Name and Location
Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) new head office, Gauteng, South Africa.

Client
DEA.

Project Description
The DEA’s new head office in Pretoria, Gauteng, will be South Africa’s first government-owned green building. The 30 654 m² building will be set on 3.1309 ha and will accommodate 1 305 employees. It will also include 598 parking bays.

The building, which is designed to meet the green output specifications outlined in the Climate Change policy, will be energy and resource efficient, as well as environmentally responsible.

The building incorporates design, construction and operational practices that will significantly reduce or eliminate any negative impact on the environment and the building’s occupants.

Overall energy consumption, 10% of which will be sourced from solar power, will equate to 115 kWh/m² a year.

It is expected that, with the technology used, water consumption will be 30% lower than that of a conventionally designed identical building, as a result of rainwater harvesting.

Other features include sensor-monitored lighting, compact fluorescent lights, in-house climate control, environment-friendly building materials and ergonomic and worker-friendly spaces.

The DEA is aiming, at the very least, to achieve four-star design and as-built ratings.

Value
R653-million.

Duration
The project was officially opened in October 2014 2014.

Construction on the project started in July 2012 and was completed through a public–private partnership agreement between the DEA and Imvelo Concessions – a consortium comprising Old Mutual, Kagiso Tiso Group, Wiphold and Aveng-Grinaker LTA.

Latest Developments
President Jacob Zuma has officially opened the DEA’s new green head office, in Pretoria, describing it as an event that will usher in a new green-focused era for the South African construction industry.

The design and construction of the 30 654 m² headquarters, dubbed Environment House, was completed in alignment with green building specifications, resulting in it becoming the third building in the country, and the first government building to be awarded a six-star Green Star South Africa rating from the Green Building Council of South Africa.

Among the “trendsetting” green features of the building, overall energy consumption will be limited to a yearly maximum of 115 kWh/m², while solar-generated power will provide between 15% and 20% of the building’s energy needs.

The building boasts an energy efficient two-stage evaporative air-conditioning system, while automatic temperature sensors will open and close the windows depending on the position of the sun and the temperature.

Harvested rainwater will be used in the restrooms and to irrigate the gardens, resulting in a 30% reduction in municipal water use, compared with buildings of a similar size.

In addition, lighting efficiencies that maximise natural light sources, making use of compact fluorescent lights and an individual motion-sensor light switching system, have been installed.

The design of the building, meanwhile, ensured efficient staff movement and reduced reliance on lifts, while all building materials, finishes, furniture and equipment were environment-friendly and largely locally sourced.

Construction of the building has, thus far, cost an estimated R653-million, but will ultimately culminate in the expenditure of an estimated R8-billion over 27 years as part of a facility management contract with Imvelo Facilities Management – a joint venture between Old Mutual Property and the Dijalo Property Group.

The contract will include building maintenance; the cleaning of the facility; energy and utilities supply; waste management; conference facilities; furniture management; parking management; pest control; internal plant maintenance; telephone equipment; fire and emergency provisions; landscape maintenance and a helpdesk facility.

Key Contracts and Suppliers
Imvelo Concession Company, in joint venture with Aveng Grinaker-LTA and Keren Kule (design and construction), Dijalo Property Management and Old Mutual Property Investments Group (23-year services contract).

On Budget and on Time?
All cost, timeline and green specifications have been clearly outlined and successfully met during design and construction.

Contact Details for Project Information
DEA chief director of communication, Albi Modise, tel +27 12 399 9943 or email amodise@environment.gov.za.