Solid Green was the sustainable building consultant for Block E, initially a speculative office development which is now fully tenanted a year after final completion. The building is situated at Upper Grayston Office park adjacent to Block E, which received a 5 Star – Green Star SA Office v1 As Built. The passive design features (orientation, shading, etc) have resulted in a good energy efficient building; efficient systems and renewable energy make the building even better.

Upper Grayston Block F in Sandton, Johannesburg.

Sustainable building features

1. Photo Voltaic System

Fifty-three square metres of photovoltaic (PV) panels have been installed on the roof, designed
to meet 15% of the building’s peak demand at its highest production. The system has no battery to store energy and works by first drawing energy from the panels before using the mains power connection to meet demand.

2. Rainwater harvesting, treatment and reuse

Rainwater is captured from the roof, collected, filtered and treated to potable water standards and pumped into storage tanks on the roof (9m³/ 9kL in total). Harvested rainwater is used for all applications in the building, including toilets, shower and taps. Municipal supply water is only used when the rainwater has been depleted. Hot water, generated through a solar panel system, is continuously circulated to provide hot water relatively fast when opening the tap.

3. Live metering display

Most green buildings have energy and water meters installed to monitor usage and indicate problems or leaks. Block F has gone one step further. By developing a simple way to connect users to their energy and water use so they have a means to control usage. Tenants could even compete and set targets, as well as use the data for reporting purposes. Block F then took it even further to automate the billing of each tenant, and to do so very accurately, so that tenants pay for what they use.

4. Green Star SA accredited professional team

Every member of the professional project team wrote and passed the exam by the Green Building Council and are now certified as Green Star SA Accredited professionals.
Team members can now be the principal participant in the design team on all current and future projects, assisting the other project teams to integrate Green Star aims and processes.

5. Green Building Cycology Tours

Upper Grayston block F makes provision for the platform to actively advocate Green buildings and sustainable mobility. This is done through hosting electric bike tours every Friday – in conjunction with Solid Green, Cycology and the GBCSA. The tour starts at Upper Grayston Block F and runs through-out Sandton to Green Star SA Rated buildings in the area. Providing educational tour with regards to Green buildings and first-hand experience on a sustainable transport mode.

Building Information

Address: 126 Ann Cresent, Strathavon, Sandton, Johannesburg, South Africa.
Total gross floor area: 2175 m²
Total commercial office area:  2175 m²
Car parking area: 2071 m²
Total usable area: 1635 m²