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 / m ² and Maximum Energy Consumption per annum of 240kwh / m ²/ annum , with smaller shops limited to 78kwh / m ² and larger shops limited to 105kwh / m ² per 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
494 Mall of the South