The fit-out forms part of Takeda’s broader environmental strategy, including its Climate Action Program, which targets net-zero GHG emissions for operations by 2035, and net-zero across its full value chain by 2040. The organisation’s Sustainability by Design initiative has also been applied throughout the workplace, aiming to reduce the environmental footprint during construction and operations.

Resource Efficiency Embedded in Daily Use

The office fit-out is fully integrated with the base building, enabling it to benefit from energy- and water-efficient systems already in place. Water-efficient fittings limit usage, and environmentally conscious materials – many carrying third-party eco-certifications – were selected to ensure a healthy and sustainable interior. Most appliances and equipment are energy efficient, rated under the Energy Star® programme or the European Energy Labelling scheme.

Energy conservation continues into daily operations. The office uses sub-metering to track consumption from major energy systems and encourage behavioural change among occupants. Lighting systems are designed for efficiency, avoiding over-illumination, while the choice of electrical equipment helps minimise energy draw. The base building supplies hot water through a high-efficiency heat pump system.

Water-saving measures are comprehensive and intelligent. Automated systems monitor consumption and detect leaks across all major uses. Potable water use for interior planting is minimised through careful species selection and efficient irrigation.

Operational waste is managed by tenants, with guidance from building management, and waste tracking systems support improved landfill diversion over time. Dedicated recycling and general waste bins, as well as a sorting area, are conveniently located near the lift core to streamline waste management.

Indoor Air Quality and Wellbeing

Indoor environmental quality has been prioritised. High-efficiency air filters and low-emitting materials – such as low-VOC paints, flooring, adhesives, and sealants – help to ensure a healthy environment. 95% of air circulated through the office is fresh outside air, while pollutant sources like printers and photocopiers are isolated to maintain air purity. Glare control is achieved through baffles, diffusers, and louvres, ensuring well-lit yet visually comfortable spaces.

Biophilic design elements further enhance the interior. All plants were selected for their compatibility with indoor environments and their ability to improve air quality, contributing to a calm and welcoming atmosphere.

Elri Syfert, Sustainable Building Consultant at Solid Green, says:

This project demonstrates Takeda’s commitment to responsible building operations and resource efficiency. It’s a space that embodies the Takeda brand and mission while enhancing the health and comfort of its people.

Project Team

Owner: Takeda
Accredited Professional: Solid Green Consulting
Architect: Tétris Design x Build
Electrical Engineer: MD Electrical
Mechanical Engineer: Midrand Air Services
Quantity Surveyors: JLL
Sustainable Design Review: Solid Green Consulting
Sustainable Building Consultant: Solid Green Consulting
Main Contractor: Tétris Design x Build
Project Manager: Tétris Design x Build
Interior Designer: Tétris Design x Build
Waste Contractor: WastePlan
Landscape Management Company: Bidvest Execuflora
Electrical Contractor: MD Electrical
Recycling Contractor: WastePlan
Construction / Fit-Out Contractor: Tétris Design x Build

The post Takeda Pharmaceuticals Achieves 4-Star Interiors Certification appeared first on Solid Green Consulting.

To date, Solid Green has achieved a remarkable 216 Green Building certifications and has proudly received over 30 GBCSA Green Star Leadership Awards, solidifying our position as a leader in the green building sector. These certifications translate into 2,595,916 m² of Green Star certified space and an impressive 5,081,305 m² of EDGE certified space—a testament to the region’s increasing commitment to sustainable and high-performance buildings.

Since 2023, we have recorded a 74% increase in certified projects, highlighting both the rapid growth of the green building sector and the trust our clients place in us.

In 2024, Solid Green’s market share continues to demonstrate our leadership:

• Green Star New Buildings: Solid Green was responsible for 76% of all projects certified (13 out of 17).
• Green Star Interiors: We led 71% of all certified Interiors projects (5 out of 7).
• GBCSA Net Zero: Solid Green delivered 67% of all certified Net Zero projects (14 out of 21).

Below, we highlight some of the standout certifications awarded to our clients this year.

Green Star Certifications – 2024 Highlights

Commercial & Office Buildings

• V&A Signal View – 5-Star Green Star Office Design v1.1
  Client: Investec
• Barloworld Irene Building A – 5-Star Office As Built v1.1
  Client: Abland, Giflo Developments, SOM
• Irene Building C & D & E – 4-Star Office As Built v1.1
  Client: Abland, Giflo Developments, SOM
• First Capital Bank, Zambia – 5-Star Office Design v1.1
  Client: First Capital Bank
  
• Prime Plaza II, Botswana – 5-Star Office As Built v1.1
  Client: Primetime Holdings
  
• Galileo Tower, Waterfall City – 4-Star Multi-Unit Residential Design v1
  Client: Waterfall City

Interiors

• 7 Parks Boulevard – Ikusasa (Anglo American) – 6-Star Interiors v1
  Client: Intaprop / Anglo American
• Vodacom South Africa – Interiors v1
  Client: Vodacom
• Nedbank: Alex Mall & Fox Street – Interiors v1
  Client: Nedbank
• Rockefeller Foundation – Interiors v1
  Client: WebLimited

7 Parks Boulevard – credit GLH Architects

Nedbank Alex Mall

Residential Projects

• Menlyn Maine Residential, Pretoria – 4-Star Multi-Unit Residential Design v1
  Client: Menlyn Maine Investment Holdings

Menlyn Maine

Retail & Mixed Use

• Liberty 2 Degrees – Multiple Malls (5x) – Net Zero Waste Level 2
  Client: Liberty 2 Degrees

Liberty 2 Degrees NetZero

Industrial & Custom Projects

• Nexus Waterfall City, Building 2 – 4-Star Custom (Hotel Design) – Design & As Built
  Client: Attacq
• Plumblink Industrial – 4-Star Custom Industrial v1.1 Design
  Client: Attacq
• The Matus Office & Warehouse, Germiston – 4-Star Custom Industrial v1.1 Design
  Client: Bidvest

Net Zero & Green Star Combined

• Balwin Thaba Eco-Village Lifestyle Centre
  • 6-Star Custom Design
  • Net Zero Carbon Level 1 (Design)
    Client: Balwin Properties
• Balwin Headquarters
  • 6-Star Office As Built v1.1
  • Net Zero Carbon Level 1 (Design)
    Client: Balwin Properties

Thaba Lifestyle Centre

Balwin Properties’ headquarters

EDGE Certifications – 2024 Post-Construction Highlights

Residential

• De Zicht, Milnerton – Balwin Properties
• The Reid, Linbro Park Sandton – Balwin Properties
• Greencreek Phase 1, Pretoria East – Balwin Properties
• Kikuyu, Midrand – Balwin Properties
• Green Parks, Boksburg – Balwin Properties

Commercial & Mixed Use

• Pick n Pay Distribution Centre, Kempton Park – Pick n Pay
• Units on Jorissen, Johannesburg – Eris
• Barloworld, Gaborone – Barloworld
• The Lincoln, Johannesburg – Leogem Property Developments
• The Mallard, Johannesburg – Leogem Property Developments
• Capricorn Corner, Namibia – Bank of Windhoek
• 19 Girton, Johannesburg – Caliber Properties
• World Bank, Lusaka – World Bank
• St Davids, Johannesburg – Caliber Properties
• Idwala, Johannesburg – Caliber Properties

PnP Eastport

The post Solid Green’s Certifications in 2024 appeared first on Solid Green Consulting.

The green fitouts of the two branches form part of Nedbank’s Project Imagine initiative. The vision of Project Imagine is to reimagine the future of banking for both Nedbank and its customers. It aims to bring a unified experience to the banking environment that is distinctive, effective, efficient, and sustainable.

Project Imagine is about more than a new image for the bank and extends to a branch environment that aligns with green building principles and smart sustainable practices. The Green Star Interiors tool rewards high-performance tenant spaces that are healthy, productive places to work, are less costly to operate and maintain, and have a reduced environmental footprint – the perfect tool to align with Nedbank’s vision.

Elri Syfert, Accredited Professional on the project from Solid Green, says:

We’re extremely proud of these projects which prove that small details, like adding plants to indoor spaces, can make big differences. It’s wonderful to see corporates committing to the wellbeing of occupants with a focus on indoor air quality. This goes a long way to encouraging healthy green spaces where people can thrive.

Energy Strategies

Nedbank’s two new branches have adopted energy-efficient strategies designed to reduce consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. Key initiatives include:

• Sub-Metering: Major energy-consuming systems are equipped with sub-metering capabilities for precise monitoring.
• Energy Modelling: Comparing the energy model of the new design with a conventional building showed improvements in energy efficiency.
• Flexible & Efficient Lighting: Offices use natural light where possible, with energy-efficient LED fittings and occupancy sensors.
• Energy-Efficient Appliances & Equipment: Installed appliances come with recognised energy efficiency ratings.
• Practical Energy Saving Strategies: Employees are encouraged to adopt behaviours like turning off unused lights and dressing appropriately for the outdoor weather to reduce heating and cooling requirements.

Indoor Air Quality and Comfort as a Priority

To enhance the wellbeing of occupants, Nedbank has prioritised the quality of the indoor environment which includes air quality. Measures include:

• Highly Energy-Efficient HVAC System: The VRF system provides fresh air and adjustable temperature controls.
• Thermal Comfort: Internal operative temperatures stay within ASHRAE Standard 55-2004 limits for at least 98% of occupied hours.
• Comfort Lighting: Adequate general illuminance with glare control and high-frequency ballasts to avoid flicker.
• Ozone-Friendly Systems: Selected gaseous and fire suppression systems, as well as thermal insulants, have zero Ozone Depleting Potential (ODP).
• Indoor Air Quality: Minimisation of indoor Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) to reduce indoor pollutants. High-efficiency air filters trap ozone, dust and other particles from being brought in from outside the building.
• Eco Labels: All furniture, assemblies, and floor coverings have third party eco labels and certificates, reducing their environmental impact.

Bringing the Outside In

Carefully chosen indoor plants help to filter the indoor air and maintain good quality air.

• Research conducted by Sydney University of Technology shows that plants help to reduce VOCs between 50-75% in a 24-hour period.
• Plant-filled rooms contain 50-60% fewer airborne moulds and bacteria, and health complaints are reduced by 30%.
• Further research shows that in work environments that have indoor plants, absenteeism is reduced by 15-30% and productivity in increased by 12-20%.
• The wellbeing of staff, just by having plants around them, is increased by a massive 84%.

A Horticultural Maintenance Plan provides guidelines on watering, checking of soil, cleaning, fertilising, and disease prevention. A technician comes to site every two weeks to check on the plants to ensure they are happy and healthy.

Water Efficiency Strategies

Strategies to prioritise water efficiency include:

• Point-of-Use Fittings: Water-efficient fittings on taps limit water usage.
• Reduced Water Heating: No hot water is provided in the ablutions. Hot water to kitchenettes is supplied by undercounter geysers, heated to a maximum temperature of 60°C.
• Waterwise Landscaping: Plants are carefully chosen to reduce the need for irrigation.

Transport Facilities

Consideration of sustainable transport options was an important aspect of the projects.

Both branches are located within a 1-kilometre walking distance of taxi stops and Gautrain bus stops, which have a frequency of 10-15 minutes or less during peak times. The branches  encourage reduction of private car usage by having no parking for staff. High-tech video conferencing solutions minimise the need to travel locally and internationally.

Small Steps, Big Impact

At Solid Green, we are dedicated to helping our clients build a greener, healthier future. If you’re committed to creating healthy green spaces for your employees to thrive in, we’d love to speak to you.

The post Reimagining Banking: two Nedbank branches receive Interiors ratings appeared first on Solid Green Consulting.

A strict process of waste, erosion and sedimentation control was implemented during construction – a process that proved to be new for the main contractor and the earthworks contractor, and therefore challenging in terms of compliance and documentation.

With a floor area of just under 310sqm, the project uses 31.5% less water than a baseline building through the use of low flow fittings and efficient kitchen equipment. A third of the site is dedicated to vegetation, which does not have any permanent irrigation systems installed. The project had originally looked at using captured rainwater for irrigation, but xeriscaping turned out to be a more efficient design decision as it avoided the need for water tanks, controls and pumps required for an irrigation system.

There was a 33% energy saving over a baseline building, which was achieved using efficient lighting and HVAC systems. These systems were optimised using a ‘whole building’ design approach that included a highly reflective roof and shading to minimise solar heat gain. The project also has water tanks on the roof and a generator to ensure continuity of operations during service disruptions such as water-cuts or load-shedding.

“The operation of all the systems were verified through the appointment of an independent commissioning agent who checked the design and conducted on-site audits during the commissioning stages,” says Gavin Westbrook, sustainability consultant at Solid Green.

This process revealed that some of the lighting did not achieve the required brightness levels as required by both KFC and LEED. More and brighter lighting was added to the project after occupation and tested again to confirm compliance. This was one of the lessons learned, which will be applied to the base KFC design for other projects.

The project has higher than baseline delivery of fresh air into the occupied spaces and utilises low VOC (volatile organic compound) finishes. Gavin explains that an Indoor Environmental Air Quality Plan was implemented during construction to ensure the healthiest indoor air quality for occupants. LEED requirements also ensure that no smoking happens in the building or in the immediate vicinity. “These are actually less rigorous than the legal requirement in South Africa, but the signage requirements are more stringent so we needed to add more signage around the exterior of the building after completion, in addition to the signage at the entrances, in order to achieve compliance.

All the operational waste from the restaurant and kitchen will be sorted on site for recycling or disposal, including packaging, food waste and cooking oil.

“The project was a challenge for the design team as they needed to go through an iterative design process and get into the details of the materials specified far more than they are normally required to do,” Gavin concludes.

We believe that this has been a positive experience and will guide the implementation of sustainability principles and processes in KFC’s branches moving forward.

The post KFC Newmarket receives LEED Retail certification appeared first on Solid Green Consulting.

These choices included locally-sourced reused furniture (from the old Boogertman office across the road), FSC sustainable timber, and flooring containing post-consumer recycled content. The library staircase leading up to the upper level office area doubles as an auditorium; and includes an acoustic curtain which is opened or closed when conferences or staff education sessions are held. This multi-functional staircase also houses the materials library, which demonstrates a variety of materials to assist with design decisions.

Conceptual design for Building C was undertaken by Bob van Bebber, while project director was Quintus van Eck. The building was designed to ensure that maximum daylight entered the space, while ensuring minimal solar heat gains. This allowed for reduced electrical lighting requirements and reduced energy bills. The extensive use of glazing in the design allows for a feeling of direct connection to the outdoor environment, and the inclusion of indoor plants introduces biophilic elements that enliven the interior spaces.

All interior lighting utilises LED bulbs and is on occupancy sensors to ensure that unused lighting is switched off, further reducing energy consumption. The canteen area is fully equipped with kitchen and preparation areas where staff can prepare healthy, mindful meals to promote an atmosphere of wellness.

Building C also houses a crèche that provides all working mothers at the firm with on-site childcare. Due to budget limitations, all staff members helped to paint this environment thus creating a sense of ownership for all families working at the firm.

Building tours are conducted for all who are interested in viewing this innovative office space.

The post Boogertman Interior: 5-Star Interior Rating on Round 1 appeared first on Solid Green Consulting.

Standard Bank, with its track record as a leader in transformation, achieved its 13th Interiors certification in May 2017, and is responsible for more than half of the certified Interiors projects to date. Standard Bank’s head office at 3 Simmonds in Johannesburg was awarded the first 5-star Green Star SA Pilot Interior rating in South Africa and the refurbishments of its Kuruman and Century City branches both received 4-Star Green Star SA Interiors v1 ratings shortly thereafter.

Ten new certifications

As a commitment to providing healthy and comfortable interior environments for both staff and clients, ten retail branches were selected in 2016 to be refurbished – all targeting certifications with the Green Star SA Interiors v1 rating tool. In May 2017, all ten branches achieved 4-Star Green Star SA Interiors v1 certifications, with Solid Green as green building consultants on all the following projects: Benmore Gardens (Sandton); Boardwalk Inkwazi Mall in Richards Bay; Greenacres in Port Elizabeth; Greenstone, High Street Worcester; Liberty Midlands Mall, Pietermaritzburg; Loch Logan in Bloemfontein; Melrose Arch, Middelburg; and Polokwane.

This undertaking forms part of the bank’s vision to apply sustainable building practices to its retail branches in keeping with its sustainability policy. Trevor Dean, Senior Manager (Architecture and Cost) at Standard Bank’s Group Real Estate Services, says:

We are very proud of these milestones that Standard Bank has achieved as a result of its commitment to sustainability. The cost to go green has been approximately 5% higher than for conventional buildings – but, in terms of resource consumption savings and overall operational benefits, it has been a very worthwhile investment.

A commitment to promoting sustainability

To date, Standard Bank has 16 certified projects across the different Green Star SA rating tools. The bank has also implemented an initiative called ‘Learning Resources’ in all the certified branches to create an awareness as to what makes the branches ‘green’ by informing occupants and visitors about water savings, energy savings and waste generation within each branch.

Standard Bank aims to select further branches for certification, with the intention of targeting higher ratings of 5 or 6 Stars each – to exceed its current commitment to ‘Best Practice’ and to be recognised as contributing towards excellence in the South African green building sector.

The post Standard Bank Leads Transformation in Sustainable Interiors appeared first on Solid Green Consulting.

Health is the new green

“Until now, traditional interior design has been trend and style driven, offering visual enhancement to a space that is largely driven by budgetary requirements”, says Marloes Reinink of Solid Green Consulting. “The move towards sustainable interior design focuses on healthy spaces where people can be happy and more productive. It’s an approach that integrates work with life; incorporating activity-based design together with environmental considerations.”

The Solid Green offices – green wall and views

From a developer or building owner’s perspective, it makes business sense to provide tenants with a green building because rentals and occupancy rates are higher, resulting in a rapid ROI. Having said that, a green building is not necessarily a healthy building. Tenants are usually more interested in occupying healthy spaces that promote well-being and increased productivity, that are good for their corporate image and contribute towards retaining talent.

What the data shows

A recent study entitled ‘The Dollars and Sense of Green Retrofits’ (Deloitte and Charles Lockwood) cites the primary motives for implementing green interiors as greater indoor air and environmental quality, which speaks directly to health, well-being and corporate environmental commitment.

Reinink observes that the expenses of an average company are broken down as follows: 90% staff costs (salaries and benefits); 9% rental cost; and 1% energy costs. So spending R1 million to save 50% of your energy cost would have a smaller benefit than using the same budget to create a space that makes a 1% difference in staff productivity.

Studies also show that hospitals which provide outside views for patients result in an 8.5% quicker release rate than hospitals with no views outdoors. In call centres with outside views, employees process calls 6–12% faster than centres without views.

Standard Bank, Century City Branch

While the data is now available to support the case for well-being and productivity, concerns still abide around the cost of greening indoor spaces. However, research now indicates that, while the perceived additional cost over a conventional space is 0.9–29% more, the actual cost is in fact between a 0.4% saving and a 12.5% additional cost – depending on the design and systems implemented.

Reinink says:

The earlier you start in the process, the more cost effective it will be. The later you get involved, the more difficult it is to implement new systems and fewer options are available. Some of the ways in which costs can be cut are by integrating sustainable principles in the design from the outset, identifying costs as soon as possible, and drawing up a green budget.

Costs associated with greening interior spaces are the fees for consultants (such as for a Green Star SA Accredited Professional, commissioning and acoustics engineers), registration and submission fees for Green Star SA certification to the GBCSA (and/or other certifications if required), the capital cost of the project and ongoing maintenance costs.

Certification tools

Of the different certification tools available, the Green Star SA Interiors tool differs from the Green Star SA Office tool in that the primary categories are Indoor Air Quality and Materials, whereas the Office tool is weighted heavily in favour of Energy and Water consumption. Also, the Interiors certification is an As-Built rating only, because the time spent planning and implementing an interiors project is short – this puts additional pressure on design consultants to make timeous and correct decisions.

In addition to the Green Star SA Interiors tool, other programmes that may be pursued are the LEED Commercial Interiors certification, the Living Building Challenge, and the WELL Building Standard.

Reinink explains that the Living Building Challenge is the ultimate sustainability rating for interiors. The programme uses the metaphor (and logo) of a flower to define its criteria. Any project seeking a WELL certification has to meet all these criteria – that is, the project has to:

• be rooted in its place by adapting to climate and site (Site);
• be energy neutral by generating all its own power (Energy);
• be water neutral by harvesting all its own water (Water);
• operate pollution-free (Indoor quality);
• comprise integrated systems, with all materials being healthy and non-toxic (Materials); and
• be beautiful and inspiring.

The WELL Standard has a different focus, which is the health and well-being of people in a space, rather than the construction and performance of a building. The intention is to implement, validate and measure features that support and advance human health and wellness. Here the criteria are Air, Water, Fitness, Light, Nourishment, Comfort, and Mind.

The South African scene

In South Africa, eight projects have been certified to date under the Green Star SA Interiors rating tool: Virgin Active on Alice Lane in Sandton, Standard Bank Kuruman, Standard Bank Century City, Standard Bank Simmonds Street, Google Jozi, Earthworks Offices Cape Town, the GBCSA Offices Cape Town, and Solid Green’s office in Rosebank, Johannesburg.

The Google Office, Johannesburg

Probably the most challenging of these projects was the Google Head Office in Bryanston, which: achieved a 5-Star Green Star SA Interiors v1 certification; is targeting a LEED Gold for Commercial Interiors v2009; and had to adhere to the company’s stringent Healthy Materials Program, which aims to eliminate any toxins related to a fitout, such as formaldehyde and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). In 2015, the project won the International Green Interior Award 2015, selected from winners across categories that included Office, Residential, Retail, Education, Hospitality, Healthcare, Aged Care, Product Innovation and Students.

The top achiever to date is Solid Green’s own office – which was awarded a LEED Platinum certification for Commercial Interiors and the first 6-Star Green Star SA Interiors v1 certification, and won the Highest Rated Building category at the Green Star SA Leadership Awards in 2016. Reinink comments:

We wanted to create a space which is energy and water efficient, but more importantly, a space where our staff can thrive and enjoy what they are doing. Our offices are filled with natural daylight and natural ventilation, and incorporate elements of biophilic design, all critical elements to a healthy indoor environment.

The Green Star SA Interiors tool is rated under nine categories: Management, Land use and Ecology, Transport, Indoor Environmental Quality, Water, Emissions, Energy, Materials and Innovation. The tool also offers an option for pre-certification of several similar projects within one submission. So, if a bank or a chain store has a portfolio of properties, some of the credits can be pre-approved, making future submissions easier.

The Solid Green boardroom

Standard Bank, for example, is doing a lot in terms of its building portfolio. To date, the bank has achieved 5-star Green Star SA Office v1 Design and As-built certifications for: its head office in Rosebank, Johannesburg; a 4-Star Green Star SA Existing Building Performance Pilot certification for its Global Leadership Centre in Morningside; a 5-Star Green Star SA Interiors Pilot certification for the renovation of its 3 Simmonds Street offices; and has started the journey on greening its branches – with three certified in 2016 and ten more registered for certification in 2017.

Standard Bank, 3 Simmonds Road branch

Greening the future

And so, through the development and accessibility of various certification tools, healthy and sustainable interior design principles are being adopted as a matter of course, driven by leaders in the property sector.

The post Trend Analysis: Greening Interiors appeared first on Solid Green Consulting.

Reinforcing Standard Bank’s green leadership, the first to seventh floor of the building located on Simmonds Street in the Joburg CBD has achieved a 5-Star Green Star SA Interiors rating. It is only the second interior project in the country to be rated using the Green Star SA Interiors Pilot rating tool, making it a landmark achievement for design and interior fit-out in South Africa.

Read the full article below, download it here, or read Asset magazine September edition.

Find more information on the Standard Bank Simmonds Street project here.

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