Building a new home, or renovating?<\/p>\n
Architect Buhle Mathole of Kabu Design Architects says there are different levels of greening \u2013 both in the construction of new houses, in renovating older properties and in retrofitting. She says any \u201cgreening\u201d of your home will result in lower utility bills, and ultimately reduce your home\u2019s energy rating.<\/p>
According to Buhle, green architecture is currently a buzzword. She personally prefers to use the term \u201csustainable architecture\u201d as this encompasses more than just water and electricity savings.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe word \u2018green\u2019 is bandied about and whether people properly understand it and its implications is a question which still needs to be answered. What we, as architects, understand to be green is a building which is habitable and a sustainable environment for people who want to think of the future in terms of energy and other resources,\u201d she said.<\/p>
Why is there hype around green buildings? Energy-generating resources are scarce, says Buhle.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is important for people to know what and how much they use, from building materials to the quantity of water and electricity they are using in relation to the number of people in their household. Consumption needs to be reduced, or else it will have a profound effect on the next generation,\u201d she states.<\/p>\n
Speaking on the perceived expense of going green, Buhle alludes to two versions of green architecture \u2013 the Citi Golf version and the Rolls-Royce one.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt depends on how far the client is willing to go to make life sustainable for the future.\u00a0There are basics such as the house orientation or position, openings and windows. Fixtures such as double glazing can be avoided by positioning the house in the right place in terms of light which generates heat from the winter sun, and which takes out heat when it is hot.\u201d<\/p>\n
Generally speaking, building green adds between 5% and 10% to building costs, but these costs need to be offset against the savings in energy and water consumption.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
As an architect, Buhle says she sits down with clients at the start of the project to discuss their green needs and give them inputs based on the design. The following questions pertaining to the client\u2019s lifestyle are discussed in order to come up with an appropriate design that suits their needs:<\/p>\n
How many people are in the household?
\nHow many people are at home during the day?
\nWhat are their cooking methods?
\nDo they want to recycle?
\nDo they want to start a compost heap or a vegetable garden?<\/div>\n
\nRetrofitting old houses and renovating to make them green can easily be done. Lighting and openings (for light and air flow) are important. Lifestyle is looked at to get an understanding of the activities of the household. \u201cWe then prioritize, for example, the use of a gas stove, solar heating and geysers. We also work extensively with specialists after we have completed the design to assist the client with the best solution for their needs\u201d she says.<\/p>\nBuhle has found that many complexes are going the green route encouraging their home owners to recycle and practice energy efficiency.<\/p>\n
Regulations on greening<\/h4>\n
Do green houses and buildings sell for higher prices than those which are not green?<\/p>\n
The Green Building Council issues accreditation certificates, says Buhle, which is mainly for commercial buildings. This increases the value, particularly for those \u201cin the know,\u201d as they realize the long-term value such as lower utility bills.<\/p>\n
The value of residential buildings is indirectly increased through the implementation of the SANS 10400<\/abbr><\/strong><\/span> regulations on greening. \u201cEvery newly-built house requires an occupational certificate and this will reflect the green aspects of the house and can lead to increased prices.\u201d Since November 2011, all new buildings and refurbishments in South Africa have had to comply with minimum standards of energy efficiency.<\/p>\n
The future of sustainable architecture<\/h4>\n
Buhle, who teaches architecture at the University of Pretoria, says institutes of higher learning are focusing on green. \u201cI believe they are doing enough to make architecture relevant to the society we live in. Great strides have been made by our teaching institutions in this regard and there is a great calibre of people, stronger than in the past, coming out of our institutions,\u201d she concludes.<\/p>\n
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