Real Estate Investor Magazine South Africa October 2014 | Page 41

RESIDENTIAL
“With EDGE, builders can
assess the most cost-effective
ways of bringing green features
into their designs, financiers can
offer better terms to developers
and green mortgages for
homeowners, and governments
can do their part through
incentives and improved
regulations.”
use green rating software for homes at scale and will
extend the GBCSA’s impact in transforming the way
that residences are built. We can utilise EDGE to
target the largest sector of the property market in the
country,” he adds.
“The launch of EDGE in South Africa is a hugely
exciting development that affords us an opportunity
to benchmark ourselves against our international
counterparts who have already introduced services
related to energy efficiency and green buildings. This
will also benefit housing consumers, builders and
developers as it will transform how homes are designed
and built in the country. We are proud to be the
local rollout partner with the GBCSA on this,” said
Dr. Jeffrey Mahachi, NHBRC’s Head of Centre for
Research and Housing Innovation.
Game-changer
“Built on a user-friendly interface, the EDGE tool
also assists in determining at a high level the financial
viability of green building initiatives on a project
early in the design stage. Its aim is to reduce energy
and water consumption, calculating upfront costs and
potential operational savings,” explains Wilkinson.
“We are delighted to be able to leverage the systems
and structures of the NHBRC as our local rollout
partner. With their support and the launch of the
EDGE programme in South Africa, we foresee a
groundswell of greener and more sustainable residential
developments in the country.
“With EDGE, green residential developments can
now be recognised for their efforts. We hope to make a
www.reimag.co.za

big positive impact on not just more green residential
developments, but also for an increased number of
ordinary South Africans to look at innovative ways to
make their homes greener and less impactful on the
environment,” he adds.
Manfred Braune, Chief Technical Officer at the
GBCSA notes: “EDGE will initially be launched
as a programme for new homes being designed and
built. The GBCSA anticipates mostly large residential
developments, which roll out free-standing homes, will
target certification using the rating tool, and less so
apartment buildings and single homeowner builders
that can also use EDGE.”
Local relevance
“EDGE has been adapted for the local South African
context, especially in light of the SANS 10400 Part
XA energy efficiency building code, which was
promulgated for all new buildings in 2011,” explains
Braune. “EDGE will undergo final adjustments with
some industry input and review before being released
to a few pilot projects later this year, and launched to
the market early in 2015.
“Leading design professionals working in the design
and construction of homes will be invited to participate
in the Technical Working Group in late 2014 that will
be created as a sounding board during the review and
final adaptation of the EDGE rating tool for the South
Africa market.”
Far-reaching implications
“The goal of IFC’s EDGE programme is to help build
capacity for developers, banks, and governments to
mainstream resource-efficient buildings in rapidly
growing economies around the world,” says Marcene
Broadwater, IFC’s Global Head of Climate Strategy
and Business Development. “With EDGE, builders
can assess the most cost-effective ways of bringing
green features into their designs, financiers can offer
better terms to developers and green mortgages for
homeowners, and governments can do their part
through incentives and improved regulations.”
October 2014 SA Real Estate Investor

41