requirements - some of which were not possible to apply in South Africa due to a lack of products and expertise . Once GBCSA released the local rating tool - Office version 1 , specific items were able to be targeted for certification .
Being the first team in the country to follow this route created a significant amount of additional work for all the parties , and with the construction programme in place with a contractor on site , stress levels were high at the best of times .
As part of the Green Star philosophy specific attention was given to making the buildings a friendlier and healthier place in which to be . Interior climate and quality was an important factor . Large double glazed windows to the exterior as well as into the glass roofed atrium allow ample light penetration into the office floors as well as giving staff views to the outside .
Although these elements naturally form part of good design , the application of the Green Star rating tool assists the consultants in assessing and monitoring the impact of various design choices . The building energy consumption was significantly improved by designing the ventilation and air-conditioning system to full economy cycle and installing a DALI ( Digital Addressable Lighting Interface ) system to control the lighting .
The full economy cycle provides up to 100 % fresh air through the building at optimal times ( relative to external temperature and humidity ) as opposed to recycling the internal air . Fresh air is drawn through the façades at individual plant rooms located on each floor , thus eliminating large centralised vent ducts . The two advantages of this system are that energy used to cool and heat air is reduced significantly and the occupants of the building are supplied with fresh air at a rate much higher than regulation requires . Research
has proved that fresh air at higher rates improves the comfort level and wellbeing of occupants .
A DALI system allows for extensive control to individual as well as grouped light fittings . This system is up to 40 % more efficient than conventional lighting . Motion sensors and body heat detectors were installed to switch off lights when areas are not occupied . Perimeter lights dim automatically when sufficient sunlight enters the space and the system has the functionality for staff to dim or raise light levels in specific areas .
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