This is according to Bette McNaughton of Fair Consultants SA and Event Organiser of this year’s SAFMA Facilities Management Expo. SA Facilities Management companies are involving themselves more and more in the initial design and consequent construction of all new green design projects. These industry developments, services and products will be showcased at the SAFMA Facilities Management Expo, taking place on 22 and 23 August 2007 at the Sandton Convention Centre.

In recent years, the South African government has made green design a priority and has plans to refurbish and retrofit about 106 000 existing buildings housing government departments throughout the country. This process is currently under way and over 100 buildings in Tshwane, the Western Cape and the Free State have already been completed.
“Effective green design can benefit an organisation”, says McNaughton, who goes onto say that, “The reduced operating costs, increased long-term property value and the immediate return on investments stand as living proof  that an energy-efficient building is cheaper to operate than a normal building and subsequently many have jumped onto this “green bandwagon”.
Similarly, the refurbishments of existing SA buildings in accordance with green design have been found to increase energy efficiency by up to 70%, decrease piped water use by 80% and lower discharge-to-sewer by 70%.

In this light, the new Cape Town offices of BP South Africa reflect a truly sustainable design.  Found on the Portswood site at the V&A Waterfront, Cape Town, this three-storey, R115-million building opened its doors to the public in 2005 and it is thought that this new development of offices will act as a benchmark for future “green” structures in South Africa and will help sell local contractors and developers on the idea that it “Doesn’t cost the earth to be green”.

SAFMA Conference
As part of the SAFMA Facilities Management Expo, the SA Facilities Management Association (SAFMA) will host a two-day Conference on “Facilities Management – a strategic enabler”. The Conference will consider issues such as the impact of:
• Accommodation policy and practices on your bottom line
• Maintenance scheduling on your asset value and productivity
• The workplace and environment on staff and equipment productivity
• Energy failures on your profitability
• Property and facilities management decisions on your balance sheet
• Facilities Management on your image and branding
• Statutory compliance and associated risks on your business

For more information on the conference contact Heidi Gouws at SAFMA on 086 516 3821 or e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit www.safma.org.za.

For more information on the SAFMA Facilities Management Expo 2007, please contact Bette McNaughton of Fair Consultants SA on (021) 713 3360 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or contact Catherine Larkin for any media queries on (011) 789-7327 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..