Nedbank supports green development at Gosforth Business Park

NEDBANK Corporate Property Finance continues to pour money into green buildings after granting finance to the Improvon Group for the acquisition and reticulation of land in Gosforth Business Park, and the development of Phase 1, a 20,817m² warehouse with ancillary offices.

Nedbank Corporate Property Finance regional executive Ken Reynolds says the “green precinct” that is being constructed with cutting-edge technology and building practices are destined to become the industry standard.

Stefano Contardo, developments executive at Improvon, says: “We are proud to say that Gosforth Business Park’s green features take sustainability to a new level. This is a particular bonus for tenants, who are able to fulfil their moral obligations to reduce their environmental footprint at a minimal cost.

“The Green Precinct at Gosforth Business Park is set to be a flagship development for the Improvon Group.”

He says the company’s approach, from construction upwards, takes into account green principles. “For example, all material that was excavated is being crushed and reused, each building boasts a rain water attenuation system which harvests rainwater off roofs and recycles the water for use in toilet cisterns. To reduce energy consumption, each building will incorporate a photovoltaic system which reduces tenants’ reliance on power sources from Eskom.”

Mr Contardo says in any building, it is the HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) systems which account for the lion’s share, as much as 60%, of energy consumption. “We are looking at ways to reduce the energy used by this system; for instance, we are investigating the installation of geothermal technologies that will help buildings maintain a constant temperature,” he says.

Such a system would also render chillier units and heat pumps more effective.

In the meantime, insulation to walls, floors and ceilings as well as double glazing to windows will be installed on all windows to regulate temperatures.

Mr Contardo says that this technique is more commonly used overseas than in SA, but it makes sense in the office environment where the major challenge is the regulation of internal temperatures to provide a comfortable working environment. “In this way, we reduce our reliance on air conditioning resulting in a reduced energy requirement and a saving for tenants.”

He also says the precinct has introduced a centralised refuse area, and all rubbish is recycled.

“This park, from an exposure point of view, will be the first such business park one comes across when entering Johannesburg from the south, just off the N3 highway, and aims to raise the high standards of all other business parks and estates developed along the N3 from Johannesburg to Pretoria,” Mr Reynolds says.

Improvon identifies prime land at market related prices and develops new, high-specification quality buildings, which are then brought to the market at competitive rentals.

“Nedbank is committed to the environment and the sustainable conservation of SA, and this partnership with the Improvon Group embodies that commitment towards striving for a healthy, clean and green urban and rural environment for all.”

The Green Precinct at Gosforth Business Park is set to be a flagship development for the Improvon Group