Nedbank opens new head office
Built at an estimated cost of N$495 million, the Nedbank Campus building - off Independence Avenue - now wears the crown of commercial real estate investments in Namibia with its striking design and innovative working environment.
“We are extremely proud to officially inaugurate Nedbank Namibia’s new headquarters, as it marks the beginning of an exciting chapter in the green bank’s storied history,” the bank's communications and PR manager Selma Kaulinge said.
“Not only does it represent a massive investment being ploughed back into Namibian-owned companies, but the Nedbank Campus building design also achieved a five-star Green Star design rating by the Green Building Council of South Africa, who performed the rating on behalf of the Green Building Council of Namibia.
“The design team submitted the as-built documentation to the Green Building Council in April. This is to obtain an as-built rating, which is based on what was actually constructed as opposed to the design. If Nedbank obtains this rating, it will be the first newly built six-star building in the country, and the only one in the Nedbank Group,” she added.
The green square mile
In June 2017, Nedbank Namibia acquired land at Freedom Plaza, on the corner of Reverend Michael Scott and Fidel Castro streets in the Windhoek CBD, to build its new headquarters. In September 2018, the conceptual design and budget for the building were approved, with a total of 6 253 design drawings issued.
“We are extremely pleased to note that 310 direct and 930 indirect jobs were created during the 886 610.8-man hours which were spent on the construction of the Nedbank Campus, especially during a time when the construction industry was facing massive difficulties,” Kaulinge said.
Consisting of 10 floors, including the ground floor, and five basement parking floors, the Nedbank Campus will house approximately 500 staff who previously worked at four different corporate locations.
Walking through the Nedbank Campus, one will see a carefully curated collection of Namibian art, with just under 100 original artworks created by Namibian artists including Ndasuunye ‘Papa’ Shikongeni and Hage Mukwendje as well as the late Tony Figueira and John Muafangejo.
Innovative efficiency
The building has energy-efficient air conditioning, 100% LED lighting and lighting control, and uses 45.5% less energy than a conventional building of similar size and function.
Meanwhile, by re-using grey water, harvesting rainwater and introducing water-saving sanitary fittings, it requires 45% less water from the municipal supply.
“Energy consumption is one of the most important aspects of the green rating system and requires intense focus on the quality of the indoor environment, including the amount of fresh air, external views, thermal comfort and noise output level,” Kaulinge said.
“The performance levels of energy, waste and water are regularly displayed on various screens around the building to foster awareness of the consumption levels to staff,” she added.
- Additional reporting by Nedbank Namibia
“We are extremely proud to officially inaugurate Nedbank Namibia’s new headquarters, as it marks the beginning of an exciting chapter in the green bank’s storied history,” the bank's communications and PR manager Selma Kaulinge said.
“Not only does it represent a massive investment being ploughed back into Namibian-owned companies, but the Nedbank Campus building design also achieved a five-star Green Star design rating by the Green Building Council of South Africa, who performed the rating on behalf of the Green Building Council of Namibia.
“The design team submitted the as-built documentation to the Green Building Council in April. This is to obtain an as-built rating, which is based on what was actually constructed as opposed to the design. If Nedbank obtains this rating, it will be the first newly built six-star building in the country, and the only one in the Nedbank Group,” she added.
The green square mile
In June 2017, Nedbank Namibia acquired land at Freedom Plaza, on the corner of Reverend Michael Scott and Fidel Castro streets in the Windhoek CBD, to build its new headquarters. In September 2018, the conceptual design and budget for the building were approved, with a total of 6 253 design drawings issued.
“We are extremely pleased to note that 310 direct and 930 indirect jobs were created during the 886 610.8-man hours which were spent on the construction of the Nedbank Campus, especially during a time when the construction industry was facing massive difficulties,” Kaulinge said.
Consisting of 10 floors, including the ground floor, and five basement parking floors, the Nedbank Campus will house approximately 500 staff who previously worked at four different corporate locations.
Walking through the Nedbank Campus, one will see a carefully curated collection of Namibian art, with just under 100 original artworks created by Namibian artists including Ndasuunye ‘Papa’ Shikongeni and Hage Mukwendje as well as the late Tony Figueira and John Muafangejo.
Innovative efficiency
The building has energy-efficient air conditioning, 100% LED lighting and lighting control, and uses 45.5% less energy than a conventional building of similar size and function.
Meanwhile, by re-using grey water, harvesting rainwater and introducing water-saving sanitary fittings, it requires 45% less water from the municipal supply.
“Energy consumption is one of the most important aspects of the green rating system and requires intense focus on the quality of the indoor environment, including the amount of fresh air, external views, thermal comfort and noise output level,” Kaulinge said.
“The performance levels of energy, waste and water are regularly displayed on various screens around the building to foster awareness of the consumption levels to staff,” she added.
- Additional reporting by Nedbank Namibia
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