GREEN IN THE LIMELIGHT
When Italtile launched its LiveGreen
ethos the next natural step was to
increase the energy efficiency of
showrooms and operating procedure.
Designed by WMS Architects, the
company’s flagship showroom in
Boksburg has 120 solar panels,
rainwater tanks for irrigating its
indigenous gardens, evaporative
coolers instead of air-cons, and a
community recycling area. ‘All future
showrooms will be built using the
same green blueprint,’ says brand
manager Amraj Lux Dursan. (Having
learnt the hard way, Italtile will also
install alarm beams for the solar
panels to deter green thieves.)
italtile.co.za, wmsarchitects.co.zaECO AFFAIR
True to its name, the Department
of Environmental Affairs has earned
a six-star rating from the Green
Building Council of South Africa for
its building in Arcadia, Pretoria –
a first for institutional headquarters.
‘We wanted the building to be
inviting and understated but with
some surprising features inside
to create a sense of awe,’ says
project architect Lood Welgemoed
of Boogertman + Partners. Cue
the nautiluslike reception based
on the golden angle and the glass
rainwater collector with suspended
sculptural art. Energy-saving
systems include intelligent lights
and air-con, and an expansive solar
setup. ‘Another exciting feature is
passive cooling, achieved through
night-time flushing of the heat
stored in the floor slabs,’ says
Lood. Impressively, the building
meets its target of a maximum
yearly energy consumption of
115kWh/m – a mere third of the
average. environment.gov.za,
boogertmanandpartners.comSHELL SHOT THE CENTRAL RECEPTION IN THE ARCADIA HEADQUARTERS OF THE
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS IS BASED ON THE GOLDEN ANGLE.MAIN(E)STREAM ENVIRONMENTALISM
Africa’s first fully green urban neighbourhood is taking root in Pretoria East. One
of 16 eco hubs being built in various countries, Menlyn Maine is a Clinton Climate
Initiative partner designed for sustainable modern living. Expect smart building
design and rooftop gardens, ecofriendly waste management, and a layout designed
for pedestrians and cyclists complete with parks and wide pavements. Already home
to the offices of BMW, Nedbank and Sage VIP, the Central Square and West Tower
sections launch officially in September next year with a shopping mall, piazza, hotel
and public park. Next up Menlyn Maine is set to expand with residential apartments,
PHOTOGRAPHS: GREG COX, GRAEME WYLIE, SUPPLIED along with a casino and an 8 000-seat arena. menlynmaine.co.zaHOUSEANDLEISURE.CO.ZA HL OCTOBER 2015 HOUSEANDLEISURE.CO.ZA HL OCTOBER 2015 159159ECO BUILDINGS
1015_HL_158_160_GREEN LIVING_buildings_RFO.indd 159 2015/09/07 10:55 AM