Ecolution Consulting is a green building firm committed to helping buildings and businesses become more sustainable. Founder and director André Harms has been in the green building industry for more than 10 years and, as an electro-mechanical engineer, has dedicated his career to greening buildings and neighbourhoods. One of Ecolution ‘s outstanding projects is Hotel Verde in Cape Town, which became the world’s first hotel to achieve a Double LEED Platinum certification and was the first in South Africa to earn a Green Star SA 6-Star Existing Building Performance rating. Its multiple sustainability award-winning Newinbosch Neighbourhood Estate in Stellenbosch is the highest-rated sustainable precinct in Africa. Such certifications demand high standards, integrating measures across energy, water, waste, indoor air quality, materials ecology and construction practices, creating healthier, more resilient buildings and communities. Ecolution also works with companies and municipalities to develop sustainability strategies. Green buildings are essential in today’s world, given that the industry contributes 38% of energy-related carbon emissions and uses about half of all extracted materials. The company reduces environmental impact by conserving energy, water and resources and cuts costs through greater efficiency. Ecolution believes that working in the green building sector is one of the most effective ways to address environmental issues while fostering social cohesion and resilience amid climate threats, helping to shape a sustainable future.
The greatest achievements
- Being at the forefront of projects that are not only firsts for the country and continent but have a ripple effect, for example, Hotel Verde, a building that sees thousands of people — both as guests and those who come for sustainability tours — and has inspired innovation in the industry.
- Knowing that our projects have saved millions of kilolitres of water, kWh of energy and diverted significant waste from landfill. That our buildings have provided better spaces for thousands of people to live, work and play in.
- To have a growing team and company culture where diversity is celebrated, and where team members are caring, effective and passionate about the difference we are making.
What advice would you give to future generations?
We need individual action and collective power, teamed with transformation from businesses big and small, as well as regulatory and policy change at governmental level. For systemic change to take place, we will need to tap into the power and collaboration of the people, from all walks of life, and from all corners of the world.