The Department of Environmental Affairs’ (DEA’s) new head office, in Pretoria, has become the first government building, as well as the first in Tshwane, to be awarded a six-star Green Star rating.
The Green Building Council of South Africa (GBCSA) said on Tuesday, that, in addition to achieving a six-star Green Star South Africa (SA) Office Design v1 certification, the upcoming building also recorded the highest score, to date, for a large commercial office space.
The DEA had initially targeted a four-star rating.
“The DEA has taken the lead and is demonstrating commitment to market transformation in the built environment in South Africa. This is an exceptional illustration of the public and the private sector working together to deliver an outstanding example of green building,” commented GBCSA CEO Brian Wilkinson.
All cost, timeline and green specifications were clearly outlined and successfully met during design and construction.
The building was designed with specific focus on, besides others, energy efficiency, in that the building would not exceed consumption of 115 kWh per square metre a year, as well as ensuring 30% less water use.
Solar photovoltaic (PV) panels – supplying 20% of the building’s energy requirements – would almost entirely cover the roof of the building.
The building was expected to remain optimally operational for a period of 25 years.
The GBCSA also noted that a concentrated PV panel was installed in the northern parking area to supply power to the electric vehicle charging station for the DEA’s pilot project.
The landscaped entrance included a custom designed vertical green wall, roof gardens and a wetland component facilitating stormwater run-off.
Once construction is completed next year, the DEA would apply for an As-built Green Star SA rating, which certifies that the original intentions in the design phase are adhered to.