Walls & Roofs Jnl 7/11 by Media in Africa

WINNER:

SAPOA Property Publication of the year 2010

VOL 12.7 OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2011 R38 incl. VAT

IN THIS ISSUE: Tiles for miles: 2011 Cersaie, tile fair overview

Steel Awards • Architecture with curves and curls • New energy efficiency building regulations

M U LT I P L E AWA R D W I N N I N G P U B L I C AT I O N

Contents

Volume 12 • Number 7 • 2011

Regulars

On the cover

|| SHOPFRONT 8

WINNER:

SAPOA Property Publication of the year 2010

The Safal Group is a major manufacturer and supplier of coated steel and roofing products in Eastern Africa. The company’s vision is to be the leading manufacturer and preferred supplier of unpainted as well as pre-painted aluminium-zinc coated coil. The Safal group is proud to use world-class processes that conform to environmental standards. In line with this commitment, the company is part of the silver founding members of the Green Building Council of South Africa (GBCSA). Every effort has been made to minimise resource consumption and the company has many processes that regenerate and recycle waste. Read more on page 43. VOL 12.7 OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2011 R38 incl. VAT

IN THIS ISSUE: Revolutionary drywall and ceiling equipment

Forward planning ensures discreet security

|| CONCEPTS & VISIONS 12 Architecture with curves and curls

|| GREEN DESIGN

Trends in the adhesives market • Home of the future • Innovative renovation projects

14 New standards on energy usage

|| Tech savvy 78 Zinc exterior transforms building

|| ARCHITECTIVES 84 Maintenance a key focus area for steel company

FEATURES

Trade Comment

|| CERSAIE & TILES 18 Feature: Miles of tiles 28 Hello Kitty cartoon now printed on tiles

|| Shading & sun control 38 Feature: The effect of sun control and shading 46 Sun-control products improve energy-efficiency

|| bricks, blocks & Retaining walls 52 Feature: The amazing concrete blocks 58 Feature: Clay bricks is sustainably

energy efficient

|| anti-pollution 70 Indoor air pollution: new product development

We attended the annual Steel Awards 2011. We were so proud to see how professionals favour the aesthetic appeal and transformability of steel into a glorious masterpiece. We would like to congratulate all the winners from the various categories on their professional and personal achievements. The awards really showcase what can be achieved with steel and we look forward to more exciting projects being delivered in steel in the next couple of years. Despite the possible “R” word (recession), Safal Steel has found the playing fields to be invigorating. Our sales are up and so is our capacity. The hard work of educating our customers about the benefits of aluminium-zinc technology and the fact that it’s locally produced is not over, but it’s amazing to start seeing the rewards. Steel as an architectural material is brilliant and with new technologies, more possibilities are being played out by using steel to make the project a reality. What makes steel really exciting, is seeing structures developed that wouldn’t have been possible in any other material. Steel also offer the opportunity to design structures that are light, liquid and conveys certain emotions. When creativity and CAD meets, steel becomes a living element exploding with potential. Even with technically challenging and fast track developments, designers still manage to achieve design excellence with technical innovation, in which steel plays its part. The future of coated steel is now here! Tammy Grove, Marketing officer Safal Steel (Pty) Ltd

WINNER: SAPOA Property Publication of the year.

FINALIST: PICA Awards 2010

Insights

publisher: Media in Africa (Pty) Ltd www.mediainafrica.co.za

from the editor

Another accolade for us! I am very proud announce that we have won another accolade for Walls&Roofs! This time we have palmed the Ceramics of Italy International Journalism Award 2011. I went to Italy in September to collect this prestigious international prize awarded every year. The article was chosen from over 170 entries submitted from 18 different countries. It is a very big honour for us to be part of a multi award winning magazine and I have to thank and congratulate my team for the hard work and effort they put into every issue. The magazine wouldn’t have become what it is today without the support of our clients and advertisers. I want to thank all of you who have journeyed with us for the past 12 years: you are part of our foundation and our life blood: this is for you also!

Miles of tiles This issue takes a look at the latest tile trends from Italy and other companies around the world as showcased at Cersaie, Italy 2011. Once again, natural looks are all the rage. Represented in different styles, colours and patterning, wood is juxtaposed by sculptural textures and glamorous geometrics. There was a nod to nostalgia with vintage – looking wall tiles. Brush strokes and painting finishes featured in certain tile designs. Cersaie in Italy is the launch pad for international tile trends worldwide: read our first hand review of this year’s show on pages 18 - 25.

Shading & sun control Shading and sun control products are becoming prolific on new local projects. A great system for South African conditions, architects are using the systems more and more. Material selection and application is crucial for a successful installation. As both a functional and aesthetic product, sun control and shading systems can deliver critical results in terms of energy and climate control inside the structure. It is important to use a reputable manufacturer and installer and include them in the design phase of the building to minimise costs and ensure the best design for the application. Read more in our feature on page 38.

Contact information: International: Tel +27 12 347 7530 • Fax +27 12 347 7523 E-mail walls@mediainafrica.co.za PO Box 25260, Monument Park, 0105, Republic of South Africa First Floor, Unit G, Castle Walk Corporate Park Cnr Nossob & Swakop Streets, Erasmuskloof Ext. 3 the WALLS & Roofs team: Editor: Marlene van Rooyen – 083 327 3746 marlene@mediainafrica.co.za Assistant Business Unit Manager: Alida Edwards – 082 325 6617 alida@mediainafrica.co.za Senior Key Accounts Consultant: Shayne Lessing – 082 945 5030 shayne@mediainafrica.co.za Publishing Manager: Liezel van der Merwe Founder: Schalk Burger (1943 – 2006) Business Unit Coordinator: Lorraine Coetzee lorraine@mediainafrica.co.za Journalist: Nichelle Lemmer – 072 209 2040 nichelle@mediainafrica.co.za Design & Layout: Ilze Janse van Rensburg Proofreader: Elizabeth Kruger Contributor: Dave Soons Financial Director: Fanie Venter Accountant: Gerda Bezuidenhout Debtors and Reception: Karin Roos Reception Assistant: Lizzy Mathibela Reproduction & Printing: Business Print Centre WALLS & Roofs focusses on the aesthetics of walls and roofs and technicalities pertaining to the aesthetics. Readers are welcome to contact us for any information. WALLS & Roofs is published six weekly by Media in Africa (Pty) Ltd. The views expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the editor or publisher. We accept no responsibility for the accuracy of information published.

Well, with Christmas around the corner, I want to wish all of you a very blessed Christmas and may you have a good rest over the feative season. See you again in January 2012!

Marlene van Rooyen

Get the latest product & trade info

Vol 12.7

online

free www.mediainafrica.co.za MULTIPLE AWARD WINNING PUBLICATION

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SHOPFRONT

Steel-wall framing

offers unlimited applications Light-gauge steel (LGS) wall framing is not new any more, not even in South Africa where this type of structure has been successfully used since 2002. What is new, however, is the variety of different applications LGS wall framing can be applied to. The diversity within which LGS is used in applications is on the increase. This type of construction complies with the LGS framing code (SANS517), as well as the new energy-efficiency code (SANS204).

Courtesy: All Africa Truss

Courtesy: Shallies cc

Courtesy: EcoTech Housing

Examples of successful LGS wall framing applications

LGS wall framing can be used in complete building projects where frame construction or modular wallpanel systems have to be applied. Advantages are that the speed of completion is increased, the accuracy of building is refined and insulation can be done with ease.

Courtesy: Wood services

It can also used in applications where additional floor space in double-storey or mezzanine floors in offices and warehouses are needed. Advantages are that weight on the existing structure is less and construction is completed faster.

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It can be used for infill panels in the application of residential and commercial projects. Advantages are that the project is completed faster and ease of modification for the future.

Courtesy: All Africa Truss

Courtesy: Gircas Engineering

MiTek Industries (Pty) Ltd Tel: 011 237 8700 E-mail: marketing@mitek.co.za Website: www.mitek.co.za

It can be used in facades and structures where buildings need renovation or for an upgrade of an existing structure. Advantages are easy installation of LGS and low weight of material.

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SHOPFRONT

ARCELOR MITTAL

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ARCELOR MITTAL

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SHOPFRONT

Forward planning ensures

discreet security

electing roller shutters as a “door” and/or security barrier provides the advantage that they can be completely concealed, keeping them out of sight when not needed. To ensure they are both unobtrusive and functional, however, requires forward planning as early as possible in the design and building process.

Roller-shutter doors are ideal for projects that seek to maximise beautiful views such as coastlines, mountain ranges or landscaped gardens. When the building is occupied, the shutters can be rolled up into the cavity, revealing the entire vista and giving the occupants a sense of space and openness. When required to do their primary job of securing the premises, the shutters can be lowered to completely cover the windows and doors of the building, leaving no vulnerable points for criminals to exploit. If automated, the task of closing up the building is made even easier. “We fit quiet, compact motors to automated units. They are wireless with a manual override in case of power failures, and we offer a wide range of convenient control options,” said Halgryn. Suitable projects for this product range from homes to commercial buildings, multi-media conference rooms requiring a complete blackout, retail outlets, access-control points and serving hatches of all descriptions.

Trellidor Rollerstyle aluminium shutters: “If we’re involved in the design of the doorway, the shutter box can be concealed into a wall cavity prepared by the builders. The shutter box is still accessible inside the recess for maintenance purposes, but is otherwise invisible,” explains Wayne Halgryn, Trellidor Rollerstyle’s project manager. To further ensure “seamless security”, the roller shutter’s guide channels are cut into the brickwork with no protrusions, and the shutters don’t require any floor space or bottom tracks, leaving the floor clear of obstructions.

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• Are lightweight and low maintenance. • Can be fully automated and linked to central control system. • Are custom-made to fit the opening. • Are guaranteed by Trellidor. • Assist with climate control and noise reduction.

Trellidor Rollerstyle Tel: 031 5827460 E-mail: enquiries@trellidor.co.za Website: www.trellidor.co.za

SHOPFRONT

The quest for truly great

South African architecture O ne only has to look around to notice that Georgian, Balinese and Tuscan architecture is enormously popular in South Africa. The current trend peaked in the mid 2000’s, when developers sought to create exclusive looking gated estates which were affordable to construct. The genre took off, and has changed our landscape for many years to come. Today, with dramatically improved technology, the consumer has the option of more cost-effective solutions like lightweight steel-frame construction (LSFC). The South African Institute of Steel Construction played an important role in ensuring that legislation opened the door to accommodate growth in the LSFC market. Johann Strey from Strey Architects in Pretoria believes that the more the industry is exposed to this method of construction, the greater the demand will be. He cites the example of an innovative residential development in Kyalami, in which 40% of the houses were constructed using lightweight steel construction – and were extremely well received by buyers.

Benefits of using steel roofs Metal roof sheeting offers a host of environmental benefits, such as excellent thermal properties and recyclability. It is also lightweight, cost-effective and durable. State-of-the-art steel coating technology, such as aluminium-zinc coating, which is now available in South Africa, resulted in the development of products that are far more superior from a corrosion protection point of view than products that were previously available in South Africa. The increased use of steel roofing is not limited to the residential market only. Safintra Roofing recently supplied the metal sheeting for a ground-breaking Government development, the Govan Mbeki

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Sport Centre in Port Elizabeth, designed by Adendorff Architects and Interiors. The project is showcased in this edition of Walls & Roofs as the second of the series in Safintra Roofing’s “Great South African Architecture” advertising campaign. In the project, metal roof sheeting was used extensively as an architectural design feature in both the roofing and cladding of the facility. This resulted in a practical development that is at the cutting edge of modern South African architecture. Gillian Adendorff of Adendorff Architects and Interiors says that due to the performance and cost-effectiveness of steel roof sheeting and in particular the Trimflute profile, which is unique to Safintra Roofing, they were able to deliver a cost saving on a budgetsensitive project. “We are delighted with the results.” Safintra Roofing will use their “Great South African Architecture” campaign to drive their cause in developing world-class South African architecture that is true to its roots and to the environment. “We are delighted with the projects we have embarked on as a result of our marketing campaign,” says Sally Stromnes, the national marketing manager of Safintra Roofing. “We are confident that the projects reflect the South African vernacular. It is also encouraging that the government is commissioning buildings which are a far cry from the drab old government buildings of yesteryear. We believe this trend will continue and grow.” Safintra Roofing & Steel Tel: 086 172 3542 Fax: 011 823 4288 E-mail: info@safintra.co.za Website: www.safintra.co.za

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Architecture with curves and curls

CONCEPTS & VISIONS

Frank Gehry’s amazing ability to push the boundaries, and cross the line between practicality and imagination, produced some of the most interesting and weird buildings of our time. His creations can be seen in most of the major cities of the world and are attributed to him without a doubt, because of his unique designs and significant style. Written by Nichelle Lemmer From humble beginnings

From mind to matter

It all began with a pipe dream when Frank took his first architecture courses on a hunch. He is listed on the Academy of Achievement website as an inspiring architect. According to the website, the teenage Gehry drove a delivery truck to support himself while taking a variety of courses at Los Angeles City College. At that time he became enthralled with the possibilities of the art, although at first he found himself hampered by his relative lack of skills as a draftsman. Sympathetic teachers and an early encounter with modernist architect Raphael Soriano confirmed his career choice. After he got the chance to explore his talents, he won scholarships to the University of Southern California and graduated in 1954 with a degree in architecture. This opened the door for Gehry to explore a new world. He first worked for a notable firm in Los Angeles and then he joined the army, after which he returned to the Big Apple. It was not long after he returned that Gehry got restless. This feeling drove him to work in Paris for a year. When he returned to Los Angeles in 1962, he established his own firm. During this period, Gehry worked in the established internasional style, but he was constantly drawn to avant-garde arts and sought out the company of various sculptures to explore this creative side. He began to redirect his architecture by fusing the Japanese and vernacular elements in his early work with the influence of painters and sculptors in a sophisticated manipulation of perceptively distorted shapes, sculptural masses molded by light and buildings that reveal their structures. He began to look for an opportunity to express his personal vision. Although Gehry built imaginative houses for a number of artist friends, including Ruscha, in the 1970s, for most of this decade his larger works were distinguished but relatively conventional buildings such as the Rouse Company headquarters in Columbia, and Santa Monica Place, a shopping mall.

The first signs of the creative genius that Gehry is currently known as emerged when he decided to rebuild his own house. This project was the beginning of Gehry’s outlet to his creative side. He transformed his standard house into a showplace that featured a radically new style of design for domestic buildings. His search for new architectural orders culminated in this design in which his existing Cape Cod house was surrounded and cut through by an addition clad in metal and glass. This new space was shot through with implied volumes created by skewed pieces of chain link, wood studs and glass. The wood construction of both the new and the old building was exposed, as were parts of the foundation and the roof. Gehry’s house attracted attention to his work and drove him to use more imaginative elements in his commercial work. From his sketches a series of public structures in and around Los Angeles was born in this era of his life, seen today as a testament to the evolutionary road he embarked on from there on. These designs marked his transformation to orthodox modernist practice that includes the Frances Goldwyn Branch Library in Hollywood, the California Aerospace Museum and the Loyola University Law School. A number of his works in this period featured the unusual decorative motif of a Formica fish, and he designed a number of lamps and other objects in the form of snakes and fishes. According to the website Greatbuildings.com, his architecture has undergone a marked evolution from the plywood and corrugated-metal vernacular of his early works to the distorted but pristine concrete of his later works. His works retain a deconstructed aesthetic that fits well with the increasingly disjointed culture to which they belong.

Famous Gehry designs Today Gehry is categorised as one of the most fearless architects after he showed that he was not afraid to experiment with curls and curves in designs. The Weisman Art Museum at the University of Minnesota, completed in 1990, was Gehry’s first monumental work in his own country, a billowing fantasy in brick and stainless steel.

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CONCEPTS & VISIONS

Weisman Art Museum According to the University of Minnesota, Gehry created a museum that is simultaneously accessible, functional and intriguing, as well as immediately identifiable as belonging to the world of art. His design for the Weisman Art Museum won him a prestigious Progressive Architecture Design Award in 1991. They chose him to design the museum because he has a particular concern for the ways people move through, and live and work comfortably in the spaces he has created. He insists that buildings address the context and culture of their sites.

Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao Gehry’s eagerness to incorporate an artistic style in his designs led to the creation of various extraordinary buildings, like the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao. To date this building that was completed in 1997 is one of his most spectacular designs. According to the Academy of Achievement website, Gehry first envisioned its form, like all his works, through a simple freestyle hand sketch, but breakthroughs in computer software enabled him to build in increasingly eccentric shapes, sweeping irregular curves that were the antithesis of the severely rectilinear international style. He was selected to design the museum after an architectural competition. He was already known for his use of unorthodox materials and inventive forms, and his sensitivity to the urban environment. Gehry’s proposal for the site on the Nervion River ultimately included features that embraced both the identity of the Guggenheim Museum and its new home in the Basque Country. The building’s glass atrium refers to the famous rotunda of Frank Lloyd Wright’s New York Guggenheim, and its largest gallery is traversed by Bilbao’s Puente de La Salve, a vehicular bridge serving as one of the main gateways to the city. His design for the 24 000m² Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao serves as an architectural landmark recognisable worldwide. The museum consists of a collection of interconnected blocks housing galleries, an auditorium, a restaurant, a museum store and administrative offices. These buildings have as their central focus a single architectural composition. With its towering roof, which is reminiscent of a metallic flower, the museum enlivens the riverfront and serves as a spectacular gateway to the city.

Walt Disney Concert Hall The year 2004 saw the long-awaited completion of the Walt Disney Concert Hall in downtown Los Angeles. The building opened with great public celebrations and immediately became the sprawling city’s landmark building. Although built after the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, the design actually predated it and featured similar panoply of exploding titanium. The splayed pipes of the hall’s massive pipe organ were liked by critics, but the public response was ecstatic. Gehry’s earlier experience building and renovating concert halls and amphitheatres paid off in a facility that not only attracted international attention with its striking appearance, but thrilled musicians and listeners with its acoustically brilliant interior.

His work continues Gehry will continue to inspire global communities with his work, as he works on international projects like designing his first residential project in Asia that will likely set a record for the highest rents in Hong Kong. The Opus Hong Kong will be located at 53 Stubbs Road in the city’s Peak area, one of its most expensive neighbourhoods. The cost of renting one of the 6 000 square-feet apartments in the 12-storey, 12-unit apartment building has not been set yet, but Swire Properties, the developers, has every expectation that it will break records. The building will be completed in 2014.

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GREEN DESIGN

New

standard

on energy usage in buildings to see the light of day

Energy usage in buildings now takes centre stage, as new regulations on energy-efficiency will be included in the National Building Regulations and Building Standards Act. The regulations will create opportunities for South Africa to reduce the energy usage of the buildings. Â Energy-efficiency in buildings can easily be achieved by introducing sensible and practical measures that save energy when new buildings are both designed and built. Written by Nichelle Lemmer

t is the responsibility of the National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications (NRCS), a new public entity responsible for the administration and maintenance of compulsory specifications and technical regulations in the interest of public safety, health, environmental protection and fair trade. This Regulating body, which has been instrumental in the development of the regulations, reports to the Minister of Trade and Industry, Dr Rob Davies and is behind the administration of the National Building Regulations and Building Standards Act to make sure that the building industry is on track when it comes to energy efficiency. The Minister of Trade and Industry promulgated these regulations in the government gazette of 9 September 2011 after which the regulations now become mandatory legislation. The requirements set within will have to be satisfied before a building

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plan application can be approved. This legislation will become effective on 10 November 2011. Building practitioners who cannot meet these requirements due to the fact that they are already busy with the development of the submission can apply to the local Authorities Building Control Officer for exemption from such legislation. This exemption period will cease to be available six months after the legislation being enacted. Â The regulations cannot stand alone and hence the SABS and their Technical Committee has developed South African National Standards (SANS) to provide solutions to the legislation. These standards provide one solution that will satisfy the requirements of the law.

New standards for energy usage in buildings published The new standard which will be used to regulate the energy usage in new buildings has recently been published, along with the revised SANS 204. The first section of the new standard, SANS 10400-X, is devoted to energy-efficiency in buildings, and is called SANS 10400-XA. SANS 204 was first introduced to the building industry in 2008 to slowly lead the industry into a period of

GREEN DESIGN

change, making sure that energy usage is reduced. Rudolf Opperman, a technical advisor for Architecture and the National Building Regulations at NRCS, gave a lecture on the impact of the new regulations at a recent Pretoria Institute for Architecture workshop.

revising SANS 204 and SANS 10400-XA. SANS 10400-XA specifies the requirements for compliance with Part-XA (energy usage) of the National Building Regulations. While the revised SANS 204 is not directly referred to in the National Building Regulations, it can be used to achieve a higher standard of energy-efficiency than

“A few years ago the building industry had easy access to ample cheap electricity. Builders could depend on adequate clean-water supply and reliable and effective waste removal.” He says the building industry has to move towards using more sustainable methods and designs due to the shortage of resources in South Africa. “A few years ago the building industry had easy access to ample cheap electricity. Builders could depend on adequate clean-water supply and reliable and effective waste removal.” Opperman is of the opinion that this changed drastically as access to electricity, clean water and effective waste removal is not certain anymore. “The country has to overcome various challenges in these sectors. The building industry can be part of the solution as huge amounts of energy can be saved if buildings are designed from the beginning to become more energy-efficient and environmentally-friendly.” According to him, building resources take up to 40% of energy usage and 17% of fresh water usage. “About 25% of the wood harvested and 40% of the material produced are attributed to the building industry.” He is of the opinion that South Africa can learn from the energy-efficiency regulations that Germany implemented in their building industry in 1980. “Germany had a shortage of energy that led to energy-usage regulations. After the regulations were implemented, the mindset of the industry and citizens changed and over time the regulations got stricter. Today houses in Germany produce electricity that is sold back to the national grid and exported to other European countries.”

How to use the new SANS 204 and SANS 10400-XA “The revised SANS 204 provides guidelines to achieve international best practice applicable to South Africa”, commented Lisa Reynolds, chairperson of the working group responsible for

set out in SANS 10400-XA. The levels in SANS 10400-XA will be raised slowly over a period of several years. Opperman explains that the first section of SANS 10400-X is called Sustainable Buildings and the first chapter is devoted to energy efficiency in buildings, and is hence named SANS 10400-XA. He says a SANS 10400-XB will cover water-efficiency in buildings and a SANS 10400-XC could cover the recycling of building materials are also additions to the standards that are planned for the future.

The first section of SANS 10400-X is called Sustainable Buildings and the first chapter is devoted to energy efficiency in buildings, and is hence named SANS 10400-XA. The standards provide the general requirements for energyefficiency. According to the approach used in the revised South African Building Regulations and the building code (SANS 10400 series), published in 2009, performance parameters are outlined first. These are then followed by the route to demonstrate compliance, either by rational design or deemed-to-satisfy rules. Opperman explains further that for the National Building Regulations to be applied, national standards (the SANS 10400 series) are necessary. These SANS 10400 standards are the minimum requirements of the regulations. “Meeting the requirements as set out in these standards will provide the user with one of three solutions to the mandatory regulatory requirement.” He says if the user just wants to comply with the act the deemed-to-satisfy route can be taken. “This means that the user will use the regulations by complying with the requirements.” He adds that if the user wants another way to incorporate creative design and comply with the regulations, two other routes can be followed. “The second way is for a competent person (as defined in the National Building Regulations) to provide a rational design and a third way to comply, is to obtain an agreement certificate stating that the building solution is fit for its purpose. Full acknowledgement and thanks are given to the SABS and NRCS for the information provided to write this article.

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rvi robertson ventilation industries

Ventilation system specialist operates through various divisions Robertson Ventilation Industries (RVI) is a specialist contractor who operates in the disciplines of • Smoke and fire ventilation, • Industrial ventilation, • sun shading & louvre systems, • Natural ventilation and window automation, • Service and maintenance. Robertson Ventilation Industries head office and manufacturing facility is based in Modderfontein, Johannesburg. RVI has branch offices in the Western Cape and Kwa-Zulu Natal.

Automatic Smoke and Heat Ventilation Systems The use of Automatic Smoke and Heat Ventilation Systems (SHEVS) in single storey buildings, shopping centres, office complexes, parking basements and atria has become widespread. Their value in reducing fire damage by preventing smoke logging, facilitating fire fighting, reducing roof space temperatures and retarding the lateral spread of smoke and fire is firmly established. The basic objective of Automatic Smoke and Heat Ventilation Systems (SHEVS) is to ensure that combustion products find an exit instead of spreading damage inside the building. If basic design parameters are adhered to, SHEVS can create and maintain a clear layer beneath the smoke.

The clear layer beneath the smoke will: • Aid in creating a means of escape for people trying to leave a building in an fire, by providing a smoke free ‘clear’ layer at a low level. • The clear layer will assist fighting fire by making it easier for Emergency services to locate and tackle the origin of the fire. • The ventilation system will also minimise damage to stock by reducing the spread of smoke and stopping the smoke from ultimately logging the building. This also reduces water damage by limiting the operation of sprinklers during the fire.

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RVI is the sole Sub-Saharan manufacturing-and distribution agent for Colt International, a world leader in the design and installation of smoke control systems. RVI is dedicated to the design, supply and installation of effective smoke control systems that that will perform in the event of an emergency. In accordance with this commitment RVI designs, supplies and installs smoke control systems that meet and satisfy the EN12101 smoke control product and design test standards stipulated in the South African National Standard; SANS 10400-T: 2011. Choosing the supplier of your smoke control system might be a question of life and death.

Architectural Solutions – Sun shading & Louvre Division Solar Shading and Sun Screening systems are an integral part of the 21st Century trend to design eco-friendly, habitable buildings for work or leisure. Modern sun shading systems are intelligently controlled and offer tremendous energy savings. Correctly installed, these systems can reduce the energy required for heating. The usage of lighting and air conditioning can be reduced by up to 40%. RVI Architectural Solutions is the division within Robertson Ventilation Industries (Pty) Ltd that focuses on the design, supply and installation of: • External Sun Shading and Screening systems • Internal Sun Shading and Screening systems • Ventilation Louvre systems • Screening Louvre systems • Acoustic louvre systems The company holds technology, manufacturing and distribution agreements with two of the largest international sun shading and architectural solution based companies: Colt International and Warema GmbH. RVI-Architectural Solutions has evolved into being one of South Africa’s leading external sun shading contractors; providing sun shading technology and the associated control systems required. With a vast array of both fixed and controllable solutions available from locally produced extrusions and components, to being able to select from Colt International’s worldwide

rvi robertson ventilation industries

subsidiaries, no challenge is too large or small for us to solve. Through its distribution agreement with Warema GmbH, RVI– Architectural Solutions is able to offer a wide range of internal sun shading solutions. These solutions extend from automated sun tracking venetian blinds to fully automated roller blinds.

Natural Ventilation Solutions (SE Controls) Ventilation is a critical factor in determining the environmental performance of buildings, from energy use to the health and comfort of occupants. With buildings currently consuming some 50% of all commercial energy and producing 50% of global carbon emissions, natural ventilation systems are leading the way for an eco-efficient and sustainable future. SE Controls, a division of RVI developed a tailored, natural ventilation system for any type of structure. Working with clients at the initial concept stage for new buildings and on retrospective design for refurbishment projects, RVI can deliver the complete package from planning to installation, commissioning and monitoring. Combining 25 years of experience in ventilation systems, window automation and facade technology, RVI’s aim is to ensure that low energy design and built-in natural ventilation principles are incorporated into every building from the outset. In this way they are at the forefront of the drive toward energy efficient, modern buildings designed to deliver a sustainable and healthy internal environment for generations to come.

Natural ventilation strategies provide air movement throughout buildings without the need for energy-hungry fans to drive the flow. Buoyancy driven flow is achieved through the intelligent use of natural forces to displace stale air or and or excessive heat. RVI recently installed a natural ventilation system at the new engineering block of the University of Pretoria. To achieve the optimum amount of natural ventilation when external temperature conditions are favourable the system was designed to automate the building’s windows via a managed BMS signal.

The SE Controls-manufactured OS2 control panel was selected and installed in the engineering block. It operates on a modular system allowing the occupant to manually activate the automatic opening ventilators on demand. This technology is relatively new to South Africa and has been designed to monitor internal and external conditions, to operate according to set parameters and to control the internal comfort for occupants. To achieve this, rain and wind sensors, thermostats, external and internal temperature sensors and various switches can be installed for additional control.

Service and Maintenance division Throughout its life, the building’s smoke control equipment must be fit for its purpose, properly maintained and tested. Compressors and electric control panels that act as the heart of the system should be checked regularly and thoroughly in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations. This requires specialist knowledge that is not normally within the scope of mainstream building services or facilities management companies. The best way to ensure functionality is to appoint a professional to guarantee your compliance with the service schedule requirements of your system and to ensure that changes in the building configuration or uses that could affect the original system design parameters are recognized and accommodated. RVI provides service of international standards. RVI offer a range of tailor made service and maintenance plans to meet your exact requirements. All customers that hold a valid Maintenance Agreement with RVI service and maintenance are eligible for the following benefits: • Scheduled preventative maintenance. • 24 hour emergency service desk facility. • Priority treatment for an enquiry. • A single point of contact for all maintenance enquiries. • The same engineer will be used to attend the same site, to ensure consistency of service, as far as it is practically possible. • Flexible working hours to suit customer’s needs. • Engineers report are provided and issued to the client upon the completion of each visit. This can also be issued to site personnel if required. • Pro-active system monitoring, 365 days of the year. Robertson Ventilation Industries (Pty) Ltd Tel: 011 608 4640 Fax: 011 608 4643 E-mail: info@robventind.co.za Website: www.robventind.co.za www.autospec.com

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CERSAIE & TILES feature

Miles of

tiles

showcase new designs on the market Written by Nichelle Lemmer

howstoppers, the latest technology, innovative designs and new trends â&#x20AC;&#x201C; all was revealed at the 2011 Cersaie, one of the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s biggest ceramic tile fairs that took place in Italy at the end of September. The event attracted more than 80 000 feet and created a platform for the global tile community to set new trends. The five-day show offered a unique opportunity for visitors to up their knowledge on the tile industry as an accurate overall picture of the market in more than 30 countries could be observed at the fair. It was much more than just a trade fair, as a feel of glitz and glamour upped the standards of the exhibitions that filled 176 000m2. Miles and miles of everything to do with tiles could be seen as companies and architects transformed the venue into the largest and most exciting showroom in the world.

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Attention to detail Some interesting trends surfaced during the fair, like the gold-and-black combination colour theme that featured in various designs. Bulging and tufted button designs can also be listed on the hot-trends list. These designs were all complemented by the use of different textures and shapes to show just how creative one can get when using tiles. The sky is the limit as flat-tile surfaces are not the standard anymore. 3D effects were incorporated in designs to play tricks on the eye with the use of indented or bulged tiles and complemented the retro feel of products that some designers wanted to create. Hexagon star-shaped coble lookalike tiles also featured in innovative designs that resulted in a zig-zag pattern effect when fitting the pieces together. Walking through the show also gave one the feeling of walking through time. Some exhibitors brought interesting vintage designs to the table, taking visitors back in time. Vintage-looking wall tiles included the button look, goldshine elements and patterns to forge a nostalgic finish. Instant satisfaction, a driving force behind customersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; perception today, also came into play as customisation of products to suit all the needs of clients was demonstrated at the show. This opens up a world of possibilities for designers and shoppers to find out just what makes them tick.

Natureâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s call The health and well-being of indoor dwellers, a hot topic on any market today, also surfaced in the tile market in the form of oriental designs and the increasing use of nature simulation. Tiles that make use of wood-like textures can now be found in various colours to have the best of both worlds. It is all about bringing the outside to the inside by flaunting flattering oriental patterns such as leaves, flowers or trees. Safe colours, such as the natural soft colours, will still sell as these colours offer a more conservative option to those customers who donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want to live on the edge of the latest decorative trends. Eco-friendly products showcased at the fair pointed out the need to minimize health risks by utilising antibacterial qualities in tiles. These anti-pollution qualities are developed using the latest technology to fill this gap in the market. Some tiles found at the show also contribute to sound-proofing a space. Microban, a stamp of approval for upholding antibacterial standards, could be found on various products in all sections of the show.

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Peronda Ceramics products, which are oozing style and sophistication, were on display at Cersaie

Products at the fair Art incorporated into tile collections Peronda Ceramics products, which are oozing style and sophistication, were on display at Cersaie, showing off their various tile collections. One of their ranges, the Roma collection, includes tiles in crema marfil, emperador, statuario and marquina to present a neoclassical architectural style. The combination of the various geometries of the base tiles and the multiple styles in the collection will allow customers to create spaces that can emulate a classical and a modern feel. Statuario marble is the inspiration behind Peronda’s Museum collection, developed to introduce a material that is superior to the raw material artists use to carve sculptures. This collection also includes a collage to create an iconographic representation of the sixties and seventies in recognition of images that have been forgotten but for their relevance will always be part of the collective culture. Peronda’s Harmony collection celebrates harmony and musical rhythm with decorative pieces that have

distinctive textures, volumes and diverse colours. Their Serenity collection is Peronda’s most romantic style as film, photography and paintings are weaved into these designs. The brush strokes of Renoir and Fragonard, this customary French style that is represented with care, is the basis upon which this collection of white body wall tiles has been created. The Foresta collection, one of the flagships of the brand, is further enhanced through the addition of timber. The different textures and tonal aspects one gets from deteriorating wood was the inspiration behind the designs incorporated in the collection. The nature theme is further accentuated by the inclusion of the Stone Passion collection in Peronda’s product range. In this collection all the stone-effect porcelain tiles were re-invented. Peronda explored the possibilities of stone designs to see if it can be shaped to suit design trends such as microchip a minimal in addition to the traditional rustic look. Continues on page 24

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the baobab tree: A symbol of growth and sustainability

arley Roofing recently launched a new look to go with their renewed vision for the future of the company. Their vision to dynamically preserve the future is symbolic in their objectives to create opportunities for growth. “The company has been a manufacturer and supplier of quality concrete roof tiles in sustainable building practices for more than 40 years in Southern Africa. We have been using innovative solutions to offer clients high-quality

products that also contribute to preserving the environment for future generations,” says the commercial manager of Marley Roofing. The suitable new pay-off line, “Dynamically preserving the future”, and the use of the South African baobab tree as a symbol show their commitment as a sustainable company that will be here for the long run. “Just like the baobab tree, which is synonymous with Africa and the continent, Marley roof tiles offer protection, security, durability and prestige.” As the leading concrete tile manufacturer, Marley Roofing has set its sights on the affordable housing market for growth, pioneering a total roofing solution to dramatically improve the standard of low-cost housing using concrete tiles. However, their determination to turn the industry on its head does not stop there and they continue to search for more opportunities in the market.

“At the end of the day, we want to provide high quality, affordable roofing in line with worldwide energy-saving products that are backed with quality management systems. ”

“Just like the baobab tree, which is synonymous with Africa and the continent, Marley roof tiles offer protection, security, durability and prestige.” 22

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Marley’s new state-of-the-art Greenfield tile operation in Cape Town was launched in 2008. The recent announcement by Etex, Marley Roofing’s holding company, regarding the acquirement of the European Lafarge Gypsum Division for more than 850-million euros stimulates an enthusiasm in their commitment and confidence in investing in the future. “We are working on new innovative and differentiating strategies to align ourselves with the Etex vision of going forward,” says the commercial manager, “At the end of the day, we want to provide high quality, affordable roofing in line with worldwide energy-saving products that are backed with quality management systems. ” With a string of accreditations and plans to move ahead in the roofing industry, customers can look forward to exciting times with Marley Roofing. Marley Roofing Products Tel: 011 316 2121 E-mail: olifants@marley.co.za Website: www.marleyroofing.co.za

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Innovation and design made possible by research The curtain falls and science is revealed as the creator behind various new innovative designs in the tile industry. The Department of Materials and Environmental Engineering at the University of Modena is one of the frontrunners in researching the possibilities that lie in ceramic tile surfaces. They push the boundaries by investing in projects for the design of new technologies in the industrial innovation in Italy, such as developing metalized glazed, intercolour and polygraph designs on ceramic surfaces. The institution is also part of a research programme to explore micronized pigments and digital technologies for the decoration of structured ceramic surfaces.

ABK

Left: New Country and New Vintage, two product lines of ABK, mark a new location in company research to signify a journey through moods, images, colours and emotions.

New Country is the representation of a chromatic and tridimensional language that expresses the bond between harmony and nature. This range is the result of meticulous research applied to four different collections called Patio, Puro, Ricordi and Contemporanea. The range is designed to renew the architectures of the past to recreate a natural feel in metropolitan houses. New Vintage is represented by two tile collections: Cabane and Aqua. These two collections are born out of the creative idea to retrieve a stylistic heritage of the past that will guide new trends.

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Pico collection Mutina’s Pico collection comes in three different coloured basis, namely Blanc, Gris and Terre. The tiles are composed of specific mineral mixtures that produce surfaces with real material depth. The shades have a matt finish with a sensual surface feel. The slightly irregular dotted texture is rounded with gentle surfaces that stand in contrast with extreme brightness and slickness of today’s coating materials. In this collection Mutina wanted to define a regular-irregular texture resulting in the declension of two relief surfaces: “Down” with sunken dots and “Up” with elevated dots. The collection was designed by the Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec.

Stage Rodolfo Dordoni is the designer behind Stage, a new tile collection for Mutina that captures the essence of material in copying it to be reproduced as a tile. Mutina says the patterns used for the tiles are not a reproduction of the material but rather an account of time, and tells a life-story of worn textures. Stage is presented in four colours, Sale, Sabbia, Polvere and Notte, and is available in three big modular slabs sizes.

Toile The idea from which the ceramics of the Toile collection, designed by Rodolfo Dordoni for Mutina, comes is extremely new and changes the surface into soft and exquisite weaving, offering extraordinary tactile and visual perceptions. It is an unstretched fabric whose softly irregular shadows create a surprising threedimensional effect and an unusually soft sensation. Tiles in the Toile collection are available in innovative wall covering sizes of 80x180 and 20x180 cm. The designs give a surface a sense of movement, almost in a natural continuous flow, aiming at modifying the perception of textiles such as ancient tapestry, baroque damask, eastern silk or simply fluid clay.

Ariana Stile Inspired by sophisticated, exotic marble, Stile is the new tile collection created by Ariana to lend personality, character and elegance to the bathroom in accordance with the latest trends in furnishing and design. Rather than creating surfaces with mere photographic reproductions of natural stone, the Ariana research laboratory has provided a modern reinterpretation in a new 25x60 cm size and four two-tone colour combinations, enhanced by various decorative proposals for an original, distinctive product. The first combination consists of Serpentino Miele and Arenaria Ambra that uses warm, delicate colours of elegant vein-cut marble to blend with the vibrant tones of marbles referred to as wood stone. Venato Avorio, a fascinating interpretation of Paonazzetto marble slabs in which the normally strongly pronounced veins are transformed into delicate colour transitions from white to beige, coordinates with Fior di Tabacco, characterised by a fairly uniform colour but with a wealth of details.

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CerSAIE & TILES ADVERTORIAL

All-in-One

tile adhesive

used at hollywood heights

ulti Construction Chemicals (MCC), a company which has been in the tiling industry for over 25 years, was approached with a challenging task. Augy Da Costa, the director of Hollywood Heights, required specialised products to renovate and convert 16 floors of Hollywood Heights office park in Hillbrow into apartments. His major concern was making each floor waterproof. Da Costa felt that conventional means of waterproofing such as slurry-sealed systems are often expensive and labour-intensive. MCC suggested using their all-in-one lightweight tile adhesive. This product was developed as a contractors’ solution that incorporates three main benefits, being an adhesive, grout and waterproof product.

Review of the product When Da Costa decided to renovate and convert the 16 floors of Hollywood Heights into apartments, one of his greatest concerns was the quality of the existing concrete used to construct the building. “I found that the concrete that was used appeared porous and allowed water spilt on the floors to run through the coffer floor slabs to the floor below.” He says this not only frustrated tenants, but also caused damage. According to Da Costa, an additive was added to the floor tile adhesive in the first phase of construction, which proved successful, but as baths were used in the bathrooms this was not a major issue. During the second phase, the management decided to replace the baths with showers. “Waterproofing became a serious issue,” Da Costa says. After examining the technical specifications of various waterproofing additives and adhesives, the all-in-one tile adhesive from MCC was found to be technically better than an additive to a tile adhesive.

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CerSAIE & TILES ADVERTORIAL

Benefits of using the all-in-one lightweight tile adhesive

Da Costa says the MCC adhesive product, All-In-One 500 Lightweight, was used successfully as it was not only easy to apply but helped with levelling the uneven floor screeds. “The product was also used as a tile grout, thus ensuring the waterproof quality of the tiled floors.” He added that before using this adhesive, the floors were thoroughly cleaned and MCC’s bonding liquid was applied for priming the floor prior to tiling. “We decided to raise the floor levels in our lobby areas by 8mm and put tiles on the existing tiles, using an MCC tile-on-tile rapid set product, which set in an hour and a half,” Da Costa says. He says the MCC products used together with the company’s back-up give him great confidence. “I achieved my goal of rendering the floors waterproof. I would not hesitate to recommend MCC’s products to anyone requiring them in terms of their specifications.”

• Save on labour costs. The new product line provides a substantial cost saving on labour expenses, as the tiling can be completed in one day rather than two to three days, which is the industry norm. Grouting can commence at the same time. • Added waterproof quality. Waterproofing products such as torchon and slurry-sealed systems are often very expensive and time consuming. Such systems are not necessary as the all-in-one adhesive is waterproof and can be used in interior and exterior conditions such as bathrooms, kitchens, patios and more. • Save on transport costs. The cost of transport becomes a challenge when transporting construction products to and from sites. Approximately 25% can be saved on transportation costs by using MCC’s lightweight tile adhesive as the product is packed in a 15kg bag that still delivers 3,5m² of adhesive and grout. • Other products within MCC’s range include concrete admixtures, curing compounds, various epoxies’ joint sealants, floor hardeners, concrete grouting and many more. MCC has branches in Gauteng, Polokwane, Rustenburg and Durban.

Multi Construction Chemicals Tel: 011 864 4654 Fax: 011 864 4406 E-mail: sales@mccsa.co.za Website: www.mccsa.co.za

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Perlage Limited Edition: an exclusively designed line with Swarovsky crystals.

School: A range developed using letters. Ideal for classrooms, school gyms and bathrooms.

Hello Kitty cartoon now printed on tiles

ie-hard Hello Kitty fans will be happy to know that they can buy tiles featuring their favourite cartoon character on ceramics. Gamma Due and Sanrio, owner of the brand, recently signed an international licence agreement that gave birth to the first collection of ceramic tiles in the world that will become part of ceramic surfaces for walls and floors. These tiles were on display at the 2011 Cersaie tile fair, where the range was officially launched at the Gamma Due exhibition. The tile collection is a coordinated wall and floor (monoporosa, white body) collection in size 20x20 realised in six glossy colours such as white, pink, red, avio-blue, grey

and black. The floor tiles have an anti-slip quality incorporated in the design. Hello Kitty is featured in 11 decorative lines, some of them simple and other more sophisticated, where Hello Kitty appears as damask, wallpaper or even enriched by Swarovski stones. For those who want to personalize their bathrooms or kitchens with an original touch, the pop-up tiles, also part of the range, are perfect. These are little ceramic tiles that could be easily laid on any surface with a strong bi-adhesive or even with a magnet.

Navy: Cheerful, lively, light-hearted, accented with fun beach scenes.

Damask: a glossy-matt effect enriched by accents of gold and platinum.

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For more information, go to www.gammadue.com or e-mail them at info@gammadue.com.

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Uncompromising Italian passion and precision at

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Cersaie

Imola President: Ferreiras Decor World attended the Cersaie 2011 Fair on invitation from leading Italian tile manufacturer Ceramica de Imola. Photographed with the President of Cooperativa Ceramica dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Imola, Mr. Stefano Bolognesi (centre), is Michele Bludnik, Overseas Department Area Manager of Cooperativa Ceramica dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Imola (left) and Jameel Hamid, Managing Executive of Iliad Africa Limited, Ceramics Division (right).

he worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s premier suppliers clustered together at Cersaie 2011, an enormous tile gallery, to preview the latest trends for 2012 - during this prestigious Italian tile fair hosted annually in Bologna. Jameel Hamid, Managing Executive of Iliad Africa Limited (Ceramics Division), and Sanet Shepperson, General Manager of Ferreiras Decor World, attended the event on invitation from Ceramica de Imola, a leading manufacturer in Italy. Ceramica de Imola began in 1846 and has been manufacturing ceramics in excess of 100 years. They observed that the high street fashion in floor coverings orbited mainly around the competence of the new digital print technology and recently enhanced large format porcelain tile products. High resolution digital print technology empowers manufacturers to design and manufacture porcelain tiles, impeccably imitating natural stone, wood and other materials. This revolutionary technology is used to create multiple prints within the same line of manufacture, enabling numerous different prints normally only found in natural marble, limestone, or natural wood flooring. The newly enhanced large format tiles exceed sizes previously difficult to produce without breaching accepted quality norms in curvature, flatness and size tolerance.

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2011 Recent improvements in technology have permitted the design and manufacture of both Glazed and Full Body porcelain tiles in the highly illusive formats of 900mmx900mm, 600mmx120mm and 1200mmx1200mm. In all of this, the uncompromising exacting standards- dictated by Italian passion and precision - are still upheld. The latest and trendiest fashions presented for 2012 could be summarized as ranging between minimalistic concrete surfaces in large format tiles (especially 90x90cm), high resolution digitally printed wood look tiles in the luxurious 20cm x 120cm format and the mock stone reproductions of Travertine, Onyx and Slate in 60cmx120cm. All these ranges will be available at Ferreiras Decor World in late 2011. Like it is experienced in the fine brands of Ferrari and Versace, Italian workmanship is largely uncompromising and this spirit is epitomized in the general manufacturing process. Like the Fashion week in Milan reflects global fashion trends, Cersaie adequately reflects international ceramic trends. With an array of suppliers presenting an assortment of products, Ferreiras Decor World especially enjoyed the depth - in both design and responsible manufacturing - from the following manufacturers:

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Gardenia (Italy)

Imola (Italy)

Gardenia is the principal manufacturer of the opulent VERSACE brand. They provide unique fashionable finishes for your home using slim technology that results in 3 mm thick porcelain tile products. Complete solutions with wall, floor and décor combinations are available in the Palace stone, Leather, and Onyx ranges. Ferreiras Decor World will be launching their new “Versace” showroom in late 2011 designed by Giuseppe Iannicelli, in conjunction with the Ferreiras Design Studio.

Manufacturing ceramics for over 100 years, Imola boasts a variety of products ranging from muted Taupe’s, Grays, and Ivories to innovative designs and sizes of 90cmx90cm and also the revered 120cm x 120cm. Their products are available in full body natural and lapatto (Semi-polished). A new introduction of Imitation stones - the Kalahari range, on a porcelain body in unique formats, added a refreshing perspective.

Krystal Ker (Italy) This manufacturer provides decadent, opulent and luxurious textures that your neighbours will envy. The entire range employs rich gold and stunning shades of black that dictate a feeling of wealth and aristocracy.

Portobello (Brazil) A modern introduction of minimalistic concept ranges like the Ecodiversa wood series and the Concrete texture Concretissyma Series in enhanced large formats featured as a show stopper. This is a range so diverse and relevant that Ferreiras Decor World will be attributing a booth exclusively to Portobello within their destination store located in Northriding, Johannesburg.

Newform (Italy) Newform is a faucet manufacturer that has blended innovative water saving technology and aesthetic design to produce diabolical ranges like the Morpho series. Recent collaborations between Newform and design faculties at leading tertiary institutions have yielded breath-taking new concepts and ideas to be launched in 2012. Ferreiras Tel: 011 699 3500 E-mail: info@ferreiras.co.za Website: www.ferreiras.co.za

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New website launched Tile Africa Contracts has launched its new website, www.tileafricacontracts.co.za, to keep the industry informed about the company’s latest product offerings and recent projects for which it supplies tiles and bathroom ware. The company is inviting construction industry professionals, including developers, architects, specifiers and designers, to visit the easy-to-navigate site.

n providing building industry professionals with quality products and a range of services to meet their project requirements, Tile Africa Contracts has a dedicated team that is involved from concept to completion to ensure design continuity and the success of projects, and its architectural and design consultants offer on-site technical advice and share their valued expertise. “Our new website makes it easy for you to submit an online request for our team to visit your site,” says Craig Irvine, national manager of Tile Africa Contracts. This leading tile supplier offers an extensive range of construction-related products and its methods of installation and the materials supplied are in line with local and international standards. Tile Africa Contracts is not limited to a core range of products when specifying for a project. Materials are sourced locally and overseas and the team researches specifications to find the most suitable products or comparable alternatives.

tool to share projects

and in return they’ll get exposure on our website. This is the ideal opportunity to introduce potential clients to your services,” says Irvine. “Photographs of recently completed projects can be submitted, regardless of whether you are an existing Tile Africa Contracts client, and will be posted together with your company details and a short description of the project on the Contracts’ Showcase page located on the site,” he says. A design gallery highlights past and current projects for which Tile Africa Contracts supplied tiles and bathroom ware. The website also facilitates subscription to the company’s e-newsletter Full Circle, which provides regular updates of new products and industry news. Tile Africa Contracts is currently supplying tiles for the refurbishment of rest camps in the Kruger National Park, new Boxer and Punch stores and continues to provide Interbau tiles for private, leisure and public-sports pools. The team recently supplied two Pick ’n Pay stores in Mauritius and three stores in Zambia and is proud to be associated with the new Pick ’n Pay Express stores located at selected BP fuel stations.

The website features a blog that functions as a networking tool and allows interested parties to share their project highlights and work with the rest of the industry. “We invite companies and practices to showcase their projects

Tile Africa Contracts Tel: 011 979 0327 Website: www.tileafricacontracts.co.za

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Tile Africa Contracts: a full-circle partner in walling and flooring

ile Africa Contracts is a full-circle partner and leads with experience and expertise in supplying tiles and bathroom ware for major developments around the country. From concept to completion, the team ensures design continuity and project success. “Our national footprint allows us to guarantee that tiles and bathroom ware are available in all nine provinces for all types of developments,” says Craig Irvine, national manager of Tile Africa Contracts. A key contact person is involved in each project to provide on-site technical advice and after-sales service. Customers can also use the help of architectural and design consultants who offer their expertise from start to finish. Tile Africa Contracts recently supplied tiles and bathroom ware for House Brown in the Serengeti Golf and Wildlife Estate in Kempton Park. Tiles varying in colour, texture and size were used for the different areas in the house. Mosaics were cleverly incorporated to accentuate design features in the kitchen and bathrooms. New York beige 400x400mm glazed porcelain tiles were supplied for the kitchen walls and a travertine classic noce mosaic creates an accent wall. The bathrooms feature rustic combo mosaics to draw attention to key elements such as a shower and the windowsill above a basin. Mosaics aren’t restricted to walls – honed Emperador Botticino marble mosaics were used on the floor underneath a free-standing bath and on the ledge behind the bath to draw one’s eye towards this standout bath. A tile that imitates wood, Ligni porcelain was used to build a bath-box in another bathroom. Materials are sourced locally and overseas to make sure that Tile Africa Contracts provides the best deal. They research all the desired specifications methodically to find the most suitable products or comparable alternatives for each customer. The company also uses methods of installation and materials that are in line with local and international standards. Tile Africa Contracts is equipped to supply tiles for very specific sites, from highly technical products such as flooring for breweries, food manufacturing plants and hospitals, to aesthetically-pleasing tiles for shopping centres, corporate office parks and residential developments. Tile Africa Contracts Tel: 011 979 0327 Website: www.tileafricacontracts.co.za

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Tile fair gains international appeal Statistics revealed at the 2011 Cersiae in Italy points to the show as the world leaders in the field of ceramic-tile and bathroomfurnishing trade fairs. The entire floor space at the Bologna Exhibition Centre was sold out five months before the event. A total of 965 exhibitors from 31 countries flocked to the fair. This included 265 non-Italian companies.

Numbers don’t lie Admissions to the event was diligently counted and 113 165 people visited the show, an improvement of 0,8% when compared

to last year’s figures. This figure was calculated by counting the number of visitors actually present inside the exhibition centre and includes re-entries on subsequent days. The number of international attendees rose from 43 939 to 45 616, while the numbers of paying visitors increased by 5%. The figure for Italian attendees dropped by almost 900 (-1,4%) to 64 132. Cersaie also confirmed its international appeal, with nonItalian visitors now accounting for 40% of the total attendance. First entries at Cersaie totalled to 81 552. This figure, which shows a small 2% reduction compared to last year’s 83 286 attendees, confirms an increase in numbers of international attendees and a fall in numbers of Italians due to the well-known difficulties in the domestic building sector.

Tile adhesives uphold high standards TAL, a division of Norcros SA, offers an extensive range of products, suitable for any tiling application, including readymixed adhesives for wall applications. “With 40 years of experience in the industry, we are experts in the tiling field,” says Marius Botha, inland sales manager at TAL. Having pioneered every type of tile-fixing adhesive on the local market, TAL is a one-stop shop to stock up on locally manufactured tiling products that are specially formulated for local conditions. TAL Flex is a thin-bed paste adhesive that is ready to use for fixing lightweight tiles to flexible surfaces and partition walling. It has an immediate tile-grip quality that minimises tile slump. The product is ideal for fixing lightweight tiles in upside-down tiling found at windows and doorway arches. TAL Flex is suitable for interior and exterior use, but should not be used in extreme wet conditions or on floors. TAL Super is a thin-bed, ready-to-use paste adhesive that has high-strength qualities and is specially formulated for fixing lightweight ceramic wall tiles in dry interior applications. It is not suitable for use in wet or exterior conditions, or for floor tiling. For wet areas, depending on the wall surface area and tiles

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being used, TAL recommends the use of a cementitious adhesive in which TAL Bond is used. Replace the water used in the mix with this latex additive. TAL Flex and TAL Super are now available in newly designed buckets to simplify the product-selection process for tiling contractors. Customers always have access to the company’s highly qualified and experienced advisory staff. They offer telephonic and on-site technical advice on any aspect regarding tiling installation. When required, calls are followed up with a freeof-charge detailed material and methods specification, specific to the installation. TAL is certified as an ISO 9001:2008 quality management system and their products are designed, manufactured and tested to TAL standards, assuring customers that products will perform to specification. TAL (a division of Norcros SA) Tel: 0860 000(TAL) 825 E-mail: taltech@norcrossa.com Website: www.tal.co.za www.autospec.com

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Rescuing the Van Staden’s Bridge in Port Elizabeth

A concrete column going under water.

Sika has gained an enviable reputation for innovation and consistency when it comes to maintenance and repair of large structures, so it was no surprise when Aurecon specified various Sika products for the maintenance of the Van Staden’s River Pipe Bridge in Port Elizabeth.

Bonding used for the Monotop-612 was SikaTop Armatec 110 EpoCem, a cement-based, epoxy-modified, three-component, anticorrosion coating and bonding agent. Sikagard-706W Thixo, a silane-based, migrating pore-penetrant cream, was applied to the old concrete as a water-repellent impregnation (hydrophobic treatment). This product is used for the protection of reinforced concrete, such as concrete in civil engineering structures subjected to chloride attack in marine environments, offering a non-sag consistency, allowing wastage-free application of sufficient he Nelson Mandela Metro Municipality retained the quantities and assuring deep penetration. services of contractors Stefanutti Stocks for this project, Sikagard-550W Elastic was painted over the concrete once the where the disrepair and damage that had occurred repairs were completed. This plasto-elastic protective coating over several years were confronted. based on UV-curing acrylic dispersion has excellent crack-bridging One of the challenges facing the contactors was that the properties, even at temperatures below 0°C. columns that the bridge was resting on It is used for protection against chloride were below the waterline. This was the and carbonation attack and the enhancement area that was in need of attention, so in of concrete structures, especially exposed order to reach these four metres below concrete surfaces with a risk of cracking. the waterline, watertight metal casings SikaGrout-212 – a high-performance were constructed (welded) around the cementitious grout – was used for bulk repair concrete columns. Thereafter the water areas of the bridge. It offers an adjustable was pumped out to enable workers to do consistency, very good flow characteristics, the required repairs. rapid strength development and high final Sika Monotop-612 was used as the strengths, and it expands by gas generation repair mortar for the concrete columns. Sika confronted the disrepair and damage that had occurred whilst in the liquid state of curing and is nonover several years on the Van Staden’s Bridge. This cementitious, polymer-modified, corrosive. low-permeability mortar, containing silica With Sika’s advanced-performance fume and synthetic fibre reinforcement, is designed as a highproducts used as the antidote for adverse effects caused by wear strength repair and reprofiling system for concrete substrates. and tear and climactic conditions, the Van Staden’s River Pipe It is particularly suitable for application on overhead and Bridge should still be standing in 100 years’ time. vertical surfaces using the wet-spray method and can also be placed by hand. Sika Monotop-612 offers excellent workability Sika South Africa characteristics with an adjustable consistency and superb Tel: 031 792 6500 slump resistance. It also provides good mechanical strength E-mail: headoffice@za.sika.com and resistance to water and chloride penetration, and is easily Website: www.sika.co.za sprayable in layer thickness of up to 30mm. www.autospec.com

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Solar Shading Indistries

shading & sun control feature

The effect of sun control and shading on your building

While few design professionals need to be convinced about the benefits of natural lighting, passive design and sun control, it would be safe to say that some of our colleagues in the industry might still need a few pointers on what sun control and shading products should look like on a building (and how to perfect the functionality of these extremely relevant products).

“S

hading devices can have a dramatic impact on building appearance. This impact can be done for the better or for the worse. The earlier in the design process that shading devices are considered, the more likely they are to be attractive and well-integrated in the overall architecture of the project,” advises the Whole Building Design Guide. Walls & Roofs Magazine takes a look at some great – and not so great – projects around the world. We also look at some new products on the market and speak to industry professionals who can give tips on getting the job done right the first time.

Cathelco’s UK headquarters The UK headquarters of Cathelco Ltd was designed by acclaimed architects Beaumont and Cowling, and encompass the technical expertise of Shueco’s Aluminium Louvre Blades (ALB) passive solar shading system.

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The ALB solar shading system spans the building’s glazed atrium with a curved central roof section and the system uses static blades for shade. The glazed foyer prevents the build-up of excessive internal heat and permits natural, unobtrusive daylight to penetrate the building. The curved roof-glazing system beneath the blades is the FW 50+ SG system. The vertical facade of the entrance was constructed using the FW 50+ system, and features numerous AW 65 windows and RS 65 doors. One of the striking features is the ALB active, motorised shading system mounted in front of the south-facing wall of the reception area. The movable blades of the system allow it to be adjusted to let in more or less daylight, depending on the position of the sun in different seasons of the year. This means in summer time the louvre blades can be completely closed to provide full shading from the sun. In winter months the blades can be steadily opened to allow better light penetration and solar radiation, in this way helping to build on the building’s overall energy balance.

The Beehive in Wellington, which forms part of New Zealand’s parliament building, is home to New Zealand’s executive elite. This building, however, has been on the receiving end of many of New Zealand’s disdain and scorn, being voted the third ugliest building in the world according to a popular tourist website. The building is not only the headquarters of the New Zealand government, but it also houses the cabinet room, the Prime Minister’s offices and rooms for cabinet ministers and staff. First completed in 1981, the building’s name derives from its unusual architectural shape – which emulates a beehive, standing more than 70 meters proud. After the unceremonious burning down of the New Zealand parliament in 1907, a competition to design a new parliament for New Zealand was held, and it was won by John Campbell – the chief government architect. Nigel S Roberts, a professor in political science at Victoria University, says: “Nevertheless, the edifice that was built and which still serves as the parliament today is an impressive (if not altogether grand) building sometimes described as ‘Edwardian neo-classical’.”

Parliament of New Zealand, Wellington

Below: The Beehive building, which forms part of New Zealand’s parliament building, has been voted the third ugliest building in the world according to a popular tourist website. Pic source: http://thethirstynomad.files.wordpress.com Above, left: Various louvres have been installed at the Beehive Parliament of New Zealand. Pic source: http://blogs.furman.edu

Sir Basil Spence, who is considered as one of the world’s best known architects for his design of the new Coventry Cathedral, was contracted to design extensions to the New Zealand parliament. The 14-storey building, of which two storeys are below ground surface, remains a hot cultural point of derision in the country. Colt solar shading systems Int. installed various types of louvre sun-shading types on the building, including the 1UL/SH louvre around the soffit at the top of the building. Above the joining bridge, copper “C”-shaped 1ul/DH installations are strategically installed. 25 Proteus-75 panels were installed around the base of the building for a multipurpose modern and practical appeal.

Dynamic sun control Roughly a year ago, Hunter Douglas launched Dynamic Sun Control, a revolutionary new motorised system designed for solar shading.

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Above: The Chamber of Commerce in Dresden, Germany. Pic Source: www.wikimedia.org

Dynamic finds its inspiration from the Venetian blind design which has been around for more than two centuries. Hunter Douglas had put its own stamp on it and guided it to a new level. The new automated external sun-control system makes use of the patented Tilt’nStack technology, which enables the louvre fins to fully open and close, as well as to rotate and stack as required. No other system in the world allows for this level of movement while working jointly with a building’s computer management system. Andre Lee, general manager of Hunter Douglas Sun Control & Facades in the UK and Ireland, said: “Other motorised sun-louvre systems exist, but there’s nothing that compares to Dynamic in terms of flexibility and control. It is the ultimate solution to the need for a sustainable, strong and flexible architectural sun-control product.” Externally mounted sensors are incorporated in Dynamic’s design that moves the louvre fins according to the sun path and wind speed. Building occupants can also override controls from inside the building. The Dynamic Sun Control system is manufactured from fully recyclable aluminium, making it a truly green solution.

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Chamber of Commerce in Dresden, Germany Dresden’s new Chamber of Commerce building, the Hanwerkskammer, found its development in two phases: The refurbishment of the existing three-storey building originating from the 1970s, and the second being the building of a new underground car park, completed with a four-storey administration building. The building necessitated a solar-shading system which would utilise natural daylight to its best benefit, while at the same time reducing glare and lowering air-conditioning costs. To top the design off, the building’s aesthetic appeal needed to be complemented as well. Subsequently a Solarfin shading system was installed, consisting of 73m2 of fixed louvre and 131m2 of controllable louvre. The Solarfin shading system offers wind and weather resistance while minimising glare from the sun and offering optimum shading. It reduces solar-heat gain and lowers air-conditioning running costs. It also maximises the use of natural daylight.

shading & sun control feature

The principle components of the Solarfin system are manufactured from extruded aluminium alloy with stainless steel fixings. Its controllable fins can pivot through 120 degrees, enabling it to track the path of the sun. On dull days, installed light sensors operate to fully open the fins, allowing people inside the Chamber of Commerce building a full view of the outside at all times. The Chamber of Commerce building’s reinvention covered the change of the three-storey building being reinforced with concrete skeletons from the seventies starting in 1999, and in 2004 finished with the building of a new four-floor administration building and underground parking.

3 Exchange Place, Edinburgh A unique Edinburgh building with a high green rating is the result of Levolux’s high-concept design. The solar-shading system aided Scottish Widows’ third building in its Exchange Place development in achieving its BREEAM and B+ EPC rating. Query: What does BREEAM, B+ and EPC stand for? The building features a custommade solar-shading system among other eye-catching energyefficient features. The £60-million development takes up 201 000 square feet of premium office space. The building is clad with solar shading facing the sun, with some 40 laminated glass fins to prevent excessive solar-heat gain, circumventing the need for simulated cooling. The building is kitted out with ventilation louvers to provide aeration to plant-room areas situated between the first and fourth floor. The installed solar-shading system encompasses 1 060 Accoya timber fins, an extensive Matrix XL Brise Soleil, fitted to exposed elevations. Together with the laminated glass fins, these elements combine to effectively shade-fixed areas on each of the building’s five floors, preventing disproportionate solar-heat gain inside the building.

The building’s design emphasises the need to maintain a comfortable internal environment in a naturally aerated building, while circumventing the need for artificial cooling or airconditioning equipment. In harmony with the overall scheme of the building, ventilation louvres were installed to plant-room areas north and west of the elevations. These ventilation louvres combine more than 41 meters and a height of up to 3,1 metres. The Accoya timber used on the project was sustainably sourced to ensure minimal impact to the environment. Due to its intrinsic quality, structural constancy and robustness, developers were able to offer a tenyear warranty on the finish applied to the solar-shading system. 3 Exchange Place, with its customised solar-shading system and attractive ventilation louvres, has become one of Edinburgh’s best examples of eco-building technology in practice today.

Shading devices: orientation typology and material A professor at the Department of Architecture and Construction, School of Civil Engineering, Architecture and Urban Planning

Above: Exchange Place in Edinburgh. Pic source: www.homeexchangeguru.com

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at the State University of Campinas in São Paulo, Brazil, Lucila Chebel Labaki, and doctoral student/architect and master of civil engineering, Grace Cristina Roel Gutierrez, have written an article entitled An Experimental Study of Shading Devices: Orientation Typology and Material (available at www.ornl.gov). In this article, Labaki and Gutierrez describe an experimental study about thermal performance of different fixed shading devices. The investigated devices were horizontal louvres, vertical fins and eggcrate typologies, made of concrete and wood, fixed on north and west exposures. Results show the relation of orientation, typology and material of the devices in test. The most significant response was the horizontal concrete louvre on the north facade. In spite of the good insulation properties of wood, the concrete devices presented the best results.

Tips on getting it right Walls & Roofs spoke to Luigi Zito, General Manager of Hunter Douglas South Africa (Architectural Division), to get more information on sun control and shading products and applications in South Africa. Are there enough architects in South Africa who are specifying solar-shading systems? “The majority of architects have an understanding and appreciation for sun control. The climatic conditions in Southern Africa are as such that energy saving and building comfort are priorities for the design and client needs. As a finishing product it can fall victim to budget overruns, and in most cases, this is inevitably dealt with as a retrofit at a late stage. The architect considers the balance of functionality and aesthetics, but what is critical is the correct choice of material,” says Zito. How does South Africa’s climate affect the sun-control options that architects are able to use? “The Southern Hemisphere is ideal for the introduction of sun control as it is evident when one visits South America, Australia and Southern Africa. The climatic conditions of South Africa render impossible to exclude sun control from the design it in most projects. The orientation of buildings and elevations can determine the ideal choice of sun shading options, as indeed the application of the products, namely, horizontally or vertically fixed shading systems. On consultation, we would identify the needs of the client and recommend a solution based on functionality, aesthetics and budget criteria,” says Zito.

Pay-off between solar radiation and aesthetics The use of new materials and constructive technologies by modern architecture transformed the aesthetic and functional aspects. There was a new building design concept: skinskeleton building, envelope and structure had become dissociated. “This characteristic allowed larger windows till the completely glazing facade, offering transparency and visual integration,” says Labaki and Gutierrez. “From the point of view of visual comfort, these larger windows are desirable. However, in hot climates, like in Brazil, it is very important to avoid as much of infrared radiation as possible to minimise the greenhouse effect,” says Labaki and Gutierrez. Walls & Roofs would like to give thanks and acknowledgement to Luigi Zito for the information they contributed to this article.

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Is any inward solar radiation ever caused by the fenestration elements themselves? If so, how can this be minimised? “The key is to prevent the sun from getting to the glazing. It is critical to deflect the sun and heat from the glazing by using effective sun shading,” says Zito. Do you have any tips or advice for architects using sun control and shading elements? “It is critical to understand the needs of the architect and to recommend the ideal solution. This includes the amount of light cut out, the control of light entering the building for specified periods. Above all it is critical that the material selected is indeed designed to deflect light and heat,” concludes Zito.

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shading & sun control ADVERTORIAL

Aluglass Bautech provides effective interior and exterior solar shading solutions for a variety of applications.

Shading made easy when using

solar shading solutions

luglass Bautech provides effective interior and exterior solar shading solutions for a variety of applications. By merging traditional creations, quality imported material and modern technologies; they provide a product range to suit every clientâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s needs.

Shading and sun control with metallised fabrics Verosol is a worldwide supplier of tried and tested branded solutions for solar control. Represented in South Africa by Aluglass, they provide the local market with effective interior and exterior protection from heat, and the reduction of irritating bright sunlight whilst retaining a perfect view of the outside world. This is all done with the combined advantages of curtains and external sunblinds in a single product, safely fitted to the interior wall. Verosol originals are available in various transparencies from ultra-transparent to blackout, and all transparencies can be combined in pleated blinds, twin-pleated or skylight blinds to achieve ultimate solar control throughout the day. Other desirable

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properties are that the fabric is fire-retardant, antistatic and PVC and formaldehyde free. Create a comfortable environment with Verosol originals in both commercial and residential applications. For each of the products available in the range, motorization and remote controls are optional.

An eco-friendly solution Customers who want to comply with the new energy-efficiency building regulations, or who aim to reach their Green Star building rating, should consider more eco-friendly products for fittings, like the EnviroScreen and SilverScreen products from Verosol.

SilverScreen a popular choice SilverScreenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ultrafine layer of aluminium on a screen fabric dramatically improves the solar energy performance, whilst demonstrating excellent view through. It adds a contemporary style to architectural design on the interior as well as on the

shading & sun control ADVERTORIAL

worldwide. It combines solar-control properties with the advantage of being polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and formaldehyde free and is produced strictly in accordance with ISO 14001, the international environmental standard. The fabric is also ÖkoTex and Greenguard certified and will contribute significantly to obtaining points in green-building rating tools such as the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), Green Star and (BREEAM), the world’s leading design and assessment method for sustainable buildings.

Pleated blinds

exterior of the building. In the graphics below, the major differences between SilverScreen and common screen are displayed clearly. The visual glare and heat-gain properties of common screens depend on the colour of the screen. With SilverScreen, these properties are practically independent of the colour of the screen, thanks to the aluminium layer on the reverse side. SilverScreen provides a good visual contact to the outside world.

Sustainable solar control: the greener blind Verosol’s green building option, EnviroScreen, offers an eco-friendly solution to fittings. It is a highly reflective, robust, transparent, metallised fabric, which provides visual and thermal comfort. EnviroScreen is woven in a screen-like construction, but with a clear textile appearance, which is suitable for roller blinds. Thanks to the high reflectivity, EnviroScreen lowers heating and cooling costs substantially. This results in a reduction of CO2 emissions and minimises the greenhouse effect. The product is available in two transparencies, namely 2% and 10% openness factor (OF), and is offered in six attractive colours. Even with the 2% OF, EnviroScreen allows a very good view through, suitable for all fenestrations and all elevations

This pleated blind is the classic Verosol blind and still extremely popular. Woven from polyester and with fire-retardant Trevira CS, the fabric is permanently pleated in a special process that ensures excellent pleat integrity over the life of the blinds. This versatile pleated hardware system allows a vast range of models that will cover most glaze elements. The pleated fabric and the way the system operates allow an amazing level of versatility, especially when minimal gaps are required between blinds.

Skylight/conservatory pleated blinds Select this unique product that can be used on inclined windows, such as conservatories or skylights. Not only is the blind kept in position by guide wires, but specially designed tension wires enable the blind to be positioned at any degree of opening. For windows that are beyond hand-reach, a wand is provided for easy operation.

Day-night blind/twin-pleated blind When using this product, the user has privacy without losing a breathtaking view. The twin blind can be used as a day blind, made out of a more transparent fabric that enables users to enjoy the view, and can also be utilized as a night blind to maintain privacy. The night blind can also be used during the day if additional sun protection is required. The twin blind is also ideal for rooms requiring extra light control for video screens and audio-visual presentations. The option of guide wires is particularly useful for doors. As one of the leading manufacturers and suppliers of glass and solar solutions, Aluglass started trading in 1974, with independent agents and distributors throughout southern Africa. The mission of the company is to supply and install a range of quality products to the building industry for both high-end residential and commercial customers, and its declared vision is to be the preferred supplier resulting from consistency and good quality of both products and service. Aluglass Bautech Tel: 011 451 8400 Fax: 011 609 8097 E-mail: mailbox@aluglass.co.za Website: www.aluglass.co.za and a member of www.autospec.com

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Investec

shading & sun control

Sun-control products

improve energy-efficiency

Hunter Douglas

un control has always been a priority in South Africa because of the climate conditions in the country. Hunter Douglas is a recognised specialist and a market leader in the industry for over fifty years, and they developed a wide range of solutions to sun control. Their products include linear, Aerofoil and extruded panels, Filigree (grid) and sliding shutters options, just to name a few. The incorporation of sun-control products in a building is primarily for the control of sunlight and heat into the building. The objective is to establish a comfortable working environment and to save energy for the client. The choice of product also enhances the aesthetics of the building. The solutions and products offered by Hunter Douglas are all researched and developed to provide clients with proprietary systems supported by performance data. The strict specifications for the respective options conform to engineering requirements to accommodate different applications for various climate conditions and regional needs. Sustainability that goes hand in hand with environmental issues is managed with the use of aluminium in their products. These days it is also important to consider using products that are energy-efficient, particularity in South Africa as it can reduce costs. Recycling statistics on their products are available on request. Hunter Douglas operates in Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town. In addition to this, they also appointed accredited manufacturer representatives (Hunter Douglas Architectural Centres) in strategic areas throughout the country. This ensures that clients are serviced on a local level to offer competitive prices as well as reliable and efficient application of the products.

Hunter Douglas

Hunter Douglas Tel: 011 793 3641 Fax: 011 793 6864 E-mail: lzito@hd-sa.co.za Website: www.hunterdouglas.co.za

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A recipe for success in a volatile market

he state of the global steel market is volatile at present, leading to a certain anxiety in the local market. However, the recent experience of the 2008 global recession has put companies in a better position to prepare for future fluctuations. This is the view of Byron Ferguson, managing director of Special Steels, one of South Africa’s leading special-steels merchants. “The recession was a steep, but necessary learning curve for many businesses, including Special Steels,” he says. “In hindsight, although it was tough, the company fared well – and we learnt a lot about how to prepare for a similar situation in the future.” Special Steels is an importer of certified engineering steels, predominantly round and hollow bar, for the mining and manufacturing sectors. Ferguson says: “The risk you take as an importer is to buy stock at the wrong time, just before a fall in price. Steel prices are susceptible to a fall in demand.” Ferguson says that in 2008 many businesses were caught on the back foot. “The problem was the speed with which the markets declined. It was ‘boom’ to ‘bust’ in a fairly short space of time,” he asserts. “Special Steels has a lead time of four months. We bought at ‘boom’ prices and then the market turned, so of course we incurred a loss.” The fact that Special Steels pulled through has much to do with the company’s prudent financial approach (the company was conservative when it came to expanding in the “boom” years), as well as having the ability to re-negotiate existing contracts with clients, according to Ferguson. “It helps to have good relationships with your global suppliers – they all came back with lower prices when the rand ‘went through the floor’,” he says. Not only does Special Steels have good relationships with its overseas suppliers, but the company puts emphasis on having direct relationships too – in other words, dealing direct with the supplier or mill, as opposed to working through an agent. “It is absolutely critical,” says Ferguson. “If you have a bad experience (for example, with the quality of the steel ordered), and you are dealing with an agent, you have no control over who you are dealing with. With direct relationships, you can personally audit the manufacturing process and quality control of the mill concerned.” “We have a very good complaint-resolution system in place,” he continues. “Our relationships with our Chinese suppliers are such that, should there be a quality issue, Special Steels simply replaces the steel and takes the issue up with the mill. We never make it the client’s problem.” For the past four years Special Steels has imported most of

its steel from China, a relatively new player which now produces 45% of the world’s steel. “The steel industry in China had a high level of growth in the last 20 years, which means the capital equipment in Chinese mills is very modern, the technology and processes are new – and therefore the product is of a very high quality,” Ferguson says. “We see ourselves as having a role to play in passing on the price benefit from China to local engineering and manufacturing companies. This results in them being more competitive in their own industries.” With regard to the overall state of the global steel market, Ferguson points out that it is a double-sided coin: there is an overcapacity in global steel, which is good news for steel importers or users from a price perspective; but for the suppliers, it is an intensively competitive environment. So how does a niche importer like Special Steels ensure minimal impact in the event of another global meltdown? “As an importer, it is critical to have a proper foreign exchange risk programme in place. Your risk management processes need to be very tightly monitored because when changes happen, they happen very quickly. You do not want to be left with stock at high prices when the commodity prices go down, so you have to be constantly aware of your margins,” says Ferguson. He explains that Special Steels has now developed a more robust risk management process with stop losses in place which follow world markets. As a relatively small company, Special Steels is able to be agile in meeting clients’ individual needs and to offer personalised service. “Because steel is a commodity, price is a big consideration. We are able to offer quality material at a good price, but service is where we are able to add value,” Ferguson asserts. He sees strong opportunities in the South African steel market both from an export and a manufacturing point of view, because of developments in Africa and the sustained global growth of the commodities market. “However, there is definitely a feeling of anxiety in the local steel market, which is why it is so important for companies to have a tightly monitored risk management process in place. In this industry, you have to learn to live with and manage volatility to the best of your ability,” he concludes. Special Steels Tel: 011 865 4939 E-mail: sales@specialsteels.co.za Website: www.specialsteels.co.za

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©neciraphotography.com

ADVERTORIAL

Intricate shopfront

at City Lodge Fourways

Leading designer, manufacturer and installer of bespoke glass and aluminium products, Centurion Glass & Aluminium (CGA) Fenestrations, completed an intricate shopfront installation for the City Lodge Group’s Fourways Hotel.

he building was designed by architects Boogertman + Partners. Contractors Gothic Construction – who have been in the construction industry for over 32 years – were also involved in the project.

Upmarket hotel solutions The new 200-room City Lodge Hotel in Fourways is a stone throw from Montecasino and includes a coffee shop, bar, fitness room, two boardrooms, an infinity pool on an outside deck and underground parking. CGA Fenestrations supplied and installed approximately 1 960m2 of Sheerline Aluminium products over a five-month period. The contract director at Gothic Construction, Pierre Marais, says the size and design of City Lodge Fourways makes it an attention-grabbing project. “The shopfront we installed is huge – it doesn’t consist of small panes, but of large panels and the product used helped to contribute to the crisp, striking appearance of the hotel,” says Marais.

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“The shopfront has aesthetically appealing profiles and the Sheerline products helped us to install the shopfront in such a way that all the horizontal panes and vertical panels look the same – without any sharp edges or unnecessary fixtures,” explains Marais. “The final product looks fantastic and Sheerline is a great product to use,” ads Marais. Anton Koekemoer, project architect at Boogertman + Partners, says the Sheerline aluminium system is a popular choice for upmarket projects. “This patented system is often used by architects for commercial buildings, office blocks, hotel lobbies and other high profile projects,” comments Koekemoer. CGA Fenestrations has been specialising in the design and installation of bespoke glass and aluminium products since 1993. Their innovative sun control, shading and other glass-product ranges include sun louvres, aluminium-composite panel cladding, shopfronts, skylights, doors and windows as well as glass facades. CGA Fenestrations is also a member of the South African Glass & Glazing Association, as well as the Association of Architectural Aluminium Manufacturers of South Africa.

Some of the prestigious projects

Over 1 960m2 of glass and aluminium products were installed at the City Lodge Fourways Hotel.

that CGA Fenestrations has been involved in include the following: • Sun City Hotel, • Holiday Inn Express, • FNB Bank City, • Castle Walk revamp project, • Montecasino Hotel, • Protea Place, • Freedom Park, • Lebone College, and • Tuks Residential Developments.

Centurion Glass & Aluminium Tel: 012 666 8000 Fax: 012 666 8007 E-mail: sales@cgaf.co.za Website: www.cgaf.co.z

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An environmental

ecological material

for construction

Deposits and recycling

he primary energy content of a substance is defined as the energy required for its production. The need to conserve natural resources is making consumers more and more aware of a product’s primary energy content. In the final analysis, energy is also a resource. Coils and sheets made of RHEINZINK have a primary energy content of 3 610 kW hours per tonne. This value is extremely low, yet it also includes all production steps necessary in manufacturing RHEINZINK sheet metal like: • Ore production underground. • Preparation (reduction, floatation). • Electrolysis (including roasting and leaching). • Smelting (RHEINZINK). • Rolling (RHEINZINK). • Finishing (RHEINZINK). When comparing primary energy contents, especially in the case of metals, it must be ensured that these values relate to the same refining level (in this case to finished coils and sheets). The efficiency factor of the power station must also be taken into account.

Geologically and geographically, zinc ore occurs in large quantities all over the world. 50

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Geologically and geographically, zinc ore occurs in large quantities all over the world. At present, the largest mining operations are in Australia, Canada and Peru. However, other countries such as the USA, Mexico, Ireland, Poland, Russia, Spain, Sweden, the former Yugoslavia, North Korea, China, Japan and Zaire are also world-class zinc producers, followed by roughly another 20 countries. The vast majority of mining operations are underground. Many zinc deposits, including these in Central Europe, are already known, but are mined only when demand increases. In most cases, the entire potential yield is difficult to estimate, and is only of interest to mining concerns as far as the immediate future where a foreseeable economic time frame is concerned. In addition, in many countries the potential yield is taken as a basis for taxation, which is another reason why zinc deposits available, worldwide are considerably underestimated. This, in turn, results in misleading reports. In practice, the implementation of recycling opportunities increases in relation to its economic feasibility. In the case of zinc sheets, recycling only requires energy expenditure in the order of 5% of the primary energy content. All scrap metal generated in the production of RHEINZINK is ultimately returned to the production process. In Germany, the demand for scrap zinc sheet, available as a result of the low energy expenditure, is reflected in an average scrap price of about 55-60% of the fine zinc price.

Economic incentive This economic incentive is high enough to motivate the zinc-sheet processing trades to recycle their scrap. An assumption can be made that a recycling level of more than 90% will be obtained in these circumstances. Another important motive for recycling zinc is political and has to do with the desire to reduce dependence on foreign suppliers, since zinc production is concentrated in countries such as Australia, Canada and Peru, while the most important consumer countries, apart from the USA, are primarily the European Union and Japan. The extract is from RHEINZINK: Applications in Architecture 2nd Edition, available from RHEINZINK South Africa. RHEINZINK South Africa Tel: 021 671 2600 E-mail: info@rheinzink.co.za Website: www.rheinzink.co.za

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BRICKS & BLOCKS & RETAINING WALLS feature

The amazing concrete blocks

alking to Walls & Roofs magazine, Hamish Laing, director of the Concrete Manufacturers Association (CMA), stated that while the overall international manufacturing output has declined, South Africa has seen a slight increase in concrete brick and block manufacturing. “Locally, we’ve seen a small increase in the manufacturing levels of concrete bricks and blocks due to the revival of the residential sector in certain parts of the country – particularly in the Western Cape and Gauteng,” he explains. “An increasing number of residential development plans are being passed and more money is being lent for these building projects. While the wider industry is concerned about the double-dip recession that might hit Europe and the United States, my gut feel is that this small upward trend will continue into 2012,” says Laing. One of the current projects that Laing is particularly enthused about is the IHHWC Legacy Project in the Western Cape, in which CMA members participate by donating modular concretemasonry blocks and other precast concrete building materials to be used for the construction of one of the project’s four affordable double-housing units. “Apart from being for a very worthy cause (the units will be given to particularly needy people on the government’s waiting list for subsidised housing), this project also showcases the versatility of concrete masonry. One of the units has been built with blocks of recycled aggregate, and the other consists of precision blocks that virtually ‘click’ together in a thin-bed mortar process,” he says. The other three units are being built using alternative building materials and methods. “This project is not only for a worthy cause, but also gives us the opportunity to showcase our

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members’ concrete products side by side with other building methods,” says Laing. The houses are being built as a tangible legacy to the International Housing & Home Warranty Conference (IHHWC), an event hosted by the NHBRC, which took place on African soil for the first time this year. The conference was held at the CTICC in Cape Town. “One of our objectives with the Legacy Project is to demonstrate how modular masonry and precast concrete building materials offer anyone investing in entry level or affordable housing a building system which is difficult to beat in terms of productivity, durability and aesthetic appeal,” Laing says. Besides masonry blocks, other precast concrete products being donated by CMA members include precast hollow-core slabs for the first floors, precast concrete staircases, concrete roof tiles, polymer-concrete door and window frames, and concrete blocks for the paved area around the house and driveway. Concrete masonry is now used extensively in a wide variety of applications, and has evolved into a functional and beautiful building material that gives designers the artistic flexibility to create strikingly beautiful single and multi-family residences, office buildings, warehouses, municipal buildings, manufacturing facilities, learning institutions, hospitals and much more. One of the main attributes of concrete masonry is its dimensional accuracy and symmetry, because it is batchproduced in moulds and therefore the size can vary in only one plane, usually the height – SABS 1215 allows for a variation of ± 3mm on the specified height. Concrete masonry is also symmetrical, so the units are rectangular and not wedgeshaped or bent.

Because concrete masonry is batch-produced, the quality of the units is consistent within a particular batch. All units are manufactured to the same high standard, and are smooth and lend themselves to fair-face and bagged applications. Concrete masonry is probably the most versatile masonry product available. It offers the designer a rich variety of dimensions, aspect ratios, textures, colours and profiles as the basis of wall design. There is an almost limitless palette of possible colours. It can be made almost totally waterproof. The size and shape of units available are only limited by having the correct mould. It can be made to have special textures. The units can be fluted or plain – the list of possibilities is almost endless. Concrete masonry is also naturally energy-efficient, the secret being in its mass. The thermal mass of concrete slows down the passage of heat moving through a wall and allows the masonry structure to absorb heat instead of passing it through to the inside of the building, thus keeping the inside cool. As the wall is cooled by nightfall, the absorbed heat is released, gradually warming the inside. Likewise, this thermal barrier helps to keep a concrete-masonry structure warmer in the winter months. Although thermally good concrete blocks can be improved by adding insulation permanently into the blocks voids during the moulding process. This effect of ensuring that buildings stay warm in winter and cool in summer lessens the need for artificial climate control and therefore wasted energy. From manufacturing to transport to construction, concrete masonry is modest in its energy needs and generous in its payback. Another major architectural benefit of concrete masonry is its modular design concept, which allows for efficient design co-ordination of sizes of building components, such as door and window frames. Units such as bricks and blocks are the dimensions which permit other components to fit into the space provided in a controlling reference system in a particular direction. Modular co-ordination enables components to be built on site without modification, as well as reducing the range of sizes required. Large savings arise from the ease of building in units which fit into the space provided without having to be cut or modified. Concrete masonry is also highly suitable for attenuating noise as it is an extremely dense material, which reduces the transmission of airborne sound. Resistance to sound transmission will obviously increase with wall thickness. Where concrete masonry has another advantage, is that the contraction rates for concrete masonry and concrete are very similar. Since the foundations are concrete, the slabs are concrete, the reinforced walls or frame structures are concrete, the lintels and decks are concrete, not to mention the mortar and plaster covering the masonry. The use of concrete masonry will result in a harmonious relationship within the structure and help in eliminating any cracking problems. Concrete masonry is fire-resistant. The SABS 0145 Tables 4 & 5 specify the fire-resistance ratings for loadbearing and non-

loadbearing walls constructed from concrete-masonry walls. Obviously the thicker the units the higher the fire-resistance rating will be, with the exception that solid units have a higher rating than hollow units. The class of mortar used will also impact on the fire rating as it is the performance of the wall that is important, not just the materials contained therein. Concrete masonry can be manufactured almost totally waterproof with the addition of specialised admixtures, although this is not normally necessary since quality concrete masonry is usually manufactured to a “low suction” tolerance due to its high density. Water penetration of a wall is usually through fine cracks at the interface between the masonry unit and the mortar, and only rarely through the masonry unit or the mortar. The greater the bond is between mortar and masonry, the greater the resistance is to leakage. The bond depends largely on the “waterproofness” of the brick and the water-retention properties of the mortar (which can be improved through the addition of lime to the mix). Concrete masonry is also generally freely available throughout the year, allowing for shorter lead times and better stock control on site. When looked at from an overall perspective, concrete masonry is completely cost-effective. When the initial cost of the masonry, the maintenance cost of the building, the cost of heating and cooling the building, as well as the final salvage value of the building are taken into account, concrete masonry is arguably one of the most effective materials used in construction. Concrete masonry is highly compatible with cementitious products, including most paints and sealants, and is a highly durable material, manufactured to resist local exposure conditions for the intended life of the building. Durability is generally related to compressive strength, which in turn is related to density. Surface protection such as paint and plaster adds tremendously to the durability of any walling material. Finally, the use of concrete masonry benefits the environment and promotes sustainable building practices. Not only is concrete masonry fully recyclable, but leading manufacturers are using recycled crushed aggregate (RCA) in the manufacturing of their products. This has major advantages in terms of lessening environmental impact and gives rise to a truly green-building product. Concrete masonry manufactured using RCA has possibly the lowest embodied energy of any masonry product currently available. It also means that less virgin materials, such as sand and stone, have to be quarried, thereby directly lessening the mining impact on the environment – and the end-product is in no way inferior to these using non-recycled materials. They are now consistently used in the most upmarket of residential applications.

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BRICKS & BLOCKS & RETAINING WALLS feature

Acknowledgement and thanks are given to the following people for the information used in the compilation of this article: Hamish Laing, director of the Concrete Manufacturers Association, www.cma.co.za and Jacques Tresfon of Cape Brick, www.capebrick.co.za.

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Dynamic

crop

circles of a

beneficial kind

eople know of crop circles that periodically make an appearance near country pubs, and are either ascribed to aliens visiting our planet with their round spacecrafts or to country buffoons, engaged in their destructive pranks. For farmers, on the other hand, crop circles have an entirely different meaning, and one that is not destructive, nor wasteful or alien. These crop circles consist of corrugated galvanised panels that are rolled and crimped on a line. This deep corrugation in

22-gauge material will provide a strong, reusable system for temporary grain storage during times when production outpaces expectations. Constructed with strong galvanised steel, the crop-circle rings protect grain from rain, wind and wildlife while saving on storage and transport costs. Originally developed in Canada, the concept has been fine-tuned to perfection by Terraforce here in South Africa. Anton Fick of Fick Sementwerke in Piketberg recalls: “Frikkie Barnard of Unigrain Storage came to our yard looking for an alternative to the original foundation design, which was a doublebrick wall filled with reinforced concrete. “The use of precast foundation beams was already an improvement on the economic front, but not without drawbacks. We then looked at the L12 Terraforce display in front of our office and it soon became clear that they represented the ideal solution, economically and from the ease-of-installation point of view.” The first installation of 155 blocks per circle was undertaken by farmer Rudolf Eksteen from Moorreesburg. He was thrilled at the ease of the installation. “All that is required is a level piece of ground with a diameter of 19m. Packing the versatile blocks in a circle marked out around a central foundation hole is a breeze, although it was requiring some basic construction skills. “The area inside the circle is then filled level with sand or soil and compacted. Unigrain then proceed with the erection of the specially profiled steel collar, the groundsheet and a circular

The blocks fit flush with the steel ring and will be filled with soil. The ring thereby is lifted off the ground by almost 210mm, preventing water and rodents from reaching the grain.

The advantages of Terraforce crop circles Saving on transport costs. Reduction of long transport routes. Increased quality upgrades potential. Self-control over grain. Competitive storage costs. No capital investment requirement. Increased harvesting speed.

Recently completed tent silos waiting to be filled

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It has already been proven that the crop-circle concept increases the harvesting speed by up to 30%, which again affords the farmer less risk during the harvesting season.

roof tent with in- and outlets. At regular intervals around the perimeter, the structure is secured to the ground with specially designed ground anchors. Further support is provided by individual Terraforce blocks that are filled with concrete at these points. The unit is now ready to be filled with grain.â&#x20AC;? This dynamic grain-storage method offers the producer many advantages. Firstly there is a considerable saving on transport costs and a reduction of the risk involved with long transport routes, then the quality upgrades potential is increased, the farmer has complete self-control over the grain and enjoys competitive storage costs, and finally there is no capital investment requirement for the farmer.

Terraforce Tel: 021 465 1907 Fax: 021 465 4047 Website: www.terraforce.com www.autospec.com

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BRICKS & BLOCKS & RETAINING WALLS ADVERTORIAL

Build with

confidence using the latest wall system Retaining walls add a new dimension to buildings as specifically designed corners and copings produce attractive structures. These walls can easily adapt to create a certain architectural aesthetic effect and optimise the use of available space. An attractive range of modular blocks finishes and colours can also enhance creative designs.

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BRICKS & BLOCKS & RETAINING WALLS ADVERTORIAL

eMaCon, a frontrunner in manufacturing retaining walls, is the only company in the industry that can provide customers with the latest technology on the market. The company has exclusive rights for the local manufacturing of concrete retaining blocks designed for construction of retaining walls to over 20 metres in height. The system, which was developed by Tensar International of the UK, comprises the specially designed TW1 block combined with high-density polyethelene (HDPE) grid mats – known as Tensar uniaxial geogrids – that are attached by a special connector into the blocks and extend horizontally to secure and reinforce the earth bank, thereby turning the whole structure into a monolithic solid mass. The grid and connectors are obtainable from Kaytech, the local distributors for Tensar International. They are strong, inert and resistant to alkaline, chemical or biological attack. The distinctive geometry of the concrete facing blocks allows the creation of both internal and external curves. Corners, stairs and other features are easily detailed.

Bigger projects “The retaining-wall system opens the way for us to provide solutions for large civil projects on a more competitive level,” says

Ferraris. “The new block, the TW1, can be built in one structure to over 20m in height at a slope of 86 degrees, enabling us to provide for the construction of retaining walls for highways, railways and other public embankment structures for which standard retaining-block walls are unsuitable,” he pointed out. The TW1 system is erected by hand. “It is more labour-intensive, but it is far more cost-effective than the current system. It also requires a lower quality fill material, which is more readily available and less expensive.” He further explains that it is a simple but versatile block, used mostly as a closed-face system and capable of accommodating curves and angles, including 90-degree corners, in the retaining

walls in which it is used. “It is also a solid block and will not crush due to accidental damage, as hollow block systems often do,” Ferraris concluded.

Advantages of the system This wall system offers various advantages, such as rapid and economical construction. It is durable with little or no maintenance. Specialist construction skills are often not needed. The system has a greater tolerance of different settlements and has a high resistance to earthquake loading. Using the system also increases the possibility of using site-won or recycled granular fill materials. Low-bearing pressure may avoid expensive foundation treatment. Silvio Ferraris, the company’s managing member, says ReMaCon also provides in-house designs for the various uses of retaining walls to fully satisfy customer needs. The company also adheres to the various standards set out in the industry to protect the consumer. He says the introduction of the Consumer Protection Act (CPA), SABS standards such as SANS 508 for concrete retaining blocks and the code of practice, SANS 207, give consumers the insurance that manufactures can be held liable when they don’t take note of these regulations. According to Ferraris, the regulations stipulate that walls higher than 1,4m require an engineer’s design. “The walls also need to be built according to the design and the retaining-block products used must comply with SANS 508. It is important to advise the end-user correctly and to provide good technical know-how on what to do and avoid.”

ReMaCon Tel: 011 393 5504 Fax: 011 393 5502 Website: www.remacon.co.za

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BRICKS & BLOCKS & RETAINING WALLS feature

Clay brick is sustainably

energy efficient

roviding safe, solid and reliable homes to South Africa’s indigent population remains one of the country’s toughest challenges. While the Clay Brick Association (CBA) lauds the commitment of Tokyo Sexwale, the Minister of Human Settlements, to provide better housing for all, the industry body is becoming increasingly concerned at the plethora of alternate building systems and construction methods being presented as a panacea for addressing the housing backlog and providing sustainable homes for South Africa’s poor. “In South Africa’s harsh climatic conditions, not only does the choice of building materials need to meet high performance specifications, but it is essential that their impact on occupancy comfort, energy-efficiency and the overall environment, now and in the long term, form part of the key determining criteria,” says At Coetzee, executive director of the CBA. For about ten years, the CBA has petitioned for quality housing to be supplied to this country’s disadvantaged communities, who feel alienated by the failure of thousands of low-cost homes amid a huge housing backlog. “It was quite evident that most of these faults were due to a combination of factors such as substandard building methods, poor foundations, ill-fitting substandard components, the use of inferior building materials and a lack of oversight by those contracted to do and approve the work,” says Coetzee. “Going forward, it is clear that quality housing for the poor will rest substantially with the competence of the contractors and the inspection and approval process of the work to the prescribed specification. Secondly will be the insistence that building materials meet the required SABS specifications and

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industry standards. We will need to get away from the mindset that low cost means lower quality. Cutting corners on the basics has consequences and should not be accepted,” notes Coetzee. “While it must be acknowledged that government and the financial fraternity has made huge inroads in facilitating access to housing in the lower income sector, there are still concerns about the quality of construction/material and the drive forward in building long-term sustainable solutions,” he says. “The CBA does not necessarily reject the use of alternate lightweight system construction methods in low-cost housing developments, as long as they can be scientifically proven to sustain themselves and perform as well as a solid double-skin clay-brick house and with equitable or lower lifecycle cost. For the moment there are no alternates that we have had independently assessed that offer a superior value,” says Coetzee. A properly constructed double-skin cavity walling system has been shown by research to best address moisture ingress concerns associated with through-the-wall construction, providing a good combination of thermal capacity and resistance at the same time to deliver superior thermal comfort conditions to occupants. Double clay-brick walls’ properties lead to interior conditions that are more stable and reduce the need for additional artificial heating and cooling energy for those who can least afford it. Research conducted on behalf of the CBA has reinforced double-skin clay face-brick walling as the clear way to go, affording the most economical and environmentally sound building solution for low-cost housing over a hypothetical 40-year lifecycle.

Coetzee says: “The Minister of Human Settlements is clear in his pronouncement that low-cost housing must function to ‘restore dignity to the people of South Africa’. This can only be achieved with houses that meet the basic needs of shelter, safety and security, at the lowest lifecycle cost, that people can attach a sense of personal wealth to – not just in the short term, but in the long term as well. Clay-brick houses fulfil that, and it just also happens that clay-brick houses represent the type of house to which South Africans most aspire.” In the context of cost the research study, undertaken by WSP Green by Design, was based on sophisticated computer modelling of a 40m² low-cost house in South Africa’s six major climate zones. The study found that clay brick had a 15,8% lower first building cost than light-steel frame building. Of the different walling systems tested, the clay-brick house offered the lowest lifecycle energy costs, lowest total greenhouse gas emissions (embodied plus operational energy) and lowest lifecycle costs over a 40-year lifecycle. The natural thermal performance qualities of clay-brick keeps houses cool in summer and warm in winter, and between day and night. When these properties are combined with sound passive solar design techniques and insulation in the ceilings, the need for artificial heating and cooling interventions is all but eliminated. Coetzee says: “Clay bricks’ inertness also adds a further dimension to its environmentally-friendly status. It is made of clay and water and contains no complex components or chemicals. It is completely recyclable and ultimately can be returned to the earth. “Our current energy crisis has also highlighted that energyefficient buildings are the most cost-effective means of reducing

energy consumption. The high thermal performance of clay brick should therefore be an important consideration, especially in low-income built environments to add to the health, safety and peace of mind factors that contribute to the overall well-being of individuals and communities.” Moving to residential housing in the other income categories, the use and cost of artificial heating and cooling is of course higher. ClayBrick.org has invested in considerable research and has accessed substantive studies out of Australia to understand how clay-brick walls perform and how they might be specified to achieve the greatest thermal comfort and lowest energy costs in South Africa’s unique climate. “The findings of the different studies correlate – insulated lightweight walling typical of timber frame and light-steel frame building does not have the propensity to self-regulate as clay brick walls do. This is consistently leading to suboptimal thermal outcomes. ‘Hotbox’ conditions are pretty much the order of the day with insulated lightweight walling during South Africa’s long hot summer months. In the case of clay-brick walling, combinations of thermal capacity as provided by the clay bricks and resistance as provided by the cavity between the brick skins, or with insulation added in the cavity, depending on the climatic zone, result in superior thermal comfort conditions and the lowest heating and cooling energy usage. It is as simple as that,” adds Coetzee. “A clay-brick walled house’s exceptional ability to self-regulate is what adds the value. Empirical research demonstrates how clay bricks function like thermal batteries to better moderate internal temperature conditions for longer, during both summer and winter,” says Coetzee. “In summer the double-skin clay-brick walls slowly absorb, store and release heat, effectively slowing the transfer of the sun’s heat to the inside by between six to eight hours, to such an extent that the hottest part of the day is over before the heat reaches the inside. “Secondly, clay bricks function to absorb heat from the internal air as daytime temperatures rise, thereby moderating internal temperatures and keeping the house comfortable for longer, reducing the need for additional cooling energy.

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BRICKS & BLOCKS & RETAINING WALLS feature

“In winter the internal thermal mass absorbs and stores radiant heat during the day, which is then slowly released in the evening as the cold night air impacts on internal conditions, thereby keeping the house warmer for longer. Should heaters be required, the clay bricks continue to function, absorbing and storing this heat and then releasing it to counter the inroads of the cold, thereby providing comfort conditions for longer,” says Coetzee. It is significant to note that the findings of the two WSP and the Structatherm projects correlate with the substantive thermal modelling done as part of a full life-cycle assessment by Energetics in Australia. The modelling, as done on a Verdant floor plan, placed in three different climatic zones with four orientations and five different walling systems, found that on average the double-skin cavitywalled house used 17,08% less energy (kWh) to achieve target thermal comfort and the double-brick house with insulation R1.3 used 26,29% less energy compared to the timber-frame insulated weatherboard alternate. This translated into lower greenhouse gas (kg CO2-e) emitted of 16,01% for a double-skin cavity-brick

house and 26,18% in the case where insulation was applied in the cavity of the clay-brick walls. These lower HVAC energy outcomes for the double clay-brick houses resulted in lower total energy (embodied as built plus operational energy) over a 50-year life cycle. “The case for double-skin clay-brick walling for a more sustainable future is clear. Sustainability requires that we build houses that are able to endure with little maintenance and definitely no materials replacement way beyond a 100-year life cycle. Clay brick is the one manmade walling material that has proven itself to be more than up to this task,” says Coetzee. “If thermal comfort optimisation and the lowest greenhouse gas emissions are going to be our long-term objectives, it makes no sense to compromise on the holistic value clay brick brings to the table,” concludes Coetzee. In addition, Walls & Roofs in Africa recently asked At Coetzee for his views on the current economic situation and how this is affecting the local building industry in relation to clay bricks. It is his view that while there has been up to a 60% decrease in clay-brick manufacturing in some areas since the recession in 2008, certain regions of the country are starting to show a strong upward production trend and he believes the current production levels will continue well into 2012. “Regions such as KwaZulu-Natal, the Eastern Cape and the Free State are still showing low production levels. Although some other regions are showing upward manufacturing trends, I don’t believe that we should start getting too excited just yet,” says Coetzee. “World economists said South Africa remained untouched by the 2008 recession to a large extent, but I don’t believe that we will be able to ride a second wave quite as easily,” he adds. Acknowledgement and thanks are given to the following people for the information used in the compilation of this article: Clive Archer, managing director of Crammix, At Coetzee, executive director of the CBA, and Peter Kidger, marketing director of Corobrik.

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Contractors shouldn’t deviate from sound building practices

s part of this journal’s brick feature, Walls & Roofs set out to contact as many thought leaders in the industry as possible to get a good idea of new developments, tips and techniques within the brick industry. Ivan Freeman, a director at Iscosa with qualifications in chemical and ceramic technology and industrial engineering and Clive Archer, Managing Director at Crammix, gave these insights with regards to preventing structural and plaster cracks in walling. “Cracks in walls are generally the consequence of poor building practices and are unrelated to architectural design or the building blocks, whether clay-based or cementitious,” says Freeman. “In South Africa there is a tendency for building contractors to deviate from sound building practices in order to maximise their profits or minimize losses as consequence of underestimation of tenders. In an attempt to cover up their own shortcomings, they readily lay the blame on the quality of the masonry units used, the cement or the building or plaster sands used and claim that they have no control over these materials,” says Freeman. Freeman explains that there are standards in place to control the quality of all materials used in construction, but contractors aren’t insisting that their suppliers warrant the quality of the materials that are supplied. “Invariably they buy on price alone and unfortunately their clients have to live with the consequences. In many instances, the client is the catalyst for poor quality construction. To save costs, they do not engage the services of a professional architect to supervise the construction from inception to completion and rely only on the word and experience of the builder – many of whom lately lack both skills and knowledge,” says Freeman. “The sad thing is that manufacturers, contractors and authorities have turned a blind eye, and that contractors continue to construct dodgy buildings, which lead to ongoing, unnecessary and costly repairs,” comments Clive Archer.

What bricklayers need to know Archer says that bricklayers need to know that when building clay brick walls, the units can and should be wet first, as opposed to concrete products, which must be laid relatively dry for good bonding.

Specific designs for different brick and block work Archer explains that concrete designed brick or block walls often should include a ‘Ring beam’ design, which is a recommendation for properly constructed buildings (as is referred to in the Concrete Masonry building guides). “Ignoring proper building rules leaves a legacy of poorly constructed walls in buildings and can cause cracking and costly repairs,” concludes Archer.

Origin of cracks in bricks Freeman lists these reasons as the top culprits for cracks in brickwork: 1. Foundations are cast insufficiently on un-compacted sub bases and in many instances the size of the footing foundation is inadequate. 2. Building contractors do not always use the correct foundationmix concrete. 3. The mortar used in bricklaying is inconsistent and is often starved of cement. Lately contractors use the lowest grade of cement (32,5N) and do not apply it as the manufacturer specifies. 4. To save on costs, contractors either do not use correctly specified brick force or use it sparingly. 5. Plaster cracks do not pose a structural consequence and are superficial, posing a unintended moisture penetration risk. The preparation of the plaster mix is critical and the quality of the plaster sand is important. If plaster dries out too quickly or if no hydrated builders lime is used in its mix design, deep hairline cracks or superficial “crazing” develop through improperly crafts-men skills used. The plasterers often worsen the situation by floating the surface too much and this does not improve the situation. “For some reason the building industry and cement manufacturers have not embraced the technology of using builders lime or specific cement plasticisers to control the curing rates of the mortars. In doing so it would suppress efflorescence and bloom on face and semi-face brick- and masonry work,” says Freeman. Architects should be specific in specifying only bricks produced by members of the Clay Brick Association – who manufacture bricks that carry the SABS mark,” continues Freeman. “Cracks can be avoided if sound building practices are applied to quality-approved building materials. Professional supervision of the construction process and particularly materials used is important and if it was applied to all the RDP housing projects, we probably would not have the widespread problems which currently exists,” concludes Freeman. Iscosa Tel: 011 908 2511 Fax: 011 908 5526 E-mail: iscosajb@mweb.co.za Crammix (Pty) Ltd Tel: 021 981 2115 Fax: 021 981 4520 Email: bricks@crammix.co.za

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What impacts do bricks have in a building?

n outlining what impacts Corobrik bricks have in a building, managing director Dirk Meyer says: “A Corobrik clay brick is a material that does not deteriorate, losing its structural and aesthetic integrity during normal wear and tear, demonstrating longevity and durability that well outlives its builder.” He says these bricks represent a material that is colourfast, providing long-term aesthetic integrity. Corobrik bricks are a structural/decorative material all in one, and they do not warp, rot, peel or get eaten by insects and do not require replacement within a 50-year lifecycle, as is the case with less durable alternative walling materials. Being maintenance-free, Corobrik face bricks incur no future carbon debt associated with a lifetime of maintenance, neither do they impinge on the air quality of habitable spaces – notably Corobrik clay bricks are inert and as such do not release any volatile organic compounds associated with many applied finishes. Probably most importantly in the context of today’s environmental paradigm and the need to address global warming through lowering the use of electrical energy, Corobrik bricks help contribute to optimal thermal performance of walling envelopes, greater thermal comfort for occupants and the lowest energy usage for heating and cooling. In this regard, extensive modelling research shows that between 25-40% of the total operational energy of a house is consumed by heating and cooling interventions. Double-skin clay-brick walls have proved through these studies that when combined with appropriate levels of resistance for our different climatic zones, they provide great thermal comfort and the low lifecycle energy cost for the heating and cooling of houses. This lower energy usage for heating and cooling in one study ranged between 30% and 60% depending on the climatic zones. The full Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) by Energetics in Australia found that the total Green House Gas (GHG) emissions consequent to the lower operational energy requirements applicable to a Verdant design clay-brick house was on average, for three different climatic zones and four orientations, between 16% lower for the double skin cavity brick house and 26% lower

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for the same with insulation R1.3 in the cavity, compared to the insulated Timber-Frame weatherboard alternate over a 50-year lifecycle. These lower emissions were in some situations sufficient to offset the higher embodied energy of clay-brick houses as built when compared to the lower embodied energy timber-frame insulated weatherboard houses over a 50-year lifecycle. As the lifecycle moved to 80 years the total carbon footprint of the insulated clay-brick houses became progressively lower in all situations. It is these lower lifecycle impacts that clay-brick construction provides, coupled with Corobrik’s ongoing focus on reducing its carbon footprint through the use of cleaner burning fuels and dematerialization that defines why Corobrik clay-bricks are so in tune with the goal of a sustainable future.

What constitutes a green Corobrik? A green Corobrik is a brick that is manufactured in a way that respects the environment and the earth from where it comes, a brick with a carbon footprint as low as possible in line with international best practice, a brick manufactured to exacting international standards to ensure its structural and aesthetic integrity over its entire lifecycle. It is also a brick that has been successfully dematerialised, lowering the energy consumed in the manufacturing process and in transportation of the product to the site. Notably, Corobrik – through the introduction of new intrusion technology at its factories – has achieved dematerialisation, reducing carbon emissions by approximately 20% when compared to the “standard” clay bricks Corobrik previously produced with 25% voids. Such dematerialised bricks also permit some 10% more bricks to be loaded on the same vehicle, reducing the transport carbon footprint accordingly. Corobrik Tel: 031 560 3111 Fax: 031 565 1532 Website: www.corobrick.com www.autospec.com

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Use clay bricks creatively Clay bricks are one of the most versatile building materials in the market. Architects and creative designers can be inspired by the plethora of styles, colours, textures and shapes that are available in clay bricks, for almost any building design and application. “Some of our clay brick members already invested in dedicated production facilities to produce various shapes and sizes of bricks that differ from the norm,” says At Coetzee, Executive Director of the Clay Brick Association.

he creative use of clay bricks created an opportunity for a growing number of architects, building designers and property owners, to opt for the warm, earthy, rustic appeal of raw clay brick and incorporate it into the interior and exterior features of the buildings.

Use clay bricks to enhance styles and applications “When it comes to the aesthetic appeal of buildings, one should not think of clay face bricks and pavers as stand-alone materials that can only be used in single building applications,” Coetzee says. According to him clay bricks are highly versatile and allow for the easy creation of patterns, whether one uses it as a single coloured face brick, or making use of various coloured clay bricks to achieve a desired result. As a product of mother earth, using clay bricks will add to a natural feel in a design. It can easily be used with other building materials and surface finishes, like plaster and glass, to further enhance the appearance of the building. Coetzee says that clay bricks are affordable, require little or no maintenance, have an attractive appearance, and possess high durability and load bearing capacity. “When building with clay face brick, the initial cost of the product is the only cost to be considered. This adds value to a building project because little maintenance is required after construction.” He says that in developments like office parks or residential estates, these savings can be carried downstream to a reduction of levies.

The role of clay bricks in sustainable building design According to Coetzee when one uses clay bricks there are various complex and technical issues involved, such as thermal mass, slow movement and transfer of heat, as well as the regulation of temperatures inside and outside of buildings.

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He points out that the high thermal mass offered by clay bricks assist in regulating building temperatures during the summer and winter months. Coetzee explains that when internal clay brickwork walls are subjected to a heating and cooling cycle that crosses the comfort zone, the brickwork will retain a stable heat energy level for an extended period. “This means that in summer, the building will remain relatively cool and in winter, the same building will remain relatively warm. This could result in savings on heating and cooling costs.” Coetzee adds that due to their mass, clay bricks provide excellent acoustic insulation, particularly for low frequency noise. “Clay brickwork walls also resist the penetration of rainwater, including wind-driven rain, as experienced in the Western Cape. An added benefit is that clay bricks are completely fire-resistant, as a result of the high temperatures used in their manufacturing process,” he says. According to Coetzee, the energy used in the manufacturing process will be repaid repeatedly due to the longevity of the material. “Clay brick buildings enjoy a lifespan in excess of a hundred years. Along with the low maintenance costs, it is a potentially sustainable form of construction.”

BRICKS & BLOCKS & RETAINING WALLS

Matching Bricks for further Expansion Coetzee explains that all clay bricks produced by a member of the Clay Brick Association must conform to the imperial brick size of 222mm long x 106mm wide x 73mm high unless specified otherwise. “This uniformity in size offers flexibility in design in terms of curved archways, rounded walls and the ever-classic bay windows. Standard size clay bricks can also be placed at different angles to create unique patterns and special effects, like parapet walls.” He adds that matching clay brick colours can be a challenge since the actual colour of the brick can change over time. The raw materials extracted from the earth are also in constant flux, meaning that a particular colour match may not be viable. The same applies to other materials like concrete bricks, natural woods and even leather. “The best way to manage developments and match up colours over a long period of time, for instance in Phase 1 and Phase 2 of a particularly large development, is for the professionals to discuss their colour, quantity and delivery requirements with the manufacturer well in advance,” asserts Coetzee. He points out that clay brick manufacturers, who carry the SABS mark and ISO 9001 accreditation, will most likely have the relevant systems in place to achieve the same blending process and temperature controls to ensure a similar result. Prominent Architect, Wouter Mocke of Theunissen Jankowitz Architects in Mpumalanga uses clay bricks in many of his building projects. “I prefer using clay bricks because of the aesthetic flexibility it offers. It is particularly useful if you want the building to blend in with the environment and it be used with other product applications such as plaster and paint.” One of Mocke’s most recent projects is the Pinnacle Building in Nelspruit, an eight storey office block. Stretcher bond which looks like a header course was incorporated in the design. “We cut an extra groove in the face of the brick, to make it look like a

joint. This was then laid in the normal way so that when finished it resembled a header course wall,” says Mocke. Mocke adds that uniformity can be tricky if one sticks to the same batch. This can be overcome by taking bricks from different batches. “One can also use techniques such as changing the bricks on the inner and outer corners of the wall, masking colour variations. This technique can also work if you apply the bricks in different panels as part of the design,” he says. Architects or designers can use this method to be more creative. Mocke says that colour variations are inevitable. “Design around the variations using creative thinking to accommodate potential changes in colour.”

He gives the following advice on utilizing colour variations: A subtle break in the building design or development layout can be made to match Phase 1 up to Phase 2, or to match up the different batches. Reposition the angle of the newer buildings so that they are viewed differently. A separation gap in the building design can be used as a design element to incorporate a similar coloured brick without it being noticed. It always helps if you can break the pattern, even if it is as simple as strategically positioning a downpipe so that it breaks the line of sight. The bricks could also be extracted from different batches to allow the varying colours to be alternated and avoid a perfect match. Slight design changes can make all the difference, for instance: if a building is very straight, the height of the windows could be adjusted to break the design pattern. The use of multiple colours in the design is also another creative way of lessening the impact of the colour change in the design. Particularly in a building renovation or extension, use a completely different colour brick so that the wing is distinguished from the rest of the building. According to Mocke building phases are seen as distinct phases within the building development. “As long as the colour of the selected brick meets the stipulated specification, the actual colour itself should normally not be a big issue.” He says that the building professional is advised to plan ahead and put bricks aside to use in the blending process of the next phase. “The best way to approach this is to go on site. Site management plays a huge role in successfully blending the colours.” Mocke adds that if you opt to use bricks remember that unlike most other products that are exposed to environmental elements, the colour of a clay face brick tends to improve with age. “Clay bricks have a proven track record that allows the architect freedom of expression. Creativity in design can be expressed through the use of the brick, and play on shadow lines, in various ways and forms.” He concludes that this material is durable, easy to work with and highly sought-after for its thermal and acoustic insulation properties. Full thanks and acknowledgement are given to Theunissen Jankowitz Architects, Clay Brick Association, Algoa Brick, Crammix Bricks, Langkloof Bricks, Namakwa Stene and Ocon Brick for the information given to write this article.

Vol 12.7

BRICKS & BLOCKS & RETAINING WALLS

Bricks you can build on Apollo Brick was formed in 1995 to ensure involvement in the building and construction industry. With factories in Gauteng and the Western Cape, bricks are produced using the traditional process of mining, clay beneficiation, extrusion (wet shaping), openair drying and clamp burning.

he company now produces approximately 220-million clay-stock and maxi-bricks per annum. Apollo Brick is proud to say that its factory in Atlantis is a Level 3 contributor to BBBEE, with the Gauteng factory at Level 4. In addition, all products produced at the Gauteng factory are SABS approved. As a member of the Clay Brick Association, Apollo Brick is committed to ensure that neither its production process nor its products will harm the environment. Apollo’s bricks are sold to clients in the construction industry – being major, medium or small contractors, building material merchants and private individuals. The company offers electronic

payment facilities for direct purchases from its factory. The management and employees of Apollo Brick are also committed to an active safety, health and environmental programme through continual improvement, and provides leadership and resources to achieve, maintain and improve the levels of safety, health and environmental awareness during the manufacturing process of clay bricks. As part of their ongoing social responsibility programme, the company is actively involved in the community and has supported many schools, including Madibatlou, Busy Bee and others. Donations are also made regularly to the Good Hope Foundation, SA Guide Dogs Association and the NSRI.

Some of the major projects supplied by Apollo Brick • Wonderboom Junction • Zambesi Retail Centre • Lynnwood Junction • Menlyn Maine • Clock Tower, V&A Waterfront • Woodlands Shopping Centre (phase 2) • Irene Mall • Alert Steel Warehouse (Koedoespoort) • N4 Gateway Warehouses • Adcock Ingram (Clayville) • Bokomo Foods (Clayville) • Clover SA (Clayville) • One & Only Hotel (V&A Waterfront) • Ford Incubator Centre (Silverton) • Tembisa Mall • Greenside Mall • Menlyn Corporate Park • The Fields – City Lodge phase 2 (Brooklyn) Apollo Brick (Pty) Ltd Tel: 011 848 2000 E-mail: Gauteng@apollobrick.com Website: www.apollobrick.com

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BRICKS & BLOCKS & RETAINING WALLS

Company swaps bricks for bursaries Robbie Carswell, factory manager of Corobrik Rietvlei, congratulates Happy Nkomo, one of the students who are sponsored by Corobrik’s Rietvlei factory to further her education.

Corobrik is not only a market leader in pavers and bricks, but also lays an educational foundation in South Africa by cultivating young minds. They recently invested over R400 000 in bursaries for the underprivileged youth throughout the country. “As part of an arrangement with the Department of Minerals and Energy, we decided to award annual bursaries of up to R44 000 each to candidates in communities where our factories are located. Ten deserving recipients already received such bursaries in Gauteng,” Dirk Meyer, managing director of Corobrik, says. While the decision of what they wanted to study was left entirely to the students, Meyer says Corobrik was encouraged by students who selected mechanical and electrical engineering as career paths. “Of the ten awardees, two are pursuing a commercial degree or diploma, and the rest are following engineering degrees and diplomas. This is encouraging when one considers the scarcity of mathematics and science professionals in the country,” he explains.

GAUTENG TEL: 011 848 2000 FAX: 011 848 2001/2 Gauteng@apollobrick.com

According to Meyer, bursaries for this external bursary scheme are awarded on merit. “A stringent system is in place to ensure that the final award goes to the most deserving candidate.” The company initially asked schools in various areas to submit lists of their top achievers. “We interviewed those students and shortlisted the top three per area,” Meyer says. “Recipients were selected based on their final results.” According to Meyer, the new external bursary scheme is an important addition to Corobrik’s long-running internal bursary scheme, which awards employees’ children for academic performance in their grade 12 year. The new external bursary scheme was launched last year and saw its first recipients this year. “We grant approximately 40 bursaries each year to children of employees and already distributed R800 000 this year, bringing our total investment in skills development for the year to over R1 million,” he says. Meyer maintains that despite the fluctuating economy Corobrik remains committed to its educational project. “We see this investment in education and skills development as an important contribution to a more sustainable future economy.” Corobrik Tel: 031 560 3111 Fax: 031 565 1532 Website: www.corobrik.com www.autospec.com

CAPE TOWN TEL: 021 572 2551 FAX: 021 572 2552 Capesales@apollobrick.com

www.apollobrick.com

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BRICKS & BLOCKS & RETAINING WALLS

Heavy duty traffic-calming A new “non-aggressive” traffic-calming system, which slows vehicles down without causing damage, has been launched by concrete products manufacturer Technicrete, following months of research and testing in actual traffic conditions.

he Ripplesett block consists of a base concrete-paving block with a contoured abrasion-resistant concrete top surface which, when laid in a prescribed pattern, limits speeding traffic without causing vehicle damage. Technicrete research looked at a range of existing trafficcalming and speed-reduction systems, including the conventional humps encountered at traffic circles and suburban roads, as well as metal and rubberised devices most often found in parking areas. “We established that some traffic-calming systems reduce speed, but at the cost of damage to a vehicle, especially if it is a low-slung car. The design parameters for Ripplesett are a block system which would be at least as effective as any existing device, but is less aggressive to a vehicle,” says Taco Vogt, Technicrete’s product development manager. The Ripplesett blocks are spaced 450mm to 500mm apart to create the necessary “drag” on a vehicle’s speed.

Technicrete, which is a trading division of Murray and Roberts Building Products, was established in 1968 under Concor Holdings (Pty) Limited. Since then it has created a footprint as a leading manufacturer of concrete products, including paving, masonry, concrete roof tiles, erosion-protection products, as well as retaining wall blocks for the building and civil construction industries.

All the company’s factories hold the SABS ISO 9001:2000 certificate and where applicable, products hold the SABS mark. Technicrete Tel: 011 674 6900 Fax: 011 672 1425 E-mail: info@technicrete.co.za Website: www.technicrete.co.za

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Anti-pollution feature

Indoor air pollution: a problem not to be swept under the carpet

Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t let the bed bugs bite, is a childhood saying not to be taken seriously, but what most people are not aware of, is the indoor â&#x20AC;&#x153;bugsâ&#x20AC;? in the air that may cause levels of discomfort and even lead to serious health problems if it is not managed. Indoor air pollution is a reality taken seriously by the scientific community. Frontrunners in the building industry now also take up the challenge to reduce indoor air pollution by developing eco-friendly products to use during the construction and occupation of a building to minimize the effects of indoor air pollution. Written by Nichelle Lemmer

ccording to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), a growing number of scientific evidence has indicated that the air within homes and buildings can be much more polluted than outdoor air. The website cleanworld.org states that indoor pollution is caused by common contaminant groups that include dusts (particulates), vapours and gasses, as well as biological agents. Some indoor contaminants occur naturally, but most are generated by materials or activities in or around a building. Certain indoor air pollutants, such as asbestos, formaldehyde, carbon monoxide and lead pose great health risks to individuals. The EPA says that if too little outdoor air enters a building, pollutants can accumulate to levels that can cause discomfort and may even lead to health problems. There are several ways to reduce indoor pollution, even from the development and design phases of a building.

Sources of pollution There are various sources of indoor pollution that has to be managed on different levels. Cleanworld.org says one of the major

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sources is uncontrolled combustion that is a major cause of indoor air pollution. Sources of combustion pollution include fireplaces, woodstoves, kerosene heaters, natural gas stoves, furnaces and water heaters. When these sources are worn out, improperly adjusted or inadequately vented, they produce increased levels of smoke, deadly carbon-monoxide gas and other substances. Cleanworld.org also identifies paint, cleaning products and other household chemicals as sources of pollution that can produce high levels of indoor air pollution. The website states that components of these substances are released during normal use. Certain building materials also contribute to indoor air pollution under specific circumstances. Construction materials that are associated with indoor pollution include asbestos insulation, formaldehyde-resin pressed-wood products, lead paint and certain volatile organic compounds, such as these associated with some carpets. According to the website, naturally occurring radon gas, mould that grows on wet or damp building materials and dust mites can pose health hazards if they are not controlled. The website states that radon gas is gradually formed below the ground in some

types of geological formations and rises up through soil. The gas enters buildings through cracks in the foundation or basement and accumulates in areas with poor air circulation. Adding fans to increase air exchange usually prevents this radioactive gas from building up in occupied spaces. Mould spores can trigger asthma and allergies if they become airborne. Active mould growth is best controlled by keeping building surfaces dry. This is particularly challenging in hot, humid environments where moisture in the air condenses on cool building surfaces. Mould management typically involves construction, maintenance, insulation and ventilation combined. Dust mites are also associated with asthma and allergy symptoms. Cleanworld.org states that modern energy-efficient building practices contribute towards the problem by increasing the extent to which the building is sealed from the outdoor environment. According to the website, energy-efficiency standards require that less air leaks in and out of the building and more heated or cooled air is retained. This unfortunately increases the risk for indoor air pollutants. The best way to minimize air pollution in these buildings is by reducing the amount of polluting sources, for example by purchasing furnishings that give off lower levels of volatile organic compounds, taking steps to keep ventilation systems operating effectively, and improving routine maintenance

and the venting of equipment and appliances that can contribute to air contaminants.

Curb indoor air pollution from the beginning The EPA says building a new home or office from the start creates the opportunity for preventing indoor air problems. The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) recommends a ventilation rate of 0,35 ach (air changes per hour) for new homes. Particular care should be taken in such homes to prevent the build-up of indoor air pollutants to high levels. They are of the opinion that if radon-resistant construction techniques are used and building materials and furnishings that will keep indoor air pollution to a minimum are chosen in the construction phase of a building, it will help to control pollution. They say that exterior-grade pressed-wood products made with phenol-formaldehyde resin in floors, cabinetry and wall surfaces should be used. As an alternative, consider using solid wood products. According to the EPA, it is a good idea to install an effective moisture barrier before putting in a carpet when one considers installing wall-to-wall carpets on concrete that is in contact with the ground. They say it is not a good idea to permanently adhere a

Anti-pollution

Anti-pollution feature

Antibacterial tiles with self cleansing qualities on the market

Portogallo Extreme

Onice Extreme

Pietra Serena

Vol 12.7

Anti-pollution feature

Anti-pollution products on the market

carpet to concrete with adhesives as this makes the removal of the carpet difficult when it gets wet. “Proper drainage and seal foundations in a new construction are also a good way to reduce indoor air pollution levels,” the EPA says. “Air that enters a house through the foundation can contain more moisture than is generated from all occupant activities.” They say it is important to ensure that combustion appliances, including furnaces, fireplaces, woodstoves and heaters, are properly vented and receive enough supply air. According to the EPA, combustion gases, including carbon monoxide and particles, can be back-drafted from the chimney or flue into the living space if the combustion appliance is not properly vented or does not receive enough supply air. “Backdrafting can be a particular problem in weatherized or tightly constructed homes. Installing a dedicated outdoor air supply for the combustion appliance can help to prevent back-drafting.” The EPA says it is also important to consider the use of the building when one plans to reduce indoor air pollution levels. They say that these pollutants can be circulated from portions of the building used for specialized purposes, such as restaurants, print shops and dry-cleaning stores, into offices in the same building. The EPA says carbon monoxide and other components of automobile exhaust can be drawn from underground parking garages through stairwells and elevator shafts into office spaces. “In addition, buildings originally designed for one purpose may end up being converted to use as office space. If not properly modified during building renovations, the room partitions and ventilation system can contribute to indoor air quality problems by restricting air recirculation or by providing an inadequate supply of outdoor air.”

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Roger Skudder from Agrob Buchtal says their products include earthenware, stoneware and porcelain stoneware ceramic tiles that are manufactured from natural raw materials like clay, kaolin or feldspar. “No adhesives at all are necessary,” he says. Skudder says their ceramic tiles emit no dusts, gases or other substances during its lifespan. “The tiles constitute no danger to the environment, persons, animals or plants. No harmful or toxic gases are released, even in the case of a fire.” He says their products are closely related to the dishes from which one eats and to the ceramic materials which are used for medical purposes, such as artificial hip joints or false teeth. “These examples demonstrate that ceramics are perfectly compatible with the human organism and nature and have proved to be a harmless material for thousands of years.” According to Skudder, their Hydrotect coating is an indoor airpurification product that can result in the reduction of pollution. “The coating has multiple efficiencies, like cleaning the air inside and outside. It also has antibacterial and anti-fungal properties and in addition creates a hydrophilic effect on the surface of the tiles, which makes the tiles easy to clean. Therefore the consumption of cleaning agents can be considerably reduced.” He says Hydrotect eliminates unwelcome or harmful odours, such as formaldehyde, tobacco, odours from the kitchen, or the typical smell in sanitary areas, changing rooms and similar areas. “If used outside, it decomposes the exhaust fumes produced by industry and cars. A facade surface of 1 000m2 with Hydrotect tiles cleans the air as effectively as 70 medium-sized deciduous trees.” He says in this way the quality of the air is considerably improved. He explains further that the advantages of Hydrotect are based on a principle of action – photocatalysis. “The process can be described as follows: titanium dioxide, an abundant and totally safe material, is baked onto the glaze of the tiles as catalyst, which effects a reaction between light, oxygen and air humidity. The coating is not simply applied by spraying or any other ‘cold’ method, but baked onto the glaze at a high temperature.” He adds that compared to conventional sealing, impregnating or coating methods, this procedure makes Hydrotect so robust that it can be used not only for wall but also for floor tiles. “This photocatalytic effect is already activated at normal indoor lighting levels and forms the basis for the Hydrotect properties.” Dulux also manufactures products that could keep one’s indoor environment cleaner, such as Sterishield, a new anti-bacterial paint that actively inhibits the spreading of bacteria like E.Coli and pseudomonas aeruginosa. “Its efficacy lies in the active silverbased bactericide, combined with the durable and washable nature of its paint film, making this coating superior-hygiene paint-effective in infection control,” says Bennum van Jaarsveld, Dulux’s communication manager. The product actively inhibits bacteria within 12 hours of contamination and can withstand repeated cleaning cycles and maintain anti-bacterial effectiveness. “It is ideal for high-use areas that require regular cleaning, such as hospitals, clinics, care homes, kitchens and food-protection areas,” says Van Jaarsveld. Full acknowledgement and thanks are given to the EPA, Cleanworld. org, Agrob Buchtal and Dulux for the information provided to write this article.

Anti-pollution

Sustainability from the

cradle to the grave Environmental protection and sustainable building are the most urgent tasks of our days. There is one material which basically has met these challenging requirements for thousands of years: ceramic tiles.

or their production the German brand Agrob Buchtal uses natural raw materials such as clay, kaolin, quartz and feldspar exclusively. The factories of this producer are all situated in the immediate vicinity of the deposits of these raw materials, which means short transport distances and protection of the environment beginning at the very first step of the production chain. After the exploitation of a clay pit, the landscape is recultivated. In this way, recreational areas, bathing lakes or nature zones are created which, during the utilisation as clay pit and afterwards in a recultivated state, are ecologically more valuable than, for example, former arable or fallow land, because a new flora and fauna with a large variety of species are developing. Agrob Buchtal produces exclusively in Germany in compliance with the German laws and conditions concerning environmental protection, which are considered to be among the strictest in the world. The products manufactured in this way have no harmful effect on the environment, plants, animals and persons. In addition, they are extremely durable and thus not throw-away products, so that another important basic requirement for sustainability is met.

Moreover, this manufacturer attaches great importance to recycling and closed cycles for solid, liquid or gaseous media. Approximately 90% of the totalquantity is produced without causing waste water - the industrial water is completely reprocessed. The remaining 10% is produced at a factory having

its own purification plant, which was installed more than 50 years ago and has been operated ever since without any problems thanks to continuing modernisation measures. For firing, natural gas, one of the cleanest energy sources, is used. The small amount of remaining exhaust gases are carefully filtered by means of absorption systems. The most modern firing kilns are precisely controllable. In this way, energy can be saved and efficiently utilised. At the end of the long life cycle, Agrob Buchtal ceramic wall and floor tiles end up in the bowels of Mother Earth. Again no hazardous waste is produced requiring expensive disposal accumulation, but unproblematic building rubble, which is in great demand as backfill material in the road construction sector and does not affect the ground water. Speaking of ground water: in the Netherlands, it was explicitly tested whether and which effects faรงade claddings have on the ground water by the elution of heavy metals by rain. This test was passed by Agrob Buchtal tiles with an excellent result. Another important contribution to environmental protection is the revolutionary Hydrotect surface coating of Agrob Buchtal. Thanks to the extremely easy cleaning and the antibacterial effect (without using any chemical products), the consumption of cleaning agents and disinfectants can be considerably reduced. This not only saves time and money, but helps to protect the environment. In addition, this innovation decomposes the exhaust fumes produced by industry and cars: a faรงade surface of 1000m2 with Hydrotect-coated tiles cleans the air as effectively as 70 medium-sized deciduous trees. Agrob-Buchtal Cell: 083 700-8903 Email: rskudder@global.co.za Website: www.agrob-buchtal.de

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Anti-pollution

Get the maximum anti-bacterial

protection

Authoritative European studies of the bacteriological properties of nine different materials concluded that vitreous-enamel steel provides the maximum anti-bacterial protection.

itreous-enamel steel combines the traditional properties and attributes of glass with the strength and fabrication flexibility of steel. These surfaces are created when an inorganic coating is fused to an enameling steel base at controlled temperatures of about 820°C. Cristian Cottino, the sales and marketing director of Vitrex, South Africa’s leading producer of vitreous-enamel (porcelain) steel products for architectural applications, says the tests were carried out in Italy by the Istituti Ospedalieri on behalf of the Centro Italiano Smalti Porcellanati, the Italian Technical Institute for Vitreous Enamel.

The results showed that, on all the surfaces tested, the bacterial level underwent a fall, which became apparent after 24 hours. The greatest drop, however, was found on vitreous-enamel steel. Vitreous-enamel steel was also the only material on which the drop reached or exceeded 50% or more of the initial bacterial level. The greatest inhibition of micro-bacterial growth was also found on this surface. It displayed the best decontamination qualities, no matter how infected or chemically washed the surface was. Finally, the studies also dealt with mould flora often found in refrigerators that is difficult to eliminate once it becomes established. In this case, vitreous-enamel steel was the only one of the nine materials to show maximum resistance.

Why is this surface so effective when it comes to hygiene and easy cleaning?

The unique properties of enamel are very effectively used in a number of Vitrex products that can be utilized in environments where high levels of hygiene need to be maintained. These vigorous tests intended to show the level of infection when these nine surfaces came in contact with milk, broth or meat, and also calculated the level of infection from contact with bacterial cultures as well as how easy or difficult it was to decontaminate the infection with chemical agents.

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Due to the absence of pores the glasslike, hard and durable enamel surface eliminates the absorption of dirt and grease. It also reduces the presence of bacterial growth and mould, therefore creating a more hygienic and healthy environment. In addition, enamel does not absorb or transmit odours or flavours. The unique properties of enamel are very effectively used in a number of Vitrex products that can be utilized in environments where high levels of hygiene need to be maintained. These products can be applied with success in places like hospitals, clinics, laboratories, pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities, change-room facilities, public ablutions, stations and other hightraffic or public environments.

Products in the range include: • Writing surfaces for white boards, writing walls and writing panels. • The Vitraflex modular cloakroom system, which includes toilet, shower and change-room cubicles with benches, urinal screens, privacy screens, vanities and bathroom signage panels. • EuroSan baths and shower trays. • The Vitraclad wall-cladding system, including specific applications in operating theatres. Vitrex Tel: 011 826 6057 E-mail: vitrex@vitrex.co.za Website: www.vitrex.co.za

Anti-pollution

Vol 12.7

Anti-pollution

A historical

overview of the development

paint

hroughout recorded history, humans have had the desire to decorate their living space. While mediums and techniques were crude during prehistory, both paint and painting methods evolved tremendously in the millennia that followed. Today, the environmental impact of paint is as important as aesthetic appeal. What may seem like a simple product has undergone many transformations over the years. In 3800 BC, people used paint in their caves. At the end of the 1200s, guilds were formed to protect trade secrets and just a few centuries later new technologies revolutionized paint.

The illegal use of paint

In this day and age, we don’t think twice about painting our living or working space, but pilgrims thought that painting a house was pretentious, resulting in paint being outlawed. Prohibition merely increased the demand for paint. Formulations became sought after and were produced and distributed illicitly. Minerals and even food was used to make paint.

Hazardous paint When the 1600s and 1800s dawned on humanity, water- and oil-based paint was mostly used. Painting became popular and various techniques were developed to make substrates more appealing. Pigmenting paint was done by hand using white lead powder, resulting in health hazards. This was followed by more health-conscious working conditions, such as the use of ventilation on the factory floor. It took a few hundred years for laws in the USA to catch up and prohibit poisonous lead from paint. The law was passed in 1978.

Competitive mixtures During the 18th century, England took the forefront in paint innovation. Paint mixers were invented, which led to reduced prices. Non-toxic additives became popular and guilds became

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unions. Making paint in large quantities was now easier. Painting surfaces became the rule rather than the exception. Protecting surfaces other than simply beautifying them became the norm.

Modern approach In the early 1900s, paint chemists saw the light of day and technologies improved. Artificial resins were now used. Milk paint previously used was once again becoming popular due to its ecofriendliness, with no volatile organic compounds (VOC). Today paint companies sell low- and zero-VOC paints. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the term “zero-VOC” means fewer than 5g of volatile compounds per litre of paint. Clay- and water-based paints, which often contain plant oils, resins and dyes, are also VOC-free options. Low-VOC paints are less problematic for people with allergies or chemical sensitivities. These paints don’t produce pungent vapours like their conventional counterparts, which let building owners reoccupy painted rooms sooner. Like many other consumer products, paint has gone through countless changes since its inception. Yet the primary purpose of paint remains the same: to add colour, joy and protection to an environment. Considering its remarkable versatility and adaptability, paint is likely to be around for millennia to come. More modern approaches include the development of smart paint that does more than beautify and protect. Cosmo-Dec, an innovative South African company, boasts with quite a few of these in their product range, not the least of which is Clean-Air, a gas-scrubbing paint that literally cleans the air. This is an important breakthrough when it comes to combating climate change. Cosmo-Dec Tel: 012 669 9919 Fax: 082 652 6752 E-mail: admin@cosmodec.co.za

Extra…Extra…Read all about it!

Anti-pollution

...... Extra!

......... Extra! Nano technology! Cosmo-Dec announces it`s most recent coatingClean-Air. This unique product literally cleans the air, removing polluting gasses by catalysis. The active ingredient converts oxides of Nitrogen and Sulphur, typical and most common air pollutants, to harmless salts dissipated by climatic conditions. Clean-Air is a water based coating and can be applied by brush, roller or spray equipment to

roofs or walls of practically any material. Less than 200 square meters of coated surface can eliminate the equivalent amount of this pollution, produced by the average car during a year of motoring. Water based Clean-Air comes in a variety of colours. Clean-Air offers an amazing gas scrubbing feature in addition to all the other benefits of regular paints or coatings such as corrosion protection, beautifying and prolonging substrate life etc. Cosmo-Dec can supply only or supply and apply Clean-Air.

Vol 12.7

tech savvy

Zinc exterior transforms building The 355 Eleventh Building, as it is known in downtown San Francisco, is an excellent example of how an old building, previously an ugly duckling, can be turned into a beautiful swan. This was done by giving the building a complete new perforated zinc exterior, increasing its energyefficiency, adding more natural daylight and even a Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) gold certificate to tack on its walls. Aidlin Darling Design, who took on the project to restore the building, had a vision for the previously derelict turn-of-thecentury industrial building. The building originally had a metal skin. The retrofit included refurbishing the exterior and replacing it with a new corrugated and perforated zinc skin. This skin acts as a shade wall, letting air and light pass through and behind,

decreasing the heat gain on the building. More natural daylight is let into the interior, but not enough for blinds to be needed. New operable windows allow for cross-ventilation throughout the building. Inside, the renovated office building is light and airy, and utilizes reclaimed wood for the beams and ceilings. A 30kW solar array covers the upper roof area and harvests approximately 70% of the building’s annual electricity usage. The lower “living” roof is designed to reduce heat-island effect, slow stormwater run-off and provide enhanced insulation. Enough upgrades were made that the building achieved an LEED gold certification. The building currently acts as the offices of San Francisco’s Matarozzi Pelsinger Builders. After the building was retrofitted, Aidlin Darling Design walked away with the first prize in the annual Zerofootprint competition for renovated buildings in 2010. The competition is held to give recognition to the most successful, holistic retrofitting projects of the year. Full acknowledgement and thanks are given to Inhabitat.com for the information used in this article.

When using steel creatively, you can create a futuristic look for any house. This is what Daly Genik, the designer of a new look for the Palms House in California, did when he was commissioned to refurbish the house. The original house was a large open loft with one bedroom. The guest apartment was on top of a garage at the front of the property. Genik tackled and reorganised the space to better suit the new family and their often visiting relatives. His overhaul resulted in a housing complex that brings the family together, while allowing the main residence a bit of privacy when the in-laws come around. During the refurbishment, he came up with some “out of the box” ideas.The main house was expanded from one to three bedrooms, and three baths. An unused back room, adjacent to the kitchen, was opened up to create an innovative outdoor dining area by removing the roof. Perforated metal skins were added in jutting geometric shapes to the facade of the main house and the apartment/garage. Angled and pointed into triangles, the skins are supported by aluminium frames and almost reach towards each other, creating a relationship with the main and guest houses. Inside the angles, Genik built odd-shaped balconies that extend from the master bedroom and the apartment. The perforated metal also acts as a natural shade from the sun and filters in natural lighting into both structures. The perforation creates a sense of privacy, but also allows the family members to see each other from their respective balconies. Each building is passively cooled by the metal perforations and cross-breezes from the added balconies. The gardens and courtyard have been thickly planted with lush greenery to further cool the interiors. Solar panels were installed on the roof of the main house to collect solar power to heat the water for the buildings and for the radiant-heat floor panels. Genik’s overhaul created a housing complex that brings the family together, while allowing the main residence a bit of privacy when the in-laws come around. Full acknowledgement and thanks are given to Inhabitat.com for the information used in the article.

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Innovative steel designs

tech savvy

Universal access at the touch of a button Spectator platforms get a facelift The 4x4 multi-step block, designed by Holger Rust, the owner of Terraforce, is a new retaining block developed to provide efficient and economical steps to be used in conjunction with the original Terraforce retaining blocks. This light, dry-stack concrete unit is generally used for constructing low-terrace walls, stairs and seating arrangements. The product is a popular choice to use not only for stairway access, but also to provide comfortable, practical stairs and seating arrangements at leisure amenities and schoolsports facilities. Rust says various companies used Terraforce products in the last 25 years. “Our method of installing blocks lends itself to constructing small seating arrangements for pre-school facilities with 50 seats, to large-scale arenas capable of accommodating 20 000 spectators, as has been done at a gold mine in South Africa.” He adds that unsightly and eroding embankments can be turned into something useful by using 4x4 multi-step blocks. This was done successfully last year to improve spectator platforms in disadvantaged communities. Hans Blumer of Dennis Moss Partnership, who was involved in designing three seating platforms, used 4x4 multi-step blocks in these projects. He says construction of the projects was initiated by the Stellenbosch Municipality in 2008 with the vision to upgrade existing sports fields. “The projects had to be completed in time for the 2010 Soccer World Cup.” Three arenas, located in Pniel, Kylmore and Groendal near Stellenbosch, were chosen to be upgraded. In all three an existing grass embankment was converted into seating. George Brand of Dassenberg Retaining, the contractor who installed the seating in these projects, says a combination of 4x4 multi-step blocks and L12 Terraforce blocks were used in all three upgrades. “Y12 steel bars were inserted with a concrete infill into the 4x4 blocks to horizontally reinforce the structure.” Blumer says the 4x4 multi-step blocks worked well in fulfilling project requirements. “Installing formal seating with Terraforce blocks proved to be a welcome innovation which was greatly appreciated by the various communities.” Rust adds that feedback over many years has confirmed that the combination of a row of Terraforce retaining blocks, topped with a row of reinforced 4x4 step blocks, is easier to install and approximately 30% cheaper than similar competing systems. “Various budget constraints can be overcome by using 4x4 multistep blocks.” Terraforce Tel: 021 461 4939 Cell: 082 558 7997 E-mail: karin@terraforce.com Website: www.terraforce.com

Doors in foyers or internal facades that are regularly used as entrances to gardens or care stations are made universally accessible with swing-door drives that open prompted by a movement sensor, button or mobile radiocontrolled operation. Making fresh-air supplies universally accessible is also not a problem. Skylight wings to provide cross-ventilation above hallways can be fitted with electronic operation. When connected to the central building-control system, mechanical ventilation can be achieved, for example when a specific concentration of carbon dioxide is reached. In hospitals, patients’ rooms are always fitted with freemoving doors, ideally without door closers, wherever the protection concept allows it. In order to achieve a secure closing of the doors, for example in cases where they must always be kept shut or where they must be closed during a fire, “free-swing” door closers are the best solution. This function means that, once the door has been opened initially in the morning, it is possible to pass through the door without any resistance in either the opening or closing direction of the door. The swing-door drive allows the doors to wards and rooms accommodating the elderly to be easily automated. For maximum user convenience, Automatic Swing Doors (EC turn-doors) can also be operated wirelessly via mobile radio-operated remote controls. This reduces the work of care workers. GEZE Distribution Tel: 011 315 8286 E-mail: info@gezesa.co.za. Website: www.geze.com

A world record The tallest concrete structure was completed in 2009 – the 92-storey Trump International Hotel & Tower in Chicago, which is 360m high, including the building’s spire. Designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, the complex features 486 residential apartments and a 339-room hotel, and is the world’s tallest formwork concrete structure.

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tech savvy

Light Weight Steel Frame Construction

Wins Award

he South African subsidiary of Saint-Gobain, a major global player in the manufacturing of construction products, was approached to offer an alternative fasttrack building solution for the construction of 27 buildings that made up the All African Athletes Village in Maputo, Mozambique, with the final handover required in August, a month ahead of the official start of the games. It was evident that using traditional masonry construction methods was not an option if the apartment buildings required to house the 6 500 athletes were to be completed in time for the start of the games, which took place during the first three weeks of September. Building 840 three-bedroom apartments in under a year may seem like an impossible task, but Saint-Gobain Construction Products, in conjunction with Worthington Steel Frame, the designer, detailer and erector, and Abbeycon (Pty) Ltd.- the internal dry-walling contractor, who also handled the insulation and plastering, achieved this with time to spare. As testimony to the overall success and achievement of this project, the All African Games Athletes Village was Awarded “The Light-Steel Frame Building Of The Year” for 2011 by the Southern African Institute of Steel Construction. Saint-Gobain, a high-performance building solutions company and specialists in the manufacturing of lightweight building products in conjunction with lightweight steel-frame contractors – a new wave in building methodology that is fast gaining widespread popularity – took on the challenge knowing that they would not only meet the completion deadline, but that they would have the ability to clad and insulate as well as plaster the apartments that would showcase the various benefits provided by this method of construction.

Products used and the benefits Saint-Gobain Gyproc supplied various gypsum-board products for the internal cladding and lining of the apartments, including 245 000m2 of Gyproc RhinoBoard FireStop 15mm, which is a specialist gypsum board that offers a fire rating of up to 120 minutes and has the benefit of retaining fire in specific areas and preventing the spread of flames, giving occupants 30-120 minutes to vacate the building if necessary. Wet areas were clad using 60 000m2 of Gyproc Moisture Resistant Rhino Board 15mm, formulated to resist moisture, coupled with its fire and acoustical performance benefits. This board was further prepared and waterproofed for the fitting of ceramic tiles in the shower areas using compounds manufactured by Weber/Tylon, a division of the Saint-Gobain group of companies. The internal lightweight wall structures were insulated with 87 000m2 of Saint-Gobain Isover Cavitybatt insulation and clad with Gyproc RhinoBoard FireStop 15mm. “One of the most significant time savers in the project was the use of Gyproc’s M100 Projection Plaster machines to apply the Gyproc RhinoLite Projection Plaster,” explains Andre Schlunz, Gyproc’s business development manager. “The M100 Projection Plaster machine operators skim-plaster the interior walls and

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Above: The M100 Projection Plaster machine. Right: Gyproc RhinoLite Projection Plaster being projected onto a wall. Below: The All African Athletes Village in Maputo

ceilings at a rate of over 450m2 per machine per day. The construction of all internal walls and ceilings, including fitting insulation and plastering a total area of 300 000m2, took just 120 days to complete using eight M100 machines,” says Schlunz. “By planning mixed loading for the 11 000 tons, which comprised of 344/32 ton interlinks of materials that had to be transported from Gauteng to Maputo, we minimised transport costs and reduced the overall carbon footprint of the project, which offered significant benefits and savings to the subcontractor, Abbeycon and resultatnt savings on the project explains Schlunz. “In addition, we also provided full-time on-site support and supervision, which minimised construction glitches, keeping the project on track and saving on any additional expenditure,” he adds. This project provided the perfect example of “valued reengineering”, where innovative, high-performance building solutions were applied by Saint-Gobain, providing a range of benefits not only to the organisers by having completed the project by the non-negotiable project completion date, using products that are fully compliant and certified, but also to the end-users who will enjoy a residence that offers superior firecontrol measures, energy-efficient, thermal comfort and optimal acoustic performance. Saint-Gobain Construction Products Tel: 011 345 5300 Website: www.saint-gobain.com www.autospec.com

tech savvy

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tech savvy

New

waterproofing ideal for regulating temperatures T

he new a.b.e. Construction Chemicals’ abeproof thermoshield heat-insulating, shielding and waterproofing coating is the ideal green product to use for the hot, wet summers that are around the corner in most parts of South Africa. It is a cost-effective, water-based coating that uses advanced insulation technology to reduce the interior temperature of a building while, simultaneously, serving as a waterproofing coating. Mike Armstrong, the strategic product manager of a.b.e Construction Chemicals, says abeproof thermoshield is specially formulated with fine spherical particles that minimise surface temperatures on roofs

This new product is one of seven new, environmentally-friendly waterproofing products recently launched by a.b.e. Construction Chemicals in South Africa.

Steel roofing can produce exceptional heat in buildings. A coating of a.b.e.’s new abeproof thermoshield, during and after application, can substantially lower the interior temperature of a building while still serving as a waterproofing agent.

and walls by re-emitting most of the radiant heat energy away before it can penetrate a building. “This lowers the interior temperature and reduces energy costs for cooling a building. The product is ideal to use in commercial and residential buildings. It is effective, even with dark colours,” he says. According to Armstrong, abeproof thermoshield can be applied to substrates such as concrete, aluminium, steel, fibre-cement sheets, masonry, brick and wood. “The product also has anti-mould and antifungal properties,” he adds. This new product is one of seven new, environmentally-friendly waterproofing products recently launched by a.b.e. Construction Chemicals in South Africa. Other products include the abeproof acrylic primer, abeproof anti-root, abeproof PU ECO (polyurethane eco-friendly product), abeproof acrylic, matrix K11 and duraproof dekflex. a.b.e. Construction Chemicals locally manufactures this range of low volatile organic compounds (VOC) waterproofing products based on technology with proven global applications sourced from within the Materis Group. The company is part of the Chryso SA Group which, in turn, is part of the Materis Group with its head office in France. a.b.e. Construction Chemicals Tel: 011 306 9000 Website: www.abe.co.za

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tech savvy

Creative hub developed to showcase unique designs in concrete

A new showroom and an exciting new concept were launched in Johannesburg during September by creating an interactive hub for the development of unique designs in concrete. In announcing this venture, Peter Norton from Concreate said: “To most people concrete is cold, grey and plain ugly. Concreate is here to show you that this is not the case. We can show you how to make concrete warm, coloured and textured and make it beautiful to be used on walls, floors, countertops, tables, chairs, loungers, desks, pots, driveways, patios, walkways and many other areas.”

Be inspired Norton says anyone can visit the showroom and experience a new world of concrete and creation. “Architects and interior designers can be inspired and create their unique designs using Concreate products. Builders and contractors will be able to offer clients attractive decorative finishes in their projects that are timesaving, cost-saving and energy-efficient. Artisans could come to Concreate to be trained in the correct application of products.” The Concreate concept originally started as a showroom that showcased decorative concrete and cement finishes. Whilst developing the showroom, the company identified the need for training in products. “After speaking to several suppliers, it was

clear that Concreate could be the ideal hub for brand association and the route to market these companies,” Norton said. “We decided to start the BATS concept – an acronym meaning Brand Association, Training and Showroom.” Several partners identified for this project came on board using the BATS concept. “These partner companies are non-competing and complementary to each other, helping to deliver the solutions customers require,” Norton says. Concreate has also partnered through local agency agreements with two American companies that are the leaders in their respective fields of decorative concrete. Buddy Rhodes has 25 years experience in developing a bone-white malleable concrete mixture and mould system, and American Decorative Concrete Supply Company produces the globally renowned range of concrete stains and dyes called Colour Juice. Visit the showroom at 1 Government Road in Fourways, Johannesburg. Concreate Tel: 011 704 5557 Website: www.concreate.co.za

ARCHITECTIVES

Maintenance a key focus area for steel company

Special Steels, a leading special-steels merchant in South Africa, strives to deliver quality services to their clients by investing regularly in top-grade cutting equipment. The general manager of Special Steels, Theuns van der Merwe, cannot stress the importance of preventative maintenance on equipment enough. “Machinery that runs at optimum levels of efficiency enables better client service,” he says. “Maintenance is not a sideline issue, but a key focus area in our day-to-day operations.” He explains further that preventative maintenance not only prevents major downtime, but it also enhances productivity levels. To do this, the company uses a cutting industry specialist who services their sawing machines on a weekly basis. “Special Steels has very well maintained P-150s in the business”, says Vernon Moss, an independent cutting specialist. Moss refers to the two Everising P-series circular cutting machines which have recently been installed at the company’s facilities. Van der Merwe says weekly quality control is supplemented by the calibration of equipment. “Special Steels also takes the time and effort to ensure blade longevity.” He says the company does this by monitoring the shavings on an hourly basis, which indicates the age of the blade and the correctness of the “speed and feed”. “We replace blades long before they show signs of wear and tear.” Special Steels also invests in quality training of personnel. The company has initiated a tailor-made in-house training programme and also commissions a custom-designed operator training manual for its staff.

Van der Merwe says the programme was put in place in order to facilitate the training of new staff, as part of their induction, as well as to consolidate and refresh the skills knowledge of existing staff. Byron Ferguson, Special Steels’ managing director, says their training programme has an impact on productivity levels and accuracy in cutting. “Not only is the quality of the output more consistent, but there is less wastage.” Van der Merwe says the programme motivates staff and reduces staff turnover. “Experience and knowledge in the industry are important, and by investing in our staff we hope to encourage not only pride in work but also loyalty to the company.” According to Ferguson, their training programme teaches operators to become familiar with the properties of the steel they work with. “The operators also learn which downward speed is appropriate for the type of steel used to get the ‘speed and feed’ correct,” Ferguson says. In the programme, operators also learn about proper blade selection. “This includes how to extend the longevity of a blade, accuracy in square cutting, troubleshooting and safety,” Ferguson concludes. Special Steels Tel: 011 865 4939 E-mail: sales@specialsteels.co.za Website: www.specialsteels.co.za

DTI clarifies its coatings “collusion” comment Deryck Spence, executive director of SAPMA, has expressed relief at the DTI’s explanation of its coatings sector “collusion” comment.

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the SA Paint Manufacturing Association (SAPMA) have buried the hatchet regarding the DTI’s reported claims that the local coatings market was “prone to collusive behaviour”. Earlier this year, SAPMA strongly objected to a reported statement by the DTI’s directorgeneral, Lionel October, who was quoted in the media as saying that the paint market was “highly concentrated and prone to collusive behaviour”, while voicing the DTI’s concern about the possible takeover of Freeworld Coatings by Japan’s Kansai Paint. October has now informed SAPMA’s executive

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director, Deryck Spence, that his comments referred “unequivocally to other countries and economic regions in which the multinational paint companies operate, and not South Africa”. He also advised SAPMA that the “highly concentrated market” he was quoted on referred to the global auto-coatings market. SAPMA’s Spence said the association was relieved to receive this explanation from the DTI as SAPMA regarded DTI support and trust as vital for the advancement of the coatings industry in South Africa. “The fact that Mr October took special trouble to ensure that there would be no misunderstanding between his department and SAPMA is appreciated and testifies to the value both organisations attach to mutual co-operation,” he stated. SAPMA Tel: 011 455 2503 Website: www.sapma.org.za

ARCHITECTIVES

Order book at a record high The Aveng Group recently announced its full-year results to the end of June 2011, which shows revenue steady at R34,3-billion (up 1%), headline Roger Jardine, CEO of Aveng Group earnings per share (HEPS) down 37%, strong growth in the twoyear order book (up 19% to R37-billion), a strong balance sheet with netto cash of R5,3-billion and the dividend maintained at 145 cents per share. The group made investments of R1,1-billion to expand its current capability and gear up for large projects and R700million on replacement items. Expansionary investments include Aveng Moolman’s R711-million for the Chimiwungo and Star & Comet projects in Zambia and Tanzania respectively. McConnell Dowell invested R473-million for large new contracts, including the Queensland Curtis LNG (QCLNG) pipeline, the Vector maintenance contract in New Zealand and the Komo Airfield project in Papua New Guinea. Aveng Trident Steel invested R160-million in a Schuler blanking press to service the South African automotive industry.

Commenting on the results, Roger Jardine, chief executive officer of the Aveng Group, said: “These results are a reflection of the group’s resilience considering the numerous challenges faced by the industry. The South African construction and infrastructure environment has slowed significantly, particularly in the public sector. But our geographic diversity, robust balance sheet and strong order book growth have positioned us well to deal with the downturn in the industry.” Jardine adds: “The Aveng Group remains focused on improving its operational efficiencies and managing costs, while targeting new geographies. We’ve bolstered our management team, and I am now confident that our management team has the right sector and international experience to drive the necessary growth into next year.” The Aveng Group (Head Office) Tel: 011 779 2800 Website: www.aveng.co.za

2013 Coatings for Africa will be the biggest The South African Paint Manufacturing Association (SAPMA) has announced that the next Oil and Colour Chemists’ Association (OCCA) together with SAPMA Coatings for Africa (CFA) symposium and exhibition will take place at Gallagher Estate on 21 to 23 May 2013. Danny Grady, the CFA committee chairman, says because the event has grown so much over the years, it is now necessary to move the venue from the Drakensberg to a more central and easier accessible Johannesburg. “Gallagher Estate is closer to the market and global air connection, which means more local and overseas visitors and delegates will be able to attend,” states Grady. The format of Coatings for Africa will also be changed to accommodate a greater commercial element in addition to the traditional technology transfer programmes. “SAPMA and OCCA of the UK are the co-presenters of Coatings for Africa. OCCA will be encouraging increased overseas participation. There were also initial discussions with the South African Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) that have shown great promise. With DTI support, there could be attendance by a number of trade delegations arriving from sub-Saharan African states, ensuring that CFA will continue to grow in stature as the only recognised coatings exhibition and symposium in Africa,” says Grady. SAPMA Tel: 011 455 2503 Website: www.sapma.org.za

Do you need... A new brochure? Copywriting? A full service is available from design to final print from JACQUERIE. We also undertake research and copywriting for press releases, articles or sales leaflets.Whatever your needs, contact us for full details and rates. Dave Soons, Jacquerie Marketing cc Tel: 012 807 7012: e-mail: dsoons@mweb.co.za: Fax to e-mail: 086 601 7842

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ARCHITECTIVES

30 years of innovation, commitment and ambition For over three decades Prominent Paints has been dedicated to incorporating their philosophy of innovation, commitment and ambition not only into the development of their wide range of coatings, but also into their day-to-day operations.

ne of the keys to Prominent Paints’ success is employing people passionate about paint, such as Dawid du Plessis, the technical services manager. “We strive to provide solutions rather than just paint,” says Du Plessis. “Our Microbarr range of antibacterial coatings, which makes use of silver-ion technology, and our antigraffiti coating and cleaning gel are some of the ways in which we try to help our clients to find decorative and protective solutions to the everyday problems they face.” Together with the better-known products, these speciality coatings are available through Prominent Paints’ decorating centres – the only paint outlets in South Africa specifically designed to combine the benefits of a retail outlet with those of a factory. It doesn’t matter whether a person is a contractor, interior decorator, architect, property manager or a DIY consumer; the decorating centres cater for his specific needs. The paint manufacturer and supplier, which is a fully integrated member of the PPG Group, is based in Alrode and has adopted the PPG Group’s ecological solutions philosophy that entails protecting and respecting the environment, habitat and natural resources in order to significantly reduce the environmental and social impact of the business and the products produced. Every effort is made to recycle as much as possible of the daily operational waste and a specific area on the manufacturing site has been dedicated to separate recycling

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material from unrecyclable waste. All waste material is collected by a recycling company that transports the various items to the relevant recycling facilities, and returned and unused paint is reworked if possible and then sold in batches or donated to community projects. Prominent Paints considers painting a professional field into an art form, and believes that by recognising and awarding excellence in the industry, it can help to raise the bar in terms of service, quality standards, innovation and painting methods. As such, the company created the Prominent Paints Painter of the Year competition. It is the first and only competition of its kind for the contract-painting industry in South Africa. “We look forward to the next 30 years with a spirit of open-minded excitement,” says Eduard Ferreira, marketing director of Prominent Paints. “We believe in progress and look forward to whatever challenges the future will bring.”

Competition To celebrate their 30th birthday, Prominent Paints will give one lucky winner the chance to either experience the thrill of driving a supercar or the luxury of a professional home paint-over. To enter, simply SMS your name, the name of the store and the last four digits of the bar code on the Prominent Paints product you have purchased to 40521. Prominent Paints (Pty) Ltd Tel: 011 389 4600 Fax: 011 389 4654 Website: www.prominentpaints.co.za

ARCHITECTIVES

Steel Awards winners announced This is the time of the year to celebrate what people in South Africa have achieved with structural steel in the past year. Achievements in this industry were highlighted recently with the announcement of the winners of the prestigious Steel Awards.

he character of the 2011 Steel Awards entries reflects a shift in the activity of the steel construction industry since the frantic period leading up to the 2010 Soccer World Cup. “Projects that were entered this year are smaller compared to the large stadiums and airports of recent years,” says Spencer Erling, education director of the Southern African Institute of Steel Construction (SAISC). “We are seeing more housing-type developments, pedestrian bridges, malls and community centres, but their expression of both the practical and aesthetic genius of their creators is no less impressive,” says Erling. “What really turns the judges on, is when they see how somebody has shown a deep understanding of what you can do with steelwork and come up with an idea that would not have worked in another material,” says Hennie de Clercq, executive director of the SAISC.

Category winner in light-steel frame building The 2011 All Africa Games: Athletes Village stood out amongst the projects entered in the light-steel frame building category and walked away with the prize. The judges said that this is a mid-rise building in top gear. According to the judging panel, the Athletes Village project exemplifies a number of advantages of light-steel frame building forming the driving force that enabled the project to meet incredible tight project deadlines and produce a high quality end-product. “When it comes to design and planning, the project team’s philosophy of standardisation paid off,” said the judges. The execution of the building process, which illustrated the skills and experience of the team, also impressed the judges. The speed at which the project was completed was spectacular. A total of 848 three-bedroom apartments in 27 four-storey blocks were completed in a little more than seven months.

(L-R) Charles Dednam, SAISC Chairman, Hendrik Engelbrecht, Onpar Steel Erection Works, Richard Butler, Cadcon, Werner Herholdt, 3D Struct, Paul Blackburn, MLC Quantity Surveyors, Mike Woodruff, GHC Brydens, Peter Browne, Sandton JV (Aveng Grinaker-LTA/WBHO), Tia Kanakakis, MDS Architects, Dennis Nash, AKI (now Aurecon), Tim Tasioulas, Tass Engineering Photographer: Darren Alexander

Overall winner The Protea Court Rooflight structure walked away with the highest honour at the Steel Awards as the judges picked this building project as the overall winner of the awards. According to Steve Mackie, one of the judges, the imaginative use of steel is beautifully displayed in the new Protea Court Rooflight on the south-eastern corner of the Sandton City Shopping Centre. He says that this design would not have been possible without the help of modern computer drawing capabilities. ”It just shows one what can be done when combining modern techniques and hard work.” He says the project truly deserves the overall winner award as it is a display of excellence of the highest order in the use of structural steel and the skills that went into making this project a masterpiece.

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Category winner: architectural Hugh Fraser, who is representing the South African Institute of Architects on the judging panel, says it has been many years since a train-related building inspired South Africa, but this building achieves this through its innovative design. “At the first glance the structure appears almost haunched, ready for motion.” The exploration of steel as a material is achieved in a number of interpretations. The station hovers above the steel structures that define rail travel and elements are interpreted into the building, like a knuckle that punctuates the language of rail travel. The Aveng Group is the main sponsor. Other sponsors are Cadex SA, the Association of Steel Tube and Pipe Manufacturers of South Africa, Stewarts & Lloyds, MacSteel, ArcelorMittal SA, B&T Steel, Cosira Group, First Cut/Kaltenbach, Group Five, NJR Steel Holdings, Tubular Holdings and Vital Engineering.

ARCHITECTIVES

Winners announced:

Take a look at the winners in each category:

Overall winner: Protea Court Rooflight.

Category winner in mining and industrial: The new ‘A frame’ headgear for Goldfields’ south-deep twin-shafts vent shaft.

Category winner in light-steel frame building: 2011 All Africa Games: Athletes Village.

Category winner in bridges: Buitengragt Bridge. Category winner in tubular structures: Saxon Hotel, Skywalk Bridge.

The judging panel for 2011 consists of: • Franco Mordini: Association of Steel Tube and Pipe Manufacturers of South Africa. • Hugh Fraser: South African Institute of Architects. • Johann Nel: South African Iron and Steel Institute. • John Truter: Consulting Engineers South Africa. • Neil Penson: Constructional Engineering Association. • Peter Curr: Association of Steel Tube and Pipe Manufacturers of South Africa. • Steve Mackie: Joint Structural Division of the South African Institution of Civil Engineering. • Spencer Erling: Convener of the judges for SAISC. • Reneé Pretorius: Convener of the judges for SAISC.

Category winner in architectural: Moses Mabhida Station. The Southern African Institute of Steel Construction Tel: (011) 726 6111 • Fax: (011) 482 9644 Contact: Dr Hennie de Clercq • E-mail: info@saisc.co.za Website: www.saisc.co.za

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ARCHITECTIVES

Unconstitutional proposals in Green Paper on Land Reform

Neil Gopal, Chief Executive Officer of SAPOA.

lthough the South African Property Owners Association (SAPOA) supports a land-reform process that is a “win-win” scenario in which the rights of present and future landowners are protected, the Green Paper on Land Reform 2011 falls short of this objective in a number of areas and, in fact, could fall short of the constitution. “A key challenge facing South Africa is how to reverse the racial inequalities in land ownership resulting from our colonial past and the violent dispossession of indigenous people off their land,” says Neil Gopal, chief executive officer of SAPOA. Gopal says SAPOA believes there is still much debate needed and lots of work to be done, especially if South Africa hopes to achieve a white paper that is supportive of the basic policy imperatives without eroding the principles of a society cognisant of property rights and a need for a thriving, competitive economy. “We understand that the country cannot afford to protect private property with such zeal that it entrenches privilege,” says Gopal. “That would be a recipe for instability. Fundamental to a stable democracy is a guarantee of private ownership as well as addressing the ills of the past in regards to property.” Of explicit concern to SAPOA in the green paper is the establishment of a Land Management Commission which, SAPOA believes, infringes on the jurisdiction of South African courts. The commission gives a state official, the valuer-general, control of determining the amount of compensation payable for expropriated land, and a state bureaucracy is given the job of “invalidating” title to land. “These are processes that the South African constitution already allocates to the courts,” says Gopal. The green paper suggests that more and more land will come under state ownership, by introducing ceilings on land in private ownership. It implicitly requires commercial farmers with more land than the maximum to dispense with the “excess”. The state could decide to expropriate “excess” land at valuations decided by the valuer-general – who will be a state official if the green paper proposals go forward. “We believe this is unconstitutional as it impinges on Section 25 of the South African constitution, which enshrines the right to property, which is a standard international human right,” says Gopal. Gopal also notes that, as the state could be a stakeholder in these appropriations, decisions should in fact be made by a body independent of the state. The judiciary, to which this task already

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falls in terms of the constitution, is fittingly independent as required for any democratic society. “Section 25 of the constitution makes detailed provisions on compensation. If the constitution clearly highlights this important matter, why should South Africa have a Land Management Commission doing the same?” asks Gopal. “Regrettably it seems as if the green paper issues highlighted clearly bypass the judiciary and are intended to establish a new norm,” Gopal stresses. “It also leaves the door wide open for malpractice and conflicts of interest.” “If the appointment of a land valuer-general finds approval past the white paper process, the establishment of a legal office with a qualified panel of valuers could assist in addressing this problem,” says Gopal. “However, this only goes part of the way. A supplementary panel is required for audit purposes to ensure consistent, fair function.” SAPOA also notes that the Green Paper on Land Reform is not clear on the qualifications of a valuer. “Valuers should be registered with the South African Council of Property Valuers Profession and have relevant experience in the applicable field. All reports should be in accordance with, and as prescribed by the

The green paper suggests that more and more land will come under state ownership, by introducing ceilings on land in private ownership. International Valuation Standards Committee, as adopted by the South African Institute of Valuers,” points out Gopal. “However, this is not stated in the green paper.” He elaborates that the statutory and/or legislative provisions for valuers in the respective categories also need to be considered. Gopal stresses that the historic challenges that the Green Paper on Land Reform seeks to address are recognised and accepted as critical and inherent realities that the South African community has inherited and has to disown in a manner that is morally, but legally, fair and just. “SAPOA embraces the principles underlying land reform. However, we do so by supporting the vision and aspects of the implementation strategy of the White Paper on South African Land Policy of April 1997, which, amongst other things, recognised the underpinning of economic growth,” says Gopal. “We hope that the White Paper on Land Reform will be cognisant of this vision and further it by balancing the interests sought to be addressed by the green paper with these of a need for the growth of the commercial property sector,” notes Gopal. SAPOA Tel: 011 883 067 Website: www.sapoa.org.za

ARCHITECTIVES

Former C&CI director passes away WALLS & ROOFS in Africa is sad to hear that Dr Derek Davis, former director of the Portland Cement Institute (now the Cement and Concrete Institute) and a leading authority on concrete aggregates, has passed away. Davis qualified as a civil engineer at the University of the Witwatersrand. After service in municipal engineering and as a civil engineering contractor, he joined the Portland Cement Institute (PCI) in 1959 and served as director of the institute between 1970 and 1984. In April 1976, Davis was awarded a PhD degree by Wits University for his research in the concrete-making properties of South African aggregates. Up to that stage, no systematic evaluation of the role of local aggregates in concrete mixes had

been carried out or published. He pursued the subject further while at PCI and initiated a wide range of studies and books on the subject by concrete technologists who have since become highly respected worldwide, including Prof Mark Alexander of the University of Cape Town’s civil engineering department, who was recently elected as chairman of the Cement and Concrete Institute (C&CI). Davis was also extremely interested in the design of concrete mixes to meet special requirements and designed the concrete for the construction of the Carlton Centre which, when completed in 1974, was the tallest building in Africa. Cement and Concrete Institute Tel: 011 315 0500 E-mail: info@cnci.org.za Website: www.cnci.org.za

New state-of-the-art production plant in Cape Town Having started operations in Cape Town 15 years ago, leading admixture producer Chryso Southern Africa has opened a new Cape Town plant with 300% increased production capacity and several new “green” features. “Our old plant in Assegai Road, Parow Industria, opened in 1996 with a single 1 200-litre mixer. The month-end production figures for July 1996 were 41 000 litres of the product. Fifteen years later, Chryso SA has plants in Cape Town, Johannesburg and Durban, producing a total of over 3,5 million litres per month,” says Anthony Venier, the Cape Town branch manager of Chryso. Exponential growth – and the need for extra space for more products – is a major reason why the Cape Town plant has moved to Connaught Park, Parow Industria. Installed in the new enlarged production facility are a 1 200-litre hot-water vessel, a 5 000-litre product-storage vessel, a 15 000-litre product-storage vessel, eight 20 000-litre bulk tanks and four 15 000-litre bulk tanks. Clynton McMaster, Chryso SA’s national production and distribution manager is very proud of the new Cape Town plant capacity. “The 2 000m² plant has a 220 000-litre capacity and can produce 57 000 litres of the product daily. This means that the Cape Town branch has now increased its production capacity over 300% – from 4,8-million tonnes to 14,4-million tonnes per year in the new plant. The extra capacity gives us flexibility in production and storage ability to meet market demands.” Norman Seymore, chief executive officer of the Chryso SA Group, speaking at the official opening, referred to the importance of having progressive manufacturing facilities with contemporary technology. “Chryso products are precision products manufactured with meticulous care − while

respecting the environment and safety of our people. This is why we have made substantial investments in all three South African plants.” Cape Town’s new plant has several features that form part of the Chryso Group’s “green-factory model”. These include a wastewater management system with three storage tanks constructed outside the factory. There is also a rainwater catchment programme, where rainwater is collected and pumped into a 15 000-litre storage vessel outside for potential reuse. Another impressive feature is a carefully designed system to prevent admixtures from running into sewers and contaminating groundwater. The factory floor slopes down so that spilled admixtures will run into a catchment area, and end up in containers or pits. Two emergency showers have been provided so that in the event of a spillage, personnel can promptly wash off any chemicals. As a leader in the production of construction chemicals, it is important that all raw materials are electronically gauged by mass for 100% accuracy as opposed to manually weighing products through flow metres. At the new Cape Town plant all raw material batching is controlled through an automatic weigh-batch system. The 5 000-litre and 15 000-litre product storage vessels are made from stainless steel because this material is perfect for the Western Cape weather as it does not rust and contaminate products inside the vessel. Chryso SA Tel: 011 395 9700 E-mail: hannes@chrysosa.co.za Website: www.chryso.com

Vol 12.7

ARCHITECTIVES

Walls & Roofs wins

international Ceramics of Italy Journalism Award Africa’s leading specialist walling and roofing magazine, Walls & Roofs, published by Media in Africa, won the Ceramics of Italy Journalism Award for 2011. The jury, chaired by Vittorio Borelli (Confindustria Ceramica, chairman for promotional activities), together with Giorgio Costa (editor of II Sole 24 Ore), Livio Salvadori (editor of Casabella) and Andrea Serri (editor-in-chief of Cer Magazine International), has selected the article International trends at the 2010 tile exhibition, which featured in the 11.7 October/November issue of 2010 as “the widest and most exhaustive description of Italian ceramic tile products”. The jury commented that, “the article won for having illustrated the trends in ceramic tiles and mosaics seen at Cersaie 2010 through a wealth of photographic images. An important aspect was the discussion of economic and environmental factors underlying modern Italian tile production”. Marlene van Rooyen, the editor of Walls & Roofs, went to Italy in September to accept the award in person. Van Rooyen received the award during the Ceramics of Italy press conference at Cersaie on 20 September 2011. “It is an immense honour to be part of a multi-award winning magazine, as well as a multi-award winning team,” says Van Rooyen.

Walls&Roof’s article were chosen as the winner among 170 entries submitted this year. These articles came from 71 different magazines in 18 different countries. The Award now in its 15th year is given to the best article about Cersaie 2010 and the Italian tile industry published in a foreign magazine. Walls & Roofs is known for producing the most effective, market-leading publication in the industry, which narrows the gap between service provider and client. The magazine aims to bring the solution to the specifier, negating the need for them to spend valuable time sourcing it themselves. Since its inception in 2000, Walls & Roofs’ news, technical information and trendsetting feature articles have set an industry benchmark that features highly technical topics such as facade hardware, fire specification, and plaster and installation techniques. With the whole spectrum of walling and roofing materials featured in every issue, from concrete bricks and blocks to insulation, tiles and roofing, Walls & Roofs is a comprehensive specification solution. For more information, visit http://www.mediainafrica.co.za.

Coastal SAGGA conferences a huge success Every two years the Glass Expo is held in Johannesburg with a concurrent one-day conference, but it was decided that in alternate years the coastal areas would be taken into consideration. Thus, two conferences were organised by the South African Glass & Glazing Association (SAGGA) and held in Durban on 23 August and Cape Town on 25 August. These conferences were designed to have a mixture of technical and aesthetic content, which would be of interest and benefit to the attendees. The conferences carried one full CPD point for the professional delegates. Steve McCoy headed the organising committee and he was ably assisted by Hugh Fraser. They are both members of glass and aluminium associations, and SAGGA. A professional conference organiser was also appointed. A total of 51 delegates attended the Durban function, with 58 at the Cape Town event. McCoy commented that an individual company could not have organised an event of this nature, and it was only a success because of the collective manner in which the glass and aluminium companies worked together. The speakers were of an extremely high calibre, giving detailed and professional presentations in their specialised fields of expertise . Many delegates commented that this was a fantastic conference – a brilliant first for the glass and aluminium industry in Durban and Cape Town!

Vol 12.7

The next conference will be held in Gauteng in 2012. It will again coincide with the Glass Expo from 15-18 August.

Presentations given at the SAGGA Conferences Andreas Landman, PFG: An update of the National Fenestration Rating Council. Sean Couzyn, Pure Consulting Johannesburg: The implications of new legislation on glass balustrading. Amandus Sattler, Allman Sattler Wappner Architects, Munich: Herz Jesu Kirche: A new church in an old glass tradition. Kevin Moens: Solutia, Belgium: Contemporary glazing solutions and future transparent solar-control systems. Tony Patterson, AFSA: Aluminium applications in coastal areas. Henning Rasmuss, Paragon Architects,Johannesburg: Shattering experiences: What we have learnt in trying the less ordinary in an architectural practice. Chris Barry, Pilkington North America: How low-e glass improves window performance in summer, winter, daytime and night-time. Derick Henstra & Peter Fehrsen, dhk Architects, Cape Town: Reflecting on our journey with glass. South African Glass & Glazing Association (SAGGA) Tel: 011 864 1313 Website: www.sagga.co.za

ARCHITECTIVES

CeilSpray consists of a couple of specialist refurbishment divisions, added over the year, to meet our customer’s needs. Each division is specifically aimed at refurbishment rather than costly replacement. Our divisions include:

ROOFING DIVISION • Rust removal • Spray of normal roof paint • Spray of thermal roof paint

PAINTING DIVISION • Spray acoustic and vinyl suspended ceilings • Spray of non-painted surfaces, raw cement of coffer slabs • Spray of base coated surfaces, pre-painted interior and exterior walls • Roadmarkings and demarcation

WATERPROOFING DIVISION

CLEANING DIVISION

• Sealers • Liquid plastic roof coat • Liquid plastic wall coat

• Cleaning of suspended ceilings • Cleaning of building exteriors • Site pre-clean services

Physical Address: 27 Sildale Park,Cnr Asetileen & Conveyor road, Silvertondale, Pretoria National number: 086 104 544 • Fax number: 086 510 1897 Website: www.ceilspray.co.za Vol 12.7

ARCHITECTIVES

SAFMA convention better than ever The 2011 conference held by SAFMA (South African Facilities Management Association) at the Focus Rooms in Sunninghill, Johannesburg, on 23-24 August proved to be the largest to date with more than 145 facilities managers and suppliers from 57 different organisations exploring the role that Facility Management (FM) plays in service delivery. Presentations were given by Bonang Mohale, the Chairman and Vice-President of Shell Oil Products Africa (South), Andrew Etzinger of Eskom, Manfred Braune of the Green Building Council (to mention just a few), and Tony Keane, Chief Executive officer and President of International Facility Management Association (IFMA), who came from Houston, Texas, to provide the key note address. Copies of all the presentations are available on the SAFMA website at www.safma.co.za/portals/0/conference2011. Tony Keane gave detailed presentations on FM trends and evolution, and the evolution of the facilities management field which included the role that facilities managers can and should be playing to meet the worldwide IT trends and developments. At the 2009 conference, Bonang Mohale gave a presentation on India. He followed it up this year with an in-depth look at China, which has now become the second biggest economy in the world (US $6-trillion vs the USA’s $14-trillion) – overtaking Japan by racking up US $3-trillion in foreign reserves. This has been achieved fairly rapidly too, because in 2004 China rated the same as Italy, but by 2010 has added Italy’s total to their own. In addition they supplied 36% of the global steel purchased, 50% of the concrete and 40% of colour televisions! Mohale says the reason for China’s success is that they have implemented a full “designed in China and made in China” programme with which they are conquering the world by designing and manufacturing all their materials locally. Because of this implementation, their economy has grown tenfold since 2004.

As the technical executive of the Green Building Council of South Africa, Manfred Braune’s presentation was on the role that FM could and should be playing in view of the importance of “going green” for the building/ architectural and construction industry, and the requirement to meet the global increase in IT and related technologies. He said that going green is the most fundamental part of how South Arica should be working harder to contribute to these changes – for the sake of our children and their children’s children. With the world’s climate change problems putting a lot of pressure on the environment, one way to contribute is by starting to implement the “going green” changes with all specifications, as well as in people’s private homes. People should start using energy-saving bulbs, putting unused lights off, stopping the wastage of water and so on. Everybody can contribute to the smaller changes to make a big difference! Amongst other Universities, the Free State University has developed an initiative to offer formal education programmes that may lead to first-degree academic career paths to create a competent workforce in facilities management for South Africa. Information on these and other training programmes are available from SAFMA. South African Facilities Management Association (SAFMA) Tel: 079 514 9298 E-mail: info@safma.co.za Website: www.safma.co.za

Erratum On page 50 in the previous issue of Walls & Roofs, the magazine featured steel roofs suitable for aggressive climates by Bluescope Steel South Africa. Unfortunately the wrong photos were used in the article. Wall & Roofs apologizes for any inconvenience because of the mistake. This is the correct picture of the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC).

Lafarge makes new appointments Lafarge has announced that Peter Deering has accepted the position of industrial manager of Aggregates. He was previously the area manager of Durban Aggregates-South. Also, Ray Chambers from Qatar Precast (a Lafarge JV company) has been appointed as industrial manager of Aggregates-North. Both these positions became effective from 1 July 2011 and report to Bryan Rookledge, Lafarge’s business unit general manager.

Vol 12.7

Peter Deering

Ray Chambers

ARCHITECTIVES

Innovative customer portal launched by Lafarge In its drive to be a leader in innovative products, services and product solutions, Lafarge Cement South Africa has launched a customer portal to enhance its customer service. Lafarge Cement South Africa is the first cement company in Africa to introduce a customer service portal. In its industry, this innovative online service was first adopted by Lafarge in Poland, Brazil and Malaysia. By bringing this technology into South Africa, Lafarge Cement South Africa becomes the fourth partner in the Lafarge Group to offer this value-add to its customers. Thierry Legrand, CEO of Lafarge Industries South Africa, said that the portal offers a leading value-added service to Lafarge customers. “This portal marks a significant investment in adding value to our service delivery. It will deliver a new solution for interaction with our customers and provide them with a wider choice of access. Also, being the first of its kind on the market, it will differentiate us from our competitors,” he said. In today’s competitive and fast-moving business environment, an online service has become imperative for streamlining service levels and giving higher flexibility and more choice to customers. It is also invaluable as a brand differentiator and for acquiring and retaining customers, said Legrand. “There is a clear need for the application of efficiency and

effectiveness with these tools. Not only do we want to be part of this trend and continue our drive for innovation to be the first to offer this service to our customers,” he said. Lafarge customers will benefit from the additional interaction and more efficient communication provided by the portal. This will include 24/7 on-line ordering as well as on-line account and shipment information. Now Lafarge customers will have the choice of interacting via the portal or using the existing Lafarge call centre. Legrand also pointed out that a business customer portal allows for the transfer of technical, financial and promotional information to clients and enables companies to customise marketing messages and services according to their market segments. Lafarge is the largest building materials supplier in the world and present in South Africa is all division; Readymix, Aggregates and Gypsum. Lafarge Industries Tel: 011 257 3100 Fax: 011 257 3021 E-mail: enquiries@lafarge.com Website: www.lafarge.co.za

Bloemfontein branch opened to meet demand Long-standing reliability and constant innovation are just two of the reasons why Sika products are highly respected and in demand globally. South African customers are as eager as the rest of the world, which has led to the company recently opening a branch in the city of Bloemfontein. Paul Adams, Sika South Africa’s managing director, said: “There has been a keen demand in this area for all Sika products and we want to establish a strong presence in all segments of our market.” “Sika has chosen to open a dedicated branch in this region as opposed to using distributors, as we believe it is vital for the presence of a fully-staffed local office to be felt here again,” he said. “It is also important to have the logistical support locally, but the main reason is to ensure that there is always stock available in Bloemfontein when needed.” Sika has appointed Herman van Rensburg as the new branch manager and he will also act as technical sales representative for Sika’s four business units: contractors, industry, concrete and distribution. Rousseau Swart, who has recently joined Sika as the Bloemfontein branch administrator, will be assisting Van Rensburg. “We are confident that Herman will go the extra mile to build relationships with all our customers and, together with Rousseau, will provide excellent customer service to our Bloemfontein clients,” said Adams.

Approximately 80 guests attended the official opening of the Bloemfontein branch in July, where local customers including engineers, architects, contractors, glass and aluminium customers, as well as distribution customers, mingled with Paul Adams, Sika executives Andre Barnard and Shaun Saxby, business unit manager Jacques Reinecke, Sika area sales managers Raj Naidoo, James Brown and Roland van der Merwe, and Kevin Kimbrey, the Cape Town regional manager. Adams and the business unit managers gave individual presentations, providing an overview of Sika’s product and service offerings. Sika South Africa Tel: 031 792 6500 E-mail: headoffice@za.sika.com Website: www.sika.co.za www.autospec.com

Vol 12.5

ARCHITECTIVES

Alwyn Cronjé

Newly elected vice-president

lead industry

ready to

Four months after adopting the commercial role at Marley Roofing, Alwyn Cronjé now also returned to an industry position. He has been elected as the new vicepresident of the Concrete Manufacturers Association’s (CMA) roof-tile division. With his appointment he has also taken up a seat on the CMA MANCO. The decision to accept the nomination was not a difficult one for Cronjé. “Marley Roofing has been an active member of the CMA since its inception. I have also been active in the CMA for years and served as vicepresident of the roofing division in 2001 to 2004 and as president of the association in 2004.” Cronjé adds that Marley Roofing, as a South African manufacturer of concrete roof tiles for more than 40 years, joined forces with the CMA to generically promote the use of concrete roof tiles. “This is a perfect match in promoting a competitive product to offer as an improved alternative to the traditional sheeting products on the market. Marley has also played a major role in writing the CMA industry’s technical manual.” Cronjé believes that concrete roof tiles are a very cost-effective alternative. “If you can afford a roof, you can surely afford concrete roof tiles as an added benefit.” Marley Roofing Products Tel: 011 316 2121 E-mail: olifants@marley.co.za Website: www.marleyroofing.co.za Concrete Manufacturers Association Tel: 011 805 6742 Fax: 086 524 9216 E-mail: main.cma@gmail.com

Vol 12.7

Prof Mark Alexander

C&CI elects

new chairman Prof Mark Alexander has been elected as chairman of the Cement & Concrete Institute (C&CI). Alexander, who is a professor in civil engineering at the University of Cape Town, teaches and researches cement and concrete materials, with specific interests in concrete durability and repair and the rehabilitation of concrete structures. He acts as a specialist consultant to the industry on concrete-material problems, and co-authored Aggregates in Concrete (2005) and Alkali-Aggregate Reaction and Structural Damage to Concrete (2011). He is also active in international scientific circles as the current vicepresident of International Union of Testing and Research Laboratories for Materials (RILEM), a Paris-based international organisation concerned with construction materials and structures.

Prof Mark Alexander, who has had a long association with the Cement & Concrete Institute, has been elected as chairman of the C&CI Board. He was pictured at the Institute’s recent AGM being congratulated by the former chairman, Dr Hylton Macdonald (right), while the C&CI managing director, Bryan Perrie, looks on.

Cement and Concrete Institute Tel: 011 315 0500 E-mail: info@cnci.org.za Website: www.cnci.org.za