme for design, construction, maintenance and operation of structures for high levels of environmental and health performance.
+5th October 2016
Standard Bank: Green Star SA Interiors Ratings Nationwide
Through its commitment to sustainability, Standard Bank is targeting Green Star SA Interiors certifications for 10 new branch refurbishments in 2016 across South Africa – a worthwhile investment in terms of overall operational benefits.
+26th August 2016
Green Star SA Leadership Awards
In 2016, Solid Green again took top honours at the Green Building Convention – hosted by the Green Building Council South Africa – in three out of four Green Star SA Leadership Awards categories.
+26th August 2016
Test Driving our Electric Cars
Solid Green’s BMW i3 and Nissan Leaf gave delegates at the Green Building Convention 2016 a taste of the future of transport.
+24th August 2016
Our New EDGE Accredited Professionals
Solid Green congratulates our eight new EDGE (Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiencies) Accredited Professionals!
+24th August 2016
Six stars for Solid Green’s own offices
In being awarded SA’s first 6-Star Green Star SA Interiors v1 certification for its Rosebank offices, Solid Green has achieved a significant milestone – demonstrating, once again, its commitment to sustainable building design, practice and innovation.
+8th July 2016
Seed Capital: Jozi Urban Farms
The urban farming movement is a challenge to ideas about growing food in the city, planting on sidewalks, roofs, sports fields, in alleyways or in underutilised spaces. Solid Green – soon to launch an urban farming project in Rosebank – is excited to discover the local movement is maturing.
+6th July 2016
Heritage & regeneration: The Mix in Sophiatown
With a 5-Star Green Star SA Public and Education Buildings certification targeted, Solid Green’s pro bono involvement with The Mix’s Trevor Huddleston CR Memorial Building – a cultural, heritage and enterprise space in Sophiatown hosting the Sophiatown Green Incubator and serving as a venue for film, theatre, dance and arts ventures – is a point of pride for the company.
+11th May 2016
Implementing a comprehensive green vision
With a full range of expert services, Solid Green demonstrates its resolve to stay at the cutting edge of green-building accreditation and data management, and to make it easy for clients to implement the best building practices, invest in the financial and operational benefits of greening, and match demand for designs that benefit health and productivity.
+11th May 2016
Solid Insight targets Green City Startup top three
Solid Green looks forward to August when Johannesburg’s Green City Startup will decide if Solid Insight, Solid Green’s data- and resource-management platform, places in the Green City Startup top three, a placement which promises between R300 000 and R1 million in prizes and development grants.
+11th May 2016
Google (JHB) awarded 5-star Green Star SA Interiors certification
Having clinched the International Green Interior Award 2015 – aided by strong teamwork between Solid Green and Ecocentric Green Building Consultants – Google’s Johannesburg office has now been awarded 5-star Green Star SA Interiors certification.
+11th May 2016
4 Stan Road receives 4-Star plaque
The 4 Stan Road development – this boutique office development in the heart of Sandton recently received an award plaque for its 4-star Green Star SA Office v1 Design certification. The building has two distinct aspects: the façade facing Stan Road and a north-facing façade which is a fully glazed unitised performance façade.
+15th April 2016
Health is the new Green!
Health is a much neglected aspect of building green. Marloes Reinink explains how Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ), which is concerned with (among other things) daylight, fresh air, thermal comfort and views, can be crucial to ensuring that buildings are healthy spaces for occupants.
+29th February 2016
Streetlight Schools: Leading the way in Green Education
2016 sees Streetlight Schools launch its first project in a mixed-use development near Jeppe Park – at the heart of Johannesburg’s inner city. With Solid Green in consultation, the school’s operational location at Jeppe Park Primary has been awarded a 4-Star Green Star SA Interiors rating.
+29th February 2016
Solid Green Takes Top Honours At 2015 Green Star Awards
Solid Green’s strong performance at the 2015 Green Star SA Leadership Awards marks its continuing success and expansion. Once again, the company has shown that it is at the top-tier of the South African green-building industry with its work on the Monte Circle Building A building and 6-Star-rated Upper Grayston building in Sandton, Johannesburg.
+12th November 2015
4 Stars for Pegasus marks Solid Green milestone
With the certification of Menlyn Maine, Solid Green achieved its 20th Green Star SA certification – an impressive total comprising a substantial portion of all Green Star SA certifications, as acknowledged by Manfred Braune, Chief Technical Officer at the Green Building Council South Africa, earlier this year.
+26th October 2015
Solid Green certified LEVEL 2 B-BBEE Contributor
Solid Green has been certified as a LEVEL 2 Contributor to B-BBEE for 2015-16 achieving an overall score of 88.46 out of 100 as a Qualifying Small Enterprise. LEVEL 2 is the second highest rating and denotes a 135% BEE recognition level. Download Certificate.
+7th May 2015
Block F first 6 Star Green Star Building in Joburg
Upper Grayston Block F, with Solid Green as the sustainable building consultant, has become the first building to achieve a 6 Star Green Star SA Office v1 As built Rating in Gauteng. The office block, situated just off Ann Cresent in the heart of Sandton, has been lauded as demonstrating ‘World Leadership’ in the South African sustainability sphere.
+20th March 2015
Green Building Interiors
Marloes presented at the CPD seminar titled Enhanced Green Building Ratings using Product Certification and Life Cycle Assessment.
+3rd March 2015
A New Leaf for 2015: Solid Green’s Revamp
Solid Green has revamped its offices early this year, and we’ve built a new website too as we continue to evolve with the times. Because we want to “be the change we want to see” we decided to do the offices refurbishment the green way and have the new interiors certified.
+9th February 2015
Solid Green Office Revamp Begins
The renovations have started and we have planned to move back into our green offices beginning of February. We are targeting a minimum 5 star Green Star Interior v1 rating and a LEED Gold Interior Certification. A green wall is going to be one of the many green features of our offices. This is exciting!
+27th January 2015
Solid Green End Year function 2014
To celebrate the wrapping up of a very successful and enjoyable year, the Solid Green team headed to Little Addis in inner Jozi for our 2014 year-end function, to be surrounded by the vibrant sights, sounds and smells of an undeniably alive urban landscape.
+12th December 2014
Leading by Example: Greening the Solid Green Offices
Here at Solid Green, we have undertaken the challenge of Green Star certifying our own office space, both as an example to other smallish businesses of how this can be achieved, and of course in the name of a sustainable future.
+16th November 2014
Solid Green takes Top Honours at Green Star Leadership Awards 2014
For the second year running Solid Green has picked up the coveted Established Green Star award at the annual Green Star Leadership Awards at the Green Building Convention in Cape Town. This year it was Chilu Lombe who took the honour, following in Marloes Reinink’s foot steps who took the award in 2013.
+16th November 2014
Four new Green Star certifications for Solid Green Projects
Just before the holidays kicked in we received the results of 4 of our submissions.We are incredibly proud to be involved with these projects. This brings the number of certifications to 8 for Solid Green. The following projects received their certification:
+16th January 2014
Two GBCSA Green Star Awards for Solid Green
Solid Green was awarded 2 Green Star awards at the GBCSA Rewire 2013 Convention in Cape Town (16-18 October). We won the award for “Best Quality Submission 2012/13” for the National English Literacy Museum (NELM) in Grahamstown.
+28th October 2013
Environmental Affairs Office Achieves 6 Stars
The new Department of Environmental Affairs office building being constructed in Pretoria has achieved a 6 Star Green Star Office v1 Design rating. The building achieved the highest score for a large commercial office space in South Africa.
+7th June 2013
SANS 10400 XA Presentation given at Durban City Council
Solid Green Consulting recently had the opportunity to present on the SANS 10400 XA rational assessment path to compliance at the Durban City Council. You can view the full presentation below.
+24th April 2013
Alice Lane gets 4 Green Stars
The first phase of the Alice Lane development received a 4-star Green Star SA Office v1 Design certification from the Green Building Council SA. Abland Properties is the developer of this development. Solid Green is the Green Building Consultant.
+19th February 2013
Brydens Upper Grayston Block E Achieves 5 Star As Built Rating
The Upper Grayston Block E office development has achieved 67 points under Green Star SA Office v1 which has earned it a 5 star As Built rating. It is the highest rated 5 star building in South Africa, and the first to go from a 4 star Design rating to a 5 Star As Built rating.
+19th November 2012
DesignBuilder Certification Formally Issued for SANS 10400 Part XA
Agrément has formally issed a certificate to DesignBuilder software to approve it as certified thermal calculation software for the rational design path to compliance for SANS 10400 Part XA. Click below to see the certificate.
+8th October 2012
Brydens Upper Grayston Block E Receives 4 Star Green Star Design Rating
Solid Green Consulting was appointed to manage the Green Star process, as well as undertake performance modelling and simulation to inform the design of the building and its systems. It is the second Green Star rating delivered by Solid Green.
+30th January 2012
First Green Star MUR certification in SA
40-on-Oak has received the first Green Star SA Multi-Unit Residential certification in South Africa. 40-on-Oak, located within the Melrose Arch precinct in Johanneburg, was one of six projects that were registered for the Multi-Unit Residential (MUR) PILOT programme run by the GBCSA.
+25th October 2011
Anglo American Reinvention
Solid Green was part of the team that won the Anglo American Reinvention architectural competition. The team consisting of Kate Otten Architects and Mashabane Rose Associates, ARUP, and Davis Langdon. The winning design was presented to the judges in August 2011.
+23rd October 2011
