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Building for the future
The
amendment of the building regulations act has had a large impact
on the building landscape in South Africa. The industry now
needs to integrate green building principles in order to achieve
the greater goal of minimizing harmful emissions by maximizing
the energy efficiency of buildings. But how is the industry
reacting to this?
“The industry needs to comply,” says Rudd
van Deventer, director at SpaceWorx, a workspace and building
facility-planning company in Parktown. “These standards are the
minimum if one looks at good green building practice.”
Van
Deventer argues that the problem of moving a country’s carbon
footprint is twofold. On the one side, you have the
self-motivation of people who have a conscience and opportunity
to do the right thing and then you have those who cannot afford
the marginal increase in cost.
“There is a sort of critical
mass or commercialisation of product that needs to happen to
reduce or eliminate the cost differential. This comes from the
mass market. As the regulations are applicable to all new
construction they will impact the construction norms.”
The building regulations are also in line with the
government’s commitment to reduce South Africa’s carbon
footprint.
“If
you look at the value proposition of carbon reduction
initiatives in the building industry, the majority are on the
correct side of the equation –in the long run they will save
money for the end user. This differs for other industries where
the costs are huge and there is no upside. The issue is the
capital cost of making these investments. Without playing the
building industry card South Africa wouldn’t have hope of
meeting its (self-imposed) commitments.”
The biggest hurdle
is therefore the capital cost for the majority of the people.
“The Eskom solar geyser initiative is a very good example of a
successful program to address this.” During COP17, the GBCSA
also did a demonstration project where they installed solar
geysers and insulation to the ceilings. “This is the sort of
things that will make a significant difference to the majority
of South Africans.”
If you need any advice on integrating
solar water heating options into your projects, please feel free
to contact Ray Fernandez
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Commercial projects
Our commercial division specialises in solar water
heating and alternative energy for the mining,
CRU/residential, hospitality and healthcare sectors. Our
team of qualified experts will provide you with the
ideal solar water heating, waste heat recovery or
alternative energy solution for change houses, ablution
facilities, laundry services, as well as any heating or
cooling needs you might have.
Contact Chris Elliott for
more information on Commercial Solar Thermal Solutions.
Stars on the green carpet
- The Vodafone Site
Solutions Innovation Centre is the first building to be
rated as six-star by the GBCSA. Watch this video by GLH
Architects
- Block E of the Brydens Upper Grayston development
was awarded a 4 star Green Star Design rating (under
their Office tool) by the GBCSA.
- Contractors of the
Oudebosch cabin in the Kogelberg
Biosphere Reserve near Gordon’s Bay, was awarded with
the AfriSam award for sustainable construction (amongst
others)
If you know of any green developments that you would
like to share with our readers, please feel free to email us.
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