Construction World October 2015

Lessons The following observations follow from the experience of having designed and built this project: 1. Get the basics right. It cannot be overestimated how important this is – if the building’s orientation is correct and the elevations are treated accordingly, it not only solves direct sun heat gain issues but also ensures optimal visible light transmission, leading to a reduction in electrical lighting load. The problem with getting it wrong is that you will end up trying to create costly solutions for things that should never have been problems in the first place. 2. Go for the easy (read inexpensive) points: Often the basic properties of the building site and its surroundings result in automatic Green Star points. The balance weighed up against cost. In this building the energy reduction targets set by the brief dictated that our focus would be on energy points. We ended up achieving all possible points. 3. Whether or not the project brief includes a green star requirement, each building should be designed to be green. This does not have to add any cost to the budget, and should rather be seen as ‘best practice’. We have had success on another project where our building was awarded with a comfortable five star rating despite there being no client requirement for a green rating. The DEA brief was for a four star building, and yet six stars were achieved through the team carrying the momentum and all working towards a common goal. 4. To expand on the previous point, we believe that no one particular design feature of a building can make or break a green star rating. Instead it is a of the points required for the various ratings can then be considered and combination of various disciplines all contributing and working as a team to make the most of a design. 5. Each building project calls for a unique design solution, factoring in aspects such as siting, local microclimate, site history, client brief etc. What works for one project will not necessarily work for another. 6. Just because a building is sustainable does not necessarily mean that it has to look strange or even ugly. Basic architectural guidelines and old fashioned good design must not be sacrificed. The fact, for instance, that a particular product or material cannot be locally sourced should be weighed up against the ‘greater good’ that using it will achieve, for instance low long term maintenance, better performance, etc.

FACT BOX • 27 422 m 2 Gross Lettable Area • 82 Green Building Council of South Africa green star points (6 Stars) • 115 kWh/m 2 /annum maximum energy consumption target • 30 654 m 2 Gross Floor Area • 70% construction waste recycling/reuse • >1 000 m 3 water storage • 30% reduction of potable water consumption • 2 200 m 2 PV panels generating 760 000 kWh/annum (in excess of 20% of the daily demand) • Up to 8 degrees Celsius reduction in stored temperature as a result of passive night flushing • 52,2% average reduction in cement usage • 95% of steel used is from recycled sources • 62% reduction in lighting energy as a result of glazing selection & daylight and lighting controls • 2.1 U-value for façade – thermally broken double glazed façade and insulated walls, roofs, floors

they undergo on the job training on site in various trades. This was done under guidance of permanent staff members on a rotational basis. Twenty three local community members received and completed adult basic education and training providing conceptual foundation towards lifelong learning and development, comprising of knowledge, skills and attitudes required for social, economic and political participation and transformation. Summary The architectural design represents a coherent response to a host of complicated requirements by the client team, including spatial, cost, environmental, operational and security considerations. The architectural team believe that we have not only met but exceeded the requirement and simultaneously created a beautiful building which will inspire all who work and visit there. The real value of this building lies in the fact that this is the first rated/ measurable manifestation of sustainability policies within Government that have been years in the making. By achieving the 6 star accolade, the Department of Environmental Affairs firmly sets the bar for other Government departments and also challenges the private sector to follow their lead. It also serves as a positive example to other African states where sustainability policies are only starting to emerge and regulatory bodies are non-existent. Not only is the impact of this building measurable in terms of its reduction in energy use, water use and waste generation, but the socio economic implications through work creation, local labour force and education. ∞

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