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THE RIDGE
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THE BRIEF
BY E DI TO R G RAH AM WO O D
ED'S NOTE Every now and again, a building comes along that looks like it could be a game changer. It might not be the perfect building, but it pushes the boundaries and seems to show the way for other buildings. It tries something that not only proves that certain things are possible – aspects of passive design, natural ventilation or the use of new materials, for example – but also helps us learn something. It’s an experiment that improves our knowledge, that extends the realm of the realistically possible, and pioneers something that can be reapplied elsewhere. When I was interviewing the architects and engineers who worked on The Ridge, Deloitte’s new office at the V&A Waterfront, they constantly pointed out opportunities that, under different circumstances, could have made the building even greener (and it received a 6 Green Star Office Design rating from the Green Building Council of South Africa (GBCSA)). Some of the ideas might have been theoretically achievable, but would have required massive infrastructural development and expense, or to have been planned at different historical phases, even to be a consideration. Using the chilly Cape Town seawater to help cool the building, for example. It’s doable in principle, and might be possible for other
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buildings at other times, but wasn’t in this particular instance. It might even seem like pie-in-the-sky stuff to talk about; but the fact is, now we are talking about it. The building’s pioneering cross-laminated timber (CLT) façade was, for the most part, locally produced, but a section of the exterior had to be imported. Although it makes use of the same timber as the rest of the façade, certain processes to make it insect-resistant simply were not available here. But the building has shown that CLT façades are possible here, and we know the timber is available, and if the idea catches on and more buildings use it, demand might become such that the necessary treatments will become viable on home turf. So, the sense of achievement that comes with realising a project like this is one thing, but the sense of possibility that a building like this inspires is even more exhilarating. There are things this building does on a corporate scale that now means they have become considerations for other corporate buildings in SA; whereas before, they weren’t. That – not the green star rating or the even the remarkable performance stats – is what it means to be a game changer.
Graham
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10 LEADINGARCHITECTURE & DESIGN APRIL/MAY 2021
CONTENTS
APRIL//MAY 2021
p30
FIRST DRAFT 10 THE BRIEF Editor’s note + READER GIVEAWAY
62 DRAWING BOARD What’s new in the world of architecture and design.
BLUEPRINT 14 THE RIDGE The Ridge, a highly innovative building for Deloitte at the V&A Waterfront, with architecture by StudioMAS and interiors by Paragon Interface, has received a 6-Star Design rating by the GBCSA.
ON SITE 34 GLASS & ALUMINIUM
22 SABLE CORNER
26 UNION SQUARE
30 BROOKLYN HOUSE
This striking curved glazed office building by dhk redefines the key gateway into Century City in Cape Town.
A former tower block in the Johannesburg CBD has been transformed into high-quality affordable housing by Savage + Dodd Architects.
This private residence for students and young professionals opposite the University of Pretoria campus, designed by Boogertman + Partners, combines classical ivy-league elegance with contemporary urban living.
The building’s history as a state-owned building of its time meant that Union Square had multiple lifts and separate toilets for racial segregation. This allowed a lot of possible common area usage for support functions within social housing. So, spatial transformation personified! Heather Dodd, Savage + Dodd Architects, Union Square [p26]
EDITORIAL EDITOR: Graham Wood email: graham.wood@newmedia.co.za SUB EDITOR: Anita van der Merwe LAYOUT & DESIGN: Julia van Schalkwyk PHOTOGRAPHY Unless previously agreed in writing, Leading Architecture & Design owns all rights to all contributions, whether image or text. SOURCES: Shutterstock, supplied images, editorial staff. COVER PHOTOGRAPH: Sarah De Pina ADVERTISING ADVERTISING EXECUTIVE: Johan van Heerden | Cell: 082 887 6627 email: johan.vanheerden@newmedia.co.za SUBSCRIPTIONS Felicity Garbers email: felicity.garbers@newmedia.co.za
For the ultimate in elegance and performance.
42 CEMENT AND CONCRETE New solutions in efficiency and sustainability, plus industry updates.
52 HEATING Fireplaces, HVAC, insulation and more.
74 FEATURED DESIGN Tim Harris, founder of Tim Harris Design, shares some design suggestions to help you make your workspace work for you.
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Green machine The Ridge, a highly innovative building for Deloitte at the V&A Waterfront, with architecture by StudioMAS and interiors by Paragon Interface, has received a 6-Star Design rating by the GBCSA. PHOTOGRAPHY SARAH DE PINA
The distinctive ‘pleated’ façade made from cross-laminated timber effectively reorientates the building to improve passive design while the zigzag edges break up the visual bulk of the structure.
14 LEADINGARCHITECTURE & DESIGN APRIL/MAY 2021
PRO J EC T # 1 TH E RI DG E
T
he Ridge, a new commercial building in the Portswood District of the V&A Waterfront for professional services firm Deloitte, is a groundbreaking project in sustainable design in South Africa. Many of the concepts, technologies and materials used in its design and construction are pioneering
instances of their use, particularly at the scale of this project and in a high-end commercial space. The design of The Ridge involved a close collaborative process, particularly between architects StudioMAS and consulting engineers Arup. In fact, they had begun working together on a proposal for another unrealised
project on a nearby site with the V&A Waterfront some years before with ambitions to be similarly sustainable, after which they began holding informal but regular sessions “with no scheme in mind … just brainstorming what would make a good building”, says lead architect Sean Mahoney.
When a request for proposal (RFP) was issued for The Ridge’s site, however, StudioMAS and Arup had already, as Mahoney says, been “chewing the fat on it for quite a while in different ways”. “We were fortunate in that we’d already started the thinking,” says Tessa Brunette, associate at Arup and lead engineering and façade consultant. They were able to apply some of the ideas they had been incubating into their proposal for The Ridge. The result is a design in which engineering and architecture are thoroughly integrated, having developed side by side from the earliest conceptual stages. Mahoney calls it “an incredibly rational design” while Brunette calls it “architecturally something truly wonderful”. The site, previously a parking lot, is rectangular and orientated on a ‘slight diagonal’ from the ideal north-south orientation. The site development plan was fixed, with the building having to fill the site. “We had to make decisions early on about how to improve the orientation of the building,” says Brunette. The solution was what has been variously called the faceted, zig-zag, serrated, saw-toothed or pleated façade, which, in effect, corrects the orientation of the building, ingeniously controlling the direct sunlight and regulating the temperature as the northsouth orientation would, while also opening up views that would otherwise have been obstructed. The design of the façade features extended ‘fins’ or contemporary crenulations along its top and bottom in a way that fragments the monolithic façade, breaking it up visually so that the bulk of the building is less imposing than it might otherwise have been, and creating interest within the rational engineered form.
Continued next page
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The façade, executed using cross-laminated timber (more of which later), gives the building its distinctive identity. The V&A Waterfront’s sustainable imperative informed every aspect of the design, and StudioMAS and Arup emphasise the importance of first principles. Apart from orientation, cooling is achieved with natural ventilation. On one level, this means something simple – when it’s too hot, you can open a window. The principle, however, extrapolated to a building this size, becomes highly complex. After calculating the depth of the floorplates necessary to maximise natural light and allow for cross-ventilation, StudioMAS and Arup arrived at a design defined by two wings separated by an internal atrium. Functionally, the atrium facilitates natural cross-ventilation, drawing air up and out of the building like a chimney. Large, drum-shaped light scoops above the atrium let natural light into the core of the building. Conceptually, the architects imagined the atrium as a central street running the length of the building. In terms of the interior design, by Paragon Interface, this arrangement allows for a central thoroughfare and central meeting area on the ground floor, which is accessible to the
PRO J EC T # 1 TH E RI DG E
public and is activated along its edges. As Brunette puts it, the atrium becomes “the heart of the building”. It allows relaxation areas, gathering points, and dining, and enables the flexible collaborative atmosphere characteristic of Deloitte’s corporate culture. “The whole idea is that it becomes like a street and a pavement where you circulate before you move into the more private spaces to work,” says Mahoney. Mahoney adds that the concept of the street also speaks to a larger urban plan that will unfold as the precinct develops, which opens connections between the V&A Waterfront and the Greenpoint, and which will ultimately contribute to creating a more integrated, connected city. Most immediately, as Paragon Interface director Claire D’Adorante points out, this is evident in the way that the coffee shop, which is accessible to passers-by via an external hatch, is already bringing life and activity to the building’s immediate surrounds. Those ‘first principles’ – the dimensions of the floor plates, the central atrium and the façade design – make it possible to control the temperature of the building, using only natural ventilation, for around 60 percent of the year, says Brunette, which is pioneering territory for a building of this scale
16 LEADINGARCHITECTURE & DESIGN APRIL/MAY 2021
– and with The Ridge’s blue-chip status – in South Africa. “South Africa has an amazing benign climate,” say Brunette. “We should be using natural ventilation as our default mode of operation.” Continued next page
The central atrium, which helps create the cross-ventilation necessary for the building's cooling system, is conceptualised as a ‘street’ running through the building, activated along its edges. Cylindrical light scoops flood the atrium with natural light.
www.siyazama.co.za
BLUEPRINT
To extend that to 82 percent, she points out another remarkable feature of the building – its thermally activated building system (TABS). TABS involves waterpipes cast into the building’s concrete floor slabs. “Those waterpipes circulate water kept at 19 degrees, which effectively provides radiant cooling,” Brunette explains. The remaining 18% of the year, when air-conditioning is required to regulate the temperature, a system that circulates via a raised access floor, rather than overhead ducting, has been used. “It was important for us that we also made the airconditioning design as passive or as low-energy as possible,” says Brunette. “The best way to do that is to use displacement.”
Cool air fills the space from the bottom up (where the people in the budling will experience its benefits most immediately). It also allows for improved flexibility in the internal fit-out, with fewer limitations affecting the office layout. A boosting system for localised areas, operated simply with easily accessible buttons, allows the building to activate a local portion of the system, further limiting energy usage. Another of The Ridge’s pioneering features is its use of cross-laminated timber on its façade. The aesthetic benefits are immediately apparent in the warmth, texture and attractive appearance it imparts to the building. It will weather and change, Mahoney says, which is extremely important to him from
Integrated multidisciplinary engineering
Arup’s collaborative first principles design is accelerating the transition towards net zero with a low-energy building that achieves an 82% reduction in carbon emissions and the first use of mass CLT timber in a commercial building in South Africa.
www.arup.com
18 LEADINGARCHITECTURE & DESIGN APRIL/MAY 2021
a design perspective – ultimately allowing the appearance of the building to improve with time. This natural alteration is also important in the way it communicates the building’s biophilic character in tune with its natural surrounds, climate and time itself. The simple carbon savings involved in the use of CLT are hugely significant. It is local, renewable and highly durable. (The thermally treated external cladding, albeit imported, comes with a 50-year guarantee.) Brunette also speaks of “dematerialisation” – the fact that CLT doesn’t require any cladding or additional finishes (or even insulation in this climate) reduces the demand for materials overall. Continued next page
In particular areas, such as the restaurant, suspended mesh ceilings are used to bring the appropriate scale without interfering with the TABS cooling system.
PRO J EC T # 1 TH E RI DG E
INTERIOR DESIGN
Above: Casual seating areas in the central atrium are centered on circular rugs which mirror the light scoops above them, but slightly offset.
The interior design of The Ridge was carried out by Paragon Interface, who also designed the interiors of Deloitte’s building in Waterfall, Johannesburg, which was featured in the April May 2020 edition of Leading Architecture & Design. Careful consideration has been given to the company’s brand colours, corporate identity and culture in the interiors of The Ridge, adapted to find unique expression in the very particular ‘architectural base’, engineered as it is for sustainability and energy efficiency. Deloitte’s agile approach is characterised by open floor plans (no cellular offices) and shared workspaces, which enables interaction, collaboration and social engagement. Paragon director Claire D’Adorante points out that this flexibility suits the way in which the building operates, which also prioritises flexibility and free movement, particularly in relation to the building’s users being able to exercise agency and seek out spaces suited to their subjective sense of comfort. This open arrangement is complemented with a variety of cellular and open-plan collaborative spaces, such as pods and other focus areas. D’Adorante particularly draws attention to the concept of the central atrium as a street, the edges of which are activated with a variety of workspaces, including client-facing meeting and training rooms, as well as social spaces, a restaurant, coffee shop and the like so that the concept functions optimally. The positioning of walkways and collaborative spaces around the atrium edge on the upper floors also activates the peripheries of the floor plates on the upper levels, and strategically placed transparent balustrades enhance lines of sight and communication. D’Adorante notes the degree to which The Ridge’s technical requirements drove elements of the interior aesthetic. The thermally activated building system (TABS), for example, required that the soffits remain uncovered to function effectively. Paragon’s response was to embrace the industrial aesthetic, and in many respects touch the base architecture lightly. The acoustic panels and lighting are suspended or ‘float’ within the larger volumes. Where ceilings are necessary to provide an appropriate sense of scale, mesh ceilings, which remain permeable, have been used. Much of this was planned in close consultation with architects and engineers. Beyond the functional elements, the aesthetics embrace expressive materials such as exposed brick to complement the timber panels and raw concrete. The facets, pyramids and triangulations created by the pleated façade design have been reprised as a motif throughout the interiors, such as the patterning used for the floor tiling and the zigzags and wedges of the acoustic baffles. Similarly, the circular shape of the light wells is reprised in design elements throughout the interior, including the dramatically offset circular mats below them in the atrium, but also including acoustic panels, graphics, and even circular furnishings such as tables and stools. Biophilic aspects of the building are enhanced with abundant interior planting. Ultimately, the interiors enhance the experience of the building, enabling its inhabitants to occupy it comfortably, and helping them to understand it. This approach simultaneously allows a rich corporate brand experience and enhanced corporate culture, while prompting the behaviours upon which the effective functioning of the building relies.
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PRO J EC T # 1 TH E RI DG E
Below: Circular motifs in the interior reference the circular light scoops in the central atrium. Right: The use of angular patterned timber in the interior is inspired by the faceted façade of the building.
An essential benefit of the use of CLT for a corporate project of this scale is market transformation – pioneering the possibilities of CLT in the local market and paving the way for the industry so that it becomes increasingly easy and efficient to use CLT in future. An unusual aspect of the building’s green credentials arose from the use of plastic waste as ecobricks inside the non-load-bearing concrete floor slabs in certain areas, to displace the use of conventional concrete or polystyrene ‘void formers’. This appears to have been a first for a global commercial building and achieves various sustainability goals. Perhaps one of the most interesting and challenging aspects of the building’s design, however, is the degree to which its ultimate success relies on its inhabitants’ behaviour: the extent to which
they interact with the building and understand it. While the building management system (BMS) might be responsible for controlling the windows in the light scoops and the blinds over the windows on the façade, a significant part of the cost and energy savings depends on whether the building’s inhabitants do indeed open them. (Lights linked to the BMS will prompt them to open and close the windows under certain conditions.) Brunette points out that the building is designed according to a metric of comfort, not specific predetermined temperatures. And comfort, she adds, is highly subjective. Simply put, different people find different conditions comfortable. To further complicate matters, Arup has data to show that people’s tolerance of temperature variations is much greater when they can
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independently open and close the windows, which is not the case in a sealed, air-conditioned building. As such, the system is designed, too, to be adaptive – to respond to individuals and allow them to find their comfort zones. “It’s about adaptive comfort, which really means that the people in the building have agency,” says Brunette. “And they make choices that influence their own environment, which allow them to be comfortable.” People’s willingness to open the windows, and be willing and
enabled to work in different areas at different times of day, according to the light or temperature, for example, or their individual sense of comfort – will affect the degree to which the building’s potential benefits are realised. Mahoney also points out that he gauges its success on something important but also intangible – the extent to which the building connects you to nature, creates awareness of the environment, climate and natural surroundings (albeit in a more comfortable environment).
PROFESSIONAL TEAM LANDLORD: V&A Waterfront TENANT: Deloitte ARCHITECTS: StudioMAS ENGINEERING TEAM: Arup PROJECT MANAGERS: Mace QUANTITY SURVEYORS: Smith & Co INTERIOR ARCHITECTS: Paragon Interface MAIN CONTRACTOR: GVK Siya Zama GEO-TECH ENGINEERS: Core Geotech LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS: Planning Partners ACOUSTICS: SRL ECO-BRICKS: V&A Waterfront
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Curve of the century This striking curved glazed office building by dhk redefines the key gateway into Century City in Cape Town. PHOTOGRAPHY ADAM LETCH
22 LEADINGARCHITECTURE & DESIGN APRIL/MAY 2021
PRO J EC T #2 SAB LE CO RN E R
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D
eveloped by Rabie Property Group and designed by dhk Architects, Sable Corner is a recently completed contemporary commercial development situated in thriving Bridgeways Precinct in Century City, Cape Town. The fourstorey building is characterised by two merged forms, a distinctive curvilinear glazed façade articulated with vertical aluminium fins and a contrasting formal solid painted face brick box structure. Forming an edge to Sable Road, a major road into Century City, the building boasts enviable views of Cape Town’s CBD, Table Mountain and Lion’s Head, and forms a striking gateway into the suburb. The client brief was to design a premium-grade four-storey commercial building with basement parking and potential ground-floor retail space that complemented the surrounding buildings, namely Sable Park, Axis and Bridge Park – also designed by dhk. Located at a key entranceway into Century City, and serving as the front face of both Bridgeways Precinct and the future Ratanga Precinct, the challenge was not only to design a landmark building and to take advantage of the desirable corner views but to maximise the potential rentable area of the island site’s unique shape. Functionally, the building needed to allow for flexible subdivisions for numerous potential tenants, both within the building and on the same floor. Derick Henstra, dhk executive chairman, says, “Responding to the opportunities and restraints of the site, the design required strong roadside frontage to the southwest and a more functional
and accessible podium back edge to the northeast. As a result, our team conceived a dual-facing building with two merged forms – a striking front-facing curvilinear glazed element contrasted with a formal punctured box structure. The shape of the building was not only intentionally designed to highlight the site’s unique shape but to maximise the floorplates and potential rentable area.” Facing Sable Road, the building’s distinctive curved glazed façade wraps around its corner location into Bridgeways Precinct and the future Ratanga Precinct. Not only does the curvilinear curtain wall serve as the central design feature of the building but it provides transparency, allowing for outward views across the city and overlooking the mountains. Complementing and drawing parallels with its neighbour, Sable Park, the glazed façade is articulated with robust vertical aluminium fins that extend past the roofline. Adjacent to this, a more functional, textured and punctured face brick box structure delineates the remainder of the Sable Road edge, designed to enable the curvilinear element to stand out. Below, the entire ground floor along Sable Road and atop the podium has been fitted out with glazed frontage and has the potential to serve as future retail space. To the northeast of the site is a more functional and accessible podium back. Here, the entrance lobby opens up to the visitor’s parking and pedestrian walkways to the wider Bridgeways Precinct. The solid boxed form is highlighted with grey painted face brick
Top left: The building’s distinctive curved glazed façade wraps around its corner location, not only serving as the central design feature of the building but also allowing for outward views across the city. Left: The solid boxed form of the podium back is highlighted with grey painted face brick panels contrasted with solid white Marmoran-finished brickwork elements and architectural glazed staircase.
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PRO J EC T #2 SAB LE CO RN E R
Far left: The entire ground floor along Sable Road and atop the podium has been fitted out with glazed frontage. Left: Common areas such as the lobbies are finished in Cape slate tiles and highlighted with timber-clad feature walls.
panels contrasted with solid white Marmoran-finished brickwork elements. An architectural glazed circulation staircase and lift lobby links the convex-shaped section of the building to a rectangular appendix, allowing for economical floorplate usage while contributing to the overall design quality of the building. Internally, the finishes are primarily reliant on future tenants and the common areas, such as the bathrooms and lobbies, are finished in Cape slate tiles and highlighted with timberclad feature walls that bring a definitive sense of warmth to the spaces. In the near future, views towards the northeast will include the redeveloped Ratanga Junction and will retain a strong focus on
water and soft landscaping. Fittingly, Sable Corner has been designed according to the environmentally sustainable principles of the remainder of the green Bridgeways Precinct. The external envelope has been designed to maximise occupants’ comfort while taking advantage of electrical energy savings by making the most of the duration of daylight and keeping lights off. Fuel-efficient parking bays have been provided, should tenants decide to incorporate their own green transport strategies, which are further enhanced by access to public transport and easily accessible local amenities. LED lighting has been installed throughout, saving on energy and maintenance costs, while external
lighting has been designed to avoid light pollution. In the near future, green spaces will be provided to create better water management in the rainy season and to manage water runoff. These aspects are integral for the targeted 4-Star Design and As-Built Green-Star Office SA v1.1 certification via the Green Building Council of South Africa. “Enjoying the advantages of Bridgeway Precinct, Sable Corner is within walking distance of the exceptional Century City Conference Centre, Century City Hotel and Century Square where restaurants and coffee shops spill out onto an open landscaped area, with Virgin Active and various apartments a few steps away,
completing the live-work-play vision of Century City,” says Colin Anderson, Rabie COO. “Linking the city with decentralised suburban areas, Century City has become the preferred home for many corporate headquarters, and Sable Corner is ideally designed for this purpose – a great commercial choice.”
Tel:+27 (0)12 348 1040 Email: info@za.rlb.com www.RLB.com
PROFESSIONAL TEAM CLIENT: Rabie Property Group ARCHITECT: dhk Architects (Executive Chairman - Derick Henstra; Project Architects – Brinley Pritchard and Sarah Tarr; Head of Technical Design – Steve Peters; Project Architectural Technicians – Servirou Jacobs and Wardah Razak) STRUCTURAL AND CIVIL ENGINEER: Aurecon MECHANICAL, WET SERVICES, LIFT AND FIRE ENGINEER: EKCON (Pty) Ltd. Consulting Engineers ELECTRICAL ENGINEER AND ELECTRONICS: QDP FAÇADE ENGINEER: LH Consulting Engineers QUANTITY SURVEYOR: RLB Pentad Quantity Surveyors GREEN STAR: PJC TOWN PLANNER AND LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT: Planning Partners CONTRACTOR AND TRAFFIC ENGINEER: WBHO ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTANT: Ecosense HEALTH AND SAFETY: Westcoast Safe Practice
Tel: +27 (0)21 913 2277 Cell: 082 789 2195 Email: christine@qdp.co.za www.qdp.co.za
Tel: +27 (0)21 526 9400 Email: connect@zutari.com www.zutari.com
Tel: +27 (0)21 930 9360 Email: ekcon@ekcon.co.za www.ekcon.co.za
Tel: +27 (0)21 532 5100 WBHO House, 9 Logan Way, Pinelands, 7405 Email: wbhocape@wbho.co.za www.wbho.co.za
dhk Architects Tel: +27 (0)21 421 6803 Email: hello@dhk.co.za www.dhk.co.za
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Adaptive reuse exemplified A former tower block in the Johannesburg CBD, which once housed Transnet’s offices, has been transformed into high-quality affordable housing by Savage + Dodd Architects. PHOTOGRAPHY SUPPLIED
U
nion Square is a 19-storey office building with three basements located at 80 Plein Street in Johannesburg’s CBD, opposite the Noord Street Taxi rank. It was built in 1969 for the Union Ground Corporation and served as Transnet’s offices for many years. After they moved to the Carlton Centre in 2000, the building stood vacant for some time before it was transferred to the Housing Development Agency (HDA), which was tasked with taking stock of state-owned property and buildings and allowing other government entities to re-develop them. Heather Dodd of Savage + Dodd Architects says she first visited the building when the Johannesburg Housing Company (JHC) was interested in buying it in 2009, although nothing came of its initial interest. Several years later, in 2014, the building was transferred to the Johannesburg Social Housing Company (Joshco). “We were placed on the Joshco panel in 2014 and then were allocated Union Square,” says Dodd. Union Square is well located in terms of proximity to public transport and to public open space, particularly Joubert Park. It is also close to amenities such as shops and schools, all of which
placed it well for residential use, particularly catering to the affordable inner-city rental market with potential to help fulfil Joshco’s mandate with the COJ to reach deeper down the housing affordability ladder. “The objective of the project was to provide decent, highquality, affordable and well-located housing units to individuals and families in alignment with the City of Johannesburg’s inner-city housing frameworks and urban regeneration strategies,” says Dodd. The project was funded by the City of Johannesburg (COJ) and Social Housing Regulatory Authority (SHRA) and aligned with the City of Johannesburg’s inner-city housing frameworks and urban regeneration strategies. The building had a typical narrow office wing width of 12m, with a north-south orientation, which made it ideal for conversion into residential units with double aspect. The floors from the first to the 19th floor each accommodate 18 residential units, with the inclusion of social amenities, and the ground floor was maintained as retail space. Continued next page
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PRO J EC T #3 U N IO N SQ UARE
Union Square's narrow office wing width of 12m, with a north-south orientation, made it ideal for conversion into residential units with double aspect.
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The residential units were designed to accommodate a diverse range of needs, including bachelor units (21m2), one- and two-beds units (32m2 and 46-48m2 respectively), as well as shared room clusters. The clusters consist of four rooms sharing two bathrooms and communal space (103m2 with single rooms ranging from 12-19m2). This arrangement allowed for a total for 344 units. This range of unit typologies allows a mix of family types, from singles to extended families, to be housed in a single building. In addition, the conversion includes a mix of quality
recreational, social and utility spaces that support residential life. The building’s history as a stateowned building of its time meant that Union Square had multiple lifts and separate toilets for racial segregation. “This allowed a lot of possible common area usage for support functions within social housing,” says Dodd. “So, spatial transformation personified!” Redundant areas in the building core that were formerly toilets servicing the offices and ducts spaces have been utilised to house wheelie bins for general refuse and recycling. Wet services,
plant rooms, cleaners’ toilets and storerooms are located off second stair. Others could be used for homework rooms, meeting rooms, laundry and community recreation areas. Washing lines were provided on the roof areas, as is a children’s playground with balustrading and fencing for safety. Specifications in terms of finishes, fittings and services are robust and considered from a lifecycle cost benefit, as well as future maintenance perspective. Alternative lightweight walling systems were used during construction. A number of sustainable features have been
incorporated in the provision of services such as increased energy and water efficiency through efficient hot water provision, lighting and taps. “A tall building conversion is not the same as a mid-rise,” says Dodd. “It is much more challenging.” She points out that the building’s proximity to Noord Street Taxi rank made construction logistics – getting material onto the site – difficult because there was nowhere to lay down materials and equipment, so deliveries had to take place largely at night and materials had to be distributed by hoist. Rubble removal also had to take place at night. “Complex community issues had to be continually negotiated,” says Dodd. Further difficulties arose with the termination of the first contractor – the project lying dormant for 18 months – as well as damage and theft during that period which impacted on the overall final project costs. “Joshco had to re-tender the project and we got on site again in 2018,” says Dodd.
Washing lines were provided on the roof areas, as is a children’s playground with balustrading and fencing for safety.
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PRO J EC T #3 U N IO N SQ UARE
Above: The entrance lobby at Union Square. Below: The conversion includes a mix of quality recreational, social and utility spaces that support residential life.
Further complications arose from disagreements over the interpretation of the Public Finance Management Act, in relation to the allocation of a percentage of the contract value to SMME's and local businesses. A component of the project also catered for on site training of locally identified individuals in specified trades. “There were numerous setbacks to the construction process, including some additional scope to the façade, which delayed the handover date,” says Dodd, adding that the Covid-19 pandemic caused further delays. Practical completion was certified in December 2020, and final completion was certified in January of this year. The final project provides a home for over 600 people. “It has singularly been one of the most challenging projects of my career,” says Dodd.
Nevertheless, Union Square demonstrates how the adaptive re-use of abandoned and underitilised building assets can successfully contribute to a sustainable city. PROFESSIONAL TEAM CLIENT: JOSHCO ARCHITECT: Savage + Dodd Architects QUANTITY SURVEYOR: Theba Consultants WET SERVICES ENGINEER: Design One Consulting Engineers FIRE ENGINEER: Design One Consulting Engineers ELECTRICAL ENGINEERS: Risimati Consulting Engineers MECHANICAL ENGINEERS: Risimati Consulting Engineers MAIN CONTRACTOR: Raubex
+27 (0)11 782 8188 www.savagedodd.co.za
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Left: The landscaping on the sidewalk towards the parking entrance of Brooklyn House adds to the public domain while the public staircase leading to the podium-top restaurant is accessible to the public. Below: The façade combines classical references with clean, modular, geometric blocks, expressing associations with the formality of ivy-league institutions, as well as the heritage of modernist landmarks on the university campus opposite.
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PROJECT #4 BROOKLYN HOUSE A restaurant and convenience store, accessible to the public, top the plinth above the parking podium, providing a sense of activity and integration with the building's urban context.
Old school new school This private residence for students and young professionals opposite the University of Pretoria campus, designed by Boogertman + Partners, combines classical ivy-league elegance with contemporary urban living. PHOTOGRAPHY: TRISTAN MCLAREN
B
rooklyn House is the first phase of a multi-phase university residence development opposite the University of Pretoria (UP) on Lynwood Road. The planned development, called University Square, will consist of four residential buildings, each with its own distinct identity, in a villagetype concept that will include conveniences such as shopping outlets, restaurants, bars, a gym and a hotel. Although University Square will cater largely to university students, and is well positioned in proximity to the university campus, it will also be available to lecturers and young professionals.
The precinct will cover the area from the busy Lynwood Road along its northern edge to Brook Street on the southern side. While on Lynwood Road Brooklyn House has a six-storey-high public-facing presence, the whole development is designed to taper sensitively down to a three-storey residential scale, stepping down and fragmenting to become porous and respond more appropriately to the suburban context along Brook Street. Aesthetically, Brooklyn House makes a bold statement, differentiating itself from the more brightly coloured, playful and informal approach to student accommodation that has become prevalent. Referencing
the architectural conventions associated with the elite US ivyleague universities, Brooklyn House communicates a more formal and aspirational attitude to education and educational facilities. Without devolving into a merely imitative or stylistic approach, Brooklyn House incorporates classical references, but executes them in a distinctly contemporary manner. While key elements on the main façade feature brickwork and arches, they’re executed in a combination of black and titanium grey bricks, with matching mortar, thus expressing timeless principles in up-to-the-minute materials. In addition, the classical detailing has been combined
with modernist-inspired clean, modular, geometric blocks, which not only contrast with the bonded brickwork, but also respond to the modernist architectural landmarks on the UP campus. As such, the design speaks to both a local and global educational context, and communicates a sense of continuity between past, present and future, which complements certain timeless principles of education itself. Other detailing, such as the suspended, art-deco inflected signage in black and brass, add to the character of the building, further melding classicism and modernity. Continued next page
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Efficiencies created in the yield of the site – ingeniously increasing the yield from the original 110 beds anticipated by the client to 199 by creating a new floor plate and the inclusion of some units with shared kitchens – has ensured that considered design and quality finishes predominate throughout the building. Not only have individual rooms been thoughtfully positioned to maximise views, but wide corridors running from end to end on each level ensure abundant natural light, views and a premium sense of space. The courtyard typology ensures
PROJECT #4 BROOKLYN HOUSE
open-air shared communal space with seating and tables for residents on the podium level. Additional shared facilities include a rooftop gym and swimming pool, an outdoor cinema and braai areas. These shared facilities paradoxically represent potential savings for residents, as the building negates the need for external service providers, such as gym memberships. Occupying a prominent position close to the university entrance, and joining catalytic recent developments such as the nearby The Javett Art Centre at the
University of Pretoria (Javett-UP), Brooklyn House also addresses the question of how it should connect with its urban context in a pioneering manner. Its urban design component aims to facilitate an integrated and accessible urban experience, well connected with its campus and surrounds. While the building is set on a plinth raised above two parking levels – so it does not address the public realm on street level – it is nevertheless unique in that it includes a restaurant and a convenience store, which are directly accessible to the public via an open
On the rooftop, communal facilities include a swimming pool, as well as a gym, outdoor cinema and braai areas
Below left: Considered design and quality finishes characterise the residential units. Below: The juxtaposition of classical and modernist architectural references characterises the courtyard façades, as well.
staircase from the sidewalk level. A planned pedestrian bridge crossing the busy arterial road onto the campus will make the building easily and conveniently accessible to all students with entry to the campus. High-tech access control with facial and mask recognition will ensure security of the residents. Knitting Brooklyn House, and by extension University Square, into the campus in this way will not only create an energetic extension that feeds positively into the life of the campus, but will also ensure that the development itself will be energised by the rhythms of campus life. The inclusion of shared public space via the restaurant, and also the shared communal spaces, recreational and leisure facilities, allows the building to maintain a level of activity, a sense of vitality and social buzz crucial to the success of the communal life in the building. As such, it also engenders the atmosphere, sense of identity and shared purpose in synergy with campus life and the development’s more formal, aspirational approach.
PROFESSIONAL TEAM DEVELOPER: Mile Investments ARCHITECTS: Boogertman + Partners LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS: Boogertman + Partners INTERIORS: Boogertman + Partners STRUCTURAL ENGINEERS: KLS Consulting CIVIL ENGINEERS: KLS Consulting MECHANICAL ENGINEERS: Plantech ELECTRICAL ENGINEERS: KLS Consulting WET SERVICES ENGINEERS: CKR QUANTITY SURVEYOR: DelQS FIRE ENGINEERS: TDW International
Civil, Structural and Electrical Engineers Tel: +27 (0)21 948 0900 Email: admin@kls.co.za www.kls.co.za
32 LEADINGARCHITECTURE & DESIGN APRIL/MAY 2021
T H I S
I S
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This is neo. D-Neo is a bathroom revolution: great design at an attractive price. The complete bathroom series by the Belgian designer Bertrand Lejoly with ceramics in a wide range of models, high-quality furniture, a variety of bathtub options and matching faucets inspire the joy of design. Visit our showroom at 30 Archimedes Street, Kramerville, Sandton, phone 011 555 1220, info@za.duravit.com. www.duravit.com
D-Neo
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CHOOSE ALUMINIUM
G L ASS & ALU M I N I U M A good-looking front door is an essential aesthetic component of your home. “A front door speaks volumes about what lies beyond, so it is important to select one that complements your home’s architectural and interior style,” says John Lamb, Category Manager for Kenzo at leading windows and doors supplier Swartland. “However, functionality needs to be considered as well.” Lamb notes that aluminium front doors – such as those from Swartland’s Kenzo range – not only complement both contemporary and traditional homes, but also have other practical benefits. STRENGTH “Aluminium is a composite material – strong, yet lightweight,” says Lamb. “As such, an aluminium front door can feature larger glazing elements to let in maximum light, while not compromising on security.”
STYLE “Doors in the Kenzo range are available in styles that complement modern and traditional architectural design, and can be used in several applications, including as front doors, balcony doors, office doors and even internal doors,” he says. For extra customisation, you can equip an aluminium door with toplights (glass panels at the top) and/or sidelights (glass panels on the sides). DURABILITY Aluminium doors are incredibly durable, says Lamb. “Aluminium doesn’t experience contraction or expansion, so your front door won’t warp or crack, no matter what the climate,” he says. “Aluminium is also naturally resistant to corrosion, which means they are a good option for coastal areas.” EASE OF MAINTENANCE Aluminium doors and windows require minimum maintenance. “Aluminium doors come with a durable, aesthetically pleasing powder-coated finish,” says Lamb. “Kenzo products won’t fade or discolour when exposed to the elements.” AFFORDABILITY Aluminium doors are a comparatively inexpensive option, largely as a result of the wide availability of the material, and the fact that it is easy to recycle. Ease of maintenance also adds to their affordability. INCREASED COMFORT Passive design methods such as double glazing not only help reduce energy consumption, save money and reduce environmental impact, but also improve indoor comfort levels. Kenzo gives customers the option of double glazing their doors and windows. www.swartland.co.za
34 LEADINGARCHITECTURE & DESIGN APRIL/MAY 2021
MODERN DESIGN. MADE THE OLD-FASHIONED WAY. At Swartland, we only know one way to make doors and windows, and that’s to last. Our Kenzo range is built from strong, lightweight aluminium-alloy frames allowing for expansive walls of light, space and seamless integration with nature. Kenzo windows and doors require very little maintenance and never need to be painted – the perfect combination of durability and affordability. All products are SANS 613 certified and compliant. Call us on 086 110 2425 or visit kenzoaluminium.co.za for more info.
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G L ASS & ALU M I N I U M
TAYLOR DOESN’T FOCUS ON EITHER HALF OF THE GLASS – WE COVER THE WHOLE LOT Taylor’s new smart MOTION technology is the height of convenience and in a class of its own. These motorised blind systems have been artfully engineered so you can live smarter inside your already smart home. These systems are fully operational with a push of a button, which means you can forget about working harder; you don’t even need to work at all. Think of it like a dry run for your retirement. With this invention, your roller blinds can be automated and motorised to open and close at the pull of a cord, the click of a remote button, and even from the sound of your voice. So, whether you’re a homebody or rarely find yourself at home, use this product at leisure with our MOTION smartphone app. The MOTION range is available in roller, double roller, venetian, honeycomb, pleated and roman blinds. Regardless of what shape the glass comes
in, we can pour the Taylor material over it. HOW DOES SMARTS WITH STYLE SOUND? We hear that many people perform at their best when distracting noise is eliminated. But add just a dash of echo and an ambient noise refrain, and the productivity begins to take a dive. Our roller blind fabric is made from a soft textile that cushions harsh sounds (goodbye neighbour with a talking parrot) and tunes the acoustics to a comfortable listening level (hello peace and tranquillity). This is the ideal product for those who continue to work from home and for those who no longer want to feel like they are working in a fishbowl. SAVE IT FOR A RAINY DAY, A WINDY DAY, OR EVEN A BLISTERING HOT DAY While outside the temperatures may reach scorching highs, there’s no reason why your indoor space cannot feel as cool as the cucumber drink in your hand.
36 LEADINGARCHITECTURE & DESIGN APRIL/MAY 2021
Windows are a key player in how much heat is transmitted into your home, so why not choose the best possible option for your window coverings? The Taylor fabric is breathable and will save you on both cooling and heating costs, depending on your spatial desire. BLINK NOW, BECAUSE YOU WON’T WANT TO MISS THIS We know that visual comfort is an integral part in living and working well. Taylor’s product selection produces optimal light conditions through glare control,
view-through and daylighting. In fact, the only squinting we ever recommend is from our competitors. MOTION CAN KEEP GOING EVEN AFTER THE POWER CUTS OUT If you fancy a MOTION motorised product, but worry about the realities of power cuts, Taylor’s MOTION blind technology will continue to work if your home’s WiFi works. This all depends on how your house is configured. Alternatively, you can always choose the battery-only option. www.taylorblinds.co.za
E GLOBAL FAVOURITE IN WINDOW DECORATION
E GLOBAL FAVOURITE IN WINDOW DECORATION
TAYLOR’S MOTION BLINDS: FOR WHEN THE LIGHTS ARE ON, BUT NO ONE’S HOME. With Taylor’s MOTION Blinds you can activate your blinds from your couch, your cell phone, or even while out on your daily commute. MOTION window coverings can be seamlessly integrated into existing smart homes, or they can be the first step towards a smarter home. And as an added feature, these cable-free blinds can easily connect with other smart home applications too. Open your mind to added convenience, safety and an energy-saving way of living with Taylor’s MOTION Blinds. TAYLOR MOTION BLINDS
0861-1-TAYLOR (829567) www.taylorblinds.co.za
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REYNAERS ALUMINIUM SOUTH AFRICA BRINGS SUPERIOR PERFORMANCE LEVELS TO RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS
G L ASS & ALU M I N I U M
Reynaers Aluminium South Africa, leading European provider of sustainable architectural aluminium fenestration solutions, offers a range of sliding door and window solutions in a residential building market that has been yearning for higher levels of elegance and performance at affordable prices. This opens doors to substantially more creative design and performance combinations to a much broader customer base. UNRIVALLED PERFORMANCE Reynaers’ highly insulated windows, sliding systems and doors offer an attractive, elegant appearance, flowing form and very light profiles. In addition to these attributes, the systems meet the highest quality standards, yet provide a reasonable pricequality ratio. This allows architects the freedom to access significantly higher values in temperature, wind, noise/acoustic and water sealing and insulation in a market that has not valued these benefits before. In addition, Reynaers offers a minimum 10-year system guarantee. BURGLAR-PROOF SOLUTIONS THAT COMPLEMENT DESIGN Through its advanced aluminium technology, Reynaers’ systems bring much greater transparency and light into buildings by facilitating larger open spaces and glazed surfaces, in addition to offering high levels of security performance, using its sleek profiles. Aluminium windows and doors are resistant to burglary because of the extreme stability and resistance to deformation of the base material. Reynaers provides a choice of burglar resistance levels that, in combination with safety glass and special glazing
38 LEADINGARCHITECTURE & DESIGN APRIL/MAY 2021
beads, make it almost impossible for thieves to penetrate. Watch the burglar-resistance testing video, performed on a CF 77 folding system. TRUE SUSTAINABILITY Sustainability is at the core of Reynaers Aluminium, conscious that a sustainable building is not just the simple adding together of sustainable products to form a building. Rather, it refers to both a structure and the use of processes that are environmentally responsible and resource-efficient throughout a building’s life-cycle: from siting to design, construction, operation, maintenance, renovation and demolition. On building level, Reynaers focuses on: • Contribution to LEED and BREEAM certificates • Building impact evaluation • Reynaers EPDs in evaluation databases (One Click LCA) • B-EPD in Totem tool • Suited for circular buildings • Designed for adjustability and replacement • Reversible building connections • End-of-life recycling • Long lifespan, low maintenance • High-quality surface treatment: powder coating or anodisation, offering up to 20 years’ guarantee • Long lifetime: not affected by UV rays or moisture, no corrosion or rot. Reynaers Aluminium South Africa aspires to increase the value of buildings and enhance the living and working of people in South Africa by bringing superior performance levels to the residential building market and encouraging top architects to collaborate with us on challenging architectural projects. www.reynaers.co.za
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G L ASS & ALU M I N I U M
SAFAL STEEL IS THE SOLE PRODUCER OF ALUMINIUM-ZINC COATED STEEL IN SOUTHERN AFRICA
For over a decade, Safal Steel has led the way in making aluminium-zinc coated steel to world-class standards in Southern Africa. Its metallic coated steel is sold as Zincal®. Factory colour-coated Zincal® is sold as Colorplus® in the option of a gloss, matt or textured finish. PRODUCTS THAT ARE BUILDING AFRICA WITH PRIDE • Its metallic coating alloy is a world leader: Safal Steel uses a metal coating alloy of aluminium-zinc, which is one of the most widely used coatings worldwide to deliver long service life to the underlying steel core. • Its colour-coated steel finishes offer the widest aesthetic range in Africa: Technically sophisticated finishes are applied to the Zincal® base, baked on in factory-controlled conditions to provide lasting beauty and freshness. Colour-coated Zincal® is sold
as Colorplus® or Optima®. • Colorplus® is available in standard gloss, a sophisticated matt finish, or an earthy-looking textured finish. A feast of aesthetic options are available for architects and building owners. INNOVATIONS THAT LEAD THE WAY With the in-depth understanding of the Southern Africa climatic challenges, specialist metal and colour coatings have been produced to perform in most of the local environmental conditions. • Safal Steel is one of very few coated steel manufacturers worldwide to produce a metal coating in 200-micron thickness. The coating depth provides exceptional corrosion resistance and can be used within 100-400m of breaking surf or water, and for extreme industrial applications that could not otherwise use coated steel.
The material also has worldleading ‘formability’, which ensures a crisp clean profile for the cladding, ensuring lasting investment value. ZINCAL® AZ 200 is available on special request from Safal Steel. • In collaboration with European experts, Safal Steel’s colour coatings are developed and locally tested to withstand the high UV/radiation/humidity we experience in Southern Africa. At the top of the spec, PVDF paint systems withstand extreme corrosive
onslaught, even fumes in fertilizer plants – another first for SA. • Since initial production in 2010, Safal Steel began field testing its products. Ten years later, test results are continuously exceeding performance expectations. • And its steel, installed on various sites across the country, is also proof that Safal Steel coated steel is performing brilliantly more than 10 years down the road, and will continue to perform for decades to come. www.safalsteel.com
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G L ASS & ALU M I N I U M
INTRODUCING PHOENIX BULLETBLOK Phoenix Fenestration & Glass manufactures high-performing transparent materials that are used extensively in military, security, mining, commercial and residential sectors. The field of glass technology is constantly and rapidly evolving, making it one of the most sophisticated building materials and keeping it at the forefront of providing enhanced safety, security, energy efficiency, sound reduction, insulation and aesthetic solutions. Phoenix Fenestration & Glass interacts with engineers and professional teams at the conception stage of projects and are renowned for their ability to provide our clients with tangible results. One of Phoenix Fenestration & Glass’s areas of specialisation is the manufacturing of ballistic and anti-intrusion products, which are frequently specified to bolster the security of homes and townhouse complexes with guardhouses, and are capable of resisting armed attacks and hijackings. Phoenix BulletBlok’s line of bullet-resistant glass has been designed and engineered using the latest technology, drawing on
experience gleaned from many years in the industry. This range makes use of all-glass assemblies, which are heavier and thicker than more technically advanced composite bullet-resistant glass, but offer cost-saving benefits. This range uses the same bonding process as composite bullet-resistant glass, but without the use of the sophisticated interlayers to provide superior protection.
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ADVANTAGES OF ALL GLASS BRG VS COMPOSITE BRG • Least expensive type of bullet-resistant glass • Suitable for indoor and outdoor use • Durable and scratch resistant • 99% UV resistant • Fewer size restrictions. DISADVANTAGES OF ALL GLASS BRG VS COMPOSITE BRG • Because it is glass, the shards tend to sheer PVB, which can ultimately compromise the integrity
of the product and does not provide adequate protection against a dedicated attack • Weight and thickness may require special structural considerations and/or restrictions. APPLICATIONS • Armoured vehicles (Military/Cash in Transit) • Embassies • Consulates • Banks • Kiosks • High crime areas • Guardhouses and panic rooms.
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CE M E NT & CO N CRETE
INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS FOR CONCRETE PROBLEMS A.Shak Construction Chemicals is a specialist division of A.Shak (Pty) Ltd. They offer a quality basket of products direct to the South African Construction Industry, such as PlasterKey. This universal water-based bonding agent has been designed specifically to bond sand/ cement plaster and gypsum plaster to smooth surfaces. The benefits of using PlasterKey include improving the non-structural bond of cement and gypsum plasters. Smooth surfaces do not need to be chipped prior to application. It adheres to sound PVA surfaces. It is easy to use. It saves time
and, by implication, money! This philosophy drives A.Shak Construction Chemicals to constantly improve and refine products that can be used with absolute confidence and guaranteed result. A.Shak’s national footprint adds real value via impressive solutions-based products, such as Release Oils for most, if not all, requirements, cementitious and epoxy products, a host of reliable and easy-to-use waterproofing products, and specialist grouts. Established in 1958, A.Shak started off by supplying only Shutter Release oil to Construction Companies and Precast Concrete
CREATIVE CONCRETE SOLUTIONS
• • • •
Bonding Agents Chemical Anchors Concrete Bonding Concrete Crack Repairs
manufacturers. Singlemindedly driven by quality, the company became known for its expertise in the field, excellent service and reliable products. As the product range and proven quality penetrated the market, demand by smaller contractors increased. Requests for some of the products were logged at builder’s merchants and hardware stores and this
• • • •
Concrete Floor Hardeners Concrete Floor Repairs Concrete Repair Mortars Curing Compounds
• • • •
moved A.Shak into the retail and DIY market. Today, this has become an integral part of the company’s expansion strategy. The team at A.Shak Construction Chemicals pride themselves on being innovative and responsive to the needs of their customers, ensuring quality products and valueadding customer support. www.ashak.co.za
Epoxy Adhesives Epoxy Grout Floor Coatings Joint Sealants
• • • •
Non Shrink Grouts Pre Cast Repairs Wall Coatings Water Proofing
XXXX A.Shak Constr 1/2PG LAD APRIL/May’21
... WHEN QUALITY MATTERS!
Developing and producing world-class products for YOU Since 1958! • Tel: + 27 11 822 2320 • Fax: + 27 11 822 2354 • e-mail: cindy@ashak.co.za
42 LEADINGARCHITECTURE & DESIGN APRIL/MAY 2021
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Bryan Perrie, CEO of Cement & Concrete SA
CE M E NT & CO N CRETE
CEMENT & CONCRETE SA ESTABLISHED TO DRIVE THE INDUSTRY TO NEW HEIGHTS
Cement & Concrete SA (CCSA) has announced that the new consolidated industry body is open for business and is set to take the lead on all matters relating to cement and concrete in South Africa. The single non-profit entity, CCSA, was established through an extensive and thorough process of engagement with various stakeholders to consolidate The Concrete Institute (TCI), Concrete Society of Southern Africa (CSSA) and the Association of Cementitious Material Producers (ACMP). The body will create long-term shared value and industry growth in South Africa through driving collaboration, skills development, innovation, and the highest standards in sustainable cement and concrete materials and products. Bryan Perrie, CEO of Cement & Concrete SA, states that CCSA has been mandated to promote and support the industry, to drive growth and deliver shared value through a unified platform for cement and concrete. “At a time where many conflicting and ambiguous messages are shared readily on various platforms, and with the proliferation of substandard products and services, the need for authoritative engagement with all stakeholders is critical,” Perrie adds. A new and inclusive membership model will make the portfolio of services offered by CCSA available to individuals or corporates, either for free or at members’ discounted rates. These services include courses presented by the School of Concrete Technology, access to the Information Centre, attendance at technical events and webinars, publications, and hyperlinked listings on various electronic sources, to name a few. CCSA, through its members, will create the opportunity to build a healthier future through a network of influencers. Working with industry role players to develop the value propositions of cement and concrete is one of the identified objectives of CCSA. Other goals include: to promote the value creation story of the cement and concrete industry in South Africa, supporting research as a means of increasing the ongoing expertise base, and the promotion of industry standards and audit compliance among members and industry role players. On a more practical level, CCSA will grow industry expertise and build capacity by developing and offering courses, seminars and training materials. The provision of information, research, advisory and on-site technical consulting services will be another service offering available to members. CCSA’s dedicated focus on committees will ensure that all relevant areas are addressed with expertise through consultation. The committee structures will empower members to guide and shape many of the services. The branch committees of the erstwhile Concrete Society of SA will be retained to ensure that CCSA will have concrete ambassadors in various regions. “We are excited about the future of the cement and concrete industry in SA. The staff of CCSA are ready to discuss membership options and benefits. We are poised to add value and unlock opportunities for all members, and the industry at large,” Perrie concludes. www.cemcon-sa.org.za
44 LEADINGARCHITECTURE & DESIGN APRIL/MAY 2021
A.B.E. FINISHING PLASTER FOR SILKY SMOOTH INTERIOR SURFACES a.b.e. Construction Chemicals’ duralite is proving extremely popular as a combined base coat and finishing plaster for internal surfaces of both upmarket commercial projects and home improvements. a.b.e. is part of the Chryso Southern Africa Group. Only clean water needs to be added to duralite powder to make the multi-purpose, lightweight and high-strength finishing plaster that produces highly polished smooth, brush or textured finishes. Consisting of formulated calcium sulphate hemihydrate (commonly known as ‘plaster of paris’), duralite can be applied on brickwork, concrete blocks, dry walling, ceiling boards and as a finishing coat over sand-cement renderings. Plasterers will find the mixing and application of duralite a simple task. After a short soaking period, the lumpfree smooth paste can be applied to clean surfaces on which water has been sprinkled. duralite finishing plaster is then applied with a steel or rubber-faced float during three simple steps, culminating in attractive, smooth and polished surfaces. The pot life of the mixed plaster is up to 70 minutes, and the final setting time of the surfaces ranges between 75 to 130 minutes. Typical drying time on board is 2.5 to 3.5 hours. duralite covers 24m2 in 3mm thickness, 13m2 in 6mm thickness, and 8m2 when applied in 10mm thickness. The product has already enhanced the walls and ceilings of projects that include a college campus in Centurion, a luxury hotel in Rosebank, an office block in Sandton, a luxury Hyde Park townhouse complex, as well as an upmarket residential property in Meyersdal. “Attractive plaster finishes are often major factors in the appearance of interiors, and can also influence the value of properties – both commercial and residential. The smaller particles used in the duralite formulation assist the applicator to cover more square metres per bag with a smoother final finish than conventionally achieved. The product has also been classified SANS 10177 – 5: A (non-combustible),” Elrene Smuts, Chryso SA Group Communications Manager, states. www.abe.co.za
Find our branches at www.technicrete.co.za
p a v i n g | m i ni n g | m a sonr y
| ker b
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|r e ta in i ng wa ll s |d ra
SUITABLE FOR: • Construction of heavy duty areas • Industrial sites | Roadways | Depots • Various commercial applications • Variety of colours • Various thickness’ • Standard 48 blocks p/m2
AVAILABLE IN: • Variety of colours • Various thickness’ • Standard 48 blocks p/m2
Technicrete is a subsidiary of ISG, a leading supplier of innovative infrastructure products to the construction and mining markets in Southern Africa.
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AFRISAM KEEPS THE PLANET FRONT OF MIND Having met the requirements of South Africa’s environmental regulations, AfriSam is proudly moving beyond compliance toward a more sustainable future. As the first cement manufacturer in southern Africa to publish an environmental policy – as early as 1994 – environmental concerns are a central mandate for the management team, according to Nivashni Govender, environmental specialist at AfriSam. “We consider ourselves leaders in the field within the cement and construction materials sector, as it has been our focus since the early 1990s,” says Govender. “This highlights that, with government regulation becoming steadily more stringent, AfriSam has now identified that four of the 10 most high-risk Acts governing the company’s compliance relate to the environment.” These four Acts – the National Environmental Management Act (NEMA), the National Water Act, the National Environmental Management Air Quality Act and the National Environmental Management Waste Act – have provided the framework
against which AfriSam has been continuously improving its environment-related performance, she says. MANAGING WATER Water is a key focus for the company across its cement, readymix and aggregate divisions, she highlights. At the cement operations, considerable water volumes are required for dust suppression and other purposes – so rainwater is collected and stored in sumps, as well as in the mining areas. This is used to meet many of the plant requirements, to the extent that the Ulco plant near Barkly West in the Northern Cape does not rely on municipal water supply. Drawing a limited volume from the Vaal River, the operation treats water for its own use, including potable water, thus reducing reliance on the already stressed municipal system. At the readymix operations, water is extensively reused and recycled. Water used to clean out and wash concrete residue from the inside of concrete mixer drums after product is delivered, is channelled and stored in lined settlement facilities, and is then reused in the batching process of making concrete.
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EMISSIONS As part of the global effort to reduce carbon emissions and put the brakes on climate change, AfriSam has taken a number of approaches over the past 20 years to reduce its carbon footprint. These range from the development of composite (or extended) cements to ongoing energy-efficiency initiatives at its cement plants. The company has for many years been a leader – along with other local industry players – in the development of composite cements. These cements contain not only clinker but other cementitious materials, such as fly ash from power stations and ground granulated blast-furnace slag (GGBS) from steel-making plants. The scientific usage of these products into AfriSam’s cement significantly enhances the performance of the resulting concrete, without compromising on quality. CONTROLLING DUST Concern with air quality extends beyond point source emissions from stacks to the management of fugitive dust created at the company’s operations. In the cement and aggregate quarries, dust fallout monitoring has been conducted for many years. Levels of dust fallout are checked on a monthly basis, and can now be usefully analysed and trended to better understand how levels change according to the seasons and onsite activities.
Dust fallout monitoring is not legally required at readymix sites currently, but AfriSam conducts this proactive monitoring nonetheless, with a particular focus on determining the potential environmental effects the operations may have on surrounding areas. LESS WASTE Govender emphasises that the company has established more aggressive recycling targets for this year, encouraging all operations to increase their reuse and recycling of general waste, thereby reducing the amount of waste destined for landfill. “At the readymix sites, for instance, unused concrete that is returned from construction sites is taken to the nearest AfriSam quarry to be re-crushed and re-used at a later stage,” she says. “This recycled aggregate and crushed cementitious material can then – in consultation with the customer – be used to augment aggregate orders.” In terms of AfriSam’s 2021 roadmap, all company operations are steadily rehabilitating a portion of their disturbed footprint – part of an overall effort to reintroduce biodiversity to mined out areas and return these areas to a self-sustaining landform. “Environmental stewardship is today an integral part of any responsible business,” says Govender. www.afrisam.com
100% COMMITMENT. ZERO ROOM FOR ERROR. 1 QUALITY CEMENT. WHAT GOES INTO IT MATTERS.
ASKFORAFRISAM ASK AFRISAM Our High Strength Cement is engineered for specialist applications that require high early strength. Its durability, strength and workability make it the best choice. Because superior quality means you’ll be working with a cement as dedicated to delivering a successful build as you are. Ask for AfriSam. *Product specification dependent on area.
www.afrisam.com
Creating Concrete Possibilities
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PPC AND CHC-SA PRIMX JOINTLESS FLOORING PROPELLING SA CONSTRUCTION FORWARD Focused on providing the market with quality materials and solutions that are 100% local, PPC and CHC-SA PrimX Jointless Flooring partnership has become an example of what the future of construction promises to bring to South Africa. With the global pandemic having shown the value that comes with flexibility and innovation to solutions, this partnership raises the design and execution methods of concrete floors. Traditional concrete floor specifications will require a standard 30MPa mix supplied daily by a ready-mix plant without any specific effort to address shrinkage. This method is limited to 4,5x4,5m saw cuts or 30x30m (900m2) Steel Fibre Reinforced jointless panels. Depending on the load requirements (e 75KNbtb 150 KN), a slab of 180mm could be constructed. If shrinkage is not addressed, 100m of joints begin to open within months of casting and begin to curl, eventually leaving severe joint damage. Clients begin to carry huge maintenance costs to repair the 100s of joints and damaged equipment while making an effort to manage the hazard this becomes in the workplace. Armed with the knowledge that traditional concrete cracks and curling were a result of the drying due to shrinkage, the partnership between PPC and CHC-SA PrimX Jointless Flooring optimises the concrete mix for improved shrinkage
integral part of our business. Having invested 128 years into the research and development of our materials, the science behind the development and innovation of our materials has been developed to position us as a catalyst that strengthens the capabilities of the sector,” explains Dave Miles, Business Unit Head, PPC Materials. As a customer-focused business, PPC continues to create a team that is empowered to pioneer new ways of doing business. This includes understanding and facilitating the outcomes and ambitions of the contractor, who is determined to be competitive through the inclusion of world-class technology into the construction process. With South Africa’s construction environment being about 30 years behind global developments, the partnership between PPC and CHC-SA PrimX Jointless Flooring propels South
of special additives, careful mix optimisation and quality control throughout the whole production process to ensure a predictable standard for PrimX. Finding a partner who was able to obtain a quality washed crushed sand, as well as washed natural river sand filler, was key for our success in South Africa and on the African continent,” explains Brett Meadway, PrimX Technical Sales Manager. “We are uncompromising on the quality, strength and density of the concrete we must receive throughout the project. With testing taking place from supply to final product, we have created an ecosystem that is driven by a commitment to ensuring our product guarantee is achieved. “Limited only by day joints, our solution saves 100s of meters of joint damage, allowing for a load requirement of 75 kN btb 150 kN on a 90mm lab. With no additional reinforcement with mesh, construction time for the same
controlled-shrinkage PrimX floors which, when cast flat, stays flat for its lifetime,” continues Meadway. At the forefront of this partnership is a labour force of young South Africans who are provided with training that is on par with their international counterparts who work on similar projects. Jabulani Moeketsi, who has been working on the project since the start, describes his contribution to the project, “I have seen what the future of my job will be here in South Africa. Here we are saving time while removing curling and shrinkage in our jointless flooring. Working with my hands and asking questions daily, I have become someone trusted by Brett. I learn and share my knowledge with my team as we watch how what we make, and the quality control measures we put in place, give us something we can be proud of.” With the backup support from a concrete engineering team in PrimX’ lab, the ongoing
characteristics, presenting a real focus on quality to the South African market. “Seeking out partners who are invested in the innovation of the sector has been an
Africa’s construction environment forward. “PrimX provides high-performance SFR concrete with a focus in reducing shrinkage through the addition
size of a slab is approximately 30% shorter! This gives a project manager about a month extra in construction projects, while saving clients money due to the no-curling and
support of PPC and its scientists, a predictable consistent quality in PrimX jointless flooring has been made available in South Africa. www.ppc.africa
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PPC readymix Premium quality concrete delivered on site to your project specifications PPC Readymix concrete simplifies the wet trade requirements of any site. PPC Readymix has a number of advantages over site-batched concrete, among them being: • Lower overall cost as plant, labour and technical expertise requirements are reduced. • The need for site storage of concrete materials is eliminated thus freeing valuable space, on cramped sites. • Wastage of material is eliminated. • High delivery rates can be achieved and several locations can be supplied simultaneously. • Quality is assured.
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PPC, providing you with a range of premium quality concrete designs specific to your building needs. For Technical and Sales Representative, please call 0800 236 368
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SOME UNANTICIPATED RESULTS OF PRATLEY’S R&D EFFORTS Developing new products, and finding innovative answers to specific customer applications, is all in a day’s work for the research and development (R&D) division at Pratley. This two-pronged approach has resulted in ongoing success for the manufacturer. “A strong R&D mindset means the team is always open to finding solutions to problems,” CEO Kim Pratley comments. Together with sons Andrew and Charles, who are highly passionate about the R&D side of the business, Kim points out that Pratley as a company is predicated on its R&D capability. It also underlines its universal customer manifesto that any of its products will outperform its global equivalent. Sometimes Pratley’s R&D efforts result in happy coincidences. For example, Pratliperl was originally developed with low-cost housing in mind. This lightweight, thermallyinsulating cement aggregate is now widely used in high-end houses and structures as a fireproof plaster that doubles
the thermal insulation of walls. Such an eco-friendly application saves energy and running costs. It is also ideal as a screed where additional building floors are required. Such has been the success of Pratliperl that it is has been used from Loftus Versfeld Stadium to the Sandton City parking lot. However, a strong R&D component goes hand-inhand with the ability to shelve products that aren’t working in the market, and Pratley has had a few of those. “Sometimes even the best products don’t find a productmarket fit,” Kim notes. In one memorable case, this was simply because the product worked too well. “We launched a product called Wham a few years ago because customers kept requesting an ultra-quick super-glue,” Andrew recalls. “We wanted to design the fastest adhesive in the world, and we did. But it ended up being practically unusable. It was just too quick for the end user. It was an interesting lesson for the team in giving
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customers what they ask for, and not necessarily what they need.” Kim’s favourite experimental product was Palm Cleaner, essentially a glue that stuck to dirt and then rolled off the hands in little balls. “We wanted a solution for dirty palms after you have changed a tyre, for example.” While extremely effective, consumers did not read the instructions, and thought it was a hand cleaner. The result was that Palm Cleaner got stuck to the fine hairs on the back of people’s hands.
It’s these experiments that make Pratley’s R&D process so exciting, and occasionally unpredictable. “We look for problems that have not been solved, or where we can do it better. That involves a lot of trial and error, and we do not always get it right,” Charles stresses. “That is the cost of R&D. You cannot let your ego or personal feelings get in the way of product research.” Pratley has a department that tests everything in every way that the market could use it. “Interestingly, we often find that we test a product for one thing and end up finding a whole host of other applications for it. Sometimes the larger market is the one we didn’t originally develop the product for,” Kim elaborates. “It’s an interesting process. You can’t make assumptions about any market, even one you know well, and if you aren’t looking at solutions from every angle, you could miss a huge opportunity. This thinking has become ingrained at Pratley,” Kim concludes. www.pratley.com
The consolidated cement and concrete industry body is soaring to new heights Become a member – be part of the future
www.cemcon-sa.org.za
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H E ATI N G
ENHANCING THE HOTEL GUEST EXPERIENCE THROUGH BESPOKE HEATING SOLUTIONS If there’s one thing that hotel owners know for sure, it’s that guests expect consistent comfort in every part of their stay. More than a mint on a pillow or fluffy towels, comfort is also created by perfect indoor temperatures. The kind that inspires relaxation of mind and body. To achieve this, the O’Two Hotel recently commissioned the installation of a large-scale interior heating solution with equally powerful cooling capabilities throughout its premises – all of which were designed and supplied by Fourways Cape Town. The O’Two Hotel is a haven of understated elegance and panache, perfectly situated on Mouille Point’s trendy Platinum Mile. It boasts 34 lavishly furnished rooms – sleeping up to 78 guests – which are uniquely designed for relaxation in the most indulgent ways possible. Thus, it was only fitting to install air conditioners that would
enhance the ambience by improving air quality. Gerd Weideman Architects, consultants for the project, sought to integrate a non-intrusive installation with exceptionally low running costs and minimal ongoing maintenance issues. Fourways Cape Town rose to the occasion by delivering exceptional design and supply of air conditioners, while simultaneously providing fresh air and extraction to each hotel room, the main reception area and office, as well as laundry extraction and stairwell pressurisation. A total of 35 Samsung Medium Static Pressure (MSP) Duct S Inverter split units and 1 Samsung Maldives Inverter mid-wall unit were installed by industry experts Air Select Air Conditioning & Ventilation. Masked behind the ceiling, Samsung’s MSP Duct S Inverter uses advanced technology that provides powerful yet silent operation and outstanding
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heating and cooling performance, which saves energy and money. An indoor airflow rate of up to 49 CMM ensures climate control of the large hotel building. The highly efficient Samsung Maldives is renowned for its Digital Inverter 8-Pole compressor, which saves up to 68% of energy, making it the ideal choice for economical, energy-efficient climate control. Beyond perfect temperatures, one of the first impressions that people get
from any hotel is how comfortable they feel walking through the lobby, which, because of COVID-19, now includes several safety precautions at the front door. O’Two Hotel guests enjoy added peace of mind that they are breathing purified air on arrival and throughout their hotel stay, thanks to cutting-edge Anti-Bacterial Allergy Control filters fitted inside each of the 36 installed air conditioners. This innovative air purification technology helps to remove airborne dust, allergens, bacteria and other harmful pathogens for maximum air cleanliness, taking the feeling of being comfortable to new heights and creating a warm welcome for guests from check-in to checkout, all through winter and summer. Fourways is proud to have provided the resources and expertise that help set the stage for extraordinary guest stays at the O’Two Hotel. www.fourwaysaircon.co.za
Smart Airconditioning Solutions
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FIRE RISK IN DOWNTOWN AREAS IS A HOT TOPIC A spate of apartment-building fires in the downtown Johannesburg central business district has highlighted the need for the rational design of performance-based fire-safety systems for residential buildings in particular, according to ASP Fire CEO Michael van Niekerk. Rational design takes into account the behaviour of a building during a fire – meaning the structure must be designed accordingly, thereby minimising any potentially devastating impact. A rational design is the performance-based design of fire safety and prevention mechanisms and strategies in a building in order to provide the same or better fire safety levels as prescribed in the National Building Regulations. A rational design commences
with a fire-risk consultant such as ASP Fire visiting the premises, or reviewing a set of new building plans, to undertake a comprehensive evaluation of all areas of the property to inspect all areas of fire safety and risk in detail. Correct and proper fire-engineering principles are applied to ensure that the design complies with the life, building, fire behavioural and environmental fire-safety objectives as required by law. All buildings in South Africa need to comply with the requirements of the National Building Regulations and Building Standards Act, 1977 (Act No. 103 of 1977), Fire Protection, as set out in SANS 10400 Part T: 2011. Upon completion of the
fire-risk assessment and drafting the rational design report, ASP Fire provides the client with practical actions to implement. The report comprises a detailed and documented objective fire-risk assessment, as well as fire-engineering calculations and analysis where required, covering all aspects of fire risk and safety. This guides the client in protecting its business, employees and customers by providing prioritised recommendations for action, in order to rectify problem areas and strengthen existing
fire-safety procedures. It also ensures that the client complies with fire-safety regulations for the protection of life, property and the environment. ASP Fire works closely with insurance brokers and underwriters to address fire risk based on the outcomes of the fire-safety risk assessment report. This assists in preventing damage to property and products, loss of life, financial loss, consequential loss of profit, loss of productivity and insurance repercussions. www.aspfire.co.za
TURNING YOUR HOME INTO AN OASIS WITH MYAIR & MYPLACE MyAir is Advantage Air’s signature air management solution that allows you to control up to 10 zones individually from the wall-mounted hub or the mobile app. You can control the system from the couch, from work or from the other side of the world. The system can be scheduled to start and stop whenever you want. MyAir can even monitor the temperature in your suburb and run tasks according to your needs, such
as switching on your aircon if the temperature increases in your area. With MyAir, you can control up to four ducted air-conditioning units from your system. It doesn’t matter if the units are all different makes – MyAir is compatible with all the leading brands. ENERGY EFFICIENCY DUCTED VS SPLIT An average home with four bedrooms, kitchen, lounge and dining room will need
approximately six split aircon units to cool the home efficiently. This means six condenser units outside your home, six maintenance costs per year and, with this many outdoor units, things can start looking unsightly. The average running cost per year of a 12000BTU unit is around R4 717.44. To run six split units could cost you about R28 304.64 over a 12-month period.* By using a ducted system, you have a single condenser unit to maintain. Noise levels are kept to a minimum. Most of all, a ducted system using MyAir could save you approximately 40% of your energy consumption. WANT THE ULTIMATE SMART HOME? MyPlace makes smart technology affordable by
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working with existing items in your home such as lights, garage doors, driveway gates, pool pumps, geysers, automated blinds, security alarms and so much more. It comes in modular form, allowing you to add more control at any time to enhance your connected home. Integrating MyPlace is simple and cost effective, giving you easy control of your home at the tip of your fingers. PEACE-OF-MIND WARRANTY Advantage Air provides a 10-year warranty on all ducting and mechanical components and five-year warranty on all electronic controls. *Based on a 12000BTU unit, 7.5Amps, 240V, electricity cost of 1.82kWh, six hours per day and 20 days per month.
www.myplaceafrica.co.za
Gauteng 012 653 8204 / Cape 021 983 1140 / KZN 031 569 1800
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SAFLOK 410 CONCEALED FIX PROFILE – THE HEIGHT OF ROOF ENGINEERING Today’s trend toward sustainable designs that reduce environmental impact is helping to drive the metal roofing market to new heights. In large-scale metal roofing applications, concealed fix roof systems represent the optimum choice. Due to the size of investment concerned in these applications, the engineering performance of the entire roof ‘system’ is critical. It allows specifiers to reliably serve the long-term interests of their clients and reduce liability for all concerned. In concealed fix systems, sheets are fixed to the purlin with a clip system and are not pierced with any fasteners. The clips serve two purposes – they circumvent the need for holes in the sheet (which prevents the possibility of leakage through the perforation), and they allow the roof to expand and contract in a sliding movement over the clips. The stability of the Saflok 410 roof system enables it to withstand the loads imposed by photovoltaic panels, HVAC units or other
utilities, and the foot traffic incurred during the installation thereof. Because the sheets can slide over the clips, they can be rolled in long lengths, which can thermally expand without restriction. A concealed fix system allows sheets to be rolled in continuous lengths up to 120 metres or more. Saflok concealed fix roofing is one of the most widely specified systems available, with over 10 million square metres having been installed in South Africa alone. The precisely engineered clip and the dimensional consistency of the Saflok profiled sheet provide a robust and reliable roof system. Saflok 410 is Safintra’s premier concealed fix profile and has been effectively used for over a decade along the notoriously wind-torn coastline of the Western and Eastern Cape. The interaction between the profile’s aggressive geometric design and the performance of its second-generation clip is at the heart of its success. To reaffirm the profile’s
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impressive performance data in the field, Saflok 410 was recently tested at the CSIR (Council for Scientific and Industrial Research) where it exceeded all expectations. The test report highlighted superior results, including exceptional wind uplift and point load performance, as well as unparalleled serviceability. Key results: • Wind uplift performance – no ultimate limit state failure at 4,6kPa • Serviceability – 3,15kPa resistance of the system • Point loads – excellent rigidity and no deformations
following the application of positive point loads. Safintra now has mobile mills in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal, while continuing to service the Western and Eastern Cape regions. Saflok 410 can be ordered in any length required, although on-site rolling is recommended for lengths in excess of 13.2m due to practical transportation requirements. The profile is backed by a full Safintra warranty and is available countrywide. www.safintra.co.za
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THERMAL INSULATION: A STRONG CASE FOR CELLULOSE The introduction of SANS 10400-XA regulations relating to the energy usage in buildings, as part of the wider code of practice, gives substance to South Africa’s National Building Regulations as far as energy efficiency within a building is concerned. The SANS10400-XA standards require various thermal resistance values (R-Values) to be achieved inside the roof of a building and these depend on the climatic zone where the building is located. Professionally manufactured The effect of this standard cellulose fibre thermal and has been far-reaching, with acoustic insulation is fire even the developer of retardant and is SABS and low-cost housing and a industry-association certified homeowner or contractor as causing ‘no spread of fire’ renovating an existing while its manufacture is ISO building having to comply. 9001 certified. Cellulose insulation, Retrofitting cellulose fibre typified by well-known insulation is simple. It is brands Thermguard and blown (pneumatically Eco-Insulation, both pumped) into the roof on top industry-leading brands, of the ceiling in compliance represents a very quick and with standards laid down by efficient way of getting a SANS 10400-XA. Cellulose roof’s R-Value up to the fibre insulation is also national standard. These proving increasingly popular brands are installed by with property developers established and approved who are in the housing subcontractors, who enjoy complex or housing estate distributor rights from the business. The product offers manufacturer in both the new a neat way of complying with build and Leading retrofit situations. the R-Value Architecture quarter Page Advert update.pdf requirements 1 26/01/2021 16:08:44
that are mandatory in all new property developments or refurbishments, nationwide. THE ENVIRONMENT Cellulose roof insulation is made from recycled newspaper waste, milled to consistent density and treated with inorganic nontoxic fire-retardant salts. Hence, recycled paper, which would otherwise have gone to landfill, is used and upcycled into a new role – one that lasts the lifetime of the building as insulation. Significantly, the material is ‘Made in South Africa’ in all senses of the word and not an import, thereby boosting the local economy. The recycling of existing
and waste materials into new usable products is an important way of reducing the embodied energy (and carbon) of a building material, by allowing it a close-to-zero ‘recycled content’ embodied energy entry point to its new life as an upcycled building material. For example, the use of cellulose insulation in a building carries with it a very low embodied energy content, created only by a low-energy method of manufacture in the factory. HUMAN SAFETY Cellulose insulation emits no VOCs, such as formaldehyde, in stark contrast with many known building and insulation products used in the roof, in the walls or under the floor. No colourants, dyes, binders or adhesives are used in manufacturer or installation. EASE OF APPLICATION AND CONVENIENCE An application of Thermguard or Eco-Insulation is simple, fast and on-specification. A typical house can be insulated in three hours, depending on the size of the ceiling. www.thermguard.co.za
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STOPPING FIRES BEFORE THEY START!
Fire Risk Assesment Rational Fire Designs +27 11 452 2169
ASPFIRE Chat to us on LinkedIn
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CHEMICAL RELATIONSHIP BONDED: RIGIFOAM ACQUIRES NUI INTO ITS BRANDS Rigifoam group of companies are proud to announce the acquisition for NUI (National Urethanes Industries). As the market leader in Urethane foams, Rigifoam looks forward to using its successful platform to take the NUI brand to higher levels. NUI is already a market leader in the CASE supply (Coatings, Adhesives, Sealants and Elastomers). Established in 1982, NUI has built its reputation around specific customer solutions with their specialised formulas and product range. Joining the Rigifoam footprint, NUI can now operate and service the full wall-to-floor civil solutions for your projects, with branches in
Cape Town, Durban, Port Elizabeth and Johannesburg, and a state-of-the-art walk-in showroom at the Jet Park office. Duncan Goldsmith, Managing Director of Rigifoam, says, “NUI’s product range will also complement the Rigifoam groups of products, from waterproofing with Lambdaboard products, floor coatings, and intumescent coatings for spray foam as a few examples. Our present raw material supply chain will also allow for consistent output of products. We also managed to retain the staff of NUI so the market relationships remain, and until further notice the NUI production will continue out of their present facility in Isando.”
Donavan Slade, director of NUI, says, “Thank you to all our customers who supported NUI over the last 38 years. We are here to stay and we are here to keep offering the same excellent service. I am confident that the relationship with Rigifoam will greatly bolster the service you receive from NUI, from the
stock supply, reliability and stock holding to our sales team, production and office staff.” Donavan will also remain the ‘face’ of NUI and, with over 25 years of product and industry knowledge, will drive the new NUI through the next chapter to even greater success. www.rigifoam.com
THE CASE FOR INCREASED USE OF WOOD STOVES IN SOUTH AFRICA Historically, South African homes were designed for summer conditions, and require a lot of energy to maintain at a comfortable temperature during winter. Newer homes tend to be more thermally efficient, but still feature
open-plan living spaces which need a powerful heater to warm them in the winter months. Wood stoves have steel or cast-iron sides and a glass door that enclose the fire. Heat output is controlled by adjustable air vents. They are
easy to light, produce lots of heat with minimal wood consumption, have a great flame pattern, and are ideal at heating large open-plan living areas. They have become very popular across the world as a means of home heating. COST BENEFIT TO THE HOMEOWNER In a home of about 250m2 you will use about 80 to 100 KwHrs of energy to heat your home on a cold winter’s night. Over a typical three-month South African winter, this totals about 10 000 KwHrs. Annual home heating costs will be about: Electrical Heating Efficient Wood Stove
R20 000 pa R4 500 pa
A home owner will recover the cost of an installed wood stove in about two years of fuel savings.
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ENVIRONMETAL CONSIDERATIONS When wood is burnt at high temperature, it releases fewer emissions into the atmosphere than if the wood had been left to rot in the forest. SA is a country dedicated to eradicating alien trees. Instead of letting these alien trees rot on the ground, why not burn them in wood stoves, heat homes and do good for the environment? Installing a wood stove to heat your home – instead of using electricity – will decrease Eskom’s demand for coal and other scarce resources such as water. This means less coal smoke into the atmosphere and a huge reduction in electricity demand in winter. If enough wood stoves are installed, it should reduce the impact of load shedding in winter. www.infinitifires.co.za
EFFICIENT & STYLISH HEATING SOLUTIONS WITH MINIMAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT Visit www.infinitifires.co.za to view our extensive range
DRAWING BOARD
RAISED FLOORING SYSTEM WITH UNIQUE WATER HARVESTING APPLICATION Sustainability is the key feature of a new outdoor
reused as grey water elsewhere. Guy Park, who heads the
sub-level deviated in a manner to control the waterflow, the
from recycled truck and car tyres. The InstaCradle rubber
raised flooring installation in Centurion, which is laid on recycled truck tyres and will harvest vast volumes of rainwater. KBAC Flooring’s Raised Flooring division supplied and installed the sustainable InstaCradle raised paving system at a new property development for M&T Development. The innovative application of InstaCradle rubber under-structure and raised paving around the public spaces on the ground floor of the building, and on its third-floor balcony, allows for the substrate to direct waterflow away from the building and be potentially
Raised Floor division of KBAC Flooring, says the property developer, M&T Development, approached KBAC for a solution that could deal with water runoff from the exterior extensions, which, because of the site of the new building in Byls Bridge Office Park, could have posed major problems. “A raised paving solution was opted for so that the sub-floor could be adequately waterproofed and designed in such a way that water is directed to collection drainage points beneath the floor void through slab undulations. By adjusting the InstaCradle system, KBAC’s installers ensured that, although the
final paved areas on top were perfectly level,” Park explains. The height of the raised paving system’s concrete paved slab varies from 90mm to 245mm under the concrete pavers. The flooring on ground level outside the building covers 1 406m2, while the system on the higher balcony – used as client entertainment area – is 163m2 in extent. The InstaCradle system, which for this project was specified to promote sustainable objectives, is itself exceptionally environmentally friendly. The innovative form of ‘green’ raised flooring is supported by rubber crumb cradles made
cradles for this project totalled approximately 9.6 tons of recycled truck tyres – this is about 194 radial truck tyres that have been repurposed instead of landing up in a landfill. Concrete pavers 600mm x 600mm x 45mm thick were then loosely placed on a combination of InstaCradle rubber cradles and aluminium battens. “Even the InstaCradle system’s rubber cradles are fully recyclable to provide a genuine ‘cradle-to-cradle’ product. The cradles have a 60-year guarantee and are loose-laid without the need for fixing to sub-floors,” Park adds. www.kbacflooring.co.za
Cape Town Tel: 021 464 4320 E: infocpt@kbacflooring.co.za Johannesburg Tel: 011 608 4270 E: infojhb@kbacflooring.co.za www.kbacflooring.co.za
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LEDVANCE.COM
INDUSTRY LIGHT AT THE HIGHEST PERFORMANCE LEVEL HIGH BAY PERFORMANCE GEN 3
Our new generation of High Bay Performance Luminaires inspires ambitious Industrial customers through excellent light output and outstanding energy efficiency. The High Bay Performance Gen 3 is designed with optimized glare reduction ( UGR<22) and comes with a standard 5 year guarantee. Easy to install and user friendly. PRODUCT FEATURES & BENEFITS • Die-casting aluminum offer a heavy-duty housing and high efficacy heat-dissipation • High system efficiency up to 140lm/W • Available in 4 wattage:90w/120w/150w/200w • Standard CCT: 4000K & 6500K, CRI > 80 • PF>0.90,1-10V dimming driver, Pre-wired with 500mm flying cable • IP65, IK08 • Long 50,000hr lifetime reduces maintenance costs • Safety compliance certificates: CB
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SUSTAINABILITY IS A CONTINUOUS JOURNEY As a leading global manufacturer of full bathroom solutions and GROHE kitchen mixer taps, with a focus on global sanitation and hygiene, water consumption, sustainable environments, diversity and inclusion, GROHE sustainability targets link to those of the United Nations, with emphasis on effective management of water and global climate change. A race that can be won with work that begins internally, GROHE continues to create
water, increasing access to safe drinking water, and community development projects that aim to equip developing countries with technical and sanitary know-how – skills that offer future-forward prospects for the youth of third-world countries, combined with dual learnings that have a lasting and positive impact on current third-world sanitation challenges.
sustainably responsible, modern technologies that not only change behaviours but, at the same time, make personal spaces elegant, convenient and efficient. From incorporating state-of-the-art in-factory technology through combined heater and power plants, solar roofing, smart lighting and green energy – these are just some of the ways in which GROHE has made small but measured changes toward becoming completely carbon-free. And while elements that are not yet fully carbon neutral are still to be addressed, GROHE continues to drive projects that generate energy from
Further to enriching the lives of developing communities, in pursuit of providing customers with ecologically conscious products that do not compromise on a premium experience, GROHE eco-joy-technology checks both boxes by developing faucet technology that reduces water consumption (in some cases up to 50%) while offering an enriched waterflow, resulting in the ultimate end-consumer experience.
ECO-JOY-TECHNOLOGY
SMARTCONTROL KITCHENS While GROHE SmartControl Kitchen taps deliver superior one-button touch or elbow-activated hand washing hygiene, GROHE SmartControl taps offer optimised waterflow technology that can be switched between eco-flow or jet, as well as temperature-control adjustments fitted to your kitchen tap. For added flexibly, GROHE SmartControl kitchen taps may also be fitted as a pull-out spray head for added precision and reduced water wastage.
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GROHE BLUE Fitted to the original kitchen tap spout, GROHE Blue makes use of a kitchen’s standard water supply, using technology that can be bypassed when not required for consumption purposes – but when turning on the GROHE Blue system, end consumers enjoy an all-inclusive premium water solution offering filtered, sparkling, or still and chilled water on tap. Estimated to reduce plastic bottled water consumption of an average household of four people by 800 plastic bottles per year,
into the company DNA for the better part of the last 20 years, GROHE continues to strive to improve resource efficiencies across the manufacturing process, to the product portfolio, packaging and beyond. It is also the proud recipients of two of Europe’s most significant sustainability awards, namely: • Winner - German Sustainability Award 2021 • Icon - German Sustainability Design 2021 Award.
the GROHE Blue system offers a tangible solution to making your home instantly more sustainable. Having incorporated several GROHE sustainability efforts
striving to work towards impacting solutions across countries and companies, driven by pioneering GROHE technology. www.lixil.co.za
The next set of GROHE sustainability milestones have already been defined – always
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INTRODUCING NEW NO MORE NAILS CLICK & FIX FROM PATTEX Pattex Construction Adhesives has launched a new product that sets free the ambitions of budding home DIY enthusiasts. No More Nails Click & Fix from Pattex neatly sidesteps all the disadvantages traditionally associated with construction adhesives. Previously, construction adhesives proved messy, or they dried out, or simply wouldn’t stick to the surfaces home users needed them to. Home users, particularly those seeking solutions for light mounting jobs, were also put off by the fact that classical glues required them to keep holding the item until it adheres to the wall. The fact that they
weren’t conveniently packaged for easy everyday use also kept them out of the hands of light DIYers. Click & Fix comes in a pre-dosed mounting glue applicator which is perfect for fast, simple mounting jobs around the house. And anyone can use it: no tools needed. Because it’s pre-dosed, you get the right amount and make no mess. Using it is as easy as a stamp – simply press until you hear the click. Click & Fix is also highly versatile. It works under any condition, indoor or out, hot or cold, wet or dry. It also works on a huge variety of surfaces, including brick,
NEW
TAL SUREPROOF SHOWER CEMENTITIOUS WATERPROOFING
ceramic, wood, hardboard, plasterboard, stone, concrete, metal, glass and tile. Use it to do anything from hanging picture frames and mounting shelves to wall decorations and hooks. It also makes other, more challenging home DIY tasks, such as mounting ceiling lights, curtains and flower pots, an absolute breeze. Click & Fix works outdoors, too – think anything from house numbers to mailboxes, planters and outdoor lighting. Its high instant tack means that Click & Fix holds instantly, no need to wait. It remains flexible for a few minutes, just long enough for you to do the necessary
straightening and adjusting. The world of DIY is now accessible to anyone! www.pattex.co.za
THE SCIENCE BEHIND BEAUTIFUL SPACES
• Fibre enriched, tough and flexible • Seamless – no reinforcing membrane required* • Easy to use – mix to a slurry and paint on • Waterproofs showers and bath surround walls in residential applications
TAL FREE TECHNICAL ADVICE CENTRE: 0860 000 TAL (825) • taltech@tal.co.za • www.tal.co.za TAL & TAL Sureproof Shower are registered trademarks of Norcros SA (Pty)Ltd. *for ground floor applications only. See data sheet for more information.
WWW.LEADINGARCHITECTURE.CO.ZA APRIL/MAY 2021 65
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Use only Specialist Sealants and Adhesives
SILICONE-NO
STRUCTURAL GLAZING SEALANT
Perimeter Sealant
Structural glazing applications
• Instant grab • Weather seal in • Excellent adhesion glass butt joints • Available in • Top seal in glazing 7 colours systems
COVID-19 HAS CHANGED CORPORATE INTERIORS MINDSET The Covid-19 pandemic has brought significant changes in corporate interiors, with flooring and floor coverings now receiving increasing attention in the design of such facilities, says KBAC Flooring CEO, Brandon Park. KBAC Flooring, with offices in Johannesburg and Cape Town, are the South African distributors of acclaimed sustainable products of several top European and local designers and manufacturers – all of whom are now focussing on new ways of improving health in the office environment. “Several of our supplies already now have ‘specialised’ flooring products that feature space demarcating or directional patterns in office layout, and depict the distance for healthy staff interaction. Indoor air quality is another important factor in corporate interiors.
the Den Braven difference!
Available from hardware stores. Contact us for further product and technical assistance.
Tel: 011 792 3830
sales@denbraven.co.za www.denbraven.com/en-sa
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“Flooring – particularly carpet – plays an important role in dust control and corporate tenants now seem much more aware of the need for regular floor cleaning and maintenance,” Park stated. He believes designers of flooring products, as well as corporate interior specifiers, will rise to the challenge of using healthy and ‘directional’ flooring creatively to ensure that the aesthetical aspect of corporate interiors is not compromised. “Modular flooring, with its capacity for rapid change and innovation, is likely to become increasingly specified in commercial premises. We also expect robust and disinfectant matting and flooring – able to remove dirt and debris from the shoes of staff and visitors – to become almost obligatory at the entrance to corporate premises,” Park added. www.kbacflooring.co.za
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HOW HARVEY ECOTILE IS TRANSFORMING ROOFING A building’s green credentials are determined by a variety of factors, such as water efficiency, energy efficiency, environmentally friendly materials, waste reduction, lowering carbon emissions and sustainable development and growth. In pursuit of sustainable, revolutionary roofing, Harvey Roofing Products has developed the Harvey EcoTile – a sustainably produced mineral composite roof tile with superior functional benefits and enviable green credentials. Roofing materials are some of the least environmentally friendly components of construction. In South Africa, where roofing materials are primarily steel and concrete, it scores poorly in the sustainability index. It is well known that concrete production is one of the world’s top polluters, causing 8% of global CO2 emissions, and is a significant water waster.
WASTE MATERIAL Harvey EcoTile is manufactured from mineral waste products and waste polymer from recycling initiatives. Instead of contributing to water, land and air pollution, EcoTile removes these waste materials from the environment for productive use. Its blend of 70% mineral (silica) and 28% polymer ensures that for each tile the equivalent of 3.8 two-litre milk bottles are removed from the environment.
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100% RECYCLABLE Each Harvey EcoTile is manufactured from 100% recyclable waste material. WATERLESS PRODUCT A standard concrete roof tile mix consists of 11.42% water addition, thus for every square metre of roof, 5.4 litres of clean drinking water is used. In addition, concrete needs to remain moist during curing, which requires yet more water. The Harvey
EcoTile product requires no water; in fact, we extract moisture from the mineral to manufacture the product. It is also the ideal roof tile for water harvesting as it absorbs less than 0.36% of its weight in water (compared to 6-10% for concrete tiles). COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT Harvey Roofing Products sources waste materials from local community projects, providing support to these initiatives and creating opportunities for gainful employment. GREEN IS NOT ENOUGH Having excellent green credentials is only one part of a product’s success. Harvey EcoTile is engineered for superior functional performance in its intended use. The lightweight roof tiles are precision engineered with an interlocking design to eliminate gaps, making the completed roof 100% weatherproof. It withstands gale force wind, UV rays, rain, hail and dust, and is virtually unbreakable once installed. Future maintenance is also minimised as all roof elements (such as ridge caps) provide a precision fit for a maintenance-free seal. Gone are the days of unsightly crumbling concrete ridges and hips. Harvey EcoTile is trademark registered and patent pending. www.harveyroofingproducts. co.za
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GUNNEBO SPEEDSTILES – BALANCING SPEED, SECURITY AND DESIGN Elegant and sophisticated designs combined with state-of-the-art technology make Gunnebo SpeedStiles the first choice in controlling access to your building’s lobby, where high people flow is managed, with uncompromised security, safety and utmost reliability. The integration of either existing or new access control measures into Gunnebo SpeedStiles provides a managed, secure access and
SpeedStiles may be integrated and monitored through your security platform.
capacity solution that effectively prevents unauthorised entry into your building or office suite.
requirements, whilst recently introduced hygiene and occupancy monitoring solutions mitigate challenges in this age of Covid-19, adding value to existing or new installations. Gunnebo SpeedStiles provide a seamless and fluid barrier that enables a fast and steady flow of people through your entrance, without compromising your security or hygiene protocols.
GREATER PEOPLE FLOW The speed of operation enables passage of up to 40 people per minute through a single lane, whilst ensuring security and user safety. HIGHER SECURITY Advanced algorithms detect fraudulent passage, including tailgating, piggy backing, jump over/crawl under and wrong-way passage. Gunnebo
BETTER FUNCTIONALITY Contactless control barrier, ergonomic design, over 50 parameter settings, as well as a selection of user information displays provide for exceptional user experience. Gunnebo SpeedStiles are also available in wide versions that comply with disabled access
SMARTER IMAGE Gunnebo offers a wide choice of designs and finishes to suit any architectural space.
Gunnebo is also willing to go the extra mile to meet customer needs and to provide
Not only is Gunnebo able to advise on products for new projects, but they are
entrance control solutions with aesthetic appeal. “Increasingly, we are partnering with architects to see how we are able to customise our entrance control solutions. Gone are the days where architects select from a standard range of products. We prefer to sit with the design team and see which finishes would work best, while still ensuring people-flow management, and safety and security in the workplace,” comments Thomas Porquet, Region Manager Africa, at Gunnebo.
also able to help with the refurbishment and even a complete makeover of their already installed product range. A recent example was a client that spent millions on an office refurbishment and then approached Gunnebo to see how the stainless-steel-finished SpeedStiles in reception could be adapted to meet the new look and feel of the building. After some extensive colour matching, the existing SpeedStiles were completely stripped and powder coated in the exact colour selected by the client. Essentially, Gunnebo was able to change an installation that no longer suited the client with a solution that looked brand new and, most importantly, matched the new interior of the building. So, when designing workspaces or undertaking refurbishments, don’t allow your creativity to be restricted by catalogues or existing entrance control solutions, work with a team that understands the importance of aesthetics in architecture. www.gunnebo.africa
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Leaders in people flow management
Gunnebo works with customers, shaping the future of access and security with an integrated approach to entrance control covering design, manufacture and installation combining a customised maintenance and service package.
Mantraps • Revolving doors • Turnstiles • SpeedStiles • Vehicle barriers
info.africa@gunnebo.com | www.gunnebo.africa | +27 (0)11 878 2300
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REASONS TO LOVE THE BEDSIDE PENDANT TREND
PENDANTS FREE UP SPACE Our bedside tables often play host to a variety of objects. Books, reading glasses, picture frames, and other personal items occupy the precious tabletop space next to our beds, leaving little room for that essential functional fixture – a bedside table lamp. Pendants are a practical solution to this common problem. Suspending pendant lights on either side of the bed eliminates the need for a table fixture, freeing up precious bedside space. PENDANTS ADD PERSONAL STYLE From streamlined and minimalist to ornate and
showstopping, there’s a pendant light to suit every decor style. While table lamps will always have their place next to the bed, this hanging interior eye candy packs a decorative punch and offers a fresh alternative. An otherwise boring space is immediately elevated with the introduction of a pendant light or two, and presents the opportunity to inject your personal taste or style into a space. PENDANTS OFFER CREATIVE FREEDOM There’s no denying it – out of all lighting fixtures, pendant lights are the most playful and fun. They can be hung as a single fixture, suspended in multiples, or grouped together
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in a cluster. When it comes to flanking your bed with these beauties, there are a number of inventive ways to install them: 1. We often preach about symmetry and balance in interior design but sometimes rules are made to be broken! Go for an asymmetrical look by suspending one pendant higher than the pendant on the other side of the bed. This unusual look also gives the illusion of movement.
2. If you still love the more traditional look of a bedside table lamp but are intrigued by the bedside pendant trend, have both. Suspend a pendant on one side of the bed and place a table lamp on the other side. Keep the look cohesive by selecting fixtures in similar tones or made with the same material. 3. For a completely different look, insert a hook into the wall at about the same height as a table lamp shade and loop the pendant’s cord around it so that the fixture dangles from the hook as opposed to being suspended from the ceiling. www.radiant.co.za
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LIGHT UP YOUR PROJECT
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Radiant Lighting offers an requirements, no matter how project requires, our lighting from specifying and on-site
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extensive product range to meet your architectural and building big or small. Whether it’s ambient, task of accent lighting that your specialists can offer you professional and technical advice ranging supervisory to after sales services, all backed up by warranty.
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FEATURED DESIGN
Making your workspace work for you
D
id you know that workspace design affects productivity? In fact, in one study, 97% of professionals said that the current design drained their ability to focus to some extent, while 46% of them described the existing design as ‘impacting heavily’ on their productivity. “Regardless of whether you’re working at an office, learning in a school or doing either from home, the way your workspace is designed is crucial,” says Tim Harris, Founder of TimHarris Design, a designfocussed, client-centric, creative studio offering bespoke solutions to individuals and brands in the disciplines of spatial, furniture and graphic design. He shares some design suggestions to help you make your workspace work for you: • Keep your desk clear: Clutter impedes productivity. Not only can it be distracting, but a study by the National Association of Productivity and Organising Professionals has revealed that it can even lead to financial losses equivalent to approximately 10% of a manager’s salary. Having a place for everything and keeping everything in its place helps. A shelving system above
your desk, for instance, can help you keep it clear and ensure that any clutter is out of your eyeline, as the more things you see, the harder it is for your brain to decide what to focus on.
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• A nod to nature: According to the Global Impact of Biophilic Design in the Workplace study, people who work in spaces with natural features reported 15% higher levels of overall wellbeing.
Respondents also expressed feeling 6% more productive and 15% more creative at work. Incorporating natural elements can even buffer the relationship between role stressors and job satisfaction, depressed mood, and anxiety. • The right light: It has been scientifically proven that lighting can have a significant effect on efficiency and work productivity. But it’s not only the type of lighting (i.e. natural vs artificial) that affects employees, it’s also the colour temperature. An article published by the University of North Carolina revealed that light sources with a cooler temperature (e.g. cooler blue and white lights) make workers more productive, whereas warmer ones (e.g. yellow or orange lights) are better suited to relaxing. In addition to illuminating your workspace with cooler light sources, you should also use task lighting to further enhance productivity. “Now is the best time to relook your design choices and ensure that they are conducive to success,” concludes Harris. www.timharris.co.za
PROMOTING TREATED TIMBER AND THE USE OF TREATED TIMBER PRODUCTS PRODUCED BY SAWPA MEMBERS CHOOSE THE CORRECT HAZARD (H) CLASS: H2 H3 H4 H5 H6
Low Hazard: Inside above ground Moderate Hazard: Outside above ground High Hazard: Outside in ground High Hazard: Outside in contact with heavy wet soil or in fresh water High Hazard: Prolonged immersion in sea water H2
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FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT SAWPA MEMBERS AND HOW TO CONTACT THEM. CONTACT:
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Building Art Light, rhythm, balance and attention to detail are the hallmarks of great art. Alania Building Systems’ custom designed, technologically advanced aluminium building solutions brings your project to life by creating functional yet beautiful structures. Every project we undertake benefits from design innovation, exceptional service and uncompromising quality of workmanship and materials from a team of solutions-driven professionals who stop at nothing to ensure inspirational results.
Johannesburg • Cape Town • Durban info@alania.co.za Tel: (+27 11) 683 1774
www.alania.co.za
