And then COVID hit and, even though the impact of COVID on our country is not to be marginalised, it did have a positive impact on our Collaborative. We were able to communicate digitally across the country and be more efficient. We decided that, even though people were quite Zoom fatigued after 9 months of COVID, we would start with a monthly webinar series. Our first event was in November 2020, followed by a webinar every month thereafter. We have covered a variety of topics ranging from Net Positive Energy and Embodied Carbon of Materials to Realigning Buildings with Nature. We are very proud of these webinars, which are CPD validated and available on the GreenED website.

This year, we changed the organisation’s name from Living Future Collaborative South Africa to Regenerative Collaborative South Africa, which allowed us to register a non-profit company to carry on the work that we are doing. The vision and mission of the ILFI and its programs remain a top priority for us, and we are now also in a position to look into other collaborations that enable regenerative design and development.

The Regenerative Collaborative South Africa (RCSA) is driven by a core committee comprising Thulani Kuzwayo (PaperThinkLAB), Adrie Fourie (Solid Green), Denise Mall (ENSO Earth) and me. Since the launch, we have gathered a formal support of about 15 people in Johannesburg and 15 people in Cape Town – who are all interested in being part of the Collaborative and volunteering some of their time to the cause. These professionals are highly qualified and motivated, and they generously share their knowledge and expertise for the advancement of this initiative. The RCSA also created subcommittees to coordinate our activities more efficiently, and we now have an Events Committee, Social Media & Marketing Committee, and an Advocacy & Education Committee.

We are excited and inspired by the uptake of our courses so far and are now working on extending the reach and influence of the RCSA. If you would like more information on our activities, please follow us here or reach out to us here.

The post Reflecting on the Regenerative Collaborative South Africa appeared first on Solid Green Consulting.

A steel frame structure is being used for the new section of the offices, with primarily glazed infill to allow for natural light and ventilation. For these perimeter walls, a high-performance double glazing has been specified that has gas between the two sheets of glass to significantly reduce heat loss in winter. External shading will be installed to protect the building from direct sunlight as no mechanical HVAC system will be used.

In the interests of using as few materials on the refurbishment as possible, the new office space will not have a ceiling. Instead, the new timber roof will provide the final internal finish. The trusses from the old roof have been removed and stored, and a process is underway to find somewhere to donate them. Bearing in mind the need for futureproofing, an additional mezzanine can be accommodated below the new roof structure should expansion of the space be required.

The project saves energy by providing energy efficient office lighting that is not over designed, and there will be sufficient natural lighting to ensure that artificial lighting is not required for the vast majority of the time that the building is occupied. Chilufya Lombe, director, adds that the building is aiming to be Net Positive as far as legally possible. A solar PV system on the roof will help to achieve this goal by meeting the project’s energy needs and thus reducing carbon emissions.

With the move to online and remote working, the space planning allows for maximum flexibility in terms of how power is supplied with a floor grid that allows for churn. Because of the change in working practices that have come about during 2020, it is anticipated that the space may be used quite informally, and desking will also be incorporated to allow for hot desk rentals. The old ablutions will be transformed into phone booths to meet the need for meeting call booths due to the increase in video conferencing; and the new bathrooms will be located in the multi-purpose building at the back of the garden. Again with resource efficiency in mind, 100% of the furniture and equipment from the old offices will be re-used.

“We are incredibly proud that we achieved 6-star Green Star Interior and LEED Commercial Interior Platinum certifications for our offices in Rosebank,” comments Lombe.

We plan on going one step further with our new home in Parkhurst and will be actively pursuing the Living Building Challenge (LBC) Core certification , which puts the connection to nature, equity and the need for a building to be loved on even footing with water, energy and materials concerns.

Watch this space as we prepare for our move to our new home!

The post OUR NEW OFFICE: CHAPTER 5 appeared first on Solid Green Consulting.

In her presentation, Gardner explained the measures that should be put in place to achieve Net Zero – through both operational carbon and embodied carbon.

We envision a world of carbon-positive buildings with carbon-positive products that actively reverse the effects of climate change and help local economies thrive.

Strategies for reducing Operational Carbon are reducing site energy consumption and eliminating new combustion (in new buildings); and offsetting with installed or procured renewable energy. Strategies put forward for reducing Embodied Carbon are reducing carbon in primary materials; disclosing reduction strategies and the total embodied carbon of materials; and offsetting sequestering materials or carbon offsets.

Case studies discussed were the Catalyst Project in Spokane, an institutional and laboratory pilot project; 6 Pancras Square in London, a commercial office fit-out; and 303 Battery Street in Seattle, a multifamily residential and retail development.

‘Sustainability Leapfrogging: Net Zero Energy Buildings’, presented by Chilufya Lombe, looked at the Energy Efficiency Gap – that is, the difference between what a building uses and what it is able to generate. Lombe emphasised that attaining Net Zero Carbon involves a process driven approach – setting targets; investigating climate; reducing loads; selecting appropriate technology; optimising building operation; and, finally, considering alternative power and synergies.

Chilu discussed two precedents: 78 Corlett Drive, developed by Legaro Properties, which has received to date Green Star Design and As-Built Office v1.1 certifications, as well as Net Zero Pilot Design and As-Built certifications; and the Rugby Road residential development in Oranjezicht, Cape Town.

‘Getting to Zero’, presented by Francois Retief, identified the following factors for success in targeting Net Positive:

• Efficiency First – Aiming for a Target
• Thermal Comfort is Critical
• Building Simulations (energy modelling, artificial lighting quality, daylighting & glare, solar performance, thermal comfort)
• Passive Strategies
• Active Strategies
• Renewable Energy

Retief then discussed how people and relationships are critical to success in driving sector-leading initiatives, which are underpinned by developing the right culture and mindset; collaborating and iterating; actively pursuing a target; hiring the right team; prioritising commissioning; and educating the building/precinct occupants.

Next event

Join the Living Future Collaborative South Africa for a webinar on how to design our built environment for Net Positive Water!

Date: 19 November

Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/net-positive-water-buildings-tickets-127831123331

The post LFCSA Event: NET POSITIVE ENERGY appeared first on Solid Green Consulting.

The Landscape as Client

The design brief required that the project should demonstrate innovation in terms of sustainability and biomimicry, while being contextually relevant. “The area was once dominated by grassland, wetland and koppie,” says Marc Sherratt.

Restoring the indigenous ecology of the site became the starting point and controlling device for the architectural design. We approached the landscape first rather than the buildings, to determine what life we could keep, and which landscape might increase the area’s biodiversity. We decided to treat the landscape as a client.

We underwent an extensive research process into the indigenous landscape of Johannesburg, and consulted with a wetland specialist and an ecologist. Through this process, we decided to re-create a wetland on the site and to develop buildings that would sit sensitively in the landscape. The overarching design concept was informed by a bird’s nest – from how the structures touch the ground and the use of local materials, to the building’s response to climate and ideas around camouflage.

Wetlands provide evaporative cooling of around 2 degrees, thus giving the building resilience and future-proofing. Wetlands are also nature’s way of filtering and purifying water. This type of ecosystem facilitates large volumes of water being stored and recycled on site, which addresses one of the biggest challenges under a Net Zero certification for water by negating the need for large water storage tanks.

The wetland therefore has several uses. It acts as a storage facility; provides a wildlife sanctuary for indigenous wetland species, many of which are threatened; and offers a unique aesthetic value to the development. Water is filtered slowly and naturally using the slight slope of the site, ultimately resulting in potable water for residential use. Marc explains that, when the cost is of the system is shared between five units, it will be amortized relatively quickly.

Solid Green Sustainability Consultant on the project, Annelide Sherratt says, “Rainwater that falls onto the wetland and runoff from the roof is harvested and stored in the wetland. The total collection area on site including the roof and wetland surface area is approximately 960sqm. The average annual rainfall that is predicted to be harvested is estimated to be 655,600 litres. The predicted consumption of the development is 643,100 litres, so the project is expected to achieve a surplus of 12,500 litres of harvested water per year.

The project will have a 3-step filtration system, which catches leaves and plant materials, filters water down to 10 microns through a micron screen filter, and then purified it to drinkable quality. The storage tanks of filtered water will have more than 5 days of water available for use at all times.

In addition, the architect’s research revealed that wetlands in nature are a major source of fresh food for communities providing, among others, fish and fresh water mussels. Marc explains:

Unit owners will be offered the option of an aquaculture system, which, together with the option of an urban farm on the roof, will allow them to produce their own food. This challenges the Western concept of sustainability and proposes a more African approach that embraces practical benefits to the community.

Touching the Earth Lightly

The building itself sits lightly on the earth, touching the ground at two points only, with the rest of the structure floating above the wetland. Each of the five units has its own private view and the primary spaces are north-facing, with open plan kitchen and living areas on the ground floor and bedrooms on the first floor. The roof areas have been designed to accommodate residents’ individual needs such as children’s play areas, urban farming, or outdoor entertainment areas.

“The premise behind this development is that the way we consume is as important as the way in which we build,” Marc says.

To protect the integrity of the site, we are developing strict parameters with regards to how the development will be operated, a process that will be managed by a body corporate. The residents of this development will become stewards who understand that urban growth can help protect threatened biodiversity, in a symbiotic relationship that acts to the benefit of both.

In addition to passive design principles with lightweight, low Portland cement concrete construction providing good thermal mass, each unit will be fitted with Energy Star appliances, a gas stove, a solar hot water heating element and a 3kW solar PV system with 15kWh of storage.

The ground floor spaces have double glazed stacking door systems, allowing seamless integration of interior and exterior spaces; while the upstairs rooms have sliding glass doors with timber screens to minimise solar gain. Skylights bring in additional natural light and illuminate the internal natural textures.

Finishes are as natural as possible, without painting or applied floor finishes which would increase the building’s embodied energy. The intention is to offer clients three options for internal wall cladding, using a system that allows the cladding to be changed or adapted over time – reeds that are commonly used in the African subcontinent, which could potentially be grown on site; recycled timber; or Rhino Wood, which is more expensive but has longevity.

The project is not currently targeting the Net Zero – Waste category, as this option is not open to projects in the design phase, but the developers hope to target this category in the as-built and operational phase of the project.

The Linden Vleihuis embodies an ambitious vision for integrating true sustainability and reintroducing endemic biodiversity into an existing urban context. As such, it raises the bar for residential developments that seek to address the impacts of climate change.

PROFESSIONAL TEAM:

• Architect and Project Manager: Marc Sherratt Sustainability Architects
• Ecologist: Ecology International
• Wetland Specialist: Emifula Riverine Consultants & Associates
• Mechanical Consultant: Drikus van der Walt
• Wet Services: Green Planet Engineering Services
• Quantity Surveyors: Russell Irons & Associates
• Sustainable Building Consultant: Solid Green Consulting

Sustainable building features include:

The Multi-Unit Residential (MUR) development consist of 5 units.

The project has achieved net zero/ net positive ratings for 3 categories that include the following sustainable initiatives:

Carbon/Energy – Net Zero CARBON- Level 2

• Efficient LED lights
• Natural ventilation and double glazing
• Energy Star Appliances and gas stove.
• Solar hot water heating element with 2kw heating capacity.
• Each unit is provided with a 3kW solar PV system, with 15kWh of storage.

 Water: Net Zero WATER – Level 2

• Water efficient sanitary fittings,
• Rainwater harvesting,
• 400 KL created wetland as storage capacity for rainwater and water tanks
• Filtration system to drinkable water quality.

Ecology: Net Positive ECOLOGY – Level 1

• Reusing a brownfield site with existing municipal infrastructure,
• New created wetland,
• Endemic plant species
• 47 % of the site has landscaped areas

More on this project here.

The post Linden Vleihuis: Reintroducing Biodiversity into Urban Living appeared first on Solid Green Consulting.

The Living Building Challenge Standard is possibly the most rigorous green building design framework in the world.

When these principles are applied to a building, the building is required to operate perfectly within the climate where it is located; to harvest sufficient rainwater to provide for the needs of its occupants; and to collect sufficient energy from solar panels and other renewable energy systems to provide the building with all its energy needs. It is also required to provide a healthy indoor environment by using no harmful chemicals in the manufacture of the building materials and furniture, while being beautiful and acting as an inspiration to others.

The Hitchcock Centre for the Environment in Massachusetts is a small 850sqm building functioning as an environmental education centre with a beautiful wooden structure, exposed services and transparent rainwater tanks so children can see the rainwater tank filling up during a storm.

The R.W. Kern Center on the Hampshire College campus in Massachusetts is a 2-storey, 1500sqm building that generates 105% of its energy on site and reduces water consumption by 95%.

The Rocky Mountain Institute Innovation Center in Basalt, Colorado, holds LEED Platinum, International Living Futures Institute Zero Energy, PHIUS+ Source Net Zero, Architecture 2030 Challenge, and International Living Futures Institute Petal Certifications.

Is LBC a reality for South Africa?

As a seasoned green building practitioner, Marloes Reinink of Solid Green Consulting believes that the LBC can, and should, be implemented in local projects. She says, “We are so excited to be working on two residential projects in Cape Town that are registered to be Full Living Buildings under the Challenge.”

This means that the projects are aiming to achieve:

• Net Positive Energy: 105% of all energy used must be generated on site;
• Net Zero Water: water consumption cannot be more than what is harvested from rain, sourced onsite, and recycled from grey/black sources;
• The buildings must be completely pollutant free: all materials will comply with a red list of 23 chemicals that cannot be used;
• Net Zero Waste: almost all waste generated during construction and operations will have to be recycled;
• Beauty & Inspiration: the buildings are being designed to be an inspiration and showcase truly regenerative architecture in South Africa.

Designed by US-based architectural firm, A-I-R Inc, construction on the residential developments is planned to start in 2019, with Living Building certification targeted for 2021.

While the designs are still in their early stages, Darren Petrucci of A-I-R Inc, explains that the brief called for densification of two sites, each accommodating a two-family duplex in place of a single-family house. “Our strategy is to locate the new structure in such a way that both homes can benefit from the solar orientation and view, and have equal access to the landscape. The intention is for the homes to share infrastructure such as the water collection system and an elevator for universal access; and each dwelling has the potential to house at least 100 solar panels.

The architectural form and roof profiles are derived from the maximum benefits that can be obtained through correct solar orientation and light shading, and to optimize the roof areas for rainwater collection. As the buildings are tall and cascade up the mountain, we are manipulating natural air flow to cool the houses – stairwells become vertical vents to passively pull air up to the upper floors via thermal suction. Working with Solid Green allows us to test decisions as we move through the design process to optimise the liveability and performance of the buildings.

A series of gardens is being designed to allow waste water from the buildings to be purified using the landscape as a closed-loop filtration system that concludes in an aquifer from which potable water is sourced. Additional potable water is sourced from a borehole. Rainwater collected from the roofs will be used for toilet flushing and the minimal irrigation required. Composting toilets and a composting system are being incorporated to minimize the sewage and deal with the remaining black water treatment.

Private client, Francesco Svelto, comments:

I have been in the building industry my entire life as a civil engineer and builder. Ecological architecture is a new challenge for me, and this process has been an extremely valuable experience. Our intention is for the buildings to operate as independently as possible, and the measures taken to meet Living Building Challenge criteria all support that vision.

Anthony Svelto, the client’s son and architect with A-I-R Inc, adds

We have taken a futureproofing approach in response to the projects’ context and the water crisis in Cape Town. It makes absolute sense to design resilient buildings both in terms of water and energy consumption. The decisions and investments that we make now will benefit both the liveability and performance of the buildings in decades to come.

Sharing the Message

In 2016, Reinink signed up to become South Africa’s first ambassador for the Living Building Challenge. She says:

The role of an ambassador is to the spread the word about the Challenge in your country. This work keeps me motivated and realistic that there is still a long way to go in terms of greening the built environment.

In the last two years, I have presented at a number of architectural firms, at the Designer, Architect, Specifier (DAS) Conference, and through GreenED, an online learning platform for built environment professionals. It is really motivating to experience the positive feedback from attendees. We all want to make a difference and this standard pushes the boundaries towards being truly restorative.

Biophilic design, an emerging design discipline that connects people and nature, is an important part of the Living Building Challenge.

To assist with spreading the message and sharing knowledge around the restorative principles of the Living Building Challenge, Reinink has started a Collaborative in South Africa. The intention is also to identify regulatory barriers to implementing a Living Building Challenge project, and to lobby Government to bring about policy change. As green design becomes the new business-as-usual, this move effectively takes sustainability in the built environment to the next level.

Solid Green’s office, which holds both a 6-Star Green Star SA Interiors v1 As-built rating and a LEED Platinum v3 Interiors rating, takes waste management seriously with separating and recycling bins for paper, cardboard, metal, glass, plastic, e-waste and general waste.

For more information, please visit www.living-future.org, or email lbc.collaborative.rsa@gmail.com or marloes@solidgreen.co.za.

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