Stats SA gets R1.4 billion eco-friendly building
PRETORIA: Statistics South Africa is expected to officially open its new state-of-the-art R1.4 billion building in the second week of September.
The new four-storey building has a 4-star Green star rating thanks to sustainable, environmentally-friendly features that use water and energy efficiently, and its construction materials.
The new building will also house 3 000 staff members and is equipped with 28 meeting rooms, nine boardrooms, a canteen and an auditorium.
A 24/7 data processing centre and a statistics training centre have been included in its long list of features.
The new offices are located near the Freedom Park cultural institution and museum in Salvokop, on government-owned land bordered by Koch and 6th Ave, as well as the Pretoria railway station.
An added bonus is that its situated within walking distance of public transport facilities such as the Pretoria Gautrain, Metrorail train station and bus station.
Various divisions within the country’s national statistical service have been operating from four buildings located in different parts of the capital city, two of which were located in the Tshwane city centre and one in Pretoria West.
The design of the building is in the shape of a drum with five “fingers” linked by an internal street and a separate data processing centre.
Trevor Oosterwyk, the communications manager at Stats SA, said the building was handed over yesterday.
He confirmed that it was ready for occupation and the only thing left was to relocate staff members and allocate them offices in the new building – a “daunting task”.
Oosterwyk said the relocation would have a huge logistical impact on Stats SA, but said he was certain the building would be officially opened in the second week of September.
He said he was happy about the handover because it would give staff members an opportunity to work under one roof.
The new building comprises a ground floor plus three further levels. It also includes the restoration of Nzasm Village.