See Cape Town’s first net zero carbon home at Green Point Park

Have your first experience of an entirely sustainable home at Green Point Park from 3 - 19 December

Last updated: Tuesday, 7 December 2021

Imagine living in a fully kitted-out home made entirely of shipping containers with a solar-power generator, a passive cooling system, a rainwater-harvesting system, and a food garden? This could be everyone's future in Cape Town by 2050. At Green Point Urban Park, you can walk through Cape Town's first full-size model of a net-zero carbon home at the My Clean Green Home Pop-up exhibition from 3 to 19 December, 10am to 4pm.

CAPE TOWN AIMS TO BE NET-ZERO BY 2030

The My Clean Green Home Pop-up exhibition is the work of a team of graduates who won first prize in Cape Town’s “clean green home” design competition. As part of the city’s fight against climate change, it’s aiming to be carbon neutral by 2050. It has also committed itself to ensuring that all new buildings will achieve net-zero carbon by 2030, according to former mayor Dan Plato.

Although net-zero carbon homes are challenging to create, the My Clean Green Pop-up Home showcases already existing technologies and building techniques that are becoming increasingly within reach for the average Cape Town household. 

HOMES ARE FITTED WITH ALL THE GADGETS

These compact homes are the epitome of the City's vision for its energy future, the City of Cape Town has stated. It's got everything a sustainable homeowner needs to ease their carbon footprint. The team used recycled wooden palettes all around the house to help keep it cool and shaded. On top of the roof are the solar PV panels and the solar water heater, which is the building’s only source of energy (this future-fit home is entirely off the grid).

There’s also a rainwater-harvesting system as you enter the home, with an edible-plant garden mounted onto the wall, an efficient use of space. It might be small and compact, but this net-zero carbon still looks and feels like a home.

This tiny, compact space made out of shipping containers has all the essentials of a home, with a cleverly spaced lounge, bedroom, kitchen, bathroom and a spacious courtyard at the back.

YOU DON’T NEED TO MOVE HOMES TO SAVE THE PLANET

Did you know, “buildings consume 38% of the city’s energy and generate 58% of its carbon emissions”? This is according to Cape Town Future Energy’s webpage, but you don’t need to pack up and move to a net-zero carbon home just yet. Even the smallest change in your daily life can help. Visit this exhibition at the Green Point Urban Park and find out nifty energy saving tips you can try at home. You can also take a virtual tour of The My Clean Green Home Pop-up exhibition online via thinklabgroup.com.

By Lisa Frew

---

FIND MORE UNIQUE PLACES TO VISIT AND THINGS TO DO

Between Newlands, Simons Town and Kalk Bay there are heaps of new places to try. 

What are your energy-saving weekend plans? 

Stay in another eco-friendly guest house and more unusual and quirky accommodation ideas.

---

Use our events section for an up-to-date overview of what’s happening in the city, ‘burbs and dorpies. Join our newsletter and get quick access on the go by adding us to your mobile home screen for the ultimate guide to discoveries in Cape Town.

Follow and like us on Twitter ❤ Facebook ❤ LinkedIn ❤ Instagram ❤ Pinterest for updates.