Leading Architecture & Design August/September 2017

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AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2017

138 JAN SMUTS

History mapped in brick KOMATSU

Consolidated campus complex AMPH SWIMMING POOL

Cool school pool

A warehouse, a pool, a renovation

Out of the

ordinary

2 LEADINGARCHITECTURE & DESIGN AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2017

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It struck me that we should use as much of the existing brick as possible so that the façade could become part of the aesthetic of the build. We mapped out the history of the building in brick to tell its story.

AUGUST SEPTEMBER 2017

CONTENTS p16

ON SITE

Carl Jacobsz of C76 Architecture on 138 Jan Smuts [p12]

26 LIGHTING

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

10 INTERNATIONAL This year Francis Kéré – originally from Burkina Faso – became the first African architect invited to design the Serpentine Pavilion in London’s Kensington Gardens.

BLUEPRINT

The latest innovations in lighting design and technology.

12 138 JAN SMUTS

30 FLOORING

The sensitive and sustainable renovation of a mid-century apartment block by C76 Architecture resulted in a creative, collaborative office block for branding agency Black Africa, and has become something of a landmark along Parkwood’s art strip.

42 BRICKS AND PAVING

16 HOUSE SHER A concrete and facebrick Johannesburg home

by Emilio Eftychis of Eftychis Architects, lifted on sculpted structural concrete pillars, is both modern and built to age gracefully.

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

p10

18 KOMATSU Earth-moving equipment giant Komatsu’s new Germiston campus is designed to consolidate its operations into one centralised campus, making it one of the largest of its kind in the country.

22 AHMP SWIMMING POOL A 25m FINA-standard swimming pool, dressing rooms and Pavilion at Afrikaanse Hoër Meisieskool Pretoria, designed by Mathews and Associates Architects, makes use of innovative materials and minimises fencing through the clever use of new and existing structures on the site.

EDITORIAL

PUBLISHING TEAM

EDITOR: Graham Wood Cell: 083 547 8437 email: graham.wood@newmediapub.co.za SUB EDITOR: Gill Abrahams LAYOUT & DESIGN: Julia van Schalkwyk

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Flooring products and projects to inspire effective flooring solutions.

Bricks remain one of the most expressive, sustainable and popular building materials in both domestic and industrial architecture.

46 AIR CONDITIONING AND HVAC SYSTEMS Projects and products demonstrating efficient and effective air conditioning and heating systems.

49 PAINT 2018’s colour trends are out!

54 INTERIORS The refurbishment of historic Twee Jonge Gezellen farm in Tulbagh, home estate of Krone Mèthode Cap Classique, is historically sensitive and intuitive.

66 EVERGREEN SA’s first Green Star Design rated government building achieves its As Built rating.

Head Office: New Media House, 19 Bree Street, Cape Town, 8001 Postal Address: PO Box 440, Green Point, Cape Town, 8051 Tel: +27 (0)21 417 1111 Fax: +27 (0)21 417 1112 Email: newmedia@newmediapub.co.za

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THE BRIEF

BY E DI TO R G RAH AM WO O D

DATES TO DIARISE 13-15 SEPTEMBER 2017 AFRICA LED EXPO Gallagher Convention Centre, Johannesburg See the latest developments and innovations in the LED lighting industry. www.africaledexpo.com 28 SEPTEMBER 2017 AFRICA ARCHITECTURE AWARDS Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa (Zeitz MOCAA) in Cape Town

11-12 OCTOBER (CAPE TOWN) AND 18-19 OCTOBER (JO’BURG) BUSINESS OF DESIGN Red & Yellow, 97 Durham Ave, Salt River (CT) and Vega School, 444 Jan Smuts Ave, Randburg (Jo’burg) A dynamic conference by leading South African design professionals and business experts, aiding artisans, designers, manufacturers and small to medium enterprises to significantly expand their markets, by offering guidance, practical tools and heaps of inspiration. www.businessofdesign.co.za

LET US KNOW Do you have a design event to diarise?

Please send the details to the editor at graham.wood@ newmediapub.co.za

As we were finalising this issue of Leading Architecture & Design, Saint-Gobain announced the 20 shortlisted projects for the inaugural Africa Architecture Awards.

The awards will be announced at the end of September. Over 300 projects from across the continent, situated in 32 African countries qualified, and more than 500 were registered.

You can see all 307 projects on www.AfricaArchitectureAwards.com. The variety is staggering. While it’s instantly clear that there is no such thing as a homogenous “African Architecture”, there’s also no doubt that something special is happening on the continent. Of course, this year Francis Kéré – originally from Burkina Faso – became the first African architect invited to design the Serpentine Pavilion 2017 at the Serpentine Gallery in London’s Kensington

Gardens. (Take a look on page 10.) It’s a sign that African architecture is more and more part of the global conversation.

As the NCS Colour Trend Report 2018 shows (see page 52), the rise of African design is also reflected in global colour trends. Clearly the awards couldn’t have been launched at a better time. If the cross section of entries to the awards is anything to go by, African design has much to contribute to the global conversation – and all the more for doing so without losing something distinctively local.

Graham In the June/July edition of Leading Architecture & Design, we mistakenly said that the Culinary Equipment Company had donated R4000 worth of equipment to the new Food Laboratories at the University of Pretoria’s Department of Consumer Science. The correct figure is R400 000.

EDITOR’S >

Gala awards ceremony for the first ever Africa Architecture Awards, followed by a public colloquium titled Celebrating Architecture in Africa on 29 September at the Institute for Creative Arts at UCT Hiddingh Campus, Cape Town. africaarchitectureawards.com

ED'S NOTE

BOOK

AFRICA DRAWN: SHELF ONE HUNDRED CITIES Africa Drawn: One Hundred Cities

by Gary White, Marguerite Pienaar and Bouwer Serfontein presents the historic character of place as a valuable resource for imagining the future of the continent’s cities. It’s simple and beautiful drawings document the characteristic places of 100 cities in a comparative method. These provide information for each city across a scale that ranges

from its location on the continent and within its country, to its relationship to the greater city, and to the details of the building, pavements and landscapes of its special places. This is a catalogue that shows how rich the repertoire is, how endemic to the continent are international forms of public space, and how one might call upon the past to envision the evolution of the African city.

Subscribe to Leading Architecture & Design >

Email: Felicity.Garbers@newmediapub.co.za Tel: 021 701 1566

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INTERNATIONAL

SE RPE NTI N E PAVI LI O N 2017

The first African Serpentine Pavilion An invitation each year is sent to an architect to create an experimental structure in London’s Kensington Gardens.

This year was Francis Kéré’s turn to create the Serpentine Pavilion.

PHOTOGRAPHY IWAN BAAN

F

rancis Kéré’s Serpentine Pavilion is inspired by the tree that serves as a central meeting point for life in his hometown, Gando, Burkina Faso. His design seeks to connect its visitors to nature – and to each other. “My experience growing up in a remote desert village has instilled a strong awareness of the social, sustainable and cultural implication of design,” says Kéré.

An expansive roof, supported by a central steel framework, mimics a tree’s canopy, allowing air

to circulate freely while offering shelter against London's rain and summer heat. “In Burkino Faso, the tree is a place where people gather together, where everyday activities play out under the shade of its branches,” he explains.

Kéré has embraced the British climate in his design, creating a structure that engages with the ever-changing London weather in creative ways. The Pavilion has four separate entry points with an openair courtyard in the centre, where visitors can sit and relax during

10 LEADINGARCHITECTURE & DESIGN AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2017

sunny days. In the case of rain, an oculus funnels water that collects on the roof that in turn provides a spectacular waterfall effect before it is evacuated through a drainage system in the floor for later use in irrigating the nearby parkland. “This rain collection acts symbolically, highlighting water as a fundamental resource for human survival and prosperity,” says Kéré.

Both the roof and the walls are made from wood. By day they act as shading, creating pools and dappled shadows. By night, the walls

become a source of illumination as small perforations twinkle with the movement and activity from inside. “In my home village of Gando, it is always easy to locate a celebration at night by climbing to higher ground and searching for the source of light in the surrounding darkness,” says Kéré. “This small light becomes larger as more and more people arrive to join the event. In this way, the Pavilion will become a beacon of light, a symbol of storytelling and togetherness.” www.serpentinegalleries.org

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Urban spirit An old block of flats has been renovated to become office space for branding agency Black Africa and a landmark for affordable, sustainable and forward-looking architecture.

PHOTOGRAPHY MARITZ VERWEY

Carl Jacobsz of C76 Architecture recycled more than 80 percent of the bricks during his renovation of 138 Jan Smuts, using the bricks from previous renovations to map out the history of the building on its faรงade, and breeze blocks and circular windows on the east elevation in keeping with the retro feel of the building.

12 LEADINGARCHITECTURE & DESIGN AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2017

PRO J EC T # 1 138 JAN SM UTS

T

he toothed roof profile of 138 Jan Smuts has become something of a landmark along Parkwood’s art strip. The former apartment block – now office space for branding agency Black Africa and a cohort of like-minded tenants, including art galleries and shops – was renovated

by C76 Architecture on a tight budget over a short period.

“We concentrated on the basic principles of architectural design with emphasis on the climate and the cultural context,” says Carl Jacobsz of C76 Architecture.

Jacobsz says his client’s first impulse was to create a rooftop venue on top of the building. “The views are magnificent towards Northcliff,” he says. On reflection, however, he says that he decided

to focus on improving the working environment in the east-west facing building by using the roof design to bring in north light.

“Besides, you would only use the entire rooftop space on the odd occasion,” he says. He did, however, include a smaller area on the roof for the occupants to use after hours, which still allows them to enjoy the views.

The street-facing façade of the building was also generated by a solution to a practical problem.

Jan Smuts Avenue is a busy, noisy road. The architects extended the roof line down the western facade of the building, where balconies extend from the interior space.

Continued next page

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PROJECT #1 138 JAN SMUTS

Clockwise from right Natural light filters down from the new upstairs loft space into the offices below, which make extensive use of recycled brick; the balconies on the street-facing façade of the building are two meters deep, creating not only a sound barrier, but also pockets of warm air that can be released into the building to warm it in winter; from the internal courtyard, the building looks completely different.

Greenery has been added and a bright yellow steel staircase leads to a rooftop entertainment area.

“Those balconies are two metres deep,” explains Jacobsz. When you close the office doors and the balcony screens, which operate with a manual pulley system, the balconies create a sound buffer.

Jacobsz found that this strategy resulted in an unexpected windfall.

Because of the building’s western orientation, the hot air is trapped and warmed by the afternoon sun.

“If you open the doors, the air flows into the building, warming it up,” he says. He admits that this was a conceptual idea, and has been surprised by its effectiveness in practice.

Natural ventilation is also responsible for most of the cooling in summer. “Hot air rises through the openings in the dorma windows in the roof and air flows from east to west in the building, which cools it down,” he says.

Apart from the passive design, other aspects of the building’s design also contribute towards its sustainability: • Seventy per cent of the roof

water is captured and used to flush the toilets; • Natural gas is used for heating; • Provision has been made for solar electricity.

Jacobsz consulted extensively on the heritage of the building – particularly on the brickwork.

“We wanted a building that would pay homage to the architectural character of the area,” he says.

There’s a lot of 1960s and 70s face brick architecture along Jan Smuts Avenue. He sought advice from a consultant from Corobrik who alerted him to the fact that there was quite an historical crosssection of bricks in the building, and some were rare.

“On hearing this, it struck me that we should use as much of the existing brick as possible so that the façade could become part of the aesthetic of the build,” says Jacobsz.

“We mapped out the history of the building in brick to tell its story.”

He points out that the front and back of the building look completely different. The back

14 LEADINGARCHITECTURE & DESIGN AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2017

is where the external brickwork is most evident. “We designed the breeze blocks and the round openings to keep with the retro feel of the existing building,” he says.

A central courtyard is designed not just as an entertainment area, but also to ‘pull people off the street’ and create a space that links the street and the building.

“I’d love to see a coffee shop there,” suggests Jacobsz.

The yellow staircase was added to give all tenants access to the rooftop seating area. “We’ve added a lot of greenery,” Jacobsz adds. “The plants will help change the face of the building in years to come.”

The brickwork was deliberately left exposed on the interior, too.

“We went into this project wanting

to recycle as much as possible,” he says. They managed to do so with a good deal of the brick and glass, and deliberately left the handrail on the stairs showing its chipped paint with multiple layers underneath.

The versatility of the interior design gives the people in the building the freedom to move about in keeping with the informal ethos of the company. Light spills into the lower section of the office, too. “It’s interesting – people migrate; in winter they go upstairs because it’s warmer, and in summer they go downstairs because it’s cooler,” says Jacobsz.

138 Jan Smuts has become a comfortable, creative, historically and environmentally sensitive space, contributing positively to the upgrades taking place in the area around it.

PROFESSIONAL TEAM ARCHITECTS: C76 ARCHITECTS PROJECT TEAM: Carl Jacobsz, Dan de Kretser, Warren Wilson, Francis Sadie CONTRACTOR: Globicon Construction ENGINEER: Peter Erasmus QUANTITY SURVEYOR: Koos Calitz at Mi-consulting

>> B LU EPRINT A concrete and facebrick Johannesburg home designed by Eftychis Architects is delicately lifted on sculpted concrete pillars, lending itself perfectly to South Africa’s outdoor lifestyle.

PHOTOGRAPHY SUPPLIED

Floating

form

House Sher is defined along an axis which separates the living areas on the south side and the gym and guest bedroom on the north.

Large glazed sliding doors and black terrazzo floors throughout expose the interior spaces to a seamless veranda and covered patio which lends itself perfectly to the outdoor lifestyle of South Africa.

16 LEADINGARCHITECTURE & DESIGN AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2017

The sculpted structural concrete pillars and beams and elegant steel pilotis (gestural in their form and function); delicately ‘carry’ the bedrooms above.

P ROJ EC T #2 H OUSE SH E R

The overhanging bedrooms above create covered, outdoor and shaded spaces below.

Concrete and facebrick walls flank the space from which a steel staircase hangs from steel dowels defined by the meandering skylight above.

The linear axis is pronounced by a tower-like lobby and ends with a natural filtered eco-pool as the focal point.

PROFESSIONAL TEAM PROJECT ARCHITECT: Emilio Eftychis STRUCTURAL ENGINEER: Norman Caplan Engineers QUANTITY SURVEYOR: Mike Manning CONTRACTOR: Jan Paul Lombard from Lombard Building

WWW.LEADINGARCHITECTURE.CO.ZA AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2017 17

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The warehouse floor of Komatsu’s state-of-the-art Parts Distribution Centre is the largest floor without a join in the country, standing 13 metres from floor to eaves.

18 LEADINGARCHITECTURE & DESIGN AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2017

P ROJ EC T #3 KO MATSU

Consolidated campus Investec Property unearths next phase of Komatsu campus development.

PHOTOGRAPHY PETER HASSALL

E

arth-moving equipment giant, Komatsu, has partnered with Investec Property to consolidate its head office operations, warehouse and distribution centres, workshops and remanufacturing facilities into one centralised campus. Measuring approximately 300 000 square metres in size, the new Komatsu development will be one of the largest industrial campuses of its kind in the country.

As the central hub from which Komatsu will direct its extensive operations in southern Africa, the ownership and development of this campus in Gauteng signals the company’s unwavering commitment to doing business in the region.

“Our head office and support

operations are currently conducted from three different locations, which presents some logistical challenges. By consolidating all functions into one single campus, our ability to provide effective and efficient customer service and support will be further enhanced – with sufficient space for future expansion,” said Mike Blom, managing director of Komatsu Africa Holdings.

The requirements for the new Komatsu Campus are substantial and complex; the campus needs to have the space, technology and capabilities for Komatsu to serve the mining, construction and utility markets, not only in South Africa, but all of southern Africa The project will put Komatsu’s

GROUNDBREAKING LEADER

sales and service functions in an ideal position to capitalise on market resurgence opportunities within the short, medium and long term. At the same time, it will serve to improve further the extent of Komatsu’s field and technical service offerings.

Investec Property, a division of Investec, is one of South Africa’s best recognised property developers, property investors and property fund managers. Operating in South Africa for over 40 years, Investec Property has expanded internationally and has businesses based in both the United Kingdom and Australia.

Investec Property’s team of experts have provided a turnkey solution for the entire Komatsu

Campus project – from concept and design, through the land acquisition, to construction and delivery of the completed developments.

“We are proud of the Komatsu development, which again demonstrates our ability to serve our client’s specific needs. The Greenhills property is exceptionally well located and we are proud to be able to provide Komatsu with a world class facility which will be their flagship development in southern Africa,” said David Rosmarin of Investec Property.

This first phase of development, a state-of-the-art Parts Distribution Centre measuring approximately 22 000m2, was completed in just nine months.

Continued next page

service and maintenance

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www.komatsu.co.za . 0860 566 2878 *Comes standard with the KomCare service and maintenance plan - 1 year/2000 meter service hours.

WWW.LEADINGARCHITECTURE.CO.ZA AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2017 19

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P ROJ EC T #3 KO MATSU

The 300 000m2 Komatsu Campus site in Germiston consolidates the company’s head office operations, warehouse and distribution centres, workshops and remanufacturing facilities into one centralised campus

The new Komatsu warehouse has one of the largest truly jointless floors in the country, and stands 13 meters from floor to eaves. As a result, semi-automated turrets operating within the warehouse retrieve items from the highest access points with an unprecedented degree of accuracy and safety.

The warehouse floor is an example of excellence in engineering design, innovation and precision; the entire floor is based on a post-tensioned cabling system that makes use of 132 kilometres of steel cable.

The strategic decision by Komatsu to place the concentration of southern African operations in one area will unlock some

Building 11, Woodmead Estate, 1 Woodmead Drive, Woodmead PO Box 781428, Sandton, 2146 Tel: +27 (0)11 025 5630 Email: admin@metrum.co.za www.metrum.co.za

significant benefits. From a logistics and efficiency perspective, there will be improved workflow and productivity gains, as well as the opportunity for face-toface communication across all departments. Further to this, Komatsu will be able to ensure that they have built to the highest safety standards, ensuring that their employees’ areas of work are safe.

Customers will now have the opportunity to appreciate the entire Komatsu offering, including products, parts and service capabilities, in one single location.

Another long-term goal for Komatsu is an operator training area, which will also facilitate product demonstrations. The new training

257 Smit Street, Fairland, 2195 P O Box 731100, Fairland, 2030 Tel : +27 (0)11 476 7420 Cell : 082 882 6922

centre will incorporate a ‘hands-on training dojo’ or training area – ensuring greater skills training for the technical teams of support staff.

“Our long-term dream to create the Komatsu Campus is fast becoming a reality, and the first phase has gone exceptionally well. Looking ahead, we will be relocating our Isando Branch, remanufacturing facility and head office,” concluded Blom.

Construction on Phase 2 began in July 2017. Komatsu has, since the commencement of the project, become the owner of the land, and Investec Property remains the preferred developer for the entire project, which is estimated at over a billion Rand.

Unit 18, Ridgeview Office Park 248 Kent Avenue, Randburg Tel: +27 (0)11 326 3573 Email: mark@icm.co.za; graeme@icm.co.za www.icm.co.za

20 LEADINGARCHITECTURE & DESIGN AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2017

The new Phase 2 unit is expected to be fully operational by September 2018. Completion of the new Komatsu Campus in its entirety is scheduled for 2021 to coincide with Komatsu’s 100th anniversary.

The 300 000m2 Komatsu Campus site is located in Tunney, Germiston, Gauteng.

PROFESSIONAL TEAM ARCHITECT: ICM Architecture DEVELOPER: Investec Property ELECTRICAL ENGINEERS: MNS Consulting Engineers QUANTITY SURVEYORS: NWS Quantity Surveyors STRUCTURAL ENGINEERS: Sotiralis Consulting FIRE SAFETY ENGINEERS: Specialised Fire Technology PROJECT MANAGERS: Metrum Project Management

Sotiralis Consulting Engineers (Pty) Ltd Boardwalk Office Park, Blok B, 1st Floor, Cnr Hans Strijdom & Haymeadow Crescent, Faerie Glen, Pretoria Tel: +27 (0)12 991 0516 Email: info@sotiralis.co.za

NWS House, 21D Polo Crescent, Woodmead Park, Van Reenen Avenue, Woodmead P O Box 55048, Northlands, 2116 Tel: +27 (0)11 804 6122 Email: info@nws.co.za

Y&R1508381

Continuing to unearth opportunities with Komatsu Phase 2 commencing When Komatsu, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of construction and mining equipment, was looking to develop their new home in South Africa, Investec Property was its first choice. With development of the new 23 000m2 Parts & Distribution Centre complete, Investec Property is now proceeding with the second phase of development. The second phase is earmarked for Komatsu’s head office, workshop, a training centre as well as supplier and Operator facilities.

For more information visit www.investecproperty.com

Property Property Developments | Acquisitions & Property Equity | Fund Management Investec Property (Pty) Ltd – 1947/025753/07

WWW.LEADINGARCHITECTURE.CO.ZA AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2017 21

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Gala event The new swimming pool at Afrikaanse Hoër Meisieskool Pretoria, designed by Mathews and Associates Architects, is the first swimming pool in South Africa lined with a polyurea coating.

PHOTOGRAPHY ALET PRETORIUS; MAAA

22 LEADINGARCHITECTURE & DESIGN AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2017

PROJ EC T # 4 AFRI K A ANSE H O Ë R M EISI ESKOO L , PRETO RIA

The new swimming pool and cloakrooms at Afrikaanse Hoër Meisieskool Pretoria forms part of a sports node in close proximity to Loftus Versfeld Rugby Stadium on the north east of the site.

A

frikaanse Hoër Meisieskool Pretoria needed a new swimming pool that they could use and also rent out for swimming training, galas, water polo, underwater hockey and lifesaving. The school’s previous pool did not comply with gala standards, so they called on Mathews and Associates Architects to design a 25m FINA-standard swimming pool and dressing rooms on the school grounds.

The location of the swimming pool and cloakrooms was decided by the proximity of Loftus Versfeld Rugby Stadium as a sports-node to the north east of the site, and the open space on site that the swimming pool required. Adjoining washrooms needed to be adaptable to accommodate either two different teams or to be expanded to become one large cloakroom during school hours.

The project made use of innovative materials to save costs during construction as well as for future maintenance. Instead of using conventional tiles, the concrete walls of the pool were lined with a polyurea coating. This is the first swimming pool in South Africa to make use of this product. The polyurea lining offered the client numerous advantages: It is more cost effective than tiles, application of the lining is faster than tiles, any damage can be repaired under water and the product is completely algae resistant.

Continued next page

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PROJECT #4 AFRIKAANSE HOËR MEISIESKOOL, PRETORIA

The swimming pool has eight swimming lanes which are screened off on the northern and eastern sides from the nearby passing pedestrians and cars by a terracotta face-brick boundary wall which compliments the colour of the existing and new buildings on the site.

On the Western side, the pool is flanked by a concrete stepped pavilion with cloakrooms and a pump room situated underneath the seating. This structure forms a buffer between the pool and the school, creating a distinctly separate space for the swimming pool. A heritage building currently used as the school’s music centre is located on the southern boundary, forming a focal point along the north-south axis of the pool while enjoying spectacular views of the pool.

The use of fencing around the pool is minimised through the use of these new and existing structures and, for safety reasons, access to the pool is controlled by a singular entrance in the centre of the pavilion structure which is demarcated by a circular shaped structure covered in a mosaic artwork depicting a girl doing a tumble turn. The artwork is by ‘old girl’ Isa Steynberg and made by Mosaic Arts. This organic shape protrudes out of the pavilion facade and articulates the entrance. Cloakrooms are accessed from behind the circular kiosk or alternatively, directly from the swimming pool on the southern side.

Apart from accommodating cloakrooms, the space under the pavilion seating also had to accommodate mechanical equipment including pumps and dosing machinery. This area had to

be well-ventilated but enclosed for safety and security reasons. The location for the machinery below the slanted seating soffit with clerestory windows has resulted in an unexpected architectural ‘technical cathedral’ space.

Excellent ventilation was achieved by a breezeblock wall on the western edge of the pavilion. The breezeblock application continues along the entire facade to allow natural light into the cloakrooms while forming the main articulation device on the facade. A steel roof also forms part of the original designed pavilion structure and will be added at a later stage.

254 Muckleneuk Street Nieuw Muckleneuk Brooklyn, Pretoria, 0181 Tel: +27 (0)12 460 3450 Email: aerasmus@cadutoit.co.za

Mathews & Associates Architects cc P.O. Box 2676, Brooklyn Square, 0075 Tel: +27 (0)86 111 6222 Email: info@maaa.co.za www.maaa.co.za

PROFESSIONAL TEAM ARCHITECTS: Mathews & Associates Architects CC PROJECT TEAM: Pieter Mathews; Carla Taljaard; Jan Hugo STRUCTURAL ENGINEERS: Ellis Engineers ELECTRICAL ENGINEERS: CA du Toit Consulting Engineers QUANTITY SURVEYOR: Equate CONTRACTOR: Tundwe Construction From top The school’s old music centre, housed in a heritage building, has spectacular views of the new swimming pool; a mosaic designed by ‘old girl’ Isa Steynberg at the entrance to the pavilion depicts a girl doing a tumble turn; a concrete stepped pavilion houses cloakrooms and a pump room, which includes a breezeblock wall that provides excellent ventilation.

24 LEADINGARCHITECTURE & DESIGN AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2017

The Willows Office Park, Block F4 c/o Farm rd & Simon Vermooten Rd Tel: +27 (0)12 807 5421 Email: ellis@ellisengineers.co.za www.ellisengineers.co.za

P O Box 92753 Mooikloof 0059 Tel: +27 (0)12 997 3374 Email: tinus@tundwe.co.za

Water rejuvenates the soul and inspires the senses. Preserve it. hansgrohe is committed to preserving water while still offering the best shower experience thanks to EcoSmart technology. hansgrohe. Meet the beauty of water. www.hansgrohe.co.za

ON SITE

LIG HTI N G

THE MAGIC OF LIGHT BEFORE

AFTER

BEFORE

AFTER

Enhance your environment with the magic of light using a modern and energy efficient crystal pendant from the Radiant Group. Suitable for use in a wide range of spaces from double volume areas to small and intimate spaces. Come and view the range at 72 Fifth street Wynberg in the Radiant Group’s spectacular five-floor showroom and receive free specialist advice on all your lighting requirements.

CRYSTAL DRIVER LIGHT SHOW Ellies Commercial Lighting recently illustrated the effects of efficient lighting technology and its performance using an industrial warehouse and yard environment.

Prior to lighting replacements, the yard area was fitted with a 400W Metal Halide lamp. Ellies replaced this fitting with one 200W LED crystal driver technology floodlight.

Similarly, the warehouse had two 400W Mercury Vapour fittings, replaced by the Ellies Commercial Lighting team with one 200W linear highbay.

The Ellies replacement fittings brought the lux levels above the minimum Health and Safety lux level requirements for different areas, these being 50 lux in the bulk loading and

unloading areas where manual operations are performed, and 150 lux within the warehouse.

The replacement lamps not only made the working environment safer for employees, but also provided a 100% saving in electricity usage when comparing existing lamps to replacements made in the environment.

Crystal driver technology is exclusive to Ellies products, allowing for consistent performance than similar products in the market.

Ellies Commercial Lighting offers national turnkey solutions inclusive of design, project management, supply and installation of all their products. In addition, Ellies only supplies to the electrical wholesale market. www.ellies.co.za

26 LEADINGARCHITECTURE & DESIGN AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2017

Open Monday to Thursday from 08h00 to 17h00, Fridays from 08h00 to 16h30 and Saturdays from 09h00 to 13h00.

A MIDCENTURY CLASSIC The Fontana table lamp, designed by Max Ingrand in 1954 for classic Itaian lighting compnay Fontana Arte, is the company’s absolute best seller. Made entirely out of glass, it is unique in its look and function. The body and shade switch on and off independently. To celebrate the 60th anniversary of te design in 2014, Fontana Arte brought out a stunning black glass version of the lamp. All materials used by Fontana Arte are of the highest quality, such as marble and handblown glass, rather than synthetic materials. Available fro Euro Nouveau. www.euronouveau.co.za

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ARTEMIDE RELAUNCHES IN SA Cube Gallery, authorised importer and distributor of Artemide, has reintroduced Artemide to South Africa’s public and industry professionals.

Artemide was founded in 1960 in Milan, Italy by Ernesto Gismondi. Since then its lighting designs have won numerous awards over the years, such as the Compasso d’Oro Award, the Red Dot Design Award and the IF Product Design Award. Many Artemide lighting designs are exhibited in museums of modern art and design collections around the world, for example the Museum of

Modern Art and Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York), Victoria and Albert Museum (London), Museo Nazionale della Scienza e della Tecnica (Milan), Galleria Nazionale d’Arte Moderna (Rome), and the Centre Georges Pompidou (Paris).

Since introducing ‘The Human Light’ concept in the 1990s, Artemide has been changing the way of conceiving light and designing perfect solutions to improve the quality of light in dwelling spaces, both for the present and the future. The relationship between people, light and the environment “Designing light is not just has always been central to about designing a form, but their vision. This process also addressing technical and continues daily – investigating performance-related issues, new interactions between always with a close focus on man, space, and light as well man, his existential needs and as combining technological wellbeing,” says architect, innovation, sociological Carlotta de Bevilacqua, vice investigation and research. president, Artemide. “At Cube Gallery has a 400m2 Artemide, technological showroom dedicated to research always goes hand in Artemide, exclusively designed hand with a human vision and for Cube by Artemide in Italy. an ethical and social approach.” www.cubegallery.co.za

LIGHTING CENTURION MALL PARKADE Magnet Energy, part of the Magnet Group of Companies, has assisted many leading property groups in South Africa with the design and installation of lighting systems for shopping malls, offices, hotels and industrial applications.

Magnet’s latest project was the design and installation of a new lighting system at the Centurion Mall Parkade in Pretoria. Advanced lighting technology has significantly improved light levels, enhanced safety and also contributed to energy savings.

“The project brief from property group, Redefine, was to improve the quality of parkade lighting at the Centurion Mall. With extensive experience in turnkey lighting projects, the Magnet team understands that every installation is unique and requires individualised engineering solutions,” says Dean Lotter, divisional head, Magnet Energy. “Lighting

solutions for parkades are traditionally complex projects, where most installation work needs to be done outside of normal business hours, when the parking area has been vacated.

“The Centurion Mall parkade upgrade project that encompassed an onsite lighting audit, engineering and lighting design, specification of technology, installation and commissioning – shows an improvement in light levels in the parkade, from 12 lux to 50 lux.

“Magnet’s eco-friendly solutions to reduce wasted electricity and improve

28 LEADINGARCHITECTURE & DESIGN AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2017

lighting quality at the parkade include the installation of Philips and MARS LED fittings, as well as Lite-C controllers and Schneider sensors.

“What’s notable about this project is the installation of Magnet’s Lite-C wireless binary controllers in specific areas of the parkade, which are not highly occupied. Advanced radio frequency (RF) technology allows input devices to communicate with and control output devices up to 200m, without the need for cabling. If no movement is detected by the sensor after a certain time period, the lights are automatically switched off.”

Magnet’s energy efficient MARS and Philips LED lighting systems ensure optimum quality of light and extended lamp service life.

Apart from lighting solutions, the company’s energy saving service also incorporates metering, hot water systems, air-conditioning controls and solar systems.

This project management service has contributed significantly to the reduction of wasted energy in industrial and commercial sectors throughout South Africa.

The Magnet Group celebrates 45 years of business this year. www.magnetgroup.co.za

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FLO O RI N G

INTRODUCING QUICK-SETTING TAL GOLDSTAR 18

NEW BUILD MART FLOOR A WALKOVER Sika products were used in a challenging 5000m2 flooring project in Pretoria West where Build Mart, a busy hardware store forming part of the Kit Kat Group, required renovations to its shop floors.

As a client of Sika's for over ten years, Build Mart had no hesitation in contacting Sika’s representative, Raj Naidoo, for a solution.

To repair and coat all the imperfections in the floors, Sikadur-43 ZA (20 kits) and Sikafloor Garage (Telegrey, 450x5l) were specified. Sikadur-43 ZA is a three-component repair and filling mortar based on a combination of epoxy resins and selected high strength aggregates while Sikafloor Garage is a two-part, water-dispersed, epoxy resin-based coating suitable for concrete, cement screeds, broadcast systems and epoxy mortars.

One challenging aspect of the project was that normal trading hours could not be interrupted. The only solution was for contractors Mazoyo Group to apply the products at night in sections which were subsequently blocked off to prevent damage from foot traffic the

following day. A further challenge was applying the products around the immovable shelving units.

Once repairs were done with Sikadur-43 ZA, two coats of Sikafloor Garage were applied to the floors. Suitable for both dry and damp surfaces, Sikadur-43 ZA provides rapid, shrinkage-free hardening and high mechanical strength.

Environmentally friendly Sikafloor Garage conforms to multiple international standards including a USGBC LEED Rating. Designed for normal to medium-heavy loading the product is water dilutable, odourless and easily applied. Sikafloor Garage provides good chemical and mechanical resistance and is water vapour permeable. After approximately 20 hours, at 20°C, foot traffic is permissible.

A follow-up inspection of the floors at Build Mart demonstrated a highly successful project and left the client so impressed with the quality of the product that they have ordered another 5000m2 project for Build Mart’s downstairs floor. www.sika.co.za

30 LEADINGARCHITECTURE & DESIGN AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2017

TAL has introduced TAL Goldstar 18 to their tile adhesive product range, a new quick-setting, shrinkage compensated, high-strength cement based adhesive. “The new TAL Goldstar 18 tile adhesive is based on quick-set technology, to complement the current range of TAL Goldstar tile adhesives,” says Gela Ohl, marketing manager for TAL. Suitable for fixing porcelain, ceramic and dark-toned natural stone tiles such as marble, sandstone or granite to walls and floors, TAL Goldstar 18 is designed for ease of use and has an eight hour pot life. Tiles can be grouted after 14–16 hours, and trafficked 18 hours after installation.

Available in a 20kg pack size, TAL Goldstar 18 can be applied in thicknesses between 3mm-6mm and in isolated areas, up to 12mm.

For all exterior/exposed and ’wet’ applications, high traffic areas, areas subjected to thermal stresses or temperature changes, or where some flexibility is required, replace the water in the mix with TAL Bond. Alternatively, TAL Bond Powder may be added to the adhesive mixing water.

The current TAL Goldstar range includes the TAL Goldstar 2, an ultra-rapid setting tile adhesive that sets within two hours; TAL Goldstar 6, a rapid-setting tile adhesive that sets within six hours, TAL Goldstar 12 that sets within 12 hours and now the new TAL Goldstar 18.

The TAL Warranty Programme offers a 10-year warranty on any tiling installation, provided a Materials and Methods specification is issued by TAL for the project, that ensures that TAL products are used in strict accordance with the specification and the installation is undertaken by a TAL Registered Tiler and monitored by TAL. www.tal.co.za

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The large-format surface Dekton opens a new world of possibilities for design and architecture projects.

Dekton offers multiple possibilities of colors and finishes in thicknesses of 8, 12 and 20 mm. Indoor or outdoor, Dekton shows an outstanding resistance and durability to make your projects unlimited.

DEKTON IS UNLIMITED.

WWW.DEKTON.COM Dekton South Africa F Dekton T

COSENTINO SOUTH AFRICA 102 Loper Ave, Aeroport, Spartan, Kempton Park Tel: +27 11 974 8914 47 Montreal Extension Drive, Cape Town Tel: +27 21 385 1866 e-mail: njanssens@cosentino.com www.cosentino.com / www.dekton.com

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FIVE TIPS TO COMBINE TILES CONFIDENTLY More and more people are mixing and matching tiles to create truly unique spaces.

Patrizia Cortese, product and development manager at Ceramic Industries offers five useful tips to consider when attempting to successfully combine tiles in a manner that not only attracts attention, but also lasts for several years without becoming outdated.

1

Turn up the contrast Contrasting tiles can create a striking look. For instance, use patterned tiles on walls and plain tiles on the floor. If you’ve found your ultimate statement tiles in a small, busy pattern, try restricting them to a small area and use large-scale plain tiles for the other surfaces.

2

Colour carefully Keeping to a limited colour palette opens your design world in other ways. Use two designs in the same solid colour but in a different shape or in different scale. This really draws out the pattern created by the grouting on each surface, which will give you a smart and subtle look.

3

Go for feel You can get away with mixing tiles of a similar style and busy patterns if you vary the texture. Try matt and glossy together in a room, or even two different matt finishes.

12062_5973_PolyFlor_Lion_Brand_AD_v2.pdf

1

2017/07/27

5 4

Get into shape The flipside of Tip 2 is that you can mix two different colours and still tie the room together by matching the shape of the tiles used.

3:52 PM

DRIVEN TO C

Stone is your friend A natural stone design tile instantly gives a surface a neutral look. This frees you up to use the huge variety of tiles available from Ceramic Industries to create a striking graphic pattern, without fighting with other surfaces. www.ceramic.co.za

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32 LEADINGARCHITECTURE & DESIGN AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2017

SOUTH AFRICA

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FLOOR COVERINGS ON A WARRANTY DEADLINE The Flooring Industry Training Association (FITA) has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with 24 leading South African flooring manufacturers, distributors and contractors.

From 1 July 2018 product warranties on poor installation, carried out by installers not accredited by FITA, will no longer be honoured.

As a minimum, the Head Installer must have registered individually with FITA and hold a Construction, Education and Training Authority (CETA) accredited qualification. This is currently the National Certificate: Installation of Floor Coverings (NQF1). It covers limited flooring types, which the MOU clause is also restricted to. However, FITA is actively working with CETA and industry to create a revised curriculum which will be ready in 2018. At that point, the MOU will be extended to all flooring types contained therein.

“FITA’s role in the industry is to encourage and facilitate the recognition, upskilling and training of installers for the benefit of all sectors of the flooring industry,” says Tandy Coleman, chairman of FITA. “This is done by utilising the funding provided

by CETA and industry players who register with FITA. We are available to assist contractors and installers to either enrol at a FET college or participate in the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) accreditation process to ensure they are compliant

by July next year.”

Proven product failure will continue to be honoured under the respective warranties.

The flooring manufacturers,

distributors and contractors who have signed the MOU with FITA include: • AZURA DISTRIBUTORS • BELGOTEX FLOORCOVERINGS • CROSSLEY SOUTH AFRICA • CARPET BROKERS • CARPET AND DÉCOR CENTRE • C AND C CARPET DISTRIBUTORS • GERFLOR FLOORING GROUP • FINFLOR (SA) • FLOORS DIRECT • FLOORWORX AFRICA • FOTAKIS BROS • FOTAKIS BROS CAPE • KEVIN BATES FLOORING AND CARPETING • MF WHOLESALE • NOUWENS CARPETS • MONN CARPETS • ITE PRODUCTS • POLYFLOR AFRICA • SEAMLESS FLOORING SYSTEMS • SELBORNE CARPET WHOLESALERS • SOUTH AFRICAN WOOD LAMINATE AND FLOORING ASSOCIATION • TRAVIATA FLOORING SYSTEMS • VAN DYCK CARPETS • WONDER FLOORING JOHANNESBURG FITA South Africa facilitates training and accreditation through Learnerships, Recognition of Prior Learning accreditation and various Short Skills Courses.

For more information please contact Jenny Williams, communications manager, on jenny@fitasa.co.za or 082 853 7828. www.facebook. com/fitaSouthAfrica www.fitasa.co.za

QUICK-SETTING TILE ADHESIVE

Suitable for porcelain, ceramic and dark coloured natural stone tiles.

sets in

18 hrs

wall & oor

interior/exterior

high strength

Visit our Youtube page for tiling how-to videos

FOR MORE INFO

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

TAL, and TAL Goldstar18 are registered trademarks of NORCROS SA (Pty) Ltd.

WWW.LEADINGARCHITECTURE.CO.ZA AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2017 33

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BAKU HEYDAR ALIYEV AIRPORT GETS FLOOR MAKE-OVER Dekton® by Cosentino was used by Turkish architecture studio Autoban for a 4 300m2 renovation of the exterior flooring at Baku Heydar Aliyev International Airport in Azerbaijan.

The most decorative aspect of the project was its production – using a single material – of equilateral triangles measuring 1.5 metres on each side, and in three different colours, which when combined achieve a 3D effect of raised cubes.

It was necessary to find a material that was produced in large pieces to be able to make this pattern of triangles, and that could in turn, thanks to its technical characteristics, be cut into the described pieces without breaking.

Due to its hardness and to the large slab format in which it is produced, Dekton was the perfect material for the project.

Another fundamental and decisive aspect was the colour. It had to be a material in a solid, uniform colour with a natural look and slate finish, and which could also be made in two lighter coloured, but equally elegant shades with the same finish.

Dekton Siriusdark coloured slate finish allowed this idea to be further developed thanks to its mechanical and aesthetic properties, making it the perfect choice for the project.

The application of this particular design was for an exterior floor area, specifically for the main entrance of the airport. It was therefore important that the physical appearance of the product used should not alter over time when exposed to the sun and changes in temperature, nor to

34 LEADINGARCHITECTURE & DESIGN AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2017

continuous foot traffic. Dekton, thanks to its ultra-compaction manufacturing process, provides unrivalled, superior technical characteristics. Its high resistance to ultraviolet rays; its good colour stability; its resistance to ice and thawing; its high resistance to hydrolysis; its high resistance to scratching, staining and abrasion; and its low water absorption rate, guarantee it as an excellent material for use in outdoor areas and places where thousands of people pass through each day.

Dekton offers other advantages for high foot-traffic areas such as airports, mainly to do with safety. These places, given their high volume of foot traffic, must be able to rely on safe, resistant materials that do not suffer any wear and tear that could endanger the safety of pedestrians. It also offers peace of mind to architecture and design professionals, as having a product that encompasses all the technical and mechanical characteristics found in Dekton, enables them to offer their clients more functional, high-quality and long-lasting results.

In addition to safety and technical quality, Dekton allows professionals to create beautifully aesthetic designs to last forever, thanks to its great versatility regarding colours, textures and sizes. By using Dekton ultra-compact surfaces, main entrances of airports, or any other interior or exterior spaces of this kind of building, can become veritable works of art. www.dekton.com/co-za

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FLOWFRESH FLOORING FOR MODERN HOSPITAL KITCHENS Flowcrete South Africa has recently worked with a number of state-of-the-art hospitals, providing ultra-hygienic kitchen floors to safeguard patient health by keeping these contamination-sensitive areas clean and clear.

It is imperative that floors in hospital kitchens facilitate a sanitary working environment – otherwise patients could be at risk from dangerous foodborne illnesses.

To achieve this, many of South Africa’s newest hospitals have turned to Flowcrete’s seamless polyurethane finishes thanks to the fact that they are quick and easy to clean and even incorporate an antimicrobial agent to attack bacteria and pathogens in contact with the kitchen’s floor.

Polyurethane floor coatings have become a popular choice for the kitchen and canteen areas of hospitals, replacing the traditional tiled floors.

This is the case for a number of reasons, including the hygiene benefits of a seamless surface as well as the ease of maintenance and longer lifecycle.

One of the biggest projects was at the $70 million Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital in

Johannesburg, where 1 600m2 of the robust polyurethane resin floor screed, Flowfresh RT was applied in the site’s kitchen, laundry and food storage area. A hard-wearing floor was imperative for these parts of the site, being a 200-bed hospital with 600 doctors and nurses serving nearly 450 million children would inevitably put a lot of strain, wear and use on the service areas.

The hospital’s designers knew that should the floor not be up to the task it could crack and fail, which would make it harder to clean and would increase the risk of bacteria build-up. The knock-on effect of this would be delays and disruptions while the floor is refurbished – an eventuality that itself could put lives at

risk. This emphasises the importance of durable kitchen flooring that will maintain its hygienic properties for the long term.

The brand-new Ahmed Al-Kadi Private Hospital in Mayville, Durban also opted to apply Flowfresh RT in its kitchens and body layout rooms. 514m2 of the HACCP International certified system in light grey was installed in the 164-bed hospital. Coving was applied along the kitchen’s edges to ensure a smooth transition from the floor to the wall and wide, stainless steel drainage channels were incorporated into the finish to make the cleaning regime quicker and easier.

The advanced Ahmed Al-Kadi hospital specialises in providing cutting-edge

medicine. Flowfresh exemplifies this commitment to utilising modern technology to improve hospital design, as it incorporates the silver-ion based bactericidal agent Polygiene®, which is able to eliminate 99.9% of bacteria in contact with the floor.

Earlier this year the Royal Rehabilitation Hospital was opened to fill a much needed demand for a local sub-acute rehabilitation unit in Pietermaritzburg. Currently at 52 beds but geared up to grow to 102 beds, this hospital has been built with close attention to detail in order to promote healing – an ethos that led to the developers installing 180m2 of Flowfresh RT in the kitchen.

When the long standing Netcare Parklands Hospital in Durban expanded with a new building for its Humana Healthcare Facility, the hospital needed to ensure that the principles of hygiene, durability and functionality also extended to the new part of the building.

Flowfresh RT was once again chosen for the task at hand to minimise the risk of contaminants and to keep the site running on a clean, safe and reliable platform. www.flowcrete.com

NEW KLOMPIE CLADDING Leading manufacturer and designer of cast stone products Revelstone has launched a new cladding product to their expanding range of engineered products – Klompie cladding.

Klompie cladding is designed to look like the traditional clay Klompie brick, but is more consistent in size (225x35x30) and colour, and is easier to install.

This makes it an attractive option to use on any feature wall, archway, braai area, fire area or veranda. It can also be used as edging on steps. Klompie cladding is suitable for both the interior and exterior use in the home, office or for landscaping outdoor areas. www.revelstone.co.za

36 LEADINGARCHITECTURE & DESIGN AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2017

OUR TILES, YOUR VISION Our customers are constantly finding new ways to mix and match tiles to create inspiring spaces. So when you're ready to create a unique living space, Ceramic Industries has everything you need to bring your vision to life.

www.ceramic.co.za

Tel: (016) 930 3600

Email: info@ceramic.co.za

WWW.LEADINGARCHITECTURE.CO.ZA AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2017 37

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NO ROOM FOR SAFETY SLIP-UPS WHEN TIMES ARE HARD Managing the risk of incidents in the workplace has become vital as margins get thinner under tough economic conditions and there is no longer room for error, according to Elaine van Rooyen, marketing manager at Andrew Mentis.

“Few businesses can afford safety-related lawsuits during a recession, so opting for inferior quality floor grating is false economy,” says van Rooyen. “Besides, there are building regulations and occupational health and safety standards as well as other legislation to consider.”

She says it therefore makes sense to go straight to a manufacturer who has designed and engineered a quality product with clear loading bearing tolerances for over 40 years. As the largest producer of floor grating in Africa, Andrew Mentis has established an industry benchmark with its Rectagrid RS40 product.

“RS40 is a premium brand formed through a process of compressive pressure locking of bearer bars and transversals to form an exact pitch of 40mmx40mm,” she says. “Our quality

controlled process makes sure that the round transverse bar fits tightly through the pierced bearer bar, giving high levels of structural integrity to the product, as well as reducing vulnerability to corrosion.”

It is important for the manufacturing process to allow no cracks or crevices at intersections, as these could also harbour corrosion.

“The locking method at the intersections should be designed to use the full depth of the bearer bar when calculating loads,” she says.

“Finally, the grating panels should be flat, square and untwisted to ensure that safety in the workplace is not compromised.”

The company’s world class facility in Elandsfontein near Johannesburg produces floor grating for a wide variety of applications including access walkways in process plants, factories and workshops. With a unique pressure locking system pioneered by company founder Andrew Mentis, the products have been proven over decades of application across different industries.

The company’s experience and expertise also equips it to offer a range of further enhancements to meet customer requirements; for more reliability in corrosive environments, for instance, floor grating can be hot-dip galvanised or manufactured in stainless steel or 3CR12. Due to the strong intersection locking, banding is unnecessary – but facilities are available to provide banded grating where required. www.mentis.co.za

CEMCRETE SYNONYMOUS WITH LODGE DESIGN

Chobe Game Lodge in Botswana is one of many lodges and hotels throughout Africa where Cemcrete finishes have been used. Built in the 1970s, Chobe Game Lodge was the first luxury 5-star lodge of its kind in Botswana. With is impressive arches, high ceilings and expansive interiors, the lodge

was built in a distinctly Moorish architectural style. It is the only safari lodge inside the Chobe National Park and enjoys one of the best views overlooking the mighty Chobe River. The Lodge recently underwent renovations and was updated using mostly Cemcrete finishes on the floors, walls, and even as far as the

38 LEADINGARCHITECTURE & DESIGN AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2017

swimming pool, which is the ideal canvas for the Moroccan-style decor.

The lodge has a colourful, romantic feel that is somehow just the right mix of practical and whimsical. Chobe Game Lodge is far more like a hotel than a lodge with its forty-eight rooms appointed with all the modern conveniences you’d expect to find in the city. It is, in fact, the only hotel or lodging option within the Chobe National Park – and a perfectly positioned one at that. Rooms overlook the river, decks overlook the Chobe National Park and candles light up the many terraces and bar areas.

The accommodation at Chobe

Game Lodge is comprised of more than forty rooms, four luxury private suites and one family unit. The private suites and family unit each have their own private pool and terrace overlooking the Chobe River.

Along with the private suites and family unit, all the rooms and bathrooms were also renovated and the walls and floors received a makeover using Cemcrete’s cement-based finishes. The concrete finishes and neutral colours chosen by the interior design team of Tessa Proudfoot & Associates created the perfect canvas to showcase the Moroccan-style furniture and colourful decor. cemcrete.co.za

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NEW CARPET TILES IN GLOWING COLOURS AND EXCITING DESIGN SHAPES

Colour and style has always been a major factor in Van Dyck Floors’ product offering; especially now as trends in 2017 are all about offering different textures, patterns, colours and shapes that can be combined to create inspiring floors. The carpet industry has for a while been favouring designs in either shades of grey and natural

colours or with touches of bold and bright colours, or a combination of both.

Responding to continuously evolving trends, Van Dyck Floors has created a wide product offering over the years with recent introductions including Neon, the Maestro Collection, Optimum Collection and the Titanium Collection. Due to the increased popularity of various shapes and colours, Van Dyck Floors decided to give customers more products to select from in the form of their latest offering, namely Glow and Design Shapes.

Glow and Design Shapes provide an exciting new element to the current carpet

40 LEADINGARCHITECTURE & DESIGN AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2017

tile offering in South Africa.

The name Glow is inspired by the bold colours that make a statement. This product is regarded as fun and exciting and comes in ten bright colours and two neutral that encapsulate a youthful and vibrant look.

Because carpet tiles can be colour and texture mixed and matched for a specific effect to suit any décor, Van Dyck Floors is diversifying their products toward this trend. Apart from their convenience, carpet tiles are also appreciated for their design versatility as well as their ability to be laid in various directions (monolithic, tessellated, ashlar, brick-bond

or random), which can create different patterns and effects.

In terms of technical specifications, both Glow and Design Shapes are available in an Enduroback modified recycled bitumen backing, and are most suitable for heavy commercial environments. Van Dyck Floors bitumen consists of more than 40% recycled material and as a result of their lasting durability, can be re-used for the secondary market at the end of their lifespan. Furthermore, their bitumen backing contains no PVC’s, is very low on VOC’s and is highly durable, therefore increasing the longevity of the carpet tile. www.vandyckfloors.co.za

WWW.LEADINGARCHITECTURE.CO.ZA AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2017 41

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B RICKS & PAVI N G

CLAY PAVERS FOR KLIPTOWN UPGRADE PHOTOGRAPHS GAPP ARCHITECTS & URBAN DESIGNERS More than 400 000 of Corobrik’s clay paver range were used for the urban enhancement of the iconic Kliptown Walter Sisulu Square of Dedication as well as Union Avenue and Square Road, all based in Soweto, Johannesburg.

Forming part of the Kliptown Public Environment Upgrade, the 24 000m2 paving project – completed in July 2017 – was commissioned by the Johannesburg Development Agency (JDA).

“The regeneration of this vibrant area, seeped in cultural history, is a fantastic undertaking by the JDA and we applaud the selection of Corobrik’s robust and inspired pavers,” said Corobrik commercial director, Musa Shangase. “The finished design works well to complement the existing structures and, among the many product benefits of pavers, the durability will minimise any future maintenance or replacement costs for the city.”

“The aim of this project is to create a robust, liveable, walkable and safe public

pavers

•

tiles

environment with a focus on place identity and the creation of a high quality public environment,” explained Andrew Luke, director of GAPP Architects & Urban Designers. “Kliptown is an area of historical significance, being the site on which the Freedom Charter was signed in 1955; our task was to reinvigorate the square and surrounding streets, including the historic trading street – Union Road.”

The Walter Sisulu Square of Dedication is framed by two large parallel buildings. The central square features the Freedom Charter Monument which had fallen into a state of disrepair. To revitalise this area, new public open space was created, as well as sidewalks, street furniture, lighting, trees, public transport shelters and even public art to further commemorate the historical significance of the square.

Selecting 400 000 of Corobrik’s Burgundy pavers and 66 120 of the Cedarberg pavers, GAPP breathed new life into the square, Union Avenue and Square Road, tying the entire area together

•

cobbles

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cladding

•

with a network of pedestrian paths and squares for increased access.

“The Burgundy paver was chosen, in particular, to give character to the public environment,” explained Luke.

“A combination of Burgundy and Cedarberg provides the backdrop for landscaping elements such as bins, benches, bollards, trees and lights.”

Commenting on the selection of Corobrik’s pavers for the project, Luke said their incredible robustness ensured they could withstand the high-volume pedestrian foot traffic and the inherent colourfastness of the clay meant no fading over time, despite constant exposure to the elements. In addition, Corobrik pavers are accompanied by ease of construction, repair and maintenance.

“Paving provides for a really high-quality environment especially using the

coping

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kerbing

•

herringbone pattern to create a strong, aesthetically interesting street surface,” he continued.

The interplay between colour and texture accommodates the various users, provides directional guidance, highlights key features in the public space and demarcates public and private thresholds. The variation in colour was also used to demarcate areas for traders, pedestrians and display space for shopkeepers.”

He said that, in addition, paving can be a vital tool for public safety, providing clear lines of sight with changes in texture used to indicate crossings.

Corobrik’s Musa Shangase added: “Public safety is further ensured through the pavers’ skid-resistant quality which means that, even in wet weather, the community of Kliptown can safely use the walkways.” www.corobrik.co.za

landscape

products

W NE UCT D O PR

www.revelstone.co.za KLOMPIE CLADDING

JURA FIRE PIT

42 LEADINGARCHITECTURE & DESIGN AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2017

WORCESTER SPLIT CLADDING

>> O N SITE

B RICKS & PAVI N G

Find a supplier www.terraforce.com

Tel: 021 465 1907

PERMEABLE STORM WATER CHANNELS FOR SALDANHA DEVELOPMENT ZONE The days of slapping concrete and asphalt down to construct a walkway, driveway or storm water channel may be numbered.

Commercial properties, public spaces, and residential developments have upped the standard on what they require from a paved surface.

Land restrictions, storm water management, and other environmental regulations have turned the growing housing market and other land developers to seek solutions that can address these issues.

In 2013, the Port of Saldanha Bay was earmarked as an important resource for the sustainable growth and development of the West Coast region. On 31 October 2013 the Saldanha Bay Industrial Development Zone (SBIDZ) was officially designated as South Africa’s fifth Special Economic Zone (SEZ).

As development took place at the SBIDZ, the need for effective storm water control arose, especially with new tenants taking up residence. Following the Integrated Development Plan (IDP) laid out by the Saldanha Bay Municipality, to address all issues pertaining infrastructure development with a sustainable solution in mind, Power Group, South Africa’s largest family and employee-owned construction company and main contractor on site, stipulated a permeable, environmentally friendly solution.

Says Robbie Dreyer, senior site agent, Power Group: “Having considered all options, we eventually settled with the Terracrete block manufactured by Van Dyk Precast in Vredenburg, confident to have found the best solution for the least environmental impact on the area.�

The Terracrete permeable paving blocks or ‘grass paver’ blocks encourage water infiltration and prevent rain water runoff,

44 LEADINGARCHITECTURE & DESIGN AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2017

to replenish our dwindling ground water reserves. The grass paver is ideal for areas prone to erosion, and the versatile blocks can be used for domestic, industrial, and agricultural applications such as drive ways, parking areas, vehicle tracks, hardstand for trucks and machinery, attenuation ponds and embankment stabilisation to name a few.

Installed by Keystar Trading and Cleophas Construction in early 2017, the entire area has been supplied with a network of permeable storm water channels that will effectively collect any excess rain water and redirect it to the appropriate culverts, with some of it passing through the large holes in the Terracrete blocks into the sub-terrain water reservoir. This effect encourages low shrubs to take root on the surrounding soil, to reduce wind and water erosion in the area.

Many industry experts agree that permeable pavers offer a good solution to increased storm water run-off. Says Dr SĂśnke Borgwardt, self-employed landscape architect and consulting engineer and leading expert on the subject in Germany: “The use of permeable paving is an important contribution to a sustainable and environmentally useful management of drainage systems. The handling of storm water runoff from sealed traffic areas is made less complicated and more affordable when it is decreased considerably by the application of filterable pavements.â€?

This type of infiltration management, he adds, has the added benefit that the already overstressed urban sewer systems are relieved. A further advantage is that secondary drainage measures, such as channels or swales, as well as detention ponds, can be greatly reduced. www.terraforce.com

Some of the best things in life...

Are not seen

Control your environment with the ultra slim ceiling hideaway air conditioning system by Mitsubishi Electric info@msaircon.com 0860 777 771 www.msaircon.co.za

WWW.LEADINGARCHITECTURE.CO.ZA AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2017 45

AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEMS

>> O N SITE

AI R CO N DITIO FLO O N RII N G

THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION IN JOHANNESBURG MODERNISES WITH SAMSUNG DVM When the old chiller system in the Department of Education building in Braamfontein, Johannesburg, started showing its age, a brand-new energyefficient system was specified.

Samsung DVM S units with heat recovery were selected to solve this problem. The building itself was also older, so it was important that the new system installation could use existing ceiling space and existing piping shafts.

A total of 20 outdoor DVM S units of 504kW capacity were installed on the roof of the building, supplying 577

kW of indoor capacity via 83 Samsung 4-way Cassettes totalling 114% average combination ratio. This will also allow flexibility for future tenants if the Department relocates in future. Not only is the DVM S system economically viable, it doesn’t ruin the exterior appearance of the building.

The project started in March and was completed in September 2016. The problem with the older chiller system was that due to the site having only used one main chiller, it meant that when

the chiller was down and not functioning, the whole building would be without cool ventilation.

The current VRF DVM S system has individual floor control, meaning at worst if one outdoor unit shuts down unexpectedly, only one floor would be affected.

The HVAC system would carry on as usual throughout the rest of the building. The DVM system used is also a heat recovery system, and is zoned in such a way as to maximise

the benefits of the north/ south heat exchange. The heat recovery system supports more agile operation through simultaneous, continuous operation in both cooling and heating modes. www.fourwaysaircon.co.za

TAILOR-MADE AIR CONDITIONING

Anyone who passes by the new luxury multi-use development known as The Capital Mirage on the corner of Strand and Hudson Streets in De Waterkant (Cape Town) is struck by the structure’s ultramodern facades and high-end finishes.

Less obvious but equally impressive, are the building’s state-of-the-art internal mechanical and electrical services.

The building is expected to achieve 4 Star Green Star rating by the Green Building Council of South Africa, in large part due to the design team’s focus on environmental sustainability and energy efficiency.

As part of this drive for operating efficiency, the client required that the service costs for each apartment, hotel room and retail tenant be individually monitored, controlled and billed. Providing for tenantspecific electricity metering was relatively straightforward.

Tailor-made air conditioning, however, was a more challenging exercise.

Sutherland Engineers decided on a Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) process because of its ability to provide detailed information and individual control over end-units.

The design team appointed Mitsubishi as its preferred supplier. Advantages of their system include its ability to continue operating while individual units are switched off (for example when certain apartments are unoccupied) and the usage information it provides for every unit. Another stand-out feature is the way it uses waste heat from the air-conditioning process to produce domestic hot water for the hotel rooms and apartments.

46 LEADINGARCHITECTURE & DESIGN AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2017

The hotel rooms are installed with hideaway units with hard-wired controllers, while the apartments have mid-wall units with remote controllers.

This makes it possible to select a different heating or cooling cycle for every room in the building.

Although the process of generating hot water from the waste heat of airconditioning systems is not new, the Mirage installation is one of the first to use VRF as its prime source of energy.

While the air-conditioning system is in operation, the waste heat is recovered and used to produce domestic hot water via four plant rooms located at different levels throughout the building.

The use of VRF air conditioning, coupled with the use of the waste heat and inverter heat pumps for the production of the domestic hot water, results in significant savings in operating costs for both the hotel operator and apartment owners. This is especially so because the condensing units can provide the correct amount of energy/refrigerant required, even as occupancy levels vary. www.msaircon.co.za

A I R

C O N D I T I O N I N G

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 locator.

WWW.LEADINGARCHITECTURE.CO.ZA AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2017 47

NEW Inverter Light There is a better way Inverter efficiency. Samsung quality

The advantages of an inverter, at an affordable price.

With advanced Inverter technology plus full HD filter with anti-bacterial coating, there’s simply no better choice when it comes to energy-efficient airconditioning.

Designed to be not only aesthetically pleasing but also exceptionally efficient, the Samsung Maldives Inverter is ideal for economical cooling and heating. With Samsung’s advanced Digital Inverter technology you can save up to 40% Samsung is thrilled to introduce the new Inverter Light. on electricity consumption. Samsung’s Maldives With a new and sleekInverter design, range bigger fan motor and increased air Samsung's Maldives range comes in 4 sizes for rooms from 16m² up to intake, the Samsung Inverter Light maximises energy efficiency with unrivalled unit performance.

45m². A full HD filter with anti-bacterial coating ensures a healthy environment.

Contact your local distributor for more information.

Kwa-Zulu Natal E.Cape W. & N. Cape countrywide: Pretoria Gauteng & Central region Fourways Airconditioning have branches in every major region Fourways Airconditioning (Jhb) Fourways Airconditioning (Pta) Samair ( Cape Town) Samair ( Port Elizabeth) Fourways Aircondidtioning ( KZN JHB & Central: (011) 704-6320 Pretoria: (012) 643-0445 W & N Cape: (021) 556-8292 Helderberg: (021) 854 5233 (031) 579-1895 (041) 484 – 6413 (021) 556 8292 (012) 643-0445 (011) 704-6320

Kwa-Zulu Natal: (031) 579-1895

Port Elizabeth: (041) 484-6413

48 LEADINGARCHITECTURE & DESIGN AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2017

George: 082 380 0708

Bloemfontein: 083 381 0074

N)

>> O N SITE

PAI NT

COATINGS INDUSTRY REASSURANCE ON SAFETY OF TITANIUM DIOXIDE The SA Paint Manufacturing Association (SAPMA) has issued official reassurance to the public and its members that the inclusion of titanium dioxide as a white pigment in some industrial paints holds absolutely no health risks to anyone exposed to such paint.

Deryck Spence, executive director of SAPMA, says SAPMA has been informed by the British Coatings Federation (BCF) that the European Chemical Agency (ECA) had recommended that any EU product containing titanium dioxide should carry labelling warning that the product is ‘suspected of causing cancer by inhalation’. The ECA’s recommendation is only the first step in the regulatory process but both BCF and SAPMA have decided to immediately refute this opinion.

“SAPMA felt it was important to immediately advise members and the public who may have noted the ECA stance on the compound, that once titanium dioxide has been incorporated in paint or ink, there is no risk of the solid particles of the substance being inhaled,” Spence stated.

He says titanium dioxide is an inert inorganic compound used as a white pigment in many industrial applications, including the manufacture of paints, coatings, printing inks and wall coverings. It provides essential product properties such as whiteness, covering power, brightness, stability and durability of colour not achievable with other raw materials. Titanium dioxide is also used in many other consumer products.

The BCF statement says during the manufacturing process, exposure to titanium dioxide powder might occur. However, studies over many years have not found any correlation between workers exposed to titanium dioxide and the risk of lung cancer.

In addition, BCF feels that the tests on rats cited by ECHA in its official opposition to the substance were conducted using ‘unrealistically high amounts’ of titanium dioxide that would not be allowed in any manufacturing environment.

Based on this, BCF and CEPE (the European organisation of paints, inks, and artists colours producers) consider the use of titanium dioxide to be safe for workers during the manufacturing process. This is further supported by the ongoing commitment of BCF and CEPE member companies to take every precaution to ensure the safety of their products and workers throughout their supply chain.

SAPMA’s Spence added: “SAPMA fully supports the BCF decision to challenge any proposed legislation on this specific element. We would also strongly oppose any such proposed labelling if were to be considered in South Africa in future.” www.sapma.org.za

WWW.LEADINGARCHITECTURE.CO.ZA AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2017 49

>> I N T E R I O R S

PAI NT

PLASCON’S PROFESSIONAL OFFERING DESIGNED TO ENHANCE YOUR BUSINESS With more than 128 years of experience in the paints and coatings industry, Plascon boasts a proud history and legacy in Africa.

Our leadership role in the paint industry does not stop at designing top quality products for the Industrial, Automotive and Decorative sectors. We also accept that we have a responsibility to make a positive impact in the societies and communities we operate in, as well as the environments in which we conduct our business.

This responsibility is rooted in the realisation that healthy societies, communities and labour forces provide the very foundation of a healthy business. Plascon is ISO14001 certified in all its manufacturing plants and provides progressive and sustainable solutions through quality products, practices and processes.

Our innovative technology and cutting-edge research continues to explore the impossible so that our valued customers can confidently bring projects to life.

Because we at Plascon are passionate about enhancing your experience with us, we are proud to bring you Our 360° Partnership Pledge.

The highest of service standards are entrenched in Plascon’s history, bringing us full circle to our Plascon 360° Partnership Pledge, which introduces our wide-range of varied customised and cost-effective coatings solutions, covering every aspect of your property portfolio.

The Plascon Professional team strives to meet all your needs, from customised product specifications to cost-effective coating solutions for new and redecoration projects.

Since the inception of the Plascon 360° Partnership Pledge, we have delivered a comprehensive service from the assessment, to the specification, application, approval

and the product guarantee thereof; maximising and enhancing return on investment with a range of premium products to choose from.

Part of our professional offering includes our experienced colour team at the Spaces Showroom whom are able to assist with the following services: • On-site colour consultation • Mood boards • Colour matching • Telephonic colour advice.

We also offer a beautiful meeting space in our world-class showroom in the Design Quarter in Fourways.

The Plascon 360° Partnership

50 LEADINGARCHITECTURE & DESIGN AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2017

Pledge has resulted in long-standing alliances with reputable paint applicators. Our joint business partnership in project management is guaranteed to add value to every property investment portfolio by extending the life expectancy of coatings on buildings and contributing to your bottom line.

Focussed on communicating a clear vision and building long-term, integrity-based relationships, at Plascon we are proud of our enviable track record across many prestigious and landmark projects.

If it doesn’t affect peoples’ lives, it isn’t Placson. www.plascon.com

Your 360° paint solution, from the company that is “designed for life” Plascon’s more than 120-year history gives you a distinct advantage when it comes to extending the life of your asset. We combine innovation, extensive research, service and the use of cutting edge technology to meet your every industrial, trade and retail expectation.

Due to our company philosophy of improving the lives of all those who we come into contact with, Plascon is truly “Designed for Life”. The highest service standards are entrenched in Plascon’s history, binging us full circle to our Plascon 360° Partnership Pledge, which introduces you to our wide-range of varied customized and costeffective coatings solutions, covering every aspect of your property portfolio.

Our Plascon 360° Partnership Pledge embraces your project requirements from the assessment, to the specification, application, approval and the product guarantee thereof. Maximising and enhancing your

return on investment with a range of premium products for you to choose from.

The Plascon Professional range brings out the expert in you, with a complete coatings system from preparation, trims and walls to specialist coats.

Luxury goods enjoy superior status and our Premium Range is no exception. An industry leader in innovation, technology and quality, this best-of-category range draws on a rich heritage with every product hailed as an industry benchmark of superiority, trusted to beautify, protect and enhance your most valuable investments.

So, if you’re looking for a quality paint solution, designed to 21st century standards, look no further than Plascon. After all if it does not improve your life and that of your assets, it quite simply is not Plascon.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT THE PLASCON ADVISORY CENTRE ON 0860 20 40 60 OR VISIT WWW.PLASCON.COM @PlasconS A

@Plascon

>> I N T E R I O R S

PAI NT

COLOUR TRENDS 2018 The colour trends for the coming season are a bold mix between rebellious, subtle luxury and togetherness – creating palettes of daring accents, grounded hues and details in silver and gold.

TREND #01: NEW AFRICA

AN EARTHY SHIMMERING MIX OF COLOURS REFLECTS SUCCESS, LUXURY AND WEALTH. While the rest of the world is struggling with independence movements, Africa is doing just the opposite. As one of the fastest growing economies in the world, the continent is taking huge steps towards a unified and modern continent.

In 2018 Africa will have its own central bank, and in 2020 Africa expects it will have its own currency. A new Africa is rising, and with that a wealthy continent of sophisticated solutions and well-educated women and men. The colours of the new Africa are, therefore, not a traditional African colour palette influenced by its natural resources; the beauty of its nature, the exotic flora and fauna, and the variation of cultures and people. Rather they are reflections of a heritage of success, luxury and wealth – in an African way. Mixing earthy shimmering hues from dark reds, greens and dull oranges, to bamboo-influenced colours all creating a tranquil palette full of life.

TREND #02: LUXURIOUS MINIMALISM

SUBTLE LUXURY CREATED BY STONE EFFECTS, METALLIC FINISHES AND DETAILS IN SILVER AND GOLD. Both temporary housing situations and urban living have influenced our way of living. Contrary to what you might think, smaller living, temporary accommodation, dark spaces and urban surroundings have urged us to do our best with what we have. Influenced by Nordic design, our lifestyles have become more minimalistic, with open spaces and natural colours, to create both a sense of space and light. This creates a luxurious interior that makes for a sophisticated and intellectual ambience. Luxurious minimalism is, however, not a minimalism of simplicity. It is all about the details, adding luxury in a subtle way with details of marble and stone effects, gold, silver and metallic finishes. The colour palette for this trend is an interesting mix of cool greys and blue, along with warmer hues in copper and gold.

52 LEADINGARCHITECTURE & DESIGN AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2017

TREND #03: URBAN PRIDE

DRAMATIC COLOURS OF FIRE AND SMOKE SYMBOLISE A MOVEMENT OF HOPE, PRIDE AND CREATIVITY. As cities turn into mega-cities, urban life is becoming more and more exposed to noise, pollution and grime. Some find calm outside the city borders, but many stay on, loving the city life and rebelling against any authority that tries to take away the personality of their city. Urban pride is all about the roughness and love of concrete and graffitistained cities, where creativity has grown larger than ever. Old factories are turned into galleries and graffiti into art monuments.

Neighbourhoods that have fallen into decline, have become hubs of creativity and entrepreneurship. This trend celebrates just that. A tired room is not restored but further developed and decorated, and the city streets are reclaimed with powerful manifestations of our own existence. It is a revolution of creativity and of colours, creating an explosion of bright yellow, red and blue together with darker hues of black and brown.

TREND #04: HIGH-TECH FLOWER POWER

AN EARTHY MIX OF GREEN AND PURPLE SYMBOLISING ECO-FRIENDLY URBAN LIVING. Smart homes are a reality today. But being fully connected is no longer about status-seeking. Rather, it’s a way for us to return to the collectiveness that our cities have erased over the decades.

As our homes are getting smaller, the need and desire to meet people and be in other spaces have created a new kind of living.

Where the square metres of our homes may be decreasing, the common spaces are growing. More and more housing projects are designed to create opportunities for sharing common areas for growing vegetables, cooking, eating, washing and meeting, and high-tech solutions have made it a reality by using solar and wind power for us to cultivate our own crops.

With farms popping up on pavements and roofs, we do things together. High-tech flower power is all about togetherness. Tech-solutions have created a bridge between people and cultures, tearing down the walls between us and turning the anonymity of urban life into a collective movement. This trend celebrates just that with its earthy green and brown hues mixed with warm purple and raw metals and material.

Colour Trends 2018 is made by NCS Colour in collaboration with colour trend forecasters Justine Fox from Material Colour, and Laura Perryman from Colour of Saying. ncscolour.com

WWW.LEADINGARCHITECTURE.CO.ZA AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2017 53

>> I N T E R I O R S

CHAMPAGNE CASTLE The refurbishment of historic Twee Jonge Gezellen farm in Tulbagh, home estate of Krone Mèthode Cap Classique, one of South Africa’s premier MCC brands, is characterised by wise choices and sensitive implementation.

When the Rands family bought the historic Twee Jonge Gezellen farm in Tulbagh five years ago, many of the original buildings were in need of restoration. At the behest of Abigail Rands, who manages the estate together with her brother Svend, architect Rick Stander and interior designer Tracy Lynch were brought on board. Their role was to reconceptualise not only how the farm’s series of interlinked buildings and existing tasting room looked, but also what their newfound purpose might be. To answer this extraordinary brief, Lynch immersed

herself in an intuitive design process that was led by deep engagement with the context: “My first encounter with the Twee Jonge Gezellen farm revealed both a history and a physical site that demanded of me the deepest and most sensitive intuitive response,” says Lynch.

One of her first responses was to re-open the farm’s earliest entrance, which, over the years, had lapsed into neglect through misuse as a storeroom. “I wanted visitors to be led on a journey through the buildings before arriving at the tasting area, to intensify their visceral response to

54 LEADINGARCHITECTURE & DESIGN AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2017

the sensory qualities of the place and the wine,” Lynch comments.

Now, visitors can once again enter through the original arched portal.

Modern-day glass doors shield an impressive reception counter, while an overhead cluster of woven metallic lights makes it even more of a focal point. A family of monumental metal pieces – part sculpture, part industrial design – looks on with benign, almost surreal grace.

Once whitewashed, the gallerylike dimensions of the reception area and adjoining rooms naturally lend themselves to displaying a rotating

collection of artworks. Abigail Rands has not only actively encouraged this dimension of the interior design, but is also propelling the newly reinvented Tulbagh Arts Festival, set for late 2017.

That Twee Jonge Gezellen is now able to function in this way – as a beacon for contemporary art and design and a bastion of heritage – is a fulfilment of a much earlier vision that was laid down long before the actual renovations began.

To allow the historic buildings to function as a receptacle for a contemporary sensibility and

T WE E JO N G E G EZE LLE N

function, Lynch’s overall approach has been steadfastly minimalist.

“These spaces are inherently stark, monastic and cathedral-like,” she says. “It was important that nothing be added to the spaces that felt permanent or ‘built-in’, but rather, that all fixtures and fittings were left free-standing and that everything sits slightly apart from the walls. The buildings live at a pace which renders our passing through as the merest flicker of presence. The unchanging buildings needed to consciously enclose and hold the transitory markers of our

brief habitation of them, but also be allowed to release them to the flow of time and be left unmarked by them,” Lynch comments.

Lynch’s design treatment is further distinguished by a spherical recurring leitmotif. Whether it’s circular pendant fittings, ovoid bathroom credenzas, or artworks that explore arched shapes, the rounded forms prevail and are very much intentional. They echo and respond to the many elliptical window openings, half-moons, and arched doorways that were present in the historic architecture.

As a symbol of wholeness, “the circle suggested a way to return these buildings to their original state,” while also paying homage to the sparkling bubbles of Krone’s age-old fermentation process – the very raison d’être of the brand.

The circular motif finds itself again reiterated in the detailing of functional and décor objects; the delicate bubble becomes the handle of the ice buckets, and large brass round trays bear dark blue leather padding that reflects the night sky under which the grapes are harvested.”

These connections are considered rather than coincidental – much like the association between the very best of high-end, handcrafted South African design and the premium positioning of the Krone brand.

“The new owners of the farm wanted to refresh the Krone MCC brand and to bring a new sophistication to it,” states Lynch. “It was important to keep this reinvention grounded in a sense of the place itself – to look to the future through the eyes of the past.”

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DRAWING BOARD

FIRE-MITIGATION THE NEW PRIORITY IN CONSTRUCTION MAINTENANCE Architects, engineers, developers and contractors need to look beyond the building regulations to proactively seek and apply new solutions to mitigating the spread of fire in buildings.

This is the view of Averil Webbstock, managing director of Den Braven South Africa.

“The recent devastating fires in Knysna and in the UK have made us all sit up and re-think our views as to how to contain the spread of such fires in residential and commercial buildings alike,” said Webbstock.

By taking a fresh view on ways in which the spread of fire can be retarded in residential and commercial buildings through the creation of ‘fire compartments’, architects, designers, developers and contractors alike are well placed to take a proactive lead in potentially mitigating and arresting the spread of fire in a building.

“The creation of ‘fire compartments’ and passive fire protection in a building is essential for containing a fire and preventing it spreading, at the same time providing a valuable time cushion to enable evacuation of the occupants of the building and time for emergency services to reach the scene and bring the still-manageable blaze under control,” continued Webbstock.

She noted that Den Braven has developed a special range of sealants designed to do exactly that.

Known as FireProtect®, this patented range of products, available in either a silicone, acrylic, or hybrid sealant as well as expansion foam, is applied to joints and gaps such as window frames, doors and cornices and linear joints during their installation in the finishing stages of construction.

“Den Braven’s FireProtect will retard fire for up to four hours. It is a complete, fully-certified and approved range of passive fire protection products used in expansion and connection joints, openings and penetrations between fire compartments,” said Webbstock. “We encourage contractors, architects and developers to play an active role in staying a step ahead of potential fire.”

FireProtect products for passive fire protection which are included in the construction of a building are integral to the structure and have a primary function to reduce the spread of flames, heat and smoke and thus enhance the fire safety. www.denbraven.co.za

56 LEADINGARCHITECTURE & DESIGN AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2017

NORDIC ELEGANCE The Nordic furnishing style is characterised by clear forms and soft, natural colours. For Duravit, the Danish designer Cecilie Manz has combined Nordic design with new technologies, new colours and new materials, which are impressive in terms of both feel and function.

The Luv bathroom series offers completely new design possibilities for either larger rooms or guest bathrooms.

The above-counter basins made from DuraCeram impress with their subtle lines, generous inner basin and clear edges. The selection of materials and colours is testament to

Nordic colours in satin-matt lacquer can also be found on the furniture. The distinctively shaped baths are based on the form of the wash bowl and are made from the mineral material DuraSolid A, which offers a pleasantly warm feel and a high-quality matt look.

Clear, timeless forms create lasting value and are popular for bathroom furnishings. Vero Air, designed by Duravit, is in keeping with this ongoing trend: the entire bathroom series impresses both purists and individuals with a feel for durable design.

The range’s washbasins and

Cecilie Manz’s refined sense for touch and nuances.

For the first time, Duravit

bathtubs impress with reduced edges and a striking linear charm. With its new

uses matt glazes in soft tones on the outside of the DuraCeram wash bowls, which contrast with the high-glaze white ceramic inside the bowl. New pale

DuraSquare collection, Duravit presents an upgrade of Vero Air that sets new standards with its clarity, precision and reduction. www.duravit.co.za

WWW.LEADINGARCHITECTURE.CO.ZA AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2017 57

>> D RAWI N G BOA RD

BESPOKE LOUVRE SYSTEM AT PANORAMA HEALTH CARE CENTRE Panorama Health Care Centre is a 400 bed multi-disciplinary acute care hospital situated in Panorama, Cape Town. Since opening in August 1986, the hospital has established itself as a referral hospital for the Cape Town Metropole and surrounding areas with referrals from as far as Namibia. It was the first hospital built by Mediclinic southern Africa.

When the time came for upgrades to be done at this first-of-its-kind Mediclinic, the Architectural Solutions division of RVI was called on to complete bespoke aesthetic thermal and light control façade solutions. RVI boasts the in-house ability to design, engineer and manufacture, as well as install and commission application-specific custom solar shading systems for any building application or process.

Solar shading and sun screening systems form an integral part of modern architecture, in view of the current trend toward designing eco-friendly and energy efficient buildings for both commercial and recreational requirements. Modern sun shading systems are intelligently controlled and offer tremendous energy savings.

Correctly installed, these systems can reduce artificial lighting and air-conditioning usage by up to 40%.

A horizontal key square sun shading louvre system, 150 x 30 right-hand-side (RHS, rectangular hollow section) blade tubular sun

shading louvre system and vertical key square sliding sun shading louvre system were chosen to complete this project. The tubular louvre system is a fixed external sun shading system that can reduce solar heat gain, lower air conditioning running costs and lessen glare whilst maximising the use of natural daylight. Each screen runs on its own track, allowing screens to slide easily past one another. Track stops installed on either end or on both top tracks prevent the louvres from slamming into the walls.

Each sliding panel is fitted with a flush pull handle and hold-back catch, should the user need to keep the panel in position. The key square panel cross sectional slats are set vertically in one direction and angled at 45°. The entire panel is powder-coated to a standard Architectural RAL colour.

RVI made use of Alcobond Fire Retardant panels that were installed over an area of 399m2. Cladding is a protective or insulating layer fixed to the outside of a building, which serves a dual-purpose of improving the appearance of the building and helping guard against the elements. Alcobond Industries South Africa, is the sole South African importer and distributor of Alcofort™ Aluminium Composite panels which are manufactured

by Alcobond Composite Industries LLC located in the UAE. www.rvi-group.com

MULTIPURPOSE SECURITY SHUTTER Aluminium louvre shutters are proving to be a popular replacement for curtains and blinds. There are a number of elegant product options available on the market. Trellidor has entered this arena with the Trellidor Security Shutter, beautifully designed with high-end style in mind and with the added benefit of strength expected of a Trellidor product.

“This new addition to the lifestyle range doesn’t look like a security product at all. The sleek design makes them perfect for top quality homes and offices, protecting all the openings. We’ve also installed them into selected openings in the more budget-conscious

sector,” said Trellidor RSA sales and marketing manager, Paul van Blerk.

The Trellidor Security Shutter is custom-made in a variety of formats suitable for entertainment areas, windows and doors. They can be used as an elegant room-divider, separating spaces with different functions when closed, or integrating these areas when open.

The louvre panels can be manoeuvred to allow in the required amount of light and sound and provide security even when in the fully open position.

The unique S-shape of the louvres provides excellent airflow when open. When closed,

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they insulate the room.

“Our shutters incorporate security features as this is our area of expertise. We’ve used our 40 years’ experience in manufacturing protective barriers to ensure that Trellidor Security Shutter matches up to the strength standards of our more traditional security gates and

burglar bars,” said van Blerk.

The most notable security feature of Trellidor Security Shutter is that each louvre is reinforced with an internal threaded steel bar that runs along the entire length of the louvre panel. The shutters are also fitted with patented Trellidor locking systems. www.trellidor.co.za

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>> DRAWIN G BOARD

THE CLUB NEARS COMPLETION Atterbury’s prestigious precinct development, The Club, has introduced an excellent asset to Pretoria by revitalising an existing area with the vision of a quality lifestyle in the heart of the upmarket neighbourhoods of Hazelwood and Waterkloof.

Atterbury is a proudly Pretoria-based leading international property developer and investor. When it first bought the property in 2007, the buildings were in dire need of a total refurbishment, requiring complete demolition.

Atterbury’s development manager, Wiehan Strydom, explains the vision for The Club was carefully matched to the upmarket area in which it is situated.

Strydom explains: “Being respectful of how this property interacts with and impacts on its neighbours, Atterbury adopted the view that a sophisticated upmarket retail, restaurant and lifestlyle mix would be suitable and sustainable. We felt this would be a great investment and would enhance the area while providing appropriate facilities for neighbouring communities.”

Work on the precinct started in 2009 with the construction of Club One. Now, the entire development is in its final stages with all phases either complete or under construction.

Today, The Club precinct is already home to 14 000m2 vibrant retail, restaurants and offices in Club Retail and Club One. The 5 200m2 Club Two will house a modern and high-tech 3 300m2 Planet Fitness Megaclub,

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as well as A-grade offices. The demand-driven development of the 10 000m2 Club Three will include a medical day hospital of around 5 000m2 and 15 residential units. Also, construction is already well underway on The Club Advocates’ Chambers.

The new Planet Fitness Megaclub will open in September 2017, while the prominent Advocates’ Chambers will be completed by November.

The day hospital will serve as a ‘centre of excellence’ where specialist doctors will perform world-class spinal surgery procedures, plastic surgeries, and ear, nose and throat operations, as well as treat skin cancers. This centre will consist of consulting rooms, three surgical theatres and the associated beds needed for recovery. It will be the final phase of The Club development and is expected to be completed in March 2018.

Strydom comments: “Atterbury is strongly committed to the best practices in our industry and, as such, we took a precise, legitimate and patient approach to developing The Club. We didn’t rush ahead, nor did we avoid the challenges of doing things right.”

Atterbury followed the required rezoning process where there were some objections to mitigate, and then provided solutions for the impact of traffic from the development, including undertaking roads and service upgrades required in the area.

In fact, Atterbury is investing even more in the area by moving its own head office to The Club from October this year. This means the Club is essentially fully let, with only a 235m2 pocket of office space still open in the precinct. www.atterbury.co.za

Mall of Africa, Waterfall City

R E T A I L

The Club, Pretoria

OFFICES

INDUSTRIAL

Amrod, Waterfall

Atterbury believes in mutually beneficial partnerships. Associating with the best employees, partners and suppliers ensures everyone benefits together. We believe in a whole that’s bigger than its constituent individual parts.

T +27 12 471 1600 enquiry@atterbury.co.za atterbury.co.za

Atterbury, Die Klubhuis Club 2, Corner of Pinaster Avenue and 18th Street Hazelwood, Pretoria WWW.LEADINGARCHITECTURE.CO.ZA AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2017 61

>> D RAWI N G BOA RD

TIMELESS TECHNOLOGY Imagine a tap that instantly reacts to the slightest touch and remains spotless. Well, this is a reality with GROHE’s Minta Touch, which uses EasyTouch technology that automatically reacts to even the gentlest touch. With a simple tap of your wrist, back of your hand or forearm the GROHE Minta Touch activates the water flow on or off. The immediate consequence is that the faucet remains clean and hygienic at all times.

Additionally, if your hands are clean, you can use the manual lever to adjust the water flow and temperature of the GROHE Minta Touch. This hybrid faucet intelligently unites two operating functions and, as an added safety feature specifically with the little ones in mind, the EasyTouch function only operates with cold water. However, if warm water is your preference, the Minta Touch can be upgraded with GROHE’s Grohtherm Micro – a small thermostat located underneath your sink that provides optimal temperature with no risk of scalding.

GROHE’s Minta Touch is available in a variety of designs, including the curved C-shape, the striking L-shaped swivel tubular spout and includes a pull-out mousseur and pull-out sprayhead. All GROHE’s Minta Touch mixers are available in a high-shine chrome finish, which remains that way because of GROHE’s unique StarLight® technology. The GROHE Minta Touch is available at stockists nationwide. www.grohedawn.co.za

ALMIGHTY ALUMINIUM Whether you are involved in a new build, or you are renovating your existing home – your choice of windows and doors is an important decision that will have a big impact in the overall final aesthetics and comfort of the building in question.

“Aluminium windows and doors, such as the Kenzo range from Swartland for example, are becoming a popular choice for homes and commercial buildings alike,” explains Cobus Lourens, national sales manager, Swartland.

Here is an overview on why aluminium windows and doors are becoming such a popular option.

SLIM PROFILES: Arguably, one of the main benefits of aluminium windows and doors, from an aesthetic point of view, is that they boast really slim sightlines. This means that more of the window or door can be made up of glass.

EXTREME DURABILITY: Aluminium is an ultra-light weight, low density metal, which allows for very slimline window and doorframes that are sturdy and strong.

COST EFFECTIVE: Aluminium windows and doors are comparatively well priced in the market, and easy to install – making them a cost-effective option for a new build or renovation.

LOW MAINTENANCE: Aluminium windows and doors require very little maintenance and upkeep – they don’t need sanding, painting or sealing. They are UV and waterresistant, and they do not contract and expand when exposed to varying temperatures.

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GLAZING OPTIONS: Since glazing forms such a big part of any aluminium window or door, the type of glazing you choose can have an enormous impact on the functionality of the window and door in question. With Swartland’s Kenzo range, obscure glass is available on all windows, with 4mm toughened safety glass being fitted to selected windows and all doors.

AN ENVIRONMENTALLY-FRIENDLY CHOICE: Aside from their exceptional levels of durability, which give aluminium windows and doors an impressively low carbon footprint, they also seal exceptionally well – offering excellent air-tightness for optimum house energy efficiency.

Aluminium is also a really green building material as it’s 100% recyclable, and the recycling process only requires 5% of the initial energy consumed to create it. www.swartland.co.za

Growthpoint Properties has commenced its multi-million Rand development of a new head office for Exxaro, one of the largest South African-based diversified resources companies.

The development of the new Exxaro headquarters is the second phase of Growthpoint’s redevelopment of the prime Lakeside office site on West Street, Centurion.

Exxaro’s new corporate headquarters will consolidate its current offices in Pretoria and Johannesburg into a single thriving workspace, located at a convenient midpoint in a decidedly accessible location for its staff and business partners. Exxaro has business interests locally as well as in Europe and the USA. The development broke ground in February 2017 and construction will commence from September this year. It will be complete for occupation in early 2019 when it will be able to accommodate up to 1 400 Exxaro staff members.

Growthpoint Properties office division director, Rudolf Pienaar says: “We are excited to develop this new head office, tailored to meet Exxaro’s specific requirements that will be a healthy and energising working environment for this leading business, its people and its partners to thrive.”

Designed by award-winning AMA Architects, the signature office building flows through

BREAKING GROUND ON A R600 MILLION PRIME OFFICE DEVELOPMENT IN CENTURION a series of layered fluid curvaceous forms, in flushed glaze detail. Its welcoming triple-volume entrance and reception open onto an airy atrium that soars upwards through the core of five floors of efficient workspace.

Custom designed to support Exxaro’s business goals, ethos, values and vision, the building’s five storeys of offices will sit atop four storeys of structured basement parking, creating a powerful scale for this new landmark. This will give it excellent visibility, not only for anyone stepping out of the Gautrain Station opposite, but also when viewed across Centurion Lake.

Reflecting Exxaro’s environmental commitment, the building is designed for a 4 Star Green Star SA certification from the Green Building Council of South Africa (GBCSA), which is also in line with Growthpoint’s high environmental standards for its offices.

Mxolisi Mgojo, CEO of Exxaro, comments: “The new location and style of the building is aligned with our strategy on innovation and consideration for carbon

emissions reduction. Hence, creating a working space with ease of access, which will enable interactivity, collaboration and creativity among our employees and business partners, was an important consideration in the design of the building.”

Working with the development’s appointed green building professionals, Aurecon, the design team has incorporated several environmentally sustainable initiatives into the building.

Green measures include zoned lighting, energy-efficient building services and systems, water-efficient fixtures, rainwater harvesting for use in toilets and landscape irrigation, water-wise landscaping, and low VOC interior finishes to ensure high level of indoor air quality, in addition to abundant fresh air.

While its performance glazed façade will let in generous natural light, its clever design also shields actual sun penetration into the building, helping to keep its interior refreshingly cool while offering inspiring outdoor views.

Also supporting the building’s lighter carbon footprint is its access to

alternative modes of transport for commuting to work. It is on the doorstep of the Centurion Gautrain Station and at the heart of a public transport node. It is also close to many retail, banking, health and medical facilities. The property provides dedicated parking for more fuel-efficient vehicles, such as hybrids, electric cars and mopeds or scooters, as well as bicycle racks.

Generous terraces skirt the building, creating outdoor parklike pause areas for staff that are designed to complement the building, which also connects to the outdoors with balconies and a roof terrace with 3600° views. The building dedicates an entire vibrant level to meeting, interacting, engaging and collaborating. It features a restaurant and canteen with its own kitchen, a state-of-the-art auditorium and a coffee shop.

“Growthpoint’s new development for Exxaro also signifies the beginning of the urban transformation along the commercial edge of Centurion and approaching the Gautrain Station,” says Nico de Jager, regional asset manager for the Office Sector of Growthpoint.

“Working with the City of Tshwane, Growthpoint is upgrading the roads and traffic flows in the area, including adding a new right turn lane from Gerhard Street into West Avenue,” explains de Jager. www.growthpoint.co.za

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>> D RAWIN G BOARD

LESOTHO GETS LOCAL CEMENT PLANT After years of supplying Lesotho with its cement and construction materials, leading supplier AfriSam recently commissioned a new cement blending and packing facility in Maseru to serve that market.

Significantly, this is the first cement manufacturing facility established in the country.

Lesotho’s Prime Minister, Dr Pakalitha Mosisili, speaking at the official opening in February 2017, hailed the plant as a ‘significant milestone’ for the region and a boost for local socio-economic development.

Dr Mosisili highlighted that in developed countries one job in the cement industry creates ten times more upstream and downstream jobs. “This figure may be four to five times higher in developing countries,” he said.

The capacity of the plant – over 200 000 tons a year of bagged cement – will meet the current local cement demand, while also being capable of producing specialised products for large infrastructure projects like the Lesotho Highlands Water scheme.

The main raw material for

ULTRAMODERN BATH DESIGN

the plant – milled clinker – is railed to Maseru in bulk wagons from AfriSam’s Ulco facility near Kimberley.

This is beneficiated with pulverised fuel ash (PFA) from Lethabo power station near Vereeniging in the Free State.

According to AfriSam’s Manager - Strategic Projects, Gavin Venter, the plant includes a sophisticated dual batch weighing system to accurately dose the milled clinker and the mineral components to predetermined ratios in the manufacture of the different cement products.

The plant has been designed to produce the standard range of products most commonly used by local customers, including AfriSam High Strength Cement (52.5 N) for specialist concrete applications; AfriSam All Purpose Cement (42.5 N) for concrete work, blockmaking, plaster work and other applications; AfriSam Roadstab Cement (32.5 N) for road stabilisation; and AfriSam Starbuild (32.5 N) for applications not requiring high early-strength development.

“However, the plant can easily and quickly accommodate other blends specified by customers who have particular requirements,” Venter says.

The plant’s packing system is a 60 ton per hour, four spout in-line European design, utilised in series with a robotic arm palletiser to pack and stack the cement bags. Two stretch-wrap machines cover the palletised cement bags with a waterproof cover, so they do not need to be stored under cover; this also facilitates loading and unloading operations at the plant and larger customer sites.

Venter adds that environmental issues have been stringently addressed by equipping the plant with dust filters that prevent the generation of dust and create a dust-free operation.

During the construction of the plant – most of which was completed within six

months, AfriSam made extensive use of local service providers and suppliers, including architects and civil contractors; local workers were also employed during the construction process.

Today, the plant has created a number of new positions including plant management, operators and maintenance staff, as well as downstream employment opportunities.

Looking ahead, the company has plans for the plant to become a significantly larger cement manufacturing facility.

“AfriSam has already put plans in place to expand the current blending and packing facility to include a clinker grinding plant,” Venter says.

“This will expand the cement manufacturing process at this facility and will lead to further opportunities and benefits for the people of Lesotho.” www.afrisam.com

Kohler’s Abrazo bath boasts an ultra-modern style which is dramatic and beautifully suited to contemporary bathrooms. Abrazo baths are made from exclusive Lithocast, a solid-surface material mix of mineral powder and acrylic resin – inspired by nature, yet perfected

by Kohler.

Satiny smooth and warm to the touch, Lithocast

is hard-wearing and durable while still undeniably beautiful.

This especially thick material stands up over time whilst the manufacturing process allows for state-of-the art shapes.

With the Abrazo baths, Kohler have considered modern bathroom design and created visually stunning shapes that combine beauty with unparalleled comfort, setting new trends that defy the usual aesthetics seen with this kind of material.

The distinctive, ovoid shape is reminiscent of an elegant, handcrafted piece of pottery. Sleek and contemporary, with an organic twist, the Abrazo slips easily into any discerning bathroom design. “The idea was to create a bath with a strong personality that breaks with the usual aesthetics seen in this type of material,” explains the Kohler Design team. www.africa.kohler.com

64 LEADINGARCHITECTURE & DESIGN AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2017

REVOLUTIONARY DRYWALL USED IN RETAIL SHOP DESIGN Interior building solutions group, Saint-Gobain Gyproc, last year introduced to South Africa an industry-first highstrength drywall. The many unique technical benefits of Habito have recently seen its use increase within the retail shop fitting space.

Jenny O’Hanlon, senior account manager, architecture, at leading design company TDC & Co, says that they used Habito for the entire flush ceiling on the retail floor of the Zara store in Menlyn Maine shopping centre in Pretoria.

Its rigidity and hardness gives clean square edges to light coves without the need for additional trims.

Additionally, taping and

skimming is all that is required, to give the ceiling a beautiful flat surface and sharp edges.

Jenny says that its use will be mirrored in other Zara stores around the country going forward.

Additional features of Habito previously unseen in the drywall category include its unsurpassed strength and durability. It also absorbs knocks and bumps and dramatically reduces wear and tear. Fixtures can be changed without causing unnecessary damage to the wall. To affix heavy items onto a Habito wall, no special screws, wall studs, anchors or brackets are needed. Items can be screwed

directly onto the wall by using woodscrews. Habito provides the perfect solution particularly for interiors in high traffic ‘wear and tear’ areas or where home or business owners are likely to want to redecorate often.

To add to an already extensive list of benefits,

Habito also creates an effective buffer against excessive noise, creating a more peaceful and comfortable business or home environment. Furthermore, by using Habito together with insulation, indoor temperature can be regulated. www.habito.co.za

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>> EVE RG R E EN

SA’s first Green Star Design rated government building achieves ‘As Built’ rating

W

SP, one of the largest multi-disciplinary engineering consultancies in Africa, has achieved a 4 Star Green Star SA ‘As Built’ rating for the refurbishment of the Agrivaal building and the newly constructed adjacent public building, Batho Pele House.

Located in the Pretoria CBD, close to the Union Buildings, Agrivaal was the first public sector building to obtain a Green Star Design rating in 2012.

The site was chosen by the Department of Public Works (DPW) as the building is situated in the heart of the Pretoria CBD. It is integrated into an old network and the growing new metropolis of public transport in the area. The Gautrain and the Rea Vaya Bus Rapid Transit System (BRT) offer easy transit for all the building’s occupants and bring people back into

this once derelict part of the CBD. This has been a long-term project; in 2010 a tender was issued for the sustainable design of the building. The tenant for the building, the Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA), was only later confirmed – designs had to be flexible and underwent several rounds of changes to meet the tenant’s requirements.

What always remained clear throughout the project, however, was that achieving 4 Star Green Star credentials was a critical priority. Importance was placed on restoring and protecting the heritage of the existing Agrivaal building – as well as designing the easy transition between the new 10 story building that offers comfortable open plan office space and a healthy working environment.

For this project, WSP formed part of a design team, Akani Consortium,

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inclusive of a project manager, quantity surveyor and architect – with multi-disciplinary technical skills and services provided by WSP, including full scope of engineering (across structural, civil, electrical, mechanical, lifts, fire, electronic, wet services etc.) and sustainability consulting.

Roxanne Dovey, sustainability consultant at WSP Building Services, Africa, says: “The Agrivaal building and site was already owned by DPW and from the client’s point of view, there was never any doubt on the desire to have a sustainable building.

Green or sustainable building considerations were included in the early concepts for the building. This was not only a bold step by DPW, but works very well for the entire design team, as the earlier sustainability is given consideration on a project, greater positive impacts and results for an efficient building can be achieved.”

The formal designs for the new building were forged around the time the country’s initial carbon

emissions reduction target of 34% by 2020 was pledged in 2010.

The following year the country hosted the Conference of the Parties (COP 17) meeting in Durban, during which discussions were tabled on potential regulations for all buildings to become more green and sustainable.

“The approach and perseverance

by DPW on this project demonstrates that they are on the cusp of pushing the national agenda – by doing their bit to reduce carbon emissions through their built assets, as well as to ensure that the new building is future proofed for generations to come,” adds Dovey. “That said, it’s been an incredible project to be involved with – one that has set a benchmark for public sector buildings in South Africa. And, in time, we expect the investment

by DPW into the CBD will not only have positive social and economic sustainability spin offs, but will rejuvenate an important business node as part of the long-term strategy to revitalise Tshwane.”

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