+IMPACT MAGAZINE ISSUE 26

EDITOR’S NOTE
WINNER
PROPERTY
PUBLICATION
OF THE YEAR
2023
+Impact magazine won Property Publication of the Year at the 2023 SAPOA
awards, held at Sun City in September. From left: new SAPOA president,
Jackie van Niekerk, Danielle Solomons and Neil Gopal, CEO of SAPOA.
It takes years of unwavering commitment and dedication to bring a worthy
cause to fruition. For 15 years, Green Building Council South Africa has been
holding the sustainability torch aloft for transformation in the green building
sector, and a better life for people and planet. Congratulations, GBCSA, on
your 1 000th Green Star certification! Read about the newly certified structure
– Stellenbosch University’s heritage Visual Arts Building – which achieved a 6-Star
Green Star rating under the Existing Building Performance (EBP) version 1 tool,
on page 20.
On the subject of recognition, nothing gives our team greater pleasure than to
celebrate +Impact magazine’s winning Property Publication of the Year at SAPOA’s
annual awards ceremony in September. As the publishing mouthpiece of the GBCSA,
we couldn’t be prouder of this accolade, and to be an active part of the drive towards
positive change in the property sector. Thanks to the efforts of our dedicated
team, and especially to our Director, Danielle Solomons, who steers this ship with
expertise, in-depth knowledge and a can-do attitude, so we can consistently inform
and inspire through impactful pieces.
November is set to be an exciting month for sustainability, with Africa’s most
powerful green gathering taking place on 15–17 November. GBCSA’s 16th Green
Building Convention promises an exciting array of topics and discussions – food
for thought and inspiration for collective action towards a greener future. On page 30,
we’ve interviewed some of the thought leaders and industry professionals on this
platform, who’ll be sharing their knowledge and insights to inspire, educate and
drive change in the sustainable development space. We hope to see you there!
As always, we showcase the tireless work of the GBCSA, and our cover project
– a premium-grade office development at 144 Oxford in Rosebank – is a striking
example of supremely elegant design meeting innovative sustainability initiatives.
On page 42, we present this latest addition to a portfolio targeting Net Zero Carbon
by 2030.
Elsewhere on the planet, during 11–15 September 2023, the WorldGBC
and their network of over 75 Green Building Councils (GBCs) united in a call
to the global green building community for total systemic transformation of
the building and construction sector. Learn more about World Green Building
Week 2023 on page 52.
Back in the Western Cape, Greenbay Barn Lifestyle Centre is the hub of a new
property development in Gordon’s Bay that recently achieved a 6-Star Green Star
Custom Lifestyle Centre Design rating (page 56).
With the launch of the New Build V2 tool imminent, we unpack the last three
categories – Positive, Leadership and People – in our Transforming Tomorrow
series on page 66.
Aiming to raise the bar for sustainable precincts is Newinbosch, in Stellenbosch,
which plans to establish itself as the greenest mixed-use development in the country
(page 74). The project is targeting a 5-Star Green Star Sustainable Precincts rating,
which would make it the first such development in South Africa.
As we edge towards to a circular economy, the waste we generate should be
minimal, according to the Don’t Waste Group, who share their thoughts on page 82
as to how buildings should be consciously designed to make adequate space for
waste management – and not just removal.
The Precinct Luxury Apartments development in Midrand is constantly evolving
towards higher sustainability standards, changing both the market and mindset of
middle-market residential tenants, one unit at a time – see how, on page 86.
To round off this bumper end-of-year issue, we look at Redefine Properties’ recent
Net Zero Carbon Level 2 Measured certification for three of their existing Gauteng
buildings. It’s the first time that commercial buildings at scale in South Africa have
attained a “measured” rating, based on actual performance data. See more about
this achievement on page 94.
And with that, on behalf of the +Impact team and our extended team, we wish you
a safe and restful break over the holiday season (it’ll be here before you know it)…
C
M
Y
CM
MY
CY
CMY
K
If we could pick any colour,
we’d always pick Green.
Over the past decade, Growthpoint has been a leader in transforming green building from a niche
experiment to an indispensable element in designing, constructing, and managing properties. As
proud owners of one of the country’s largest collections of Green Star-rated buildings, we are
committed to crafting sustainable workspaces that minimise environmental impact while
maximising the benefits for the people who occupy these spaces.
Call 011 944 6249 or visit www.growthpoint.co.za
Happy reading!
Mariola Fouché
Editor
8 POSITIVE IMPACT ISSUE 26