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The design for the Karl Bremer Office Block has achieved a 5-Star Green Star SA Office V1 Design rating. It is on the Karl Bremer Hospital site, on the corner of Mike Pienaar Boulevard and Frans Conradie Avenue. The Department of Transport and Public Works, Provincial Government Western Cape owns the building under construction, which will be occupied by the provincial Department of Health. The Green Star SA Accredited Professional on the project is Nick Gorrie from Agama. He says: “Karl Bremer Office Block is developing into an exciting and innovative project. On one hand, there are multiple innovations and sustainable designs that have been incorporated into the base building. On the other hand the entire Project Team is dedicated to achieving a Socio-Economic Category rating. It has been a challenging project so far but, with the commitment and drive of the whole team, it is aiming for a positive result.” The strategies used has largely contributed to the project rating it terms of socio economic where job opportunities will arise hence creating job opportunities. 10% of the people employed targets groups of youths, women and disabled people. 5% of the total project value on selected contracts to be undertaken by developing contractors that are also beneficiaries of enterprise development support from the main contractor. A minimum of 30% of the procurement of project-specific goods and services during the construction phase will be from SME’s that are black owned. A minimum of 70% of the materials, products and services used in construction are to be produced or generated within South Africa. Skills Development and Training: Hands-on practical experience and mentorship throughout the project period will lead to recognised qualifications. Safety and Health: Besides standard construction regulations, the contractor will have to conduct full medical screening tests and basic health awareness programmes for all construction-related employees. A Hazardous Identification Risk Assessments of the design was conducted to ensure that all elements of the structure can be installed with minimum risk. In addition to the social aspects and standard green design principles of the project, the following unique strategies contribute to the building’s 5 Green Star Rating: An organic blackwater treatment plant supplies HVAC cooling towers with 100% of it’s water requirements. Zero storm water discharge to municipal storm water infrastructure through multiple Bioretention areas incorporated into the landscape design The project’s skills development target is to be compliant with Construction Industry Development Board Standards of Developing Skills through Infrastructure Projects. It aims to do this by providing different types of workplace opportunities and mentorships for learning and skills development over the project period, which lead to recognised qualifications. For safety and health, the project aims to improve the primary health of construction workers and promote better safety practices. Besides standard construction regulations, the project’s contractor will have to conduct full medical screening tests and basic health awareness programmes for all construction-related employees. The Karl Bremer Office Block design team also conducted Hazardous Identification Risk Assessments of their designs.