High praise as UCT’s d-school Afrika recognised with fresh Green Star rating

The University of Cape Town’s (UCT) Hasso Plattner School of Design Thinking Afrika (d-school Afrika) has once again showed its world-class status with a second 6-Star Green Star rating, this time in the as-built category, from the Green Building Council South Africa (GBCSA).

Last year, the d-school Afrika received top recognition from the GBCSA in the design category. The rating was awarded after the GBCSA’s independent review of the completed project construction documentation, applying the Green Star Public and Education Building v1 standard.

The d-school Afrika remains the first academic building on the African continent to achieve this prestigious rating for new buildings, with the 6-Star Green Star designation representing “world leadership” in sustainability, according to the GBCSA.

Setting the bar for excellence

Reflecting on this rating, UCT Vice-Chancellor Professor Mosa Moshabela said, “This second 6-Star Green Star rating reinforces UCT’s commitment towards environmental sustainability. UCT continues to set the bar for excellence in green design, not just in Africa, but globally. This recognition is a testament to our vision of creating a future where sustainability is integral to every aspect of university life.”

The GBCSA defines “green” buildings as purposefully designed to benefit both the environment and the people who occupy them. These structures embody high-performance design principles and prioritise energy efficiency, resource conservation and the use of eco-friendly materials.

“A heartfelt congratulations to everyone involved in securing this as built certification of the building’s green credentials.”

The d-school Afrika’s repeated achievement aligns with UCT’s green building policy, which mandates that all new buildings on campus achieve a minimum 4-Star Green Star rating. This policy, updated in 2023, now includes refurbishments exceeding R20 million and sets specific energy- and water-efficiency targets. It supports UCT’s broader sustainability goals, including becoming a net-zero energy, carbon, water and waste-to-landfill campus by 2050 or sooner.

UCT’s director for environmental sustainability, Manfred Braune, reflected: “Achieving this second 6-Star Green Star rating is a wonderful demonstration of UCT’s sustained commitment to reducing its environmental footprint. The d-school Afrika not only serves as a model of green design but also functions as a living lab, where staff and students experience sustainability in action. A heartfelt congratulations to everyone involved in securing this as built certification of the building’s green credentials.”

Richard Perez, the founding director of the d-school Afrika, commented, “This achievement is a powerful affirmation of our dedication to sustainability and innovation. It exemplifies how design thinking cannot only inspire creative solutions but also make a tangible impact on the environment. Our d-school Afrika continues to lead by example, fostering a learning environment that prioritises both the planet and future generations.”

UCT’s commitment to green building design continues to gain momentum, with five GBCSA-certified buildings currently on its campuses. These include four 4-Star Green Star-rated facilities: the New Lecture Theatre on upper campus; the Graduate School of Business Conference Centre at Breakwater Campus; Avenue Road Residence on lower campus; and the Neville Alexander School of Education on middle campus.