At Solid Green, our next frontier is moving from Net Zero to Net Positive. We are no longer just looking to do less harm; we are aiming to create ecosystems, buildings, and operational practices that are actively regenerative and restorative.

Nowhere is this shift more tangible, and more challenging, than in the space of Carbon-Free Mobility.

The SDG Blueprint for E-Mobility

Decarbonising how we move is a cornerstone of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Transport electrification isn’t just an isolated technological upgrade; it is a critical lever that intersects with multiple global targets:

• SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy): True carbon-free mobility relies on an energy grid anchored in scalable, renewable energy sources. Driving an EV is only as clean as the power charging it.
• SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure): Transitioning away from fossil fuels requires an unprecedented infrastructure rollout, expanding resilient smart grids and localised technical innovation.
• SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities): Decarbonising urban transit hubs and corporate travel pathways reduces localised pollution, creating healthier, low-carbon value chains where people live and work.
• SDG 13 (Climate Action): With the transport and energy sectors driving the vast majority of global greenhouse gas emissions, immediate transition strategies are non-negotiable to limit global warming.

The Reality of the Transition: A Case Study on the Road

To communicate sustainability authentically, you have to live it. I recently took our company’s fully electric BYD Atto 3 on a 367 km journey from Johannesburg to Nelspruit for the DAS Conference.

On paper, the “Extended Range EV Trip Plan” was seamless. In reality, it was a sharp lesson in the vulnerabilities of our current transitional infrastructure. A leisurely charging stop to view wildlife left us with no buffer upon arrival, and a return-leg charging station abruptly went offline mid-charge, resulting in a tech-support saga that added an extra hour and a half to the drive. Standing at a dark, unresponsive charging bollard in the late afternoon, the gap between intent and infrastructure became glaringly obvious. It highlighted a core truth of the sustainability transition: zero-emissions technology is commercially viable right now, but its long-term reliability hinges entirely on systemic resilience.

South Africa’s electric vehicle landscape currently exists in a delicate balance between rapid, innovative “wins” and severe systemic “setbacks.” On the winning side, market momentum is accelerating, with new energy vehicle (NEV) sales climbing to over 16,700 units in 2025 which is nearly 19 times the volume recorded in 2021.

Additionally, the International Energy Agency previously ranked South Africa fifth globally in terms of the ratio of public EV chargers to vehicles, highlighting an incredibly proactive rollout of public charging points relative to early adoption. However, the critical vulnerability lies in the structural framework supporting this network. The traditional grid, constrained by aging infrastructure and transmission bottlenecks, was never designed to handle the heavy demands of large-scale EV fast-charging. Consequently, traditional grid-tied stations are heavily exposed to energy insecurity and regional power cuts. This creates friction between a booming vehicle market and an unstable grid.

The Net Positive Frontier: Regenerative Mobility

This is where the shift from Net Zero to Net Positive becomes crucial.

A Net Zero approach to mobility simply means swapping an internal combustion engine for an electric one and offsetting the remaining operational footprint. It keeps us at a baseline of zero impact.

A Net Positive approach, however, looks at the holistic management of the entire lifecycle and system. It means moving toward circular shared value:

1. Grid-positive charging: Moving beyond standard grid-tied EV chargers to localised, solar-powered corporate microgrids that feed clean energy back into the national system when vehicles aren’t charging.
2. Infrastructure resilience: Building charging networks equipped with decentralised battery storage and generator backups so that localised outages don’t stall the macro-economy.
3. Circular life cycles: Taking into account the choice of materials, battery supply chains, and future use cycles of the vehicles themselves, preventing resource depletion from the outset.

Walking the Walk

We can design and certify the greenest, highest performing buildings in Africa, but those buildings do not exist in a vacuum. They are connected by human beings who need to move between them.

True carbon-free mobility requires us to push past the comfort zone of simple compliance. As we navigate this structural global transition, the hiccups on the road are inevitable – but they are indicators of where we must build stronger, smarter, and more resilient systems. The goal is no longer just to reach the destination with a neutral footprint. It’s to leave the road better than we found it.

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• 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.

“We need to shift the goalposts.” That was the brief.

When this project kicked off in early 2023, the challenge was clear: Net Zero Water had historically been achieved through modelling. Achieving it through measured operational performance in real conditions, over time, was widely considered too complex to even consider.

Introducing a borehole into that equation only heightened the complexity. Groundwater abstraction is often viewed with caution in sustainability frameworks, frequently categorised as finite or inherently unsustainable. The prevailing assumption was that it could not credibly form part of a Net Zero Water strategy, simply because that’s what the industry accepted.

We chose to test that assumption.

Over nearly two years, the team worked to secure what has not previously been achieved in South Africa: a fully measured Net Zero Water certification in operation, with an on-site borehole formally recognised as a renewable water source under defined conditions.

This outcome was the result of measured evidence. The submission process required extensive engagement with the Green Building Council of South Africa (GBCSA), including multiple rounds of technical clarification. At its core was a commitment to move beyond theoretical modelling and demonstrate, through operational data, that groundwater abstraction on site can be responsibly managed within the natural cycle of aquifer recharge.

To do so required rigorous hydrogeological assessment, establishment of a defensible sustainable yield, and implementation of structured monitoring and governance systems. Abstraction volumes were capped in line with defined thresholds. Groundwater levels were tracked against baseline conditions, accounting for seasonal variability and rainfall patterns. Clear management triggers were embedded to ensure that any deviation would prompt corrective action.

In short, sustainability was not assumed; it was measured, verified, and actively managed.

The question we ultimately addressed was not whether groundwater abstraction is renewable in theory, but whether it can be demonstrably sustainable in practice. By aligning operational controls, professional oversight, regulatory compliance, and transparent data management, we established a framework that satisfied that test.

Including the borehole significantly increased the technical scrutiny applied to the project. It required demonstrating that abstraction would not result in progressive depletion, that surrounding users and ecological systems would not be negatively affected, and that governance mechanisms would remain in place beyond initial certification.

But we know that complexity drives innovation.

What emerged is a measurable methodology that strengthens how renewable water sources can be evaluated in future Net Zero submissions. The project helps move the industry forward from reliance on predictive modelling toward operational accountability grounded in data.

It meant challenging long-held assumptions with science.
It meant accepting additional scrutiny rather than avoiding it.
It means building systems that are resilient over time.

This project represents a meaningful milestone. It required persistence, technical depth, collaboration across disciplines, and a willingness to engage in repeated refinement. The process was rigorous and at times demanding, but ultimately transformative.

The result is an industry first for South Africa: operational Net Zero Water, achieved through measured performance, with groundwater responsibly incorporated under clearly defined and defensible criteria.

If this was once considered out of reach, this project demonstrates that with disciplined governance and sustained commitment, it is not only achievable – it is repeatable.

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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.

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At Solid Green, energy is approached differently. We see energy as a human, systems-based challenge and an opportunity to demonstrate what sustainable development looks like in practice. Energy is not a conceptual element; it is something we can manage and conserve. We are making our office into a living laboratory for energy resilience, innovation and continuous improvement.

Leading by Example: Energy Independence in Practice

Solid Green’s offices have long embodied our core values of innovation, performance and purpose. Our previous workspace achieved both LEED Platinum Interiors and 6-Star Green Star Interiors certifications which is the highest standard in sustainable interior design. These milestones affirmed our belief that the built environment can lead change rather than respond to it.

When we moved into our new Parkhurst office, we deliberately set the bar higher. The space now operates completely off-grid, powered entirely by on-site renewable energy. In a context of increasing energy instability, this decision was about more than environmental performance. It was about resilience, autonomy and responsibility. The office demonstrates that clean energy is not a future aspiration. It is a viable, reliable solution today when sustainability is embedded at the design and operational level.

Beyond Net Zero: Reimagining what “Positive” looks like

Initially we wanted to go beyond certification and focus on actual performance. As time has passed, and through minor upgrades on the system over the years, we are finding ourselves generating more power than we use.

With our systems performing as designed, we began asking a critical question: what comes after Net Zero?

The GBCSA’s Net Zero / Net Positive framework defines net positive buildings as those that generate more renewable energy than they consume, typically by exporting surplus energy back to the grid. But our building is not grid-connected. It is entirely self-sufficient.

Rather than seeing this as a limitation, we saw an opportunity to rethink what positive impact could mean.

Clean Energy meets Clean Mobility: Expanding the System Boundary

That opportunity emerged through mobility. Two members of the Solid Green team now drive fully electric vehicles, and we have installed an EV charging station at our office, powered directly by our solar energy system. The charging station is available to both staff and visitors, extending the benefits of renewable energy beyond the building itself.

By charging EVs, we are:

• Using surplus renewable energy for clean mobility
• Reducing emissions beyond the building’s operational footprint
• Actively supporting the decarbonisation of transport

This initiative directly links SDG 7 (Clean Energy) with SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities) and SDG 13 (Climate Action), reinforcing the idea that sustainability outcomes multiply when systems are connected rather than siloed.

Measuring what Matters: Our Net Positive Target

To ensure credibility and transparency, we are carefully monitoring the energy used for EV charging, which is a load that sits outside the building’s operational boundary.

Our goal is clear: when energy used for EV charging exceeds the building’s own annual consumption by 5% over a 12-month period, our office will be eligible for Net Positive status.

At that point, the building will not only sustain itself but will actively enable emissions reductions elsewhere in the system.

Making the Journey Visible

Sustainability is most powerful when it is shared. To make this journey transparent and educational, Solid Green will be launching a live Net Positive tracker on our website, allowing clients, partners and the public to follow our progress toward the 5% target in real time.

This initiative reflects our belief that leadership is not about perfection, but about learning, data, and continual improvement.

Energy as a Catalyst for Holistic Sustainability

Energy solutions are most impactful when they support broader social and environmental goals. By embedding clean energy into our own operations, Solid Green demonstrates how the built environment can:

• Reduce reliance on fossil fuels
• Improve resilience in the face of energy insecurity
• Lower long-term operational costs
• Support climate-positive behaviours beyond the building

This mirrors our broader sustainability ethos: true sustainability integrates people, planet and prosperity.

Powering the Future, One System at a Time

At Solid Green, SDG 7 is not a policy aspiration – it is lived, measured and continuously refined. From operating fully off-grid to redefining what Net Positive means through clean mobility, our energy journey reflects a commitment to pushing boundaries and raising expectations.

Clean energy is not just about keeping the lights on. It is about enabling resilient systems, empowering people, and accelerating the transition to a low-carbon future.

This is what energy-focused sustainability looks like in action: bold, practical and forward-looking.

The post From Off-Grid to Net Positive: Powering Sustainable Futures through Clean Energy appeared first on Solid Green Consulting.

When we moved into our new Parkhurst office, we set out to build on that legacy. The new space operates completely off-grid, powered entirely by renewable energy. It’s a living example of energy independence and resilience, a place that demonstrates what’s possible when sustainability is embedded in design and daily operation.

With our systems performing as designed, we began asking what comes next in the journey beyond Net Zero. For us, that next frontier is Net Positive — a space that doesn’t just balance its impact but actively contributes to positive change.

A New Approach to Net Positive

The GBCSA’s Net Zero / Net Positive certification defines “net positive” as producing more renewable energy than the building consumes, typically achieved by feeding surplus power back into the grid. But our building is not connected to the grid — it’s entirely self-sufficient.

That challenge inspired a creative solution. Two members of our team now drive fully electric vehicles, and we’ve installed an EV charging station at our office, powered directly by our solar system. This station is available to both staff and visitors, extending the benefits of our renewable energy system beyond the building itself.

EV charging station at our office

Redefining What It Means to Be Positive

By monitoring the energy used for vehicle charging — a load that falls outside the building’s operational boundary — we’re measuring how much additional renewable energy we generate beyond our own needs.

Our goal is clear: once EV charging accounts for 5% more energy use than our building consumes over a 12-month period, we will have achieved true Net Positive status. In doing so, our building won’t just sustain itself. It will help decarbonise another sector through clean mobility.

Follow the Journey

To make this milestone transparent and educational, we’ll be launching a live tracker on our website so that anyone can follow our progress toward the 5% target.

This initiative is about redefining what sustainability means in practice, using data, creativity and systems thinking to continually raise the bar.

At Solid Green, we believe that sustainability is a journey of continuous improvement. Becoming net positive is the next step in that journey, and we’re excited to share it with you.

Sample dashboard – To be updated with actual data

The post From Net Zero to Net Positive: Solid Green’s Next Frontier appeared first on Solid Green Consulting.

This article is the first in a new series exploring how we’re embedding workplace resilience into our operations because we believe that sustainability starts from within.

The built environment is under increasing pressure to deliver sustainability outcomes that are urgent, complex and transformative. Yet behind every Net-Zero goal, precinct framework and ESG strategy is a team navigating competing demands, tight deadlines, climate anxiety, and the emotional weight of caring deeply about the future.

So we asked ourselves: how do we build a future that is resilient if our teams are running on empty?

Resilience Is a Strategic Priority, Not a Soft Skill

The word “resilience” often gets tossed around in the workplace as a synonym for coping, bouncing back, or pushing through. But for us, resilience is not about enduring at all costs – it’s about adapting intelligently, sustaining impact, and staying well over time.

This shift in perspective has been foundational to the development of the Solid Green Workplace Resilience Programme. We didn’t want to bolt on a mental health workshop or a once-off training. We wanted to embed resilience into the way we think, lead, collaborate and show up for one another.

Why This Matters in Sustainability Work

Professionals working in green building and sustainability often face a unique emotional terrain:

• We are expected to be both idealistic and practical.
• We must hold long-term visions while managing today’s problems.
• We navigate global systems while working on local realities.

This duality is exhilarating, but it can also be exhausting.

That’s why our resilience training is designed specifically with our context in mind. It addresses not only mental health and personal well-being, but also workload, systems pressure, collaboration dynamics, and leadership style, because these are the real levers of sustainable performance.

Walking Our Talk

As a company known for certifications, strategies, and measurable outcomes, we knew we had to apply the same rigour to our internal development. That’s why we started by testing and prototyping the resilience programme within our own team.

• We ran assessments to understand where our people feel stretched or supported.
• We offered group check-ins and tools aligned with our broader strategy.
• We used feedback loops to adapt the process in real-time.

This wasn’t just a pilot. It was a commitment to live our values from the inside out.

What’s Next

This article is the first in a series exploring the inner architecture of our Workplace Resilience Programme – what it looks like, how it works, and what we’re learning along the way.

Because if we’re going to help clients build resilient cities, resilient precincts, and resilient strategies, we need to first understand what it means to build resilient teams.

And that starts with us.

Let’s Keep the Conversation Going

This series is written by Adrie Fourie, Head of the Sustainable Cities & Research Department at Solid Green. If you’re curious about how workplace resilience could support your team or how we’re integrating this thinking into our broader sustainability work, feel free to reach out.

Stay tuned for the next article in the series: The Anatomy of a Resilience Programme.

The post Building Resilience Where It Matters Most appeared first on Solid Green Consulting.

Redefine has developed a precinct that has been recognised by the GBCSA for achieving Net Zero Carbon performance, with 48.1% of remaining emissions addressed through verified offsets.

This certification is a reflection of Redefine’s long-term vision and commitment to decarbonisation. By investing in green building strategies early on, and continuing to push for innovation in sustainability, Redefine has demonstrated true leadership in shaping a greener urban future.

The Solid Green Contribution

At Solid Green, we are honoured to have contributed to this journey – laying the foundations for spaces that not only perform efficiently today, but that also stand as beacons of resilience and sustainability for years to come.

Our involvement extended well beyond design certification. Working closely with Redefine, we:

• Led the integration of sustainable features such as energy-efficient lighting, air-conditioning systems, natural daylight optimisation, stormwater management, and green operational policies.
• Benchmarked energy and water use against industry standards to ensure best-in-class performance.
• Guided the refrigerant phase-out policy and sustainable procurement strategies, ensuring resilience for the long-term.
• Partnered with Brundtland Consulting on carbon credit strategies, creating a pathway for verified emissions offsets that completed the Net Zero picture.

This milestone reflects both design intent and operational reality, which we take great pride in delivering for our clients. We make sure every initiative is tailored to the project, ensuring that implementation is seamless and fully justifiable.

Redefine: A Leader with Nine Net Zero Buildings

With Alice Lane Phases I–III now certified, Redefine has become the first South African REIT to achieve nine Net Zero Carbon certifications across its portfolio, including Convention Tower, Ballyoaks Office Park, and earlier projects such as Rosebank Link and 90 Rivonia (Property Wheel, Aug 2025).

At Solid Green, we are proud to have contributed to many of these milestones by supporting Redefine’s efficiency-first approach. This achievement is a testament to the strength of collaboration between client and consultant. Redefine’s leadership and commitment, combined with Solid Green’s technical expertise, have created a benchmark precinct that demonstrates how green building consultancy can deliver real, verified decarbonisation.

Congratulations once again to Redefine Properties on this exceptional accomplishment. We look forward to building on this success and continuing to drive South Africa’s transition toward a truly Net Zero future.

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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.

Credit Paragon Architects

Adaptive Reuse

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

Credit Paragon Architects

Repurposing Materials

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

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

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

Diversion from Landfill

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

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

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

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

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

Collaborative Effort

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

A Shining Example

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

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

Balwin HQ Project page.

Credit Paragon Architects

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