+IMPACT Magazine Issue 25

NEWS
NEWS
MAKING AN IMPACT
SHAPING A NET-ZERO FUTURE
Presented by the World Green Building Council (WorldGBC), the 2023
Advancing Net Zero (ANZ) Status Report highlights the collective
efforts of 35 Green Building Councils, the Net Zero Carbon Buildings
Commitment signatories, partners and the wider GBC network to
decarbonise the built environment.
The ANZ Status Report showcases examples of current industry
collaboration and actions towards accelerating this objective at local,
regional and global levels. In July, the UN High Level Climate Champions
announced that a critical tipping point had been reached as 20% of key
actors from the building and construction sector had joined the Race to
Zero. Read more about this achievement at https://snip.ink/ZQ8v5Y8i, and
the fifth edition of the ANZ status report at https://snip.ink/s92TB25a.
2023 CESA AON ENGINEERING EXCELLENCE AWARDS
and a sophisticated rainwater harvesting system, integrated
into the unique, cantilevered balcony design. Integrated
PV solar panels will generate double the electricity quota
needed to power the common areas, and a central heated
water system allows for economies of scale and avoids
individual geysers. Expansive double-glazed windows and
glass sliding doors will allow abundant natural light in, thus
reducing the amount of energy spent on heating in winter.
The exterior of The Fynbos will be draped in a 1 200m 2
vertical garden of indigenous trees and shrubs, offering
a natural layer of insulation. Added to this, a waterfall
at the front reception of the building will provide white
noise for the building’s inhabitants. This circular waterfall,
set amid the lush, flowing foliage of The Fynbos, is the
starting point of a unique water feature that will run from
Buitengracht to Bree Street.
Once complete, The Fynbos will feature residential
apartments, a rooftop sunset terrace with a lap pool and
co-working space, a rooftop fitness centre, and a groundfloor
plant-based restaurant, tearoom and botanical bar.
Visit www.thefynbos.com for more.
The biophilic concept at The Fynbos
integrates nature into its urban
setting, benefiting both the external
and internal environments.
WHAT’S THE BUZZ?
The CESA Aon Engineering
Excellence Awards 2023 winners.
High-quality and sustainable infrastructure development
is crucial for driving socioeconomic development in South
Africa. Now in its 51st year, the Consulting Engineers
South Africa (CESA) Awards celebrate innovation,
outstanding workmanship and professionalism in the
consulting engineering industry. The winners were
announced at a ceremony, hosted in partnership with
sponsors Aon South Africa, on 16 August in Midrand.
Among those taking top honours were:
Projects with a Value Less Than R50 million category:
Naidu Consulting, MSW Consulting JV; Tongaat Water
Treatment Works Emergency Remediation Works for
eThekwini Municipality
Projects with a Value Between R50 million and
R250 million category:
Zutari; Square Kilometre Array Meerkat Extension for the
South African Radio Astronomy Observatory (SARAO)
Projects with a Value Between R250 million and
R1 billion category:
KBK Engineers; N1 Musina Ring Road for the South
African National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral)
Business Excellence: BVi Consulting Engineers
Small/Medium Company of the Year: Koleko Solutions
Mentor of the Year: Herman Cronje, SMEC South Africa
Young Engineer of the Year: Mareli Botha, Zutari
www.cesa.co.za
According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture
Organisation (FAO), a third of global food production
depends on bees as pollinators – but they are
increasingly threatened by human activity, habitat
loss, pesticides, air pollution and climate change.
Since 2020, South African real estate investment trust
Emira has installed 16 beehives at eight of its properties in
Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal. Emira CEO Ulana van Biljon
says: “Our bee conservation project is a holistic approach
to reducing the impact of environmental degradation,
which goes beyond planting trees.”
The first hives were installed in 2020 in the heart of the
Bryanston business node and Hyde Park Lane in Sandton,
in locations with an abundance of flowering plants.
The beehives are managed in a safe, controlled
environment, away from heavy foot traffic and clearly signposted,
while beekeeping activities take place at night.
www.emira.co.za
GROUND-BREAKING DEVELOPMENT
Night-time beekeeping.
Merging sustainability with innovative design, Africa’s
first biophilic building – in Cape Town’s Upper Bree
Street – is set to undergo construction. The 24-storey
mixed-use development, named The Fynbos, is currently
undergoing Green Star accreditation.
As part of an innovative urban project conceptualised by
the project’s developers, Lurra Capital, before becoming
reclaimed building materials, the existing derelict building
on site was given a new lease on life, and turned into
Cape Town’s first-ever curated pop-up urban street art
gallery, showcasing over 1 000 artworks by 120 invited
graffiti artists.
According to development managers Gardner Property
Solutions, who are working with Lurra Capital in the
development of The Fynbos building, water conservation
measures will include low-flow fittings, well-point filtration,
The honey collected from Emira's
various properties all taste unique.
The beehives are
clearly sign-posted.
Ulana van Biljon, Chief Operating
Officer of Emira Property Fund.
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POSITIVE IMPACT ISSUE 25
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