James Green – CEO of Ubersolar and Chairman of the Sustainable Energy Society of Southern Africa (SESSA SWHDC) Not understanding the law of SANS10400 XA2 can have dire consequences for architects, quantity surveyors, builders and property developers – James Green as Chairman of the Sustainable Energy Society of Southern Africa (SESSA SWHDC) points out what…
Environmental Sustainability &Energy Usage in Buildings-Part X & XA In 2011, in an endeavour to make our buildings more sustainable, and to decrease energy usage in South Africa, a new part was added to SANS 10400, The application of the National Building Regulations. Part X deals with environmental sustainability, and Part XA deals with energy…
New and Innovative Building Materials OMNI BLOCK Even though this innovative building material product was designed and patented by Denny Miller in 2003 it is still an innovative and up-to-date building product. Omni Block is an insulated “stand-alone” structural wall system. It does not require furring strips, additional insulation, or sheetrock to complete the wall,…
Part-X: Environmental Sustainability in Construction The construction industry is a vital sector that shapes the physical landscape of our society. Yet, it is also one of the major contributors to environmental degradation. Recognizing this impact, regulatory frameworks such as Part-X in the construction industry are pivotal in promoting and ensuring environmental sustainability. Part-X serves as…
Green Roofs are gaining popularity One of the most exciting emerging roof technologies that are gaining popularity worldwide is the green roof, an energy-efficient concept that is guaranteed to keep your home cool when the weather is hot, and warm when temperatures plummet. And it doesn’t end there. Green roofs are attractive and they really…
By PENNY SWIFT Are you Ready to go Green? South Africa, as a country, has been incredibly slow to take up the challenge of sustainable living. Yet we really do need to embrace this challenge and build using sustainable materials and sustainable methods, so that we have sustainable homes. We also need to live a…