The building, to be completed by April 2010, achieved a 4 Star Green Star SA Office Design v1 rating, which signifies “Best Practice” in green building.  Design ratings are awarded at the end of the design process and are based on tender documents.  

This milestone for South Africa’s property industry will be officially announced tomorrow at the 2nd annual GBCSA Convention & Exhibition in Cape Town.

In order to achieve a rating, projects need to gain credits in the eight environmental categories of Green Star SA – Management, Indoor Environmental Quality, Energy, Water, Transport, Materials, Emissions and Land Use & Ecology.
The main elements that contributed to the Four Star rating that Nedbank Phase II was awarded include the full economy air conditioning system; the Dali lighting system and energy efficient light fittings; the Black Water Treatment System; the implementation of an efficient waste recycling system, both during construction and when the building is in use; and the fact that the building will achieve a 30% energy saving when compared to a conventional building, This includes the use of gas for cooking in the kitchens, solar heated geysers for showers, no hot water in the wash hand basins and push-through geysers which replace conventional geysers – all in addition to the Dali system mentioned above.

GBCSA CEO Nicola Douglas said that the GBCSA is thrilled to award its first certification. “The Green Star SA rating system represents international best practice. Achievement of a rating is a significant accomplishment and this project has done extremely well to put together a successful submission less than a year after the system was launched in SA.”

Tom Boardman, Nedbank Group chief executive said, “We are proud to be pioneers in South Africa’s green movement and having our head office certified as the first Green Star rated building in South Africa shows our commitment to this.  If we look at what is happening in Europe and Australia, green building and carbon footprint reduction is the way of the future.  Nedbank is leading the way in South Africa with Phase II and our announcement to go carbon neutral last month, and will continue to take ground breaking, pioneering leaps as the Green Bank.”

What scored the points:

The most outstanding green factors that are incorporated into the design of Nedbank Phase II include:

WATER RECYCLING
One of the biggest point scorers on the Green Star Rating and a major green facility in Phase II is the Black Water Treatment System. All water used in the building is partially recycled in a plant in the basement of the building, and re-used for all non-potable water uses, such as for the toilets, cooling towers and to irrigate the indigenous campus garden. This will save up to 120kl of water per day and will significantly reduce the buildings discharge to the sewer system
This is going to be the most difficult item to implement as it will be the first black water treatment plant to be installed in a built up area in South Africa so all the guide lines will first need to be established before approval will able to be obtained to proceed. A task team has been established in order to implement this black water treatment system and to facilitate the approval and instillation of future systems in the country.

FRESH AIR & ENERGY-EFFICIENT AIR CONDITIONING
A full economy cycle air conditioning system flushes fresh air through the building when outside conditions are favourable. Carbon dioxide sensors on each floor continuously monitor levels and adjust the flow of fresh air. The air conditioning system also circulates cool ambient air through the building in the morning, which considerably reduces the energy load on the air conditioners in summer.

ENERGY-EFFICIENT LIGHTING
The energy-efficient Dali Lighting System monitors, dims and switches off lights in all unoccupied office sectors. Energy efficient lighting is used throughout the building, and high frequency ballasts in fluorescent lights minimise flickering.
60% of offices have a direct line of sight to the outdoors or to a natural light atrium.

WASTE
A dedicated system and storage area provides for the collection and separation of paper, glass, plastics, metals and organic materials. This complements the waste management practices implemented in Phase I.

BUILDING MATERIALS
Sustainable timber is specified for all timber applications.
The concrete being used has a minimum fly ash content of 30%. Fly ash is a recycled product from the coal industry that makes concrete stronger and more durable.
The building is predominantly framed in reinforced concrete with 95% of the reinforcing steel being recycled.
The project was not able to obtain a point for the use of low VOC paints because of the non availability of a full range of products locally and the prohibitive cost of importing paint.  The developers were able to commission a local manufacturer to produce a low VOC interior PVA paint, so this product was used at an additional cost to the project to improve the environment for the staff occupying the building.

CYCLE PARK
Phase II will offer a Cycle Park with lockers and shower facilities for Nedbank staff members to cycle to work or to make use of the Sandton Gautrain node, which is 500 metres from the campus. This facility encourages staff members to change their travel patterns and reduce their carbon footprint.

IN ADDITION
While the Green Star Rating currently focuses on the construction and building design aspects, Nedbank has taken the extra step of commissioning its in-house architectural design team to make sure the interior layout also complies with green building best practice. 
Factors here include low VOC paint products, the least toxic carpet and wallpaper glues available and 60% recyclable chairs.  All are aimed at improved indoor environmental quality and sustainability, carbon footprint reduction and the physical and emotional wellbeing of Nedbank’s staff members.