Codenamed ‘Motswere’, the commercial building will be constructed next Prime Plaza I in the Central Business District (CBD).Green Star SA is a rating tool developed by the Green Building Council of South Africa, which is based on the assessment of design drawings and other documentation that form part of tender documents.
The design rating award reflects the intention to develop an objectively certified green building and is internationally recognised by the World Green Building Council. Because it is more cumbersome to retrospectively make a building sustainable, the design phase is the best starting point for a sustainable building. Dealing with the efficiency of a building at design stage allows the team to realistically cost and budget for the features that make the building ‘green.’Certifying a building prior to building it gives the development team the assurance that the completed building will indeed meet green building standards. Designing a sustainable building does not only dictate its operation but also influences its construction methodology. With a sustainable design, the contractor can price for construction management practices that are less harmful to the environment.
Such practices include a waste management plan that diverts a significant amount of waste from landfills through recycling and decreased waste generation. It is also at the design/tender document stage that the service subcontractors can price for the building tuning period as well. Building tuning period is a contractual time in which the service subcontractors and designers ensure that building systems are operating at their intended efficiencies.
The green design features ensure optimum indoor environment quality, minimised greenhouse gas emissions, minimised potable water consumption, diversion of operational waste to landfills through recycling, sustainable procurement of building materials and environmentally sustainable HVAC system design. PrimeTime says it is committed to pioneering the green building space in Botswana.
“We work with consultants and contractors who show the same dedication. This achievement would not be possible without the hard work and contribution of the following: Time Projects Botswana (Pty) Ltd, Paul Munnik Architects, AR Edwards & Associates, MLC Construction Cost Consultants, ADA Consulting Engineers, Acend Consulting Engineers, Reactive Engineering, Loci Environmental and Solid Green Consulting,” John Kelly, Asset Administrator says.
