African Design Magazine November 2016 | Page 2

Editor’s view Architects urged to move beyond ‘greenwashing’ Architects and developers need to move beyond “greenwashing” – applying green building principles merely as fashionable gestures – and begin incorporating practical eco-wise solutions which make a lasting ecological difference, industry analysts say. At a recent meeting of architects held at South Africa’s acclaimed energy-plus home, House Rhino at Crossways Farm Village outside Port Elizabeth, President of the South African Institute of Architects Eastern Cape (SAIA EC) Neill Kievit, emphasised how it was critically important that the industry begin prioritising tangible green building principles. More than 3 000 architects and engineers have visited the 450m² offgrid showcase home since construction started in 2012, to learn from the various renewable energy and eco-solutions which enable it to produce more energy than it requires to function, feeding excess power back into the municipal grid. House Rhino was completed in early 2014. Gregg Cocking Last year a research report based on House Rhino, by NMMU academics Chris Allen and Katharina Crafford, was hailed at a global conference in the UK. African Energy-Plus Construction: A Case Study of House Rhino received the Chair’s Award at the Sustainable Ecological Engineering Design for Society international conference at Leeds Beckett University. CREDITS To read more on this subject, click HERE. We trust that you will enjoy reading and sharing the latest issue of African Design Magazine! #AfricanDesign. Published by African Design Magazine (Pty) Ltd, PO Box 9802, Edenglen, Johannesburg, South Africa, 1613 Editorial Gregg Cocking T: [phone] E: [email protected] Advertising Lesley Shapiro T: [phone] E: [email protected] While precautions have been taken to ensure the accuracy of its contents and information, neither the editor, publisher, or its agents can accept responsibility for damages or injury which may arise therefrom. All rights reserved. © African Design Magazine. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form, photocopying, electronic, mechanical or otherwise without the prior written permission of the copyright owners. Cover photograph: Urban Man Cave , page 10 OUR PARTNERS Download the African Design Magazine app