African project Solid Green offices – South Africa
In another ‘ first ’ for the South African green building sector , Solid Green Consulting has been awarded the first 6-Star Green Star SA Interiors v1 certification for the company ’ s own offices in Rosebank , Johannesburg .
Six stars for Solid Green ’ s own offices
Located on the second floor of an existing mixed-use commercial building on Tyrwhitt Avenue , the 180m 2 Solid Green Consulting premises have been designed to accommodate fifteen employees in a 120m 2 doublevolume studio space , with an additional interlinked 60m 2 workspace and boardroom at mezzanine level . The public facilities – a meeting nook and kitchenette – lead onto an outdoor terrace on the southern side which is used as a chill-out and entertainment zone .
Marloes Reinink , Director at Solid Green , says , “ We spend about 90 % of our time indoors , either at work in our offices or at home . It is therefore only logical that we should focus more on how these interior spaces can support our healthy living by improving the air quality of our indoor spaces .” Accordingly , a strong emphasis was placed on the Indoor Environmental Quality ( IEQ ) of the company ’ s offices in order to support employee well-being and comfort .
Full-height windows and glass sliding doors at both entrance and mezzanine level , together with strategically paced opening window sections , mean that natural lighting and ventilation are optimised . Materials and finishes have been carefully selected for improved thermal and acoustic comfort , and to reduce the occupants ’ exposure to pollutants . Jessé Hamman , Sustainable Building Consultant at Solid Green , says , “ The main focus was on enhancing the interior features of the space to make it not just function better within the different zones , but also more comfortable for the employees .”
Reinink adds , “ There is also a growing recognition of the benefits of including Biophilia in our building designs , which centres around the fact that humans have an innate attraction to nature . Connecting with nature reduces stress , enhances creativity and improves well-being . Research suggest that workers in office environments with natural elements report a 15 % higher level of well-being ; and are 6 % more productive , and 15 % more creative .”
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