Sustainability tours offered during Global Green Building Convention

Touch and feel a world class green building

Ever wondered what a 'green building' really looks like? This is an opportunity to tour local Green Star SA rated buildings - allowing people to gain insight into the innovations and interventions that contribute to a high performance green building. The building tour to the Manenberg Housing Office, which is led by the consultants behind the project, takes you on an informative tour to view innovative green solutions in practice.

"Situated in one of Cape Town's most socially and economically challenged communities, this remarkable architectural example is a 4-star rated green building that has contributed positively, not only to the built landscape, but also to the social upliftment and cohesion of this community," says Brian Wilkinson, CEO of the GBCSA.

The project-led building tour to No 1 Silo offers a chance to experience the first 6-star rating of commercial office space of this scale in South Africa and the first building to achieve this rating in the City of Cape Town. Participants will be able to engage with the developer as well as the tenants, Allan Gray, and to follow the journey to achieving a 6-star Green Star SA rating. The experience will be completed by a walking tour of the project.

"The building comprises many sustainable features, some of which are: a sea water cooling system, water efficient fittings & fixtures, a high performance façade that controls the thermal performance and comfort inside the building, an ICT system that monitors energy and water use, a lighting system that will ensure that lighting is only used when required and a green roof that contributes to thermal roof insulation and storm water retention. The project is situated next to the Grain Silo building, which is Heritage protected," explains Manfred Braune, technical executive for the GBCSA.

Place of sweet waters - planning Cape Town's water future

The Reclaim Camissa walking tour is an inspiring walk through the 'place of sweet waters'- an ancient Khoi name for Cape Town. Tour participants will meander along Cape Town's original waterways, taking in some of the history and cultural stories associated with Cape Town's water system and debating the possibilities of finding a more sustainable water future in Cape Town.

Experience Cape Town sustainability efforts

The Cape Town Sustainable City Tour is a customised excursion, which makes its way around Cape Town via various means of public transport (be prepared to hop on a bicycle). The tour will visit various sustainable initiatives that the City of Cape Town is currently rolling out; taking in the Oranjezicht City Farm, Green Point Urban Park and the Company Gardens. Led by the City of Cape Town's leading urban planners and sustainability practitioners, this tour will showcase the efforts being made to lead Cape Town towards a sustainable future.

"All of these unique new offerings which allow people to get an in-depth insight into green buildings and sustainable initiatives within Cape Town are open to the public. Anyone interested can attend at an affordable cost of R250 per tour," explains Wilkinson.

Education remains a core focus for the GBCSA

As part of this year's event the GBCSA will also be offering several educational courses in Cape Town and the Pavilion Conference Centre at the V&A Waterfront.

The Economics of Green Building is a new half-day course, which provides an understanding of the economic forces in the property market, the status quo of green building economics in South Africa and the business case for green building.

The Green Star SA Accredited Professional Course is the GBCSA's signature course and core offering that introduces the Green Star SA rating tools and is the first requirement for obtaining status as a Green Star SA Accredited Professional.

With the anticipated release of the new Green Star SA - Existing Building Performance PILOT tool at the Convention, the Greening Existing Buildings Course is fast becoming very popular. This course equips individuals with greening techniques for enhancing the performance of existing buildings by showcasing relevant case studies.