Nedbank Ridgeside gets green award

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17-11-2012
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Property24
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dhk Architects’ Nedbank Ridgeside office building in Umhlanga Rocks, KwaZulu-Natal, was recently awarded a four star As Built rating under the Green Building Council of South Africa’s (GBCSA) Green Star rating system for offices.

The rating system recognises achievements in sustainable architecture. This acknowledgement makes Ridgeside one of fewer than 20 buildings in South Africa to achieve certification and one of only a handful to achieve both Design and As Built rating status.

The four star rating recognises best practice in terms of green design.

According to the GBCSA, the Design rating is a certification of the project’s sustainable design, prior to construction. Once the building is constructed, an As Built certification can be applied for.

The development previously scored a four star rating in the Design category and has now added the As Built rating to its accolades. “We are proud that Ridgeside has been awarded this rating for the As Built category,” says Derick Henstra, Executive Chairman of the dhk Group. He says the design was sensitive to both the environmental and aesthetic requirements of the build and they believe that they have successfully balanced the two imperatives and the rating is evidence of this.

The office building is positioned on a landscaped podium, along a central avenue. Short-term visitors’ parking is provided at podium level. The building allows for a generous and high quality ‘pedestrian priority’ public realm.

Alternative modes of transportation for commuting to work have been provided and dedicated preferential parking bays have been allocated to fuel efficient vehicles and the use of bicycles by occupants and visitors are encouraged by providing tenant and visitor bicycle storage as well as cyclist showers, changing facilities and secure lockers.

David Talbot, an Associate at dhk Architects and a GBCSA Accredited Green Star Professional, says this is a great example of dhk’s commitment to sustainable architecture and green design.