The Capricorn Corner building, Capricorn Group’s state-of-the-art office facilities in Klein Windhoek, recently earned EDGE Advanced green building certification, which is recognised by the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the private sector arm of the World Bank Group.
The certification, presented by EDGE certification partner Green Business Building Certification Inc. (GBCI), marks the first internationally-recognised operational building to be EDGE-certified in Namibia.
This achievement also preludes this year’s World Earth Day, highlighting the Group’s progress in environmental stewardship.
An innovation of IFC, EDGE is an online platform, a green building standard, and a certification system for more than 170 countries.
EDGE was created in response to the need for a measurable solution to prove the financial case for building green and help jumpstart the mainstreaming of green buildings.
EDGE empowers building professionals to quickly and easily determine the most cost-effective ways to build green, based on occupant behaviour, building type and the local climate.
The Capricorn Corner office building was designed according to world-class standards to be future-proof, environmentally- friendly and safe to meet the current needs of employees and the future workforce.
Windhoek Consulting Engineers were contracted to assist with the green building certification process.
At the same time, Solid Green Consulting handled the auditing process.
As a result, the Capricorn Corner’s design choices achieved a post-construction EDGE Advanced Certification with 100% energy savings, 36% water savings and 46% savings in embodied carbon in materials. Janus van der Merwe, the director of Mechanical, Fire & Green Buildings at Windhoek Consulting Engineers, stated that “this certification meets an exceptional level of environmental performance, and solidifies the Capricorn Group’s commitment to supporting green building developments, which will undoubtedly have a lasting impact on the larger community. This milestone is significant because it marks Namibia’s first EDGE Advanced Certification”.
“Capricorn Group, with their signature Capricorn Corner building, has set the bar for demonstrating how major
business projects can be designed, built and certified as resource-efficient in Namibia,” said Lenore Capricorn Corner, located at the intersection of Nelson Mandela Avenue and Hofmeyer Street in Klein Windhoek, was opened in November 2021 amidst the economic impact of Covid-19. The investment in Capricorn Corner secured 250 jobs for 16 months, and injected N$110
million into the economy.
“Building green allows us to reduce our consumption of natural resources, and reduces the environmental impact of our buildings. Commercially, ensuring a lower carbon footprint reduces Capricorn Corner’s operational costs, and leads to a better return for our shareholders. This ultimately makes the Capricorn Corner a sound business location for us and customers, leading to increased asset values and a defensible investment,” said Johan Maass, Capricorn Group’s chief financial officer.