VIDEO: Property developer fulfils its goal to go green
WATERFALL – Balwin Properties registers over 16 000 units across seven of its built-to-sell and three of its rental developments.
JSE-listed Balwin Properties recently announced their major achievement in their ongoing drive to fight climate change through the mainstreaming of green lifestyle developments.
As an initial phase, Balwin Properties has registered over 16 000 units across seven of its built-to-sell and three of its rental developments rated by the Green Building Council South Africa (GBCSA) as Edge certified.
Founder and CEO of Balwin Properties Steve Brookes said, “Balwin Properties has always been differentiated by its innovative approach to environmental management while creating quality lifestyle developments for its clients.
“We were the first to offer energy efficient appliances as part of the purchase price of an apartment and today we are exceptionally proud to announce the world’s largest green Edge registration in partnership with the International Finance Corporation (IFC).”
An innovation of the IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, Edge was created to respond to the need for a measurable solution to prove the financial case for building green, and to help jump-start the proliferation of green buildings.
The Edge standard is set at a minimum of 20 per cent reduction across energy consumption, water usage and embodied energy in materials.
Brookes also outlined the importance of using Edge. “Using the Edge software, we now have a cost-effective planning tool that helps us to build green based on occupant behaviour, building type and the local climate.
“Importantly, Edge registration provides our environmentally conscious buyers and tenants with the assurance that they are minimising their own environmental footprint whilst saving on utility costs over the long term.”
Solid Green Consulting was appointed to consolidate performance specifications for construction practices across Balwin Properties portfolio, to create an Edge compliant standard specification and to support the Edge registration process.
Director at Solid Green Chilufya Lombe, added that it is encouraging to see such a large developer taking on the challenge of addressing climate change. “Sustainability making business sense is an important part of meeting the challenge,” he said.
“The stereotype of green buildings not being financially viable is being proven wrong, and the economy of scale of a standardised approach for a portfolio of this size is significant.”
