Architect and Builder March/April 2016 | Page 30

Environmentally Sustainable Design The owner elected not to apply for a Green Star rating but, instead, incorporated the following initiatives (including environmental issues) into the development: • Management: On completion of the building, the appointed services consultants were contracted to supervise the building tuning processes of all mechanical, HVAC, fire, lifts, escalators and electrical installations. In addition thereto, an independent consultant has been engaged to review the commissioning of HVAC installations, • Indoor environment: Abundant direct natural light through the continuous skylight in the roof (area of skylight is 27% of the mall floor area) resulting in a reduction in internal mall lighting during daytime. The shopping centre is also equipped with mechanical air conditioning systems to maintain an average temperature range of 22.5°C ± 1.5° (based on maximum ambient temperature of 32°C) and mechanical fresh air ventilation at a rate of 7.5 l/s/person or 2 air changes per hour, • Energy: The development has been constructed in accordance with SANS Code of Practice 10142 as amended and complies with SANS 204: 2008 Parts 1,2, & 3 which states, a required Maximum Energy Demand of 90VA/m² and Maximum Energy Consumption per annum of 240kwh/m²/ annum, with smaller shops limited to 78kwh/ m² and larger shops limited to 105kwh/m² per 28 annum. In addition, all tenancies have been fitted with dedicated sub meters to determine energy consumption per tenant, • Transport: Notwithstanding adequate parking bays (4,225 in number) have been provided, the use of taxi bays and taxi drop-off facilities and lay-byes have been incorporated to encourage/ support the use of public transport to and from the shopping centre, • Water: The development includes low flow electronic taps to wash-hand basins, dual flush WC cisterns and electronic actuators on urinals. Public washroom facilities have been provided with a two day backup water supply in case of water supply interruptions. All tenants and major water use plant/equipment have been provided with dedicated water metres which are read electronically. Landscape irrigation is supplemented by the increased capacity of the storm water attenuation pond, • Materials: Whilst limited opportunity existed for the re-use or re-cycling of materials, the absolute use of Portland cement has been reviewed in the approved concrete mixes as far as mix design has permitted. All reinforcement steel utilised on the project has been manufactured and procured from recycled steel, • Land use & ecology: All topsoil on the site was set aside prior to construction for re-use in the landscaping of the project following completion of Mall of the South