Ellipse is an iconic high-rise residential development in the Waterfall estate. Designed by dhk Architects as a visually striking landmark, the development comprises four towers with distinctive façades. The towers – Newton Tower with nine floors, Kepler Tower with ten floors, Cassini Tower with sixteen floors, and Galileo Tower (to be constructed soon) – have been designed and developed to meet the 4-Star Green Star SA MUR (Multi Unit Residential) v1 certification requirements. Once complete, the 45,000m2 precinct will include 600 apartments.

The Cassini Tower, comprising ground to fifteenth floor level with penthouse levels on floors fourteen and fifteen, recently achieved its 4-Star Green Star SA MUR (Multi Unit Residential) v1 design certification. The building has a total of 182 dwellings covering a total dwelling rentable area of 12,187m².

Jean Paul van Huffel, Project Manager at Tricolt, comments:

As property developers, we recognise that the construction sector has a harsh impact on the environment, and we believe that it is our responsibility to build more sustainably. We are extremely proud of this Green Star certification, which is in keeping with the ethos of the development as a whole.

Strategically located close to the Mall of Africa, Cassini enjoys excellent connectivity to local utilities and existing public transit infrastructure. Nearby amenities include a pharmacy, laundromat, restaurant, retail establishments, cinema, hospital, office spaces, and a school. This contributes significantly to mitigating emissions stemming from private vehicular transportation. Moreover, open active play zones, outdoor exercise stations, an outdoor swimming pool and contemplative seating serve as a catalyst for encouraging a healthy lifestyle among residents.

Annelidé Sherratt, Head of Department: Green Building Certifications at Solid Green, says:

The development contributes to the health of building users by providing active communal facilities such as open play areas, outdoor exercise stations, an outdoor swimming pool and contemplative seating. Walking and cycling is encouraged through proximity to various local amenities, and public transport infrastructure and pedestrian foot paths and crossings are provided throughout the urban context. Interior finishes were selected to minimise the contribution to levels of Volatile Organic Compounds within dwellings and common areas, thus contributing further towards occupant health and wellbeing.

Energy strategies were implemented to reduce the overall energy consumption of the building. These measures directly reduce the cost associated with energy consumption and include occupancy sensors for all individual or enclosed spaces; the provision of hot water by heat pumps that are supported by a hot water storage tank; and the use of energy efficient appliances that are provided to each unit. These will all result in a minimum 75% improvement in energy consumption (kwh/year) over a notional building without green initiatives. Additionally, external lighting was designed to minimise light pollution at night.

Because gathering information is key to understanding and managing building systems as well as to assessing opportunities for resource savings, all major energy and water consuming systems are sub-metered. Additionally, each dwelling unit has been provided with submeters and a web-based dashboard to monitor electricity, gas and domestic hot water energy.

The Cassini project embedded legal and contractual environmental management initiatives within the formal management structures of the development, relating to the regular inspection and maintenance of common property services, environmental performance reports, a waste and recycling management plan, and retrofit and maintenance policy.

In line with this, new construction and refurbishments should aim to achieve a 30% reduction of the quantity of Portland cement used in any concrete, and a 90% recycled content of all the steel by mass on the project. Where new paints, adhesives and sealants and carpets are installed they should meet the Low TVOC (Total Volatile Organic Compound) limits. Additionally, only LED light fittings should be used, reducing materiality through the long lifespan of the technology while ensuring energy efficiency.

Ellipse Cassini epitomises sustainable urban living, aligning with green building principles, energy efficiency and responsible environmental stewardship, setting a noteworthy example for the precinct’s future construction endeavours.

Project Team

Owner Attacq & Tricolt
Accredited Professional Solid Green Consulting
Architect DHK Architects
Electrical Engineer Aftek Consulting Engineers
Fire Engineer Sutherland Engineers / Crossfire
Lift Specialist Kone
Mechanical Engineer Spoormaker & Partners
Quantity Surveyors Tricolt
Structural Engineers Arup
Sustainable Design Review Solid Green Consulting
Sustainable Building Consultant Solid Green Consulting
Wet Services Sutherland Engineers
Main Contractor Barrow
Project Manager Echo Project Managers
Environmental Consultant Seaton Environmental
Landscape Architects Green Inc