17 / 64
15
CONSTRUCTION WORLD
AUGUST
2016
Wilkinson steered the organisation
through an exponential growth phase
corresponding with the remarkable
upsurge in the green building movement in
the country.
The
World Green Building Trends 2016:
Developing Markets Accelerate Global Green
Growth – SmartMarket Report
shows that South
Africa is the country with the highest share of
green building projects out of a global sample
of 69 countries. More importantly, it also has
the highest share of expected green building
projects leading up to 2018.
Seana Nkhahle, chairperson of the GBCSA,
attributes this incredible recognition to Brian’s
energetic leadership and to the team he has put
in place. Brian, while proud of the organisation’s
role, prefers to credit the success to the manner
LEAVING LEGACY OF GROWTH
After five trailblazing years at
the helm of the Green Building
Council South Africa (GBCSA),
CEO Brian Wilkinson has
announced his early retirement.
Brian Wilkinson.
in which the South African property sector has
stepped up to assume the vital role the built
environment plays in climate changemitigation.
Commenting on the significant progress of
green building in the country, Brian says the
property industry has been swift to recognise
the simultaneous opportunity to ‘do well by
doing good’, referring to the well-established
and proven business case for green buildings.
He adds: “Our purpose is to inspire property
owners to design, build and operate better,
greener buildings. Formal Green Star SA certi-
fications are rapidly approaching 200 projects,
up from only six certifications five years ago. I
believe we are on the cusp of green buildings
becoming standard, rather than limited to
leading practice.”
The GBCSA is already forging ahead with its
latest initiatives. It is driving green building in
the residential property sector with its My Green
Home toolkit, anchored by the EDGE (Excellence
in Design for Greater Efficiencies) residential
green building rating tool.
GBCSA has also partnered with the South
African Local Government Association (SALGA)
to build capacity and green buildings skills
at local government level and anticipates
>
“A Four Star rating acknowledging best practice
is targeted for all buildings,” Peet Pelser, practice
area lead – mechanical, electrical, llumbing &
sustainability, building engineering, explains.
“AECOM has considerable experience in the
renewable energy sector, with a broad involve-
ment in a range of other ‘green’ energy projects,”
Nico Kruger, business line leader energy – Africa,
resources & industry, comments.
According to Werner Schneeberger, market
sector leader, Renewable Energy, Africa, some
of the rooftop solar installations AECOM is
currently involved with include:
• Key West Mall, 1,2 MWp
• Airport Industria, 290 kWp
• 33 Bree & 30 Waterkant, 103 kWp
• Inanda Greens and Sunnyside Office
park, 816 kWp
Growthpoint Properties, the largest South
African primary listed REIT (Real Estate Invest-
ment Trust), is now embarking on its largest
rooftop solar installations yet, with the ultimate
goal of generating an impressive 6 MWp. This
translates into enough solar energy to power
nearly 2 500 average South African homes.
AECOM’s Buildings & Places, Power &
Industries and Construction Services teams are
supporting Growthpoint Properties in delivering
this work by providing the following professional
services: principle agent, electrical design
reviews and structural integrity assessments.
Growthpoint Properties has already
completed the installation of photovoltaic (PV)
solar panels with the capacity to generate over
3,2 MWp at seven of its office, retail and indus-
trial properties.
These rooftop solar installations are at its
landmark assets across the country, including
Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront, The Constantia
Village Mall, Bayside Mall and Airport Industria.
In addition, the company has identified over 70
buildings across its portfolio for possible future
solar PV installations.
AECOM has also been approached by
Growthpoint Properties to provide a proposal
to manage the certification process of 11 sites,
including two office parks in its existing building
portfolio. It will deploy the Green Star SA™
Existing Building Performance (EBP) v1 rating
tool developed by the Green Building Council
of South Africa.
SUSTAINABILITY HELP
AECOM is actively working with Growthpoint Properties on a range
of solar rooftop projects and existing building performance ratings,
where low-performance buildings are identified and corrective
measures proposed.
The 290 kWp Airport Industria project.
Airport Industria is a recent solar power
project of AECOM.
The 103 kWp 33 Bree Street project.
extending this into the public sector as a whole.
In addition, it is now focusing on the perfor-
mance of existing buildings in the commercial
property sector, at portfolio level.
Wilkinson believes this is an ideal time to
transition to new leadership that can provide
continuity over this next exciting phase. He will
remain CEO until the end of August 2016 to
allow for a seamless transition process.
The Chairperson of the GBCSA has asked
Rudolf Pienaar, deputy chairperson and Growth-
point Properties Office Division Director to drive
the process for recruitment of a new CEO for
the GBCSA.