Following the successful launch of the Green Star SA environmental rating system for office buildings in 2008, the Green Building Council of South Africa (GBCSA) has released the much anticipated Retail Centre rating tool, the second in the suite of Green Star SA rating tools now available.
“Developers and owners of retail centres can now use the tool, which was developed by a voluntary Technical Working Group, in conjunction with the GBCSA and lead consultants the WSP Group, to ensure they have considered all aspects related to green building and ultimately have their building certified as a 4, 5 or 6-star Green Star building,” explains Jason Buch, Technical Manager of the GBCSA.
“The Green Star SA Retail Centre rating tool was specifically tailored to assess the design of new and refurbished retailcentres, completed retail centres as well as extensions toretail centres. In particular, it takes into consideration the complete base building, including structure and HVAC, electrical and plumbing systems, common areas, amenities,food courts, community facilities, car parks, loading docks, and site areas.”
“It does not cover individual tenant fitouts,” continues Buch. “These will be covered by a separate tool for Interiors, which is part of the future tool development plans of the Council.”
The GBCSA develops rating tools according to market demand and raises funding specifically for each tool. “Interest in green building and sustainability hasn’t slowed, despite the economic downturn, and feedback from the property industry indicated a demand for this retail tool – funding for which was made available by Liberty Properties, Pareto Limited, the South African Cities Network (SACN) and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC),” says Nicola Douglas, CEO of the Council.
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