– As told by Equilibrium Partners
The Genesis is a climate friendly luxury 30-unit apartment complex located in North Ridge, a prime area in Accra, the capital city of Ghana. The location holds a significant piece of Ghanaian history. It is where the late Theodosia Okoh, who designed the Ghana flag, called home. Today the Genesis is also symbolic of pride, wealth and celebration of black excellence. In honour of Okoh and the environment, symbolised by the green in the national flag, the Genesis is fitted with a number of green measures. The development received IFC EDGE Certification earlier in the year after meeting the required green standards.
EDGE (“Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiencies”), is a free software, a green building standard, and an international green building certification system developed by the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group. EDGE receives significant funding from UK Government and Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) and helps to identify the most practical solutions to build green in a fast, easy, and affordable way while considering the local baseline, which includes building codes, climatic data, and typical utility costs.
Among the green measures at the Genesis, the use of low-flow water fittings and naturally ventilated spaces helps the building reduce residents’ energy consumption by a quarter and water consumption by a third. In addition, the construction materials used require less than 50% of the energy needed to manufacture, transport and install to complete the development than those of similar construction projects in the area.
Cyril Tay, the managing partner of Equilibrium Partners, developers of the Genesis, expressed his excitement about the sustainable features of the development. “Equilibrium Partners prioritizes quality and sustainability by building according to the EDGE standard and are proud to honour Mrs. Theodosia Okoh and the entire Okoh family with the red, gold and black and a whole lot of green.” In November 2022, Equilibrium held a soft opening to celebrate not only a high-end residential complex, but an edifice symbolic of Ghanaian values and history. The site holds historic memories that will continue to be celebrated by new owners and inhabitants.
While it is all smiles and celebration, the project manager Isaac Ghartey-Wilson, recalls how the journey began. “The process was not as arduous as I feared. We made the decision to obtain EDGE certification after Sintali, a global certification services provider, made a presentation. Once we were convinced the investment was worth it, we contracted an EDGE Expert who saw to adequate documentation and submission of information requested for assessment. We submitted the actual documents, designs, data sheets for all the fixtures, fittings and our partner manufacturing companies and suppliers readily submitted all information required for the initial assessment. Once we got approval, we were issued a preliminary certificate.
What Equilibrium hopes to achieve with this certification is basically to be part of saving the planet. Equilibrium wants to be known as the real estate developer with a difference; one that is not just concerned about putting nice edifices and making profit but also ensuring that we are saving the environment and giving our clients value for money. We want to provide investors with units that are able to make cost savings in the long run through reduced energy consumption and reduced utility bills. Equilibrium wants to be known as a developer that has the end user and long-term running costs of the development in mind, as opposed to making a sales transaction and leaving the end user to bear the brunt of whatever design has been implemented. It is our aim to be part of the future and we see EDGE and green buildings as the future”, Ghartey- Wilson concluded assuredly.
