GREEN BUILDING

(Editorial from Garden Route Investments December 2007)

The construction of a house usually starts with clearing of the site, generally carried out by a building contractor. Contractors invariably employ the 'scorched earth' policy to get the site as clean as possible and allow free movement. While this is logical, in many instances it is unnecessary and wasteful. Little care is taken with the topsoil which is often carted off the site and dumped or mixed with subsoil and clay. Green construction starts with a clearing, rescue and rehabilitation plan before a spade is put in the ground. A little time spent on environmental issues will save time and money, not to mention the fauna and flora, when it comes to the end of the project.

Below are photographs of two plots within a housing estate in Knysna. These large plots were both covered originally with fynbos and thicket vegetation. During 2007 they were cleared and developed with similar sized houses. The differences in approach however are enormous:

Plot 1 is an exceptionally clean and neat site. The down side is of course that there is no natural vegetation left. Apart from the total loss of flora and with it habitat for fauna and there are also other implications including:

• Major landscaping costs
• No privacy from road
• Possible loss of topsoil by erosion

Plot 2 was left as natural as possible with only a 1.5m building allowance around the footprint. All materials were stored within the footprint or on the driveway which was pre-cleared and securely taped off. The net result is an instant garden which can be added to with time.

Forty Degrees, in collaboration with Indigenous Gardens , are determined to build homes in the most environmentally friendly manner possible. This will pre-empt a time when construction in general will be governed by stricter rules and bye laws which must be put in place as we encroach ever further around our beautiful planet.

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