Menlyn Park Shopping Centre is located in the eastern part of Tshwane, on the south‐eastern corner of the major interchange between the N1 motorway and Atterbury Road. The Menlyn Reconfiguration Phase 1 – New Retail project incorporates the extension of the existing Menlyn Park Shopping Centre to the west in order to provide for the required additional retail and parking areas. The extension will add approximately 38 000m2 of gross floor area to the existing Menlyn Park Shopping Centre. The building has been designed and constructed in line with sustainable
principles. These include energy efficient air conditioning and lighting systems, a rain water harvesting plant and efficient sanitary fixtures, recycling waste storage, low VOC paints and adhesives and cyclist facilities.
In addition, the development provides facilities for alternative transport – dedicated cyclist parking and showers, preferential parking for mopeds and scooters, as well as integration of the development into the region’s Mass Public Transport system.
One of the most important aspects of an environmentally friendly building is the indoor quality of the air, light and individual comfort. Research shows that health problems resulting from indoor air pollution have become one of the most acute environmental problems and are directly related to Sick Building Syndrome and productivity of building occupants. (GBCSA, 2008:39) Therefore for the Menlyn Reconfiguration Phase 1 – New Retail project, various aspects have been carefully considered in order to achieve optimal Indoor Environment Quality (IEQ). This section details the design of the building that contributes to the occupants’ health and comfort.
- Fresh air is provided at a rate of 18.75ℓ/s/p, exceeding minimum regulatory requirements of SANS 10400‐O
- Ample access to day light for all occupied areas
- Specified paints, adhesives and sealants, and carpets with low or no
- Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC)
- Specified composite wood with low formaldehyde emission levels
- Smoking is prohibited inside the building. No‐smoking signs will be placed at all entrances.
Energy efficiency is an essential component of sustainable buildings. By incorporating energy use minimisation
techniques in the design of the building and its systems, it is expected that the operational energy intensity will be reduced in comparison to a conventional building.
Menlyn Reconfiguration Phase 1 ‐ New Retail boasts a number of initiatives aimed at improving the energy performance of the base building. These include:
- Central HVAC plant with water cooled chillers and air handling units equipped with an economy cycle to provide free cooling if the ambient conditions are beneficial;
- CO2 levels within the shops are monitored independently for each air handling unit and will override economy cycle or minimum fresh air requirements to minimize energy usage
- Central chilled water plant control strategy is optimized for part load efficiency;
- Night time cooling is incorporated using the intelligence on the BMS;
- Energy efficient lighting throughout the areas under control of the landlord;
- Time based and occupancy switching to reduce energy after office hours or when areas are not occupied;
- Daylight harvesting in perimeter zones that are under the landlord’s control;
- Smart energy meters are connected for metering of all substantive energy uses within the building and individual tenancies. All energy meters are connected to the BMS for effective monitoring of the energy consumption.
Only cold water is provided in the public ablutions.
