parking facilities , showers , changerooms , and lockers . Various other points in the nine sections of the tool were included in the process , the details of these are too extensive and complex to mention for publication in this article .
The rating tool also encourages teams to exceed the requirements of Green Star and be innovative by including points for exceptional design , innovation and industry leading incentives . For Nedbank phase II , points were awarded for creating the need in the market that prompted a paint supplier to bring forward the release of their low VOC paints .
The Green by Design team also approached the Department of Psychology in the School of Human & Community Development at the University of the Witwatersrand to conduct a productivity study that assesses the impact of the internal environment in a “ Green ” building on its occupants ( wellbeing and productivity ), compared to people working in a “ normal ” office environment . These findings will contribute to the broader market transformation towards sustainable development .
The Green Star Design submission was made in 2009 and , in September 2009 , Nedbank Phase II was awarded a 4 star Green Star Design Rating , a milestone as it is the first building in South Africa to be so rated . The Green Star requirements were diligently applied during the building process and once Practical Completion was reached , the project was submitted to the GBCSA for an As Built certification .
In September 2010 , at the Green Building Conference in Cape Town , the project was awarded a 4 star Green Star As-Built rating , again the first in South Africa to achieve this .
With almost 80 % of the building already occupied , the Phase II building completes the original Nedbank campus concept and creates a healthy functional environment for the bank ’ s
staff . In having a forward-thinking , responsible client , the project team were able to challenge the normal conventions encountered in standard office building design and construction .
Working within the Green Star framework forced all the consultants and the contractor to revisit design and construction elements and refine them to produce a superior product in the end . Nedbank Phase II illustrates that it is beneficial for all in the South African architecture and building industries to approach their projects using the Green Star tool ( s ), not only to achieve a certified rating , but to deliver products that will ensure happier and more productive occupants and sustainable buildings .
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