Page 17 - EngineerIt January 2021

GREEN BUILDINGS

Green and WELL building approach with all working together to
achieve a common goal of
sustainability,” stresses Joubert.
Explaining how the Green Star
ratings still in demand certification and WELL rating process
dovetailed at the Exxaro head office,
Raytcheva-Schaap notes that a high score
was the goal from the outset. “During the
concept design phase, we explored the
Despite the slowdown in new-build projects, property developers
option for a WELL rating because both the
are still keen to pursue Green Star ratings. Zutari engineering client and tenant were keen to push the
envelope.” While Green Star targets
consultants have worked on two, out of only a handful of
environmental sustainability, WELL focuses
projects in South Africa, to receive an As-Built 6 Star Green Star on occupant health and well-being.
“It was a natural process to leverage
rating from the Green Building Council of South Africa (GBCSA),
Green Star targets towards a WELL rating.
the highest level of sustainability accreditation in the country. From our early assessments, it was clear
that WELL certification was also within our
reach,” adds Raytcheva-Schaap. The
he first was One Discovery Place in Sandton, developed by Growthpoint Properties health of building occupants is currently
in joint venture with Zenprop Holdings. As the Environmentally Sustainable Design under the spotlight due to the Covid-19
T(ESD) consultant, Zutari was responsible for integrating the design and building pandemic, from ensuring infection control
services, explains Yovka Raytcheva-Schaap, Associate, ESD Consulting & Project measures in air-conditioning systems to
Management. In addition to achieving a 6 Star Green Star As Built rating and a 5 Star creating a healthy and comfortable indoor
Green Star Design rating, the Exxaro head office in Centurion, also developed by working environment.
Growthpoint Properties, is the first building in South Africa to achieve Silver Level WELL In terms of current property trends,
certification for Core and Shell by the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI). Raytcheva-Schaap sees an increased
One Discovery Place and the Exxaro head office are not only in the top echelon of focus on developments that pursue
‘green’ buildings in South Africa, but can be benchmarked against the best internationally. greater energy and water efficiency and
In addition, the tenant Exxaro is also pursuing a Green Star ‘Interiors’ rating for the head increased indoor environmental quality.
office, reveals Louwna Joubert, ESD consultant at Zutari. “This will really contribute to the sector,
“The overlap between all of these different ratings and certifications is the indoor promoting better living and more
environmental quality category. The interior design team did an excellent job and ticked all sustainable practices that are likely to
of the boxes, from large open spaces and space planning that allows views to the outdoors become the norm rather than the
and immediate connection of occupants, to appropriate material and finish selections,” exception going forward.”
highlights Joubert. “It is really a journey you embark upon with a lengthy project like this. Key to Zutari’s success in this sector
The entire professional team has to collaborate in terms of problem-solving and it is a to date has been its approach of
proud moment when you see the end result. promoting an ‘engineered impact’ for its
“Pursuing a Green Star rating for a project of this scale is all about co-creating a clients. “Our team is composed of
tailored solution to meet the client’s specific requirements. It is a truly integrated members from diverse professional
backgrounds and with different skill and
Zutari was responsible for integrating the design and experience levels. Our multi-disciplinary
building services at One Discovery Place in SA service offering definitely contributes to
what we can provide as complete
solutions for clients,” elaborates
Raytcheva-Schaap.
Looking at the Covid-19 pandemic,
Zutari has developed a comprehensive
tool to assess buildings in terms of their
readiness for return to office after the
prolonged lockdown. In addition, Zutari
collaborated with the GBCSA to develop a
broad guideline for such safe return.
“Many are expected to do so in the New
Year. However, the pandemic is not over
yet, so it is important that property owners
implement operational and management
practices to ensure the health and
wellbeing of building occupants when they
do return,” Raytcheva-Schaap said. n

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