We would like to thank our incredibly proactive clients and all those who are sharing this innovative journey with us!

In 2019, we have been heartened to see the green building movement gaining more traction through the development and adoption of ever-more stringent green rating tools; and we are excited by the increasing global awareness of the immediate need for climate action, especially among young people. This change cannot happen fast enough!

The inaugural events of the Living Future Collaborative South Africa, initiated by Marloes Reinink and Thulani Kuzwayo last year, were part of the ‘24 Hours of Reality: Truth in Action’ global conversation, and sought to drive positive action in moving towards a truly regenerative built environment. This sector-leading approach is something that we bring home every day, and we are incredibly proud that seven of the twenty-five Net Zero Accredited Professionals in South Africa are Solid Greeners!

We have achieved several significant ratings this year, thanks to the vision of our clients and hard work of professional teams. These projects include Sandton Gate’s Sustainable Precincts certification; GEMS Menlyn Maine’s 5-Star Office v1.1 Design certification, which scored very well under Innovation; the new office for MDA Attorneys by Activate Architecture, one of the first buildings in the country to receive a Net Zero Carbon pilot certification; and KFC Newmarket, which achieved a prestigious LEED certification under the LEED 2009 for Retail – New Construction tool.

GEMS Menlyn Maine

MDA Attorneys

Perhaps the most impressive of these achievements is the certification of Balwin Properties residential portfolio under the EDGE tool. Comprising 16,000 units, this is the largest certification of its kind in the world! We are also working on three sector-leading projects that are targeting Living Building Challenge certifications – 4 Rugby Road and 28 Glencoe Road, both in Cape Town (Full LBC certifications); and 76 Corlett Drive in Johannesburg (LBC Petal Certification).

76 Corlett Drive in Johannesburg

Our commitment to driving change was recognised in the awards received by two of our ‘first-of-a-kind’ certified projects – Streetlight Schools’ GOLD award under the Eco-Build category at the Eco-Logic Awards 2019; and 78 Corlett Drive, which won the prestigious OVERALL GREEN AWARD at the SAPOA Property Development Awards for Innovative Excellence 2019.

EcoLogic EcoBuild winners

Our foray into other African countries is also making an impact. In June, Solid Green was represented at the Ghana Green Building Summit by Chilufya Lombe, who spoke and conducted a workshop on high-performance buildings. And, in October, Marloes Reinink and Makhosazana Mthethwa conducted three one-day green building training workshops around the Green Building Requirements within the new Ghana Building Code for the IFC.

Ghana Training

Marloes and Chilu on a Sunset Cruise

We may work hard, but we also play hard! Our year kicked off with three days at the self-catering Blue Sky Lodge in Hartbeespoort, learning, exploring and generally having fun as part of our annual team building event. And, in May, Marloes Reinink and Gavin Westbrook were fortunate enough to attend the Living Future unConference 2019 in Seattle Washington, which included an inspiring visit to the world-renown Bullitt Center – the very first FULL Living Building Challenge certified commercial building. And, of course, let’s not forget the memorable award for ‘Best Dressed Team’ under the theme TRASHION at the GBCSA’s Green Building Convention in October!

Finally, we have been privileged to welcome two new young members to the Solid Green family – Mbongiseni Thwala, Solid Green’s recently appointed office assistant; and Andile Shange, Sustainable Building Consultant who is focusing on Green Interiors. We are so privileged to be able to share our journey with these young people under the guidance of our more experienced professionals.

We would like to thank all our clients and colleagues for your ongoing support and vision, and we look forward to celebrating our 10th birthday with you in 2020 at our new home in Parkhurst, Johannesburg!