This certification is the second for the health club group that operates 140 clubs in Southern Africa.

The Green Star SA Interiors is a rating tool that assesses the environmental attributes of interior fit-outs. Virgin Active Collection Alice Lane was the first health club on the continent to be awarded a 4 star rating using the Interiors PILOT V1 in 2016, and Silo is the next club that has been submitted for rating.

In September 2015, the UN’s General Assembly agreed on the Agenda for Sustainable Development. Virgin Active South Africa has aligned its strategy with the Sustainable Development Goals and has committed to a 2030 goal of net zero environmental impact.

Ross Faragher-Thomas, MD Virgin Active South Africa said, “With the Western Cape in the clutches of a devastating drought, never has it been more imperative that businesses assume a leadership position and conduct operations in an environmentally responsible manner. This certification is testament to our sustainability commitment.”

The 4056m² club was the fourth Collection club to open in South Africa but the first in the Pretoria area. The target at the outset of the project was a star Green Star SA rating and this 4 star rating is confirmation that the design principles delivered to their sustainability objectives.

The tool rewards high-performance tenant spaces that are healthy, productive places to occupy; and have a reduced environmental footprint.

The GBCSA’s ratings are determined by a building’s performance in a nine categories: management, indoor environmental quality, energy, transport, water, materials, land use and ecology, emissions, and innovation. Each category is divided into credits, which address the initiatives put in place to improve a building’s interior environmental performance.

A total of 81% of the waste produced during the construction of the interior project was diverted from landfill. All paints, coatings, sealants, adhesives and flooring have low VOC (volatile organic compounds), contributing to a healthy indoor air quality and the hot water heating for the club is processed through 100% heat recovery system associated with HVAC chiller. And finally, the club is in a prime location, with access to variety of amenities, public transport and bicycle racks for employees as well as visitors.

Virgin Active Collection Menlyn Maine is not only distinct from a design perspective, but now provides a healthy workout environment in which to achieve fitness goals.