green building ratings

New green building ratings mean the Vandamp;A Waterfront is one of the greenest places in Cape Town.

The Green Building Council of South Africa (GBCSA) has awarded both Victoria Wharf and the BP building 4-star “existing building” ratings, reflecting the buildings’ high-level environmentally friendly and sustainable operating efficiency, says Vandamp;A Waterfront CEO David Green.

The Silo District’s No. 1 Silo was awarded South Africa’s first ever 6-star “as built” rating last year, making the Vandamp;A Waterfront possibly the greenest place in

Cape Town.

“Sustainability is an integral part of operations at the Vandamp;A Waterfront, and we are committed to leadership in sustainability practices in both our future and current development plans. We are thrilled with the addition of Victoria Wharf and the BP building to our green-rated buildings because we believe it shows follow-through on our environmental promises, and our genuine commitment to leaving a sustainable legacy for future generations,” Green says.

The Vandamp;A Waterfront’s Victoria Wharf, which houses the bulk of retail trade at the Waterfront, is the first shopping centre in South Africa to be awarded a 4-star green rating, he says.

The BP building was the first commercial-scale office development in Cape Town that consciously encompassed green building principles in its design and construction, Green explains.

Both green-star ratings will be valid for three years before the GBCSA’s assessment must be repeated to ensure the sustainability practices have continued.

“Green features in the buildings include drip irrigation, lighting controls, electrical sub-metering, a high-performance chilled water plant, use of natural lighting, and, importantly, the introduction of a green lease tenant criteria reference manual, ensuring that not only are the buildings sustainable, but that their tenants enhance the eco-friendly environment,” Green says.

Source: News 24