Building a sustainable future

And everyone should attempt to achieve sustainable methods of design and construction – of vital concern if we are to see any improvements in our building environment.

That’s the message from Sindile Ngonyama, the President of the South African Institute of Architects (SAIA), as the deadline for entries to the 2013/2014 Afrisam-SAIA Awards for Sustainable Architecture, draws closer.

The award recognises outstanding achievement in sustainable architecture, as well as creates public awareness and debate on architectural issues. There are two entry categories – one for built work and the other for works of social importance, including research.

Four criteria will be used to evaluate the entries:

• Harmonisation
• People upliftment
• Planet rejuvenation
• Place-making performance.

Ngonyama says with climate change being a real phenomenon, “it is incumbent upon everyone in this field, to cautiously design buildings and environs which reduce carbon footprint”.

These core principles should not be viewed as being constraints to achieving creative design solutions, “but rather the stepping stones towards the achievement of delight”.

Sustainable architecture is a concept which evolves from rational design methodologies, using environmentally sensitive materials and technologies, and maximises the use of available natural resources such as wind and sun.

Ngonyama, who studied architecture at the University of Cape Town in the eighties, says the number of sustainable buildings going up within South Africa was alarmingly low, compared to the general number of buildings being erected.

He believes with constant education at all levels these negative perceptions will be reduced and the trend for sustainable design approach will in the next 10 years change drastically.

“In the corporate and commercial arena there is already a noticeable move in this direction. What I find to be heart-warming in the success of the latter sector is the buy-in demonstrated by both the client bodies and their professional development teams.”

His top five tips for the average consumer are:

• Get advice with the choice of your design and construction team. Enquire about their experience and the projects they have undertaken previously.
• In deciding on which pro-ducts, materials and technologies to apply, it is crucial to weigh upfront development costs, against long term running and maintenance costs.
• Seek professional advice with products and materials with low carbon impact. Get your designer to use the basic design principles: correct orientation of the building on site, citing of the building appropriately, relative to natural elements such as wind directions etc.
• Allow your professional architect or designer to advise why your layman’s choices are appropriate or inappropriate for the building project you want to embark upon, as opposed to going about uninformed.