Walls & Roofs Journal 4/2011 by Media in Africa

VOL 12.4 JULY/AUGUST 2011 R38 incl. VAT

IN THIS ISSUE: Conceptual considerations for glass facades

WINNER:

Trends in the adhesives market • Home of the Future • Renovation projects

SAPOA Property Publication of the year 2010

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 4 • 2011

Regulars

On the cover

|| SHOPFRONT 04 Environmentally friendly and high-performing

Govender’s Aluminium & Glass has been a preferred glazing partner for many clients due to their superior quality and service, sound management principles, excellent glass work as well as their project experience and support. The owner of the company, Raj Govender, has been running a tight ship of glazing installations for over 20 years and has built up a reputation for being a reliable, innovative glazing company that forms ongoing relationships with their clients. Some of the projects they have worked on include an accumulative series of projects at the OR Tambo International Airport, an impressive glass curtain wall at the new Basil Read Head Office as well as all the internal glazing installations at the Alberton City Shopping Centre. The company recently launched a rebranding campaign, focusing on their core values: excellence, quality and ongoing client relationships. Find out more about Govender’s Aluminium & Glass on page 42. VOL 12.4 JULY/AUGUST 2011 R38 incl. VAT

IN THIS ISSUE: Conceptual considerations for glass facades

|| CONCEPTS & VISIONS 10 Home of the future

|| GREEN DESIGN 12 Peter Stutchbury

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

|| Tech savvy 90 Energy Efficient Mesh

|| ARCHITECTIVES 92 Revitalising urban centres

FEATURES

|| LYNNWOOD BRIDGE 16 A new meaning for “live, work & play”

Trade Comment

govenders aluminium & glass

|| CLADDING 24 Cladding & adhesive innovations 28 Comments from the adhesive industry

|| GLASS & ALUMINIUM 36 Ventilated facades 42 Glazing company revises marketing strategy

|| RENOVATIONS 48 The boom in renovations 58 Steel wall framing

|| ENERGY-EFFICIENCY 72 The national situation

The Building Industry is frighteningly slow at the moment and is resulting in all the usual competition vying for the reduced share of the pie. The Glazing Specialist Industry therefore has to bat accurately and particularly well to ensure that the reduced margins don’t have far reaching detrimental effects. From a sales environment, we see a large amount of projects on hold or cancelled and this is an everyday reminder of the tightness of our industry. As a small concellation however, we have seen a few tenders of late but the revelation of the tender results are showing competitors cutting margins dangerously close to the bone. Raj Govender CEO of Govender’s Aluminium & Glass

80 Green building trends for 2011

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FINALIST: PICA Awards 2010

Insights

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

from the editor

Another brand new exclusive project! The latest project to come to life in Pretoria is the 73 000 m2 mixed-use Lynnwood Bridge development. With the aim of being a tenantable space of distinction, and to becoming one of the most sought after locations in Pretoria, the 5 year old project married top architects, QS’s and a top notch developer to create a beautiful space in a cost efficient way. Despite the extremely complex nature of the design and the tricky technicalities of the site, it is the epitome of delightful urban live-work-play space. The complex comprises the new Aurecon building, Adams&Adams, City Lodge Hotel, the Atterbury Theatre, a Pro Shop, and several restaurants and stores, including a gym. We explore the paint and coating solutions, as well as the internal shop fitting and the technicalities around the hi-spec criteria glass. We have the greatest pleasure in again bringing you a wonderful project with exclusive commentary form the professional team involved. Another exclusive! Remember, you saw it here first. See page 16. Tackling energy efficiency With the release of the latest SANS 10400 standards, we take a look at what that means for the industry as well as explore the initiatives the Department of Energy wants to put in place through their energy efficiency strategy. Read more about this from page 72. Congratulations! Adrienne Brookbanks received a special mention in the SAPOA Feature Journalist of the Year category for her informative and well researched articles. Congratulations Adrienne! You deserve it! For you, the reader, this means you are reading articles that have gained industry wide recognition for superior standard. This follows on our win last year as SAPOA Property Publication of the Year 2010. Welcome We introduce you to Alida Edwards, our new Assistant Business Unit Manager. Many of you will be meeting her in the next couple of months and we are very excited to have her as part of our team! Other than the above, we will tantalise you with a jam-packed 100 pages of exciting new projects, products launched and the latest industry happenings you should be aware of. We take a look at cladding and how to achieve the perfect cladding installation.

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 Key Accounts Consultant: Shayne Lessing – 082 945 5030 shayne@mediainafrica.co.za Founder: Schalk Burger (1943 – 2006) Journalist: Adrienne Brookbanks – 082 468 4566 adrienne@mediainafrica.co.za Business Unit Coordinator: Lorraine Coetzee lorraine@mediainafrica.co.za Publishing Manager: Liezel van der Merwe Financial Director: Fanie Venter Accountant: Gerda Bezuidenhout Design & Layout: Ilze Janse van Rensburg Proofreader: Angus Reed Contributor: Dave Soons Lynnbridge Mall photography: Shayne Lessing 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.

AWARDS

Well, winter has arrived. Close your door and enjoy your latest issue of Walls&Roofs!

Marlene van Rooyen

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SHOPFRONT

Environmentally friendly and high-performing Highlights at the European Coatings Show for architectural coatings and construction

hether for roofs, floors or walls – BASF offers the broadest and most versatile portfolio when it comes to formulating paints and construction chemical products for interior or exterior applications. During the European Coatings Show, which took place in Nuremberg from 29 March until 31 March, BASF presented new products and future-orientated technologies in the field of dispersions, effect pigments, pigment preparations, resins and additives. At its booth 411 in Hall 7A, the focus was on environmentally-friendly solutions that convince consumers because of their performance and quality. The following highlights were presented during the trade fair:

Interior paints that offer added value For several years now, consumers have been calling for eco- and health-friendly products in the field of wall paints. With its waterbased binders sold under the Acronal® brand, BASF offers odor-free dispersions that are low in VOC and free from formaldehyde and APEO. But the binders can do more than that: when interior wall paints based on Acronal® DS 6282 X are used, stains can be washed off the wall without leaving any residue. Even sophisticated and flat matt paints are made more robust and long-living by the binding agent. Owing to the good binding properties of Acronal® DS 6270, interior paints maintain their original shade, hence, this pure acrylate dispersion is particularly suitable for the dark and strong colours that are currently fashionable.

Firemist® Velvet Pearl EH 921 Firemist® Velvet Pearl EH 921 (9P130I) is a new effect pigment for decorative applications based on a new BASF technology that enables a unique effect that hasn’t been possible before: matte appearance and sparkling in directed light. Applied in decorative paints, Firemist® Velvet Pearl EH 921 provides the unique character of patinated surfaces.

solutions for exterior wood applications As the leading manufacturer of polymer dispersions, BASF also offers a comprehensive and environmentally-friendly portfolio of binders and primers for exterior applications. Transparent and semi-transparent wood coatings based on Acronal® DS 6288 X can be applied easily and evenly, are absorbed quickly and have good adhesive properties – even when exposed to humidity. This ensures that wooden patio furniture or decking is much longer lasting. This binder is suitable for satin as well as matt varnishes that are applied to tropical wood such as Bangkirai.

COL.9 – nanotechnology even for floor coatings The COL.9 nano-based binder not only makes facades look great for longer. From now on, even substrates such as concrete, stone or tiles can be coated with COL.9®. This means that tire marks or oil stains on garage floors are a thing of the past. The functional principle, is the same for both facade and floor applications: the binder combines the benefits of synthetic resin dispersions with these of silicates. The organic part of the binder, i.e. the acrylic resin, ensures sufficient elasticity while the mineral part lends the coloured coating the required rigidity. This makes coatings

particularly resilient as well as resistant to dirt and chemicals.

New inorganic grades for Luconyl® NG range BASF will also launch new inorganic grades for Luconyl® NG, the aqueous pigment preparations for architectural paints and coatings. The label-free Luconyl® NG range is both VOC and APEOfree, while also conforming to the GHS 2015 standard. It covers a wide colour space and features excellent durability for waterbased and solar heat management facade coating systems.

Functional pigments for solar heat management Unbearably hot, dark surfaces exposed to sunlight are a thing of the past. The innovative pigments and pigment preparations from BASF like Paliogen® Black, Sicopal® Black, Xfast® Black or Luconyl® NG Black make it possible to formulate surface coatings that significantly reduce the heating effect in sunlight, even despite of their dark colour. BASF also featured stylings (formulated coatings) for architecture and construction applications based on its special solar heat management techniques.

Polymers for the construction industry Modern materials need to meet all environmental standards and, at the same time, ensure fast and easy processing. With its dispersions, powders and additives, BASF offers a comprehensive range of raw materials for the manufacturing of construction chemicals, which are free from APEO, ammonia and formaldehyde. The low-odour and low-VOC dispersions sold under the brand name Acronal® are particularly well-suited for the formulation of floor coverings and tile adhesives that meet the requirements of the EC 1 or Blauer Engel (Blue Angel) environmental labels. In addition, floor covering adhesives based on Acronal® can now be formulated without any natural resin. Paste-like tile adhesives containing Acronal® also dry much faster than conventional products. Tiling and grouting can be done on the same day. These adhesives bond well to difficult, non-absorbent substrates. Renovating a bathroom does not necessarily mean that the old tiles need to be removed – new tiles can now cover the old ones.

Waterproofing membranes and sealants Cementitious waterproofing membranes that protect buildings from water ingress are made more powerful and efficient by Acronal®, excellently bonding to all kinds of substrates. They are particularly flexible and ensure a high crack bridging ability, even at low temperatures. Acrylic sealants containing Acronal® do not need plasticizers that may migrate to the surface after application. Sealants can be painted over easily and their adhesive qualities last for years. Due to their easy handling and high performance, they are a genuine alternative to silicone sealants in many fields. Further information on the internet at www.basf.com/ecs. Dispersionen Pigmente & Harze Agata Koziuk Jürgen Jakob Tel: +49 621 60-49181 Tel: +49 621 6041769 Fax: +49 621 60-6649181 Fax: +49 621 60-20721 E-mail: agata.koziuk@basf.com E-mail: juergen.w.jakob@basf.com

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SHOPFRONT

ARCELOR MITTAL

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ARCELOR MITTAL

SHOPFRONT

Local lighting manufacturer enters project lighting market

ocal lighting manufacturer and supplier, Eurolux, recently announced its entry into the local project lighting sector with the offering of its first range of professional project lighting to retailers and wholesalers. The product range is aimed at the commercial, retail and manufacturing industries and includes some of the latest lighting technologies in high bays, pendants and downlights. Most of the lights come fitted with remote electronic control gear for greater energy-efficiency, with two ranges that include a three-hour emergency back-up. Shaun Bouchier, the director of Eurolux, says: “We’ve long since recognised the need to enter the project lighting sector, given the fact that it is such a large part of the market and that most of our customers stock these product lines. However, we wanted to ensure that when we do enter this space, we offer products of high quality, durability and functionality.”

Crucial features for efficient project lighting Bouchier explains that a lot of thought was given to reflector shape and finish, as these are some of the most crucial features in efficient project lighting. Hence the Eurolux range features reflectors made from highly reflective materials that ensures consistent reflector performance. Two of the product ranges offer emergency back-up batteries, which is particularly useful in factories, retail stores and offices. “South Africa has its fair share of electricity outages and we also have to contend with load-shedding – that is why these products, which still offer you 50% of its light output for a three-hour period, are proving to be so popular,” explains Bouchier. The selection of lenses used in the Eurolux recessed downlights is based on the needs of building occupants, as well as on their overall look and design. The lenses on offer include a cross-reflector to prevent glare, a decorative lens that leaves a space between the fitting and lens, as well as a lens that fits snugly onto the fitting, thus preventing any spillage in the case of a lamp breaking etc.

The downlights are available in two sizes, namely 203mm and 152mm. “Some of the downlights that are fitted with remote control gear are especially beneficial, as it decreases the weight of the actual fixture, preventing the fixture from sagging,” explains Bouchier.

Warehousing solutions The high bay pendants in Eurolux’s new product range offer high-intensity discharge (HID) lighting, which provides more light over a greater distance. “This is ideal for warehouses with very high roof structures and areas where large spaces have to be lit,” says Bouchier. For the benefit of architects, lighting designers, electrical contractors and the like, Eurolux is making photometric information available on all these products. Eurolux Tel: 011 608 2970 Fax: 011 608 2975 E-mail: jhb@eurolux.co.za Website: www.eurolux.co.za Also a member of www.autospec.com

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New

professional

design service

Holger Rust, owner of Terraforce, a Cape Town based pre-cast concrete licensor, specialising in modular, hollow-core concrete blocks, is passionate about professional design.

prompted Terraforce to launch Terrasafe, “to protect our good reputation as best as we can”.

“S

Terrasafe provides first-class engineering, management and specialist technical services to users of any of the Terraforce products, aiming to set industry standards and make a significant contribution to the retaining wall industry.

ince 1979, when Terraforce was founded, we have been involved in assisting specifiers with design services in the form of purpose-made tables, design manuals, Excel spreadsheets and a Windows-based design programme,” he says. “Occasionally our engineer also provided a full design service, including the supervision of the site, when requested to do so by the client.” This dedication to professional services and the development of first-class products has ensured that Terraforce products have become well-known in many parts of the world. Of course, as Terraforce grew into a successful company, competitors started up in various parts of the country. While Holger agrees that competition should not be viewed as a threat, he feels that most people in business understand that “competition is good for business and for the consumer imitators and copycats are not”. Holger adds that throughout the years a string of imitators, operating in many locations, came and went, leaving behind a trail of on-site disasters. Early in the 1990’s Terraforce, in response to this situation, started a catalogue of failures with photos and investigation of causes. This collection was later adopted, with small changes, by the Concrete Manufacturers Association of South Africa (CMA). Holger says it is important to note that sometimes a combination of causes may be the trigger for these shortfalls. In the absence of a ready-made official SABS/SANS specification for concrete retaining blocks (CRB’s), Terraforce turned to the International Conference of Building Officials (ICBO) in California for a comprehensive evaluation report in compliance with NCMA specifications. Dr Richard Bathurst in Kingston, Ontario, conducted the necessary testing and compiled the latest design manual together with Colin Alston of Alston and Associates. “Over and above that we set up a number of recommended installers in all parts of South Africa who have agreed to guarantee their workmanship and undertake to follow our guidelines and standards,” says Holger. He adds that these measures have to a degree put a damper on the scourge of sub-standard workmanship among some manufacturers and installers. “The various excellent publications distributed by the CMA over the years have also made a big difference. Recently an SABS/SANS (508/2008) standard has finally been published and it will hopefully make a difference.” Holger says that the recent spectacular failure of a large wall in Namibia (built by a competitor and brought down during a rainstorm due to lacking drainage measures) has

What is Terrasafe?

Quality assurance Terrasafe is governed by management systems encompassing its operations countrywide. The management systems address all Terrasafe activities across the concept, feasibility and planning phases, as well as the design, construction, operation and maintenance phases of each project. Terrasafe strives to provide, on a continuous basis, a quality, professional service that adds value to clients’ projects.

Awards Terraforce products are regularly recognised by many independent industry and professional bodies, as well as prestigious trade publications around the world, in the form of coveted industry awards and articles. “Our awards track record is a significant demonstration of our commitment to fostering achievement for our clients,” says Holger.

Advisory services Terrasafe understands that there is often more to a project than delivering an engineering solution. Other key project elements include strategic planning, risk assessment and management, project development and supervision in co-operation with engineers in other parts of South Africa and wherever Terraforce products are sold. Terrasafe’s advisory team has delivered quality services to various clients for more than 15 years. With a strong technical base and proven capability in project conception and delivery, Terrasafe provides clients with comprehensive support from the initial project-planning phases through to managing the asset lifecycle. Terrasafe offers industry-leading expertise as trusted advisors and applies customised approaches in order to enable clients to define strategies that will help them to succeed.

Professional indemnity insurance Terrasafe is fully covered by professional indemnity insurance with Manwood Underwriters (Pty) Ltd, for projects, local and abroad, to the value of R2-million. Terraforce Phone: 021 465 1907 Fax: 021 465 4047 Website: www.terraforce.com

CONCEPTS & VISIONS

Pictures courtesy of Daug & Wolf

Home of the Future:

integrating technology and nature The international architectural think tank, laboratory for visionary architecture (LAVA), has launched the conceptual “Home of the Future”, which is a showcase for future living with nature and technology.

he geodesic sky dome will be built atop a mall in Beijing as a showcase for possible microclimate-based living situations. The dome will provide a year-round microclimate that opens up the home to a garden filled with light, fresh air and sun. The design of the Home of the Future is inspired by nature’s efficiencies, such as corals, cells and bubbles. The home, which contains a tropical garden, is inside a sky dome made out of ETFE bubbles (a substitute to glass and plastic which will allow more light, better insulation, less cost to install and less weight). Technologies are invisibly integrated into the natural environments in order to satisfy everyday needs and senses. The structure will feature 15 different living spaces, recreating a full range of experiences from vegetable patches connected to

kitchens and other areas. The structure will also have internal and external bathroom zones to sunken bedrooms. The home and tropical garden will turn into an otherworldly experience at night, with the underlying technology, the electronic veins of the system, coming to life. Director Chris Bosse says: “The Home of the Future acts as a metaphor for the questions of our times, our relationship with nature, with technology and with ourselves’ with the intention of balancing human needs and nature’s into one system. We will begin with construction of the geodesic sky dome in late 2011.” An exhibition of the Home of the Future, including process material, working models, renderings and animations, is on display at UTS Architecture in Sydney, Australia.

CONCEPTS & VISIONS

Future Hotel LAVA has another demonstration project called Future Hotel, which focuses on meeting the requirements of hotel guests using futuristic technology. The showcase, in partnership with the Fraunhofer IWO (Institute for Work Organisation) in Stuggart, was completed in 2008. At 36,7mÂ˛, the prototypeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s infrastructure and services are integrated into a continuous wall system. The free-form outer skin creates an infrastructure that becomes the interface between technology and the human body. A combination of fluid and edgy forms with hard and soft materials provides a contemporary atmosphere within a highly responsive environment. Innovations include anti-jetlag lights, an active comfort bed, a personal spa area, an intelligent mirror and a large media display window. For more information, visit www.l-a-v-a.net, to which full thanks and acknowledgement is given.

GREEN DESIGN

GREEN ARCHITECT PETER STUTCHBURY

was highly impressed by Peter Stutchbury. Although he is quietly spoken, he is a man who is outspoken on how architects and developers should behave on the land, bearing in mind the cyclical nature of climate and the environment. Referring to the recent devastating Japanese earthquakes and tsunami, he questions the advisability of building power stations along a fault line. Pointing to a recent map published in the daily press, showing a multitude of red dots depicting reactors along the fault line, he asked: “How can you think of constructing dozens of nuclear power stations along a known fault line?” The award-winning architect was in South Africa during March at the invitation of BlueScope Steel Southern Africa to conduct a series of lectures to building environment practitioners in support of the company’s drive to educate and inform the market about sustainable building technologies. Over the past two decades, he has been positioned at the forefront of original thinking in sustainable design – both in Australia and worldwide. This includes countries such as Japan, Germany, France, Luxembourg, New Zealand, Russia, the USA, South Africa and Namibia. His firm, PSA, has won over 41 Australian Institute of Architecture Awards since 1995. Known for his “Living Architecture” lectures around the world, he has also been behind many memorable designs. He is not scared of breaking boundaries, speaking of using available materials, recycling, and cites the African hut and Papua New Guinea turtleback-roof buildings as outstanding examples of practical buildings “constructed and deconstructed by nature”. In one of his unusual designs, he used locally available irrigation channels as core structures for the rooms in an Australian house. Another example is the Archery Park Building, built for the Sydney Olympics 2000 on a stringent budget. The concept is highly minimalistic yet functional and widely acclaimed. During his formative years as an architect, he spent time in the desert country of New South Wales studying the Aboriginal lifestyles and building a church in Papua New Guinea, during which time he studied the Long House design. In 1989 he received a Cann National Scholarship and travelled to Africa, spending 12 months recording indigenous buildings and villages from Kenya down through Central Africa to South Africa/ Swaziland, delivering his first public lecture at the former Wits University in Johannesburg. He has become a regular visiting lecturer and has many students who have become friends in this country. This was very apparent at his BlueScope Steel lecture series, judging by the rapt attention of the audience.

Stutchbury says that buildings should be expressions of responsibility towards nature and towards people. South Africa’s townships interest him. “They show a lot about the mobility of people and are very practical,” he says. His formal architectural favourites are West Coast style fisherman’s cottages and the thatch roof/Cape Dutch classic buildings for best location and protection from the elements. Township shacks get the vote for their mobility! He believes that design should be about natural flow – building to light, building to people, and building to nature. “The right place at the right time,” he explains. So these principles seem to have underpinned most of Stutchbury’s work in Australia and elsewhere around the globe.

GREEN DESIGN

Japanese fashion designer. Sketching roughly in pencil on a simple notepad, Stutchbury likes to sit on site long enough to observe the behaviour of nature on the landscape. This includes things such as the movement of the sun, wave action near the beach, noticing high water marks and studying the natural course of the river. Stutchbury believes that professionals spend too much time on the computer and not enough time out in the field. His masterclasses are periodically held in breathtakingly unspoiled environments, including the Cradle of Humankind (along with Richard le Plastrier) and the Australian Outback. “You can learn a lot about natural cycles by following the behaviour of the ants.” Supporting the concept of original

During 1974, S-E Australia was lashed by devastating storms and flooding. Subsequent developers ignored these lessons of devastation and built on affected land, driven as they were by short-range planning. According to him, this was a good example of professionals ignoring the natural cycles of the land. Stutchbury thinks that good design is about going back to nature. He is hesitant of the invasion of electronic technologies such as Google and the cellphone, which are indispensable, but he believes it can stifle original thought. However, his thinking is modern and progressive. His architectural designs are commanded by pre-eminent citizens of the globe – such as a recent project done for a bespoke

knowledge, he explains: “People are what they are today as a result of 400 years of ancestral memory. We need to tap into that collective memory when planning our developments. How did traditional cultures deal with the environment? This is the real source of collective wisdom for sustainable design.” Stutchbury believes in designing large areas for living space. He shows a preference for steel structures with a solid inner core, such as concrete or even rock. Steel provides a lightweight yet

GREEN DESIGN

The Archery Park Building was built for the 2000 Sydney Olympics on a stringent budget. Below: The concept of the Archery Park Building is highly minimalistic yet functional and widely acclaimed.

strong means of spanning large areas with minimum support, while concrete provides “thermal mass”. This term describes the ability of a solid surface to act as a repository or sink to manage heat. Classically, his designs make optimal use of the sun, which is collected to provide energy when needed. He specifies no airconditioning or integrated heating, other than the use of naturally available sources with the necessary back-up. Such sources have included geo-thermal energy and even a cliff face incorporated into his 2011 “Cliff Face House”, which provides thermal mass. Hence temperature is controlled using passive design methods. This approach is applied to utility buildings too. At his bespoke “Bull Run Woolshed” built at Wagga-Wagga inland NSW, the heat generated by the bodies of scores of corralled sheep awaiting the shearers is collected by means of a drop-ceiling and transferred across to the part of the building where the shearers are working – sometimes under icy ambient temperature conditions. Peter Stutchbury has built many contemporary houses around the world. His Outcrop House, which is found along the beaches north of Sydney, represents a total integration of place – high above beaches which form a natural amphitheatre below, with

ancient exposed sandstone cliffs, a watercourse and excellent natural lighting – all in an established suburban area. Avalon House, along the northern beaches of New South Wales, uses a basic steel-designed house, prefabricated offsite with a wide sloping skillion roof, taking only 2 days to assemble the frame. The design was time-intensive, exquisitely planned to conserve cost and optimise space. The result was a great home, with an office and a grand entrance that reveals both the site beyond and also the life within. Stutchbury says this project shows the true value of an architect-designed home. His firm, PSA, won the International Iron & Steel Institute’s Living Steel Award in 2008 for his extreme climate house in Cherevopets, Russia. In this design, the entire house may be dismantled and moved, hence recyclable to the ultimate degree. The house is part of a low-cost housing development and is designed to be replicated because it is practical and functional. Stutchbury approves of the use of steel, which he believes is a historic material of importance, dating back to the Iron Age. Although no building material is “the thing”, he believes steel contains less embedded energy than glass and aluminium – and it is long-lasting and easily recyclable. Perhaps this is what reinforces his invitation to lecture by pre-eminent steel manufacturer, BlueScope Steel Southern Africa. At the start of each project, Peter Stutchbury believes in briefing the builders – from principal to individual artisan. He shares his vision for the building and explains the principles of the design. He is also quick to share the credit with the whole team. For example, the Japanese master builder and his artisans who he says were consummate professionals, down to a man, who took great pride in their work as an art form. Gareth Griffiths, BSc, is a freelance photojournalist, specialising in technology and sustainability issues. Email: gg_imaging@iafrica.com

GREEN DESIGN

Thatch roof solutions that work Thatch Protection Services has protected over 900 000m2 of thatch since its inception in 1991. The company developed Supercote, a water-based fire retardant comprising stable acrylic polymer resins and anti-fungal, anti-bacterial and fire-resistant components.

EnvironmEnTally friEndly Supercote is non-toxic, giving specifiers an environment-friendly solution for extending the life of thatch roofs and cutting the cost of maintenance. The product dries to a clear finish and is professionally manufactured to ISO / SABS standards.

applicaTion Supercote is applied to the thatch using a high-pressure spray gun to achieve penetration of approximately 4-5 cm. The coating overcomes poor compaction in order to reduce maintenance. The product is very effective against : • Veld fires • Lightning • Fireworks • Dust-rain • Sand infiltration • Monkey damage • Bird damage • Storm damage

ThaTch ProTecTion ServiceS Tel: 011 422 4593 • Fax: 011 422 6280 • e-mail: thatchprotection@mweb.co.za Website: www.thatchprotection.co.za

LYNNWOOD BRIDGE feature

SIVE EXCLU RE FEATU

Lynnwood bridge a new meaning for “live, work & play”

he 73 000m2 mixed-use Lynnwood Bridge development holds the record for the largest loan amount, ZAR1,2-billion, advanced to a private property developer. The project, which dates back about five years, is currently underway in the east of Pretoria. The mixed-use development gives a new meaning to the “live, work and play” adage. With strategic landscaping employed to soften the visual impact of the high-density nature of the buildings, the use of the latest design principles on cost-effective design reticulation and an array of green architectural principles to save energy, Lynnwood Bridge aims to be one of the most sought-after locations for tenants. Helen Henzen from Studio3 Architects comments: “Live, work and play all come together in this one precinct very successfully with the hotel, offices, gym and retail with restaurants and of course the theatre. The open-air piazza, surrounded by organically-shaped buildings, provides a fun and exploring atmosphere for visitors. The development also includes a fountain feature, plants and a sculpture to add to the natural ambience,” says Henzen. Numerous infrastructure considerations had to be taken into account, along with a range of design principles and green solutions, which lead to a number of challenges that contractors and other design professionals needed to overcome. “In order to incorporate cost-effective design principles throughout this large development, the quantity surveyor was required to constantly guide and approve details and materials without compromising the design and vision of the project,” says Henzen. Jaco Storm, the managing director of Storm Sciocatti (the quantity surveyors and project financial advisers contracted for Lynnwood Bridge) comments: “The challenge for us on this

Project details Developer: Atterbury Property Project manager: Po Arnan Architects: Studio 3 Architects International Quantity surveyors: Storm Sciocatti Quantity Surveyors Mechanical engineers: Q Mech Consulting Engineers Electrical engineers: Taemane Consulting (Pty) Ltd Electrical contractor: D.C. Electrical Africa Civil and structural engineer: Dekker & Gelderblom Fire consultant: Specialist Fire Technology / TWCE Acoustic engineer: ACUSOLV-Acoustic Specialist Theatre specialist: Odessy Records Health and safety: Cairnmead Industrial Main contractor: WBHO

project was truly unique. As quantity surveyors and project financial advisors on the project, we needed to continuously innovate to meet the client’s goals in terms of establishing an outstanding, functional and quality project, well within budget and programme,” explains Storm. “The complexity of the mixed-use status consisting of super basements, blue chip and Green Star-rated offices, hotel, retail, theatre, gym, and other facilities, made it extremely challenging to achieve the agreed budget returns in the current economic cycle. Success was achieved due to the co-operation of all the parties involved in the project and a full understanding of the client’s goals,” says Storm.

exceptionally frustrating and lead to a lot of extra administration,” said Henzen. Zahn Hulme, marketing and brand manager for the Atterbury Trust comments: “While Lynnwood Bridge is an extremely large development, it’s far from a concrete jungle. The designers, landscape artists and contractors have done a great job at blending the shapes of the building with the natural elements of the surroundings. The products used in the buildings, such as glass and shutters, also contribute to the spacious atmosphere,” says Hulme. The precinct was designed using townplanning principles, such as vehicle flow, negative spaces between buildings, circulation on foot and the layout of various facilities to ensure optimum usage of space. “The layout of the buildings, roads, walkways and facilities are very effective. There’s a circular road around the City Lodge – this, along with the fact that road upgrades were done and there are two entrances to the development, ensures easy access and navigation in and around the area,” says Hulme.

lynnwood bridge

LYNNWOOD BRIDGE feature

About the development Phase I

Infrastructure upgrades While the new on– and off-ramps from the N1 highway to Lynnwood Road may be the most obvious infrastructure upgrades, there were also a range of other infrastructure changes that needed to happen before the development of Lynnwood Bridge could be realised. More than 20 houses needed to be bought and destroyed, a library had to be moved and rebuilt, and major infrastructure of services had to be undertaken. “There were major road upgrades involving bridges, offramps and new roads. The library on the corner of Daventry and Lynnwood Road was demolished and rebuilt at no cost to the council, library or government. There were also major infrastructure changes to services in the area, such as stormwater, sewerage, water supply and pressure and the cabling network for telephone and computer requirements,” continues Henzen. Some of the specific challenges that contractors and architects had to overcome during the project included rain, the availability of supply and tenants signing up late for the project. “The rain caused quite a few delays, which can be troublesome when you are working on such a tight schedule. This meant that we needed to catch up with the work over weekends and outside office hours,” explains Henzen. “The products that were specified weren’t always available and there were a few delays from the order date, which can also put the design team behind schedule. Another challenge relating to products included batches not matching, which can be an

The first phase of the development incorporates an 8 000m² City Lodge Hotel and 33 000m² of office space, including offices for Adams & Adams and Aurecon. The hotel opened in June 2010 in time for the FIFA Soccer World Cup. Adams & Adams moved into their new head offices in October last year and Aurecon is set to move in within the next month. Atterbury Property, who is the developers of the project, also recently moved their offices to the development.

Phase II The second phase of Lynnwood Bridge comprises the retail precinct of the development. Trendy restaurants, such as Tribeca, Vishoek and a Theatre Café will surround the piazza along with a 2 200m² Planet Fitness, a ProShop and Woolworths. The retail precinct will also incorporate a 430 seat Atterbury Theatre, owned by the Atterbury Trust, which will be available to schools and community organisations for hosting concerts, plays, choir festivals and other events. Besides the construction of the new Lynnwood Road off-ramps on the N1, other infrastructure developments that formed part of Phase I included the upgrading of Daventry Road. Atterbury Holdings bought the 16 780m² Glenfair Shopping Centre, which is adjacent to the Lynnwood Bridge development, three years ago. The two complexes are set to be linked by a pedestrian bridge crossing Daventry Road, further integrating Lynnwood Bridge into surrounding developments.

Phase III A further 15 000m² of office space is set to be built for the third phase of the development. Walls & Roofs would like to give thanks and acknowledgement to Helen Henzen from Studio3 Architects and Zahn Hulme from the Atterbury Trust for the information they contributed for this article.

LYNNWOOD BRIDGE ADVERTORIAL

Shopfitting

at Lynnwood Bridge

retoria-based Shopfitting Concepts specialises in retail shopfitting and corporate environments, with a core focus on delivering a quality turnkey service to their clients. This service takes the client through the whole journey of opening a shop – from the initial phase of conceptualisation and design, through the manufacturing and installation process, right to the end where the shop opens its doors to the public. The company was approached by Studio3 Architects to do the installation for two stores at Lynnwood Bridge - Kings Meat Deli and Graffiti Bookstore, as well as manufacturing furniture for the Atterbury Theatre. Lennard van Rensburg, director at Shopfitting Concepts comments: “We are extremely proud to be associated with the Lynnwood Bridge project. It is not only a prestigious development in South Africa, but it also exposed us to the latest trends in interior design.” For both Kings Meat Deli and Graffiti Bookstore, Shopfitting Concepts managed the whole project regarding ceiling, flooring and painting work and installations. All units for Kings Meat Deli consisted of crown mahogany veneer and solids, including timber-slatted bulkheads, check-out points with ceaserstone tops, wine units, server counters, display tables, scale units and customized office furniture. The units manufactured for Graffiti Bookstore, consisted of a combination of ducoed MDF units and American Walnut Melawoods. These included bulkheads, book shelves, the reception counter, and newspaper and magazine stands. A timber-cladded steel mezzanine floor was installed for the Art Section.

LYNNWOOD BRIDGE ADVERTORIAL

Manufacturing for the Atterbury Theatre from walnut solids and veneer, included cocktail tables, curved slatted benches, reception desks and backstage furniture. “Shopfitting Concepts committed to a strong hands-on approach throughout the project, with one goal in mind: to provide a high quality product and service, and to complete the task efficiently according to our clients’ specifications,” adds van Rensburg.

About the company Established in 1997, Shopfitting Concepts is based in Samcor Park, East of Pretoria, and is led by two directors: Jenny Olwage and Lennard van Rensburg, both of whom have extensive industry experience. They pride themselves in their attention to detail and their obsession with quality and outstanding workmanship.

Overcoming challenges of unique projects Shopfitting Concepts has an experienced, dedicated team that manufactures and installs high quality products within the given time schedule, according to clients’ specifications. “We are committed to meeting our clients’ expectations and to provide the best possible service we can, fully realising the challenges of each project. Our installation teams operate nationally as well as across South African borders,” says van Rensburg.

How they work Van Rensburg explains that Shopfitting Concepts has a definitive process that they follow to ensure that the clients’ goals, as well as deadlines, are always the forefront of the solutions they provide.

“After the design has been signed off by the client – if we are doing the design -a quotation is prepared and sent to the client for approval. If Shopfitting Concepts is not responsible for the design, the client provides an already approved design, after which a quotation will be done and forwarded for approval. After a written order and 50% deposit has been received from the client, it takes three weeks before installation can start. A schedule of activities is provided to the client, which contains all the dates - from installation to hand-over,” says van Rensburg.

Local facilities

The factory covers 1900m² and includes offices, a manufacturing section, finishing area, spray booth and loading areas. The factory also boasts fully equipped staff quarters with four bedrooms, two bathrooms and a kitchen for teams working overtime. Machinery is of the highest quality, and sprayed items are dried under infra red drying lights in the spray booth, ensuring a quick and thorough drying process.

Shopfitting Concepts has a regular client base, and amongst others, has worked with the following clients on innovative projects: • African Diamond Jewellers • Albertini Jewellers • Astor Group & Astor Music • Atterbury Theatre • Big Al’s • Black Steer • Bresco Diamonds • Cell C • Channel Ware & HP Print • Co.fi • Contempo

• Converse Deonne le Roux Jewellers • Edcon: Jet, Jet Mart & Legit • Forma Viva Jewellers • Francois Jewellers • Graffiti Bookshop • Jet Music • Interglass • Kanhym Butchery • KFC • King’s Meat Deli

• Maxi’s • Mugg & Bean • Musica • Sorbet • South African Revenue Service (SARS) • Studio 16, Floors Direct • Superior Choices • Studio 3 Architects • Tyne Retail Services, Markhams, @Home, Primi & Stuttafords Home

Shopfitting Concepts Lennard van Rensburg • Andries Lessing Tel: +27 12 803-7303 Fax: +27 12 803-7310 E-mail: lennard@shopfit.co.za & andries@shopfit.co.za

LYNNWOOD BRIDGE

Paint and coating solutions

at Lynnwood Bridge

n 2009, Versus Paints became involved in the massive Lynnwood Bridge Building Project. Versus coated approximately 34 000m² of surface area at the development and they were involved in a number of on-site projects, such as City Lodge, Adams & Adams, Aurecon and the retail section of the development..

City Lodge Versus was contracted to take on Lynnwood Bridge after they successfully completed the City Lodge Hotel at Oliver Tambo Airport and the City Lodge at Fourways. Project manager from Versus Paints, Babette Mattheyse, comments: “Textured paint in VS 1980 and VS 1981 were used at City Lodge. The two tones gave this building an excellent finish,” says Mattheyse before adding that this project had specific time constraints because it had to be finished in time for the FIFA Soccer World Cup. “Guests had already made their hotel bookings while we were still busy with the exterior of the hotel. The Interior designers were so impressed with the quality of our work that we were then awarded the contract to do the finishings of the interior of the hotel as well,” says Mattheyse. To remain consistent with the City Lodge brand and the other hotels completed, a glass chip finish was specified along with Versus Suede and Italic Plaster was specified. “The Metallico paint is a unique product and it was used to cover the area at the back of the reception desk. The building contractors were often amazed by what we had achieved within the time limits we were given,” comments Mattheyse.

Building A Italic Plaster coating was used on Building A in the VS 3872 colour. Verus Texture paint VS 2380 was used on the window sills, beams and canopies.

Adams & Adams “Like with every project some parts just seem to be easier than other,” says Mattheyse before explaining that the Adams & Adams building was a pleasure to do. Versus Texture paint in two colours, along with Italic plaster were specified to give the building a special look. “These colours and technique combination achieved the desired image that supported the architect’s design and vision for this building. Our challenge was to work around the aluminum cladding. We managed to pass this test with flying colours and this is a concrete proof of our applicators abilities to deal with difficulties,” says Mattheyse.

Aurecon Versus started working on the Aurecon building while they were still completing the Adams & Adams project. “This overlap required a new team on site – however we have managed to deliver consistency and continuity in our work. Aurecon had severe heights to deal with as well as pressure to hand the building over at a specific date. Our resources were under pressure, but through proper project management and control we faced the challenge with confidence. The Versus Italic Plaster that was applied at the Aurecon building has earned us a lot of compliments,” says Mattheyse.

Lynnwood Retail Mattheyse explains that the team quickly realised that the retail section of the project would have different challenges to the other completed buildings. Versus had to follow the builder’s progress and complete the sections as they moved throughout the building. “We had to follow the builder’s progress and complete the painting as they were finishing each space. This in itself makes finishing and rounding off a challenge. The Versus Texture paint VS 2551 and VS 2552 was used for the retail building. Our excellent applicators manage to keep themselves motivated and focused from the first day. The Lynnwood Bridge development was a team effort from day one up to the last day on site. Our success was in using in-house applicators that could work according to the Versus promise of excellence and knowledgeable staff that were involved from inception to completion,” concludes Mattheyse. VERSUS Tel: 011 885 3136 Email: info@versuspaint.co.za Website: www.versuspaint.co.za

LYNNWOOD BRIDGE

LYNNWOOD BRIDGE ADVERTORIAL

Glass products at Lynnwood Bridge

Glass South Africa (GSA), a division of the PG Group, is proud to be associated with the Lynnwood Bridge development.

arious products were specified on the different buildings at the Lynnwood Bridge development to meet the overall aesthetic appearance, as well as the performance criteria required.

Glass for solar and thermal insulation Gail Page, projects manager at GSA, explains why three of the buildings at the Lynnwood Bridge development specified a specific type of glass. “Eclipse Advantage Grey, offering a combination of solar and thermal insulation with a high visible light transmittance, subtle reflectivity and glare control, was used on the Adams & Adams Building, Building A, as well as the City Lodge,” says Page.

Strength and safety Artic Snow Armourlam was used on the glass wall in the foyer of the Atterbury Theatre, fixed to a steel frame. “This specific product was used due to the combination of strength and safety of toughened glass, as well as the security and stability of laminated glass,” continues Page. Armourlam is manufactured by bonding polyvinyl butyral (PVB) interlayers (Artic Snow) between two pieces of toughened glass under heat and pressure. Armourlam is used where ordinary glass would be likely to fracture due to stress caused in boltedassembly applications. This allows the glass to look frameless,

Some of the products specified at the iconic development include the following: • Solarvue Grey HL, offering medium solar and medium light transmission, was used on various shopfront windows. • Solarvue Neutral HL, offering medium solar control and high light transmission, was used on various retail shopfront sections. • Colourvue Shadowlite 25, offering good solar control as well as glare control, was used on a part of the retail shopfronts section. • Clear Intruderprufe Glass was used on retail shopfront sections.

LYNNWOOD BRIDGE ADVERTORIAL

flush and sheer. The Artic Snow PVB interlayer meets the aesthetic requirements for this glass façade/wall.

Glass for digital prints GraphixArt, which is manufactured using state-ofthe-art machinery, is an innovative GSA product that allows for digital printing on glass. “GraphixArt was specified for the Tribeca Restaurant. This product has a special ink composition and it is used for longlasting digital printing on glass, which commonly includes micro-particles of glass where, in the fixation of the printed glass in a furnace at a high temperature of 700 degrees Celsius. The exposure of the ink to such high temperatures causes the glass micro-particles to melt, thus affixing the ink pigment to the printed glass surface,” says Page. “SmartGlass has much more to offer, both artistically and structurally, for aesthetics, climate control and branding. It can assume any appearance, fulfil numerous functions and is capable of great versatility,” concludes Page. GSA Building Products Tel: 0860 695 695 Fax: +2711 417 5800 Website: www.gsa.co.za

STRIP 210 X 70 mm 23

CLADDING feature

Alice Lane Towers

Cladding & adhesive

innovations The Solar House Architecture and design students from the Cardenal Herrera University in Valencia designed and executed a photovoltaic ventilated façade. The project won the first place for market feasibility during the Solar Decathlon Europe, which was held in Madrid in June 2010. The objective of the competition was to test new measures that architects can use in real-life projects on a daily basis. The competition was organised by the US Energy Department and the Spanish Housing Ministry, with the participation of 17 universities from all over the world. The entire house was made with Corian (a material that is commonly used in kitchen countertops) and the façade has inlaid PV panels from Onyx Solar, which supplies the house with all its energy needs. The PV panels are on the south side of the house and the students created the hybrid cladding system so that the house would have the combined benefit of solar thermal and photovoltaic capture in the same place, which unfolds according to energy needs and allows the ideal balance between the two systems. The advantage of the manipulation that Corian allowed for the project is essential to adjusting the support and the photovoltaic

PV technology used: Laminated PV glass Peak Power: 2 908 Wp (Watt peak Power) Total active area: 46m² Number of pieces: 270 Sizes: 800x200mm & 760x200mm

panel without sacrificing the image of the façade for the sake of either of the two elements. Students from the Cardenal Herrera University designed the house and went to a factory in Spain to cut and manufacture the large wall panels. The SML house can expand with its lightweight rips that are dried together. The unit is composed totally of prefabricated materials and is dry assembled. The courtyard of the house also works as a cooling unit by using cross-ventilation with the purpose of creating a “microclimate”. The competition established the dimensional limit of 74m². The house exhausts the possible configurations of 6 prefabricated modules, built around two longitudinal courtyards. For the maximum reduction of energy consumption, the SML house has an air-conditioning system for solar cooling thanks to its “cool roof”, which incorporates cold water pipes running through the roof of the house. Cold water is generated in an absorption machine supplied with water at 90°C from the solac collection system of the house. The SML house (as the project is called) was the most voted project among the 190 000 visitors who went to the “solar villa” to observe the latest trends in sustainable architecture. After the competition, a model of the SML house was on display at the

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Students from the Cardenal Herrera University built a photovoltaic ventilated façade. © Onyxgreenbuilding.com

Venice Biennial in the Spanish Pavilion. From Venice, the model travelled to Valencia, where it was shown to attendees of the 5th World Conference on Photovoltaic Energy Conversion.

The glue that holds it all together According to a 2011 report on the adhesive manufacturing industry by Ibis World, adhesive manufacturers rely heavily on the performance of other industries to sustain demand for their products, which is often detrimental. “For instance, after the housing market collapsed, construction stalled and with it demand for construction-related adhesives. The automobile industry, also a major contributor to adhesive manufacturers’ revenue, suffered when the recession caused the demand for new cars to drop. As the economy recovers, the resulting boost to these market segments will help to increase the demand for adhesives,” reads the report.

Trends in adhesives According to Omnexus.com, an open-source platform about business developments in chemicals by SpecialChem, green building trends are requiring more environmentally-friendly adhesives and sealants and promoting the usage of fewer volatile organic compounds (VOCs). In Germany, major adhesive manufacturers have founded an association for the control of emissions in product installations. The association has created a simple guideline to classify the emissions of adhesive products and their own labeling system.

“No single product will dominate” One of the industry trends in the adhesives and sealants market for the building and construction industry is the need for more durable products. “One key demand that may be reflected in the market growth rate is the drive to longer-lasting, more durable products. This includes moisture-curing polyurethane adhesives and high performance sealants such as polyurethane, silicone and

styrene block copolymers. No single type of high performance product will dominate. However, they will take the market share away from standard systems such as polyvinyl acetate, acrylic and other synthetic rubber formulations,” says Omnexus.

Natural disasters change the requirements of adhesives New construction techniques also require adhesives to age well and perform under a variety of environmental extremes. “Natural disasters making headlines over the past several years have brought additional focus on the subject. For example, a specialty sealant has been developed to help window manufacturers assemble windows that will withstand hurricane winds. The cured strength of this sealant far surpasses the strength that could be achieved with other bonding technologies (e.g., silicone, tape). It has passed tests designed to simulate hurricane-speed winds and pressure changes,” says Omnexus. A range of new building materials, including a myriad of composites and plastics, are being developed and installed. These new building materials require an adhesive or sealant that has been optimised for the building material. Within the infrastructure construction sector, the usage of adhesives is expected to grow significantly due to the aging infrastructures. The use of epoxy adhesive systems with fibre reinforcement is also expected to grow significantly because these adhesives will be applied to bridge piers, beams and other elements requiring repair. Omnexus predicts that future developments in the adhesives industry may include battery-operated dispensing tools and other equipment to make on-site application easier and more reproducible. Mixing nozzles and packaging innovation continue to improve and new developments in this field may allow dispensing of adhesives and sealants at temperatures as low as -15°C without warming the cartridge in the future.

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Built-in quality Architects have been given almost unlimited design versatility through the use of state-of-the-art silicone sealant technology, enabling them to create structures that have redefined the landscape of cities and towns throughout the world.

hen specifying sealants for structural glazing, insulating glazing, weather-sealing or fire protection for these projects, performance and reliability are at the top of any specifier’s list of key criteria. Dow Corning silicone sealants are the watchword for quality in sealants for the construction industry, tried and tested on many of the world’s most prestigious projects – from the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, the Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur, the Statue of Liberty in New York and Manchester United’s Old Trafford Stadium in the UK to the International House of Music in Moscow. Some South African projects include Sandton offices such as Protea Place, the Central Park building in Eco Park, Alice Towers, the Hyde Park Shopping Centre and Absa Bank in Johannesburg. Recognised as a world leader in the development of silicone science, Dow Corning works in partnership with international certification bodies, committees and standards institutes, actively contributing towards establishing sealant performance levels for the future. Dow’s continued contact and liaison with architects, consultants, building owners and technical institutes is paramount to ensure that new design innovation and industry changes are reflected in future regulatory controls.

Dow Corning Quality Bond – building reputations together Now Dow Corning has joined forces with pre-eminent fabricators, installers and applicators to offer specifiers Quality Bond – a set of services and commitments that provide first-rate products, technical excellence and solutions that meet many of the most demanding construction applications.

Technical task force Using a Dow Corning Quality Bond partner on your next project means you can rely on the most technologically-advanced sealants – but product quality is just the start of the Dow Corning Quality Bond story. You will also have access to Dow Corning’s globally renowned technical expertise, offering a range of services to make your project run smoothly and successfully according to Dow’s strict control system.

Laboratory testing on the relevant substrates to check adhesion, compatibility and staining allows Dow Corning to make formal recommendations for product use. The provision of blueprint reviews, design calculations for structural and weathersealing joints, project audits, training and warranties all add up to a standard and custom-built service package that has become the envy of the industry. You can also be assured that Quality Bond fabricators and installers must meet Dow Corning’s stringent rules of compliance, including a fabrication and application process that has been audited annually by Dow Corning’s team of technical experts to ensure that quality is built-in at every stage. a.b.e Construction Chemicals (Pty) Ltd Tel: 011 306 9000 E-mail: samanthaa@abe.co.za Website: www.abe.co.za • www.autospec.com

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Walls & Roofs spoke to Marius Botha, inland sales manager at TAL, and Donald Perry from Genkem, to get some insight to the challenges that design professionals experience when choosing the correct adhesive for their cladding project.

what to keep in mind when choosing adhesives

Industry comment W&R:

What do architects usually struggle with when choosing an adhesive for cladding? Marius Botha: Architects need to consult adhesive manufacturers and suppliers for professional advice as in some cases architects do not have the knowledge when it comes to specifying adhesives for cladding. The type of tile, whether it is a ceramic; porcelain; natural stone; marble or granite tile as well as the colour, size and weight of the tile will affect the installation. The side of the building where the cladding will be installed, for example whether it is a north-facing wall would also need to be considered. Donald Perry: Adhesives are specialised components in systems that are constantly changing. This makes it difficult for architects and specifiers to keep up to date with the latest technology. Since they represent a relatively small part of the specification, it is easy to regard them as non critical in the overall job. However, it is clear that an incorrect or incomplete specification has a major impact on the overall perception of quality, out of all proportion to the impact on cost. Specific requirements that will influence the adhesive you choose include service conditions, substrate requirements, legal and environmental constraints and the current state of technology. For these reasons, it is always a good idea for the specifier to discuss the requirements and the job specification with suppliers in the field to ensure that the specification is accurate and relevant.

W&R:

ÂŠ TAL Sandton Sun Hotel

What are the three main things that an architect or design professional should keep in mind when choosing adhesives?

Marius Botha: They need to know the type of tile that will be specified. Light-coloured marble and porcelain tiles require a rapid-setting white cement to prevent staining of the adhesive through the face of the tile. With exterior cladding, factors such as irreversible moisture expansion, direct sunlight, cold conditions and expansion or shrinkage impact the adhesive system and therefore the system needs to be modified with a latex additive, such as TAL Bond to cope with the stress of expansion or contraction.

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Donald Perry: This can probably be summarised in the single concept of ‘fitness for the job’. Probably the most important part of this is compatibility with the job concept, which involves firstly the correct cladding, and then the adhesive that will work satisfactorily with the chosen cladding and walling. Particularly when using cutting edge concepts (rather than tried and tested systems), architects should consult with the cladding material suppliers and the adhesive manufacturer to ensure that the job will not fail. Almost equally important is the need to insist on a contractor who is familiar with the requirements of the application. More jobs fail because of faulty application than for any other reason. The contractor’s track record should speak for itself. The third consideration is the environment in which the system is required to operate. This would include such considerations as unusual temperature or humidity conditions, direct or indirect exposure to water, ventilation requirements, legal and environmental considerations including flammability in both wet and dry state and exposure of contractors, exposure to UV light or direct sunlight, aggressive cleaning requirements and, of course, the aesthetics of the job. Again the specifier should liaise with his proposed suppliers on any aspects of this which are relevant and with which he may not be familiar. Price will always be a consideration, but should never be an overriding one. The cost of failure is almost always prohibitive.

W&R:

What are some of the common problems with adhesive specifications?

Marius Botha: There are no problems with adhesive specifications. Problems arise when contractors choose cheaper adhesives that are not suitable for the type of installation they are being used for. Factors such as the size of the tile, colour and the side of the building where the installation is taking place impact the adhesive specification and can cause problems with the installation if the correct specifications aren’t met and inferior products are being used. Panel movement joints need to be incorporated to compensate for expansion or contractions and this also causes problems when not included during installation. Mechanical support is very important with cladding installations and is installed at two metre intervals. The main aim of the support is to create a point for the tiles to rest on while the adhesive is curing. In the event that a tile should fail, the mechanical support will prevent failure of an entire panel as the failure will be isolated within the 2m-panel.

W&R:

What’s new in the industry and / or at your company?

Marius Botha: TAL has a single-part product solution in a bag called TAL Goldflex that only requires water to be added. This product has bonding liquid, keying agent and adhesives in one bag and therefore provides a one-part system and limits failure and errors on site as water is the only element that needs to be added. Previously, the separate components had to be mixed together to form the adhesive, increasing the chance of failure if not incorporating all three products. Donald Perry: Perhaps the biggest development in the Building Industry is the move towards environmentally friendly buildings. This is impacting on every aspect of the industry, particularly in terms of materials used. The standards being set by the Green Building Council are becoming increasingly important to specifiers, and therefore to suppliers. A further influence is the emergence of SMMEs, often with the attendant requirement for training of these emerging contractors as well as the need for tight specifications and rigorous inspection. A logical offshoot of this is the development of systems that are simpler in their application requirements to meet the capabilities of emerging contractors, which carries the corollary of easier DIY requirements and thus an increase in DIY possibilities. With the move towards environmentally friendly buildings and techniques, there is a corresponding move towards environmentally friendly adhesives. This includes the move towards lower or zero VOCs in adhesives. As part of this drive we are currently developing a range of water-based adhesives with zero VOC, particularly suitable for cladding applications, with products that show excellent plasticiser migration resistance for plasticised PVC cladding, exceptionally good heat resistance, high bond strengths and long green tack times for ease of application. These products are non flammable during application, and can be made non flammable in the dry state as well. Walls & Roofs would like to give thanks and acknowledgement to www.paroc.com, www.ibisworld.com, Donald Perry and Marius Botha from TAL, who generously contributed information for this article.

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Twirl by Zaha Hadid Architects with Lea Ceramiche

ne of the most interesting exhibits seen at the Interni Mutant Architecture & Design Expo, which was held in Milan from 11-17 April 2011 to mark the Milan Design Week, was Lea Ceramicaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s installation Twirl, designed by Zaha Hadid Architects. The installation featured Lea Slimtech, the ultraslim slab (just 3mm) available in large sizes (up to 3m x 1m), and the chosen site was an 18th century courtyard, one of the most attractive areas at Milanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s University, where the slabs were used to bring a three-dimensional structure to life. It was a sort of vortex made entirely in porcelain stoneware, a dynamic space demonstrating a flexible and unconventional use of this innovative material. The project started as a contemporary take on courtyard architecture. It is a dynamic composition that starts at the perimeter of the space and then follows the orthogonal shape of the columns and lines, meeting at the centre, creating complex and sinuous geometrical patterns. The 900m2 area is covered with seven different colours of Slimtech slabs (from milk-white to black coffee) that are one metre wide and in various heights ranging to a maximum of two metres. The installation transforms the courtyard

into a space with a constantly shifting shape and colour, depending on the many possible viewing angles. Fluorescent light tubes by Artemide run along the structure, lighting up the building and creating a link between the formal layout of the setting and the flowing lines of the project. Visitors were invited to explore the sculptural effect and the formal dynamics of the various elements, the punctual relationship between solid and void, between the individual piece and the whole, part of a play on colour from black to white and the presence and absence of colour. Twirl by Zaha Hadid Architects allows the ceramic product and the innovative Slimtech in particular (the latest-generation laminated porcelain tiles) to take on a new guise: moving away from its traditional use as a surface coating â&#x20AC;&#x201C; on this occasion the tiles are seen as a true architectural element.

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The latest and best in

stone cladding To get the latest information and developments in stone cladding, WALLS & ROOFS in Africa spoke to Alison Weihe of Inca Stone. How important are ventilated facades in modern buildings? Ventilated facades are very important where greening and sustainability are concerned, as these help to cool down buildings and are energy-saving as well as providing an attractive â&#x20AC;&#x153;second skinâ&#x20AC;? to a building. Relating to stone cladding and its greening and sustainability aspects, Inca Stone Cladding has an insulation property in its lightweight format, manufactured partly from recycled materials, which retains warmth and aids cooling. It therefore acts as an attractive aesthetic component, but has a secondary function of assisting the energy-saving qualities of the built architecture, whether commercial or residential. As part of the green sustainability, Inca Stone is also committed to energy-saving and recycling by using air-dried warehouses and thereby reducing carbon dioxide emissions; where necessary, using eco-cement from an eco-conscious supplier; and being environmentally responsible by recycling water and using solar heating in the manufacturing process. By creating an environmentally-conscious company, Inca, as an example, decreases the demand for non-renewable resources by reducing the emphasis on quarried stone. At the same time,

by using re-constituted stone and waste products, it eases the pressure on landfill sites. All these elements lower the carbon footprint within the manufacturing process.

What are the latest developments or techniques in cladding? As previously mentioned, using insulation-saving properties and enhancing the green aspect in the manufacturing process is an important development. However, an added aspect of Inca Stone is that the ranges recently developed have a more natural look than most cladding on the market, due to the fact that within 10 square metres of every range, there is no repeating pattern or stone â&#x20AC;&#x201C; this gives a whole new dimension to existing stone cladding, which often has limited patterning. In addition, our technology allows for a huge range of colour variations as well as having varying corner pieces for each and every range of Inca cladding. We are in the process of developing two new ranges of Inca, which will allow for ten extensive stone cladding ranges as well as ongoing product development on cladding and architectural accessories.

CLADDING

What are the top three challenges that architects or design professionals face regarding cladding installations? We think that the main challenges facing architects and designers are: • For cladding to have artistic integrity and really add value to the project, instead of just having cladding because it is “trendy” or has been specified. This implies an astute and judicious choice of colour and texture and scale of cladding on the final project. • For architects to be conscious of greening and sustainability when they advocate the use of quarried stone and to be aware that there are alternatives that have a green component. • To ensure that the application is neat and professional (Inca Stone only uses accredited and specialised stone-masonry companies and installers).

What advice would you like to give to specifiers? Make sure that you choose a cladding product after detailed consultation with a skilled specialist in terms of colour and texture choice. It is essential to choose a product using samples on the actual site, rather than choosing from a website or a catalogue. We assist clients by providing samples for on-site verification of choice. Make sure that the specifications for installation are correct and that an approved installer is being utilised, as incorrect installation can vastly change the aesthetics of a project. In addition, using cheaper quality adhesion materials can prove to be problematic. Do market research to ensure that you are using a quality product from a reputable supplier as there are many drawbacks when using an inferior product, both in aesthetics and practicality. Sometimes cost-saving can be an expensive venture.

What projects are you particularly proud of? Inca Stone has done a variety of noteworthy cladding projects, including the following: • Lightweight, green-rated cladding for the KPMG offices in Polokwane. • Extensive cladding in lightweight, green-rated cladding on a steel-framed house in Bela-Bela, which was recently submitted as an entry for award-winning steel-framed houses. • Lightweight cladding for use in a show house for a housing development in Lesotho. • Extensive cladding at the Pivot at Montecasino. • UTI Office Block – Honeydew. • Fahrenheit Seafood and Grill – Benoni. • BP Laboratory and Research Centre – Kyalami. • Emperors Palace – Jewellery store. • Cape Union Mart – Several stores. • Charming English colonial home – Eagle Canyon Estate. • Beautiful American colonial home – Ebotse Estate. • Jenna Clifford Campaign Garden. • DHL Corporate office interior, Midrand. • Showroom in Nylstroom. • Exclusive Tile Showroom in Randburg. • Shopping Centre, Gabarone. Inca International Stone Veneers Tel: 011 794 9737 Website: www.incastoneveneers.com

CLADDING

Historical use of zinc as a roofing material

lthough the Babylonians and Assyrians knew of zinc as an alloying component of brass, zinc as a metal was only introduced in the 17th and 18th centuries. According to a publication dated 1637, the Chinese were first to succeed in obtaining metallic zinc by means of smelting. By 1720, zinc was produced on a fairly large scale in Swansea, Wales, probably based on the oriental technique. In 1743, William Champion built the first zinc smelter in Bristol, England, producing about 200 tonnes of zinc a year. In 1805 it was discovered that zinc could be rolled at temperatures of 100 degrees to 150 degrees Celsius. The first zinc-rolling mill was established in Belgium. In 1821, several rolling mills followed in Silesia. The rolling technique customary then, and used until the 1960s in Western Europe, was the pack-rolling method, which is still used in some parts of Eastern Europe. The only products of this rolling method were sheets, usually in a standard format of 1 x 2 metres. The thicknesses were stated in numbers (such as zinc no. 14 0,7mm), which indicated the approximate thickness of a sheet, making the considerable thickness tolerances less obvious. In the course of technological development, the purity of the base material reached 98,5%, yet its qualities were not nearly as high as these of today’s material. Thus, pack-rolled zinc could not be folded parallel to the direction in which it had been rolled. Since these material properties no longer met market requirements in Europe, this rolling technique and the associated material technology were replaced in Germany in the mid-1960s by the RHEINZINK process and the material called RHEINZINK.

Double-standing seam roofing system with RHEINZINK The double-standing seam has been known since 1899, and can be regarded as a further development of the original batten seam or single-standing seam. For metal roofs at a pitch below 25 degrees, this system is the clear favourite, where it is sometimes used in combination with the batten system. The angled-standing seam is also used for roof surfaces with a pitch steeper than 25 degrees. The widespread use of the double-standing seam is due to the availability of installation equipment. Because it is very efficient to install, it has become a very economical seam system. In terms of

design, the double-standing seam is characterised by its sharply defined lines and by its numerous detail variations. This is emphasised by the increasing use of standing seam transitions, for example at hips or ridges. The term “double-standing seam” describes a type of lengthwise connection between adjacent sections above the water level. Double-standing seams should be at least 23mm high. This connection is rainproof without applying any additional measures, but it will not stop water from backing up. The edges of the sections can be formed by roll-former or by hand. The seams can be closed either with a seaming machine or by hand. Seam height – Internationally, the 25mm high doublestanding seam, formed with pre-fabricated panels, has become the norm. The roll-formed machine set, used for the rolling of the section, is available internationally and is particularly economical to use. This applies not only to simple roofs, but also to special roof designs such as convex, concave and conical panels. All of the fasteners the system requires, as well as clip-stamping machines and notching tools, are also available to installers. Roof pitch – The smallest roof pitch for double-standing seams is 3 degrees. For this roof pitch, seam-sealing measures and structured underlays should be used. Conical sections – To install straight roofs (i.e. with a constant pitch) on buildings of rounded design, or for special details in valleys, conical sections are required. Their width differs from one end to the other. They can now be formed with profiling machines to a minimum width of 50mm. Cross seams are necessary in buildings of larger dimensions. Depending on building height and material thickness, the maximum width of the panel to be maintained at the bottom end must be taken into account during the planning stage. (Extract from RHEINZINK – Applications in Architecture 2nd Edition (available from RHEINZINK (South Africa)). Rheinzink Tel: 021 671 2600 E-mail: info@rheinzink.co.za Website: www.rheinzink.co.za www.autospec.com

CLADDING

©Versus Paints

GLASS & ALUMINIUM feature

Ventilated façades

trends and new innovations A ventilated façade covers the building like a skin, protecting it from externalities while simultaneously creating an air cavity that acts as thermal and acoustic insulation. While a ventilated façade can be designed in many different ways, protection of the inner shell (from moisture and bad weather) isn’t always easy.

aroc, a stone-wool insulation manufacturer, says that if the thermal insulation of the ventilated façade has an open structure (like universal slabs), it needs to be shielded by a wind barrier so that the insulation is preserved. The air-ventilation openings in the façade layer and the gap thickness determine the wind protection needed. Paroc gives these examples to create a foundation for a durable and functioning building:

©L&D Enterprises

Air tightness

The requirements of air tightness set for the barrier are often given in the building codes of each market area, but the general trend is towards improved air tightness. In practice, sufficient air tightness is achieved by the use of massive structures such as concrete or masonry, but in the case of (light) frame constructions an air-infiltration barrier such as plastic foil is necessary, says Paroc.com. “The air tightness of the building envelope could be measured in accordance with the standardised pressure test EN 13829, by subjecting the building to a 50 Pa overpressure and evaluating the air exchange rate of the building. The air exchange rate should not exceed 1 per hour,” says Paroc.com.

The importance of air gaps in ventilated façades In a ventilated exterior wall, an air gap is placed behind the façade. The purpose of the gap is to remove excess moisture from the structure by the flow of air, and keeping it dry to ensure proper functioning. The airflow in the gap is normally upwards. Openings are designed at the bottom to allow the air to enter the gap. In the gap the air warms, picks up moisture and flows up until it is released through the openings at the top of the wall.

Preventing cold air intrusion A wind barrier is used to stop the wind from blowing through or around the universal (light density) thermal insulation and causing “forced’’ convection in the insulation. This would have a negative impact on the thermal performance of the universal insulation. The wind protection should also have relevant moisture vapour transfer capability in order to transfer moisture vapour. Paroc.com emphasises that corners are often a critical point in ventilated façades, so special care must be taken in order to avoid air intrusion.

Insulating curtain walls with expandable polystyrene Expandable polystyrene (EPS) can be used to thermally insulate back-ventilated curtain façades. The compact and space-saving structure can be fitted up to the high-rise building limit (22,5 metres), as the fire protection which is prescribed here is guaranteed by fire locks and fire barriers on each storey. The insulation panels have a tongue and groove all the way round and, along with the spacer bolts which are placed at regular points and fix the substructure; they form a structure which is effectively free of any heat bridges.

The multilayer outer-wall structure consists of insulation panels, a wooden substructure with an air gap and outer cladding. These panels are approved in thicknesses of up to 200mm and can be cut and processed by hot wire without any dust or waste. The façade structure provides many design possibilities for individual, aesthetic and at the same time weather-resistant cladding for façades.

GLASS & ALUMINIUM

GLASS & ALUMINIUM feature

Critical elements to consider in the detailing of glazing for energy-efficiency: Width of spacer in double glazing: A 6mm space is adequate, but 12mm to 16mm maximises the insulation of the unit. Typically, a 12mm air gap is 10% better than a 6mm air gap. Type of glass in window: Single-glazed tinted glass will lower the SHGC, but not the U-value. Low E on “surface #3” of an IGU will typically lower the U-value by up to 20%. In double glazing, the outside of the outer panel is #1, the inside of the outer panel is #2, the outward-facing side of the internal panel is #3, and the face that faces the interior of the room is #4. By having the Low E coating on #3 rather than #4, the impact on the U-value is maximised and the coating is protected from any potentially harmful cleaning. It can also better reflect some of the solar radiation that hits the window. Gas fill in double glazing: Using argon rather than air can improve the U-value by 2% – 3%.

Continues on page 38

GLASS & ALUMINIUM feature

Glazing options for heat retention: Low E double glazing: The use of a Low E double-glazed unit in your window can stop up to 70% of heat loss. Select glazing with a U-value in the range of 2,7 – 1,8 W/m²K. Double glazing: The use of single-glazed pyrolytic Low E glass in your window can stop up to 39% of heat loss. Select glazing with a U-value in the range of 4,2 – 3,6 W/ m²K.

Selecting glass for heat rejection How buildings gain heat: 0% floor, 8% walls, 5% roof and 87% glazing. “Heat enters easily through ordinary glass, with standard 3mm glazing offering little resistance,” says the AGGA.

Conceptual considerations affecting sustainability and costs Tom Linder, a technical director and structural expert at the WSP Group, gave a presentation entitled “Conceptual considerations affecting sustainability and costs” at the Façade, Design and Engineering Conference, which was held in 2010. “There are a number of factors affecting concept-stage planning, such as aesthetics, the brief from the client, costs,

afgri

context of the building, site restrictions, sustainability, practicality in use and building ability,” says Linder. “In the South African context, there are a number of other factors. The low energy costs that we were used to in the past are now rapidly increasing. We also have a temperate climate, which means that cooling requirements, rather than heating, tend to dominate building design,” continues Linder. Linder explains that a number of greening strategies are commonly considered during the preliminary design, such as daylight, shading, insulation, air infiltration, energy-efficient lighting, movement-activated lighting, efficient HVAC, the use of thermal mass of finishes/structures and passive ventilation and cooling systems. “During this preliminary design phase, design professionals will also need to do space planning and review the operating requirements – such as an acceptable air temperature range and the Lux levels, as well as the psychological factors such as fresh air, views and daylight within the building,” says Linder. “After this preliminary planning is done, we can start to compare the environmental performance, capital costs and lifecycle costs of the structure. We can then start documenting the Continues on page 40

ÂŠLLumar

GLASS & ALUMINIUM feature

Glazing options for heat rejection: High-performance Low E double glazing: The use of a highperformance Low E double-glazed unit in your window can stop up to 77% of solar heat gain. Select glazing with a solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC) in the range of 0,4 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 0,2. Single-glazed high-performance glass: The use of single-glazed high-performance glass in your window can stop up to 40% of solar heat gain. Select glazing with a SHGC of 0,52 or lower.

GLASS & ALUMINIUM feature

details, such as cladding, building services, finishings and fixtures. Engineers and design professionals need to work together to prepare the performance specifications and, in some instances, the GBCSA submissions based on this tender information,” says Linder. “Simple hand calculations can be carried out to examine the effect on peak cooling loads, the proximity of occupants to the external environment and the amount of façade area. In order to do this, one must consider the solar factor, aspect ratio of the floor plates, floor-to-ceiling height as well as the massing versus floor area of the building,” says Linder. Linder explains that a simplified calculation to determine the peak cooling load in the perimeter zone can be done by multiplying the global radiation with the solar factor and adding the internal heat gain of the building. For conceptual design purposes, the overall peak cooling load can be taken as equal to the area weighted average of the perimeter and internal loads. In this simplified approach, the solar factor is considered to be the average for the whole façade. As such, an all-glass façade with high performance glass could have a similar average solar factor to a masonry façade with punched windows incorporating a lower specification glass. “External shading can have a significant impact on the required solar factor. Larger floor areas also decrease the effect of the façade,” says Linder. “We carry out these simplified hand calculations to confirm and highlight factors that are commonly known intuitively. The principles highlighted can be used as input into concept-stage decisions that will affect the overall form of the building. Once the building form has been decided, more detailed analyses can be carried out to confirm the expected façade performance,” says Linder.

“Building shape and massing can influence cost and sustainability significantly. It also has an impact on the quality of the internal environment in relation with the proximity to an external façade. Sustainable design does not necessarily require high-tech materials, depending on the planning of the building, for example the amount of vision glazing and the type of façade being used. The passive design of a façade can allow high efficiency or innovative HVAC systems to be employed, with a positive impact on energy costs. The cheapest materials also do not necessarily translate to the most economical solution, especially when a process is on a critical path,” concludes Linder.

Selecting glass for heat retention How buildings lose heat: 14% walls, 18% floor, 19% roof and 49% glazing. These figures are based on actual case studies of an otherwise insulated building (www.agga.org). “Heat escapes easily through standard 3mm glazing. An unprotected single pane of ordinary glass loses almost ten times more heat than the same area of insulated wall,” says the Glass & Glazing Association of Australia (AGGA). “A significant saving of 40% off energy bills to heat and cool all residential and commercial buildings can be made if appropriate glazing is installed. Installed energy-efficient glazing into windows adds as little as 1% to the initial cost of building,” says the AGGA. Walls & Roofs would like to give thanks and acknowledgement to Tom Linder, and the Glass & Glazing Association of Australia for information contributed to this article.

GLASS & ALUMINIUM feature

Fixed Solar Shading Systems • Fixed & Controllable Solar Shading • acoustic louvres Glass Solar Shading Systems • Screening louvres, Rain Defence & Performance louvres

GautenG

Kwa Zulu natal

Tel: +27 11 608 4640 • Fax: +27 11 608 4643 Chris Edwards: 082 855 9776 Email: chrise@robventind.co.za Eric Whelan: 082 452 2257 Email: ericw@robventind.co.za

Tel: +27 31 307 4640 Fax: +27 31 304 6640 Ron Burns: 082 936 0562 Email: ronb@robventind.co.za

Solar Shading Industries is the sole Southern Africa distributers of Colt Solar Shading Systems Technology and Products

GLASS & ALUMINIUM

Established glazing company

revises marketing strategy and rebrands for excellence Govender’s Aluminium and Glass is currently in a path of growth with a reviewed marketing strategy poised to capitalise on an excellent track record of quality glass façades. The company recently launched a new logo as part of their new rebranding initiative, which symbolises a whole new lease of business opportunities, challenges and excitement within the company.

“I

n our ever-changing market segment we all need to take stock of where we are and where we are going and also to quantify a company’s strengths and weaknesses,” explains the company’s owner, Raj Govender. The new brand at Govender’s focuses on excellence and putting clients first. The rebranding drive also relies on quality, cost effectiveness and after-sales service in order to capitalise on repeat business relationships built on integrity, honour and sound business ethics. Govender explains that a target shift and steering adjustment is a great motivational incentive and the team is relishing the

GAG

GOVENDERS

aluminium & glass

challenging times to come. “We know that the market is tight and tendering at the moment is like roulette where results sometimes look like the winning bidder was playing by Russian rules,” says Govender.

Specialising in the following projects: • Aluminium shop-fronts; • High-rise curtain walls; • Industrial windows; • Ad-hoc aluminium and glass work; • Maintenance; • Patio- and shower doors; • Aluminium cladding • Decorative sandblasting; • Internal glazed partitioning; • Balustrading (stainless steel and glass); • Automated access controlled systems and products; and • Fire rated doors and windows

About the company Raj Govender’s Aluminium & Glass has been running a tight ship of glazing installations for over 20 years and has built up a reputation for being a reliable, innovative glazing company that forms ongoing relationships with their clients. The company is a preferred glazing partner for many large companies due to the following reasons: • Superior quality and service • Sensitive to price • Excellent glass work • Sound management principles • Project experience and support Some of the notable projects that Govender’s has worked on, range from impressive glass curtain walls at the new head office of Basil Read and the internal glazing installations at Legacy Corner in Sandton Gauteng to upmarket homes and glazing maintenance as well as repair work. The company also worked on an accumulative series of projects at OR Tambo International Airport totaling ZAR60-million. At the moment Govender’s is assisting the professional team in the design and supply of a very impressive Spider-Fitted Glass Curtain Wall for the new Soweto Theatre.

Govender’s Aluminium & Glass cc Tel: 011 334 2621 Fax: 011 334 6051 E-mail: dennis@gag.co.za Website: www.gag.co.za

GLASS & ALUMINIUM

Govenders Aluminium & GlAss

With quality to be proud of ...we have it covered Team players in glazing project management specializing in always being; GAG

Govenders

aluminium & glass Govenders Aluminium & Glass Cnr. Durban & End streets, City and Suburban, Johannesburg 2001 Tel: (011) 334 2621 • Fax: (011) 334 6051 Web: www.gag.co.za • E-mail: dennis@gag.co.za

• With exceptional levels of technical expertise • Highly competitive • Timeous • On budget • Programme conscious

BEE RATING LEVEL 1 43

GLASS & ALUMINIUM

Retail outlets protected from theft

with roller shutters

Trellidor Rollerstyle, the most recent unique addition to Trellidor’s extensive sales programme, is ideal for use as both front door and security barriers for retail outlets in shopping centres. They are manufactured from aluminium, so they are lightweight, low maintenance and stylish.

part from looking good, Trellidor Rollerstyle shutters are strong and reliable. Automated shutters are fitted with motors from the highly rated France-based Somfy, utilising a wireless system with manual override in case of a power failure, which is important if the shopping centre has no back-up generator. Automated designs make opening and closing the shop as easy as the touch of a remote control button. Trellidor offers a number of control options, allowing for individual or group operation of up to 256 shutters. Specialised remote controls include temperature and sun control, as well as the ability to partially open or close the shutter using a scroll wheel. All Trellidor Rollerstyle shutters are custom-made for the best fit. They can be fully integrated into the design of a new building, where they are concealed in a wall cavity but are still accessible for maintenance. They can also be retro-fitted, rolling up into an exposed shutter box that is one of the neatest and most compact available on the market, so it will not spoil the aesthetics of the building. During trading hours the shutters roll up totally out of sight, thus completely opening up the outlet’s entrance to customers without imposing on floor space. They do not require any floor tracks, which complies with health and safety requirements by allowing safe access to customers, including the disabled and those in wheelchairs. Trellidor offers a choice of locking mechanisms, including a slide lock and a cylinder lock. Both lock types are suitable for

This aluminium roller-shutter counter closure was manufactured and installed at Global Wrapps by Trellidor Rollerstyle.

manual and electrically operated shutters. There is also a choice of slats for the shutter’s curtain, some offering a complete blackout, and others offering controlled light, air circulation and visibility. Reliable back-up service is crucial in retail as outlets have to be able to open for business, no matter what the circumstances. This product is manufactured by Trellidor, so customers know they will receive a quality product and dependable after-sales service. This range is also guaranteed by Trellidor in terms of quality, workmanship and corrosion resistance. Trellidor Rollerstyle shutters can be manufactured to fit any size opening, from small counters and serving hatches to the doorways of large retail outlets and restaurants, or for entrance areas, toilet blocks, parking areas and any facility that has to be closed off to the general public.

Trellidor Rollerstyle aluminium shutters • Are lightweight and low maintenance. • Can be fully automated with remote control. • Are custom-made to fit the premises. • Are guaranteed by Trellidor. • Provide excellent insulation and noise reduction.

Individually controlled Trellidor Rollerstyle shutters control access at the entrance to a parking area.

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

GLASS & ALUMINIUM

GLASS & ALUMINIUM ADVERTORIAL

Great glazing at Protea Place As one of only a select handful of accredited manufacturers of the internationally acclaimed Technal International product range in South Africa, and currently the largest installer of these aluminium systems in the country, CGA Fenestrations recently completed a prestigious contract for the specialist glazing required at No 1 Protea Place in Sandton, for Zenprop within an 8-month contract period.

GLASS & ALUMINIUM ADVERTORIAL

his iconic commercial office building incorporates the latest materials and finishes to complement its unique design and architectural style, with the extensive and imaginative use of glass devised by Paragon Architects in collaboration with CGA Fenestrations. This entailed a total glazed area of 2 400m², including the supply and installation by CGA of the Technal Flush Glazed System for the lift shaft, the use of Technal curtain walls internally, aluminium doors and windows, and GSA Silkscreen performance glass. “We are particularly proud of this installation as it represents the first Technal Flush Glazed System installed in South Africa that has been used successfully on the lift shaft of the building – a design that created the ‘frameless’ look and feel desired by the client,” says Herman Prinsloo, CGA’s business development manager. The Technal curtain-wall system used inside the building is suitable for all architectural configurations, including angled and multi-faceted façades, and is the brainchild of Technal, which is a Hydro Building Systems brand. Established for over a century, Hydro Aluminium is claimed to be the third-largest aluminium producer in the world. Hydro is active on every continent, employs 25 000 people and is well represented in South Africa by CGA. Technal has had ISO 9001 certification in place since early 1993, and since 2004 has also been certified ISO 14001 for the sustainable management of its headquarters in Toulouse, France. Centurion Glass & Aluminium (CGA) is a niche company specialising in the design and erection of bespoke glass and aluminium solutions since 1993. The company is proud to be a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Accentuate Ltd group of companies listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange. CGA Fenestrations (Pty) Ltd Tel: 012 666 8000 Fax: 012 666 8007 E-Fax: 086 545 7260 Website: www.cgaf.co.za

RENOVATIONS feature

the boom in

renovations Although the South African economy has not been suffering as much as some Western countries, the global uncertainties have had a similar effect on the property market worldwide, resulting in heavy emphasis being placed on renovation schemes which, naturally enough, fall into two main categories: residential and commercial.

undertaken in the Johannesburg CBD – which is touched on in another article in this feature (see Renovations – JHB CBD). Although historic buildings such as the Rissik Street Post Office in Johannesburg and the Palace of Justice on Church Square, Pretoria, have at last obtained the attention they deserve, this has taken place years after they fell out of use, during which time they have been stripped of anything worth taking – making the cost of refurbishment to its original style and standard a horrendous expense and a laborious task.

Residential

As with many other countries, South Africa has a number of urban areas that are suffering from decay – in some cases buildings have been taken over by squatters or defaulting tenants who cause the owners to refuse to service or maintain the buildings – thus causing otherwise fully capable and serviceable premises to fall into major disrepair, even to the extent of being classified as unsafe. The fact that they have consequently become unsellable exacerbates the situation. In addressing problems like this, governments internationally have increasingly introduced tax measures to support efforts aimed at regenerating these urban areas. In 2003, the Minister of Finance introduced a tax incentive for investment in sixteen designated inner cities in South Africa, with the core objective to promote urban renewal and development by the private sector and encourage investment in areas with a high populationcarrying capacity, central business districts or inner-city environments with developed urban transport infrastructure. This incentive has been introduced in the form of an accelerated depreciation allowance and has been put into effect with additional legislation. When claimed, the tax incentive

Rising house prices have a considerable effect on the renovation industry because instead of building a new house, homeowners often find it more beneficial to renovate their existing properties, particularly as internal renovations need no planning permission unless they affect any structural elements. Even those people who buy houses often decide to carry out immediate renovations to adapt the property to their own particular taste. Adding an extension or making a major improvement to the house, such as additional rooms or solar heating, is invariably cheaper than new building or seeking larger premises, and although this increases the ratable value of the property, it adds value to the asset and enables the owner to meet the family lifestyle requirements with less upheaval and often less cost.

Commercial However, for the purposes of this article, we intend to concentrate on urban development and the effect of renovation on commercial buildings. This excludes the refurbishment of historical or heritage-controlled buildings, such as the work being

The Urban Development Zone (UDZ) Allowance

reduces the taxable income of a taxpayer, but the incentive is not limited to the taxable income of the taxpayer and can create an assessed loss. This incentive involves either refurbishment of existing property or the creation of new developments within the inner city, over a period of five or 17 years, respectively. Any person, company, closed corporation or trust will be eligible for the UDZ allowance – providing that they are registered tax payers and the purchased property is used for trade or rental and not for their residential occupation, but the developer does not apply for nor take the UDZ benefit, which is therefore passed on to the purchaser of the units. The benefit to investors is that 30% of the value of the property is allowed as a UDZ tax rebate over a period of 5 years. Therefore 6% of the purchase price can be claimed per annum over a 5-year period. However, the real value of renovation can mean keeping and attracting desired tenants, maintaining or enhancing the owner’s and the building’s reputation and in many cases negotiating better leasing deals. The renovation process must be considered in relation to the anticipated building value when considering the amount of money that will be invested in the renovation and – when evaluating a property for renovation – the management and leasing team must look at the infrastructure in terms of operating efficiency, safety and convenience, interior design for at least the next 20 years, the current and projected tenant mix, and the building’s market location.

buildings, today this growing trend also reflects a changing attitude towards resource use and a realisation of the economic and environmental limits to growth. Renovation can range from relatively straightforward reorganisation of interior space to the complete upgrading of the building envelope and building systems.

RENOVATIONS

RENOVATIONS feature

Four renovation levels Four levels of renovation can be considered: major renovations that generate significant waste because parts of the structure are removed and/or replaced, minor renovations as part of routine repair and maintenance on the building, fit-up projects, where the facility is adjusted from base building standards to fit the needs of the tenants, and tenant service renovations which the tenants conduct themselves. Each renovation project presents its own unique problems and opportunities to provide cost-effective environmental upgrading. Although most of the buildings in a city may not be landmarks and may represent limited cultural and historical significance, they are valued for other reasons, such as the distinctive character and quality that they give to established urban areas. These more modest buildings constitute most of the urban establishment in cities, representing a huge investment of capital and resources, and demolition of these buildings is often a waste of materials and energy, which means that their conservation then becomes an environmental issue more than a cultural one.

Bringing a building into the future Renovating means that the building not only gets a complete makeover and a fresh look, but it can be refitted to meet modern-day requirements such as the introduction of drop-down cabling systems that provide power to fixed workstations, or the installation of cable management systems or raised access floors to enable IT-users to have power in their offices exactly where it is required – and that can be altered at will to accommodate office churn. Legislation regarding floor to ceiling height and cable safety must be investigated before undertaking this type of renovation, and all the “green” aspects such as energy- and water-saving should also be incorporated where possible.

Important considerations Three of the most important components to be considered when renovating a building for the future are: the lifts, air-conditioning systems and public areas such as the lobby. These features are important because they have a direct daily impact on the lives of the tenants and visitors. The lifts and air-conditioning systems should be addressed first because improvements made to these systems result in greater safety and comfort for tenants and visitors, as opposed to architectural renovations which, although also important, are typically made for aesthetic appeal. These renovations help to upgrade the building to attract mixed-use tenants and increase the occupancy rate. Although the rehabilitation and reuse of buildings was originally due to the need for the historical preservation of

RENOVATIONS

Environment In partially addressing the environmental issues, retaining buildings and upgrading or adapting them for new uses reduces the environmental damage caused in producing materials such as steel and concrete. Reusing buildings requires lower quantities of these materials because these structures are already in place. Renovating also saves the energy that would be required to demolish them. Strangely enough, many buildings from the early part of the 20th century can use less energy than newer buildings, because they were often built with thicker masonry walls and the thermal mass provided reduces heat gains much more effectively than the glass and steel curtain walls of more modern structures. Although not planned for at the time, many of these older buildings relied on natural light and ventilation and their relatively smaller window areas and external shading devices reduced solar heat gains.

At the sharp end To get in touch with the latest thinking and the current vibe in renovations, Walls & Roofs in Africa spoke to three prominent companies in this area for their views.

James Nel, managing director, Watcon Group “During the recession there was an increased demand for renovation as people preferred to upgrade their existing buildings by redecorating or adding attractive façades rather than moving into new property or buildings – and we have found that this thinking is still prevalent – particularly in the external refurbishment of the buildings, and in re-roofing or waterproofing projects. “Generally speaking, the larger property companies tend to plan their renovations to take place within a time period of about 6-7 years, which certainly maintains the value of the properties. Owners, who wait up to 12 years or more before embarking on renovations, probably don’t realise that the building deteriorates faster the longer maintenance or refurbishment is left, and it certainly costs more as a result.” Asked for his views on the renovation of the Pretoria CBD, James says this is currently very active as the tax breaks incentivise people to restore the buildings.

Celest Bairos, marketing manager, Siddey’s Maintenance “We find that the overall market is gradually slowing down in relation to the amount of complete renovations that are taking place, but we are active in areas where our specialist divisions can be of service, such as insulation, electrical projects and general maintenance work. “Insulation is currently in great demand, not only because people are realising that the winter is almost upon us, but also because they are taking note of the ‘green’ aspects of their buildings, and the energy-saving that can be achieved with proper insulation.”

Tom Burke ,Senior Project Manager, City Property’s Project Department City Property has a portfolio of over 700 buildings, representing 1,4 million square metres of commercial lettable space, and six shopping centres, all regularly maintained on a day-to-day basis by the Cityprop maintenance division. However, the projects division regularly gets involved in upgrading properties to maintain a high standard of accommodation for tenants, and to bring all the decorative and functional aspects of the buildings up to date. Although the basic requirements are provided, such as electricity, telephones, ducting, water and so forth, the layout and furnishing of the premises are left to the tenant. “Currently the Pretoria and Johannesburg CBD’s are generating a lot of renovation business, having been classified as urban development zones (UDZ). To date, we have provided 6 500 residential units by converting old office buildings into flats – although not all in CBD areas,” Tom says. “This not only helps to solve the accommodation problem, but it also prevents the buildings from falling into total disrepair and generally assists in upgrading or maintaining the standard of the whole area,” he concludes. Finally, existing buildings represent a vast source of future building material. Although they were created without considering their reuse or the recycling of materials, a large proportion of them will be renovated into “new” buildings, and given a new lease of life to the benefit of everyone – not least the city dweller.

Acknowledgement and thanks is given to the following websites for information contained in this article: www.cbs.moneywatch. com; www.cbn.co.za; www.joburg.org.za/udz; www.treasury.gov.za/ legislation; www.sacities.net; and also to the Watcon Group, Siddey’s Maintenance Insulation and City Property Administration (Pty) Ltd.

RENOVATIONS

concrete-cutting simplified Diamond Products – a specialist in the manufacturing, assembly and sales of diamond tools and equipment for heavy industries – is ensuring that industrial operations in South Africa are able to cut through steel-reinforced concrete in a record time with its state-of-the-art range Arix wall-saw diamond blades. The wall-saw blades, which are distributed nationwide exclusively by Diamond Products, are manufactured using world-renowned Arix technology – a process of controlled deposition of diamonds onto a substrate at predetermined positions. “Arix technology ensures that diamond grits are placed with precision into three-dimensional patterns on the blades, in order to ensure the maximum performance of tools in heavy-duty construction applications,” explains Diamond Products director Darryl Gray. “Arix technology has been proven to increase the lifespan of diamond tools by 400%, while achieving cutting speeds of twice the industry standard.” Gray points out that this is achieved thanks to the alignment of diamonds in separate rows on the blade, which ensures that each diamond carries precisely the same workload. “This unique design ultimately extends the lifespan of the tool, and allows for quicker and more accurate cutting, making it the ideal solution for construction projects where steel-reinforced concrete has to be cut down to size.” Diamond Products co-director Brian Clark points out that Arix technology is only applied to the higher-end of Diamond Products’ range of equipment, which is custom-built for the most demanding and challenging cutting tasks.

“Diamond Products prides itself on providing the best product for the correct application, and by introducing the revolutionary new concept of Arix technology to the heavyduty cutting industry, we are continuing to provide the best service in the industry,” he explains. Looking at the future, Clark says that he is confident that the demand for Arix saw blades in South Africa will continue to increase. “Arix has to date been very well-received by the local market since it was introduced by Diamond Products two years ago. The demand has increased significantly since the end of 2009, as the quality of the technology continues to become recognised as the best on the market, and I anticipate that this trend will continue during the course of 2011,” he concludes. Diamond Products Phone: 011 552 8310 Fax: 011 552 8312 Email: info@diamondpc.co.za Web: www.diamondpc.co.za

new paint enhancement

offers advanced spreading rate “Dulux Trade Weathershield offers an extra spreading rate of up to 40%, or 14m² per litre, meaning that less paint is needed to get the job done,” says Dulux Trade R&D engineered to allow contractors to load the paint directly from the can, and still the paint spreads like butter when rolled onto a wall. It has superior adhesion to cement-based surfaces and offers the best smooth coating on the market in a two-coat application,” says Pillay. Some of the new properties and enhancements that Pillay and his team added to the paint include flexibility, in order to enable it to bridge hairline cracks and allow for marginal movement in the substrate. The product also contains fungicide that inhibits mould growth on the paint film,

ensuring it stays cleaner for longer and making it suitable for use in changeable weather. The superior alkali resistance of Weathershield also negates the need for primer on bare plaster. “This simple innovation saves both money and time, as there is no need to buy primer and less time is needed for application. An added bonus is that, while Dulux Trade Weathershield delivers lasting quality protection, its excellent sustainability properties and low VOC levels radically reduce any harmful impacts on the environment,” says Pillay. Weathershield is available in 84 trendy exterior colours, allowing for great originality in design. Dulux Trade Tel: 011 861 1000 E-mail: info@dulux.co.za Website: www.duluxtrade.co.za • www.autospec.com

RENOVATIONS

Repairs at

Cadbury’s PE factory

he problem often arises of interrupting the work processes when undertaking repairs or renovations in a busy manufacturing plant, and this was the case when the Cadbury’s factory in Sydenham, Port Elizabeth, needed to undergo renovations – the urgency of the work was critical, as the internal repairs would affect production. It was with this challenge in mind that the contractor specified Sika’s innovative range of products to ensure that the work could be concluded quickly and efficiently. The requirement was to renovate and upgrade the washroom areas and repair the soffit and walls, which were damaged due to water ingress. The client requested a completely seamless system that exhibited no weak points, and William Scott Contractors decided that the solution was to create permanently wet areas that would be easy to clean. The ceiling, walls and floors would need to be coated to provide a contained, seamless area, and the contractors knew that the task called for high quality, reliable products, and therefore selected Sikagard-720 EpoCem ZA (38 kits), Sikafloor31N PurCem (48 kits) and Sikafloor-21N PurCem (20 kits). To skim the ceiling and walls, Sikagard-720 Epo-Cem was chosen, as this superfine epoxy-cement sealing mortar enables a faster application time for Sikafloor-31N and can be applied to damp surfaces. It is used as a thin film sealer or blowhole filler on vertical and horizontal surfaces prior to the application of other Sika-epoxy products. For the floors, Sikafloor-21N PurCem was selected and Sikafloor-31N PurCem for the ceilings and walls. Sikafloor-21N PurCem is a medium- to heavy-duty self-smoothing polyurethane screed that is used in areas of medium to heavy loading, abrasion and high chemical exposure, where the aim is to provide smooth, flat and decorative wearing surfaces.

Sikafloor-31N PurCem is a three-part, solvent-free, high build, coloured, polyurethane modified cement and aggregate coating. Both products have excellent chemical resistance, are odourless and VOC-free, and exhibit high abrasion and mechanical resistance. The products had to be applied quickly to avoid substantial downtime, and the solution was to remove all existing plaster and coatings to the soffit and walls, to diamond-grind the existing PU-coatings to the floor, and to skim the walls and soffit with Sikagard-720. EpoCem Sikagard-720 EpoCem is easy and fast to apply and has good chemical and mechanical resistance. This product was chosen as it can be applied to damp substrates – in the washroom it had to be applied to high moisture areas. There are numerous food and beverage manufacturers in the Eastern Cape, all looking for fast and long-lasting solutions. Sikagard PurCem conforms to the industry’s many requirements, making these PU-coatings the future, fasttrack systems. Throughout the renovations Sika offered a comprehensive specification along with data on all products, maintaining its world-class reputation with service that was efficient, fast and professional. Due to quick and highly effective work using Sika products, the factory lost only three days of production. Sika South Africa Tel: 031 792 6500 Email: headoffice@za.sika.com Website: www.sika.co.za www.autospec.com

RENOVATIONS

The Grand Daddy Hotel in Long Street in Cape Town has rapidly assumed legendary status, since the refurbishment of the erstwhile Metropole Hotel converted it into South Africa’s only fashion hotel with a rooftop penthouse trailer park.

ach of the Grand Daddy’s Airstream Penthouse Trailers is fully air-conditioned and has an en suite shower/bath and toilet. The classic trailers were sourced in the USA by the developers, Jody Aufrichtig and Nicholas Ferguson, along with others in the team, Stefan Botha, Sergio Dreyer and Francois van Binsbergen. In addition, the rooftop features an outdoor mini-cinema plus a residents’ bar beneath a Touareg freeform tent, where guests can relax. The revamp of the hotel was the work of interior stylist Tracy Lynch and each trailer on the rooftop was custom-designed by individual Cape Town designers. Integral to this project is the assurance that the background passive safety design features are working well. These included the fire safety systems. Safety and building regulation compliance specialists had the wisdom to specify a protective fire barrier, cladding the exposed side of the emergency stairwell from the penthouse trailer park floor down to the safe level.

Firespec, Cape Town-based national fire protection and security systems specialists, were called in to install a firewall of 2-hour protection running the full depth of the emergency staircase down the atrium. The fire wall is inconspicuous and blends in well with the surroundings. The staircase entrance is attractively finished with durable materials, leading onto a boardwalk decorated with potted plants. “There are several reasons why protection is needed down this atrium,” says CEO Leo Slootmans. “Firstly, the effect of an atrium

with glass windows facing inside is to act as a massive channel for the propagation of flames. This threatens the safety of persons on the stairs inside the atrium, should they be evacuating the rooftop or lower floors of the building in the unfortunate case of fire.” “Secondly, the stairwell is of steel construction and steel weakens considerably in the presence of fire. Protection offered by a fire partition up the stairwell offers structural integrity and therefore safe evacuation from flames down the stairwell for up to 2 hours.” A solution was provided by using Firespec Fireboard CS™. One of few passive fire- control boards available locally, this versatile product was finished into a double-walled cavity partition running down the atrium and painted white. Adam Rodger, general manager of the Firespec Passive Division, says that the board may be used indoors or outdoors in cladding structural steel, for ceilings, roofs, floors, partitions and external walls. The main feature is the 2-hour fire-resistant property, tested and certified by SABS. Panels are approximately 1,2 m x 2,4 m in size and 9 mm thick and are design- flexible. With no toxic or hazardous substances being emitted passively or under combustion, the product is also moisture-resistant and can be skim-finished and painted. “Firespec is well respected for its active fire and security systems, as well for the 24/7 professional service and maintenance offered on all systems via certified technicians,” says Slootmans. “Passive fire protection systems such as Firespec Fireboard CS™ are an added string to our bow,” says Rodger. The company is also the South African agent for Nullifire’s and Envirograf’s full ranges of passive fire-stopping products. “Another important offering is the intumescent coating for structural steel, providing 30-, 60-, 90- and 120-minute fire rating, depending on specification and section size of steel.” FireSPEC Tel 021 685 1111 E-mail: leo@firespec.co.za Website: www.firespec.co.za www.autospec.com

RENOVATIONS

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RENOVATIONS

The beauty of

renovations

Dynamic Partners in Johannesburg is a manufacturer of unique panelling and screening products that include a new range of 2,4m x 1,2m decorative panels and screens produced in MDF, Perspex, polystyrene or textile concrete, which have a wide usage including cladding walls, facades, surrounding headboards, ceiling panels and many other applications.

hese are available in 6mm, 9mm, 16mm, 22mm, 32mm and thicker on request. Included in the special features that they provide, are patterns that repeat continually in every direction, thus enabling a continuous pattern to be provided on large surface areas which can then be painted or provided with other finishes according to the client’s specification and requirements. Alan Rosenthal, the managing director of Dynamic Partners, says recent successful installations include the Four Seasons Anahita Resort in Mauritius, the Polana Casino in Maputo, Mozambique, and The Hotel on Boulevard in Rivonia, Johannesburg. “One of the most interesting features of our extensive sales programme is the complete range of renovation possibilities presented by using our textile concrete panels,” says Rosenthal. “Textile concretes are ideal for changing the appearance and modernising the exterior of buildings with lightweight cladding, which can weigh as little as 60kg per square metre.”

Perhaps the most outstanding example of this type of refurbishment is the work recently completed at a building in Marlboro, Sandton, known as Bidvest’s World of Yamaha, which turned a very ordinary-looking building into a powerful example of architectural appeal. This building, which previously would not have gained a second glance, is now the impressive home of all the Yamaha divisions located in Gauteng, which reflects all the technological and modern attributes of the company, through the combined efforts of Dynamic Partners and Empowered Spaces Architects. This project, which was completed by Dynamic Partners in just five months from initiation to completed installation, underlines the ease and cost-effectiveness of re-cladding old buildings with textile concrete. “The architect was looking to produce a building of exceptional design as it had a commanding position overlooking the main highway entering Johannesburg,” says Rosenthal. “With the development of a new, large panel design and custom-made fixings, we were able to turn this into a very special building by using simple and effective techniques,” he said. “There is also no doubt that by using these lightweight panels and fixings, together with a specially formulated coating that was then painted and treated with silicone sealant, this project achieved completion within the budget and a tight time frame that would not have been possible by using normal building practices,” Rosenthal concludes. Dynamic Partners Tel: 011 782 8824 E-mail: alan@dynamicpartners.co.za Website: www.dynamicpartners.co.za

RENOVATIONS

DYNAMIC

PARTNERS

concrete expertise with Dynamic partners we take on impossible projects and create spectacular results The concept for this job was developed by a very progressive architect for a building on the main highway entering Johannesburg. This project called for a lightweight wall of 150 metres x 8 metres to be manufactured in three months and to be fully installed within five months from initiation. It would have been difficult for the wall to be built in the time frame given using any other method and the cost of using a heavy weight solution would have required huge civil engineering solution to hold it to the building.

with a 3 ply textile concrete and this was manufactured in 8 x 3.6metre panels. This was the first time that such large panels have been supplied.The panels weighing less than 1000kg were lifted on to a steel sub frame and bolted in to position. seamless joining ensured an aesthetically pleasing result with the whole wall plastered using a specially formulated coating and finally painted with a white cement paint and silicone sealant. MaTerIals useD

DesIgn Our textile concrete expert developed a steel frame and polystyrene plug system coated

steel framing with polystyrene attached and the entire structure coated with a 3 ply textile concrete.

Dynamic partners â&#x20AC;˘ Tel: 011 782 8824 â&#x20AC;˘ E-mail: alan@dynamicpartners.co.za

www.dynamicpartners.co.za

RENOVATIONS

Steel wall framing:

The new SA revolution

Post-1994 South Africa is characterised by the ever-increasing demand for housing, schools and hospitals. To date, traditional building methods and delivery systems have not been able to cater for the sheer volume required.

lso affecting the delivery is the new social consciousness to build structures, which have a reduced negative impact on the environment – buildings that are energy-efficient and have a small carbon footprint. It is in this environment that numerous alternative building solutions are being introduced to the market. Following the success in Australia, the USA and numerous countries around the world, MiTek Industries have introduced steel wall framing as a solution. This construction method complies with the industry structural standard (SANS517) and the new energy-efficiency code (SANS204). It is fast, stable, and energy-efficient and enables a clearly superior finish to the structure.

Building methodology Stick building: This describes a method where the steel wall frame sections are assembled on site and fixed into position – first fix: electrical and plumbing services are inserted into the wall cavity, windows and doors fixed in place and the entire panel clad externally as well as internally – then finishing trades move in to complete the work. Second fix: electrical and plumbing completed, taping and jointing as well as painting effected. Closed panel modular construction: Panels are assembled in a factory environment under strict quality control. The frame is built; first fix electrical and plumbing are inserted in the wall cavity, windows and doors fixed in place and the entire panel clad externally as well as internally. The panel is then transported to site, elevated and fixed in place. When the entire building is assembled, the finishing trades move in to complete the work. Second fix electrical and plumbing completed, taping and jointing as well as painting effected. All walls are steel frame, using the “C” section 0,8mm gauge galvanised folded section by MiTek. All wall-profile sections are pre-fabricated by MiTek with all required chamfers and cut-outs only requiring connection by way of ‘Tek’ screws. External braced wall panels are lined using the Tyvek breathable vapour membrane, fixed and taped to the frame. All external wall cavities are insulated using glass-fibre bats by Isover. The external cladding can either be a polymeric-plastered polystyrene panel, fibre-cement panels or Vermont shiplap boarding. The internal wall finish is usually 15mm Gypsum board

by Gyproc, which is specified as Firestop fire-resistant board (identified by pink paper finish to one side) for all internal dry areas and water-resistant board of the same (identified by green paper to one side of board) to all bathroom and wet areas. This solution is extremely quick, has almost no wastage in building material, is completely predictable and results in a finished product which is aesthetically superior to conventional brick and mortar structures, complies with all industry standards and is perfect not only for new structures but also for renovations and additions. It is perfect for the homeowner who wants renovations done without the usual mess and upheaval. It is also perfect for the business that wants a facelift without affecting trade and for the commercial sector that wants office space built without needing to wait years. Steel wall framing can even be abstract and futuristic and yet extremely functional, as demonstrated by this architectural office in the Eastern Cape, which was completed in the shortest possible time by Gircas Engineering CC – one of MiTek’s licensed UltraSpan and steel wall frame suppliers. MiTek Industries (Pty) Ltd Tel: 011 237 8700 Email: sa-training@mitek.co.za Website: www.mitek.co.za

RENOVATIONS

RENOVATIONS feature

Getting the Johannesburg CBD back on track Having recently unveiled the R20-million refurbishment of the Barbican building in the Johannesburg Central Business District (CBD), the Old Mutual Property Division has pledged to do more about the regeneration of the city centre.

hile this investment is small by the standards of the division, which owns property such as the Gateway Shopping Centre in Umhlanga and Menlyn Park in Pretoria, the Barbican refurbishment is considered to be a significant advance in the eradication of urban decay in the Johannesburg CBD. “A lot has been achieved in the regeneration of the CBD over the past five years and much remains to be done,” said urban regeneration expert Neil Fraser from Urban Inc. “Old Mutual itself has done very little and it is good to see them making such moves,” he said. As the 10-storey building on the corner of Rissik and President Streets, the Barbican building stood for many years to represent urban decay, which set in during the 1990’s, largely as a result of capital flight to decentralised nodes. The building was acquired by Old Mutual in 1995, but remained a grimy filthy feature of the city until a decision was taken about two years ago to refurbish it into an upmarket residential letting landmark. The building is considered a landmark given that it was erected 80 years ago and stood as a skyscraper in its early days. It also forms part of a significant triangular block completed by the magnificent Post Office, which burned down last year, and the City Hall. “We see the Barbican refurbishment as the latest in many moves over the last decade which is firmly turning the inner city away from decline,” said Old Mutual Investment Property Group Investment managing director, Ben Kodisang. He added that the restoration of the Barbican building is viewed as the first phase in the redevelopment of the full city block. Known as the Palace site, the block lends itself to a development of 25 000m² of offices, 15 000m² of retail space and 900 parking bays. Kodisang said the restoration will also lend impetus to a proposed superblock precinct, which incorporates three other blocks adjoining the Palace site.

Palace of Justice – © worldisround.com

“We also envisage a mixed-use development site bounded by Jeppe, Bree, Margaret Mcingana and Gerard Sekoto Streets,” said Kodisang. “The site is located closely to Mandela Bridge and it can be developed into a property with a gross lettable area of 23 000m² with 710 parking bays,” he said. Through the Barbican refurbishment Old Mutual is also contributing to the critical aspect of breathing life back into the Johannesburg CBD. While a lot has been done, the CBD must yet reach critical mass in residential population, which will trigger further investment. While it is full of life during the day, the city literally shuts down after hours. Fraser said a lot of sites have lain idle for a long time and the effort made by Old Mutual was good to maintain the momentum build over the past few years. “The municipality must ensure they maintain this momentum in order to draw further private sector investment into the city,” said Fraser.

RENOVATIONS feature

Rissik Street Post Office Another iconic building in the Johannesburg CBD is also being renovated at long last. The historic Rissik Street Post Office building (which caught fire three times last year) is currently being refurbished under the guidance of heritage preservation authorities. It has been empty since 1996, when the Post Office moved out, but even before they vacated the building maintenance had ground to a halt. Since then the building has rapidly deteriorated, mostly as a result of vandalism and theft.

The clock-hands and bells were dropped from the tower and dragged out of the building; its copper dome has also disappeared. Its brass light-fittings and switches, as well as the wooden balustrades and fittings, have been stripped and removed. Floorboards are ruined as a result of a water leak. Its ground floor is boarded up and many windows are broken, making it a sorry sight. At the rear of the building paint is peeling and windows are gaping holes. The heritage report indicates that the Rissik Street Post Office is structurally sound and can be restored to its previous condition. Mercifully, unlike the Drill Hall and the Marshall Street Barracks, it has not been occupied by squatters. The Rissik Street Post Office was built in 1897 and designed by President Paul Kruger’s architect, Sytze Wierda, a Hollander, and was at one time the tallest building in town. Kruger had made a trip to Europe in the late 1880s and was

impressed by the stately buildings he saw there. He came back with the idea of building equally grand buildings as testimony of his government’s power. He hired Wierda for the job, and he designed the Raadsaal (1890) and the Palace of Justice (1897) in Pretoria. It is a mixture of styles: Renaissance, drawing on French, Dutch and other European influences. The handsome building consisted originally of three storeys fronted by bay windows, with rounded arch windows on the ground level set in grey plaster. The upper floors are in warm red brick. This was offset by an entrance portico and balcony over the pavement, and a bell tower with two matching rooftop cupolas. In 1905, barely seven years after it was opened and as testimony to the rapid growth of the mining town, another storey was added, and the bell tower was replaced by a clock tower. In 1978 the building was proclaimed a national monument. The building belongs to the City of Johannesburg. In 1996 it cancelled the Post Office’s lease and asked them to move out of the building. In the same year the provincial government, which has offices in the City Hall, expressed an interest in taking over the building, but nothing came of this. Now the restoration of the Rissik Street Post Office is nearing the end of its first phase. Progress in clearing the debris has been slow due to the painstaking care contractors had to take to ensure their safety, and to sift through the building’s remains for salvageable remains. During the clearing of the debris from the fire, contractors and assessors discovered that some of the interior walls of the building were unstable, and this resulted in a delay as the walls had to be properly braced before workmen could continue with the clearing. This process is nearing completion, and once the full assessment has been completed, work will begin on reconstructing the roof to protect the building from collapsing. The work is expected to take two years. Special building methods and materials have to be sourced while the work is given oversight by heritage specialists to ensure proper restoration. Acknowledgement and thanks is given to the following websites for information contained in this article: www.iolproperty.co.za; www.inner-city-gazette.co.za; www.joburg.org.za; and www.thenewage.co.za.

RENOVATIONS

Cement the basis of

great renovations

or over 38 years Cemcrete has been South Africa’s leading innovators and manufacturers of cement-based products, and the desirable qualities of cement-based finishes offered in its sales program make these products a favourable option amongst renovators. These cement-based products are a unique alternative to generic coatings, offering excellent value as well as leaving any renovation finished in striking style. Cemcrete offers an elite range of wall, floor and swimming pool coatings so that renovation space may be finished from inside out and top to bottom, and an extensive colour selection for each product ensures that these products can be used to suit any style, décor and design theme. Wall and floor coatings in particular become features within the design; dictating the colour and texture pallet and becoming the base for gorgeous accessories and accents. The main attraction with Cemcrete products is the beautifully versatile textures. Cemcrete offers wall coatings that are elegantly smooth and varied in colour to present a suede-like appeal (aptly named SatinCrete); or daringly modern with a luxuriously textured roughness provided by the Cemcrete CemWash and DecoCrete products. These are just to name a few. Cemcrete’s wall finishes create contemporary surfaces that are timeless and natural. The longevity and easy maintenance enhance the allure of the Cemcrete wall product range, and because they eliminate the need to re-plaster most surfaces – and can be applied successfully to polystyrene and dry-walling products – they are perfect for

any type of renovation project. Architects, property owners and interior designers are invited to become innovators with Cemcrete products! Cemcrete has been an important part of numerous beautiful renovations. Private homes, public spaces, restaurants and businesses have all made the decision to use these products for refurbishment of their premises, such as the Doppio Zero at Cape Town’s Green Point. Cemcrete invites you to come and see for yourself the extraordinary results that can be achieved with these products by visiting the new Cemcrete showroom at 227 Jan Smuts Avenue, Parktown North, where trendy design and practicality meet. Or you can visit the Cemcrete Ideas Centers at 8 Telford Road, Industria, Johannesburg, and 1 Franschhoek Crescent, Panorama, Cape Town, for an abundance of inspiration for your next renovation project. Cemcrete Tel: 011 474 2415 Fax: 011 474 2416 E-mail: info@cemcrete.co.za Website: www.cemcrete.co.za • www.autospec.com

RENOVATIONS

Culinary

colour T

here is a wide variety of kitchen décor and design trends this year that are set to excite and tantalise, with probably the most exciting trend for this high-traffic, heavy-use area being the inclusion of colour in the kitchen. Jason Wells, the marketing manager of PG Bison, a leading South African panel-product manufacturer and distributor, says that in line with this trend, PG Bison has recently added a brand new range of exciting colours to its collection of high pressure laminate (HPL) products that are ideal for kitchen applications. “The aim of increasing the amount of colours is in line with PG Bison’s design-focused approach – and our new range of Fresh colours will with no doubt greatly enhance design options,” he says. Wells says that the aim is to assist kitchen manufacturers by providing them with high quality, long-lasting, durable products without compromising on design aesthetics. “Supplying aesthetically attractive, yet practical and hardwearing surfaces is the key to PG Bison’s success. Designers and home owners are continuously looking for interesting colour, textural and patterned inspirations – something that is bang on trend, unique, but with a timeless appeal and comparatively easy on the pocket – and PG Bison’s range of Formica HPL and LifeSeal Worktops in the newly launched Fresh Colour options are the ideal solution.” Nature-inspired palettes have been trendy for quite some time now; however, there has always been a slant towards the earthier palettes, comprising various hues such as stone, wood tones, beige, ash and brown. Although these colours are still very much in vogue, there has been a shift to include other brighter colours to lift the tone of the interior, and create depth and interest.

These new bright colours are also nature-inspired, and range from rich jewel and citrus tones, to the vivid colours of the ocean.

Selecting your colours and adding texture The addition of 37 brand new fresh colours to the mix brings PG Bison’s total collection up to 107 options that designers and home owners can choose from – ranging from a wide selection of solid colours, various wood-grains, stone textures, metallic finishes, as well as a graphic and print range for added aesthetic and textural interest. The tactile qualities of texture can really add to the visual impact of the colour and pattern of any product. Currently, PG Bison’s Formica HPL is available in the following finishes – glaze, gloss, satin, loglare and woodtex. However, along with the introduction of new colours, PG Bison has also added three new surface finishes to its range, which are available in specific colours: crystal – a deep-etched finish; fine grain – a raised, natural texture; and enhanced gloss – offering a high-gloss finish with a higher scuff resistance for horizontal applications. Furthermore, for the first time, five new MelaWood colours will be available in a gloss finish. These are, however, only suitable for vertical applications, and include black gloss, charcoal gloss, light grey gloss, burgundy gloss and white gloss. This product will boast two gloss sides finished with a protective film on both sides, and ABS impact edging will also be available. Often, selecting the most aesthetically pleasing colour or design option has meant that in some cases you sacrifice on practicality and function. No more! With PG Bison’s new range of coloured Formic HPL and LifeSeal worktops, the sky is the limit when it comes to choosing the colour of your dreams. If you are tired of your kitchen – changing the room’s colour scheme can breathe new life into a tired kitchen composition. “Whatever kitchen colour scheme you decide on, however, it is crucial that you abide by the most important rule of all – don’t merely follow the trends, but opt for a colour scheme that suits your own personal tastes and preferences,” concludes Wells. PG Bison Tel: 086 010 9379 Website: www.pgbison.co.za • www.autospec.com

RENOVATIONS

Preserving South Africa’s precious past

he architecture of KwaZulu-Natal is a treasure-trove of the area’s rich history and multicultural diversity, ranging from Colonial, Cape Dutch, Indian and Oriental to Victorian, Edwardian and Art Deco. Unfortunately, over time and due to weathering as well as a lack of adequate care, a number of the province’s architecturally notable buildings have fallen into disrepair. The provincial government and other agencies recognise the importance of preserving these sites for future generations and continue to invest in their restoration. To ensure authentic and accurate restoration, specialist contractor GVK-Siya Zama – with its long-standing reputation and expertise in this field – has been regularly enlisted to carry out repairs and restorative work on a myriad of KZN’s historical landmarks. According to Group Managing Director Dumisani Madi, “The restoration of historic structures is very important. It ensures that our cultural inheritance survives, not only contributing to the legacies of the towns and provinces in which they stand, but also to the rich heritage of our country.” “Over the years we have worked on hundreds of historical buildings from small Victorian houses to major landmarks such as the Supreme Court, Durban and Pietermaritzburg Post Offices, Alexandra Road Police Station, Provincial Legislative Buildings and the Durban City Hall,” says Madi. “Restorations such as these are complex projects which include ensuring that repairs to components such as brickwork and mouldings match existing finishes as closely as possible.” “Most of these buildings were built in the late 1800s and we often have to employ the same methods and materials originally used – a challenging task since most of these materials are no longer in production and have not been for many years. We are fortunate to be able to call on Szerelmey, our sister company in the UK, for advice. They are renowned for their expertise in stonework and have restored countless historical landmarks in the UK.” While the work may have its challenges, the GVK-Siya Zama team continues to lend a bit of spit and polish to KZN’s architectural gems. Recent work has included an interesting project in Pietermaritzburg at the fire-damaged Colonial Building Complex. Madi explains, “The ornate and intricately detailed Colonial Building had been vacant for a number of years and, prior to the start of this project, had been occupied by vagrants. The building had deteriorated dramatically, intricate lead and copper mouldings and priceless historical elements had been pilfered, and the original timber flooring and remaining lead and copper detailing had suffered extensive water damage.” “We replaced parts of the roof and re-waterproofed it; this was mostly done using lead flashings and cappings, as it would have been done originally. Externally, our work included cleaning the sandstone façades, as well as repairing or replacing many of the ornate moulded decorations which appear on grand old buildings such as this one.” “On the interior we replaced pressed metal ceilings, moulded cornices and solid timber flooring; as well as completely rewiring

Restoring historical structures contributes to the legacies of the towns in which they stand.

the building, installing new fire escape stairways, a lift, new airconditioning and a specialist fire detection system – in line with the requirements of the new tenants, the Master of the High Court and Justice Department.” GVK-Siya Zama Group Tel: 021 461 6665 E-mail: cape@siyazama.co.za Website: www.siyazama.co.za

RENOVATIONS

Say goodbye to

graffiti

...easily

While it is difficult to say whether graffiti is an expressive art form or simply an act of vandalism, what people can agree on is that the exercise of removing graffiti from public places is costly and time-consuming.

owever, with Prominent Paints’ Anti-graffiti Coating, removing graffiti is as simple as wiping it off the wall – a far better option than having to repaint every time your property is defaced. “At face value, Prominent Paints’ Anti-graffiti Coating looks like any other decorative top coat as it can be manufactured in any colour, and its appearance is no different from ordinary paint,” says Russel Thomson, brand marketing manager of Prominent Paints. Where the anti-graffiti paint differs from other paints is that when applied to a wall, it does not allow permanent adhesion of subsequent commonly used graffiti materials such as inks and spray paints. “It allows any spray paint, permanent marker and ink to be applied, but these are able to be easily wiped off,” Thomson explains.

Prominent Anti-graffiti Gel cleaner on a cloth breaks down the bond between spray paint and the wall, leaving the wall looking freshly painted, with no residue, shadowing or ghosting – as if the spray paint was never there. “Without Prominent Paints’ Anti-graffiti Coating, the only other option is to leave the graffiti wall as it is or to repaint it with normal decorative paint, which is extremely expensive when you consider that 20 litres of good quality paint is costly,” Thomson says. “If one paints with Prominent Paints’ Anti-graffiti Coating, all you need to spend is a few hundred rand once off for the gel cleaner, which is used safely and effectively every time graffiti needs to be removed.” Prominent Paints’ Anti-graffiti Coating has been used throughout the Gautrain project, both inside and outside on the train stations’ walls. Tried and tested, this product has been used throughout the world for many years, and in a test undertaken with a competing brand on the Gautrain project, only the Prominent Paints product passed and met its claims as being a true anti-graffiti product. “This high-performance paint system was specifically developed for use on large properties, including hotels, hospitals and municipal buildings,” Thomson says. “The protection that it offers against graffiti means such maintenance costs are virtually negated.” Prominent Paints’ Anti-graffiti Coating ensures that walls look as good after graffiti is removed as they did before they were defaced, and that the next time you repaint your walls, it will be because you want to, not because you need to. Prominent Paints Tel: 011 389 4633 Fax: 011 389 4654 E-mail: russel.thomson@prominentpaints.co.za Website: www.prominentpaints.co.za

RENOVATIONS

of renovation art The

and maintenance Siddeyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Maintenance has found that although there was a boom in renovations, they seem to have gradually slowed down in the past year. Although it is a large expense, any renovation to a building, commercial or residential, not only improves the living standards or provides growth for your investment, but it also extends the length of time that any tenant would choose to remain in the property. Insulation is a key role player General renovations have taken a fresh turn with innovative ideas and means of saving energy on a large scale. With environmentally-friendly insulation, it has enabled the creation of a more comfortable working and living environment, and is saving energy. It also helps to create noise reduction, and the products used have a zero ozone-depleting potential. They also have exceptional thermal and acoustic properties and are maintenance-free, which means that massive savings in energy costs and consumption are possible if applied correctly.

Interior renovating Because exterior renovating is very costly today, interior renovating has taken the lead. Increasingly, commercial property owners are looking into less exterior maintenance for their buildings in order to secure a fresh and modern look for the interior. With a tremendously wide range of new techniques and applications for dry walling, ceilings, walls and floors, it has become easier and more cost-effective to renovate and maintain the renovated space. All renovated areas, if not maintained regularly, will deteriorate at a great rate, as offices and any other commercial areas carry a high amount of movement daily.

Renovating plumbing and electrical areas In older buildings it is advisable to completely renovate all the plumbing and electrical requirements before any physical interior renovation is done. This will ensure that all the weak areas in the plumbing are located and will prevent any future damages that may occur due to age or poor workmanship previously carried out. Renovating the plumbing in cloakrooms, kitchens and water usage areas, and making sure it is maintained, will ensure that the water consumption is correct and regulated. In older buildings it would be advisable to remove all the old electrical wiring from the building and renovate the complete electrical system. It is important that, once installed, all electrical installations are safe and comply with SANS 10142-1:2009 standards. Neglecting to do so, could result in fires or injuries. Having qualified electricians who understand the danger of

electricity and are trained in the profession would prevent potential hazards should renovations be done on a grand scale. It is also important to select energy-saving equipment and lights to do your part in saving energy. When renovating or maintaining the electrical supply to your building, make sure that you select a reputable electrical company that can issue you with an electrical compliance certificate, remove all redundant wiring, ensure that all plugs in walls and power skirtings are secure and, together with the trunking, ensure that covers are fitted. The lights should be serviced regularly to make sure they are all in a good working order. If possible, install energy-saving globes. Also, all lay-in light fittings should be fitted with a plugtop and plugged in separately, and all emergency lights should be checked and in a good working condition. Infrared scanning should be carried out on the electrical distribution board for loose and hot connections, all distribution board covers and closed circuit-breaker openings must be secure, and the distribution board must be labelled correctly.

Why renovate? You want to improve the market value of your property, and renovating will give you that return on investment. By expanding your property, you create better leasing opportunities, and renovations to fix any current damage to your property to prevent future damages from occurring, can save you the money you need for your next investment opportunity. Your property is a huge investment and you should not be settling for anything less when it comes to renovating or maintaining your property. Make sure you use a reputable renovation company and you will have access to professionalism, the best supplies at the best prices, as well as trained teams to make sure the work is done according to specifications. Siddeyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Maintenance Insulation Tel: 012 548 1982 Fax: 012 548 1899 Website: www.siddeys.co.za

RENOVATIONS

Siddey’S Maintenance inSULatiOn cc Your first choice in maintenance Established 1998 Tel: 012 548 1973 · Fax: 012 548 1899

s r a e Y

email: info@siddeys.co.za · www.siddeys.co.za

Building Maintenance

Electrical & Coc’s Plumbing

Ti’s & Ri’s Steel work

Hot & Cold Insulation (lagging) Scaffolding

ENERGY EFFICIENCY feature

energy-efficiency the national situation In April, Eskom detailed its plan to meet electricity supply challenges during the winter months, when higher demand will increase the load on a tight power system.

of energy consumption, making the built environment one of the key areas to focus on. Walls & Roofs takes a look at how South Africa’s national energy-efficiency targets are being implemented and how this can affect the building sector.

“E

In 2005, South Africa launched its strategy for energy-efficiency, but implementation is constrained due to a lack of capacity at national, municipal and the sector’s practitioners’ level. The Department of Energy (DoE) holds the mandate to oversee implementation and the overall target is to reduce the country’s energy demand by 12% by 2015 (based on projected growth of demand and a number of economic indicators). According to this strategy, there are specified interventions and targets for the different sectors and segments of energy users. The saving target for the residential sector is a 10% demand reduction, and the public and commercial sector target is 15%, both by 2015. “It is of strategic importance that there is a local level focus on the energy-efficiency campaign if the impact is going to be of any significance. Improving energy-efficiency in the building sector requires an expanded capacity at many levels,” says Samuel Dlamini, chief technical advisor of the Energy-Efficient Monitoring and Implementation Project at the Department of Energy. “Of equal importance is the need to ensure that new constructions and retrofitting of existing houses and buildings comply with building codes and standards that incorporate the best practices for energy-efficiency and green design. It also requires a greater understanding of the effects of pricing and fiscal tools as one of the drivers for energy-efficiency implementation,” says Dlamini.

skom managed to keep the lights on during the first quarter of 2011, thanks to innovative supplyside initiatives, active demand-side management and the co-operation of 49 million South Africans,” said Eskom CEO Brian Dames. The winter peak demand is expected to reach 37 500 MW in July this year, compared to the summer peak of 33 064 MW and last winter’s peak of 36 970 MW. “The winter season will be even more challenging, but Eskom is working actively to improve supply and reduce demand in order to manage increased risks to the system,” said Dames. South Africa, like virtually all other countries, needs to cut back on its energy consumption. Whether these cuts will be from buildings’ consumption, intelligent design, national fiscal policies or simply enforcing it with rolling blackouts, Eskom is struggling to meet national demand by consumers. By now, most design and building professionals know they have a huge role to play in energy-efficiency through the rational design of new buildings – right now, we need to cut back on energy usage. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), improvements in end-use efficiency play a significant role in reducing CO2 emissions to 50% of the 2005 levels by 2050. It has also been stated that buildings account for approximately 40%

SA’s strategy for energy-efficiency

ENERGY EFFICIENCY

ENERGY EFFICIENCY feature

SANS 10400 X-A update On 11 April, Walls & Roofs Magazine received an e-mail saying the updated SANS 10400 was formally put into practice on 1 April 2011. We spoke to Lisa Reynolds, technical director at Saint-Gobain Construction Products and a member of the Sc59G steering committee at the South African Bureau of Standards, and Hans Schefferlie, the executive director at AAAMSA, to get some commentary from the industry experts. “It is important to distinguish between the regulations and the standard,” explains Reynolds. “New regulations governing energyefficiency have been set out in the National Building Regulations Part X, which governs the environmental sustainability of new buildings in South Africa. Part X-A of the National Building Regulation governs the energy-efficiency and energy usage in buildings. These regulations have already been approved, and will be published once the accompanying standards have been published,” says Reynolds. “The South African Bureau of Standards has responded to what is outlined in the National Building Regulations Section X by drafting SANS 10400 X-A, giving deemed-to-satisfy rules of how acceptable energy-efficiency results can be achieved through various practical interventions,” says Reynolds. “For example, the regulations describe the minimum energy-efficiency that a building must achieve. The standard (SANS 10400 X-A) describes the interventions that can be made to achieve this, for example the orientation of the building, fenestration, walling and roof assemblies,” continues Reynolds.

In order to address these challenges, the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) launched the “Energy-Efficient Building Programme 2009-2013”. The project is an element of the Building Sector Programme and it seeks to contribute to facilitate energyefficient buildings through structured implementation at municipal level and systematic monitoring and policy oversight at national level. “These two elements will feed information that is essential to influence policies that can contribute to carbon dioxide (CO2) reductions. This project will contribute to close the gaps between the intentions of the National Energy-Efficiency Strategy endorsed by Parliament in 2005 and its implementation,” explains Dlamini. The SDC programme is the first phase of a planned long-term collaboration between the governments of Switzerland and South Africa. The objective is to reduce energy consumption in the building sector through enhanced energy-efficiency in the full life cycle of buildings.

Continues on page 74

ENERGY EFFICIENCY feature

prices. Without increased capacity, these changes pose serious challenges for the municipalities in the sense that they have to address an electricity shortage and implement energy-efficiency without the support of global local government energy-efficiency management plans and without energy-efficiency support structures,” says Dlamini.

National monitoring still not established “Draft Methodology Handbook with developed indicators from best practices around the world, as well terms of reference for a potential service provider to establish national monitoring were already in place in 2005, together with the launch of the strategy. However, various factors affected the implementation of the Energy Efficiency Monitoring component. This undermines the DoE’s bargaining powers to secure support for legal, financial and other implementation activities,” explains Dlamini.

“Taking the current capacity into account” “The programme operates from a holistic view that the building sector’s energy-efficiency improvement can only be successful if there is sufficient capacity at all levels of interaction,” says Dlamini.

Programme took off with a bang, now sectors are falling behind The implementation of the strategy took off as scheduled with the big players in the industrial sector signing an accord committing them to work towards the achievement of the industrial energyefficiency target. However, some of the sectors, in particular the building sector, are now lagging behind. “Within the building sector, both commercial buildings and the housing sector, systematic implementation and monitoring of achievements are lagging. It is a sore fact that with all the good intentions and political support behind the national strategy, implementation in some sectors is hardly visible and the monitoring of the achievements leaves much to be desired,” says Dlamini.

Municipalities play a major role Local municipalities need to service an ever-increasing number of consumers, as well as address the consequences of climate change such as floods and storm damage. “It is therefore essential that the municipalities monitor and implement energy-efficiency interventions,” comments Dlamini. Despite identifying the Department of Provincial and Local Government (now the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs) as a key player to take responsibility for the implementation, neither the national Energy Efficiency Strategy nor the monitoring of the release capacity was attributed to it. Of the 283 municipalities in the country, the 6 Metros in the South African Cities Network (SACN) have developed sustainable energy plans. The upcoming Metros (Buffalo City, Bloemfontein and Tshwane) are also fairly well underway with their energy management and energy-efficiency plans and they are also integrated into the Cities Network. But the majority of the remaining municipalities are faced with capacity challenges. “The municipalities have almost overnight been faced with saving targets, black-outs and the need to increase electricity

Dlamini says that the phrasing “taking the current capacity into account” is important because the practical reality is that significant capacity gaps exist for implementation at all tiers of government. “While the national level has the proper motive for developing and institutionalising the Energy Efficiency Monitoring System (within the Department of Energy), there is need for capacity assessment and development to sustain the intended policy direction. Closing this gap is essential to achieve progress,” says Dlamini.

The residential and commercial building sector As previously stated, South Africa’s residential sector’s energy consumption needs to reduce by 10% by 2015, and the commercial and public building sectors’ energy consumption needs to reduce by 20% by 2015. According to SA Property News, recent estimates show that multi-residential units represent approximately 8% of all residential dwellings in South Africa. There is a definite trend towards higher density units with flats and townhouses accounting for about 27% of new floor space or about 29% of the number of dwellings/units being built. This sector also consumes over 17% of all electrical energy generated by Eskom, which is equivalent to the mining sector (www.sapropertynews.com). “Energy-efficiency and GHG mitigation strategies for residential buildings will have a huge positive impact on the environment,” says Bruce Kerswill, executive chairperson of the Green Building Council of South Africa (GBCSA). The organisation, which already has two tools to rate the sustainability and energy-efficiency of buildings as part of their ‘Green Star SA Rating System’ (an office rating tool and a retail centre rating tool), is preparing for the launch of its third and fourth tools in 2011– the multiunit residential tool set to be launched in final form in October 2011 and the public building tool to be released in pilot form in October 2011Themultiunit residential rating tool was released in pilot form in December 2010, and is freely downloadable from the GBCSA website, where all their rating tools can be found – www. gbcsa.org.za. The tool will assess the design and construction of multi unit residential buildings according to various aspects including but not limited to: Continues on page 76

ENERGY EFFICIENCY feature

Insulate –

it makes sense

Isover is a division of Saint Gobain – a global leader in the manufacturing of thermal and acoustic insulation solutions that help to protect the environment by reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Ongoing research ensures that Isover continuously renews and upgrades its range of insulation materials. Globally, glass wool is the most widely used environmentallyfriendly insulation available, made from a combination of naturally occurring silica sand, which is a sustainable resource, and up to 50% recycled glass, which ensures that our insulation products are environmentally-friendly. South Africa’s mounting energy crisis means that we all need to think of innovative ways to save electricity in our homes, as buildings account for 40% of the energy consumption in most countries.

Did you know? There’s new legislation regarding energyefficiency in buildings (SANS 10400 XA) coming and all new buildings must have insulation installed to meet the various regional requirements. By installing insulation, you will be able to save 70% to 90% of the energy consumption for heating or cooling in your home. A regular home loses up to 25% of its energy through the ceiling in the winter and gains a similar amount in the summer. Isover’s Think Pink Aerolite reduces the amount of energy required to maintain a comfortable living environment and meets all the requirements of the pending legislation, keeping your home cool in the summer and warm in the winter. A geyser consumes 35% of a regular household’s electricity. This can be reduced by up to 58% when insulating your geyser and adjoining hot-water pipes. Isover’s geyser insulation pack drastically reduces heat loss and once your geyser and adjoining hot-water pipes have been insulated, you can leave them to do the saving. Isover’s flagship insulation products save more than 100 times the energy consumed and CO2 emitted in their manufacturing, transport and disposal. Isover Tel: 011 360 8200 Website: www.isover.co.za

ENERGY EFFICIENCY

Continued from page 74 • Energy efficiency (building fabric and building services) • Water efficiency • Design and construction management practices • Emissions from the building, including aspects such as light pollution and storm water pollution • Materials used in the building • Indoor environment quality of the habitable spaces For Green Star SA purposes, multi-unit residential units are considered to be developments that include three or more dwelling units, common property, shared services and infrastructure among dwellings and an applicable management entity (such as a body corporate), such as apartment buildings, blocks of flats, townhouses and so forth. The pilot rating tool was released on 10 December 2010 for public and industry comment. Unlike the development of previous Green Star SA rating tools, the GBCSA will give formal certification under the PILOT tool for either version (design or as built) of this tool to a maximum of 6 multi-unit residential developments that have already applied and been accepted on the PILOT project programme. Once the final tool (version 1) is released, all other projects can register. Menlyn Maine Investments, which is a mixed-use precinct

South Africa’s residential sector’s energy consumption needs to reduce by 10% by 2015, and the commercial and public building sectors’ energy consumption needs to reduce by 20% by 2015.

Revised SANS 10400

now in effect under development in Pretoria, is co-sponsoring the development of the tool, together with the Clay Brick Association. The GBCSA has also begun the development of an Energy & Water Benchmarking Tool for buildings that will be useful for all property owners to better understand how their building performs in relation to industry norms which have been established from a database of building consumption data. These benchmarks will be critical in helping building owners/buyers/ tenants to understand what the energy or water consumption of a building is in comparison to the established benchmarks. The tool aims to ultimately be on a similar level to the tool that the US government uses (Energy Star) and that the Australian Continues on page 78

Although most companies will know that no building or construction work may be undertaken before the requisite forms have been completed and approved by the local authority, it is worth reminding our readers that in relation to this the updated SANS 10400 has been formally put into practice on 1 April 2011, covering every aspect of new buildings, extensions and renovations. These forms must accompany applications for the approval of building plan submissions to the local authorities, and copies of SANS 10400 as well as a manual on how to use the document may be ordered from the National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications (NRCS) at www.nrcs.org.za. Further information may also be obtained from the SABS, including copies of the requisite forms, on the website www.sabs.co.za

ENERGY EFFICIENCY

Continued from page 76 government uses (NABERS) to benchmark building performance. The tool will be made freely available once developed to ensure that it is accessible and widely used. The GBCSA are in discussions with various organisations, including government, to obtain input, buy-in and support for the tool. Sponsorship opportunities for this tool exist, which present an incredible opportunity for orgnisations to be associated with a high profile project such as this. The GBCSA can be contacted in this regard on info@gbcsa.org.za.

Subsidised housing Dlamini explains that the Department of Human Settlement is an important partner to motivate that all subsidised houses comply with the building code in line with their sustainable policy. “However, there is a financial barrier to them reaching either the proposed energy-efficiency building standard or best practice because of limited technical and financial capacity,” adds Dlamini.

Capacity constraints One of South Africa’s biggest challenges is a lack of skilled and experienced managers and staff. “The severe shortfall in education during apartheid and the exclusion of greater segments of the population from qualified jobs are the root causes of this problem. While most departments and industries in the country have clear policies for transformation, it is just not possible to acquire a bachelor’s degree plus a master’s degree and 10 years’ relevant experience overnight. It simply takes 10 years of relevant work to acquire 10 years of relevant experience,” said Dlamini.

Market poised for growth According to a leading growth development company, Frost & Sullivan, sustained development in the green buildings market would be ensured through collaboration between government, non-governmental organisations and the private sector. While the market for green buildings is still in its infancy, it is poised for growth. “Our analysis of the South African green building market found

that this market, whilst still in its infancy, has high potential for growth. The growth in membership of the Green Building Council of South Africa (GBCSA) indicates that the South African market is responding well to green building initiatives,” says Frost & Sullivan’s environmental technologies analyst, Linda Harding.

When were the standards published? “SANS 10400 X-A was put out for comments during 2010, and a significant number of comments were received. In amending the standard in response to the comments, there was significant change, and so the standard had to be issued for public comment again this year. The closing date for this round of comments was 3 May 2011, and it is not anticipated that there will be significant changes again,” says Reynolds. The steering committee managing the drafting and publication of the standards met on 11 May 2011 to discuss any comments made. It is expected that the regulations and standards will be published in June 2011, and promulgated shortly thereafter. Schefferlie comments: “When the regulations come out, they will grow the thermal and fenestration industries significantly. The playing fields will be leveled and everything will start to change. AAAMSA is very positive about these regulations and we believe that the entire building sector should approach it with a positive attitude. Now that it has been published, architects, technologists and draftsmen are obliged to prove compliance with the regulations at the plan approval stage – not simply at the end of a project. I think it will cause ripples in the market in the early stages, but with rising electricity prices and an increasing number of energy-efficiency regulations, it is bound to have a good outcome.” Walls & Roofs would like to give thanks and acknowledgement to Samuel Dlamini from the Department of Energy, Lisa Reynolds from Saint-Gobain Construction Products and Hans Schefferlie from AAAMSA for the information they generously contributed to the article.

ENERGY EFFICIENCY

The meaning of 100% efficiency Eco-Insulation Cellulose Fibre Ceiling Insulation forms a seamless blanket of natural fibres that provide outstanding protection from temperature extremes. Cecil Homan, the founder of SAEE Association Award winner Eco-Insulation, says, “There are many homes or offices where it is assumed that the ceiling is 100% insulated because there is an existing layer of insulation present.” Homan explains that many existing insulation systems degrade over time with the volume of dust and humidity in the roof space, hence becoming much less effective in trapping dormant air, and thus losing R-values. “Also, many installers do not lift the roof sheeting to allow insulation to be laid from the top,” says Homan. “This leaves uninsulated sections of the ceiling through which heat may enter or escape. However, you don’t have this inefficiency problem when you install Eco-Insulation for two good reasons:

When cellulose is pneumatically pumped into ceilings and cavities by specialised apparatus, it assumes a fluid consistency that allows the product to flow into hidden spaces and around obstructions to completely fill the area being treated. Eco-Insulation installers are highly trained professional sub-contractors, trained to lift roof sheets and do whatever it takes to get product into inaccessible spaces. There are no approved DIY options for the product. “Eco-Insulation is excellent in this regard, due to our professional approach, unique delivery system – a full turnkey service. This is ideal for contractors and specifiers alike.” “However, adding insulation alone without sealing air leaks is not going to help much. Water vapour carried with the escaping warm air may condense and build up in certain insulations, reducing R-values and causing structural damage. Indeed, when moisture problems appear in the roof after it has been insulated, ceiling bypasses are often the cause.” “To avoid these types of water problems and to receive full benefit from your insulation, you need to plug up your attic leaks or bypasses.” Homan advises architects and project managers to give more consideration to using cellulose. The product is fully approved by the SABS and is fire rated as “no spread of flame” above the ceiling. “Also, architects often forget about the sound-insulating benefits of the product,” he says. This is very important for many industries, such as hotels and retail outlets, where the noise levels need to be controlled and sonic absorption is required for effective acoustics inside the building. “This is what we mean by ultimate climate comfort,” adds Homan. Building owners, designers and architects should visit www.eco-insulation.co.za for further information and contact details of installers. “We are available nationwide,” says Homan. Eco-Insulation Tel: 021 555 3766 Fax: 021 555 3776 E-mail: eco-insulation@telkomsa.net Website: www.eco-insulation.co.za • www.autospec.com

ENERGY EFFICIENCY feature

Green building trends for 2011 While an increasing amount of design professionals, large corporations and home owners are buying into green building constructions, only a few people are sure exactly how building science is evolving and where builders and consumers are going to be focusing their attention in the months ahead. Earth Advantage Institute, a non-profit organisation which has certified over 11 000 homes, makes some predictions for 2011. Affordable green Many builders and consumers often associate green and energyefficient homes with higher costs. The development of new business models and the mainstreaming of high performance materials, however, are bringing high-performance, healthy homes within the reach of all homeowners. The sectors that are leading the way include affordable housing groups (such as Habitat for Humanity) and local land trusts who are building certified, energy-efficient homes at low costs.

Sharing and comparing home energy usage Earth Advantage Institute predicts that the sharing of home energy consumption data – for rewards – could be an upcoming trend thanks to social and purchasing sites like Facebook and Groupon. Earth Aid’s website (www.earthaid.net) lets you track home energy usage and earn rewards for energy-savings from

local vendors. You can also choose to share the information with others on the site to see who can conserve the most energy.

Outcome-based energy codes Existing buildings use the most energy, but the prescriptive energy codes used in commercial models don’t encourage effective retrofitting. Compliance with energy codes is determined at permit time, using prescriptive or predictive models, and actual post-construction may never even be reviewed. Heating and cooling equipment could be faulty or improperly controlled, with significant energy and financial implications. Under outcomebased energy codes, owners could pursue the retrofit strategy that they decide is the most effective for their building and its tenants, but they would be required to achieve a pre-negotiated performance target through mandatory annual reporting.

Communities and neighbourhoods will increasingly band together to obtain better pricing on materials such as solar panels and installation costs.

ENERGY EFFICIENCY feature

Community purchasing power Communities and neighbourhoods will increasingly band together to obtain better pricing on materials such as solar panels and installation costs. A community in Portland initiated the Solarised Portland Programme to increase the amount of renewable energy generated in Northeast Portland by working together as a community. The price of solar panels decreases for everybody as more people join the effort.

“Grid-aware” appliances fuel convergence of smart grid and smart homes Manufacturers are increasingly introducing more sophisticated appliances that are “grid-aware”. These appliances have intricate energy management capabilities and timers, offering homeowners machines that monitor and report their own electricity usage and that increase or decrease that usage by remote control. According to the Earth Advantage Institute, these developments will begin forging the convergence of a smart-grid infrastructure and the control applications needed to manage energy-savings in buildings and homes.

Accessory dwelling units Due to financial concerns, many people are staying put in their favourite area and building accessory dwelling units (ADUs), which are small units that can be used for studios, offices, in-law space or so forth. These units help cities to increase urban density and allow homeowners to add value to their property.

Rethinking of residential heating and cooling Advances in applied building science have resulted in homes that are so tightly sealed and insulated that furnace-less, ductless homes are now a reality. Passive houses are becoming increasingly popular, creating more homes that have thickly insulated walls and ceilings so that the home is actualy heated by everyday activity of the occupants.

Residential grey water usage With water becoming an increasingly scarce resource, the recycling of grey water – any household wastewater with the exception of toilet water – is gaining traction. Benefits include reduced water usage, reduced strain on septic and stormwater systems and groundwater replenishment. Systems can be as simple as a pipe system draining directly into a mulch field or they can incorporate collection tanks and pumps.

Lifecycle analysis (LCA) The building industry has only begun to study the effects of

Manufacturers are increasingly introducing more sophisticated appliances that are “grid-aware”. certain materials over the course of their entire lives, from raw material extraction through disposal and decomposition. LCA for building materials will allow architects to determine what products are more sustainable and what combination of products can produce the most environmentally-friendly results. For more information, visit www.earthadvantage.org, to which full thanks and acknowledgement is given.

energy efficiency ADVERTORIAL

SHADING & SUN CONTROL with metallised fabrics

Verosol â&#x20AC;&#x201C;the inventor of metallised fabrics is a worldwide supplier of tried and tested branded solutions for solar control.

epresented in South Africa by license-holder Aluglass, the local market is thus provided with effective interior and exterior protection from heat and the reduction of irritating bright sunlight whilst retaining a perfect view of the outside world, with the combined advantages of curtains and external sun-blinds in a single product, safely fitted to the interior wall. Verosol Originals are available in various transparencies from ultra-transparent to black-out, and all transparencies can be combined in pleated blinds, twin-pleated or skylight blinds to achieve ultimate solar control throughout the day. Other desirable properties are that the fabric is fire retardant, antistatic, and PVC and formaldehyde free. Verosol Originals help to create a comfortable environment in both commercial and residential applications. The following describe the options available in the Originals range, and for each of these products motorisation and remote controls are optional.

Pleated blind This is the classic Verosol blind. Still extremely popular, Verosol pleated blinds are the original blinds in the range. 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. Also, the pleated fabric and the way in which the system operates allow an amazing level of versatility, especially when minimal gaps are required between blinds. When installing blinds on doors, pleated blinds with guide wires are a great idea.

Skylight/conservatory pleated blind This is a truly unique product for usage on inclined windows such as conservatories or skylights. Not only is the blind kept in position by guide wires, but specially designed tension wires mean that the blind can 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 This allows the user to have privacy without losing his or her view. The twin blind is two blinds in one â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the day blind, which uses a more transparent fabric, allows views to be maintained; and the night blind, which is usually a more opaque blind, is used during the night to maintain privacy. It could 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.

Energy efficiency INTERIOR ADVERTORIAL

The performance flagship in the Verosol sales programme is SILVERSCREEN, which combines excellent solar control properties with unprecedented transparency for a view through. The psychological advantages of being able to see out converge with the optical benefits of controlling the brightness of surfaces in work and living spaces, whilst at the same time reflecting much of the incoming heat straight back out of the glass. This is achieved by an ultra-fine layer of aluminium on the screen fabric that dramatically improves the reflective character while the relatively high openness factor of the weave allows the transparency of the fabric. The inner face of the fabrics is available in a range of contemporary colours where the selection does not impede on the visual comfort around computer screens and other display surfaces. The highly reflective external surface of SILVERSCREEN keeps the heat out in the summer, while in the winter the space blanketlike function of the metal layer helps to keep the heat in. This enables energy-savings by reducing air-conditioning loads when it is hot and heating loads when it is cold – the cost benefits of these savings are significant. In addition, SILVERSCREEN does not contain any potentially hazardous materials and has excellent flame-retardant properties. For those who require an eco-friendly solution, or need as much contribution as possible from its fittings to enable the building to obtain a Green Star rating, Verosol’s green

building solution is ENVIROSCREEN, which combines great solar-control properties with the advantage of being PVC and formaldehyde free. With a 2% openness factor and the same highly reflective external surface as SILVERSCREEN, ENVIROSCREEN is an even greener alternative – albeit with a reduced view through. ENVIROSCREEN is produced strictly in accordance with ISO 14001, the international environmental standard. The fabric is also Oko-Tex and Greenguard certified and will contribute significantly to obtaining points in green building rating tools such as LEED, Green Star and BREEAM. 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 consistent and good quality of both product 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

ENERGY EFFICIENCY

Insulating the green way “T he insulation industry is very excited that SANS 204 is going to be legislated with SANS 10400, which means that insulation will become mandatory in buildings very soon,” says Thomas Datel of ThermocousTex. “The benefit of this is that South Africa will save approximately 4 500 MW of energy with insulation and performance glass, particularly with the increases in electricity over the next few years, and this will be very beneficial to the economy.” An added benefit is that by saving kilowatt hours, carbon credits are also saved, which will assist in greening the environment. ThermocousTex has been involved in some very prestigious projects, including King Shaka Airport in Durban, the Gautrain, Cape Town Film Studios, Cape Town Airport, Cristal House School and Vodacom. Besides the big prestigious projects, Frame Industrials also does residential houses from Alexandra to Llandudno. The main reason why ThermocousTex is being so widely used is its ease of use, effectiveness and cost. It is primarily an acoustic

and thermal product, which can be used in applications from skimmed and suspended ceilings to over purlin applications. ThermocousTex is manufactured from recycled material (between 50 – 75%), and Frame Industrials has been awarded a recycling award – by using recycled material the costs are controlled, which makes the product more competitive. In addition, it is one of the few products that is verified green, which ensures that it can easily be used in a Green Star rated building. With the Green Star rating and the new thermal legislation coming through, it is more important than ever to pick products that are rated as green products, and that can meet the new thermal legislation. ThermocousTex does all of the above and, by using ThermocousTex as ceilings and in walls, it saves costs. Frame Industrial Tel: 0861 DATLINK (3285465) Email: sales@datlink.co.za Website: www.thermocoustex.co.za • www.autospec.com

ThermocousTex fibre insulation Description: Acoustic and thermal insulation blanket, and foil-faced. Application: Suitable for domestic roofing and cavity walls for wooden houses where acoustic and thermal insulation is required. Properties: • Does not contribute to flame spread. • Non-corrosive, lightweight and made to length to reduce waste (allow three

weeks lead time). • Improves acoustics for a better working environment. • Saves on energy bills by reducing heat losses and air-conditioning energy. Packing: Polythene tube Rolls: 600 – 1400mm wide, 5m – 10m long Thermal conductivity: 0,038 W/m²ºC R-Value: 50mm 1,31m².K/W

Density: 24kg/m³ - 80kg/m³ NRC Value: 0,73 Weight: 50mm 1,20kg/m² - 4,00kg/m² 25mm 0,70kg/m² - 2,00kg/m² Applications: • Plain, on top of ceilings for acoustic properties. • Over purlin installation guidelines. • Dry wall specification. • Cavity wall specification – brick.

• Performs exceptionally well in high humidity areas (up to 95% RH). Packaging: Corrugated cardboard corners and wrapped in plastic. Finishes: • Whitish product, unpainted. • Suspended ceilings, panels are laminated with a vinyl finish. Profile: Butt joint. Sizes: Width: 600mm Length: 1 200mm, 1 500m, 1 800mm, 2 100mm, 2 400mm, 2 700mm, 3 000mm, 3 300mm, 3 600mm. Thermal Conductivity: 0,034 W/m.K R-Value: 25mm 0,74m².K/W 35mm 1,03m².K/W 50mm 1,44m².K/W Density: 50 kg/m³ (Plasterboard 80 kg/m³)

NRC Value: 0, 69 Weight: 25mm 1,25kg/m² 35mm 1,80kg/m² 50mm 2,30kg/m² 25mm Plasterboard 2,00kg/m² 35mm Plasterboard 2,80kg/m² Applications: • Nail up ceilings. • Retrofit nail up ceilings. • Top-hat installation guidelines – ThermocousTex. • Silent floor applications. • Suspended ceiling – ThermocousTex. • Over purlin installation guidelines. • Over purlin installation guidelines – foil-faced flap joint. • Cavity wall specification – brick Dry wall specification.

Product specifications: ThermocousTex board Description: Butt-edged ceilings panel in varying sizes. Application: Suitable for domestic, commercial and industrial ceilings when acoustic and thermal insulation is required. Properties: • Does not contribute to flame spread. Complies to SANS 428 Fire Standard; Test reports: FTC 07/149 B1,B2,H – 25mm Plain Board; FTC 08/049 B1, B2,H – 120mm Plain Board; FTC 08/081-A B2,B3 – 25mm Plaster Board; FTC 08/033-B B1,B2 – 35mm Vinyl Faced Board. • Great acoustical performance and offers superb thermal insulation.

ENERGY EFFICIENCY

Reducing a building’s energy consumption

to determine life-cycle costs Leading academics and researchers are grappling with the challenge of defining a material’s lifetime impact, and whilst still in its infancy as a robust methodology, Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is gaining in popularity and use.

“W

ithin the myriad of interconnecting sustainability issues of a building, the challenge of reducing energy consumption for the building’s life cycle is, arguably, the greatest and most important,” says Clive Archer, managing director of Crammix Bricks. In a recent Australian LCA study1 focused on residential housing, it was concluded that “total operational energy (including HVAC, lighting, domestic hot water and appliances) dominates (up to 90% contribution) the energy performance of the house over its life (including a detailed assessment of the life cycle of construction materials.” “This particular study concluded that a walling material that can be used with building design principles to reduce imported energy consumption is needed,” comments Archer. “Crammix clay-masonry products form the barrier and shield for occupants against the harshness of the external environment, which is particularly appropriate in the high rainfall and condensation zone of the Western Cape. The large variation in daily average temperatures (diurnal swing) presents the walls with the challenge of moderating the external temperature amplitudes to a more bearable level indoors, whilst ensuring that the average

The thermal capacity in Crammix’s bricks acts like a battery, as the heat energy is absorbed, stored and released at a later time,” says Archer. indoor temperature across all seasons is at an acceptable level for the average person. If indoor conditions are comfortable, then there will be a reduction in heating and cooling energy consumption, as the occupants will not use artificial means. The thermal capacity in Crammix’s bricks acts like a battery, as the heat energy is absorbed, stored and released at a later time,” says Archer.

Using less energy in the manufacturing processes Clay is in abundance in the Western Cape, having been formed

LCA of a material considers the environmental impact in the 4 stages of its life cycle

naturally through geological and weathering processes. After inclusion in a wall system, the Crammix clay masonry unit has an exceptionally long life, with all the good attributes locked in. “To reduce energy consumption at Crammix, all clay is extracted on site and used in the adjacent factory, and being surface-mined, rehabilitation is straightforward, with the quarries designated for rainwater retention once mined out, thereby enhancing the biodiversity of the site,” says Archer. Crammix fire their products in modern tunnel kilns, using fuels that are sourced from the non-hazardous waste streams of other industries. “All bricks are manufactured with cores, thereby substantially reducing the volume of clay mined and energy consumed for the cradle-to-gate manufacturing process. All fired product waste is recycled into various construction end-uses,” says Archer. “Crammix is passionate about being at the forefront of energy-efficient walling technology. Next time you look at a Crammix clay-masonry unit, realise that it is not just another brick in the wall. Rather, it is a tried and trusted material that neatly balances the full requirements of sustainability, with its inherent thermal capacity and resistance, delivering the optimal energy performance in one tidy package,” concludes Archer. Crammix: Tel: 021 981 2115 Fax: 021 981 4520 E-mail: bricks@crammix.co.za Website: www.crammix.co.za

ENERGY EFFICIENCY

City of Rome

Cashing in on Energy Efficiency Upgrades

Energy savings total more than $700,000 over three years; expected financial benefits total $8.5 million over 15 years

he city of Rome, NY and Johnson Controls, today announced the energy savings from a citywide energy efficiency program total more than $700,000 since the project began. In March 2008, the city selected Johnson Controls, a global leader in making public and private buildings more energy efficient, to help reduce its utility costs and carbon footprint through an energy conservation program. By 2024, Rome is expected to realize more than $8.5 million in energy, operations and maintenance savings and projected revenues as a result of this project. Among the infrastructure improvements is the energy-efficient, diffused aeration system at the city’s Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP). The diffused aeration system increases the city of Rome’s WWTP’s capacity to handle additional sewage-based waste streams. Through this increased capacity the city plans to maximize the potential for increasing waste treatment revenues by accepting septic loads from external sources. The facility also will be used to support economic development opportunities as the plant capacity can now handle additional large commercial businesses in Rome. “Our long-term growth depends on using energy as efficiently as possible - at all of our facilities,” Mayor James Brown said. “It makes good economical and ecological sense. Through our partnership with Johnson Controls, we’ve been able to lower costs and reduce energy consumption, while strengthening our ability to support the needs of current and future residents.” The energy efficiency upgrades are part of a 15-year performance contract between the city and Johnson Controls. The improvements are funded through a performance contracting model, which enables the city to offset the costs of the improvements with energy and operational savings over time. Johnson Controls recently announced its current public sector building efficiency projects in the United States are projected

to save more than $4.7 billion in reduced energy, water and operational costs over the next 10 years. “Energy efficiency has never been more important, especially in communities like Rome,” said Bruno Biasiotta, vice president and general manager, Energy Solutions Americas, Johnson Controls. “Through the performance contract and other financing methods, we were able to bring the finest in wastewater treatment plant technology to the city, while generating significant energy savings.” Johnson Controls also installed variable-speed drives on low-lift pumps at the water filtration plant and implemented data-tracking management tools and lighting retrofits at various facilities - all designed to improve energy efficiency while saving taxpayer dollars. Brown noted that the cost savings from the energy efficiency project will repay the capital investment over the contract’s term -- without increasing the city’s operating budget. “These are tough economic times,” Brown said. “Instead of raising taxes to pay for the infrastructure improvements, the energy savings are paying for them.” City Hall, City Yard, Rome Arts Centre, the central fire station, police department offices and other municipal buildings have received energy upgrades. National and local organizations have taken notice: In 2009, Rome received the Environmental Project of the Year Award from the American Public Works Association (Central New York chapter) and the Municipal Achievement Award from the New York Water Environment Association.

About Johnson Controls Johnson Controls is a global diversified technology and industrial leader serving customers in more than 150 countries. Our 142,000 employees create quality products, services and solutions to optimize energy and operational efficiencies of buildings; leadacid automotive batteries and advanced batteries for hybrid and electric vehicles; and interior systems for automobiles. Our commitment to sustainability dates back to our roots in 1885, with the invention of the first electric room thermostat. Through our growth strategies and by increasing market share we are committed to delivering value to shareholders and making our customers successful. In 2011, Corporate Responsibility Magazine recognized Johnson Controls as the #1 company in its annual “100 Best Corporate Citizens” list. For additional information, please visit www.johnsoncontrols.com.

About the City of Rome The city of Rome, NY, is located in Oneida County, 45 miles east of Syracuse. The community of 35,000 residents boasts a not-forprofit community hospital, a 6,000-student K-12 school district, a regional campus of Mohawk Valley Community College and one of two campuses for the New York State School for the Deaf. A recipient of numerous community awards, Rome was named the 19th Most Secure City by Farmers Insurance Group in 2005; in 2007, it was honoured (along with Utica, NY) as the 23rd Best Green Place to Live by Country Johnson Controls SA TEL: 011 921 7100 FAX: 011 921 7200 Website: www.johnsoncontrols.co.za

ENERGY EFFICIENCY

tech savvy

Energy efficient mesh used at upmarket office building in PTA GKD Mesh is an international leader in supplying bespoke flexible metal fabric facades for buildings. The company’s focus is using manufacturing design and engineering to produce innovative solutions for architects and building owners.

ocal architecture firm, Activate Architecture (Pty) Ltd, recently installed GKD Mesh at an upmarket office building in Pretoria, Gauteng. Edward Brooks, a Director at Activate Architecture comments: “The project is a 8,500m², two-level office building that will be the national headquarters for a leading South Africa company. The building will house 100 people, and includes a staff canteen, boardroom areas, national server facility and basement parking,” explains Brooks. One of the reasons why the team at Activate Architecture chose GKD Mesh for this particular project was because the facade product contributed to the energy saving goals of the project. “This specific project encompasses many energy efficient and environmentally conscious features. The GKD Mesh was chosen for the facade because the properties of the product keeps the heat load off the building, while at the same time allowing views through the mesh,” said Brooks. Two different meshes were used for the project. A flat mesh, which is slightly less dense, was installed for the northern facade and a twisted panel with a denser mesh was chosen for the eastern and western-facing facades. “GKD Mesh is one of the few meshes that has a tested U-value, which enabled us to calculate the amount of heat that would enter the building versus the amount of light that is able to enter the building,” says Brooks. “Ventilation and solar management for climate control – as well as daylight harvesting applications – will help reduce the cooling costs of the building and maximise internal comfort,” continues Brooks.

About the company GKD-Gebr. Kufferath AG is one of the leading technical weaving mills in the world. Founded in 1925, the company has grown from

being a supplier of basic woven wire mesh to supplying a broad range of mesh types that are woven of metals and plastics for technically demanding applications. The company cites four key factors as the driving force behind its success: • An interdisciplinary approach to long-term solutions; • Total commitment to quality; • Technological leadership and • Customer proximity. In order to accomplish this, GKD maintains both national and international business relations. Internationally, they are part of the GKD Group with their parent company, GKD Gebr, Kufferath AG in Germany and subsidiaries in the United Kingdom, Spain, Dubai and China. In total, the GKD Group employs over 700 people. Over 110 people are currently employed within GKD South Africa. The production facility in Randburg, Gauteng, has a total production area of 5 200m², making it the second largest facility after the organisation’s headquarters in Düren. GKD South Africa has a dedicated team of qualified metallurgical and mechanical engineers and after sales account managers with an extensive internal sales platform that look after the needs of numerous clients within the Sub-Saharan region. The local business thrives on its continuous success by building long-term relationships with their clients. GKD Mesh Tel: 011 412 4770 Fax: 011 412 4823 Email: gkdrsa@gkd.co.za Website: www.gkd.co.za

tech savvy

Creative meshes for every design solution

GKD Bulsmet (Pty) Ltd Tel: 011 412 4770 Fax: 011 412 4823 Email: arch@gkd.co.za Website: www.gkd.co.za

GKD Wire woven mesh unites an array of contradictory qualities: a filigree, formable structure with massive robustness. Variable widths, lengths, densities and wire diameters allow designers to transcend the limits of the possible and to achieve the impossible. Practically any weavable metal can be processed, but stainless steelsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; reflectivity and corrosion-resistant durability makes it the dominant choice in architecture.The robustness, resistance and practically unlimited service life of stainless steel meets the demands of modern intelligent facility management. This weatherproof, corrosion-resistant and fully recyclable material is easy to clean in external installations.

Paint industry not in collusion:

ARCHITECTIVES

strong objection

The SA Paint Manufacturing Association (SAPMA) has strongly objected to the Department of Trade and Industry’s (DTI’s) comment that the South African coatings market is “prone to collusive behaviour”. SAPMA’s objection comes after Lionel October, director-general of the DTI, was quoted in the media saying that the local paint market is “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. SAPMA’s executive director, Deryck Spence, says in a letter to the DTI’s October that SAPMA wishes to place on record its “objection to the statement in the strongest form”. Spence states: “SAPMA’s cooperation with government departments – including the Competition Commission – is ongoing in our association’s pursuit to ensure that we remain transparent in all issues pertaining to membership. Detailed records of discussions and correspondence are available to confirm that all initiatives are sanctioned by the Competition Commission, including copies of minutes of SAPMA executive committee meetings. “Our contact and cooperation with your own department are well developed and ongoing to ensure the advancement of our industry. Your department is, for example, assisting us in achieving accreditation of SAPMA training courses to advance and consolidate technical training in this important industry. “SAPMA takes the responsibility of representing the coatings industry extremely seriously and with the utmost integrity and is proud of its heritage and the role that we play in the industry, together with the transparent manner in which we conduct our mission,” he adds. SAPMA has been in existence for more than 70 years and its members produce about 90% of paint manufactured in South Africa. Its past cooperation with government includes the legislation on hazardous goods that led to legislation on lead volumes in paint. SAPMA Tel: 011 455 2503 Website: www.sapma.org.za

Revitalising urban centres in Africa Styled as “Formulating sound development plans for 2020 and beyond”, Global Prospectus is organising a top level conference, Revitalising Urban Centres in Africa 2011, which will be held in Southern Sun’s Grayston Hotel in Sandton, Johannesburg, from 2-3 August 2011. Michael Judge, Global’s sales director for the Region, says: “Urban areas in Africa are faced with crucial challenges of increasing populations as more and more people choose to make a living in towns and cities. “The major problems facing urban centres are the decaying and ageing infrastructure, which makes it less attractive to investment. In most centres there is overcrowding and failure to effectively use urban space to promote a healthy environment to conduct business. For a city to be vibrant and investorfriendly there is a critical need to engage all the stakeholders who can come up with workable plans.

“Urban renewal is designed to benefit all people within the urban renewal area, in surrounding neighbourhoods and throughout the city and metropolitan area. “The urban renewal plan, which guides all public spending in the area, is conceived by public officials and citizens who are best able to make decisions about how to improve their neighbourhood, and everyone benefits from the results of urban renewal, which often includes better planning, more open space, more efficient traffic patterns, better transportation options, diversified housing choices and more enjoyable amenities,” he concludes. If you would like a brochure of the event, containing the agenda and registration form, please contact Michael Judge at the details below: Global Prospectus Training (Pty) Ltd Tel: 033 391 4229 Cell: 072 2243899 E-mail: michaelj@globalprospectus.co.za Website: www.gptrainingsa.com or www.globalprospectus.co.za

ARCHITECTIVES

“The future African city” theme for 2011 C&CI Sustainable Design Competition For the fifth annual Cement & Concrete Institute (C&CI) Architectural Sustainable Design Competition, which begins later this year, the theme will be “The future African city”. Daniel van der Merwe, an architect at C&CI, says the purpose of the competition is to promote the innovative usage of concrete in providing sustainable environments. “C&CI wants to stimulate fresh thinking that produces original and inventive design proposals, and raises awareness of the critical building environment issues. Concrete is the most commonly used building material in the world, yet much of what it can offer as a sustainable material is overlooked. The proposals coming for this competition should aim to extend the opportunities for sustainability in the building environment, particularly in the South African city,” he states. “Typical questions that the students should tackle in their submissions include the difficult task of bringing sustainability to urban transport systems, options for recycling, the harnessing and expansion of technology systems and how cities can serve as complete ecosystems,” Van der Merwe explained. The competition is confined to students in the final year of an undergraduate architectural qualification at accredited tertiary institutions. The three winners will each receive a prize of R20 000, with C&CI also donating assistance to the value of R5 000 to the winners’ tertiary institutions. The winners will be announced and their entries exhibited in 2012. The submission of names of participants closes on 29 November this year and the submission of the nominated entries must reach C&CI’s offices in Midrand by 29 February next year. Cement and Concrete Institute Tel: 011 315 0500 E-mail: info@cnci.org.za Website: www.cnci.org.za

10 years of energy management training Launched in 2001, the Energy Training Foundation (ETF) programme, which is affiliated to the Southern African Association for Energy Efficiency (SAEE), has delivered almost 500 energy-efficiency professionals who are now actively involved in the local industry. Of those people, 345 are certified energy managers. The rest contribute as energy auditors and measurement and verification professionals. The training is developed and promoted by the USbased Association of Energy Engineers (AEE), and all these certification programmes require that specific educational and/or experiential criteria must be met. The qualifications obtained at the ETF are recognised internationally as one of the leading standards in competence in energy management, as well as measurement and verification, and carbon management. Locally these courses are accredited for continuing professional development with the Engineering Council of South Africa for engineering practitioners. South Africa’s 500 professionals are part of the 15 000 worldwide that the AEE has certified. These certification credentials distinguish the recipients among colleagues in their field, and demonstrate high levels of experience, competence and specialised knowledge at an international level. Courses are hosted throughout the year and can be tailored to suit a specific niche industry or an organisation’s individual requirements. ETF is the training division of Energy Cybernetics (Pty) Ltd, an AEE-approved training provider for southern Africa. For more information, log on to www energycyberneticstraining.com or contact christina@eventstraining.co.za. The Southern African Association for Energy Efficiency (SAEE) Tel: 81 293 1499 E-mail: info@saee.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

ARCHITECTIVES

SAPOA

Property Journalism Awards 2011 – winners excel

Left to right: Athalea Minnaar of Hermans & Roman Property Solutions (sponsors), Sandy Welch, editor of The Property Magazine (winner of Best Property Publication Award), Thabang Mokopanele of Business Day (winner of Best Property News Journalist Award), Joan Muller for articles in Finweek (winner of Best Property Feature Journalist Award) and Marna van der Walt, SAPOA Property Journalism Awards chairperson and CEO of JHI).

The 43rd annual South African Property Owners Association (SAPOA) Convention, which was held from 11-13 May at the International Conference Centre (ICC) in Cape Town, welcomed an array of leaders from the South African commercial property community. The highly anticipated SAPOA Property Journalism Awards ceremony, which was sponsored by Hermans & Roman Property Solutions to acknowledge excellence in property journalism, was held on the second day of the convention. The winners of the awards were Thabang Mokopanele of Business Day, who received top honours in the Best Property News Journalist category, Joan Muller, who scooped the Property

Walls & Roofs receives special mention

Adrienne Brookbanks from Walls & Roofs received a special mention in the Feature Journalist of the Year category for her informative and well-researched articles.

Adrienne Brookbanks from Walls & Roofs received a special mention in the Feature Journalist of the Year category for her informative and well-researched articles. The Walls & Roofs feature articles that were entered for judging include “Changing the way design professionals use concrete,” “Projects 2010: A year in review” and “Green product identification and true sustainability indicators”, which all appeared in Jrn 1.11 of the magazine.

Features Journalist Award with her exceptional coverage of the property sector for FinWeek, and The Property Magazine, which took the title of South Africa’s Best Property Publication. During the awards function, the CEO Neil Gopal, said he was impressed by the high quality of the 26 entries received for the awards. “We are continuously delighted to see the quality of the property journalism that is entered each year, and the extensive participation from journalists is greatly encouraging. The participation in the SAPOA Property Journalism Awards affirms the status of property journalism as a unique and specialised discipline which continues to grow,” says Gopal. The judges for the awards included leading property professionals from top companies and organisations. This year the panel of judges comprised the business development manager of Hermans & Roman Property Solutions, Athalea Minnaar, the CEO of JHI, Marna van der Walt, the general manager for research and marketing at Broll, Sanett Uys, Stanlib’s head of property funds, Keillen Ndlovu, and the CEO of the Property Sector Charter Council, Portia Tau-Sekati. Kevin Roman, Group CEO of Hermans & Roman Property Solutions, says: “As sponsors, we’re delighted to support SAPOA in recognising the role of the media and journalists in the property sector. We hope to ultimately boost property journalism. The property sector is a valuable one and media coverage contributes to informing the public about property and how this sector affects them.” SAPOA Tel: 011 883 067 Website: www.sapoa.org.za

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New appointment at Walls & Roofs Specialist walling and roofing magazine, Walls & Roofs, has appointed Alida Edwards as assistant business-unit manager of the publication. Edwards joined the team in May 2011 and brings with her a wealth of experience, enthusiasm and knowledge. Edwards comes from the professional design and property industry and has formed many strategic partnerships during her years as a property specialist and owner of a décor consultancy. “I am very excited to be a part of this award-winning publication. I am eager to help our clients, advertisers and media partners to reach new heights with their marketing initiatives,” comments Edwards.

solutions, relationship building and marketing. Being familiar with the local Green Star Rating Tool and US LEED accreditation, I have a great understanding and respect for the challenges and responsibility placed on industry players. The traditional way of building and designing is being rerouted to create a rigorous alternative discipline – these are exciting times for our industry!” says Edwards.

“Branching out into different markets not only required a trial-and-error approach to figure out what works and what doesn’t, but also a large amount of determination and daily commitment to our partners, clients and customers,” says Edwards.

About Alida Edwards After obtaining her Bachelor’s degree in science and economics at the University of Pretoria, Edwards started her career as a sales representative in the interior decorating industry in 1993. Her dedication, energy and ability to build lasting relationships with clients lead her to become a marketing strategist and eventually the owner of New Era Projects for 13 years. Her company became a local trendsetter for the interior decorating industry, leading her to further expand her empire by opening two Brazilian Coffee Shops with in-house décor consultancies. “Branching out into different markets not only required a trialand-error approach to figure out what works and what doesn’t, but also a large amount of determination and daily commitment to our partners, clients and customers,” says Edwards. Edwards also spent two years as a commercial property specialist, which provided her with the background, contacts and opportunities to establish new business perspectives. “I was able to enlarge my international networking circle and provide services and support in the areas of building physics, energy modelling and sustainable building engineering,” adds Edwards. “My experience has taught me that, in the construction and design industry, business is all about relationships and partnerships will seldom rely only on economics,” explains Edwards. Some of Edwards’ interests and hobbies include golf, sustainable design, earth science and marketing. She plans to enrol for her MSc degree in strategic marketing in the near future. “I’m passionate about sustainable design, engineering

Marlene van Rooyen, the editor of Walls & Roofs, welcomes Edwards and encourages their existing clients to make an appointment with her. “Alida is an approachable, motivated individual and I can’t wait to see what she is going to do for the magazine and our clients this year. If you haven’t already met her, you are in for a treat!” For more information about our readership, content or advertising, contact Marlene van Rooyen on tel: +27 12 347 7530 or Marlene@mediainafrica.co.za.

A WORLD RECORD LARGEST REINFORCED CONCRETE CEMENT FLAT ROOF SPAN The Satsang Hall within the Govind Devji’s Temple in Jaipur, India, has a single span of 36,27m. It was designed by NM Roof Designers Ltd and it was opened to the public on 23 July 2009.

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Ghost Ship wins

Corobrik Architectural Student Award Stefan van Biljon of the University of Cape Town has won the prestigious Corobrik Architectural Student of the Year Award for 2010 with his entry entitled KL-Metamatic: Ghost Ship. KL Berth is a place at Cape Town’s Duncan Dock, and Stefan says his project was inspired by the tension between this industrial site and natural forces, namely the movement and the impact of the sea, its action and corrosive elements. The rising water will also make visitors contemplate global warming. It is a scientific memory of the impact of the natural elements on a sustainable future. The judges selected his entry over the others because of his level of intellect and the richness of the way he thought through the concept. Van Biljon was selected from the top architectural students of the seven competing universities and the award was announced at a function held at the Wanderer’s Club in Johannesburg on

30 March 2011. As the national winner, he received a prize of R45 000 from Corobrik to add to his regional winnings of R6 000. A prominent theme of the event was sustainability that embraces a holistic approach, incorporating economic, social and environmental aspects in the design solution. Corobrik’s managing director, Dirk Meyer, highlighted how this award fitted well with the organisation’s commitment to driving for sustainable outcomes in all aspects of the business and the respected role clay brick can and does play throughout South Africa and abroad in providing enduring structural and aesthetic value to the built environment with low impact on the natural environment. In the words of none other than Renzo Piano, ‘The challenge is to create buildings that are less violent in terms of their energy requirements and which are capable of achieving economies in the use of resources. Where possible we should seek to

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use materials that respect the environmental balance.’ This is the twenty-fourth year that Corobrik has sponsored the competition, which was initiated to promote quality design and to acknowledge talent among architectural students. These objectives are still the values on which this programme is based. Thesis students from Universities and qualifying Universities of Technology throughout South Africa are invited to submit entries for one of the seven regional competitions, the winning entries of which compete in the final. The judging panel comprised Fanuel Motsepe from Motsepe Architects and current president of the South African Institute of Architects, Dean Jay of Jay Nel Architects, Sarah Calburn of Sarah Calburn Architects and Peter Kidger of Corobrik, the convenor. The judges observed that each of the entries has great

relevance in the current times and the standard remains high, which is most commendable. Sarah Calburn, representing the panel of judges, commented, “It is in the incredibly wide range of concerns that you will see underpinning in various densities and agglomerations the work of every student here tonight. It is precisely this richness, this complexity, this degree of complication and simultaneous thought that makes architecture so difficult, and so endlessly interesting. It is precisely this rare combination that we, as jurors, have had to negotiate in coming to a final conclusion.” Stefan van Biljon, who is working out of Renzo Piano’s offices in Milan, joined the prize-giving event via a Skype connection. After hearing of his win, he expressed his appreciation to Corobrik for the opportunity to take part in the event. Stefan also thanked his lecturers for the encouragement they gave him over the last year while he was developing his thesis. Corobrik Tel: 031 560 3111 Fax: 031 565 1532 Website: www.corobrik.com

New staff at GBCSA Showing growth in size and influence since its inception in 2007, the Green Building Council of South Africa (GBCSA) has recently appointed several new key team members. According to Bruce Kerswill, executive chairman of the GBCSA, the council was lucky to attract top quality, skilled professionals to the team. “Donné Putter has been appointed as the education and training manager and is tasked with growing the GBCSA’s educational offerings, as well as supporting the continued roll-out of the existing Green Star SA Accredited Professionals course.” “Lauren Hatting has been appointed as the head of marketing and brings with her a wealth of locally and internationally gained knowledge and experience. She will be working closely with Mary-Ann Fife, who has been appointed as the membership, marketing and events coordinator.” “Jarrod Lewin also recently joined the GBCSA’s technical team as junior technical coordinator,” continues Kerswill. The GBCSA is an independent, non-profit organisation that aims to lead the transformation of the South African property industry to ensure that all buildings are designed, built and operated in an environmentally sustainable way that will allow South Africans to work and live in healthy, efficient and productive environments. “It is estimated that the building sector consumes over 40% of the world’s energy and produces over 30% of greenhouse

gases through the construction and ongoing operation of buildings. Green buildings can reduce energy consumption by anywhere from 30% to 70%, water consumption by a similar amount, and result in a major reduction in the usage of new materials,” says Kerswill. “To effectively carry out this essential role, we have put together a formidable, passionate and dedicated team that will confidently take the GBCSA forward as it grows and develops,” he concludes. Green Building Council of South Africa (GBCSA) Tel: 021 659 5990 E-mail: info@gbcsa.org.za Website: www.gbcsa.org.za

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government crackdown

on sale of leaded paint looms

SAPMA’s Deryck Spence has welcomed Government assistance.

Despite the promulgation of legislation nearly a year ago, the National Department of Health is planning to investigate reports of the ongoing availability of hazardous lead-based paint in South Africa with a view to ban its manufacture and sale. Professor Angela Mathee, director of the Medical Research Council’s Environment & Health Research Unit, said she had been watching with interest the SA Paint Manufacturing Association (SAPMA) initiative to remove leaded paint from retail shelves in recent years. “I was shocked to learn from SAPMA that there are still manufacturers and major retail outlets that are not taking government legislation or this major public health problem to heart. It is shameful that manufacturers or suppliers would wilfully impose on unwitting members of the public a known and banned hazard, especially on young children,” she added. She gave her support to the SAPMA lead-free campaign and advised consumers to look for the stickers at retail outlets indicating that they have joined SAPMA’s lead-free paint quest. “One child who contracts lead poisoning by chewing paint coatings with illegally high lead levels is one too many,” added Mathee, who spearheaded the anti-lead campaign – and exposed the prevalence of lead poisoning in children – some years ago. Professor Nicky Padayachee, Deputy Director-General within

the Department of Health, said that the health consequences of lead poisoning were severe, including reductions in IQ scores, poor school performance, hyperactivity, learning difficulties and poor performance at school. “In the light of this, we are obliged to act to the full extent of the law against those who ignore the lead paint legislation, and in so doing pose a serious, yet preventable, risk to the South African public,” he added. Deryck Spence, executive director of SAPMA, said the association would welcome increased governmental pressure to aid its campaign against leaded paints. “Apathetic paint retailers, who do not believe that they are part of the paint industry and are immune from responsibility, are risking major consumer resistance as well as public health,” he added.

SAPMA Tel: 011 455 2503 Website: www.sapma.org.za

New commercial executive for Chryso Michelle Fick has been appointed in the new post of commercial executive at the Chryso SA Group. Michelle’s new duties for a.b.e. Construction Chemicals and Chryso SA will include contact with corporate buyers and estimators, as well as

introducing the group’s new products and developments to specifiers such as architects and civil engineers. She will also represent both Chryso and a.b.e. Construction Chemicals at conferences and seminars. Chryso SA Tel: 011 395 9700 E-mail: kirsten@chrysosa.co.za Website: www.chryso.com

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Sandton rules at SAPOA Awards Left to right: John Truter (WSP Group Africa and SAPOA Awards Committee Chairman), Fernando Cardoso (Tiber Bonvec Construction), Anthony Orelowitz and Henning Rassmuss (Paragon Architects) and Frank Berkeley (Sponsors: Nedbank Corporate Property Finance).

15 Alice Lane Towers in Sandton Central - Overall winner of the SAPOA Innovative Excellence in Property Development Awards 2011

Of the nine awards made at the South African Property Owners Association (SAPOA) Innovative Excellence in Property Development Awards 2011, which was sponsored by Nedbank Corporate Property Finance, five of them are located in Sandton, proving it to be the centre of innovative property development and design in South Africa. Top honours went to the stylish “chequered” 15 Alice Lane Towers in Sandton Central. Of the four others situated in Sandton, Pick n Pay Nicol won the retail development category, Legacy Corner won the mixed-used development category, The Park Inn Sandton scooped the “other developments: hotels” category and Nedbank Phase II won the overall green development category. “The awards acknowledge quality, excellence in design and innovation – all essential to the ever-evolving art of property development,” says Neil Gopal, the CEO of SAPOA. “They epitomise the ability of South Africa’s property developers to find exciting solutions for clients’ requirements and to stay in the forefront of global trends.” The overall winner and best in the office development category, 15 Alice Lane Towers, comprises a six-storey basement with two towers that rise 17 floors above it. Co-developers Zenprop Property Holdings and Tiber Projects commissioned the exceptional addition to the Sandton skyline, designed by Paragon Architects. The 24 000m² development is the new address of the well-known legal firm Deneys Reitz. Situated next to Sandton City Shopping Centre, the twin towers – constructed of concrete, glass and aluminium – rise as statuesque architectural markers on the skyline. The architectural form of the towers is unique in South Africa. Viewed from all angles, the building presents a highly patterned and highly abstracted surface of architectural elements that change constantly with the shifting time and atmosphere of the day. Winning the retail development category, the striking new Pick n Pay Nicol, developed by Abland and designed by Bentel Associates International, has an innovative extroverted design approach. Castle Walk Shopping Centre in Pretoria, which is owned by the Public Investment Corporation (PIC), took top honours in the refurbishment category. Boogertman + Partners was appointed to design the external refurbishment of the development to create a fresh and modern facelift to the building. Legacy Corner took the winning title in the mixed-use developments category. It was developed by Legacy Development & Management, is owned by Sandton Square

Portion 7 (Pty) Ltd and was designed by Bentel Associates International. The Park Inn Sandton was announced as the winner in the other development: hotels category. Developed by New City Group, owned by Crystal Lagoon Investments 53 and designed by GLH Architects, The Park Inn Sandton is a 3-star hotel with 273 rooms. The University of the Western Cape Life Sciences Department, which was developed by the university and designed by DHK Architects, won the other developments category. This cuttingedge institutional research laboratory is an embodiment of social and environmental scientific research in Africa and brings together several science departments and research institutes formerly located in a number of old buildings. The winner of the social development category, which was also scooping the award for the new transformation category this year, is the Lebone II College at Royal Bafokeng in Phokeng, North West Province. It was developed and is owned by Royal Bafokeng Administration and was designed by Activate Architecture and Afritects. Securing the award for overall green development, Nedbank Phase II shone above all other green developments. It is owned and was developed by Nedbank Limited, and was designed by Grosskopff Lombart Huyberechts & Associates Architects. Nedbank Phase II was submitted at two stages and achieved a certified four-star Green Star rating from the Green Building Council of South Africa on both submissions – “design” and “as built” ’ – becoming the first Green Star certified building in South Africa. Frank Berkeley, managing executive of Nedbank Corporate Property Finance, is passionate about furthering excellence in property development. Nedbank’s commitment to the highest quality property development extends beyond its sponsorship of the awards to its own development as demonstrated in Nedbank Phase II, which won the SAPOA Excellence Award for overall green development. SAPOA Awards committee chairman John Truter notes: “The recognition that these awards provide, both locally and internationally, has lead to an exceptional quality and scope of entries received. We’re delighted at the continued enthusiastic response from the property sector and the esteem which they have bestowed on the awards.” SAPOA Tel: 011 883 067 Website: www.sapoa.org.za

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“Irregular-Exceptional” theme for exhibition

Marmomacc – the International Natural Stone, Design & Technology Exhibition promoted by Veronafiere – has now provided an innovative display of selected projects that were featured in the 2010 expo under the Irregular-Exceptional theme – which was hosted by Triennale in Milan from 12-17 April 2011. At the 2010 expo, Marmomacc invited designers and wellknown international companies to highlight the performance of marble in experimental applications. Irregularity: depicting perceptive and sensorial oddities that nevertheless are in harmony with the prestige that has always distinguished marble and stone, almost as going back to something “unfinished”, and to enhance industrial processes

again with craftsmanship, tactile, natural and original aspects. Exceptionality: as uniqueness and unrepeatability, singularity, creativity and inspiration for a “poetics of difference” capable of setting aside the reassuring forms of geometrical logic in favour of emotive intelligence – hallmarked by sensitivity and depth. Marmomacc states: “In the current design culture principles such as symmetry, rigour, uniformity and predictability that for entire decades distinguished creativity and production now seem to be legacies of the past”.

“This is even true for materials. As if they were people, distinguished by original characters and DNAs, wood, iron and marble require special attention, specific knowledge and skills dictated by care and experience.” “They are natural materials, which deserve to be loved and known, rediscovered today precisely because of their special features and the irregularity that they express in antithesis to uniformity, perfection and governability that for such a long time dictated the supremacy of artificial materials.” Illustrations provide the answers to these comments by Marmomacc, which involved exhibitors and designers such as Patricia Urquiola with Budri, Aldo Cibic with Grassi Pietre, Thomas Sandell with Marsotto, Marco Piva with Lithea by MGM Furnari, and Manuel Aires Mateus with Pibamarmi. Further information on Marmomacc can be found on the website www.marmomacc.com.

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