The 2024 Greenovate Awards has highlighted the remarkable ingenuity of South African university students in developing sustainable solutions for the built environment. This annual competition, a partnership between Growthpoint Properties (JSE: GRT) and the Green Building Council of South Africa (GBCSA), challenges students to address real-world obstacles in property and engineering with cutting-edge green thinking, says the duo.

This year's awards saw 23 students from eight universities participate, submitting projects that ranged from finding new uses for manganese mining by-products in construction materials to keeping buildings cool inside with biomimicry, the circular economy potential in the construction industry and even making 3D printing more environmentally sustainable, the duo adds. 

In the Engineering category, North-West University received top honours for a project on compact filament production for 3D printing. University of Cape Town (UCT) claimed second place with a project on termite-mound-inspired energy-saving building design, and Stellenbosch University took third with a solution that reduces traffic in the town, say Growthpoint Properties and the GBCSA.

The Property category saw Nelson Mandela University win the top spot with a project on carbon management implementation for quantity surveying professional practice and the University of Pretoria took second for exploring the role manganese mining by-products can play in sustainable property development. Two UCT teams took joint third place with their focus on the impacts of green building certification on different aspects of real estate, the duo adds.

The duo says that The International Finance Corporation (IFC) Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiency (EDGE) Award was presented to Nosipho Hadebe and Masego Mngomezulu from the University of Pretoria for their work on how timber construction in extreme conditions and remote locations impacts indoor air quality.

"In an industry with tremendous power for positive environmental impact that is seeking sustainability solutions, the creativity and passion of these students shines through," says Engelbert Binedell, Chief Operating Officer of Growthpoint Properties.

"Greenovate isn't just an awards programme — it's a catalyst, introducing top young talent to cutting-edge sustainability concepts and connecting them with industry visionaries. This is more than career development; Greenovate expands South Africa's green talent pool for Growthpoint, the property sector, the green building movement and country as a whole. The future of sustainable development starts here," Binedell adds.

"The Green Building Council South Africa is consistently proud to partner with Growthpoint in the Greenovate competition and awards. But more than that, we enjoy our participation as mentors and judges and being part of the celebration during the awards event. The students inspire us with their vision, enthusiasm and innovation. Greenovate is indeed a catalyst towards the actualisation of green jobs in an innovative green economy within the built environment," says Lisa Reynolds CEO, GBCSA.

The top three winners of both categories received a share of R142 000 in total prize money. Additional prizes included EDGE training and certification and tickets to the GBCSA Convention, which includes opportunities to present and showcase winning solutions, the duo says.

The duo adds that, advantageously, participants get access to valuable mentorship, networking opportunities and expert-led workshops. They gain access to knowledge and resources needed to turn their research into practical products or services for the property industry. This experience fosters lasting networks and partnerships among participants.

This year's mentors for the Property stream include:

  • Marlene Senne and Abigail Godsell of GBCSA
  • Iphendule Ndzipho and Hlologelo Manthose of WSP
  • Wardah Peters of Solid Green Consulting
  • Mapula Matlakala of African Bank, and
  • Siphesihle Mankahla of EPMO.

Engineering stream mentors include:

  • Alex Varughese of GBCSA
  • Mary Anne Fetcher of Zutari
  • Makhosazana Mthethwa and Thato Molapo of Solid Green Consulting
  • Tumanga Qholosha of Blackstone Design Consulting, and
  • Kutlwano Dikgwatlhe of Joburg Water.

The 2024 judges for the Property category include:

  • Tsholofelo Makgwa of the City of Tshwane
  • Jennifer Lombard of GBCSA
  • Kushinga Kambarami of IFC
  • Adrie Fourie of Solid Green, and
  • Brian Unsted of Liberty2Degrees.

Judges for the Engineering category include:

  • Mike Aldous of MPAMOT
  • Dash Coville of GBCSA
  • Werner van Antwerpen of Growthpoint Properties, and
  • Mischa Tessendorf of Attacq Limited.

The 2024 Greenovate Student Awards winners

Engineering Winners

  • First — Leon Uys, North-West University: Compact filament production plant for sustainable 3D printing.
  • Second — Jacqui Hully, University of Cape Town: Thermal design and analysis of termite-mound-inspired energy-saving buildings.
  • Third — Sebastiaan Whitward, Stellenbosch University: An optimist's solution to Stellenbosch's high influx of commuters.

Property Winners

  • First — Dylan Minaar, Nelson Mandela University: Exploring carbon management implementation for quantity surveying professional practice in South Africa.
  • Second — Liam Galloti and Neil Johnston, University of Pretoria: Exploring sustainable housing solutions in Hotazel using mining by-products.
  • Third — Oratile Masia and Mihlali Solombela, University of Cape Town: An examination of the impact of green certification on valuation variables and office real estate valuation determination.
  • Third — Paige Waberski and Kiah Wallace, University of Cape Town: The investigation into the impact of the Green Star Existing Building Performance (EBP) tool on the office real estate sector in South Africa.

IFC EDGE Prize — Nosipho Hadebe Masego Mngomezulu, University of Pretoria: Indoor environmental quality improvement through timber construction in extreme environments and remote locations.

Students from all South African universities are invited to participate in the Greenovate Awards and can register here.

For more information, visit www.growthpoint.co.za. You can also follow Growthpoint on Facebook, LinkedIn, or on Instagram.

*Image courtesy of contributor