Inspiring New Sustainable Cape Town Office for GBCSA

The Green Building Council of South Africa (GBCSA) has acquired an inspiring new 'green' Cape Town office space, as part of an ongoing expansion.

With the commercial real estate industry of South Africa increasingly embracing environmentally-sound solutions, GBCSA has undergone massive internal growth, prompting them to find a new space.

Having expanded from a start-up to a fully-fledged mainstream operator in a matter of years, GBCSA CEO Brian Wilkinson has expressed further optimism for the company's sustainable future.

"From just one rating tool and one certification in 2008, to four rating tools with another two in development, and alost 40 certified projects today. Close to 5,000 professionals have attended our training programs, almost 500 professionals are Green Star SA Accredited, and 1,100 corporates have joined as members, showing an incredible commitment by corporate SA to sustainability in the built environment."

The new open-plan space reflects Wilkinson's optimism, having been designed with space for future expansion. The council was aiming to get the new office certified under the Green Star SA Commercial Interiors tool, which would be released at the GBCSA Green Building Convention in October.

This enthusiasm to 'walk their talk' has proven testament to GBCSA's core values, resonating their green building principles.

The company are championing 'hot desking', supporting the opportunity for a flexible, mobile workforce, team integration, and the maximising of space potential.

Staff are to be encouraged to use methods of commuting alternative to driving to the office by incorporating less company-rented parking bays.

"The professional team involved in the office retrofit did extensive performance modelling to see where interventions could be made to boost green characteristics, and the final design made significant sustainable improvements. When it came to furniture, products, and equipment requirements for the new office, products meeting sustainability criteria were specified and installed."