• three office buildings – 144 Oxford, Exxaro Lakeside 2, and Inanda Greens Business Park
• four industrial buildings – Ebony, GIE 1 Portions 1 & 2 of Erf 308, Growthpoint Industrial Estate, and Monteer

Decoding Net Zero Carbon Level 2

To achieve a Level 2 Certification, a building must prove that its actual net carbon emissions equal 0 kg CO₂/m²/year. The Green Building Council South Africa (GBCSA) enforces a strict hierarchy of pathways to ensure buildings are inherently sustainable before looking outside their borders:

• Pathways 1 & 2: On-site energy efficiency and on-site renewables must be the first priority.
• Pathways 3 & 4: Off-site mechanisms like renewable energy procurement and carbon offsets are only permitted once stringent efficiency thresholds are met.

To unlock off-site options, buildings have to demonstrate a serious commitment to energy efficiency, achieving either a 20% improvement from the baseline without onsite renewables, or a 40% improvement if on-site renewables are included. This ensures that the buildings themselves are highly efficient before neutralising the remaining energy use.

peter@hassall.co.za

The Roadmap to Zero: Offsetting Unavoidable Emissions

For emissions that could not be designed away or eliminated on-site, Growthpoint strategically tackled both Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions using high-quality, verified market mechanisms:

1. Scope 1 Emissions (Direct Emissions)

• Carbon Credits, retired from the Tswalu Kalahari Carbon Project, were issued by Credible Carbon, supporting overall national emissions reduction and local biodiversity conservation.

2. Scope 2 Emissions (Indirect Grid Emissions)

• Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) were redeemed from multiple verified renewable energy projects in South Africa, through the FuelSwitch platform.

A Blueprint for the Future

By combining rigorous on-site efficiency with pioneering technologies like blockchain-backed RECs and verified local carbon projects, Growthpoint has set a benchmark for the South African property sector. Here’s to turning more portfolios green, one building at a time!

The post Growthpoint’s Net Zero Carbon Measured Certifications appeared first on Solid Green Consulting.

Reaching Net Zero is never only a technical exercise. It’s a process that touches design decisions, procurement, operations, behaviour, governance and, perhaps most importantly, confidence. With each project, the market has matured and so have the questions clients ask. Looking back across these 51 certifications, several practical learnings stand out.

1) Net Zero is a pathway, not a finish line

One of the most important mindset shifts is recognising that Net Zero is not a single “moment” where everything becomes perfect. It’s a structured pathway that helps organisations reduce impact year-on-year, make better decisions with better data, and build internal capability. Certification is valuable because it sets a clear framework, accountability, and a credible external benchmark. But what matters most is what happens after the certificate is issued – the operational discipline to sustain performance and continuously improve.

2) Carbon is measurable and financially relevant

It’s no surprise that Net Zero Carbon dominates our portfolio. Carbon accounting has become the most widely understood entry point, largely because energy and emissions data are increasingly accessible, and decarbonisation often aligns with financial drivers: reducing energy costs, improving resilience, and meeting investor or tenant expectations. But we’ve also learned that carbon is a “gateway” topic. Once teams become comfortable tracking energy and emissions, it becomes far easier to broaden the conversation to water, waste and ecological impacts.

3) Data readiness is the make-or-break factor

If we had to choose one consistent success factor across projects, it would be this: good data changes everything. Strong Net Zero outcomes depend on reliable utility information, clear building boundaries and consistent documentation. When data is missing, inconsistent, or scattered across parties, teams spend time reconstructing the past instead of improving the future. Early in a project, we now focus heavily on defining boundaries, responsibilities and minimum data requirements. This not only streamlines certification but also strengthens the client’s long-term reporting and ESG readiness.

4) Operational teams are the real heroes of Net Zero

Net Zero is often initiated by sustainability leaders, executives, or property teams but it is enabled daily by facilities managers, building operators and service providers. The best projects are those where operational teams are included early, understand the “why”, and are supported with practical tools such as clear operating procedures, metering strategies, and maintenance planning. Where Net Zero becomes part of “how we run the building”, outcomes are stronger, and performance is sustained rather than short-lived.

5) The quality of the strategy matters more than the size of the budget

There’s a common misconception that Net Zero is only achievable with major capital expenditure. While some upgrades do require investment, many strong outcomes come from smart sequencing: operational optimisation first, targeted upgrades second, renewables where feasible, and offsets only for what cannot (yet) be eliminated. The most successful projects are strategic: they prioritise the biggest impact actions first and avoid spending money on measures that look impressive but don’t shift performance meaningfully.

6) Waste and water are gaining traction

As the market matures, we are seeing growing interest in Net Zero beyond carbon. Net Zero Waste is particularly compelling because it forces operational clarity: waste streams, procurement choices, tenant engagement, contractor alignment and on-site practices all have to be addressed. Similarly, water resilience is becoming a bigger priority as risk awareness grows. These categories often deliver additional benefits: cleaner sites, improved compliance, stronger stakeholder engagement, and a clearer understanding of material flows through a building or precinct.

7) Net Zero works best when it’s embedded into decision-making, not “added on”

Net Zero becomes far easier when it is integrated into everyday processes – budgeting, reporting cycles, OPEX planning, leasing conversations, procurement requirements and performance reviews. When sustainability is treated as a parallel stream, it relies on a few champions and is vulnerable to staff changes or shifting priorities. When embedded, it becomes durable.

Looking ahead

The story of these 51 certifications is ultimately a story of momentum. The built environment is changing faster than many expected, and the organisations that are learning early are already positioning themselves for the next decade of regulation, investor scrutiny and client expectations.

At Solid Green, we’re proud of the role we’ve played so far, but we’re even more excited about what comes next: deeper decarbonisation, stronger operational performance, and more projects that address Net Zero in a holistic way that includes carbon, waste, water and ecology. If the last few years have taught us anything, it’s that progress is absolutely possible when goals are clear, data is trusted, and teams work together.

The post 50+ Net Zero Certifications: What We’ve Learned Along the Way appeared first on Solid Green Consulting.

Solid Green worked closely with Balwin on the certifications of all 10 of its Lifestyle Centres as well as its head office in Johannesburg. Jennifer Dean, Sustainable Building Consultant and Lead Accredited Professional on the project, said:

This project demonstrates how sustainable design is not just an addition but a foundation. It showcases how, by prioritising environmental responsibility, we not only create healthier, more vibrant places to live and work in but also inspire future innovations in sustainable development.

Find out more about this impressive 6-star achievement in this article, and read more about the project’s sustainability features here.

The post Balwin’s tenth Lifestyle Centre receives its 6-Star certification appeared first on Solid Green Consulting.

A Sustainable Mixed-Use Precinct

When Intaprop began implementing the Oxford Parks Precinct back in 2017, their vision was to create a sustainable, mixed-use development prioritising the public, pedestrian realm, and non-motorised transport. As an extension of Rosebank, the precinct comprises offices, retail, and residential apartments. The buildings were given generous setbacks (with all parking underground) to allow plenty of space for landscaped areas including pedestrian paths, cycle lanes, and linear parks.

Also at the heart of Oxford Park’s sustainable vision was for each building to achieve a minimum 4-Star Green Star rating, to ensure high efficiency and compliance with best-practice sustainable standards. The first building in the precinct was 199 Oxford Road, tenanted by BP in 2019, which achieved a 5-Start Design rating.

Minimum 6-Star Green Star Rating

A few years later, Intaprop decided to up the ante and make sure that every new building achieves both 6-Star Green Star and Net Zero Carbon ratings. iKusasa, meaning ‘future’ in Zulu and the home of Anglo American’s Global Services division, is the first building in the precinct to reach this 6-Star milestone. Opening its doors in March 2022, iKusasa was designed by GLH & Associates Architects with flexibility to accommodate single or multiple tenancies.

Solid Green, the Green Star Accredited Professional on the project, developed various plans to ensure environmental sustainability, such as:

• Waste Management Plan: Reducing landfill waste during construction and operations.
• Environmental Management Plan: Protecting site ecology during construction.
• Hazardous Waste Management Survey: Addressing existing buildings’ hazardous waste.
• Building Users’ Guide: Educates the building users.

Innovative Design Features

To undertake the tight 12-month construction period, the building was constructed using modular pre-made panels, which facilitated quick assembly. They can also be easily disassembled if needed.

Green building principles and technologies include:

• Passive Design Principles: Ideal orientation to optimise sunlight, and shading devices.
• Solar Energy: 421 PV panels providing 385,500 kWh annually.
• Energy and Water Management Systems: Highly efficient and state-of-the-art.
• Natural Daylight and Fresh Air: Enhanced indoor environmental quality, outside views for 80% of all work spaces, and a high-tech HVAC system.
• Meters and Sensors: Measuring and monitoring all systems to identify savings and check for anomalies.
• Building Management System: A system that manages the entire Oxford Parks Precinct, monitors and controls electrics, water, meters, HVAC, and more.
• Waste Recycling: A dedicated recycling storage facility in the basement.

More information on the 6-Star Design rating is available here.

The Road to As Built

While an As Built rating is not a current requirement for all buildings in the development, it was requested by Ikusasa’s tenant, explains Bain Fowler from Intraprop.

A Green Star Design rating is awarded during the design stage of a project and indicates that the design of the building is destined for a 6-Star rating, but the final proof happens when the building is complete and all systems are tested. This is the purpose of the As Built certification. For a tenant, it gives them confidence that the ‘building does what it says it can do’. As more corporates are becoming conscious of their sustainable impact and its influence on their ESG ratings, being able to occupy a proven green building provides advantages.

With regards to the process of achieving the As Built rating for iKusasa, Fowler says that it was fairly straightforward owing to the fact that the Design rating was done well, and closely followed during construction of the building. This is testament to strong collaboration and an experienced team of consultants who have been working together on the various projects in the precinct since 2017.

“iKusasa is our first project in the Oxford Parks Precinct to be ‘tested’ with an As Built rating,” Fowler adds.

We look forward to applying these learnings in future projects and we plan to keep raising the bar and pushing the boundaries of green, to ensure a sustainable future for all.

At Solid Green, we’re committed to helping our clients design and build buildings that meet their sustainability promises. If you need help making your green building goals tangible, reach out to us today.

Project Team

OWNER: Intaprop/ Oxford Parks Pty LTD
ACCREDITED PROFESSIONAL: Solid Green
ARCHITECT: GLH & Associates – Base Building
INTERIOR ARCHITECT: Paragon
ELECTRICAL ENGINEER: RWP Consulting Engineers
FIRE ENGINEER: WSP
LIFT SPECIALIST: Schindler Lifts (SA) (Pty) Ltd
MECHANICAL ENGINEER: Adaptive Resource Engineers
QUANTITY SURVEYORS: Gro2 Consulting
STRUCTURAL ENGINEERS: Pure Consulting
SUSTAINABLE DESIGN REVIEW: Solid Green
SUSTAINABLE BUILDING CONSULTANT: Solid Green
WET SERVICES: Izazi
MAIN CONTRACTOR: Concor
PROJECT MANAGER: Morta Project Management
INTERIOR DESIGNER: Paragon
LANDSCAPE DESIGNER: Insite Group
BMS SYSTEMS PROFESSIONAL: Adaptive Resource Engineers

The post iKusasa demonstrates Sustained Sustainability appeared first on Solid Green Consulting.

The Lifestyle Centre, with a gross floor area of 1069m², was designed in accordance with the standards for 6-Star Green Star PEB (Public & Education Building) v1 Design and Net Zero accreditations. Due to the project’s extensive and varied land use, it is regarded as a community facility.

Jennifer Dean, Sustainable Building Consultant at Solid Green, says, “The Lifestyle Centre’s location within the Greenbay estate allowed us to really lean into the concept of pedestrianisation. Various features of interest were employed along the pathways to encourage movement and physical activity by all who are lucky enough to visit the building and its sporting facilities.”

Delivering Energy Efficiency

Efforts have been made to minimise Greenhouse Gas Emissions stemming from operational energy usage. An energy model of the building was created during the building’s design phase, and it was compared to a notional building model. The building design demonstrated a remarkable improvement of 100% (achieving net-zero operating emissions for the base building) in contrast to a SANS 10400 notional building.

Provisions have been made to guarantee that all individual spaces or enclosed areas have individual switching capabilities. This configuration enhances flexibility in terms of lighting control, illuminating only occupied sections. Furthermore, a direct visual connection to the external environment was provided for 80% of the Occupied Area, and a high level of thermal comfort was ensured by addressing the internal operative temperatures through modelling.

The building’s peak electrical demand is actively mitigated through the utilisation of a photovoltaic system. The building is outfitted with solar panels boasting a capacity of 48.6 kilowatts peak (kWp). These panels yield an annual energy production of 82 megawatt-hours (MWh). This photovoltaic system effectively offsets the entire carbon emissions produced by the building as a result of heating, cooling, fans, lighting and hot water systems.

Mitigating Environmental Impact

All gaseous systems and thermal insulants carefully chosen for this project, possess an Ozone Depleting Potential (ODP) rating of zero. This strategic selection ensures the complete elimination of any contributions to the long-term deterioration of the Earth’s stratospheric ozone layer.

A project-tailored Environmental Management Plan was meticulously formulated and executed throughout construction. This plan served as a comprehensive set of directives aimed at curtailing the environmental footprint resulting from construction activities. In tandem, a project-specific Waste Management Plan was devised and put into action to significantly reduce the volume of waste destined for landfill disposal.

The building attains water savings through the integration of water-efficient fixtures, rainwater harvesting, and the implementation of a blackwater harvesting system, which is designed to supply water for flushing toilets and irrigation. The project has also allocated resources to accommodate the incorporation of low-water-demand plant species within its landscaping area.

Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning

The establishment features sub-metering mechanisms for its principal water- and energy-consuming systems. The primary objective is to acquire data crucial for comprehending and effectively managing building systems, as well as to evaluate potential resource conservation opportunities. This information – pertaining to energy and water usage, and indoor air quality levels – is displayed strategically throughout the development.

Balwin Properties decided to implement several innovation measures that not only allow for a world leadership building but also encourage the upskilling of their professional team. Six design team members and three contractor representatives did the Green Star New Building course, while one contractor representative completed the Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) for Buildings in South Africa course.

The achievement of the 6-Star Green Star PEB (Public & Education Building) v1 Design and Net Zero accreditations underscore the Greenbay Lifestyle Centre’s dedication to environmental stewardship and community well-being, setting a commendable example for sustainable urban development.

Project Team

Owner Balwin Properties
Accredited Professional Solid Green Consulting
Architect & Landscape Architect Boogertman + Partners
Electrical Engineer Lyners Consulting Engineers
Mechanical Engineer Man-Huber
Quantity Surveyors Balwin Properties
Structural Engineers KCE
Sustainable Design Review Solid Green Consulting
Sustainable Building Consultant Solid Green Consulting
Main Contractor Balwin Properties
Facilities Management Company Landsdowne
AMS Consultant ISwitch
Ecologist Doug Jeffery Environmental Consultants

The post Greenbay Lifestyle Centre achieves 6-Star and Net Zero certifications appeared first on Solid Green Consulting.

Rosebank Link

Says Anelisa Keke, chief sustainability officer at Redefine:

Being certified as net zero provides an objective confirmation to our key stakeholders that our certified buildings have been benchmarked against global best practice efficiency standards. A sound climate change resilience strategy ensures that our capital investments are safeguarded against manageable climate risk exposure and create long-term value for our key stakeholders.

We will take the successes achieved from these three buildings to enhance energy efficiencies broadly across our portfolio, which benefit Redefine and its tenants, in line with our purpose to create and manage spaces in a way that changes lives.

90 Rivonia Road

What does Net Zero Level 2 (measured) mean?

Marloes Reinink reveals more about the Net Zero certification process:

Let’s start with the GBCSA’s definition of a Net Zero Carbon Building:

A building that is highly energy-efficient, and the remaining energy use is from renewable energy, preferably on-site but also off-site where absolutely necessary, so that there are zero net carbon emissions annually (Net Zero).

The Net Zero Carbon Certification is categorised into five different levels of which only two are currently open for certification, with the third certification level (Embodied Carbon of Construction Materials) being developed.

90 Rivonia Road

Level 1: Building Emissions (Modelled)

This level is for buildings that are in the design/construction phase; it covers the base building energy consumption (excluding tenant loads) and is calculated through a simulated model. This certification is for developers/owners who want to market their building as Net Zero early on in the design/construction process. Tenants must be aware that the tenant load is not included in the calculation. Certification is valid for three years, after which the certification must be renewed as Level 2 (Measured). This certification encourages building owners/developers to design their buildings with energy efficiency in mind and allow for on-site renewables.

2 Pybus Road

Level 2: Base Building Emissions + Building Occupant Emissions (Modelled OR Measured)

This level covers the entire building consumption including tenant energy consumption. This can be done during the design/construction phase through simulation modelling OR based on actual operational consumption figures (measured). The measured route is the ultimate certification you want to achieve if you have Net Zero ambitions – this is the real deal.

2 Pybus Road

How do you do it?

A three-pronged approach was adopted: firstly, improving energy efficiency in the buildings, secondly, maximising renewable energy opportunities, and finally, as a last resort, resorting to carbon offsetting through the purchase of carbon credits.

The Redefine buildings are existing buildings that achieved Green Star ratings in the past, demonstrating that they were designed to be green buildings and energy efficient. In order to get them Net Zero certified, Solid Green followed the following steps:

1. Assess the current energy consumption: we requested 12 months of energy data (electricity and diesel) from the facilities team at Redefine. We analysed the data and calculated the kWh/m2/annum and ranked the three buildings in terms of energy efficiency.
2. On-site renewable energy: we deducted the solar energy that was generated by the solar panels installed on the buildings.
3. Off-site renewable energy: because wheeling or feeding back into the grid is currently not a solution in Johannesburg, we could not make use of any off-site renewable energy generated. This is however a strategy of Redefine’s in the future, and we might be able to include this in year 2 of the certification.
4. Carbon Offsetting: this includes the purchase of carbon credits for the remainder of the energy. The Net Zero certificate notes the percentage that has been offset via carbon credits: 2 Pybus Road 11.5%; 90 Rivonia 56.3% and Rosebank Link 32.9%. Considering these are large commercial office buildings, this is a good achievement.

What’s next?

Redefine has achieved the offset for the first year and committed to maintaining the certification for the next three years, after which the evidence must be submitted to the GBCSA for re-certification. So, in the coming year, Redefine is focussed on further improving the energy efficiency of the buildings (Step 1 above), as well as exploring off-site renewable energy (step 3) through wheeling, which looks like a very promising opportunity.

Redefine is committed to defining their Net Zero pathway to guide their business approach towards transitioning to a low-carbon economy. Their strategy focuses on assisting their tenants to reduce grid-based energy consumption and cost, and on improving renewable energy generation for self-use. These three Net Zero certifications were part of an exciting pilot study with the intention to include more buildings in the near future to support a low carbon economy.

The post Redefine leads the way with three Net Zero Carbon Level 2 certifications appeared first on Solid Green Consulting.

The site is surrounded by green spaces and features a network of walking and cycling paths, providing a seamless connection between the building and its surroundings. This location has enabled the design of a workspace that not only prioritises adaptability but also promotes a healthy and active lifestyle.

Renders credit GLH Architects

Wellbeing Matters

The open-plan layout of 5 Parks provides a flexible workspace that can be adapted to the needs of the modern workforce. The building features a range of workspaces, from private offices to collaborative spaces, providing employees with a variety of options for how they work. The design of the workspace encourages collaboration and communication, promoting a sense of community and belonging among employees.

The building also incorporates a range of amenities, including showers for staff cyclists and a rooftop terrace, offering people spaces to relax and recharge, and encouraging an active lifestyle.

The indoor air quality and lighting system of the building have been designed to prioritise occupant comfort and wellbeing, with an impressive fresh air supply rate and a focus on natural lighting. At least 95% of the nominated area is supplied with fresh air at a rate of 10l/s/per person, which is a significant 33% improvement over the per-person requirements of SANS 10400-O:2011.

“Studies have shown that increased reliance on artificial lighting negatively impacts occupant health and wellbeing,” says Jennifer Dean, Sustainable Building Consultant at Solid Green Consulting.

The building integrates daylighting methods and external views so that occupants can have a visual connection to the outside environment and potentially reduce eye strain or other related health issues.

Renders credit GLH Architects

Reflecting on Materials

The building incorporates aluminium windows and doors as one of the numerous products manufactured with post-consumer recycled content. The benefit of working with suppliers who use less virgin material in their manufacturing process means less strain on the environment and natural resources, as well as extending the useful life of products that would otherwise go to landfill.

Renders credit GLH Architects

Resource efficient systems and Renewables

According to the GBCSA’s Technical Manual, a net zero carbon building is described as:

A building that is highly energy-efficient, and the remaining energy use is from renewable energy, preferably on-site but also off-site where absolutely necessary, so that there are zero net carbon emissions on an annual basis (Net Zero).

The building features a solar PV installation with a capacity of 217.10 kWp and an annual energy production of 340 900 kWh. Energy efficient LED lighting was specified in the design and motion sensors will ensure maximum energy efficiency of lighting systems.

Water efficient sanitary fittings and landscape irrigation systems have been installed, reducing the building’s reliance on the mains water supply.

Smart Solar Control

The building’s solar control system has been meticulously designed to provide a comfortable and productive environment for occupants while reducing energy consumption. To ensure maximum efficiency, Solid Green carried out detailed modelling, taking into account the overshadowing from neighbouring buildings, primarily on the eastern facade. Factors such as floor, tenancy, and placement of windows were taken into consideration during the zoning process.

Performance glazing was carefully chosen to control the bulk of the solar gains, and automated blinds have been strategically zoned and grouped to ensure optimal solar control. These blinds have been designed to work seamlessly with sun sensors and internal lux meters, enabling them to determine the ideal slat angle throughout the day, ensuring that occupants are not affected by glare. Both wireless and hardwired base building switches have been provided for override, providing full control to occupants.

Renders credit GLH Architects

Targets and Monitoring

The project entails a comprehensive approach towards minimising the ecological footprint of the building. Targets have been set to achieve maximum efficiency in resource consumption.

Energy and water consumption and peak demand figures are measured using smart meters that are connected via an impact interface to the building management system (BMS). The BMS provides real-time monitoring, including system failures and sudden increases of consumption beyond a certain level, enabling quick detection and resolution of any anomalies. It also facilitates analysis of consumption over time so that irregular usage patterns can be identified. The BMS monitors and manages all services, with a focus on HVAC, electrical metering, PV monitoring, generators, water supplies, tank levels, backup pumps, and smoke detectors.

In addition, the project aims to divert 70% of waste generated during construction from landfill by implementing effective waste management strategies. Waste recycling within the building will be encouraged through infographics displayed in the foyer, outlining the items that can be recycled and providing information on ways to recycle and reduce landfill impact. The tenants will be motivated to participate in the waste management programme to ensure maximum sustainability of the building.

Renders credit GLH Architects

Integrated design = Success!

“In addition to our ambitious Green Star and Net Zero certification targets, Oxford Parks’ 5 Parks sets a new benchmark for modern workplaces,” says Bain Fowler, Development Director at Intaprop.

With an innovative design approach that prioritises sustainability together with occupant wellbeing and adaptability, we believe that we have succeeded in creating not only a workspace but also a community where employees can work, relax, and connect – with each other and the surrounding environment.

The post 5 Parks Boulevard: A Sustainable and Innovative Workspace appeared first on Solid Green Consulting.

Esther Seabi, local sustainability officer at Fuchs, mentions that her role in the process was to steer for alignment with Fuchs’ sustainability strategy. The process turned out to be a valuable learning experience for her: “We chose Solid Green as a consultant mainly based on their track record. I am not a built environment professional myself, but the sustainability consultant at Solid Green, Chilu Lombe, was great in terms of guidance and post assessment support,” says Seabi.

A key focus of the building was to ensure occupant comfort for at least 80% of the year using outdoor air only. To achieve this, considerable effort was put into optimising the building fabric and specifying a high-performance double glazing to ensure passive design was optimised as much as possible. The architect introduced various other passive design elements into the façade composition to assist with the thermal performance of the building, including cavity façades and large sunscreen details to keep the harsh summer sun off the windows while allowing small heat gains from the lower winter sun.

The architect, Graeme Palmer of GPD Studio, was happy to be an integral part of the Fuchs Net Zero certification. Says Palmer:

It is warming to see that there are many global corporations that want to do all they can to assist with the global climate issue that plagues us at present.

Palmer worked with Solid Green to generate an efficient HVAC specification and associated insulation details that worked together for a low energy solution. The energy modelling done by Solid Green was used to help make informed design decisions on various finishing materials.

A comprehensive metering system was installed to ensure ongoing optimisation of the building’s energy performance during operations. This will ensure the building works to its full potential. With the building fabric optimised, decoupled ventilation was designed into the cooling system to ensure that when outdoor conditions allow, the building can be cooled by fresh air only without having to open windows. In this case, the main cooling system can be kept off completely.

The modelling process enabled energy efficiency measures to be incorporated and building system services to be optimised, to allow the project to reach an impressive energy use intensity of 51kWh/m2/year. The solar rooftop PV system, consisting of 242 solar modules with a system size of 80.1kWp, will have an estimated power production of 138,525kWh/year to assist the building to achieve net-positive performance.

Palmer concludes:

Overall, we believe that Fuchs Southern Africa has an energy efficient head office that epitomises the reward that can be achieved if built environment consultants work together to reduce our deadly carbon emissions.

Project Team

Owner: Fuchs Lubricants
Accredited professional: Solid Green
Architect: GPD Studio
Electrical engineer: MNS Engineers
Mechanical engineer: Midrand Air
Project manager: Draglobal

The post Net Zero Carbon goals for Fuchs Lubricants Headquarters appeared first on Solid Green Consulting.

Attacq is demonstrating its commitment to green building certification by seeking 5-star Green Star Office v1.1 Design, As-built and Interior v.1 certifications.

credit LYT Architecture

Lourens du Toit, Head of Sustainability, Infrastructure and Land at Attacq, explained that the building, designed by LYT Architecture, was built to be stylish and appealing while also meeting the highest environmental standards. du Toit said:

Our brief was for the architects to design a building that boasts a distinctive and desirable architectural style, and that also meets a 4-star Green Star rating as a minimum requirement.

Seeking net zero certification

As with the other buildings in the Nexus precinct, Nexus Building 01 features alternating glazed and solid facades. The building, which consists of two basement levels, a ground floor, three office levels and an entertainment terrace on the third floor, was designed to provide plenty of natural light to tenants. It was also built to enable easy sub-division into tenant suites.

The building features a host of advanced features to deliver best-in-class environmental sustainability. du Toit added:

We pursued net zero carbon level 1 certification to demonstrate our commitment to developing environmentally friendly and sustainable spaces for our clients as well as a broader commitment to a sustainable built environment in general.

credit LYT Architecture

Nexus 01’s sustainable features include:

• Sub-metering of major energy-consuming systems to monitor energy use.
• Photovoltaic panels to reduce peak electricity demand.
• Highly energy efficient lighting.
• All fire suppression systems and insulants have an Ozone Depleting Potential (ODP) of zero.
• A specific Waste Management Plan was developed and implemented to reduce the impact of any waste produced.
• Water efficient fittings limit the occupant water usage to 0.56 L/day/m2. Sub-metering of major water consuming systems is in place.

The construction phase itself followed the most stringent sustainability standards. A project-specific Environmental Management Plan was developed and implemented throughout the duration of construction to establish guidelines to follow to minimise the environmental impact associated with construction activities.

credit LYT Architecture

An impressive commitment to sustainable development

Elri Syfert, sustainability consultant at Solid Green, noted Attacq’s commitment to making a positive environmental impact in a commercially sustainable way. Syfert said:

They were able to reduce their carbon footprint while also reducing the occupancy costs.

Syfert explains that energy modelling during the design stage of the project compared the building to a notional building design.

Compared to a comparable modelled SANS 104000 building, the Nexus Building 01 showed an improvement of more than 100% carbon emissions reductions.

Waterfall City’s ethos is about creating a green environment that benefits residents and businesses operating within the precinct. Waterfall has adopted an environmentally conscious approach to planning and development. The Nexus 01 building is a milestone in the precinct’s sustainable development path.

Project Team

Owner: Attacq Waterfall Investment
Accredited Professional: Solid Green Consulting
Architect: LYT Architecture
Electrical engineer: Claassen Auret
Fire engineer: Plantech
Mechanical engineer: Adaptive Resource Engineers
Quantity surveyors: RLB Pentad
Structural engineers: Pure Consulting
Sustainable building consultant: Solid Green Consulting
Wet services: Spoormaker & Partners
Main contractor: Archstone Construction SA
Project manager: Metrum Project Management
Environmental consultant: Seaton Thompson & Associates
Occupational health and safety manager: Cairnmead

The post Waterfall City’s first net zero building sets sustainable office space benchmark appeared first on Solid Green Consulting.

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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