This year the event was integrated with the World GBC Congress - the largest international network influencing the green building marketplace, comprising 92 global councils - making this the most distinctive sustainable building gathering ever hosted on the continent.
Amongst the activities that took place was the launch of the latest Green Star SA PILOT Tool for Interiors and the much anticipated existing Building Performance tool. Furthermore the global gathering saw the launch of the world-first PILOT Socio-Economic Category for suite of Green Star SA rating tools and the announcement of the Green Star SA Leadership Awards winners for 2013.
In the project and organisation award category the winner of the 2013 Green Star SA Leadership Award for the highest rated building is the Department of Environmental Affairs building which received a 6 Star Green Star SA Office Design v1 certification. This is the first government building in South Africa to achieve a 6 Star Green Star SA rating, as well as being the first 6 Star rated green building in the City of Tshwane. A further stellar accomplishment was that it achieved a total of 82 points - the highest score for a large commercial office space of this magnitude awarded by the GBCSA to date.
The winner of the 2013 Green Star SA Leadership Award for the Best Quality Submission is Marloes Reinink from Solid Green for the Grahamstown National English Literary Museum. In the individual awards category the award for the Established Green Star leader for 2012/2013 went to Marloes Reinink from Solid Green, whilst the award for the Rising Green Star went to Georgina Smit of Arup.
Eric Noir from WSP received the Chairman's Award for his tireless passion and enthusiasm in promoting green building practices. Special recognition was given to his encouragement and guidance in the establishment of Green Building Councils throughout Africa - these initiatives have been instrumental in the adoption of the Green Star South Africa rating system by 5 African countries.
The Green Building Council Australia received the Chairman's Award for their generous support and guidance in the establishment and continued success of the GBCSA and the award was received by Romily Madew, CEO Green Building Council Australia. "It is unquestionable that without their generosity of spirit and collaboration, the GBCSA would not have been in a position to achieve the milestones nor the market impact that it has in such a short period," says Brian Wilkinson, CEO of the GBCSA.
"We are inspired by the bold leadership that has been demonstrated in South Africa and want to continue to acknowledge and commend the market leaders on the transformation exhibited so far. Whilst we believe that all Green Star SA certified projects are, by definition, very special and demonstrate leadership and commitment, we use this opportunity to recognise those that have really pushed the limits and achieved world class excellence," concludes Wilkinson.
