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Harare green building showcased at SA convention

12th September 2014

By: Kim Cloete

Creamer Media Correspondent

  

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A building that mimics a tree, an office block modelled off a termite nest and a building which uses algae on its façade . . . these are just a few examples of the innovative designs being discussed at the seventh annual Green Building Convention, in Cape Town.

Global leaders in the fields of architecture and design have encouraged people in the industry to forge ahead with developing green buildings and structures designed, built and operated in an environmentally sustainable way.

“You have to step out of what you learnt at school . . . and innovate,” internationally respected Zimbabwea-based architect Mick Pearce told the nearly 1 000 delegates at the convention, held from September 10 to 12.

The Green Building Council of South Africa (GBCSA), which is hosting the convention, says the built environment accounts for over 40% of the world’s total primary energy consumption. GBCSA is spearheading a major shift towards buildings that are more sustainable.

Pearce used his seminal building in Harare, the 55 000 m2, mixed-use Eastgate Development, as an example of how he integrated nature and sustainability into his work.

The building has been modelled on a termitary. Pearce said he observed how termites built their nests to ventilate, cool and heat them, and applied what he had learnt when designing the Eastgate building. Pearce developed a unique ventilation system with a chimney, mimicking the termite mound.

The result was a great success. Eastgate’s ventilation system costs one-tenth of a comparable air-conditioned building in Harare and uses 35% less energy than comparative conventional buildings in the city.

“Architecture is a direct expression of a natural process. The built structure should work as a complex, self-sustaining organism in which each part supports the activities of the other,” Pearce explained.

He also observed how smooth surfaces absorbed far more heat and were less efficient at losing heat at night. He decided on a ‘prickly’ surface, which was far more energy efficient.

Plants were also planted on the sides of the building to help cool it down, while it was covered by a glass roof, which helped to drag the heat out.

He said necessity should drive change in design in Africa, particularly with rapid urbanisation.

“In Harare, we have power cuts every day. You have to [look to] solar for energy or dig a borehole if you need enough water in the city. There’s no way we can keep going [using] the same formula in African cities.”

Pearce also explained how he’d cut down on energy in other buildings he had designed, such as designing a roof for a project in China that acted like a hat, keeping the sun out. At Melbourne University, he built car parks shaped like trees, which funnelled water.

Arup global director for foresight, innovation and research Dr Chris Luebkeman told the convention he had been very impressed by the ‘uncontainable energy’ in Johannesburg, which could be harnessed.

Luebkeman designed the Abu Dhabi Investment Council building, which mimics the pores of nature. As the sun travels around the building, the pores close.

Green building has been picking up speed in South Africa over the past few years. GBCSA has awarded 50 buildings with green star certifications. The buildings have shown great savings in the use of water and energy, while greenhouse-gas emissions have been slashed.

Edited by Tracy Hancock
Creamer Media Contributing Editor

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