26
PROJECT project
COOLING / HEATING CAPACITY AND HOW IT WAS DETERMINED FOR THE PROJECT The VRF systems were sized per floor to match the building’ s actual cooling demands, replacing the fragmented capacity of the split systems with consolidated, efficient VRF loops. Detailed load calculations ensured that the system could comfortably handle peak loads while also maintaining efficiency at partial loads – where buildings spend most of their operational life. We also used as much of the existing ducting as possible, which made equipment sizing very delicate.
VRF technology was central to energy reduction, with variable refrigerant flow modulating precisely to match demand, eliminating wasteful stop-start operation. Beyond efficiency, the capture of over a ton of R22 refrigerant represented a major environmental victory ensuring that harmful gases were safely removed from circulation.
This project was special for several reasons:
• The scale vs timeline: Almost 20 000m ² transformed in a fraction of the usual time.
• The teamwork: Not one person ever said,“ it can’ t be done”. Instead, every challenge was solved collaboratively.
• The human story: It was incredibly stressful – long days, tough decisions, constant pressure – but equally rewarding. To know that a building of this size could be completely reimagined in such a short window gave everyone involved a sense of pride.
• The client’ s team leader’ s words sum it up best: when asked if he would take on another project of this magnitude in the same timeframe, he laughed and said,“ Once was enough – it nearly broke us but look at what we achieved.” RACA
Project name: Wembley Square
List of professionals:
Owner
Project manager
Consulting engineer
Electrical
Mechanical
Name of company:
Redefine Johan Slabbert / Candor Africa
QDP Electrical Engineers
RPM Consulting Engineers Contractors HVAC & R SFI Group
HVAC and associated product suppliers
Electrical VRF systems
ERC Electrical Midea / Livance www. refrigerationandaircon. co. za
26
RACA Journal I February 2026