14
CONSTRUCTION WORLD
AUGUST
2014
Aurecon, engineering management
and specialist technical services
group, was commissioned to pro-
vide sustainable development guid-
ance to the project team and to manage the
achievement of a 4-Star Green Star SA – Office
Design v1 rating from the Green Building
Council of South Africa (GBCSA).
The elegant, high quality 7 000 m² devel-
opment is located immediately opposite the
Gautrain’s Midrand Station. Not unsurpris-
ingly, Gautrain is a major tenant, having taken
up 2 500 m².
Two major challenges were encountered
on the project: that of a sloped site, calling
for an innovative building circulation model,
and the need to implement Environmentally
Sustainable Design (ESD) to the highest stand-
ards, despite minimal site space.
Unique circulation model
The design of 44 on Grand Central uses a
unique circulation model to accommodate
a steep slope from south-east to north-west,
with the south-east low point being close to
Gautrain Station. Entering here at ground
level, access to the rest of the building is
gained via an escalator up to the main lobby
which functions as an internal courtyard. This
large courtyard enables daylight harvesting
through central atriums at each storey.
The circulation model was thoroughly
modelled using Aurecon’s energy and daylight
modelling expertise, while the choice of
ENVIRONMENT
>
glazing, as well as design of glare reduction
features, was also optimised to ensure the
maximum penetration of light as well as the
comfort of building users.
Future-proof design
The green design of the building reflects the
growing realisation that sustainable design is
the means to ‘future-proof’ a building against
the increasing scarcity and expense of energy
and resources.
All aspects of the design were carefully
scrutinised and assessed for their cost-effec-
tive contribution to the targeted Green Star
rating, from structural aspects such as the use
of zero carbon rated fly ash in the concrete
and recyclable steel, energy efficient motors,
pumps and fans, to rainwater harvesting.
Finishing items such as paint and carpets
were tightly specified for minimum volatile
organic compounds, and a building manage-
ment system was developed to reduce energy
and water consumption, as well as optimise
waste reuse and recycling. Air conditioning
energy requirements were reduced through
measures such as extensive roof insulation
and zone control.
Some of the innovative aspects intro-
duced by the mechanical engineers on the
project included maximising comfort and
ensuring a healthy environment for the occu-
pants through the specification of a high fresh
air ratio HVAC system, linked to fresh air fans
on the roof.
on Grand Central
STARS FOR 44
South Africa’s largest listed property company, Growthpoint
Properties, has added another world-class building to its
portfolio – 44 on Grand Central, Midrand.
The company was also appointed as land-
scape architects. “We addressed the problem
of minimal surrounding space for landscaping
and an existing unsightly walkway between
the site of the building and the Gautrain
Marni Punt, associate – environmentally
sustainable design (ESD) consultant at Aurecon.
Karen Govender, junior ESD consultant at
Aurecon.
