Alexander Forbes' head office receives Greenstar rating

115 West Street in Sandton, Johannesburg is the new head office for Alexander Forbes and has recently received its 4 Star Greenstar Design rating. The decision to pursue a Greenstar rating was decided prior to construction in order to evolve a building which is energy efficient, resource efficient and environmentally responsible.

The building incorporates design, construction and operational practices that will significantly reduce or eliminate its negative impact on the environment and its occupants. By applying such trades in a manner that is somewhat becoming the future, allowed the opportunity to use resources efficiently and assist in preventing climate change while creating healthier and more productive environments for people to work in.

Reduced energy consumption

The design and construction aspects focussed on the use of materials and technologies which reduced energy and resource consumption for the gain of improved natural and human environments. Of particular concern in designing a more climatically responsible building included a design to reduce heat loads, maximisation of natural light, the use of energy efficient lighting and air-conditioning, the use of environmentally friendly, non-toxic materials, encouragement of environmentally efficient transport systems, waste recycling, water-efficient plumbing fittings and water harvesting.

The building is due for completion during September 2012. Upon completion the building will be inspected to ensure that the construction complied with the design. 115 West Street is Paragon Group's second Green Star rated building and certainly its largest at 100 000m² under construction.