Materials Careful attention was given to material choices and finishes specifications in order to ensure that timber used was FSC ( Forestry Stewardship Council ) certified and that paints and carpets were low in VOCs ( Volatile Organic Compounds ). As part of the investigations done by the architects , on approaching various suppliers , a major paint manufacturer decided to bring forward the commercial release of their low VOC paint ranges so that the paint could be used for the project .
Water consumption was reduced with lowflow fittings . The building also reuses rainwater for irrigation and is on track to be fitted with a blackwater plant . Once operational , the system
will remove solids from the wastewater and filter and clean the water . This water can then be reused for toilet flushing , garden irrigation and for supplying the air-conditioning cooling towers .
Ironically , although the government requires all their buildings to be green , the local and provincial authorities do not currently have an approval system in place for blackwater plants and this system will only be completed at a later stage ( the required infrastructure for the plant has been installed ).
Parking bays in the basements were specifically allocated for bicycles , motorcycles and alternative fuel vehicles ( hybrid vehicles ). People who cycle also have access to secure
102 Nedbank Phase II