Browsing by Author "Le Jeune, Karen"

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    A Case Study on the Viability of Electricity Generated from a Solar PV Installation as an Alternative or Supplement to Traditional Electricity Supply in Existing Buildings
    (2020) Jooste, Van Wyk; Le Jeune, Karen; Nurick, Saul
    This research study emphasizes the global responsibility and the importance of employing alternative sources of energy that are climate-friendly. It argues against coal-based energy creation and explains why it is not a long-term sustainable solution to the global energy demand. Many countries have embraced green energy initiatives and are adopting progressive strategies to limit its carbon footprint. The research explores and compares various methods of generating renewable energy and motivates the identification of solar energy as a suitable candidate to contribute on a much larger scale to the energy demand for South Africa and abroad. The paper further researches the history of solar energy, barriers preventing large scale implementation and the solutions to bridge those barriers. The aim of this paper is to determine to what extent technology has developed for small scale property owners to generate its own electricity supply from solar energy resources in South Africa and whether the supply generated would be sufficient to warrant consistent and uninterrupted flow compared to traditional coal-based energy resources. The cost of installation and maintenance of solar PV technology together with its financial return is investigated as well as the possibility to generate excess electricity that can be fed back into the grid. The result of the research sheds light on whether it makes financial sense to small scale building owners or managers to install a rooftop solar PV system to either generate its own stream of electricity supply or to merely supplement the traditional electricity supply from Eskom, the national electricity supplier. The research study chose to analyse a single case study and conducted semi~structured interviews with a number of stakeholders. The case study comprised a solar PV system that has been mounted on a rooftop of a building tenanted by a private school. The financial data from the installation in addition to qualitative data arrived at the conclusion that it is financially viable for building owners or managers to install a suitably sized PV system to supplement traditional electricity supply in existing buildings.
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    An investigation into the human capital perspective of project management – ensuring project success within selected financial organisations in Botswana
    (2021) Silo, Tawanda; Le Jeune, Karen
    Projects are an integral part of business growth. Ensuring that structures are put in place to allow for success is important within projects. However, projects can have different issues throughout execution, which include, project delays, poor conflict management processes and limited resourcing. Therefore, an investigation into the aforementioned areas to examine the impact they have on project success was deemed necessary for the research report. Based on the issues highlighted, the purpose of this study is to examine the views on project success and the impact of human capital on project success through the lens of three practicing project managers in selected financial services industry in Botswana. A multiple-case study framework has been developed in order to address the key issues being tackled in the study. Areas of exploration include an examination of key team roles and how they would apply in the context of the selected financial institutions as well as an examination of whether all of Belbin's key team roles are necessary in a team setup from the case studies. A look into how the project managers view project success as well as the constituents of success within the organisations they represent. Lastly, the study investigates the underpinnings of conflict management within their various organisations and how the navigate issues arising. Finally, an analysis of the results is done leading to the research findings and conclusions of the study.
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    A Critical Success Factor Framework for Implementing Sustainable Innovative and Affordable Housing: A Systematic Review and Bibliometric Analysis
    (2021-07-23) Moghayedi, Alireza; Awuzie, Bankole; Omotayo, Temitope; Le Jeune, Karen; Massyn, Mark; Ekpo, Christiana Okobi; Braune, Manfred; Byron, Paimaan
    The actualization of affordable housing remains a challenge. This challenge is exacerbated by the increasing societal demand for the incorporation of sustainability principles into such housing types to improve levels of occupant health and well-being whilst avouching the desired levels of affordability. Innovative technologies and practices have been described as beneficial to the effectuation of sustainable affordable housing. However, knowledge concerning the deployment of innovative technologies and practices in sustainable affordable housing (sustainable, innovative, affordable housing—SIAH) delivery remains nascent. Consequently, there is a lack of a common ontology among stakeholders concerning how to realize SIAH. This study aims to contribute toward the development of this body of knowledge through the establishment of the critical success factors (CSFs) for effective SIAH implementation. To achieve this objective, a systematic review and bibliometric analysis focusing on a juxtaposition of sustainable, innovative and affordable housing concepts was carried out based on the relevant literature. This led to the identification and clustering of CSFs for these housing concepts at individual levels and as a collective (SIAH). The findings of the study consisted of the establishment of four distinct yet interrelated facets through which SIAH can be achieved holistically, namely, housing design, house element, housing production method and housing technology. A total of 127 CSFs were found to be aligned to these facets, subsequently clustered, and conclusively used for the development of a SIAH CSF framework. The most frequently occurring CSFs with predominant interconnections were the utilization of energy-efficient systems/fittings, tenure security, a comfortable and healthy indoor environment, affordable housing price in relation to income and using water-efficient systems/fittings CSFs, and establishing the emergent SIAH CSF framework. The framework in this study is useful in the documentation of SIAH features for construction projects and further studies into SIAH CSFs.
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    Evaluating the adaptability of green buildings in the sustainability agenda in South Africa
    (2020) Ndiweni, Siduduzile; Le Jeune, Karen
    In South Africa, there is a growing awareness of green buildings because they are understood to be environmental sustainability. Yet at the same time building adaptability has the ability to provide sustainability to building structures because it enables ease of response to building user changes. The thrust of this study was to evaluate how much adaptability is incorporated in the design and construction of green buildings in order to minimize unnecessary building obsolescence and prevent the premature demolition of the structures. This is because demolition of buildings is wasteful and unsustainable, hence the importance of constructing adaptable green buildings. Building adaptability helps to preserve and prolong the lifespan of buildings thereby contributing to their long-term sustainability. A mixed method of a questionnaire and semi-structured interviews was used to investigate the phenomenon and to collect data from a sample of engineers, architects and sustainability consultants who are involved in the accreditation of green buildings. The study was limited to commercial office buildings that have a green star rating. The research indicated that, in general, most green buildings in South Africa are not designed and constructed with adaptability in mind. However, in the commercial office space, most of the buildings are constructed with some level of flexibility due to the fast pace nature of the business environment that requires that the interior building spaces be adaptable to change of use by different tenants. Findings from the research also indicated that, even though the current rating tools for green buildings used in South Africa do acknowledge some elements of building adaptability, the rating tools are generally silent on building adaptability as a whole. Consequently, efforts by engineers and architects to design adaptable green buildings are not fully recognised and rewarded for. The lack of incentive for designers to design adaptable buildings is one of the reasons why the concept of building adaptability has not been fully embraced as a design principle in the construction of green buildings in South Africa.
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    Gender narratives in the professional trajectories of women architects in South Africa
    (2023) Ellmann, Ann-Marie; Le Jeune, Karen
    In South Africa, women represent just over half of the population, yet in the architectural student body, more women are registered than men. However, in the professional realm, just over a quarter are female registered architects, of which only a fraction is black. This raises questions about what happens to young women architects as they enter their profession, as there is little information in South Africa about the possibility that they may face, as women. The research explores this possibility through engagement with the lived experiences of women architects who have been practising architecture for a minimum of five years. South Africa is a developing country and thus the role of the architect is important as a key role player in the development of its spaces. The architect is entrusted to represent and design for a diverse set of people to cater and provide solutions for the spaces they will occupy. A qualitative research study was undertaken, and in-depth one-on-one interviews were held with nine women practising architecture in South Africa. Thematic analysis was used to corral points of consensus, variation, and critical salience concerning the operation of gender as a dynamic within the data. The women, through sharing their experiences, supported the notion that being gendered as a woman as an identity is in competition with the identity of the architect. Both identities require long hours and a full-time commitment to live, eat, breathe. Compared to international studies, in South Africa this tension of gender and the professional identity in architecture has not been addressed, probably due to the emotive historical and political background of the country. The research study supports the findings in international literature that women architects often become community architects. Most women believed that an individualistic architectural identity was unattainable for a more Starchitect culture. The nine participants revealed that they endured the prescribed gendered script for “women” as a distraction and obstacle in their careers that left them exhausted. The current gendered script is a complex map that is integrated with intersectional aspects of age, position in society, position in career/company, access to opportunities of mentorship/sponsorship, grasping one's own understanding of gendering, and role player engagement in different contexts. Keywords: Women, narrative, experiences, architecture, architect, gendering, professional career, South Africa
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    Glass ceilings - a study into the barriers faced by aspiring professional black women in the South African Built Environment
    (2018) Mpemba, Nyasha; Le Jeune, Karen
    The purpose and inspiration behind this research was to outline the barriers faced and hurdles that aspiring professional black women in the South African Built Environment face. These hurdles usually occur as black women work towards climbing the corporate ladder and establishing careers within executive leadership positions, when compared to their male counterparts. The main research objectives of the study were to specifically determine generic barriers to the career advancement of professional black women in the South African Built Environment. The study was also meant to outline mechanisms used by women in the built environment professions to break through the above the glass ceiling that aspiring young black females below the glass ceilings should be aware of to break through the glass ceiling. As such the study was delimited to aspiring black women in the South African Built Environment. Literature review touched on various aspects that pertain barriers faced by aspiring professional black women in the South African Built Environment. Issues such as the factors that contribute to the glass ceiling as well as mechanism that can be used to overcome the glass ceilings were critically reviewed. The research methodology of the study comprised the use of a qualitative research approach with structured interviews being the main data collection instrument. Interviewees were drawn from a diversity of professions within the South African Built Environment. The main research findings established that the majority of interviewees were able to comprehend the essence to the BBBEE legislations as it pertains to them. The majority of interviewees underestimated the appeal of networking in improving career prospects of black women in the South African Built Environment. None of the interviewees expressed that they have black women as their mentor. There appeared to be mixed feelings with respect to maintaining a work-life balance upon getting married with some expressing that they expect no differences in their work schedules whilst others highlight that they will have to adjust. Practical implications derived from the study are that, for black women to effectively break the glass ceilings in the South African Built Environment, they have to pass the criteria for high potential designation and executive positions. This criterion includes issues such as the development of a strategic fit between the aspiring black women and the strategic and financial goals of the built environment.
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    Perception of quantity surveyors advising on building specifications to support sustainable building developments
    (2017) Koigi, Stephen; Le Jeune, Karen
    Purpose: This research investigates the role and perceptions of quantity surveyors experienced with sustainable building projects and how they are able contribute as well as influence designs to address sustainability issues on projects. Design: To determine the considerations that affect quantity surveyors' perceptions towards sustainability in the construction industry, a literature review was carried out. This was followed by the development of an online survey formed of both structured and semi-structured questions that were issued out to South African quantity surveyors. This study administers online surveys distributed online to quantity surveyors on the ASAQS and the Green Building Council database consisting of 1499 registered members and 59 members respectively. Furthermore, in depth interviews were carried out with four quantity surveyors who had experience with green building projects. Findings: South Africa is accustomed to traditional building methods and the adoption of and adaptation to alternative building techniques is challenging to implement in the industry. The main barriers to sustainable building designs were the perceived higher cost of the materials as well as the lack of training and knowledge consultants have on material choices. Quantity surveyors nevertheless regarded the early design stages of a construction project as an ideal avenue for contribution towards sustainable building designs. Based on interviews conducted, professional quantity surveyors with experience on green building projects were more likely to contribute towards sustainable building specifications due to lessons learnt and knowledge from previous projects. However, quantity surveyors believed they generally have little influence towards green building specifications as the client and architect have the final say on what is incorporated into a building. Practical implications: The research study has provided a greater understanding of the role played by cost consultants on sustainability projects and how they can provide value to clients on such projects. Conclusions and Recommendations: The research concludes that Quantity surveyors are aware that they play a minor role player on project teams when it comes to providing alternative building specifications. It was acknowledged that quantity surveyors have limited experience on sustainable technologies and that further training and education in this regard is essential for them to add value to projects. It is recommended that further research be undertaken to obtain a larger sample size to get a clearer view of the perception of quantity surveyors advising on building specifications to support sustainable building developments.
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    The profitability of green retrofitting the building envelope of commercial buildings in Cape Town
    (2017) Botha, Jaco; Le Jeune, Karen
    A notion exists that the operational savings stemming from Deep Energy Retrofits are not sufficient to justify its capital outlay. This notion has focused property developers' attention on the construction of new green buildings, rather than optimizing existing building stock. Producing new buildings, while many existing properties are utilized on a sub-optimal level, with low rental income and high vacancies is not only resource inefficient, but also contributes to a much greater carbon footprint. The aim of this research is to establish whether retrofitting is a viable means of optimizing energy consumption in buildings based on investment return. The literature reveals that the façade is the most significant variable in energy optimisation in buildings and concluded that over-cladding strategies are generally the most efficient means to reduce heat transfer and control lighting levels. The research have been conducted by means of a two tiered methodology involving a case study approach, along with an experimental design, which was conducted through a simulation. A hypothetical building, representative of Cape Town's building stock was modeled and a number of façade over-clad strategies simulated to derive the most optimal solution. The simulation is conducted in DOE Energy Plus and COMFEN GUI. Capital cost data was collected and compared to energy cost savings in order to determine payback values. It was found that over-clad strategies may be economically feasible, which delivered payback periods of between 5 and 19 years, depending on the strategy. A partial retrofit, involving only the East and West facades was found to be the most feasible from an investment point of view, where woven mesh screens delivered the best results.