Waste reduction and public amenities up @Parkside’s Green Star rating to five
After construction of FNB’s new headquarters was completed, the bank implemented a range of after-design improvements which helped it to achieve a 5 Star Green Star rating. This is the first such building in Africa outside of South Africa, to receive the highest grade.
At initial design and construction, the building qualified for a 4 Star rating. Once completed, commissioned and occupied, FNB in consultation and collaboration with WSP Building Services undertook a review to identify additional aspects to improve the building’s first rating.
“The 5 Star Green Star SA Certified Rating recognises “South African Excellence” and carries a weighted score of between 60 and 74. The project achieved 55 points in its Design rating in 2014/2015, which is a comfortable 4 Star Rating. The threshold for a 4 Star Rating is 45 points, and as FNB achieved an excess of 10 points, A 5 Star rating requires 60 points to be certified. The project achieved 64 points for its final As Built rating” FNB said this week announcing the improved raing.
Following the review FNB installed public bicycle racks for use by visitors and community members. Furthermore, significant energy saving was achieved as all light fittings in the office areas are fitted with an occupancy sensor. This technology reduces energy consumption which is a substantial environmental benefit as less energy is wasted by switching off the lights when nobody is in a certain area or in a particular office.
As part of the building’s further development, community traders’ stalls and amenities have been installed near the pavement along Independence avenue, and finally, the bank implemented a waste and recycling management plan to handle operational waste reduction with suitable storage space reducing the amount of hard waste that goes to dump sites by actively sorting recyclable material from the garbage.
All these improvements combined helped inrease the buildings score from 55 points to 64 points under its As-Built rating. It also gave the bank the accolade of a leading financial institution with a leading green headquarters.
The bank’s Chief Executive, Sarel van Zyl said “Our building is the first As-Built rated building as well as the first 5 Star rating outside of South Africa. We are immensely proud of this achievement and once again thank all involved parties who have made this possible. This is a great achievement and a testament to hard work by the construction and operational team.”
