>> O N SITE
ROO FIN G & CL AD D IN G
MOUTON CITRUS PACKING FACILITY
BY KEAGAN VAN ROOYEN PHOTOGRAPHY JOHANN LOURENS PHOTOGRAPHY KUBE architecture was approached by Mouton Citrus to develop a new citrus-packing facility. The architects had previously developed an affinity for the area after working on the alterations and additions to the existing Mouton packing facility, just outside Citrusdal, +/-200km from Cape Town. When the opportunity arose to develop a new green fields project, they were able to draw on their experience and knowledge of local conditions. Construction on the second phase of Mouton Citrus began in early 2018, with the client’s need for additional automated citrus-processing on site. The structural steel was finished in a dark colour, tying it into the overall aesthetic of the packing facility and offering a harmonious and homogenous aesthetic. The structure of the facility was a forefront feature in the design intent. This concept is particularly evident in the dispatch canopy where all structural members are proudly on display. The asymmetrical eastern and western elevations draw their inspiration from the undulating mountain peaks and valleys, which stretch out almost as far as the eye can see. The irregular angles of the roof and walls give the impression of something monolithic,
almost akin to a rock sitting in the landscape. High priority was placed on the use of natural light and ventilation, which brought its own challenges such as dust management and a careful consideration of the prevailing winds. Natural daylighting was introduced through polycarbonate panels, placed at a higher level across all roof ridges in a clerestory style design. These panels drop down along the eastern and western façades, where the building appears to “lift its skirt”, allowing light in. This also provides the workers with a visual connection to the natural landscape that surrounds the building. Programmatic challenges included the integration between the flow of personnel with that of the packing processes: fruit coming in from the orchards, packing and staging of the fruit, box folding and storage and, lastly, the dispatching of the packed produce from the facility. Housing an operational space of +-10 000m2, the new packhouse needed to provide a well-lit, well-ventilated and welcoming environment for the line-workers to operate in. The main packing hall, a large open space, had to be uninhibited by structure,
56 LEADINGARCHITECTURE & DESIGN JUNE/JULY 2019
resulting in the introduction of deep steel girders for carrying the large span roof over. The administrative office component is set at a higher level to maximise surveillance, and give the feeling that the entire “team” is housed under one roof. The Control room and Meeting room are centrally located, sitting atop a lightweight steel frame, providing a visual link to the packing floor.
CLADDING: CLEAN COLORBOND® AZ150 ECLIPSE MATT IN NU-RIB PROFILE The new trend for steel roofing with a stylish matt finish is suited to address the unwanted glare from sunlight common in urban areas. The stylish yet one-of-a-kind steel roofing greatly reduces the Solar Reflectance Index (SRI), ensuring unwanted solar glare diffuse effectively, reducing heat and maximising comfort. Clean COLORBOND® ULTRA MATT is also imbued with features such as high dirt resistance, chalk resistance, gloss retention, infra-red technology, antifungal properties and solar reflective technology.
ROOF: ZINCALUME® AZ150 IN KLIP-TITE PROFILE ZINCALUME® steel was developed after extensive research into improving the traditional performance of galvanised steel. By blending aluminum with zinc in an alloy coating, researchers discovered a way to greatly enhance corrosion resistance. As a result, BlueScope Steel’s extensive testing programme indicates that roofing or walling made from ZINCALUME® steel has a lifespan of up to four times that of galvanised steel with a Z275 coating in the same environment. BlueScope Steel’s coating mass control technology is among the most advanced in the world. A sophisticated coating mass gauge is linked to a computer in a closed-loop control system, ensuring accurate control and consistency of coating mass. ZINCALUME® steel has the unique ability to complement both traditional and ultra-modern architecture. Mill-finish galvanised steel and other materials do not have the same satin-smooth finish that is associated with roofing or walling made from resin-coated genuine ZINCALUME® steel. www.bluescope.co.za
