It was incredibly rewarding to both organise and participate in a Green Building tour that celebrated Intaprop’s visionary approach to creating a precinct centred around human scale, where people truly own the urban space.

Since 2018/19, Oxford Parks has seen remarkable milestones in green building. The first building, 199 Oxford Road, achieved a 5-Star Green Star Certification, setting the foundation for further progress. Today, with refined strategies and lessons learned, each new development within the precinct has incorporated increasingly cost-effective and sustainable solutions.

The 5th and 6th buildings—7 Parks Boulevard and 5 Parks Boulevard—have both achieved 6-Star Green Star Certifications and Net Zero strategies, demonstrating that sustainability can be attained with a cost uplift of just 1,3% to 2,4%. Looking ahead, the 7th and 8th buildings, 10 Parks Boulevard and 55 Eastwood, are both targeting 6-Star V1.1, Net Zero, and V2 Certifications. This dedication reinforces Intaprop’s and Solid Green’s leadership in driving transformation within the African built environment.

Attending the tour, Kamohelo Selepe shared, “The experience was nothing short of inspiring. The day was filled with insightful conversations, networking opportunities, and a deeper appreciation of the precinct’s role in pioneering sustainability in the built environment.” The event provided a firsthand look at Oxford Parks’ commitment to pedestrian-friendly, environmentally responsible urban design.

A particularly memorable aspect of the tour was exploring the integration of art into the precinct’s identity. One standout piece was Usha Seejarim’s striking wing sculpture at the Radisson RED Hotel. Crafted from soleplates of domestic irons, the sculpture symbolises women’s agency and resonates with ancient winged mythological figures. Kamohelo noted:

This thoughtful use of materials transforms everyday objects into powerful artistic expressions.

Intaprop Director Carollyn Mitchell’s words, “Joburg is a city in a jungle, and people own the space”, capture the essence of Oxford Parks. The development harmonises nature, urban design and community ownership, reinforcing Johannesburg’s identity as a dynamic and evolving city where people actively shape their environment.

This journey highlights the collective commitment to green building, setting a benchmark for the industry. As Oxford Parks continues to evolve, it serves as a model for future developments in Johannesburg and beyond, proving that sustainability, innovation and human-centred design are fundamental to the future of urban spaces.

The post Oxford Parks Precinct: Celebrating Sustainability in Urban Design appeared first on Solid Green Consulting.

I initially signed up for built environment studies to become a Quantity Surveyor because I was inspired by my Civil Technology teacher in high school. However, when I was in my second and third years, I was introduced to Building Science – the lecturer inspired me to do my Honours in Construction Management.

What is important to me as a young person in the field of sustainability is making a difference, learning new techniques to help in reducing the over consumption of non-renewable resources. In the built environment especially, I’d like to be able to advise on using different kinds of materials that produce less harmful chemicals in the atmosphere or in the building itself where the wellbeing of occupants is of utmost importance.

I believe that green building is a great initiative to curb the impact that construction projects have on the environment, and that it also encourages the development and spread of innovative technologies, designs and processes that could improve buildings’ environmental performance.

I am learning a lot from Solid Green, personally and career wise. The Solid Green team has inspired me to find my purpose, and my experience in the company is definitely influencing my path. The people here are hard workers and knowledgeable, and I am grateful to be part of a team where I can be myself and be part of making a difference in the world. The team members offer advice and help when needed, and they are also competitive – this encourages me to push myself to become the best version of myself in all aspects. I believe we all have something in common and share a vision that makes us a great, proactive team.

With so many elements and opportunities emerging in different sectors, the future really does look appealing. I am intrigued with how there seem to be no limits. This experience is helping me to become a better version of myself and I hope to eventually be able to extend my knowledge to projects in the townships and small construction businesses.

The post Kamohelo Selepe on growing Green Building Knowledge appeared first on Solid Green Consulting.