Design and construction usually spring to mind when the built environment talks about green initiatives. But architects and builders are just the first in a long line of professionals who influence a building’s environmental sustainability over time.
The third annual Green Building Council of SA (GBCSA) convention and exhibition, sponsored by Nedbank Corporate Property Finance, scheduled for September, will be highlighting some of the core professions that take over the green mandate from architects and builders, and propel a building’s green principles into the future.
“Developing green building practices might start with design, but they extend all the way throughout the lifecycle of a property,” says GBCSA chief executive, Nicola Douglas.
“Facilities management and property management are two of the disciplines which will be getting attention at this year’s convention. It would be wasteful to design and build a green building, then follow with environmentally harmful management which contributes to wasting precious resources. The two disciplines, building and management, must work hand-in-hand.”
Leading the discussion at the convention will be US-based Teena Shouse, senior facilities consultant at Facility Engineering Associates in Kansas. She says design and construction costs only account for about 8% of the total cost of building ownership.
“Sustainable facilities management includes infusing smart, green alternatives in each and every area of operations possible,” says Shouse.
“With a well-developed sustainability plan, facilities managers can implement effective behavioural or operational changes, replace building elements when they expire, or perform a full retrofit to maximise resources.”
Shouse’s philosophy hinges on communication, education and motivation - of occupants and facilities management staff - about sustainability practices. She’ll be sharing her top facilities management tips for operating sustainable buildings.
“A complete facility condition or operational assessment is a key first step, as well as a thorough energy audit to identify priority areas. In addition, a review of all service contracts is important to turn up potential changes that would positively affect utility usage. Another tip is to communicate to building occupants clearly – and in practical terms – what they can do to support environmental sustainability.
“This could include strategies like turning off lights and computers when possible; buying Energy Star equipment; and even minimising paper usage by avoiding unnecessary photocopying. Communicating your successes is perhaps the most important tip for educating and informing the marketplace.”
“Nedbank is sponsoring the green building convention for the third year and it is encouraging to see the growing interest in green building as reflected in the numbers of delegates who wish to attend the conference,” says Frank Berkeley, managing executive of Nedbank Corporate Property Finance.
The GBCSA convention and exhibition will be held at the Cape Town International Convention Centre from September 20 to 22.
Visit www.gbcsa-convention.org.za or call Lisa Parkes on 021 659 5990.
