Soweto Hospital

Ultramodern eco-friendly hospital completed in Soweto

Now South Africa’s largest and fast-growing township has its own eco-friendly health-care facility right on the spot.

‘The budget was really tight,’ comments Dwayne Pienaar, MD of Aircycle Engineering, ‘but with help from Fourways Airconditioning, we accomplished it.’

The subject in question is the new Soweto Healthcare Hub, situated on Chris Hani Road near  Maponya Mall and the University of Johannesburg Soweto campus, and featuring state-of-the-art energy-efficient airconditioning.

‘We started design of the airconditioning system at the end of 2018 and completed it by February 2019. Installation then began and the total project was finished in December 2019.’

Energy-efficiency a key requirement

Co-developed by Annenberg Property Group and Terray and project managed by Terray, one of the key HVAC requirements of the building was energy efficiency.

‘Working in conjunction with Fourways Airconditioning, we designed 5 separate systems with 6 outdoor Samsung Heat Recovery DVM units. Alliance Package Units also supply pre-cooled fresh air while 2 Hydro units provide hot water at 55°C, utilising heat that would otherwise be wasted,’ says Pienaar.

53 indoor ducted Samsung units deliver cooled/heated air to the 3 floors, with the ground floor housing consulting rooms and a pathology laboratory. The first floor has a 24-bed day ward with 3 theatres and a procedure/scope room while a 34-bed psychiatric clinic occupies the second floor.

Technical assistance

‘Aircycle did the basic design then Fourways completed the drawings for us. Not only did Sello Ramatswi and others then work hard to help us come within budget, but Fourways’ technical staff were always available to assist as the installation proceeded. Their support system is excellent and technical back-up 100% – I can’t fault it.

‘Samsung’s DVM units with Heat Recovery are exceptionally energy efficient, and we are gratified that we have been able to accomplish the high standards set for us by the developer,’ concludes Pienaar.

The result is that Soweto now has a modern day-care private hospital right where it’s needed – with the additional bonus of an HVAC system designed to be both eco-friendly as well as energy efficient.

A significant step forward in the growing, bustling metropolis that is Soweto today.