+IMPACT MAGAZINE ISSUE 22

INSIGHT
THERMAL
INSULATION
BUILDINGS
MAKING THE WORLD
A BETTER HOME
Isover cares about building better
for people and the planet by offering
insulation solutions for buildings and
equipment that deliver sustainability and
performance.
ACOUSTIC
INSULATION
INDUSTRY
FUNDING THE FUTURE
Until recently, the entire development process for this
version has been undertaken without a budget. All the
professionals and experts involved in the development
did so on a voluntary basis. Recently, however, Balwin
Properties has come on board as the main sponsor of
the revised tool. Smit highlights that this funding is
invaluable, especially for the process of developing
the complex calculation tools that will be required in
some of the categories.“We are grateful for the bold
sponsorship and support from Balwin, without which the
tool development and finalisation would not be possible,”
Smit attests.
IMPACT ON THE INDUSTRY
Coville explains that the new version of the tool will have a
significant impact on existing and aspiring green building
owners and the industry at large. “The certification process
will be easier, more cost effective, and faster to allow
smaller and more mainstream projects to achieve Green
Star ratings, while also maintaining the prestige and robust
nature of the tool,” he says.
meeting the targets set out in the design. The coming
months of development through the pilot phase promise
to refine and deliver a tool that will be intrinsic to meeting
South Africa’s 2030 targets for sustainability.
Berns, who was also on the steering committee, is
delighted about the new version as “it is a more holistic
tool which takes a more integrated and systems approach
to buildings within their environment and considers their
resilience to climate change in design, construction and
operations. It is a giant step in the right direction.”
An early version of the tool is expected to be released
on a pilot basis in the last quarter of 2023. During the
pilot phase, which is expected to take about two years,
the tool will be tested on real world projects in order
to be further refined.
Green buildings in South Africa must
support socio-economic development.
Isover manufactures thermal and acoustic
insulation solutions and supports the
energy efficiency requirements of SANS
10400-XA Ed:2
Tel: 0860 ISOVER (476837)
isover.co.za
EFFECTIVE
FIRE PROTECTION
HVAC
ONWARDS TO RELEASE
The revisions will not only push requirements beyond what
they have been thus far, but it will also be a more universal
tool. Harms alludes to this when he says he is “excited to
see the transformation of even more green and regenerative
buildings of all shapes and sizes in South Africa and the
rest of the continent.” The goal is also to eventually phase
out the old “Design Rating” certification (except in a
temporary form to be used for marketing or fund-raising),
replacing it with only an As-Built version. This goes further
to confirming that the constructed buildings are actually
CALLING ALL SUSTAINABILITY PIONEERS
“We are looking for projects to pilot this tool,” explains Smit.
GBCSA encourages and invites any stakeholders currently
planning a new build project to consider embarking on this
pioneering industry journey with them by piloting this tool
on their project. GBCSA is able to support this process and
will allow the current tools to also be used concurrently.
“Please let us know if you are interested in joining this
industry initiative, and to be part of writing the next chapter
of green building history,” concludes Smit.
26 POSITIVE IMPACT ISSUE 22