This achievement sends a clear message that the future of construction is not just about building smarter but about building responsibly, ensuring that every new development contributes to a cleaner, greener world.

Advancing the Energy Transition

As the global urgency for carbon reduction intensifies, buildings are at the forefront of the transition to a more sustainable energy future. The built environment is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, but innovative projects like Balwin’s head office demonstrate that the reuse of existing buildings coupled with cutting-edge design, renewable energy solutions, and responsible construction practices can create net-positive impact. By securing the highest Green Star rating and achieving Net Zero Carbon certification, the project is both minimising its environmental footprint as well as proving that commercial developments can lead the way in a low-carbon economy.

Innovation in Design and Performance

Designed with efficiency and sustainability at its core, the building integrates smart building technologies, renewable energy sources, and passive design strategies to optimise performance. Solar photovoltaics, intelligent energy management systems, and high-performance insulation work in synergy to ensure the building operates at peak efficiency while significantly reducing its reliance on grid-supplied power. With this Net Zero Carbon As-Built Certification, Balwin has shown how future-focused developments of today’s existing building stock can decouple growth from environmental degradation.

Setting a Precedent for the Industry

Achieving these dual certifications is not just a milestone for Balwin Properties. It is also a statement to the broader industry that net-zero carbon buildings are not a distant aspiration, but a present-day reality. As policymakers, developers, and urban planners seek solutions to align infrastructure with climate goals, Balwin’s head office serves as a tangible example of what is possible when sustainability is embedded from concept to completion.

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Credit Paragon Architects

Adaptive Reuse

A key waste reduction strategy was reusing an existing building. The already iconic Creative Council building on the M1 highway near Melrose Arch, designed by Paragon Architects, created the canvas for the new project, which was also undertaken by Paragon. While already a striking building, upgrades were needed to ensure it became fit-for-purpose, and to improve the energy efficiency and other sustainable aspects of the building.

Credit Paragon Architects

Repurposing Materials

The original design consisted of a two-storey concrete building atop a rectilinear three-storey parking podium, separated by three double volume, metal-glad, conical forms. During the transformation into Balwin’s Headquarters, these conical structures were dismantled. Instead of sending the demolition waste to landfill, 100 lengths of second-hand steel U-channels were repurposed on two different sites. Other salvaged metal work and demolition rubble was also recycled, including over 1000m³ of fill material in the form of broken up and no-fines concrete that was used for road construction elsewhere.

Components typically replaced during a refurbishment, such as ducts, piping, electrical infrastructure, balustrades and sanitary fixtures, were reused. Additionally, 68.64 tonnes of gypsum waste from the dismantling of internal office partitions and ceilings were sent for composting.

A detailed Building Users’ Guide encourages consideration of the reusability of new materials during future refurbishments. The guide also includes direction for the management and recycling of operational waste now that the building is occupied.

Diversion from Landfill

Given the extensive refurbishment to the building, there was a considerable amount of demolition and construction waste. In total, the project has diverted a significant 97.14% of total construction waste from landfill. The remaining 2.86% (amounting to 64.85 tCO₂ ) was offset by purchasing waste-related carbon credits linked to the Stellenbosch Community Recycling project.

Separate colour-coded skips were provided on site for each different waste stream. The construction crew had to always keep the site neat and tidy.

The process of attaining the certification required weighing and measuring all the construction waste during the refurbishment process. Leago Environmental Projects created a comprehensive Waste Management Plan to guide the construction team on how to maximise the reusability of waste material on site. This included separation and sorting before it was sent to be recycled off site, which is the most efficient way of maximising reuse and recycling.

The main contractor devised and executed a comprehensive demolition plan which meticulously outlined how the existing components would be dismantled into the various material types. This enabled a smooth on-site waste separation process, facilitating collection by external recycling contractors.

Initially, finding trustworthy recycling contractors to guarantee that the construction waste was actually recycled and not sent to landfill, was a challenge. However Onsite Solutions, the main contractor, was able to navigate this.

Collaborative Effort

Being able to reuse and recycle almost 100% of the construction waste required a huge commitment from the team and was not without challenges. Jennifer Dean, Sustainable Building Consultant at Solid Green, said, “Documentation was a challenge and coordinating the weighing of waste by different subcontractors was not easy, but our success demonstrates everyone’s dedication to a achieving an important shared goal.”

A Shining Example

Balwin HQ sets a remarkable precedent for sustainable construction waste management, shining a light on the benefits of adaptive reuse. It proves that minimising construction waste is possible with careful planning and collaboration. Waste is not an inevitability; it is a choice.

Imagine if all commercial projects were to divert 97% of their construction waste? At Solid Green, we’re committed to creating a built environment where zero construction waste is the norm. Get in touch with us, if you’d like to discuss how you can make this a reality on your next project.

Balwin HQ Project page.

Credit Paragon Architects

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Balwin HQ_renders courtesy of Paragon

“In order to achieve the stringent Net Zero Carbon certification, a project must focus on energy efficiency first,” Alex Varughese, Modelling and Simulations Consultant at Solid Green, explains.

It is necessary to achieve a higher level of energy efficiency than that of a standard green building. And converting to a fully renewable supply also makes the project financially attractive to the developer.

Balwin HQ_renders courtesy of Paragon

The building is targeting an energy consumption of 101kWh/m2/year, far less than the 218kWh/m2/year required by SANS10400 XA for a building of equal size and specification. Energy modelling was carried out in the design stages to compare the building to a notional building model. Greenhouse gas emissions associated with operational energy consumption were reduced by 103%. This was achieved through sub-metering and effective monitoring of energy systems; through the provision of motion sensors to designated zones; and by improving the lighting power density through efficient lighting design.

Because the behaviour of building occupants and users is critical to reduce building energy consumption, a learning resource has been provided that communicates energy and water data as well as educational material on sustainability initiatives implemented in the building.

Balwin HQ_renders courtesy of Paragon

As a refurbishment, one of the key strategies was that of reuse. Says Kim Newell, Associate at Paragon Architects, “In today’s global socio-economic environment, we need to consider resources more carefully. The importance of upcycling existing buildings cannot be overstated. We were able to reuse the entire structure of the building and adapt it to meet the requirements of the brief.”

100% of the building structure was reused, while materials that are typically replaced during a refurb – such as mechanical ducts, fire water piping, balustrades and sanitary fittings and fixtures – were also reused. In addition, the architects managed to keep the concrete structure and the quintessential elevated concrete box, and added the additional level on top, without having to strengthen the foundation.

Balwin HQ_renders courtesy of Paragon

A new steel roof structure houses a 183kW photovoltaic system installation, which has an annual energy production of 285.7MWh, allowing the base building demand to ultimately achieve Net Zero carbon emissions. The existing MV/LV supply infrastructure and metering was reused, including the main LV distribution board. Existing DB boards and electrical installation to the basement parking floors were retained, with only the new parking levels receiving new lighting.

Balwin HQ_renders courtesy of Paragon

Commenting on the importance of this redevelopment, Steve Brookes, CEO of Balwin Properties, says

Targeting a Net Zero carbon certification for Balwin’s head office presented both a challenge and an opportunity. With our vision of better building practices for people and planet in mind, it’s a challenge that we eagerly embraced. The Green Star and Net Zero Carbon certifications for this project have reinforced Balwin as a sustainability leader in the property sector.

Project Team

Owner: Balwin Properties
Accredited professional: Solid Green Consulting
Architect: Paragon
Electrical engineer: Sutherland
Fire engineer: Sutherland
Lift specialist: Kone
Mechanical engineer: Sutherland
Quantity surveyors: JMHT Quantity Surveyors
Structural engineers: Sotiralis Engineers
Sustainable building consultant: Solid Green Consulting
Wet services: Sutherland
Main contractor: Onsite Solutions
Project manager: Onsite Solutions
Environmental consultant : LEAP
Interior designer : Paragon Interface
Commissioning agent: Cardinal Commissioning Services
Renewables: RWP

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