HVAC in Building Design Award
Vopak Terminal Lesedi Admin Building by Zutari for Vopak South Africa Developments in Joint Venture with Royal Vopak and Reatile Resources, Gauteng PROJECT TEAM
Principal Agent & Project Manager: Vopak South Africa Architects: Fokkema & Partners Architects (Netherlands), Messaris Wapenaar Cole Architects (South Africa) Main Contractor: Enza Construction Quantity Surveyor; Wet Services; Structural, Civil, Electrical, Mechanical & Fire Engineer: Zutari
V
opak South Africa
external temperatures are favourable. A
building and connected to multiple indoor
Developments (VSAD) – a
roof-mounted weather station is linked
heat recovery modules via refrigerant gas
joint venture between Royal
to the natural ventilation control system,
piping. The VRF heat recovery module will
Vopak and Reatile Resources
which locks out the windows when external
connect to the indoor evaporator units,
conditions are not favourable.
which will control the space temperature.
– is undertaking the development of a bulk storage facility known as the Vopak Terminal Lesedi, in Heidelberg, Gauteng.
There will be multiple openings at roof
The building’s glass façade will be equipped
level, which link airflow from various building
with performance glazing, complemented
zones on the ground- and first-floor spaces to
by design features that serve to shade the
an extensive range of environmentally
each staircase and atrium, creating a natural
building. Energy performance simulation
sustainable initiatives in line with the Green
stack effect. A mechanical outdoor air system
indicates an expected 173% reduction in
Star South Africa Office v1.1 certification
functions as a variable air volume system. As
energy consumption compared with a
tool from the Green Building Council of
the CO2 levels increase/decrease within the
notional SANS 204 compliant building.
modulate, causing the fresh-air-fan variable-
features such as appropriately zoned
The admin building design incorporates
South Africa. The building is designed with increased mechanical outdoor air rates in accordance with the Green Star requirements, as well as
individual rooms, the motorised dampers will speed drives to change frequency. A variable refrigerant flow (VRF) plant will
The holistic ‘green’ design includes lighting that automatically switches on and adjusts to suit natural light levels
with hopper windows that open upwards
be installed with heat recovery modules to
and occupancy, and on-site power
to the inside of the building. The windows
recover heat during intermediate seasons.
generation with a photovoltaic plant on
will be mechanically controlled by actuators
The VRF condensing units are to be located
the roof, essentially creating a net-zero-
linked to indoor temperature sensors when
in a plant room area on the first floor of the
power facility.
C E S A A o n E n g i n e e r i n g E x c e l l e n c e Aw a r d s 2 0 2 1
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