The GreenLee housing development designed by Boogertman + Partners on behalf of Balwin Properties has won the overall Best International Social Housing Award in the 2020-2021 International Property Awards
The global awards are over 25 years old and receive thousands of entries which are first assessed as Best in Country and after that as Best in Region based on the highest scores achieved in the first round of judging. Only five-star winners from the Regional Awards go on to compete with other regional winners in a final round of judging to decide on the Grand Finale International Property Award winners. In the words of Lord Thurso, Chairman of the Judging Panel "These winners represent the finest projects and companies from across the world. Their success is a tremendous achievement."
GreenLee is a high-density secure living residential estate and is part of the Green property portfolio developed by Balwin Properties. Each of this portfolio's developments provides a healthy family lifestyle offering that includes landscaped running trails and parkland that promotes walking within the estate. A community lifestyle centre called the GreenBarn is a central hub for each Green development. It includes a restaurant, fresh goods and convenience market, a 50m x 16m lap pool, shared workspace facilities and sports amenities such as outdoor gyms and sports fields.
The focus on sustainable design is continued throughout the estate with each of the 1 910 luxury apartments achieving EDGE green certification through a 20% reduction in water and energy consumption due to the installation of LED lighting and water-saving fittings.
Each GreenBarn is designed to achieve the highest green star rating from the Green Building Council of South Africa – a 6 Star Green Star rating. To do this greywater is recycled, rainwater is harvested, waste is recycled, solar panels provide power, and sustainable planting is followed. Cycle tracks and parking are provided alongside hybrid car and electric car charging bays.
Andre Wright ( Director, Boogertman + Partners ) believes that the attention to the green design principles and the balanced lifestyle provided by the amenities sets these developments apart in the market. "Winning the Best Social Housing Africa category in these awards was a fantastic achievement, however, to win the overall category and to be the international winner is gratifying recognition for many months of hard work by our teams and the client. The partnership has resulted in some groundbreaking concepts, and there are still more to come as our work in this space evolves."