Leading Architecture & Design April/May 2017

APRIL/MAY 2017

Making your (land)mark Joburg’s transformative symbolic structure

BOSJES

ENIGMA

ILLOVO CORPORATE HQ

Steyn Coetzee’s futuristic country chapel

Albert Adrià’s dream-like new restaurant in Barcelona

South Africa’s best commercial building

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APRIL MAY 2017

The glass facades of the Chamber promote the City’s belief in transparency, good governance and inclusiveness, allowing the public to view proceedings.

CONTENTS

p20

The Council Chambers for the City of Johannesburg [p14]

FIRST DRAFT 08 THE BRIEF Editor’s note and book review.

10 INTERNATIONAL Renowned Catalan chef Albert Adrià’s worked with 2017 Pritzker Prize-winning RCR Arquitectes to create a ‘frozen and enigmatic’ restaurant project in Barcelona, Spain, that reflects his cuisine as well as his career.

59 DRAWING BOARD What’s new in the world of architecture and design

p10

BLUEPRINT

ON SITE

14 THE CITY OF JOBURG COUNCIL CHAMBER

32 ALUMINIUM & GLASS

Joburg’s new council chamber building designed by StudioMAS for the City of Johannesburg is an architectural landmark designed to symbolise the transformation of the city and catalyse urban development.

20 BOSJES The swooping, wing-like arches of Bosjes Chapel, on a farm near Worcester in the Western Cape, bring together inspiration from nature, the architectural heritage of the region and biblical references.

24 PIZA E VINO

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Piza e Vino’s new outlet at Lynnridge Mall in Lynnwood, Pretoria, was designed by Inhouse Brand Architects to reinvigorate the brand with an artisanal interior that references the handmade craft of its traditional pizzas.

Growthpoint Ridgeview and Illovo’s new corporate head office in the Ridgeside office complex, has become a prominent piece of Umhlanga’s new urbanism.

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THE BRIEF

BY E DI TO R G RAH AM WO O D

DATES TO DIARISE THE LOERIES Entries for Loeries® Africa Middle East close on 15 May. They are the leading creative awards for the brand communications industry. There is a special category for architecture! www.loeries.com DIGITAL CONSTRUCTION EXPO 2017 Previously called the Construction IT, DCE 2017 is dedicated to promoting standards and technology in the built environment. 23 - 24 May 2017, Gallagher Estate, Midrand www.biminstitute.org.za/ digital-construction

DESIGN JOBURG A showcase of the very best of both international and local design, plus the return of South Africa’s benchmark decorating show, Rooms On View.

12 to 14 May 2017, Sandton Convention Centre www.designjoburg.com

LET US KNOW Do you have a design event to diarise? Please send the details to the editor at graham.wood@newmediapub.co.za

a new icon, and gives a new identity to the old Metro building. But as much as it is a visual spectacle, it is also a brilliant example of the catalytic power of architecture to make cities function better. Not only is the new chamber part of a huge, R2.5-billion plan to reconfigure the Metro Building and transform it into a permeable and walkable mixed-use precinct, but it also alters the city around it. Its position has made possible a new pedestrian promenade that functions as a primary connector of the Metro Centre to Park Station via Rissik Street, which is currently under development. Buildings might have the power to represent cities – after all, cities are made of buildings! – but they have the power to knit together the urban fabric around them too, and change the way the people on the streets relate to the city around them.

Graham

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30TH COROBRIK ARCHITECTURAL STUDENT OF THE YEAR AWARDS Awards evening for the country’s premier event to highlight the creative and technical talent of the cream of South Africa’s architectural students.

Design students can view the models and listen to a student lecture that will be delivered by award winning architect Andrew Makin.

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Any conversation about the power of architecture to transform cities or the spaces around it inevitably comes around to the Bilbao effect. Frank Gehry’s Guggenheim Bilbao is usually credited with singlehandedly turning around the fortunes of the Spanish town, and transforming it into a major tourist destination. Iconic architecture can become synonymous with a city: think of the Eiffel Tower in Paris, the Sydney Opera House, even, at one time, the Twin Towers in New York. When the stars align, a single building can come to represent the identity of a whole city. But a single piece of architecture can have an even more profound effect on a city.

Recently, the City of Johannesburg was looking for a new architectural icon. The need for a new council chamber provided the opportunity. The finned, transparent golden drum certainly provides the city with

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INTERNATIONAL

ENIGMA – Albert Adrià’s ‘frozen and enigmatic’ restaurant Renowned Catalan chef Albert Adrià’s worked with 2017 Pritzker Prize-winning RCR Arquitectes to create a ‘frozen and enigmatic’ restaurant project that reflects his cuisine as well as his career.

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10 LEADINGARCHITECTURE & DESIGN APRIL/MAY 2017

E N IG MA , BARCE LO NA

Opposite and left RCR Arquitectes and Pau Llimona designed renowned Catalan chef Albert Adrià’s new restaurant project.

“The restaurant is visually open, yet the mysterious concept is found everywhere: diners discover new spaces, new foods and new textures with every step they take, moving deeper into ENIGMA,” say the architects Below left The pivotal moment in terms of design came when the architects drew a watercolour painting in the size of two A3 papers, which was to be applied to the floors, walls, bathrooms, kitchen worktops, cabinetry and air extraction systems. Through R&D, Neolith developed the technology to re-create the design onto slabs, producing a perfect replica of the drawing

C

atalan chef Albert Adrià, well-known for his experimental cuisine and surprising menus, wanted to create and immersive environment to captivate his guests at the ‘frozen and enigmatic’ restaurant he envisioned in Barcelona, Spain. He turned to 2017 Pritzker Prize winners RCR Arquitectes in collaboration with Pau Llimona to realise his vision.

“The concept design for the project was very much related to the pre-existing premises: an airtight exterior on the façade, and 700m2 of interior space with a semiindustrial look,” say the architects.

“The main objective was to transform this industrial space into a flowing, evanescent, profound and timeless landscape so people can disconnect from the world around them and be taken away to Albert Adrià’s world of creativity.”

The architects explain that they created ‘different, dream-like areas … for guests to try dishes and really take in the taste of Albert Adrià’s cuisine’.

The pivotal moment in terms of design came when the architects drew a watercolour painting in the size of two A3 papers, which was to be applied to the

floors, walls, bathrooms, kitchen worktops, cabinetry and air extraction systems.

“The design concept was about creating an environment that would take the diners to a world without references or limits as well as transform the reticulated harshness into an organic space,” say the architects. “This is why the abstract cloud was chosen as the concept to bring people into a culinary and sensorial dream state.

The culinary dream progresses through the space.”

Continued next page

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>>INTERNATIO NAL

They decided to bring the painting to life with the help of Neolith®

by TheSize, manufacturer and designer of Sintered Stone. Through an incredibly creative and close collaboration, as well as Neolith’s expertise and technical know-how, the enchanting, out of this world interior of ENIGMA was created.

“The materials were key to this project as finding the right ones was crucial to create a dreamlike space,” explained the architects. “The result is a world of textured tones and different colours. We have chosen materials that are naturally opaque and cold yet magically offer warmth and transparency to the whole: Sintered Stone, ceramic steel, glass and fiberglass.”

A watercolour design had not been done on Sintered Stone before, thus posing an unprecedented challenge. Carlos Garcia, product designer at TheSize explained, “We had to expand the original design, all the while trying not to lose the quality of definition offered by the original drawing. Each pixel was equal to two metres of final floor.”

Through R&D, Neolith developed the

E N IG MA , BARCE LO NA

technology to re-create the design onto slabs, producing a perfect replica of the drawing.

The organic space, with its curves and narrow aisles required the slabs to be cut down into six smaller pieces, the smallest being only 3cm wide. Absolute precision was key to guarantee the uniformity of the watercolour design. Taking inspiration from

a map, a coordinate system was put into place, uniquely labelling every single slab to know its exact position in the project. This way, the installers on location were able to piece the interior together like a puzzle.

Together Albert Adrià, RCR Arquitectes and Neolith have created a project that is truly spectacular in terms of design,

material quality and, of course food. ENIGMA truly is full of surprises, the architects say.

“Each person will have their own gastronomic, spatial and enigmatic experience. They will perceive a world that is far from their daily lives; a place with sensory pleasures where time stops. In other words, each person will live out their own dream.”

Above left and right “Different, dream-like areas have been created for guests to try dishes and really take in the taste of Albert Adrià’s cuisine. Moreover, the furniture and uniforms were designed as objects that appear and disappear from the diner’s vision as if in a dream,” say the architects Left The 700m2 floor of the restaurant was transformed into a watercolour painting using Neolith’s proprietary digital printing decoration technology NDD (Neolith Digital Design)

12 LEADINGARCHITECTURE & DESIGN APRIL/MAY 2017

CUSTOM MADE COLORS Creativity, Passion, Customization ENIGMA: The new gastronomic space of Albert Adrià designed by RCR Arquitectes (Pritzker Prize 2017) and Pau Llimona where NEOLITH recreates a dreamlike landscape with an unique design, applied in claddings, countertops and flooring of the entire restaurant.

Discover all the design possibilities and the extraordinary features offered by NEOLITH at www.neolith.co.za

WWW.LEADINGARCHITECTURE.CO.ZA APRIL/MAY 2017 13

>>B LU EPRINT

Civic landmark The new council chamber building designed by StudioMAS for the City of Johannesburg is an architectural landmark symbolising the transformation of the city and catalysing urban development.

PHOTOGRAPHY SUPPLIED

14 LEADINGARCHITECTURE & DESIGN APRIL/MAY 2017

PRO J EC T # 1 COU N CI L CHAM B E RS

T

he new council chamber building for the City of Johannesburg at the city’s Braamfontein Metro Centre is the first phase of a R2.5billion Office Space Optimisation project designed to streamline and consolidate the city’s office space, and improve efficiency and service delivery.

The new Council Chamber became a necessity when the old chamber in the Metro Centre simply became too small to accommodate the number of councillors at council sittings,

which take place 12 times a year.

As a first bold move, the council decided to place the new chamber outside of the Metro Centre Building, on a highly visible corner at the top of Rissik Street, which runs like a spine through the CBD. The aim in activating this space is to begin a process of revitalising the Metro Precinct. The new building also presented an opportunity to contribute to an urban environment that embodies the soul of the city through cohesion, efficiency, and sustainability and to create an architectural icon that would be a symbol of the transformation of the city.

Continued next page

The iconic presence of the City of Joburg’s new council chamber not only provides the city with a new architectural landmark, but also allows the outside world to have a visual connection with the building’s occupants, which is symbolic of a constant dialogue between the public and municipal officials

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>>B LU EPRINT

The chamber was designed by StudioMAS Architecture and Urban Design to embody a design ethos based on developing a mixed use civic precinct that integrates with the urban fabric and encourages pride of place. The intention was to create a civic landmark that would be different in form from the surrounding existing modernist, pre-1994-era buildings; and that would speak to the citizens and visitors to Johannesburg in symbolising the core values of Lekgotla, the fundamental principles of democracy – transparency and accountability.

The design of this Chamber is

P ROJ EC T #1 COU N CI L CHAM B E RS

African inspired, with the Chamber modelled creatively on the African drum (calling people together) and the circular lekgotla concept (a meeting place). The latter concept extends beyond the physical Meeting Chamber to the creation of a ‘place for the people’ – warm, inviting, vibrant surroundings, where people can interact comfortably on a commercial and social level. The architecture therefore seeks to celebrate African principles of space making, while incorporating smart technologies and green building systems.

The form itself is that of a transparent drum – a cylindrical

structure enveloped entirely by a glass façade with vertical glass fins covering the curved outer skin of the building. Its golden tower reaches into the Johannesburg sky and will become a definitive landmark in the City’s centre. The glass facades of the Chamber promotes the City’s belief in transparency, good governance and inclusiveness, allowing the public to view proceedings. This allows the outside world to have a visual connection with the building’s occupants, which is symbolic of a constant dialogue between the public and municipal officials.

Continued next page

Left The exterior fins provide necessary sun shading to the curved glass façade Below and far left The chamber is positioned on the highly visible corner at the top of Rissik Street, so that it would be well integrated with the urban fabric and encourage pride of place

16 LEADINGARCHITECTURE & DESIGN APRIL/MAY 2017

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As one of the largest engineering consultancies in Africa, WSP | Parsons Brinckerhoff plays an important role in our country’s sustainable development. We aim to future proof our projects, helping our clients to achieve their sustainable development goals and approaching everything we do with passion and caring.

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>>B LU EPRINT

P ROJ EC T #1 COU N CI L CHAM B E RS

Right The circular lekgotla concept (a meeting place) seeks to celebrate African principles of space making Below right The glass façade features vertical glass fins covering the curved outer skin of the building, made from laminated safety glass with a gold film in between

The design intention was also to reflect, through its choice of materials, the concept of Johannesburg as Egoli or ‘a place of gold’, which refers to the city’s gold-mining history. The exterior fins provide necessary sun shading to the curved glass façade being constructed from laminated safety glass with a gold film in between.

The Chamber comprises three main spaces – the Service Room, Main Chamber assembly space, and Public/Media gallery – located over Lower Ground, Upper Ground, Mezzanine, and First Floor levels.

A perimeter corridor is located between the external curved glass and internal glazing to the Chamber space. This space can be used as an informal caucus area and plays an important role as a buffer from external noise.

The winning designs of a public art competition have been translated into wooden totems placed inside the Council Chamber building. The totems needed to embody and represent the distinctive stories of the inhabitants of their respective communities. In addition to the wooden totems, artworks ranging from canvas to glass, copper and steel fill the walkway into the main Chamber.

The intention for future phases of the precinct is to create a new configuration that is extremely permeable and walkable; with a strong sense of place that encourages people to linger through the introduction of newly defined landscaped courtyards, and active ground floor uses

such as cafes, restaurants, retail and billing service outlets.

A new pedestrian promenade that functions as a primary connector of the Metro Centre to Park Station via Rissik Street is currently under development.

The Council Chamber recently received a 5-star Green Star SA design certification in the category for Public and Education Buildings (PEB). The Chamber is the first municipal building in South Africa to be rated under the PEB tool which also achieved a Green Star SA Socio-Economic Category (SEC) rating.

PROFESSIONAL TEAM CLIENT: City of Joburg SENIOR DEVELOPMENT MANAGER: Bayete Capital SUSTAINABILITY CONSULTANT: WSP | Parsons Brinkerhoff ARCHITECT: StudioMAS Architecture and Urban Design CONTRACTORS: Grinaker Aveng LTA JV Enza Construction CONSTRUCTION: Enza Construction ENGINEERS: PURE Consulting Engineers; Aftek Consulting Engineers QUANTITY SURVEYORS: Koor Dindar Mothei ACOUSTIC ENGINEERS: Pro Acoustic Audio Visual and Acoustic Consulting Engineers

18 LEADINGARCHITECTURE & DESIGN APRIL/MAY 2017

The dawn of a new era for the City of Johannesburg and its people The City of Johannesburg’s new state-of-the-art Council Chamber has become the definitive landmark of the City’s centre. The bronze-finned Chamber structure, with its golden tower, is circular in form, taking its cue from the traditional African structuring of meetings (Lekgotla), and is symbolic of an African drum. The highly transparent nature of the building allows an uninterrupted visual link between the building’s occupants and the public, symbolising the key precepts of democracy – transparency and good governance, promoting constant dialogue between the public and municipal officials. At the same time, it incorporates smart technologies and green building systems. The building has been awarded a 5-star Green Star SA design certification in the category for Public and Education Buildings (PEB) as well as a Green Star SA Socio-Economic Category (SEC) rating, is representative of the progressive stance that the City is taking towards service delivery and towards furthering sustainable city development and socio-economic transformation.

www.jhbproperty.co.za

>>B LU E P R I NT

Nature and art

Bosjes

The swooping arch of the chapel at Bosjes is a modern interpretation of the baroque ‘holbol’ gables typical of the historical Cape Dutch architecture of the area. Architect Coetzee Steyn points out that the chapel, like a Cape Dutch manor house, is a sculptural response to the surrounding mountains

20 LEADINGARCHITECTURE & DESIGN APRIL/MAY 2017

PROJ EC T #2 BOSJES

The swooping, wing-like arches of Bosjes chapel, on a farm near Worcester in the Western Cape, bring together inspiration from nature, the architectural heritage of the region and biblical references.

PHOTOGRAPHY ADAM LETCH

intersect at

Chapel

B

osjes, meaning ‘small bushes’ in Dutch, is the new name given to the old Bosjesman’s Valley Farm, which produces wine grapes, olives, peaches and proteas just over an hour’s drive from Cape Town. The farm boasts an original Cape Dutch manor house that was built in 1790, and has been in the same family since 1831. They have recently added a guesthouse, restaurant and a modern glass-walled chapel with a strikingly curved white roof. The farm will be open to both day visitors as well as overnight guests as it is the perfect venue for weddings and other celebratory occasions.

The chapel was designed by UK-based, South African-born architect Coetzee Steyn from Steyn Studio.

Locally, TV3 Architects and Town Planners oversaw the construction of the chapel, and Liam Mooney was responsible for the interior design.

The chapel stands out as a dazzling architectural presence in the landscape, beautifully integrated with its surroundings. It is visually arresting, but not overwhelming or out of place. This effect is in part the result of the illusion that the chapel is floating, set as it is on a raised plinth over a reflection pond. Its glass sides and the parabolic/ hyperbolic arches and surfaces of its thin shell concrete roof, which also function architecturally as walls and columns, enhance the sense of weightlessness. At the heart of its inspiration is Psalm 36:7: “How priceless is your unfailing love, O God! People take refuge in the shadow of your wings.”

Continued next page

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>>B LU E P R I NT

Right The utilitarian simplicity of the chapel’s interior was inspired by the tranquillity of the Moravian Missionary Stations in the area

The site is surrounded by the Slanghoek and Waaihoek mountain ranges, and, as Steyn points out in his official text on the project, historical Cape Dutch Manor houses, such as the old Bosjes farmhouse, typically set up dialogue with these types of environments.

On one hand, the sculptural form of the roof is a response to the surrounding mountains, and on the other, it is an “interpretation of the baroque ‘holbol’ gable in the edge profile and the roof shape”.

“The chapel development reflects, in microcosm, one half of what already exists at the scale of the valley as a whole in terms of its sculptural relationship, as does currently exist between the Manor House and the Waaihoek Mountains,” says Steyn. The thoughtfully landscaped Chapel Gardens at the Chapel’s base include a pomegranate orchard and celebratory lush fruit tree sections, as well as other plants that are referenced in the bible.

He adds, “Apart from investigating the local history of the farm we also looked at Moravian Missionary Stations as inspiration.” These historic missionary churches are characterised by utilitarian simplicity and tranquil white lit interiors. “Similar to the Mission Churches it has no vertical elements and the form is generally horizontal,” says Steyn. “As with the gables

Opposite The visual lightness and the dynamism of the curved concrete roof suggests motion and flight, fusing a sense of serenity with the expansiveness of the landscape it’s set in

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PROJ EC T #2 BOSJES

present on these churches, the identifying element on the Chapel is that of its roof and its shaped edges.”

He points out, however, that the chapel at Bosjes is outward-looking, open to the valley and mountains beyond rather than inward-looking, as the historical churches in the area were. Its visual lightness and the dynamism of its shape conjure motion and flight, fusing a sense of serenity with the expansiveness of the landscape it is set in. The whitewashed walls and terrazzo floors enhance the play of light and shadow, once again placing emphasis on simplicity and purity.

The unadorned interior design balances the chapel’s daringly beautiful form with a certain submissiveness to its setting, evoking a sense of wonder at nature and introspective contemplation where nature, art and spirituality intersect.

PROFESSIONAL TEAM ARCHITECT: Steyn Studio EXECUTIVE ARCHITECT: TV3 Architects INTERIOR DESIGN: Liam Mooney Studio LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT: CNdV Africa QS: The De Leeuw Group STRUCTURAL ENGINEERS: Henry Fagan & Partners SERVICES ENGINEER: SolutionStation Consulting Engineers PLANNING CONSULTANT: Ron Brunings HERITAGE CONSULTANTS: Graham Jacobs, Elzet Albertyn and Lize Malan

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>> B LU EPRINT

Handmade inspiration

Piza e Vino reinvigorates its brand with an artisanal interior that references the handmade craft of its traditional pizzas

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Above A unique room divider just beyond the kitchen is adorned with over 100 wooden rolling pins, paying tribute to the craft of hand rolled pizza dough

24 LEADINGARCHITECTURE & DESIGN APRIL/MAY 2017

iza e Vino, an Italian pizzeria, falls under the Doppio Zero Group founded by entrepreneurial partners, Paul Christie and Miki Milovanovic. The duo wanted to reinvigorate the Piza e Vino brand by creating a restaurant interior that was in line with the company’s newly refined logo that emphasises the ‘handmade’ aspect of the traditional pizzas for which Piza e Vino is known.

Christie and Milovanovic briefed Inhouse Brand Architects to come up with an interior scheme for a brand-new Piza e Vino outlet within the newly added extension to the Lynnridge Mall in Lynnwood, Pretoria. Inhouse was responsible for establishing Piza e Vino and its brand in the new space, working with the architects and construction team from the ground up.

Inhouse took inspiration for the

project from a diversity of vintage influences, particularly old-school pizzerias. Nostalgia plays a role in the restaurant’s finishes, which are a blend of patterned and subway tiles, polished concrete flooring, light oak dining tables, light coloured marble counter tops, real leather upholstered booths, leather seating with brass buckles and strapping details, and reclaimed timber cladding. These all give the space an authentic atmosphere, while making the dining areas warm and inviting.

In addition to the sense of nostalgia, the concept of ‘handmade’ was critical in the design scheme; with the intention of emphasising that Piza e Vino’s pizzas are created by hand by real people for real people. This concept is reinforced by the choice to place a completely open kitchen in the heart of the space.

P ROJ EC T #3 PIZA E VI N O

The concept of “handmade” was reinforced by placing a completely open kitchen in the heart of the space with a grand, custom-designed pizza oven as its focal point.

A grand, custom-designed pizza oven is the focal point, here.

The oven is large and hexagonal, tiled in geometrics, and quietly dominates any view of the restaurant. The oven is fronted by a pizza bar where diners can take in a ‘master class’ of the chefs at work and children can create their own pizzas.

Just beyond the kitchen, a custombuilt steel screen encompasses the central booth seating. This unique room divider is adorned with over 100 wooden rolling pins, paying tribute to the craft of hand rolled pizza dough, and once again, emphasising Piza e Vino’s artisanal offering…

The lighting further accentuates the handmade inspiration and

authenticity of the space. Glass blown pendants with brass fittings and vintage wall sconces with amber tinted glass generate a welcoming, intimate atmosphere.

All in all, the finished look gives life to the new brand, successfully managing to create the sense of a traditional, rustic pizzeria in the heart of Pretoria.

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PROJ EC T # 4 RI DG EVIEW & I LLOVO H E AD O FFICE

Tropical form Growthpoint Ridgeview and Illovo’s new corporate head office in the Ridgeside office complex, has become a prominent piece of Umhlanga’s new urbanism, and won the SAPOA award for the best commercial building in South Africa for 2016 PHOTOGRAPHY SUPPLIED Continued next page

26 LEADINGARCHITECTURE & DESIGN APRIL/MAY 2017

Photo By: Grant Pitcher

A 5 STAR GREEN RATING, AND NOT BAD LOOKING EITHER.

Whatever the challenge, we’re trusted to deliver.

A team of experts with extensive experience made number 1, Nokwe Avenue on the Umhlanga Ridge a possibility. The building is home to two visionary companies, Illovo and AECOM. Elphick Proome Architects and Growthpoint worked alongside our agent Victor Van den Berg to bring to life a sustainable and beautiful office. Whatever the size of the project, we have the scope and expertise to deliver.

Visit italtile.co.za/commercial for more beautiful living or call Gauteng: 012 348 3429, KZN: 031 566 5069 or Western Cape: 021 510 7766.

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>>B LU EPRINT

A

rising from a successful competitive bid process, this corporate office complex has become a prominent piece of Umhlanga’s new urbanism.

Conceived as two office buildings arranged around a landscaped forecourt, the buildings are prominently positioned alongside a traffic circle near the Gateway Shopping Centre on a busy arterial road. The Ridgeview office received the SAPOA award for the best commercial building in South Africa for 2016 and has been awarded a 5 green star design rating.

The architectural expression of the complex is characterised by a suite of crafted facades which contextualise the construct in its subtropical environment. Conceptually, while the two buildings, developed by Growthpoint, form a consolidated

PROJ EC T # 4 RI DG EVIEW & I LLOVO H E AD O FFICE

campus, the Illovo building is a corporate head office and Ridgeview a premium grade speculative office building.

Ridgeview is generated on the basis of maximising flexibility facilitating a range of tenancy configurations while Illovo is a bespoke solution.

By locating the cores on the North West edge of the buildings and accessing eccentrically on the footprints at the grade parking level, useable office spaces of differing sizes are provided on either side of the core and at various levels of the buildings. On the uppermost levels, the disparately sized wings are linked across internal atria to provide a single occupancy.

The sectional arrangement on the most prominent corners of the site is inversely stepped to promote larger office floor plates as the higher the buildings rise.

This strategy promotes better views with increased elevation in line with larger workspaces and simultaneously creates the iconic quality of the buildings.

The most remarkable feature exhibited by the buildings is the filtered facades on the south west and north west facades in response to the sites’ urban interface and solar orientation.

Highly tuned and carefully shaped fritted glass solar fins are suspended off curtain-wall office fenestration on these key facades. These elements are both visually permeable and view friendly, providing a constantly variable and unique, functional building skin which delivers beautifully controlled light into internal spaces.

Entrance to both is gained off an indigenous landscaped

central parking courtyard via voluminous atria. Transparent entrance articulation announces the reception foyers and the spaces are warmly treated in timber clad ceilings and crafted reception joinery. Internally, the office floor plates are arranged over four levels above the entrance space. Visual connection to the courtyard, busy urban condition towards Gateway, to distant ocean and to Durban’s CBD views is achieved on all workspace levels.

Careful consideration in respect of capturing external views, balance of work functionality and communal spaces have certainly delivered an outstanding workplace environment in these buildings that have set a new paradigm for Umhlanga’s office park offerings.

Continued next page

Left The architectural expression of the complex is characterised by a suite of crafted facades which contextualise the construct in its subtropical environment

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>>BLUEPRINT

PROJ EC T # 4 RI DG EVI EW & I LLOVO H E AD O FFICE

Left The two buildings – Illovo’s corporate head office and Ridgeview, a premium grade speculative office building – form a consolidated campus arranged around an indigenous landscaped central parking courtyard Below Reception foyers and other internal spaces feature warm timber clad ceilings and joinery

Italtile products selected from Italtile’s vast range of commercial lines were used throughout the building. These include Laufen sanitary ware, Oli cisterns and flush plates and Uptown Tiles, which are imported from Italy. Italtile’s Commercial Agent Victor van den Berg says his enthusiasm for this project was encouraged by the knowledge and experience to proven excellence of the dynamic team on this project, which included architects George Elphick (Director) and Chiara Braida (Lead Architect) from EPA and interior designer Angie James from EPL Novaspace. www.italtile.co.za

PROFESSIONAL TEAM CLIENT: Illovo Sugar Ltd CLIENT AND DEVELOPER: GrowthPoint Properties Ltd PROJECT CONSULTANT: Grant & Whitfield PROJECTS MANAGERS/PRINCIPAL AGENT: AECOM ARCHITECTS: EPA INTERIOR DESIGNERS: EPL Novospace QUANTITY SURVEYOR: FWJK Quantity Surveyors STRUCTURAL AND CIVIL ENGINEERS: Hatch Goba PILING CONTACTOR: Megapile (Pty) Ltd MECHANICAL ENGINEERS: AURECON South Africa (Pty) Ltd FIRE ENGINEERS: AURECON South Africa (Pty) Ltd WET SERVICES ENGINEERS: AURECON South Africa (Pty) Ltd ELECTRICAL ENGINEERS: IBUYA Consulting Engineers SUSTAINABILITY CONSULTANTS: AECOM LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS: Uys & White Landscape Architects LAND SURVEYOR: Visick Moodie CONTRACTOR: WBHO Construction (Pty) Ltd

elphick proome architects inc. www.eparch.co.za

+27 31 275 5800

16 the boulevard

info@eparch.co.za

westway office park

30 LEADINGARCHITECTURE & DESIGN APRIL/MAY 2017

durban

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ALU M I N I U M & G L ASS

SPECNET REVOLUTIONISES YOUR WINDOW AND DOOR BUYING EXPERIENCE

Swartland’s revolutionary SpecNet is a practical, easy-to-use web-based tool that supports professionals operating in the built environment by providing free downloadable ArchiCad objects, Revit families and product information for Swartland’s range of windows and doors – making specifying and accurate design a synch.

Any building project can be described as a sum of all its parts – and as any building professional will know, there can be literally thousands of different ‘parts’ – making the specifying process a long and arduous job. One of the largest joinery and moulding manufacturers in southern Africa and producers of a wide range of quality doors and windows, Swartland, has taken it on themselves to help industry professionals by making the specification of their products as quick and easy as possible.

With Swartland’s SpecNet system, specifiers, architects, builders and developers don’t need to leave their desks in

The SpecNet platform offers users access to: • Autocad objects, Revit families and intelligent schedules with product values • Product documentation and certification • A specification tool as well as a drop and drag function • Product catalogues • A pricing/estimate basket system • Training and information sharing • A blogging platform with interactive expert advice • Lifestyle images for all product ranges • New product and service initiatives

order to garner all the necessary information, measurements, prices, product values and even professional drawings of Swartland’s range of windows and doors – simply log on to www.swartland.co.za/ specnet, register and you will have access to over 800 accurate and detailed architectural drawings of Swartland’s products that you can download at no cost and add to your personal library.

32 LEADINGARCHITECTURE & DESIGN APRIL/MAY 2017

John Lamb from Swartland elaborates: “In a nutshell, SpecNet provides access to accurate, intelligent ArchiCAD objects and Revit families of various Swartland products.

From sketch through to design and rendering, architectural drawings of Swartland’s windows and doors are freely available to all registered SpecNet users. The system has been designed by professionals, for professionals, with the aim of simplifying the specification process and saving professionals time and money. Also, since the information provided on the SpecNet system is 100% accurate and continuously checked and updated by Swartland themselves - it leaves fewer margins for error on the professionals’ side.”

The ultimate in green compliance The SANS 10400-XA National Building requirements relating to energy usage in buildings are not new, however ensuring that a building is compliant takes a lot of extra effort. To aid in this process, each SpecNet drawing comes with its own individual U- and SHGC values, as well as full certification of compliance, ready to insert into your drawings and calculations to ensure that they meet all the necessary regulations.

Says John, “Swartland continuously tests its products to ensure that they are compliant with the National Building Regulations.

In order to make sure that its windows are compliant with the SANS 613 and 204 (Fenestration Products) Mechanical Performance Criteria for example, its Ready-2-Fit range of windows

are tested for deflection, structural strength, water-resistance, air-tightness, operating forces, and the best possible energy efficiency. As a result, they have unique mechanical property values, from A1 to A4, assigned to them.”

Inspiration and convenience Currently, drawings of and information about Swartland’s full Cape Culture range of wooden windows and doors are available on SpecNet – you can browse these products for inspiration or to find the specific products that are best suited to the project you are working on. Swartland’s Winsters and Kayo ranges will also soon be added to the system – broadening the scope of the offering to cover all project budgets – from high-end, through to low-cost building projects.

Further to the convenience of being able to source all required product information, and download professional architectural drawings, SpecNet has also been designed as a platform where professionals can participate in various forum discussion groups, and read interesting articles about what is trending in the built world, and in particular, the field of fenestration and doors. Says John, “The SpecNet forum is a great source of information – it keeps us updated with the needs and requirements of the building environment, and it provides professionals operating within the industry access to a forum where they can pick the brains of other industry or fenestration specialists about specific queries.” www.swartland.co.za

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FLO O RI N G

ASSA ABLOY ENTRANCE SYSTEMS SUPPLIES BESAM AUTOMATIC DOOR SYSTEMS TO ROSEBANK TOWERS

ASSA ABLOY Entrance Systems partnered with AOC Johannesburg and Reusable Walling Systems to install five safe, secure and convenient entrance and exit solutions at Rosebank Towers in Johannesburg.

Besam door systems present a great entrance and exit solution for business premises such as Rosebank Towers, with aesthetically appealing doors that further enhance the building’s appearance. The high-quality, top-notch service and value for money offered in Besam products, were fundamental in positioning ASSA ABLOY Entrance Systems as the preferred entrance solutions supplier.

As an environmentally conscious company, ASSA ABLOY Entrance Systems offers automatic door systems that deliver energy savings by not only helping to maintain the controlled air-conditioned climate inside but also by keeping heat and wind outside.

The air-conditioners maintain their pre-set temperatures, thus consuming less electricity presenting a cost saving for the building and a reduction in the use of South Africa’s finite coal resources.

Rosebank Towers is an exclusive, multi-tenanted office building in the heart of the Rosebank CBD. Positioned opposite the Firs and across the road from the exclusive Hyatt Hotel, it presents the perfect location for a head office - it is within walking distance from the Rosebank Gautrain and only five minutes from the M1 freeway.

Rosebank Towers is complemented by easy vehicular access, strong pedestrian links, and an identifiable visual approach.

The landscaped pedestrian sidewalk integrates the building and the street environment.

ASSA ABLOY Entrance Systems were given the goahead to supply and install the five Besam SL500 units at Rosebank Towers during 2016. As all door systems for Rosebank Towers are frameless, top and bottom rails were added on the doors as well as frameless floor guides. The first order called for two Besam single slider entrance and exit doors complete with accessories.

The second order included one Besam bi-parting sliding door mechanism as well as two Besam single slider doors.

34 LEADINGARCHITECTURE & DESIGN APRIL/MAY 2017

The Besam SL500 operates electromechanically; the motor, control unit, transmission (and optional emergency unit and electromechanical locking device) are all assembled in a support beam with an integrated cover. The motor and gear box transmit movement to the door leaves by mean of a tooth belt.

The feature-rich Besam door systems are renowned for their versatile functionality and convenience. The user can switch the door sensors to a range of options. The doors can, for example, be set to automatic for normal door operation allowing twoway traffic while the oneway setting allows passage from the inside only. An

electromechanical locking device locks the door and can only be opened with an inner activation unit or with a key switch/emergency push-button.

The auto-partial setting allows for partial opening during twoway traffic. The reset option returns the doors to the closed position and the doors will then function as normal. The doors can also be set on permanently open or closed.

The high quality and durability of Besam door systems carry a twelve month warranty beginning from the time of delivery, and regular inspection by trained and qualified personnel ensures that the doors are properly maintained. www.assaabloyentrance.com

#DAEFEE #B4DFDF #5DB7B7 #23A3A2 #009F97 #0D7C83

WWW.LEADINGARCHITECTURE.CO.ZA APRIL/MAY 2017 35

36 LEADINGARCHITECTURE & DESIGN APRIL/MAY 2017

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We’ve welcomed a new member to the family.

Since 1951, Swartland has been a family-owned business. We’ve come a long way in 66 years, maintaining our family values and high standards. Three generations later, we’ve become the leading manufacturer of wooden windows and doors in South Africa.

Now we’re proud to add to our family of world-class brands with Kenzo, our new range of high quality aluminium windows and doors.

Manufactured to our same exacting standards, this beautiful, practical range is available to you through our wide national network, which enables us to deliver on time, every time. Here’s to diversity in our family, and to the future.

THE POPULAR CHOICE

3 YEAR

GUARANTEE

For more information visit www.swartland.co.za or call us on 086 110 2425 38 LEADINGARCHITECTURE & DESIGN APRIL/MAY 2017

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MASTER PERMEABLE PAVING WITH TECHNICRETE All new properties developed in the Ekurhuleni region, regardless of the size, are required to submit a storm water management plan to the Ekurhuleni Municipality.

To meet this prerequisite, the consulting engineers, Mhiduve, developed an innovative storm water attenuation management system through the use of Technicrete’s Aqua Zig Zag Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS) and DZZ interlocking pavers on the new Columbia Pharmaceutical factory development in Boksburg, thereby enabling it to meet local authority requirements.

Deon Slabbert, project engineer, Mhiduve, commented, “We believed that the successful management of the storm water element at this new factory required an innovative approach due to space challenges we faced on site. In addition to permeable paving used as a covering for attenuation ponds, we used Technicrete’s DZZ 80mm interlocking pavers over areas of 3 000m2 and 1 200 m2 respectively below the permeable paving that had capacity to hold 1 600m2 of storm water. We also sourced 4 300m2 of Aqua Zig Zag 80mm Class 40/2.6 pavers. The DZZ pavers were coupled with 2-4 mil of filler stone that was used as grout in the system.”

“The DZZ paving blocks are in fact ‘slotted’ paving blocks, which allow the storm water to penetrate the surface through these slots and be collected in the unique layerworks underneath the paving surface from where it can be released in a controlled manner into the system of the local authority. The SUDS that were supplied by Technicrete are increasingly being used to prevent run-off and flooding, as well as a method of collecting, attenuating and cleaning storm water,” said Slabbert.

Technicrete sales representative, Wayne Oliver commented, “SUDS are increasingly being used to prevent run-off and flooding, and as a method of collecting and cleaning storm water. It is an interesting and successful use of our DZZ range of interlocking pavers for an application as crucial as storm water attenuation management that was a critical component of the Columbia Pharmaceutical factory development. The combination of the DZZ with the Aqua Zig Zag and filler stone established a good permeable paving system suitable for the dispersion of the quantities of storm water expected.”

The Technicrete sustainable urban drainage system allows heavy rain to infiltrate through a permeable concrete block paved surface into a unique sub-base before being released in a controlled manner into sewers or water courses. The paved areas must be firmly restrained and Technicrete kerbing was utilised for this purpose on this attenuation project.

“The DZZ offer a hard-wearing surface overlay for traditional applications such as commercial and industrial roadways, depots, suburban streets, petrol station forecourts as well as residential driveways and pavements” said Oliver.

CE M E NT & CO N CRETE

SENSOR FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL OF CEMENT

Optris, represented locally by Instrotech, has on offer the Optris CSmicro LT pyrometer, specifically for application in the measurement and control of temperature in cement manufacture.

Temperature is a critically importance component in the process of making of concrete, and specifically, the importance of controlling the temperature before the concrete is deposited. Optimal temperature of the concrete must fall within the range of +5°C and +55°C, a factor which greatly influences the final characteristics of concrete and performance (cracking, resistance and wear and tear). Concrete temperature is directly related to the development of strength and fresh concrete can be damaged when exposed to very low or very high temperatures.

Key factors to control during the pouring of concrete related with temperature: • Warm weather affects speed limits evaporation • Cold weather inhibits the hydration process.

Optris’ CSmicro LT is equipped with an innovative, miniaturised stainless steel measuring head, the optimally suited for installation in limited spaces. Its small size and its temperature resistance up to 120°C make the mechanic integration of the measuring head especially cost-efficient.

The intelligent LED display works optionally as alarm signal, target support, selfdiagnosis or temperaturecode display. The placement of electronic components within the cable allows for a high temperature resistance of the measuring head. It measures temperature in the range of -40°C to 1 030°C; the spectral range is 8 to 14 µm and the response time is 30 ms - 999 s. The unit can be optimally installed on cement pumps, mixer trucks and cement silos. www.instrotech.co.za

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CE M E NT & CO N CRETE

ROCLA’S VERSATILE CONCRETE POLES In the last decade, questions about the cost effectiveness and environmental friendliness of timber and steel poles have inevitably made industry seek alternative solutions for applications across a wide variety of sectors. These include electricity, electrical, telecommunications, security monitoring, stadium and street lighting, park and public place lighting and fibre optic poles being used by major players in the industry, all of which can be cost effectively serviced by Rocla’s locally manufactured cast and spun concrete poles. Rocla has a long and established reputation in the manufacture of concrete poles in South Africa, Namibia and Botswana, of which their spun poles are manufactured from high quality, durable, partially prestressed or reinforced concrete. Rocla cast and rectangular poles are made in steel moulds from high quality concrete with a mix designed to achieve the strength and durability to meet the customer’s requirements.

for cables to be fed from the ground through the pole, which is hollow, so that tampering or theft of cables is significantly reduced and the pole structure is impossible to destroy and extremely difficult to remove from the installation site.

With increased installation of fibre optics, the Rocla poles are being used extensively to build infrastructure and to replace previously used wooden poles.

Local municipalities responsible for the lighting of stadia, parks and grounds

A variety of applications Rocla’s concrete poles have become the benchmark in long life, zero maintenance street lighting poles. They are vandal proof and available in a range of heights, load capabilities and fitting requirements.

Security companies are utilising the Rocla spun concrete poles for the installation of CCTV cameras and other monitoring equipment in suburbs as part of their community crime prevention activities as the pole design allows

40 LEADINGARCHITECTURE & DESIGN APRIL/MAY 2017

and general public areas need suitable, low-maintenance, aesthetically pleasing lighting installations to create a safe, well-lit environment.

Sports stadiums in particular, which are significant revenue earners, require a multifaceted approach to lighting solutions. The Rocla spun concrete poles are ideally suited to accommodate floodlighting around sports pitches as well as the surrounding grounds.

In line with South Africa’s commitment of electricity for all, Rocla developed

cast concrete poles for the electrical distribution industry, while the advanced tall spun pole is used on transmission lines such as those found in Richards Bay and similar facilities. The concrete poles offer benefits that include vandalism resistance, standardised fittings, quick installation as well as a maintenance-free long life, all factors which the old, traditional wooden poles lack.

Veld fires in outlying farming and other facilities cause seasonal damage, and at times complete destruction to wooden poles housing reticulation systems for electricity supplies of 11kV and 22kV of power, making regular replacement uneconomical.

The installation and related maintenance costs of concrete poles circumvents this type of damage and is a far more affordable and durable option.

Compliant Quality Testing Rocla’s manufacturing facilities all comply to ISO9001:2008 quality management systems, and the company tests poles to SABS 470 specifications. The concrete poles are also marked with a traceability reference.

The scope of the testing procedures cover: inspection, test frequency, dimension checks, straightness tests, proof load tests, cover to reinforcing checks, torsional test and ultimate load test.

Rocla will design and manufacture to meet customer’s stringent requirements as well as manufacture products for non-standard applications if required. www.rocla.co.za

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CE M E NT & CO N CRETE

PPC BOTSWANA GIVES AWAY UNIQUE CEMCRETE FINISHED DREAM HOME PPC Botswana’s Building Dreams competition has come to an end and the 4 million Pula house was given to a lucky Kgakgamatso Nthebolan, a young woman from central Botswana. The competition that ran for a year attracted over 24 000 entries from all over the country.

The PPC Dream house was conceptualised with an intention to provide a cement and concrete based unique house never done before in the Botswana market. The house sits on a plot just over 400m2 in size. The architectural design brief from PPC was to create a fully integrated contemporary family space.

The architect of the Building Dreams house, Tshoganetso Rantshilo of Architects Collaborative, said the inspiration behind the house was in accordance with the client’s brief. He stated that the objective was to achieve an environmentally responsive house that showcases the versatility of cement and concrete, and the reason behind bringing Cemcrete on board.

“In response to orientation, we decided to place most of the day time living spaces, lounge, TV room, study, on the north west so that they do not receive direct sunlight – thus making them more comfortable”, he said.

Diffused light is however borrowed through clerestory windows, also known as high level windows.

The house was constructed by renowned company, Wharic Construction who ensured that the contemporary look extends from the exterior going to the interior.

According to PPC Botswana sales and marketing manager, Tuelo Botlhole, the dream home was constructed under the PPC values and principles, the five pillars, safety conscious to ensure no injuries throughout the construction, quality workmanship, on time; on budget and an aesthetically appealing end product.

The finishes of the PPC Dream House continue the modern design language of the house and highlight the versatility of cement. The house features distinctive cement-based finishes sponsored by Cemcrete. The collaboration between PPC and Cemcrete was ideal as most of Cemcrete’s finishes are made from cement as the main ingredient. Cemcrete, along with the architects, specified an on trend colour scheme of greys and rust with a play on different cement textures. The pool, interior floors, exterior and interior

42 LEADINGARCHITECTURE & DESIGN APRIL/MAY 2017

walls, ceiling, kitchen counters and cupboards, counter and bedroom cupboards were all finished with Cemcrete’s range of cement-based finishes.

TswanaCrete, the agent in Botswana that resells the Cemcrete product range, also did all the application of the Cemcrete finishes. According to Joanne Sykes, Cemcrete’s marketing and sales director, the stand out finishes applied

by TswanaCrete includes the double volume off-shutter CemPlaster wall; CreteStain Rust curved walls, PolishCrete kitchen countertop as well as the Colour Hardener flooring used throughout the house to create unity.

“With the PPC Bostwana house we want to show the African market the endless possibilities with cement-based finishes, all manufactured in South-Africa making it perfect for the African climate. The house is the first of its kind in

Gaborone and will be the start of a distinctive design style in Botswana,” Joanne adds.

Even though the competition is over and the winner has been chosen, the Botswana market can still be inspired by the house and create their own dream home finished with cement-based finishes, made possible by Cemcrete and TswanaCrete. www.cemcrete.co.za

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CE M E NT & CO FLO N CRETE O RI N G

TRILIUM, DEKTONŽ BY COSENTINO’S ECO-FRIENDLY RANGE

Find a supplier www.terraforce.com

Tel: 021 465 1907 44 LEADINGARCHITECTURE & DESIGN APRIL/MAY 2017

SCHOOL SEATING WITH THE 4X4 STEP BLOCK SYSTEM When it comes to sitting down, we all want to do so comfortably.

Unfortunately, public or community seating solutions are often expensive and time consuming to install, leaving such spaces underdeveloped due to lack of funds.

As a result, there is considerable demand for durable seating arrangements, which can be installed in a cost-effective and easy manner, while still meeting all statutory requirements with regard to comfort and safety.

Consequently, a locally developed product, the Terraforce 4x4 Step block system, a combination of an accessory stair/seating block and any standard Terraforce retaining block, has become popular in South Africa and other parts of the world, and is used successfully at recreational or educational facilities.

The system requires low hardware input for manufacture, low transport costs and low inventory requirements at sales outlets. As an added benefit, the completed seating arrangements also offer a high-quality aesthetic finish.

Recently two such installations were installed by Decorton Retaining Systems, Terraforce recommended civils company, at two schools in the Western Cape, South Africa.

The first, at Fish Hoek High School, seats 1 100 students comfortably. Says Steve Mitchell, educator at the school, “The embankment next to our sport field was too steep for anyone to sit on, as you would just slide down the grass. It was a wasted area and an eyesore, as cutting the grass on that slope is quite a task. Also, with the

steps placed strategically at intervals, it naturally allows for our four school houses to be split without issues of rope or barrier tape.

This is convenient for our athletics, cross country and annual go-cart race.

This all happens on our sport fields. It also allows for our rugby and cricket supporters to have comfortable seating as spectators.�

Mitchell emphasises that the school is particularly happy with the way the seating pavilion looks, “We love that it does not look like a bare concrete structure. The blocks have been slightly coloured, so it blends in with the environment, and the edges are rounded, so you don’t get this sharp edge eating into the back of your legs when you sit on it, and visually it just looks so much better than edged concrete. Thank you Decorton for making it happen!�

The second installation, at Reddam House, Clara Anna Fontein lifestyle estate, Durbanville, is possibly the largest pavilion type seating in South Africa, built with the 4x4 seating system. Bordering the 400 metre athletics and events track, the pavilion was built, also by Decorton Retaining, against the embankment in front of the school and above the sports field, with a staircase in the centre and both ends for easier access. Says SP van Blerk, co-founder, Decorton: “The seating platform accommodates 1 600 spectators comfortably, and up to 2 000 at a push, and we have just been given the go-ahead to add four metres of seating space on either side.� www.terraforce.com

I15445

Your architectural masterpiece should always have the perfect finishes - from paving & garden kerbs, to enhancing surrounding landscapes.

Technicrete has expanded its wide range of industrial and infrastructure concrete products, and today has the most comprehensive range of concrete products across multiple industries. From paving to kerbs and retaining walls, the Technicrete range takes any architectural design, refurbishment and investment to perfect completion. Occupying a unique and significant place in the precast concrete products market, Technicrete is poised to make your investment, perfect.

Paving for:

Retaining walls for:

• • • •

• • • •

Driveways Roadways Pavements Walkways

www.technicrete.co.za Technicrete is a subsidiary of ISG, a leading supplier of innovative infrastructure products to the construction and mining markets in Southern Africa.

Earth embankments Steep channels Slopes Bridges / river banks

paving | mining | masonry | erosion protection retaining walls | drainage | kerbs | precast products Tel: 011 674 6900 Maxi call: 0861 266 267 WWW.LEADINGARCHITECTURE.CO.ZA APRIL/MAY 2017 45

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H E ATI N G

A TRADITION OF EFFICIENCY Jetmaster’s vast range of fireplaces are sure to keep your home cosy and warm this winter

The design and concept of the Jetmaster smokeless Fireplace materialised in 1951. Since then thousands of fireplaces and braais have been manufactured for distribution around the world.

Jetmaster boasts more than 65 years’ experience in the design and manufacture of fireplaces and braais. The company’s main aim is to provide the most enjoyable heating and cooking solutions to all their customers as well as satisfying the lifestyle and design needs of incorporating these products into homes.

Jetmaster’s convection/ radiation heating system allows the room to be heated in two

ways. Firstly, from reflected heat directly off the fire itself, and secondly, from the transfer of heat in the air as it travels through the convection chamber and jets into the room through Jetmaster’s specially patented outlet.

All Jetmaster’s fireplaces are made with seam welds and are shot with metal grit before being painted, which ensures that the paint etches into the steel reducing rusting and flaking of paint under extreme conditions. Most of Jetmaster’s fireplaces have been manufactured with a convection system built into the mechanics of the unit, thus providing more heat than a

46 LEADINGARCHITECTURE & DESIGN APRIL/MAY 2017

traditional fireplace.

The Jetmaster freestanding Mynx is one of the most affordable and effective fireplaces on offer. It’s a complete DIY package, simple, small and convenient to have in your home. Whilst perfect for the price conscious consumer it will keep you warm through the coldest days.

Jetmaster’s flueless builtin gas fireplace creates a comforting yet stunning feature in your living area with its realistic flame pattern, low gas consumption and optional stainless steel surround. This unit will add a modern and contemporary look to your home.

Jetmaster’s locally manufactured slow combustion stoves are available in three sizes. These bold and attractive units are designed to add that comforting touch to your home, creating warmth and exceptional aesthetics. The large flameviewing windows provide an unrestricted appearance of the fire.

Finally, if you would like to keep a traditional look and feel, Jetmaster’s universal range of traditional fireplaces adds warmth and ambience to any home. The simplicity of this unit makes it unique and a must have. www.jetmaster.co.za

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H E ATI N G

ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY WAYS TO HEAT THE HOME

FIRE TYPE Open Wood Fires

EFFICIENCY 5-20%

RUNNING COST Kwhr ADVANTAGES R1.40-5.60 Looks good.

Open Gas Fires

35%

R 5.00

Looks good.

Closed Combustion Wood Stoves

60-80%

R0.35-0.45

Flueless Gas Fires

100%

R 1.50

Powerful Heater.

Can heat up to 200m2.

Environmentally friendly.

Heat at the flick of a Cannot be installed in switch. Powerful heater. small rooms or bedrooms.

48 LEADINGARCHITECTURE & DESIGN APRIL/MAY 2017

DISADVANTAGES Heats one room.

Wastes heat up the chimney 24hrs/day.

Heats one room.

Wastes heat up the chimney 24hrs/day.

You have to light it manually.

Traditional open fireplaces were designed to look good and give enough heat to warm one room of the home. The rest of the home would have been heated by electricity. Times have changed, electricity is no longer the cheap heat source it used to be and consumers are looking at increasingly cost effective and environmentally friendly ways to heat their homes.

Have a look at the options on how to convert your existing low efficiency open wood or gas fire to a high efficiency wood stove or flue-less gas fire. www.infinitifires.co.za

A NEW GENERATION IN HEATING www.infinitifires.co.za

WWW.LEADINGARCHITECTURE.CO.ZA APRIL/MAY 2017 49

a new generation in heating

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H E ATI N G

WHY CLOSED FIREPLACE SYSTEMS MAKE SENSE The carbon footprint of a closed system fireplace or closed combustion fireplace allows you to gather around a fire and heat a space in an environmentally friendly and responsible way.

This is accoding to Hannes Landman, technical manager of Fireplace Warehouse, who adds that a fireplace is more green than a tree rotting in a forest where fossil fuels can generate up to ten times more carbon. The preference should also be to burn invader trees such as eucalyptus which in a water scarce country is obviously beneficial to the environment.

Landman says fireplace sizing is the critical first step of the process. “We tend to oversize the fireplace required by approximately 20% in order to burn less fuel and preserve the fireplace as well. 1kw will heat approximately 12m2 based on a normal ceiling height. After the correct size of fireplace is determined, style and aesthetics then become a factor.

We have models from ultra-modern to traditional available to suit the project.”

Architectural design on plan assists in this as well so it is best to plan before construction starts. www.fireplacewarehouse.co.za

THE NEW DAIKIN FTXB-C DELIVERS BOTH PERFORMANCE AND VALUE The new Daikin FTXB-C Split system is an affordable air-conditioning system aimed at homeowners that combines powerful functionality with good looks, offering highefficiency, low-noise performance.

Designed and manufactured in Europe, the combination of air-to-air heat pump and wall-mounted indoor unit offers a renewable energy solution, capable of delivering the perfect indoor climate whatever the weather and reducing energy bills at the same time.

Renewable energy Compact and easy to install, the FTXB-C’s high efficiency outdoor air-to-air heat pump achieves excellent energy efficiency, up to A+ rating, and maintains comfort levels by

extracting energy from the ambient air to heat the house in winter and reversing the process to extract heat from the indoor air in hotter months.

Feature rich and competitively priced The FTXB-C’s indoor unit with its wipe-clean flat front panel blends in easily to provide discreet comfort in any setting. Whisper quiet in operation, the new FTXB-C air-conditioning system demonstrates the innovation for which Daikin is renowned, harnessing state-of-the-art

50 LEADINGARCHITECTURE & DESIGN APRIL/MAY 2017

technology to deliver maximum responsiveness and precise control at a competitive price.

Vertical auto swing louvres ensure efficient air and temperature distribution throughout the room with no cold spots, while a turbo mode enables rapid heating or cooling for optimum comfort.

Cleaner air The new Daikin FTXB-C will also appeal to families looking for a pure air supply.

A powerful titanium apatite photocatalytic filtering system removes airborne dust particles and absorbs unpleasant smells such as cooking and pet odours to keep the air sweet while filtering out bacteria, viruses and allergens that could affect vulnerable family members.

Smart Control The FTXB-C air conditioning system is supplied complete with an easy-to-use infrared remote control with sophisticated functionality that puts users in control. In addition to the turbo mode, the inbuilt ‘comfort’ and ‘vertical swing’ features provide even air distribution with intelligent flow control to avoid cold air draughts. A timer function allows homeowners to programme the unit to start or stop to suit their personal lifestyles and temperature preferences.

The newest addition to the Daikin range of home air conditioners offers a realistic option that will appeal to homeowners and specifiers looking for a solution that delivers on both performance and value. www.daikin.co.za

We are South Africa’s leading suppliers and installers of combustion stoves, gas fireplaces and braais. With over 350 models to choose from, we will satisfy every need the discerning and well-informed client may require.

For informed decisions, contact us on: 011-794-6000 | info@fireplacewarehouse.co.za www.fireplacewarehouse.co.za WWW.LEADINGARCHITECTURE.CO.ZA APRIL/MAY 2017 51

Keep looking you’ll never find me

Keep a low profile Compact VRV IV heat pumps for residential and light commercial applications.

Less than 1m high, including feet, our new VRV IV S-series compact is the lowest profile VRV unit in the market today. So it’s perfect for all kinds of tight spots and urban spaces. Available in 4 & 5 HP, this lightweight single-fan unit joins our newly extended range of double-fan VRV IV S-series, now available from 4-12 HP. Every unit in the range now features VRV IV technology so you can get all the power of a VRV, in the smallest of spaces.

For more information visit www.daikin.co.za and find your nearest installer via our dealer APRIL/MAY locator. & DESIGN 52 LEADINGARCHITECTURE 2017

>> O N SITE CORPORATE INTERIORS

THE QUESTION OF SHUTTERS

Installing shutters in your home is a good investment, and because shutters are considered a fixture, they will add financial value to your property. Investing your time in the research and careful consideration of key practical and design issues will pay off, not only through the increased value of your property, but the timeless style and beauty shutters will add to your home.

To determine what type of shutters will work best in your space, analyse the architectural and interior design layout of the room.

With various installation options to choose from like folding, sliding and hinged, it’s significant to consider how the shutters will operate and what impact the shutters will have on the space when open and closed. There are further decisions to make such as the

number of panels and how the shutters will line-up with the framework of your windows and doors.

Once the more practical issues have been addressed, the design aspects such as material, finish, colour and additional features need to be chosen. American Shutters’® team of design, manufacturing and installation experts ensure an informed choice and offer an extensive range of interior and exterior shutters for the home or office.

All timber used for manufacture is sourced from sustainable and certified plantations and their newly designed ‘Gear Tilt’ aluminium Security Shutters are locally manufactured from architectural grade aluminium making them ideal for both indoor and outdoor use. www.americanshutters.co.za

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>> O N SITE

CO RP O R ATE I NTE RI O RS

GOLD, GLITTER AND GREAT AWARDS The Euro Nouveau collection of bespoke lighting from top European brands and manufacturers include a number of products that have fetched some of the world’s top design prizes.

Time and time again brands like Slamp, Fontana Arte, Inarchi and Karboxx are awarded some of the most coveted forms of recognition in the industry for their innovative design, superior functionality and cutting-edge innovation.

These awards are typically judged by an all-star cast of design and innovation experts that lend the necessary gravitas to these prize-givings.

While the aesthetics of the lights are a key consideration for recognition, none of these prizes are awarded on visual appeal alone. The structural functionality, incorporation of the latest technology, and the considerate use of materials are also important factors that are considered before a design is awarded one of these desirable titles.

The Euro Nouveau collection has received awards across the world, from Brazil to Spain, Italy, the UK, China and

more, which means that Euro Nouveau really does offer the discerning South African client a world-class, award-winning selection of luminaires.

Some of the more noteworthy awards the Euro Nouveau products have received include the Red Dot Design Award, the ArchiExpo I-Novo Award and the Wallpaper Design Award.

The i-Novo Awards, for example, seek to reward creativity, recognise innovation and celebrate sustainability by awarding those products that improve the architecture and design industry’s standards through innovation. In 2016 Italian brand Karboxx’s ZERO1 Suspended Lamp, designed by Princic and Righi Architects, was awarded third place in the design category of this award.

Presented by the Design Zentrum Nordrheim Westfalen in Germany, the Red Dot Award is, arguably, one of the bestknown and most significant awards in the international design industry. Euro Nouveau is proud to count a number of Red Dot Winners, including Inarchi’s Ray Wall Lamp, among its lights.

54 LEADINGARCHITECTURE & DESIGN APRIL/MAY 2017

HUGO design

by Slamp Team

Then there are those products that win in multiple categories at various awards.

One such example is the Jackie Clamp Light, designed

by Enzo Panzeri. Jackie has recently been recognised through a number of awards, including the Good Design Award 2016 awarded by the Chicago Athenaeum Museum of Architecture and Design, the German Design Award Special Mention 2016 awarded by the German Design Council, the iF Design Award 2016 (Germany) and the Premios Delta ADI 2016 awarded by the ADI-FAD, Industrial Design Association of the Promotion of Arts and Design in Spain.

From Spain to South America, the Objeto:Brasil Awards acknowledge the role of global design production

and its significance within the context of the creative economy. The UK-based Wallpaper* Design Awards, meanwhile, “Anoints the people, places and particular things of the year”, which means this award typically offers some insight into current trends, tastes and styles.

It is also true that tastes and styles differ across markets and continents, while an appreciation of fine design and quality craftsmanship is more universal.

The inclusion of products that have won the Home Style Award in China, for example, ensures the Euro Nouveau collection is truly inclusive and representative. www.euronouveau.co.za

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

ALT 92W Lodestar Floodlight Natural White 50 000 hours

Ivela 27W Ground Light Warm White 50 000 hours

SG Outdoor Coastal Quality 5 Year Warranty

Ivela 22W High Bay Natural White 50 000 hours

Ivela 3W Footlight Warm White 50 000 hours

ELT LED Modules 3000K, 4000K & 5700K 50 000 hours

EUROLUX PROJECT SOLUTIONS

Enhance your commercial and industrial environments Eurolux Project Solutions offers a variety of energy efficient lighting solutions. Recent projects include Caxton Publishing House, Namibia Breweries, Hyundai Showroom, the River Club, the renowned Hotel Verde: The greenest hotel in Africa; as well as the Agulhas Marine research vessel.

Eurolux offers a comprehensive lighting design and specification solution to its customers – all completed by a qualified lighting engineer.

• • •

A project begins with the initial site inspection and customer briefings.

A detailed lighting design, with full 3D simulation and energy efficiency report, to comply with SANS and OHS, is then presented to the client.

Detailed cost-of-ownership and lifecycle cost analysis is presented to the client, thus allowing for informed easy decision making.

Cape Town: 9 Racecourse Road Milnerton 7441 South Africa Tel: +27 (0)21 528 8400

Johannesburg: 10 Milkyway Avenue Linbro Business Park Sandton 2065 South Africa Tel: +27 (0)11 608 2970

Email: admin@eurolux.co.za Web: www.eurolux.co.za

www.eurolux.co.za WWW.LEADINGARCHITECTURE.CO.ZA APRIL/MAY 2017 55

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CO RP O R ATE I NTE RI O RS

YOUR IDEA – NATURE’S PERFECTION – OUR CRAFT Passionate about bringing nature back into furniture – no short cuts – just authentic, traditional methods to manufacture contemporary solid wood pieces to last a lifetime!

Homewood is based in the KZN Midlands and has been a manufacturer of solid wood furniture for over 15 years.

Each piece, whether produced for indoor, outdoor or patio use, is unique and crafted by a skilled and passionate team, from a variety of Central African hardwoods such as kiaat, mahogany, blackwood and Rhodesian teak, as well as European white oak. These woods cover a large colour spectrum, have incredible grains and structural properties, and are amongst the best furniture timbers we know. The variability of these woods and their colouration is what gives our furniture its distinct appeal. Wood is a living material – it moves, it can bend and twist, it breathes, it changes colour and it gives off amazing aromas. Homewood loves it for its character and its beauty.

What they love most is that their customers receive an absolutely unique one-of-a-kind item – each tree tells its own story, and each plank of wood holds its own natural markings.

In addition to the nature of the raw material, the items are made to the highest standards – hands-on – which produces a simply exceptional and special asset.Homewood has a number of standard design ranges which they can customise to suit their clients’ individual spaces and they offer the freedom of fully customised pieces. “Your idea – nature’s perfection – our craft” sums up their approach!

Their designs extend from traditional favourites to contemporary classics, each bearing the distinctive Homewood look – straight, clean design lines – although they are excited to be launching a few curves in 2017!

56 LEADINGARCHITECTURE & DESIGN APRIL/MAY 2017

In addition to furniture craftsmanship, Homewood also produces a wide range of “smalls”, which include every serious cook’s wooden board need to funky, chunky pencil blocks.

Homewood is adamant about sourcing timbers from only sustainably managed forestry resources and concessions. They use timber from aged, mature trees nearing the end of natural life and minimise wastage (even designing ranges to utilise offcut materials). Homewood believes in sustainability and builds furniture to last for generations.

Ian Perry, Homewood Managing Director, has been

passionate about furniture since boyhood when he worked alongside his architect grandfather in his home workshop.

Ian has a BSc in Forestry, majoring (cum laude) in Wood Science, and has an eye for design and understands the properties of wood, its innate beauty and its natural behaviour. Homewood sells directly from showrooms in the KZN Midlands (Piggly Wiggly) and Durban (Umhlanga), as well as Pretoria (Lynnwood Bridge) and Johannesburg (Kramerville and Midrand). They deliver countrywide and internationally too. www.homewood.co.za

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>> O N SITE

LEATHER WALLS Leather Walls CC are a compact, energetic leather wall panelling specialist team. They are based in Cape Town but do installations throughout the country with this exciting product.

Besides the obvious luxurious impact these walls resonate when you encounter them in a room, they also drastically enhance the acoustic qualities of that same space.

The team has perfected the art of covering large wood surfaces with soft leather immaculately. This has extended their range to include wardrobe/cupboard covering too. Using this leather can give as much as 4m2 coverage per hide and allows the client/designer access to an extensive pallet of leather colours/finishes, to accentuate any design requirements.

The leather wall panelling has been developed so that a specified wall would be fabricated in-house in panels, panels sizes are transport, weight, design and site accessibility factored.

Whatever your interesting leather requirement is, a contempory leather feature wall, an organic hand stitched wildebeest ceiling, a beautiful hair on hide carpet – it will be done with excellence and pride.

58 LEADINGARCHITECTURE & DESIGN APRIL/MAY 2017

CO RP O R ATE I NTE RI O RS

DRAWING BOARD

SIKA RECEIVES RESEARCH AWARD FROM MADRID UNIVERSITY Sika has received the ‘Research Cooperation Prize’ from the Technical University of Madrid for its socio-economic impact and its relations with the university. The accolade recognises the company’s commitment to innovation and its 20-year close relationship with the university.

The cooperation between the Technical University of Madrid (UPM) and Sika Spain embraces a wide range of activities, including the Sika Chair of Materials Science, competitions for students, the company’s in-house training programmes, and work placements. The decisive factor for receiving the award was the broad range of

Sika’s support – ultimately the many initiatives involving students from the various schools within the university and the interaction with these young people. Ángel González Lucas, general manager of Sika Spain says, “Sika is very proud to have received this prestigious award from the Technical University of Madrid.

As a company we appreciate the cooperation with universities and the many possibilities to cooperate with students, benefitting both parties. It is also an opportunity to meet and work with future customers and potential employees.”

Approach to younger generations Sika’s successful cooperation with academia in Spain began in the 1990s with its competitions for students, a friendly and flexible way of interacting with undergraduates. Entertaining topics, help in the form of digital blogs, and comic-strip summaries of famous works have continuously raised the company’s profile with students from their first year onwards.

Since 2011, Sika has sponsored a Chair of Materials Science at the UPM’s Technical School of Civil Engineering. Its purpose is to familiarise future professionals with the world of chemistry applied to construction. Sika’s relations with young students go even further; continuous training programmes, work placements, and factory visits are all part of the offering. www.sika.co.za

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ADHESIVE AND GROUT FOR ALL MOSAICS Use with porcelain, ceramic, natural stone and fusion-type glass mosaics. Also suitable for glass tiles up to 100mmx100mm. Bond and grout in one operation

available in super white and light grey

interior/exterior

wall and oor

FOR MORE INFO

0860 000 TAL(825) | www.tal.co.za

facebook.com/TALSouthAfrica

youtube.com/TALSouthAfrica TAL and TAL MOSAICFIX are registered trademarks of Norcros SA (Pty) Ltd

60 LEADINGARCHITECTURE & DESIGN APRIL/MAY 2017

>>DRAWING BOARD

METLE POLISH BANTRY BAY’S GLITTERING JEWEL

Bantry Bay’s moniker as the ‘Monaco of Africa’ is no longer a stretch of the imagination, and even less so now that Murray & Roberts Western Cape is making good progress with the Aurum luxury lifestyle development by extensively revamping the old Ambassador Hotel and Suites.

Working in collaboration with Metle Construction, specialists in high-end Cape Town residential projects, Murray & Roberts Western Cape has been on site since April last year. The well-publicised project includes a building on each side of the busy Victoria Road between Clifton and Sea Point, with the eight sumptuous Presidential Residences cascading down to the water’s edge below the road, and 15 plush Luxury Residences climbing up the hill above the road.

Being developed by DA’Realty, the investment subsidiary of the Dubai-based, multi-national Darvesh Group, the development will encapsulate premium standards of quality and exceptional attention to detail.

Much of the construction work has been focused on intricate structural changes which require intense

supervision, says Dave Griffiths, partner at Metle Construction and project director for the Aurum refurbishment.

“The exacting requirements of the owner and architect require that many complex adjustments and improvements are implemented to enhance the residents’ experience of living in this spectacular space,” says Griffith.

He highlights that where engineered demolitions are required, these are overseen and signed off by a certified engineer.

“Quality and engineering standards remain the watchwords, so wherever we consider that extensive adjustments need to be made, we call on the engineer for checking and go-ahead,” he says.

The distinctive curving colonnade at the ground floor entrance to the Ambassador will be retained for the Aurum although it will be replaced with a new circular entrance complete with water feature.

“There will be little room for error in the handover to the final-stage contractors, so the pressure is on us and our South African tradesmen to complete our work to ‘seven star’ grade,” says Griffiths. www.metleprojects.com

A PASSION FOR DESIGN, A PASSION FOR WATER When WaterWays, the South African group of retail stores that sell a wide range of contemporary bathroom, kitchen and plumbing products, attended ISH at Frankfurt, they encountered the recently launched AXOR ShowerHeaven 1200/300 4 jet overhead shower.

This new product encapsulates and embodies the company’s love of design and its love for water. This shower is a flagship for Axor and it sets a spectacular stage and homage to our most precious of resources, water. It is an unprecedented shower spray, perfected over many years of research with the innovative and revolutionary inclusion of a design aspect – fine silicone nozzles in retractable wings.

The act of showering has now been elevated in the ShowerHeaven – it is showering in a new dimension and it presents the beauty of water on a new level. The Axor ShowerHeaven was developed in collaboration with Stuttgart-based Phoenix Design.

WaterWays prides itself on offering exceptional service and superior product knowledge. They only stock products that meet their quality standard. WaterWays functional showrooms, primarily located throughout Gauteng, OFS and the Nelspruit areas, are designed to cater for the retail customer, but they also have trade counters to accommodate all in our industry. WaterWays also offers after sales service to all of its customers to ensure that they deliver the best sales experience possible. www.water-ways.co.za

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>>D RAWI N G BOA RD

COROBRIK CONTRIBUTES TO INNER CITY REJUVENATION The quality, durability and overall affordability of Corobrik’s face brick range has been part of several inner-city rejuvenation schemes across the country.

The latest Heritage View development in Brickfields, Newtown, Johannesburg is an eye-catching example.

“Corobrik’s strapline of ‘Let's build a better tomorrow together’ truly embraces the need to provide quality accommodation where people work, drawing people back to the Central Business Districts which, unfortunately, have become rundown and neglected across the country,” explained Musa Shangase, Corobrik’s Commercial Director.

Corobrik has been involved in numerous inner-city rejuvenation projects in Randburg, Hillbrow, Berea, Yeoville, Thembelihle Village in Pretoria, Townlands in Marabastad as well as several other Johannesburg locations.

The latest low-cost housing development in Newtown, Johannesburg – developed by the Johannesburg Housing Company – was constructed using 1m of Corobrik’s Terracotta Satin face bricks.

For this particular project, Corobrik remained true to its commitment of urban improvement by providing the product at a special rate.

According to contract manager, Juan Abrahamse of Tyris Construction, the eight-block development consists of 164 middle-class units, strategically designed using the face brick and plaster façade.

“Corobrik’s face brick is

extremely good quality while also being comparative in cost,” said Abrahamse. “They are a particularly good choice for the inner-city area as they have sound insulation properties that make for a better living environment. We managed to attain a great aesthetic appeal through the use of varying coloured plaster panels, alternating with the face brick, which creates an upmarket, city look.”

Because inner-city rejuvenation projects are cost-driven, Corobrik is often chosen as it offers a wide-range of products across all pricing spectrums.

In Pretoria, 1 on Mutual was constructed using a high-end Silvergrey Satin and Travertine in combination, with solid bricks for feature accents. At the other end of the scale, Montana Light and Moroccan have been widely because of the aesthetics and cost-effectiveness.

“Costs are further saved

62 LEADINGARCHITECTURE & DESIGN APRIL/MAY 2017

because of thermal efficiency, as the brick is slow to heat in summer and retains warmth in winter,” expanded Shangase. “The high-rise nature of these projects also means that the structures are exposed to the elements.

Maintenance-free Corobrik face bricks ensure that the building is pristine, compared to painted structures which show dirty marks, cracks and weathering. For the building’s owner, return on

investment is enhanced as there is no need for expensive scaffolding to re-paint.”

Shangase added that, in addition to the superior acoustic performance offered by face brick, they also create a more fire-resistant building, improving safety measures in high density residential areas. The natural clay substance also gives off no volatile organic compounds, making the building a healthier environment in which to live. www.corobrick.co.za

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>> O N SITE

THE CHAIRMAN

Durban-based architects DGIT won a merit award at the Loeries last year in the architecture category for their design for the interior of The Chairman, a bar in Durban’s Point Precinct.

The Chairman is a project by a young Durban based firm of architects called DGIT aimed at shining the spotlight on what they believe is potentially the best urban precinct in KwaZulu-Natal.

The Chairman’s location, however, was the worst possible building in the worst possible block of Durban’s Point Precinct.

The architects believed that a lack of vigorous support of their city (patriotism) among its inhabitants was stifling the city’s growth, resulting in a onedimensional, group specific, non-inclusive suburbia that lacked imagination. They designed The Chairman to counteract this undesirable phenomenon, embarking on an exercise to tear down

64 LEADINGARCHITECTURE & DESIGN APRIL/MAY 2017

barriers that inhibit creativity in our society. They aimed to demonstrate that through a thoughtful, interesting, simple and appropriate design intervention, places of interest can spark a general feeling of enthusiasm, but most importantly, a sense of

belonging and patriotism.

Their aim was to create an authentic and unpretentious connection with the people, which meant that The Chairman had to be deeply personal.

As a result, the project showcases their extreme,

I NTE RI O RS

unshakable devotion and love for jazz music, furniture, fine arts, cool collectables and most importantly our architectural heritage.

The interiors of the Chairman are characterised by an eclectic mix of highly identifiable but differing elements cleverly put together to create a united whole. Not only is this found in fittings and fixtures, it is also represented in the layout of various individual living spaces of differing sizes and design language creating a maze of wonder and giving a sense of a journey of discovery as one walks through them.

All the furnishings are authentic originals ranging from iconic mid-century modern style to antique furniture from around the globe, Ethiopian and Asian collectables, Persian rugs to name a few. All this in the name of establishing a social compact with anyone who walks through our doors. Beyond this, the architects built The Chairman with their own hands.

No contractors apart from specialist trades were involved.

In creating inspiring places for people, The Chairman is characterised by clever re-use of simple, everyday objects demonstrating the effects of stretching one’s imagination.

Probably the best example of this is how they re-used the drawers of a second-hand haberdashery counter as bar display shelves. By simply fixing a drawer on the wall

in an upright position and inserting a mirror in its base, they created a simple yet effective display shelf.

The idea of repurposing simple objects is also evident in the wine cellar, which is the focal point of the courtyard bar. They re-used air bricks salvaged from yards of demolition companies to create an iconic wine storage/

display feature.

The list of small but highly impactful examples of resuscitated elements can also be applied on a macro scale to the Point Precinct, demonstrating the aim of the design on a broader social and urban level.

Entries for Loeries Africa Middle East close on 15 May. www.loeries.com

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>>EVE RG R E EN

Belgotex awarded SA’s first custom industrial green star rating

B

elgotex Floors has been awarded 6 stars in South Africa’s first custom Green Star SA – Existing Building Performance (EBP) rating for an industrial facility from the Green Building Council of South Africa (GBCSA). The 6 Star certification recognises ‘World Leadership’ at its Pietermaritzburg-based factory for its sustainability practices in all aspects of their plant and carpet manufacturing operations.

The Green Star SA – Existing Building Performance (EBP) rating tool is the foremost programme focusing on whole building operational performance over 12 months measured against eight key criteria for human and environmental health. For the first time ever, this EBP tool was customised to cater for the certification of an industrial facility in order to evaluate Belgotex’s factory. It was adapted by expert green building consultants Ecocentric, who together with the company’s comprehensive historic operational data and dedicated on-site sustainability team. They accelerated the process and enabled the company to achieve their certification in just eight months.

Belgotex Floors achieved the 6 Green Star SA certification for implementing outstanding practical and measurable strategic solutions in the following areas: • Management: Building management, green cleaning performance, on-going monitoring and metering and learning resources • IndoorEnvironment Quality: Indoor air quality, lighting comfort, thermal comfort, occupant survey, acoustic comfort and daylight views • Energy: Energy consumption, peak electricity demand • Water: Potable water management

Energy Management

Numerous energy optimisation initiatives were implemented to reduce non-renewable energy consumption. These include the installation of a R17-million photovoltaic (PV) solar power plant, energy-efficient LED lights and automatic motion sensors and extensive plant upgrades to more energy-efficient equipment.

Training

• Transport: Alternative transportation • Materials: Procurement and purchasing, solid waste management • Land Use and Ecology: Hardscape, landscape and pest management • Emissions: Refrigerants, legionella prevention and storm water.

Extra credits were earned for Innovations which saw the company adopt several new eco-innovative production processes and product development strategies. Innovative raw material input strategies were implemented to reduce energy and raw material consumption, minimise waste, and allow the company to develop products with higher recycled content.

Production Innovations

The adoption of a drymanufacturing process and complete switch in production and product development to solutiondyed ranges resulted in 100% reduction in water consumption, as well as reductions in chemical and energy inputs. Replacing wet space-dyed processes and products with solution-dyed ranges not only reduced water consumption and chemical waste output, but also improved the stain-proof characteristics of

66 LEADINGARCHITECTURE & DESIGN APRIL/MAY 2017

their carpets, offering superior colourfastness and fade resistance to its customers.

Waste Reduction & Recycling

The acquisition of a R5-million recycling machine enables Belgotex to recycle waste fibre and yarn back into production, effectively reducing their waste rates from their carpet production processes to close to zero. It also offers up to 20% energy savings, resulting in lower production costs and reduced CO2 emissions.

Product Innovations

The raw materials for several eco-products are derived from post-industrial and post-consumer waste, such as Green underlay and the new EOSBac backing system, as well as various carpet ranges. Their bestselling Berber Point 920 commercial carpet and other needle punch carpet products are made with a blend of polypropylene and recycled Eco Fibre or Eco Yarn. This Ecofibre is manufactured using post production waste, which is repelletised (utilising the cutting edge Erema recycling machinery).

The input of this recycled content in their production process considerably lowers the embodied energy associated with virgin raw material use.

Belgotex also operate an extensive education and training programme that seeks to identify and develop talent, especially women, in the production and management of its products.

“Our main goal is to operate a sustainable factory wherever economically and environmentally feasible,” explains Kevin Walsh, chief operations officer at Belgotex Floors.

“For us, it makes good business sense. It improves operational efficiencies, product development and social upliftment and positions us as industry leaders.”

“GBCSA congratulates Belgotex on their 6 Star rating and on embracing green building practices, leading the way in creating more sustainable industrial facilities in the country, and for having this independently verified through the country’s leading authority on green buildings,” says Manfred Braune, chief technical officer of the GBCSA. “It is encouraging to see companies of this stature ensuring that their environmental and sustainability measures and initiatives are at the forefront of their business practices. Going forward, we look forward to seeing more green transformation in the industrial and manufacturing sector in South Africa.” www.belgotexfloors.co.za

Affordable quality · Proven reliability · Since 2006

UNECONOMICAL Keeping warm in winter with an electric-element heater is pleasant. Getting a massive electricity bill at month-end, isn’t. The answer? An Alliance Inverter airconditioner.

Because it warms air via a heat pump, not an electrical element, it heats a whole room for a third of the cost of a conventional heater. Economical warmth – that’s Alliance.

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