GBCSA prepares for 2014 convention

This year the GBCSA is focusing on Africa and the aim is to highlight the richness and potential of the African continent with speakers of South African origin who are pioneering the world in their own way as well as those who are working in this space on greater African soils.

Already confirmed in this year's speaker line-up, and in keeping with the theme of focusing on our own continent, is Zimbabwean architect Michael Pearce - the project architect on the well-known Eastgate development in Harare.

Natural systems

Completed in 1996, this major office and retail centre is entirely cooled by natural systems and makes fantastic use of passive design, a bold step away from the all-glass high-rise that is unsuitable to warm, tropical climates. He has spent his career specialising in buildings which have low maintenance, low capital and running costs and make use of renewable energy systems, taking most of his inspiration from nature.

Pearce then moved to Melbourne where he became city architect and led the design for the Council House Two (CH2) building, the municipal offices for the Melbourne City Council. Completed in 2006 and located in the central business district, the city wanted to showcase its agenda on sustainability by building and exemplar green building.

Iconic green building

The building was Australia's first 6 star Green Star rated building and is always held up as an iconic and pioneering green building. Pearce has now moved back to Harare, bringing his talent back home to African soils.

The 2014 programme will offer two days of selected keynote presentations and panel discussions. The convention also offers optional pre-conference education courses and programmes as well as building tours of Green Star SA certified buildings.