Leading Architecture & Design October/November 2020

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OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2020

JEWEL CITY JHB’S URBAN REVIVAL GETS REAL

32 ON KLOOF

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FIRST DRAFT 06 THE BRIEF Editor’s note and book review.

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

OCTOBER NOVEMBER 2020

p22

BLUEPRINT 08 JEWEL CITY The redevelopment of the Jewel City precinct, six city blocks in Johannesburg’s eastern CBD by GASS Architecture Studios, reinvigorates the city’s urban revival.

14 32 ON KLOOF 32 on Kloof by dhk is a hybrid of heritage and contemporary architecture.

p18

ON SITE

28 OUTDOOR

18 MODERN INDUSTRIAL ABODE This off-the-grid suburban family home in Johannesburg, designed

by Veld Architects, explores the potential of architecture to nurture the environment and the local craft economy.

22 57 WATERBERG The new guest suites at 57 Waterberg in the Welgevonden Game Reserve, designed by W Design Architecture Studio, facilitates an emotional awakening to the African landscape.

26 INTERIORS: DELOITTE AFRICA HQ Paragon conceptualised a workplace design solution for the new Deloitte Africa HQ in Waterfall.

EDITORIAL EDITOR: Graham Wood email: graham.wood@newmedia.co.za SUB EDITOR: Anita van der Merwe LAYOUT & DESIGN: Julia van Schalkwyk PHOTOGRAPHY Unless previously agreed in writing, Leading Architecture & Design owns all rights to all contributions, whether image or text.

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Focus on the exteriors of buildings and their surroundings.

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58 FEATURED DESIGN Homewood’s unique Cantilever Table.

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4 LEADINGARCHITECTURE & DESIGN OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2020

THE BRIEF

The story of a Karoo garde

With the massive disruptions to architecture and construction projects this year, and the speculation about how the COVID-19 pandemic would radically alter the way we design houses, buildings and cities, it sometimes seemed as if architecture as we know it would be a thing of the past. But when I met architect Georg van Gass of GASS Architecture Studio to walk around the newly launched Jewel City Precinct in Joburg’s eastern CBD, he pointed out to me that many of the timeless basics of good design have not been undermined by the pandemic. If anything, they’ve been reinforced. When he and his team conceptualised Jewel City, they prioritised pedestrianised streets, open-air sidewalks, urban greening and ample piazzas. Post-pandemic, these are central ingredients for the kind of architecture and urban design we need to create safe, healthy environments. The pandemic has sharpened our focus on a number of other priorities, including sustainability and energy efficiency, and reinforced the urgency of creating quality housing – the social, environmental and economic imperatives we knew were important all along, but were slow to implement. This issue of the magazine shows inspirational architecture filled with ideas that will remain relevant well into the future.

Graham

6 LEADINGARCHITECTURE & DESIGN OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2020

MAURITZFONTEIN: THE STORY OF A KAROO GARDEN

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EDITOR’S >

ED'S NOTE

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MAURITZFONTEIN

BY E DI TO R G RAH AM WO O D

Paul Duncan & Arthur

BOOK SHELF

Mennigke

At historic Mauritzfontein, a renowned thoroughbred stud farm near Kimberley in South Africa, there’s an astonishing nine-hectare garden that emerged against all odds from the hot, red dust of the surrounding Nama Karoo veld about half a century ago. This book is the story of that garden’s evolution – much of it the work of horticulturist and landscape designer Arthur Mennigke, who inherited a garden pioneered by Joane Pim in the 1950s. She had been invited by the farm’s owner to green the veld around his homestead. In this environment, faced with rock and a smattering of desiccated vegetation, hot summers and bitterly cold winters, gardeners – then as now – are forced to rethink everything they know to ensure success. Ranged across two koppies, there’s a succulent garden filled with indigenous horticultural specimens, and a woodland garden filled with native tree species. In the grass meadows, endemic plants not seen in the surrounding veld for generations are coming back to life, coaxed by Arthur and a team of gardeners in tune with nature, ecology and this spectacular location. There are green lawns and scattered copses, eye-catchers and vistas, and a vegetable garden producing abundant supplies of fruit, vegetables and herbs for the kitchen.

Mauritzfontein, the story of a Karoo garden will appeal to those with an interest in gardens and horticulture as much as it will appeal to those with an interest in the evolution of a green oasis close to where the history of industrialised South Africa began.

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31 Jan 2020 10:57:31

BLUEPR I NT

The introduction of lighting, trees and vegetation, seating and easy wayfinding prompts humanises the streetscape at Jewel City in Johannesburg's eastern CBD.

8 LEADINGARCHITECTURE & DESIGN OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2020

PROJ EC T # 1 J EWE L CIT Y

The redevelopment of the Jewel City precinct, six city blocks in Johannesburg’s eastern CBD by GASS Architecture Studios, reinvigorates the city’s urban revival.

PHOTOGRAPHY: LOUIS VAN ZYL; SUPPLIED

Inner city gem

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ivercity’s R1.8bn Jewel City redevelopment in Maboneng extends one of Johannesburg’s best-located integrated lifestyle spaces. The precinct connects to the landmark Arts on Main, and extends across six city blocks – which have been closed for decades and previously housed Joburg’s precious metals and diamond trade – towards Divercity’s redeveloped iconic Absa Towers Main.

This pre-existing industrial complex, which was completely walled off, has been reinvented as an open, vibrant mixed-use precinct.

It comprises 2 700 apartments and 20 000m2 of commercial space, including retail space, offices, schools and medical facilities, as

well as plenty of open public space with lawns and play areas, sports, recreation and public art.

The brief to architects GASS Architecture Studios involved repurposing the existing industrial buildings, some dating back to the 1930s, as well as adding a new 13-storey residential building that opens onto a new public square.

The industrial heritage of the existing buildings has been honoured through the lightness of the architectural interventions. Their exteriors have not been substantially altered, although their façades have been refurbished, repaired and decorated with local artwork.

Eight massive murals by local artists adorn the walls of each of the eight buildings that make up Jewel City.

In the residential conversion, the central shafts have been enlarged and additional openings have been punched into the central cores of the building to improve the quality of light and ventilation inside. The residential units include a wide range of apartments, from micro-studios to family-size twobedroom flats, encouraging social and economic diversity. The new residential building has adopted a similar approach in its unit mix.

As lead architect Georg van Gass says, however, the major achievement of the project is not so much in the buildings themselves as in the spaces between them. The complex has been reintegrated with the existing urban fabric, making pragmatic provision for vehicle

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Eksteen & Le Roux (PTY) Ltd was established in 1981 and has established itself as a leading firm of consulting engineers specializing in the development and implementation of innovative designs relating to the electrical reticulation of housing schemes in both rural and urban developments, and related bulk and link infrastructure.

Our Vision & Mission is to provide a professional service, and to continually increase value to our clients. To be honest, hardworking and passionate, and to execute each project with precision at the highest level of quality. To provide innovative solutions for complex problems on the path to success. ELR specializes in the design and project management of the electrical reticulation required for residential, retail, commercial and industrial developments, including related bulk and link infrastructure.

We pride ourselves in visionary master planning for larger developments.

Eksteen & Le Roux Office, Selborne Building, The Greens Office Park, 26 Charles de Gaulle Crescent, Highveld, Centurion, 0157 PO Box 68041 Highveld, 0169 T: (012) 665 3494 | E: centurion@elr.co.za | www.elr.co.za

10 LEADINGARCHITECTURE & DESIGN OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2020

PRO J EC T # 1 J EWE L CIT Y

Left: Seen from the rooftop of Block 6, it's clear how Fox Street forms a pedestrianised central axis through the precinct. The building opens onto a large public square.

Below: Eight massive murals by local artists adorn the walls of each of the eight buildings that make up Jewel City.

A new 13-storey residential building was the only new addition to the precinct.

WWW.LEADINGARCHITECTURE.CO.ZA OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2020 11

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access at key points around the peripheries of the precinct – where there is safe parking and drop-off areas for deliveries and services off the busy main arteries – but the precinct is largely pedestrianised along its central axis on Fox street.

This urban intervention supports a safe, friendly and open public environment and urban infrastructure characterised by shared public space. All the buildings along the central axis on either side of Fox Street include retail pockets to encourage activity along the spine from east to west.

Its pedestrian walkways integrate it fully into the Maboneng precinct.

GASS Architecture Studios has placed major emphasis on the precinct’s public realm. The quality of the shared public space is enhanced with single-level sidewalks, subtly broadening the walkable space on a level plane.

The introduction of lighting, trees and vegetation, seating and easy wayfinding prompts further humanises the streetscape.

The newly built residential building features a large public square and urban park animated by fountains and public art. A zero-level fountain can easily be deactivated so that this central piazza can be used for events.

The quality of the public space and the broader architectural character of the precinct is designed not only to catalyse and support a greater diversity of people within the precinct, but also to invite and encourage further investment into the CBD.

Tel: +27 (0)82 941 7100 Office: +27 (0)12 346 5752 Email: christof@cairnmead.co.za www.cairnmead.com

PRO J EC T # 1 J EWE L CIT Y

Single-level sidewalks broaden the walkable space along the pedestrianised thoroughfare.

The peripheral areas and sidewalks along the busy Commissioner and Main Streets have been upgraded, and additional lighting has been introduced to create a cleaner, safer space around the precinct.

More broadly, the development opens up the potential for other key nodes of urban development, such as Maboneng, the Absa Precinct and further developments along Fox Street, to merge and form an integrated walkable city.

Sustained by a belief in the transformative potential of urban design and architecture to catalyse economic and social energy, dignity and prosperity, GASS Architecture Studios and Divercity have re-envisioned this all-but-defunct industrial complex as a series of thoughtful interventions that breathe new life into Johannesburg’s CBD.

Tel: +27 (0)12 660 0802 E-Mail: pedri@pentacon.co.za www.pentacon.co.za

12 LEADINGARCHITECTURE & DESIGN OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2020

The reception area of Block 6, the new residential building.

PROFESSIONAL TEAM CLIENT: Atterbury, Divercity, Ithemba ARCHITECTS: GASS Architecture Studio (DIRECTORS: Georg van Gass, Piet Boer; PROJECT ARCHITECT: Jacques Pansegrouw) QUANTITY SURVEYORS: Matla Quantity Surveyors ELECTRICAL ENGINEERS: Eksteen & Le Roux STRUCTURAL ENGINEERS: EDS Engineers MECHANICAL, ELECTRICAL & WET SERVICES ENGINEERS: Izazi Consulting Engineers (Pty) Ltd FIRE ENGINEERS: Fenco Fire Engineers & Consultants HVAC ENGINEERS: Graeme Page Consulting Engineers BUILDING CONTRACTOR: WBHO CONSTRUCTION: Nomad Group (Blocks 1 & 3); WBHO & Motheo JV (Blocks 2, 4, 5 & 6); Pentacon Civils(Pty) Ltd (Fox Street) HEALTH AND SAFETY CONSULTANTS: Cairnmead Industrial Consultants (Pty) Ltd LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS: Daniel Rebel Landscape Architects (Pty) Ltd LANDSCAPE INSTALLATION: Bidvest Top Turf

Email: info@wearenomad.co.za Tel: +27 (0)83 269 7070 www.wearenomad.co.za

Tel: +27 (0)11 794 1907 Email: info@gpce.co.za www.gpce.co.za

Structural, Civil and Transportation Engineers

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Longkloof catalyst 32 on Kloof by dhk is a hybrid of heritage and contemporary architecture.

PHOTOGRAPHY DAVE SOUTHWOOD

To increase the building height, a two-storey orthogonal addition was added above the heritage masonry building, providing a clear distinction between old and new.

32

on Kloof, a heritage building situated along popular Kloof Street in Cape Town, has undergone a metamorphosis.

Originally constructed in 1922 by prominent architecture firm Parker & Forsyth for the United Tobacco Companies Limited (UTC), the building once housed the company’s administration department. Transformed by multidisciplinary design studio dhk Architects, 32 on Kloof’s rich history has been respected via a contemporary aesthetic that references, rather than replicates, its existing heritage.

UTC, a South African subsidiary

of the United Kingdom’s Imperial Tobacco Company and the United States’ American Tobacco Company, was founded in 1904.

Shortly thereafter, the company began to acquire portions of what had been the Nooitgedacht farm on the doorstep of the historic Company’s Gardens, to establish premises for manufacturing cigarettes and tobacco products.

Several buildings were erected in phases between 1900 and 1922, forming the UTC campus, which comprised a warehouse, factory and staff facilities.

The collection of historic red-and-white masonry buildings still occupy the 112-year-old

14 LEADINGARCHITECTURE & DESIGN OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2020

precinct, and have since been recognised by the Western Cape as heritage buildings to be protected and preserved. Developed by Growthpoint Properties and designed by dhk, the primarily landlocked site flanked by Kloof Street is undergoing development and represents a R550m investment in the city. Once complete, the revitalised precinct, now named ‘Longkloof’, will invigorate the area, providing new commercial and retail spaces, a 150-key Canopy by Hilton hotel, and secure pedestrian routes linking Kloof Street to Cape Town’s CBD. The client brief for Longkloof’s catalyst project, 32 on Kloof, was

to establish additional premium rentable space by adding two floors to the existing building, maximising the floorplates and reinventing the windowless basement. Ultimately, the client’s vision was for 32 on Kloof to serve as the attractive ‘front face’ of the Longkloof precinct, concealed from Kloof Street. dhk’s response was to respect the building’s heritage and intentionally contrast its existing order and rhythm with a new contemporary addition. This concept allows for an honest dialogue between heritage and contemporary elements, forming a hybrid of architecture that

PRO J EC T #2 32 O N KLO O F

politely enhances the building’s street presence.

To increase the building height and provide additional commercial space, the existing hipped redtiled roof (originally added in the 1990s) was removed to allow for a two-storey orthogonal addition atop the heritage masonry building. Not only does the glazed façade showcase the property’s enviable Table Mountain and City Bowl views, but the two distinct levels provide a clear distinction between old and new – referencing, not replicating, the building’s heritage. Deep expressed aluminium-clad fins articulate the façade, contrasting the historic building’s order and rhythm, while acting as a ‘stitching device’ integrating the heritage detail with the contemporary portion. To ensure a single articulated composition of contrast, building setbacks permitted by Heritage Western Cape were contested. Overall, the minimalist design refrains from competing with or detracting from the building’s heritage, ensuring that the total building mass and scale are sympathetic to its surroundings. Occupied

by Workshop17, a provider of co-working spaces, the building offers 30 private offices, nine meeting rooms, three boardrooms, a seminar room, event space and bar, six lounges and libraries, and a courtyard and café. Striking yet respectful, the contemporary addition modernises Kloof Street’s streetscape and serves as an indicator to the upgrades occurring behind the building.

Above: A new sunken courtyard Left: The building is ccupied by Workshop17, a provider of co-working spaces.

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>> B LU EPRINT Right: Workshop 17's facilities include an event space and bar, six lounges and libraries.

Below: 32 on Kloof’s rich history has been respected via a contemporary aesthetic that references, rather than replicates, its existing heritage.

celebrate rather than dominate the historic stereotomic building below. Pierre Swanepoel, a partner at dhk and lead architect on the project, says, “32 on Kloof respectfully enhances the streetscape of Kloof Street, creates frontage for the Longkloof precinct behind it, and serves to protect, preserve and celebrate the heritage of the building. Marrying historical and contemporary influences, the building successfully pays homage to our past while looking to the future.”

PROFESSIONAL TEAM CLIENT: Growthpoint Properties ARCHITECTS: dhk Architects STRUCTURAL ENGINEERS: LH Consulting MECHANICAL, STRUCTURAL, ELECTRICAL, WET SERVICES AND FIRE ENGINEERS: WSP HERITAGE MANAGEMENT: Aikman Associates INTERIORS: Workshop17 PROJECT MANAGER: MDSA Project Management QUANTITY SURVEYORS: MLC Quantity Surveyors TOWN PLANNERS: MLH Architects

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dhk Architects Email: hello@dhk.co.za +27 (0)21 421 6803 www.dhk.co.za

16 LEADINGARCHITECTURE & DESIGN OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2020

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The new sunken courtyard is another notable element of the design. Constructed at the rear of the building, the courtyard was reinstated by demolishing the twostorey 1990s annexe building and lowering the existing courtyard to align with the basement level.

The existing retaining walls were broken out to create new glazed frontage facing the courtyard with external staircases on the northern and southern ends, connecting the courtyard to Kloof Street and the remainder of Longkloof. A café occupies the courtyard and basement, engaging the local community and forming an exciting new hub of activity within the area.

The building’s vertical circulation, a contemporary glass-clad lift and stair core, was primarily relocated from inside the building to the sunken courtyard – outside the footprint of the heritage building. The significance of relocating the circulation is that it again acts as a ‘stitching device’, which provided the required floor space within the main building footprint and the opportunity for an open-plan layout with a potential split tenant.

This maximised the usability and quality of the rentable office area without detracting value from the historic building.

Overall, the modernist and minimalist aesthetic of the new addition is juxtaposed against the ornate detailing of the original masonry building. This allows a new tectonic extension to

In e A d gainst Bir

f

Tel: +27 (0)21 797 7788 Email: info@bds.org.za www.bds.org.za

Tel: +27 (0)21 673 5800 Email: info.ct@mlc-group.com www.mlc-group.com

PRO J EC T #2 32 O N KLO O F

A contemporary glass-clad lift and stair core was primarily relocated from inside the building to the sunken courtyard.

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Industrial revolution This off-the-grid suburban family home in Johannesburg, designed by Veld Architects, explores the potential of architecture to nurture the environment and the local craft economy.

PHOTOGRAPHY ELSKE KRITZINGER

Above: Roof gardens integrate elements of the landscaping and architecture, reintroducing plant diversity to the suburban setting.

Left: The bold, modern industrial style of the house signals its character as a machine for living designed to reduce energy consumption.

18 LEADINGARCHITECTURE & DESIGN OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2020

PRO J EC T #3 M O D E RN I N DUSTRIAL ABO D E

Large openings embrace the outdoors, creating calm, relaxing spaces attuned to South Africa’s climate and indoor-outdoor lifestyle.

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A

Above: The bespoke ceramic tiling in the kitchen was a collaboration between Veld Architects and Wolkberg Casting Studio.

Left: The staircase was designed with renowned Johannesburg-based furniture designer and manufacturer David Krynauw.

20 LEADINGARCHITECTURE & DESIGN OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2020

lthough this Johannesburg family home embraces industrial aesthetics and materials, it is, on closer examination, a sustained experiment in the ability of architecture to embrace nature in a context removed from a pristine natural setting. In fact, explains architect Gillian Holl of Veld Architects, her design for this house became an attempt to explore how, in a suburban setting, architecture could not only connect a home’s inhabitants with nature, but even reverse environmental damage and restore natural characteristics to the landscape.

The home’s industrial appearance chimes well with its energy efficiency: it is a machine for living designed to reduce energy consumption. But Holl explains that, particularly in the bespoke detailing, she found opportunities to collaborate with local crafters, so key elements in the detailing also celebrate the human touch.

On one level, the house is a fine example of regionally appropriate design. The fragmented cluster of industrial barn-like buildings have been designed around a central landscaped courtyard – blurring the lines between the natural environment and the internal living space, and integrating it sensitively with its setting. Passive design elements, such as its orientation, are attuned to factors such as warmth and natural light – the first step to reducing its energy requirements.

Large openings embrace the environment and landscaped surrounds, creating calm, relaxing spaces attuned to South Africa’s climate and indoor-outdoor lifestyle and offering curated glimpses of the gardens and courtyards. In this way, the design is not only environmentally friendly, but also supports a living experience in harmony with the climate and environment.

The building materials have been selected with their environmental impact and performance in mind. Clay bricks, for example, have been employed extensively because they are organic, recyclable and have a low impact on the natural resource consumption, as well as providing excellent insulation. Building with bricks is also a relatively labour-intensive attempt to have a positive socioeconomic impact by creating employment.

Where relatively carbon-heavy materials such as steel and concrete have been used, they have been selected for their durability and low maintenance. The energyefficient performance of the house and its anticipated extended lifespan (as a result of constructing with these materials) will offset their carbon footprint in time.

Double-glazed windows, as well as extensive insulation beneath the cladding, reduce heating and cooling requirements. Solar panels for power and water heating further cut energy consumption, and an intelligent building management system reduces unnecessary lighting and other associated costs.

The bold, modern industrial style of the house contrasts dramatically with its finely crafted interior details, elements of which were designed in collaboration with a number of local craftsmen, artists

PRO J EC T #3 M O D E RN I N DUSTRIAL ABO D E

and designers. The staircase, for example, was designed with renowned Johannesburg-based furniture designer and manufacturer David Krynauw. The bespoke ceramic tiling in the kitchen was a collaboration between Holl and Wolkberg Casting Studio.

These collaborations result not only in the kind of unique detailing that enhances the quality of the spaces in the house, but also, by creating a platform for various design disciplines to collaborate, enables new synergies to emerge and fuels new possibilities in the local design community.

Seen holistically, this house unlocks the remarkable potential of residential architecture not just to recalibrate environmental imperatives, but to demonstrate how the design and lifestyle choices we make in the private domestic realm have ripple effects throughout the wider ecological, social, economic and creative realms.

PROFESSIONAL TEAM ARCHITECT: Veld Architects ENGINEERS: TMV Consulting and

Tel: +27 (0)82 856 5419 Email: gillian@veldarchitects.co.za www.veldarchitects.co.za

Design CONTRACTOR: Kintro Construction

The fragmented cluster of industrial barn-like buildings have been designed around a central landscaped courtyard.

CONSULTING & DESIGN Tel +27 (0)79 871 4542 Email: m.visser@tmvconsulting.co.za www.tmvconsulting.co.za

Reinforced concrete design | Structural steel design | Dry-pack block retaining wall design | Formwork, Falsework and Shoring design, including inspections and certification | NHBRC registered Structural Engineer | Forensic inspections and reports

WWW.LEADINGARCHITECTURE.CO.ZA OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2020 21

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Where man and mountain meet Beyond their functional design, the new guest suites at 57 Waterberg in the Welgevonden Game Reserve, designed by W Design Architecture Studio, facilitate an emotional or spiritual awakening to the African landscape.

22 LEADINGARCHITECTURE & DESIGN OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2020

PROJECT #4 57 WATERBERG

TEXT W DESIGN ARCHITECTURE STUDIO PHOTOGRAPHY SIMON WEBB AND DOOK

W

The guest suites appear to float above the landscape, appearing as a refinement and revelation of the land and capturing the unique qualities of their setting.

elgevonden Game Reserve forms part of the Waterberg Biosphere in the Limpopo Province of South Africa and is one of the most accessible premier malaria-free wilderness reserves in the country. The reserve is home to the ‘big five’ and over 130 different mammal species, 350 bird species, more than 2 000 different plant species, and is best known for its fascinating and rare ancient rock formations and layers of sandstone mountain ridges and ravines.

57 Waterberg is an existing private game lodge originally constructed in the early 2000s in the familiar wooden pole-and-thatch vernacular. In respectful contrast, the contemporary extension and renovation project, which includes five new luxury guest suites, an upgraded main lounge and entrance foyer, new and expanded chefs kitchen, laundry and various other ancillary functions, envisioned a ‘new dawn’ where the buildings become secondary to the guest experience – a place where the landscape and natural surroundings come first.

The concept for this project was to celebrate the context and create a space that appears as if it is a refinement and revelation of the land. The aim was to capture the unique qualities of the place – essentially creating a new nature in which the buildings merely facilitate visitors’ experience of the untamed African bush.

The new structures, and particularly the new guest suites, aren’t meant to be looked at, but to be looked out from. More than anything, these spaces are sheltered viewing platforms. The focus is on the presence of the layers of mountains, the natural bushveld, the countless animals, and the endless open space.

Due to very strict time constraints – 14 weeks from the day the last guests departed to the day first new guests arrived – in combination with the remote location, the construction process was based on separating all the various trades and planning for offsite manufacturing and on-site assembly – connecting and completing like an intricate three-dimensional puzzle.

All building elements and components were designed and planned as ‘single trade and unfinished’ – an approach that ensured the most direct and honest construction assembly. All designs had to be 100% confirmed and completed before any manufacturing on the primary structure could commence.

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The five new luxury guest suites essentially function as sheltered viewing platforms: spaces to be looked out from rather than structures to be looked at.

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PROJ EC T # 4 57 WATE RB E RG

Once the best position for each room was determined, with the design approach of ‘touching the earth lightly’, a series of reinforced concrete plinths were placed on the natural landscape. Each plinth was set out both in terms of plan and sectional provisions so that the steel structure could seamlessly slot into place later.

A mild steel primary frame shapes the skeleton or mainframe onto which all the other building components attach. Secondary materials include cast in-situ reinforced concrete for the ‘floating’ roofs, wooden decking for the floors, ceilings and terraces, aluminium and glass for the shopfronts.

The reinforced concrete slab was mixed on site with a small 500-litre mixer and cast in-situ using a conveyor belt and hand labour. Along with the various lightweight pre-manufactured and imported construction elements, native stone-clad screen walls ground the built structures. These clay brick walls are used to enclose the essentially open rooms and counterbalance the lightweight construction with heavy forms – almost as if the rocks scattered over the landscape had been pushed together.

LunaThermo-D Nordic Pine was used for all decking

installations. External planks were used for the open decking and tongue-in-groove on a 25mm marine play base for the interiors. Aluminium framed double-glazed low-E panels complete the building envelope while maintaining the sense of connection to the landscape.

Custom-designed furniture, which was designed on the matching principle as the main room structure, is based on the same use of trades, materials and assembly process. The manufacture of the furniture started at the same time as the manufacturing of the main steel structures, duplicating the process on a smaller scale.

The most impressive aspect about these structures is how simple, precise and easy it all appears as they ‘float’ above the landscape as a fully completed project.

57waterberg.com; wdas.co.za

PROFESSIONAL TEAM CLIENT: Welgevonden Lodge (Pty) Ltd t/a 57 WATERBERG ARCHITECT: W Design Architecture Studio STRUCTURAL ENGINEER: Struxit Projects Pty Ltd MAIN CONTRACTOR: Frans Smith Building Services

Tel: +27 (0)71 875 8782 Email: rita@whleisuregroup.co.za www.57waterberg.com

Tel: +27 (0)82 611 1912 Email: johan@snymanstaalwerke.co.za https://www.facebook.com/ snymanstaalwerke

W Design Architecture Studio Tel: +27 (0)83 445 0424 Email: jw@wdas.co.za www.wdas.co.za

STEELWORK CONTRACTOR: Snyman Staalwerke

At Frans Smith Building Services, we strive to ensure that our clients find their building experience enjoyable and client satisfaction is our number one priority. We ensure client satisfaction by efficient time management, quality control as well as conscientious cost management.

Contact details: Tel: 084 513 3279 Cell: 082 555 5374 Email: admin@fsbuild.co.za www.fsbuild.co.za

After decades of experience we are comfortable with saying that we understand the needs of our clients and make it our mission to deliver on every request. By fully committing to each project individually we continue to deliver excellent work and increase our already stellar reputation. It is because of our reputation that Frans Smith Building Services is still in business today and that is something that will never change.

WWW.LEADINGARCHITECTURE.CO.ZA OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2020 25

>> B LU EPRINT

Deloitte Africa HQ Paragon conceptualised a workplace design solution for the new Deloitte Africa HQ in Waterfall.

PHOTOGRAPHY SUPPLIED

W

This page: A variety of cellular and open-plan collaborative spaces have been provided to deal with the need for quiet and also for group working spaces.

26 LEADINGARCHITECTURE & DESIGN OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2020

hen global professional services firm Deloitte decided to consolidate its offices into its new Africa headquarters, bringing together 3 700 employees in a customdesigned building geared for future expansion, it turned to Paragon to conceptualise the workplace design solution. The architecture and interior architecture company clinched the bid for the project at the end of 2018, just when it was completing its award-winning fit-out of the new Discovery Place head office in Sandton.

The 42 500m2 Deloitte development in Waterfall City in Midrand, Johannesburg, is known as River Creek. It is a 50/50 joint venture between Attacq and Atterbury. River Creek comprises a ground floor, six office-space storeys, and four basement parking levels with almost 2 000 parking bays. “As a large single-tenant facility, this fully digital, connected ‘smart’ building has been designed to enable a dramatic cultural shift for this progressive organisation,” comments Paragon Director Claire D’Adorante.

The aesthetic interior design conceptualises a distinct and identifiable Deloitte brand experience through the extensive

and deliberate use of its primary and secondary brand colours.

Balanced with warm timbers and the extensive use of planting, a natural and inviting indoor environment flooded with natural light from the central atrium has been created.

The six levels of workspace incorporate a dramatic cascade of colour, representative of the Deloitte brand colours, which enhances the overall brand experience of the facility, as well as providing a distinct way-finding mechanism. Large open-floor plans, with no cellular offices, allow the multiple business units to easily share working spaces and building facilities, as well as enabling interaction, collaboration and social engagement.

To offset the loss of traditional offices, a variety of cellular and open-plan collaborative spaces have been provided to deal with the need for quiet and also for group working spaces. The ground floor has been designed to create a seamless client experience and be open and welcoming for the clientfacing meeting and training rooms, as well provide all the shared lifestyle facilities.

A coffee shop, restaurant, pub and an external pizza oven complete the overall employee experience.

PRO J EC T #5 I NTE RI O R

The ground floor is also home to Deloitte’s new Xcelerator experience, comprising eight distinct and unique spaces that offer clients a range of high-tech opportunities and digitally immersive experiences to ideate and prototype breakthrough solutions.

The workplace strategy was conceptualised around a ‘neighbourhood’ and ‘energy’ concept, explains Paragon Associate Dale Friedman. Zones of higher energy, linked to louder and more active environments, are located nearer the primary circulation routes and zones of intersection.

This ensures that these spaces are active and promote collaboration and interaction.

The lower-energy functions, which require greater focus and a quieter space, are located further away from the central core to aid in the focused work required here. Each neighbourhood has all the same collaboration areas that allow for the varied task-based functions required. The atrium edge has also been activated through the incorporation of an agile and task-based workspace corridor, affectionately known as the ‘race track’, and is connected by the link bridges.

As Deloitte works mainly on

laptops, these shared collaboration spaces enable staff to work where they feel comfortable, based on the task at hand. The multigenerational workforce also meant from the get-go that a ‘one-sizefits-all’ design principle would not work. “Everyone can find a type of setting best suited to them and their task, meaning happier staff who enjoy their working environment,” highlights Friedman.

Technology was the next important element. It is critical that someone can sit down anywhere and have all the necessary tools at hand. “Often technology can be challenging to use and frustrates people

when you cannot connect easily.

Therefore, it was an important driver to ensure that technology was a seamless support for users,” stresses Friedman.

A custom-designed iconographic signage system with integrated QR codes, developed specifically for Deloitte, provides users with information on how to use each agile workspace and is linked to the ‘smart’ building system. QR codes allow users to easily find out more about the workspace – such as the particular etiquette for the quieter spaces to the more collaborative settings, and also how to connect to the technology and log any faults that users may experience.

A coffee shop, restaurant, pub and an external pizza oven complete the overall employee experience.

WWW.LEADINGARCHITECTURE.CO.ZA OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2020 27

ON SITE

OUTDO O R

CONSTRUCTING A BRICK QUILT FOR WITS UNIVERSITY RESIDENCE An innovative response to budget constraints when designing the second phase of the Barnato Residence on the University of Witwatersrand’s West Campus, saw a professional team from 26’10 South Architects in Gauteng create a unique brick tapestry that marries creativity and sustainability.

“During tough times, innovation comes into its own,” Nick Booth, chief executive of South Africa’s leading brick maker, Corobrik, notes when referring to the construction of this second phase, which added more than 150 rooms to an existing residence.

It cost at least 30% less than a new-build residence.

This was achieved by ‘clipping’ the second phase onto both the existing building and the first phase extension by using doubleloaded corridor typology and open walkways. Underutilised spaces in the existing building were converted into additional bedrooms, and existing social spaces became more accessible through landscaping around the extensions.

The two almost identical blocks were angled to open up views from an existing

social space in the base of the original building into campus and towards the Tower of Light.

This second phase was commissioned at a particularly challenging time, explains Thorsten Deckler of 26’10 South Architects, who handled concept development.

Nationwide protests had highlighted the need for additional student accommodation as part of a wide-reaching debate on access to tertiary education.

Tertiary institutions found themselves in a tight financial position and the project needed to be delivered within an extremely tight budget.

“This meant using offthe-shelf, low-maintenance materials and keeping the form of the new buildings as simple as possible. The new brick skin was envisaged as a beautiful, richly textured quilt. Special bricks, sourced from local Corobrik yards, are interwoven with a standard brick, complementing the existing building,” Deckler explains.

Known as ‘under the tree’ bricks, these specials are leftovers from commissioned ranges or overflows from larger orders, and can be

28 LEADINGARCHITECTURE & DESIGN OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2020

26’10 PROJECT TEAM FOR BOTH PHASES INCLUDED: • Anne Graupner (principal in charge) • Paul Devenish (registered architect in charge) • Thorsten Deckler (principal involved in concept development) • Carla Rademan (junior technologist) • Carla Gaum (project lead)

procured at a substantially lower cost. The end result was a quilt-like façade that blended a variety of textures and colours.

“The new buildings are as straightforward as possible, with attention focused on crafting their brick skin.

At a time when difference is so often used to divide people, this quilt of odd-bin bricks celebrates the beauty and strength of diversity and the unique creativity that can be bred through adversity,” Deckler said.

Booth confirmed that a plethora of different face bricks from various Corobrik yards had been used, including Onyx Satin, Village Antique, Agate Satin Solids, Agate Double Cant and Single Cant Specials, and Roan and Firelight special shape bricks.

Tuscan Blend Paving was used on the surrounds.

“The intention was to make a building for students that is unexpected and rich in detail,

a building that is friendly, that you want to touch, that is made of standard building materials put together in a unique way. For this, we used various brick types, including face bricks, NFX stock bricks and special shaped bricks.

We are used to seeing brick buildings that use bricks in a conservative manner. Here, we aimed to make a building that expresses the joy of the material and experimentation.

We tested the brick patterns using the samples, and also asked the contractor to construct sample panels. Lots of models were built, which we clad in print-outs of our elevations that showed the brickwork,” Deckler adds.

The brick patterns for phase two were developed in-house mainly by Anne Graupner and Carla Rademan, with assistance from Nic Talbot from Corobrik who advised on which bricks were available. www.corobrik.co.za

+27 (0)12 671 1117 info@bushteccreations.com bushteccreations.com

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,

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OUTDO O R

THE ROLE OF POOLS IN THE PANDEMIC LIFESTYLE Summer 2020 will go down as the season in which the swimming pool stepped up as a real value-add to those stuck at home under lockdown. The new habits we formed in the last six months will not melt away as soon as lockdown is over. People will not flock back to gym. Big holidays are being replaced with cautious staycations, and those who can continue working from home will do so. In short, people have adapted, many finding their home to be a far more flexible living space than previously imagined with just a few enhancements to the space, pools included.

Pool covers have come of age. Today, almost any pool can be and should be covered. The days of having to handle a pool cover manually have gone and there are automation options on safety, thermal and slatted pool covers. So, to have an uncovered pool when the rest of the home space is kitted out doesn’t make that much sense, according to market leader PowerPlastics Pool Covers.

The materials and the technology that now go into pool covers just keep getting better. Covers are also a way to do a pool refurb with no

structural work, making it blend into the surrounds and ensuring a far more user-friendly pool that is aligned to how the pool is actually used.

The GeoBubble thermal range illustrates just how versatile and ‘smart’ pool covers can be. There are three GeoBubble options available from PowerPlastics Pool Covers.

“GeoBubble covers have a number of benefits for the home with sustainable habits in place.

Within the range are covers to heat the pool naturally, to kill off algae, to save power and to save on chemicals. They are all water-smart too, curbing 98% evaporation,” says Carolyn Idas, from PowerPlastics Pool Covers.

Ensuring child safety around the pool has been paramount during lockdown and needs to stay that way. Where children or pets are concerned, the safest pool is one with a few layers of safety applied. The two non-negotiables are a solid safety pool cover and adult supervision. Drownings are quick and silent, and one doesn’t always get there in time.

“Parents have to be continually aware of their child’s whereabouts if the pool is ‘open’. When looking for your

30 LEADINGARCHITECTURE & DESIGN OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2020

safety cover, go with the brand who first put safety covers with batons on South African pools.

PowerPlastics Pool Covers was not only the first, our safety cover is still ahead of the rest as it is the only one with the SABS 10134 accreditation.

Quality of product, quality of service and quality of aftersales service is what sets us apart from newer companies in the marketplace.

“Because it seals off the entire pool, a solid safety cover really gave parents and carers peace of mind during lockdown.

It can be automated and it also lowers the water, power and chemical requirements, and those are savings that quickly add up,” says Idas.

The new Dark Grey colour option for the PowerPlastics Solid Safety Cover is already popular and brings an elegant finish to the area.

Automatic slatted covers

are also growing in popularity and the Solar-powered Slatted Cover has made this range more accessible in terms of pricing, and it being a retrofit option. Pool owners love the convenience of operating the pool cover with the push of a button.

“Different slat colours and material performance allow one to tailor the cover to the area and swimming habits. It can also be used as a safety cover to prevent access by children and pets,” says Idas.

Pool covers aside, a home pool can also become a way to do endurance training with the addition of water-resistance jets. The Jetstream Trevi system from PowerPlastics Pool Covers uses high-powered jets to transform even the smallest pool into a gym pool. Quick and simple to install, all that is needed is a plug point. www.powerplastics.co.za

This roof tile is green.

HARVEY EcoTile

®

Stylish Double Roman design combines exceptional functional advantages with classic aesthetics.

A DIVISION OF

Mineral Polymer Composite Roof Tiles Introducing a technological breakthrough from Harvey Roofing Products: the Harvey EcoTile®.

Harvey EcoTile® is a proudly South African, revolutionary breakthrough in roof tiles. By utilising 98% waste material, Harvey EcoTile® is 100% recyclable yet provides superior functional benefits to concrete or clay roof tiles.

Harvey EcoTile’s® technological design advantage ensures an interlocking, lightweight tile that is maintenance free, weatherproof and virtually unbreakable in normal use.

Discover all the benefits of Harvey EcoTile® at www.harveyroofingproducts.co.za.

Advanced engineering provides interlocking system for weather proofing and superior strength.

Precision-fit ridge tile provides weatherproof, maintenance-free seal.

Think differently about roof tiles. We did.

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Tel: +27 11 741 5600

www.harveyroofingproducts.co.za

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OUTDO O R

GET THE MOST OUT OF YOUR SOLAR LIGHTS Solar lights are fast becoming a popular choice for homeowners, gardening enthusiasts and landscapers alike, thanks to the multitude of benefits they offer. They’re cost-effective to run because they convert energy from the sun into electricity and their lack of wiring makes them easy to install and maintain.

Solar fixtures charge up during the day, enabling them to provide hours of illumination at night without relying on a power source. The word ‘solar’ means ‘relating to the sun’, and sunlight plays a big part in powering up these efficient fixtures. But what happens when sunlight is not guaranteed? Can solar lights still function under the grey skies?

A sunny, cloud-free day will always offer optimum conditions for charging solar panels. But this doesn’t mean your outdoor solar lighting is rendered useless in overcast weather. Skies can be dotted with cloud cover a lot of the time but solar lighting will charge regardless. This is because it does not rely exclusively on sunlight to charge – exposure to long periods of daylight works too.

If the solar panel receives enough hours of daylight on a cloudy day, the fixture continues to work.

Summer days typically last 12 to 14 hours, while winter days are much shorter, giving your solar panels less time to charge. This requires a little extra effort on your part to maximise your solar lighting’s efficiency in the winter months.

Take note of these four

points to get the most out of your solar lighting yearround: 1. Regardless of the time of year, the sun is always at its strongest at midday. With this in mind, position your solar lights so that they receive the full noon sun.

2. Buildings, plants and trees can cast shadows over your solar lights, preventing them from direct exposure to the winter sun’s rays.

Install your fixtures in a location that won’t become shaded as the sun moves during the day (northfacing is best). Make a point of observing your fixtures throughout the day to see if any unwanted shadows fall on them.

3. Solar lights will charge even when turned off. Turn them off during the day to ensure maximum energy output at night.

4. Rain and wind can cause leaves, dirt and debris to fly around and settle on your solar fixtures, inhibiting

32 LEADINGARCHITECTURE & DESIGN OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2020

their performance. Keep the panels clean by giving them a wipe with soapy water and a soft cloth. www.eurolux.co.za

EUROLUX

PROJECT SOLUTIONS

50W

LUMENS

230V 6500lm Enhance your commercial and industrial enviroments.

PR575 Linear Light Fixture

Eurolux offers a comprehensive lighting design and specification solution to its customers.

White Steel & Aluminium 4000K IP 20

PR453

PR510

PR356

LED Panel Light

LED Iconica Pendant Light

LED Spot 15W Surface Mount

White Aluminium Opal Lens 4000K 72W Integrated LED

Available in White 3000K 19W LED

Available in White or Black Die-Cast Aluminium Incl 1 x 15W Integrated LED

1

step

step

2

step

3

A lifecycle cost analysis is presented to the client, thus allowing for informed easy decision making.

Cape Town (Head Office) : 9 Racecourse Road, Milnerton, 7441 | Tel: +27 (0) 21 528 8400 | Email: info@eurolux.co.za Johannesburg: 72 5th Street, Wynberg, Sandton, 2090. | Tel: +27 (0) 11 608 2970 | Email: jhb@eurolux.co.za Durban: Talksure House 62 Umhlanga Ridge Boulevard, Umhlanga, Durban. | Tel: +27 (0) 31 263 0088

www.eurolux.co.za

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OUTDO O R

TECHNICRETE PAVERS AND KERBS ADD FLARE TO NEW OLIFANTSFONTEIN FIRE STATION The new multimillion-rand Olifantsfontein Fire Station, which commenced construction in late 2019, has a most impressive forecourt paved by Technicrete Double Zig Zag (DZZ) pavers and Fig 3 kerbs. The fire station, which is being built by the City of Erkurhuleni, will replace the old fire station that was built in the 1940s.

Fire station forecourts need durable paving due to the heavy load of fire engine and emergency vehicle traffic. The new Olifantsfontein Fire Station will have housing and forecourt space for five fire trucks, three ambulances and a helipad, making the choice of paver for the station an important factor.

Technicrete sales consultant Luan van der Berg says, “Our DZZ pavers are particularly suitable for forecourts and industrial areas that will have regular usage by heavy-load vehicles travelling upon them, such as the Olifantsfontein Fire Station and their large heavy-laden fire trucks. It is an economical paver, but still gives the project an impressive forecourt

appearance, and our Fig 3 kerbs added the finishing touch.”

Pmash Project Management’s site agent, Zikhona Lukani, comments, “We wanted a manufacturer and supplier of pavers for this project who would offer a reliable delivery of the pavers, and who has solid experience in assisting in the choice of paver for this distinctive application.

The pavers we required needed to be able to withstand the harsh and frequent traffic load that a fire station has. We found these elements with Technicrete, who always met delivery scheduling and offered

34 LEADINGARCHITECTURE & DESIGN OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2020

sound technical assistance.”

Between February and March 2020, Technicrete supplied 4 400m2 of grey 80mm DZZ, 1 807m2 of grey 60mm DZZ, and 1 000mm of Fig 3 kerbs to the Olifantsfontein Fire Station project. “Being nearby, and having a manufacturing plant that always meets orders, is what enabled us to meet the deadlines required by Pmash Project Management,” says van der Berg.

Technicrete’s DZZ pavers are available in a variety of colour tones and sizes. Apart from fire station forecourts, they are ideally suited, due to their durability and longevity,

to domestic driveways, municipal parking areas, pedestrian pavements, pathways and commercial developments, petrol station forecourts, industrial and factory roads, suburban streets, heavy-duty loading bays, platforms and industrial areas used by forklifts and other yellow metal equipment.

Technicrete is a certificated member of the Concrete Manufacturers Association and has been involved in a variety of local government infrastructure projects, as well as private and commercial developments. www.technicrete.co.za

Find our branches at www.technicrete.co.za

p a v i n g | m i ni n g | m a sonr y

PAVING FOR: • Driveways • Roadways • Pavements • Walkways

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RETAINING WALLS FOR: • Earth embankments • Steep channels • Slopes • Bridges / river banks

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

in a

ge

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OUTDO O R

FOR THE BRAAI OF YOUR LIFE Firefox is a Pretoria-based manufacturer of built-in braais, gas grilles and braai extraction systems. With over 35 years’ experience in this market, many thousands of Firefox braais and gas grilles have been installed in homes across Southern Africa – providing decades of pleasure to these homeowners, and proving that a well-built braai lasts.

Southern Africa is a large area with a diverse climate, each demanding a different type of steel that the braai can be made from. In the Highveld/ Karoo where the climate is dry,

many other unique features, such as: • A classy stainless-steel warmer tray to keep your cooked meat warm, and to serve it in style • An ember tray with a heat deflector plate to prevent meat in the warmer tray from overcooking • Easy-slide ember maker to get your wood or charcoal going quickly and easily • Spit options for a whole piece of meat, or baskets for easy cooking of chops, wors or flatties • A fold-down-and-slide-in

mild steel is a good choice with a long lifespan, and will look good with an occasional touch-up on the paint. At the coast, where corrosion is a significant problem, a 3Cr12c (rust-resistant steel) or 304/316v stainless steel will minimise rust and have a longer lifespan.

Firefox built-in braais offer

door that provides a sturdy work surface when cooking.

All Firefox units come packaged to travel well over long distances.

Firefox’s Multibraai range of gas grilles are designed for the serious braaier. They come with an incredible variance in heat output for all cooking styles, V-shaped cooking grids

36 LEADINGARCHITECTURE & DESIGN OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2020

to remove excess fat from the cooking area for both healthier cooking and better cooked meat, and a continuous spark ignitor for easy lighting.

Like their other products, Firefox gas grilles last. Firefox regularly receive 30-year-old gas grilles for a clean and service, before returning them to their happy owners. www.braais-sa.co.za

BRAAI & EXTRACTION SYSTEMS FOR THE HOME ENTERTAINER Visit www.braais-sa.co.za to view our extensive range

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KITCH E NS

MAKE MEMORIES WITH TALIS hansgrohe’s Talis M54 is the best complement for your kitchen.

Cooking is more than just a necessity. It brings passion into the kitchen and can be a valuable outlet for creative culinary experiments. It is a place for impressing guests and expressing love by providing sustenance for the people who matter the most in your life.

And the hansgrohe Talis M54 kitchen mixers enhance the pleasure of making a meal.

MAKE YOUR KITCHEN THE STAR OF THE SHOW The Talis M54 is more than just a tap. When it’s paired elegantly with a freestanding

kitchen island with a sink, its smooth, elongated high-arc design – at the ComfortZone height of 210mm or 220mm – is made for the sociable, open-plan kitchen aesthetic.

Its slender but unobtrusive silhouette is uncompromising, with no visual interruptions to its perfectly curved shape. Talis is built to fit the modern, open-plan lifestyle, where preparing your favourite food is a social activity and reduced design language makes conversation flow without distraction.

38 LEADINGARCHITECTURE & DESIGN OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2020

FEARLESS FUNCTIONALITY AND ECOSMART DESIGN Available in striking matt black and sleek chrome finishes, Talis M54 mixers complement marble, granite, veneer or wood finishes equally. The pull-out spout extends easily for washing dishes or vegetables, and sustainable EcoSmart technology reduces water consumption by up to 60%.

QuickClean technology adds extra convenience, allowing you to simply rub limescale build-up off with your finger. The temperature control is marked with subtle

temperature indicators, secretly placed so that there is no interruption in design.

MAKE IT WITH LOVE hansgrohe brings forward-thinking, sustainable functionality – all packaged in undeniably beautiful design – into the most important room in your home. The kitchen is where memories are made and culinary triumphs are invented – or happened upon completely by accident. Whatever the case may be, let it all flow naturally with hansgrohe. www.hansgrohe.co.za

Minimalist design meets functionality Your kitchen tap becomes the star of the show on the freestanding kitchen island. The NEW Talis M54 in the elongated high arc design with ComfortZone height 210 is made for the concept of modern open-plan kitchens, which are often in the same space as the living room. The slender silhouette is uncompromising, with no visual interruptions to the basic shape and also comes in an exclusive Matt Black finish. www.hansgrohe.co.za

hansgrohe.

Sustainable by design.

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OUR PRODUCTS ARE

DIFFERENT IN MANY WAYS Saving you time and money and giving you peace of mind

the Den Braven difference!

HIGH TACK power adhesive Extremely high strength & initial tack No staining on natural stone No support required during curing Non corrosive to metals Good resistant to weather HYBRIFLEX-540 joint sealant Adheres without primer Joints in pedestrian walkways Strong and durable Low VOC Suitable for most materials

Do it right the first time JHB: 011 792 3830, CT: 021 552 9674, DBN: 031 579 2375

sales@ denbraven.co.za • www.denbraven.co.za Den Braven Sealants South Africa Please contact us for further product, technical information and technical assistance CooleAd 18495

DEN BRAVEN SOUTH AFRICA TURNS 40

Den Braven Sealants South Africa is celebrating 40 years of being in the business of supplying quality adhesives and sealants to a wide range of industries and markets. The company has achieved world recognition – and is a household name in many countries.

State-of-the-art laboratories and equipment ensure that Den Braven products remain in the forefront of sealant technology. Products are continually tested and evaluated for optimum functionality in specific climatic conditions, making them fit for purpose in any given country.

Their range includes products for general and specific applications, with several unique sealants, including their fire-retardant range, FireProtect®.

Knowing exactly what to use for the project at hand is essential, and Den Braven strongly believes in knowledge and skills transfer, empowering employees to provide excellent service to clients, and transferring this knowledge whenever and wherever possible.

For advice or guidance on the selection of the correct product for the job on hand, Den Braven is a phone call away – with offices in Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban. Their technical sales team will discuss your requirements and give advice. Where need be, they will also provide training on the correct application of their products, a

40 LEADINGARCHITECTURE & DESIGN OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2020 18506-LAD.indd 1

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critical step to the success of the job.

Den Braven is a member of the Green Building Council of South Africa (GBCSA) and the majority of their products conform to the GBCSA standards, are ISO compliant and conform to international norms. They also support waste management, with recyclable cartridges and packaging.

Their website is full of information such as how to work out quantities, dimensions, chemical resistance, inspection, maintenance and repair of sealant joints, airtightness of windows, and has a technical data sheet on each product. You can also watch their how-to videos, located in the gallery of a number of their more regularly used products demonstrating application techniques, guaranteed to teach even the most experienced a tip or two! www.denbraven.co.za

DUNE RANGE Blutide’s elegant Dune range of prestigious, single lever mixer taps is an indulgent work of art that transforms any bathroom or kitchen into a breathtaking, harmonious space. One of the most sophisticated ranges launched into the South African market in the past 5 years, it is luxurious and beautifully designed with a statement matt black finish.

W W W . B L U T I D E . C O . Z A Photo courtesy of Waterways Kramerville

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BATH RO O MS

DURAVIT AND CECILIE MANZ EXPAND THE SUCCESSFUL LUV SERIES Nordic style has become a firm fixture in the bathroom since the introduction of the Luv series. Danish designer Cecilie Manz’s minimalist design language invokes the Scandinavian concept of living for a brand-new sense of wellbeing. Carefully conceived materials that also appeal to the sense of touch emphasise the gentle forms and strict geometry.

Perfectly harmonised colour combinations round off the overall picture.

This is reflected by the new furniture colour, Almond Satin Matt, with its warm yet restrained effect that opens up a wide range of design options. The interplay of light colours and natural shades in green or grey creates sharp contrasts. The washing area can be tuned yet further to individual tastes with the four

different console surfaces made from quartz or solid wood. Combined with soft earth tones, they create a calm interior that exudes sheer elegance.

The oval DuraCeram® wash bowls are now available in a total of five sizes (420, 500, 600, 700 and 800mm) with four different outer surfaces for even greater individualisation.

Extra furniture widths have also been added: a fourth new width of 938mm – optionally with a pull-out compartment or an additional drawer for storage – joins the three existing vanity units.

Luv’s authentic design is continued on the matching mirrors, which have been upgraded and are now larger and have more features. As well as the three existing widths (500, 1 200, 1 600mm),

a width of 800mm has been added to accommodate the new vanity unit size. In future, all Luv mirrors will also be available in heights of 800 or 1 200mm. The heated mirror and new switching function for coloured light can be controlled via the contactless operating panel, enabling continuous adjustment of the light colour for the upper illuminated area and ambient light.

42 LEADINGARCHITECTURE & DESIGN OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2020

Bathtubs in the Luv series are an eye-catching choice for any bathroom, whether as a freestanding model for positioning anywhere in the room, or a back-to-wall or corner version with an optional discreetly integrated air whirl system. Mirroring the shape of the wash bowls, their sophisticated aesthetic is a perfect accompaniment to the overall look of the series. www.duravit.co.za

ME by Starck. Now with the new bathroom furniture series Brioso.

The Brioso bathroom furniture range is a refreshingly contemporary approach to bathroom design. The varied and customizable Brioso design options are excellent value for money. It is available in 15 different hues. For 7 of them the characteristic handles and furniture feet are available in the same tone as the front and cabinet colors. Duravit South Africa (Pty) Ltd, 30 Archimedes Road, Kramerville, Sandton, Johannesburg, Telephone +27 (0) 11 555 1220, info@za.duravit.com and www.duravit.com

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BATHROOMS

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT COBRA’S SCREW-DOWN TAPS The taps in your bathroom and kitchen should serve several purposes. They need to be in keeping with your personal sense of style, they need to be affordable, easy to install and long lasting, and they need to be functional and convenient.

While this may seem like a lot to achieve, the Cobra range of screw-down taps is so comprehensive that you’re sure to find exactly what you require.

For more than 60 years, Cobra has been an iconic brand in many of our homes and is renowned for developing high-quality products that make those ordinary, everyday moments in your kitchen and bathroom exceptional. Its screw-down kitchen and bathroom taps, like its other ranges, have been designed and developed to ensure they are beautiful and effective every time you use them.

Here’s what you can expect from Cobra’s screw-down taps: • They come in a variety of

BIDET TOILETS Bidet toilets are becoming very fashionable and it is easy to see why. With the bidet

styles that suit any budget • It is easy to exchange the handles for an updated look • The functionality of the taps is more resistant to dirt in the water supply than in single-lever options • They’re made using durable dezincification-resistant brass, which ensures their longevity • They’re plated in layers of nickel and chrome that are thicker than the standards set by the South African National Standards, ensuring long-lasting shine • They’re well-suited for areas that experience low water pressure • In the kitchen, easy-to-install adaptors allow you to connect your sink to other kitchen appliances, such as your washing machine • In the bathroom, certain basin taps are fitted with flow-restricting aerators, which enable you to save water effortlessly.

Cobra’s warranty is supported by a nationwide team of professionally trained and qualified technicians, who deal with warranty issues on site and are capable of training and supporting homeowners and

being concealed in the toilet, it takes up half of the space.

People who have experienced these toilets in Europe will frequently insist on having them installed because they are so hygienic and it is great for people with skin issues, helpful to the elderly, or people with hemorrhoids or other gastro-related issues.

The bidet toilets are environmentally friendly, as they eliminate the use of toilet paper.

The basic bidet toilets will have a titanium nozzle that will protrude and spray. They also have variable spray settings, for either male or

female, or both. These toilets all have a remote, which usually only activates when a person is sitting down.

There are differences between the basic and the more expensive toilets, and these include the following: • The seat can open automatically when you approach the toilet • The seat can be warm • The toilet can have a night light underneath the pan, which goes on with a sensor • Some have an odour extractor • Some have an air-dryer • Spray intensity can be controlled in some • The toilets wash with warm

44 LEADINGARCHITECTURE & DESIGN OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2020

professionals alike. All Cobra products come with full access to this award-winning aftersales team, and a wide range of genuine spare parts are also available should you require them. www.lixil.co.za

water, but some have temperature-setting adjustments.

When including these bidet toilets into a renovation, the renovation must be well planned because they need to have power to the toilets and a water supply.

They cost in the range of R40 000 to R75 000, and the functionality varies from entry level to more expensive options.

Brands that sell these bidet toilets include Villeroy & Boch, Geberit and Duravit, and they have a variety of descriptive names. www.flushbathrooms.co.za

GROHTHERM SMARTCONTROL

THE PERFECT SHOWER SET

2 Spray patterns

PRECISE CONTROL, POWERFUL PERFORMANCE AND A SLIM, MINIMAL LOOK. Transform your shower experience with a thermostatic shower set.

Select your desired spray pattern and water volume at the push-turn of a button with the intuitive SmartControl.

You can switch between or even combine different spray patterns of head and hand shower.

Product Code: 34706000

For further information contact: projects.africa@lixil.com www.lixil.co.za

For total customisation

SmartControl Push. Turn. Shower.

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WOOD

A CONTEMPORARY STORE DESIGN FOR OMAN’S FIRST ECO-FOCUSED SUPERMARKET Design K spearheads eco-conscious design project that helps put Oman on the environmentally conscious map.

Karen Pissarra of Design K, Dubai-based interior design firm, announces the completion of a one-of-a-kind environmentally conscious store design in Oman.

Go Green Oman, located in the heart of Muscat, is the first ever ‘package-free’ supermarket to open in the GCC region.

Recognising her intuitive talent for balancing functional, aesthetic and physical elements to create nurturing spaces, Go Green Oman approached Karen to lead the design, space planning, fit-out drawings and lighting plan for their cutting-edge store concept.

The brief was the simple kind that requires attentive skill to execute well. A contemporary, clean and white store that makes ample use of natural lighting alongside green plants and natural wood.

In addition to this, a key focus was to be placed on the customer experience.

As the region’s first ever packaging-free store, Design K was focused on the way in which customers would navigate around the space.

This involved very detailed thinking around the set-up planning and proposed product display, recognising that retail design is not purely about the aesthetics of the space, but also on how it will perform functionally and commercially. The team wanted to ensure customers felt at ease when navigating around what would be a very new concept to them. A delicate balance between

function, design and customer experience was key.

The design had to incorporate a large number of functional business requirements, including ample storage and display units categorised by products, functional seating areas, a chiller area and large deli counter. The unique hands-on approach with the client saw the Design K team working alongside them with every last element on the inventory list to ensure it was represented and displayed in harmony with the overall design concept.

Additional specialist aspects included a number of wall units that were to incorporate gravity and scoop bins – a method in which customers place groceries into reusable containers.

The contemporary design was visualised with detailed

46 LEADINGARCHITECTURE & DESIGN OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2020

3D renders, smartly covering every last corner of the space.

A material combination of natural white oak wood veneer, ample greenery, a seamless grey flooring finish and exposed ceiling with thoughtfully selected accessories complete the design concept.

The result? A natural, light-filled Scandanavianstyle space using visual storytelling that guides customers through the new concept store in an organic way.

The airy lightness felt as you enter the space, combined with the green-filled exposed ceiling features, natural-looking display units, and thoughtfully placed resting areas take you on a grocery shopping journey filled with calm.

From the merchandise

tables to the vegetable stands and deli counter, every last corner is considered a true representation of the eco-conscious brand.

Pissarra says, “I strive to bring a sense of delight and peace through design to all of my projects, and Go Green Oman presented the perfect opportunity to instil this belief.

We’re very proud of the outcome, having developed a design that truly emphasises and tells the story of the store’s commitment to the environment.”

The wholesome, thoughtful and green-focused store is now open in Muscat, Oman, welcoming discerning customers from across the city to shop without packaging. A pinnacle project that supports the country’s 2040 vision for a greener future. www.designk.co

American tulipwood Multiply by Waugh Thistleton Architects

Design that doesn’t cost the Earth

Architects, interior designers and furniture makers all over the world have embraced American hardwoods for the range of colours, grains and textures they offer. Not only do American hardwoods offer consistency in grade, quality and supply, but they’re also carbon negative. Rest assured in the knowledge that each kilogram of U.S. hardwood product stores the equivalent of 1.835 kilograms of CO2 for as long as its remains in use.

For more information:

DRAWING BOARD

RESPONDING TO AN ENERGY CRISIS THROUGH EFFICIENT WATER-HEATING TECHNOLOGIES The key to a sustainable future lies in re-thinking practices and utilising available resources more responsibly and consciously. With the high energy demand in South Africa linked to the ever-increasing cost of electricity, the focus has moved towards energy efficiency – not only from a commercial perspective but equally so from a household perspective. Domestic households consume substantial amounts of electricity used by various appliances, and the biggest usage of electricity in households comes from water heating.

On average, 45-50% of electricity is consumed by geyser elements in heating water over peak periods. In addressing this, SANS 10400XA legislates the use of alternative energy sources other than resistance energy (electrical elements) to ensure a 50% reduction in electricity usage for water heating. As part of the building regulations, this now applies to any new building constructed where there is hot water used. Developers and contractors are now compelled to introduce such alternatives for new construction projects.

With this increasing cost of electricity, the introduction of energy-saving technologies has now become a means and ways for households to reduce consumption and save on electricity costs. A heat pump allows for up to a two-third saving in electricity, using

refrigeration technology and optimising available heat from the surrounding environment by extracting it from the atmosphere and transferring it to water. It resembles a small air-conditioning outdoor unit that is attached to the exterior wall or building, integrating with an existing or new geyser. The unit electricity usage is on average one-third of that of a geyser element.

Recently, Fourways Airconditioning secured the multi-residential Ravenswood development located in Boksburg, Johannesburg, in conjunction with accredited installer Mighty Plumbers. The requirement was to install energy-saving technologies that would match the design of the building. Mighty Plumbers came in with a solution to install 219 Alliance (3.2kW) heat pumps. These heat pumps are the perfect fit for your average household-sized 150L geyser.

Fourways is the largest importer and distributor of heat pumps in Southern Africa and has been supplying the Alliance domestic and commercial heat pumps and aircon range for the past 11 years to installers, household consumers, plumbing outlets, building contractors and developers.

Apart from saving electricity, Alliance units are also compact, easy to install and operate on eco-friendly R410A gas. Ravenswood occupants can enjoy using a wired control, which allows them to heat water at pre-set times – including during off-peak times, allowing for decreased energy costs – and set the desired hot water temperature to between 40ºC and 60ºC. Mighty Plumbers commends Alliance heat pumps for easy installation and their ability to complement the design of the building.

Alliance heat pumps are distributed

by Fourways Airconditioning, with branches in all major metropolitan centres across South Africa. www.fourwaysaircon.co.za

48 LEADINGARCHITECTURE & DESIGN OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2020

THE SAFEHOUSE ASSOCIATION: COMBATTING UNSAFE ELECTRICAL PRODUCTS AND SERVICES The SAFEhouse Association is a non-profit industry organisation committed to the fight against sub-standard, unsafe electrical products and services.

In South Africa there are a considerable number of electrical products that are: 1. non-compliant with regulations or quality standards, 2. otherwise of poor quality, 3. potentially unsafe, 4. misrepresented, 5. not fit for purpose, 6. counterfeit, 7. offered at seductive prices, or 8. dangerous.

The mere existence of the laws governing these products has not been an assurance of regulatory compliance, safety or fitness for purpose. Unfortunately there are products that are not regulated, in which case there is reliance on the ethical standards of suppliers. SAFEhouse members are ‘Suppliers you can trust’ as they abide by the SAFEhouse Code of Conduct.

The SAFEhouse Association has been formed by organisations within the South African electrical industry to combat the prevalence of unsafe products and services in South Africa. The association provides information and support in buying decisions about the criteria by which to assess products and services, and by exposing specific cases of sub-standard products and practices.

SAFEhouse has made available free guides for download that cover a variety of products and services. Download them from the SAFEhouse website. www.safehousesa.co.za

ALBERTON

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THERMGUARD: INSULATE YOUR HOME, PROTECT THE PLANET

An established and trusted product in South Africa, Thermguard has been successfully insulating buildings for 35 years in households and industry, countrywide. Choice of insulation can have a significant impact on thermal and acoustic comfort, as well as on the environment, and it’s for this reason that it’s important for industry specifiers to be informed about eco-friendly products that have stood the test of time.

WHAT MAKES THERMGUARD A GREEN SOLUTION? For starters, Thermguard Cellulose Fibre Insulation is

made from recycled newsprint; thousands of tons of what would otherwise be filling up landfills. This is milled into a light cellulose insulation product with optimal density, which is blown onto the ceiling in the roof. The non-recycled fire-retardant additives are non-toxic, and natural salts and minerals that are used in agriculture to promote plant health, stop and prevent wet and dry rot in timber, and also have various uses in the household and medical fields.

Borate additives are harmless to humans and pets, but will irritate insects and rodents such that they will not live in the material or use it to build a nest.

50 LEADINGARCHITECTURE & DESIGN OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2020

The embodied energy of Thermguard is also by far the lowest compared to other commercially available insulation products.

Furnace-made insulation materials (fibreglass and polyester) require around ten times more energy to produce compared to cellulose fibre. Thermguard is 100% biodegradable and will not negatively affect ecosystems or wildlife.

A ‘DOUBLE GREEN’ EFFECT The use of insulation in homes and commercial developments reduces the flow of heat through the roof by up to 92%. By preventing heat gains and losses,

Thermguard keeps the space naturally temperate and more comfortable year round. This means not having to rely on air-conditioners and heaters as much, if at all, which translates into energy savings (and savings on electricity bills). This prevention of greenhouse gases at both the consumer and producer end of the product lifecycle is known as a ‘double green’ effect. With Thermguard being delivered in bags made from recycled plastic, there is the assurance that every aspect of the product has been considered from a sustainability perspective. www.thermguard.co.za

SUMMIT ALL THE INSULATION

AND CEILING SOLUTIONS UNDER

ONE ROOF

Summit XPS insulation boards, cornices, trapdoors and our Knauf insulation range set a new standard in quality and affordability. A proud member of the Swartland family, all Summit products are made from high-quality materials to ensure you get long-lasting performance, peace of mind and value for money.

For more information visit www.summitxps.co.za or call us on 0861 22 3444.

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EXPERT SPECIFICATION ADVICE DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The specifier’s job has just been made a little easier, thanks to an ingenious new online tool developed by Polyflor, simply called the Online Advisor.

DEMAND FOR HYGIENIC, QUICK-CURING EUROPEAN FLOORING ESCALATES Demand for Voelkel Industrie Produkte (VIP) industrial flooring from Europe, available in South Africa from a.b.e.

QuickFloor coatings provide floor finishes that are both hygienic, robust and anti-slip. Specifically formulated

Construction Chemicals, has rapidly escalated globally with the COVID-19 pandemic requiring safe healthcare, as well as hygienic industrial, commercial and residential installations. a.b.e., part of the Chryso Southern Africa Group, is the sole South African distributor for VIP in Germany, which has among its latest developments the revolutionary VIP QuickFloor flooring system, an extremely fast-curing flooring system for the most demanding and time-sensitive applications.

QuickFloor has excellent colour and gloss retention, is highly resistant to chemicals, impact and abrasion, and has special slip-resistant surface finishes for applications in hospitals, warehouses, laboratories, factory floors, car parks, garage floors, shopping malls, walkways, pools and patios.

The flooring system can be used as a clear sealer coat on polished concrete, as a single colour flooring system, or in a colourful decorative application, incorporating coloured quartz aggregates or coloured paint flakes.

Hospital flooring calls for exceptionally demanding specifications for safety, hygiene and support for medical procedure.

QuickFloor – with maximum underfoot

to withstand extreme manufacturing environments, including assembly areas, forklift aisles and loading docks, it can withstand heavy loads, impacts, forklift traffic and exposure to liquids and chemicals.

Shops also require attractive, durable and easy-to-clean flooring systems – and invariably need fast installation: to have a retail outlet closed for a single day is costly. The QuickFloor system can in many cases be installed overnight, curing fast enough for business to resume the next day.

At public amenities – from seating areas and concourses to the concession areas in stadiums and public auditoriums, kitchens, restrooms and locker rooms – there is also a strong need for hygienic and durable flooring systems. QuickFloor’s optional slip-resistant surface finish is the preferred choice here.

Local installations of VIP flooring include its use as protective lining of the floor and walls of a large predator tank at the Two Oceans Aquarium at the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town (the tank features a 10m-long walkthrough tunnel), and the air-conditioning rooms in the Discovery head-office in Johannesburg. Overseas, notable

comfort – has been widely applied in areas ranging from emergency rooms, examination rooms, nurses’ stations, and waiting and reception areas.

At food and beverage plants, where cleanliness is more essential than ever,

installations include the Cleveland Clinic at Abu Dhabi in the UAE, shops in Dubai, and the floors of buses converted into mobile dental offices and a police station in Sao Paulo, Brazil. www.abe.co.za

52 LEADINGARCHITECTURE & DESIGN OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2020

EXPERT GUIDANCE Speaking to us about the aim of the tool, Polyflor’s brand manager, Wendy Mitrovich, notes, “Specifiers often have difficulty selecting the correct product for the required application. With this tool we are hoping to help them with selection, as well as guide them on what would be the best suited product, given our extensive range of vinyl products. This tool provides you with expert online advice available from the comfort of your PC or phone.”

Vinyl flooring has a multitude of benefits, performance characteristics and design options, but Polyflor says that partnering with their clients to enable them to make informed decisions is what ultimately prompted the tool’s development.

Working offsite without huge product libraries is not always easy and this tool has everything clients need to specify vinyl for a project, no matter where they are working. It also provides a great learning platform for less experienced specifiers who now have the tools to understand vinyl and where it should be used, Wendy confirms.

HOW TO ACCESS THE TOOL The tool is easily accessible from Polyflor’s website and is guaranteed to help guide you through the process to ensure you get the right product for your space. Browse by industry, functional area, type of flooring, colour, design and price range, based on which criteria are most important to you.

USER-FRIENDLY FEATURES The online tool guides the user through the process by going through a series of steps and questions based on the criteria selected. It then provides an expert product recommendation that is emailed straight to your inbox. Users can go back to the project and change some of the criteria to compare options, or can log a new project with different criteria.

The tool is available free of charge and will ensure you get it right. Try it here: https:// polypro.clevva.com/polypro-advisor

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KNAUF INSULATION PARTNERSHIP CREATES A SOUND SOLUTION FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF PRETORIA When the foyer to the Medical Campus at the University of Pretoria was refurbished, an acoustic solution was needed to dampen reverberation and prevent sound from disturbing students in the adjacent library and lecture theatres.

With this in mind, the architect 81_Mass had specified a ceiling build-up comprising acoustic insulation from Knauf Insulation and acoustic ceiling panels from Knauf Group.

For the main ceiling, Knauf Insulation’s 50mm Acoustic Roll was specified. Acoustic Roll is manufactured from Glass Mineral Wool and is designed to reduce the transmission of noise between rooms. Glass Mineral Wool has an open structure that traps sound between its individual strands and turns it into heat energy. As a result, sound cannot travel through the structure into an adjacent room or reverberate back into the source room as echoes.

Acoustic Roll also has a non-combustible Euroclass A1 Reaction to Fire Classification, which means it will not add to the development or spread of fire, should it occur.

Acoustic Roll was used in

conjunction with Knauf Cleaneo Acoustic panels. The panels are manufactured from plasterboard and feature perforations to deliver unrivalled sound absorption performance. The perforated patterns, together with a brilliant white paper finish, are designed to turn ceilings into design features. The panels are laid with butt joints for ease of installation.

For areas where the ceiling was plastered, Knauf Insulation’s Ceiling Roll (Multi Pack) was used. Ceiling Roll (Multi Pack) offers excellent thermal performance, is non-combustible with Euroclass A1 Reaction to Fire Classification, and it complies with SANS 10177 parts 5 and 10 A/A1. It is a two-in-one Glass Mineral Wool insulation roll designed to offer installers maximum flexibility. Each pack contains 32.4m2 of insulation.

This can be achieved by splitting the roll, without the need for tools, into two layers, each 50mm deep.

Alternatively, the roll can be installed at 100mm depth to provide 16.2m2 of insulation.

The rolls can easily be cut to suit joist centres.

The striking curved design of the foyer presented some challenges, but Knauf Insulation Mineral Wool insulation can easily be cut to the desired shape.

Furthermore, both Acoustic Roll and Ceiling Roll (Multi Pack) are lightweight and easy to install.

The insulation was supplied by trade stockists CAPCO and UBS (Unlimited Building Supplies) and installed by Eticon Construction.

All of Knauf Insulation’s Glass Mineral Wool products are manufactured using ECOSE® Technology, its unique bio-based binder, which binds the strands of mineral

wool together. It contains no added formaldehyde or phenols, so it is low VOC. ECOSE® Technology makes our insulation pleasant to touch and easy to handle.

Combining Knauf Insulation’s Acoustic Roll with the Knauf Cleaneo Acoustic panels has created a beautiful welcoming entrance for the University of Pretoria Medical Campus while preventing noise from disturbing students’ learning. Thanks to the addition of Ceiling Roll (Multi Pack), the entrance will maintain a stable internal temperature, helping to save energy too. www.knaufinsulation.co.za

WWW.LEADINGARCHITECTURE.CO.ZA OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2020 53

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INNOVATIVE FLOORING SET TO REACH OUR SHORES Unequalled design freedom continues to set apart the Posi-Joist timber and steel web system from everyday flooring solutions. Combining the strength of Posi-Strut steel with the lightness of timber allows designers to span far greater distances while being able to adjust the depth, length and width to produce a greater variety of specifications. This occurs while still adhering to rigorous performance standards.

STREAMLINED INSTALLATION Keeping up with the demand for the installation of mechanical ventilation and heat recovery systems, Posi-Joist is poised to

streamline the construction process by allowing easy access for the maintenance and placement of utilities in the floor zone. Manufacturing the joists in a controlled offsite environment ensures a quality product that is delivered to specification.

Hennie Viljoen, Marketing Manager of MiTek, says, “There are many benefits to using Posi-Joist, from the ability to design creative floors to the variety of internal room layouts that a clear span system offers.”

COST-SAVING ADVANTAGE Posi-Joist has been used in countless successful applications and construction projects across New Zealand,

TECHNOLOGY NOT FEAR

the UK and Australia.

Viljoen says that Posi-Joist’s ability to span greater distances than its timber competitors, coupled with its open web design, gives contractors several important cost-saving advantages when compared with various solid joist alternatives, including the ability to complete jobs faster thanks to precision engineering.

INCREASED INSTALLATION SPACE The system allows for increased joist centres because of its span capabilities, reducing

material content. Simpler and far quicker installation of services and utilities is now possible, reducing both labour costs and on-site construction time. “MiTek is very confident that Posi-Joist will have a huge impact on the South African market once introduced,” says Viljoen.

The first consignment of Posi machinery is expected to land in SA at the end of October 2020 and will most likely introduce the system during the first half 2021. www.mitek.co.za

Having recently completed the largest video intercom system in Southern Africa, we have the knowledge and ability to professionally assist you.

We design, quote, project manage and maintain all your fixed security systems exceptionally well!

Established 1991

DAC is a service based security installations, maintenance and repair company that offer state of the art holistic solutions.

• Custom designed physical and electronic security.

• CCTV, access control, gate and garage automation, alarms and intercoms.

• Remote accessibilty.

54 LEADINGARCHITECTURE & DESIGN OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2020

DAC’s technical division consists of multiple teams, each managed by an experienced leader.

While every team is formed to encompass a number of necessary skills, each have specific areas of expertise. This means that the DAC technicians assigned to you are the right people for the job.

Owning our own premises, we back up and guarantee our work with pride and passion.

58 Athol Street, Highlands North, Johannesburg 0117863177 www.dacsecurity.co.za

Posi-JoisT The fuTure of flooring

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DURAM’S HABITAT COLOUR COLLECTION – 90 INSPIRED PAINT COLOURS Introducing Duram’s new Habitat Colour Collection featuring 90 inspired paint colours. This timeless collection has been carefully curated to offer you a sophisticated and contemporary palette featuring beautifully balanced and harmonious tones.

Inspired by the natural habitats of South Africa, these colours will take you on a journey across the breathtaking landscapes and unique flora and fauna our country has to offer. From subtle earthbound neutrals to dark inky hues, choosing the perfect colour couldn’t be simpler.

Each colour is available for purchase in a convenient and affordable 90ml low sheen Colour Sample, which is factory tinted for improved colour accuracy. Paint a test patch and see how the colour subtly adapts to the changing light throughout the day.

Try a 90ml Habitat Collection colour sample in Black Mussel, Milkwood Tree, Kingfisher Splash or Fire Finch for something quite striking on an accent wall.

Duram says it is seeing a trend towards warm colours – they suggest trying Otter Trail, Little Karoo and Darling White from our Habitat Colour Collection for a warm neutral colour palette with earthy undertones. For a contemporary grey colour palette, Duram suggests trying Coastal Spray, Heron’s

56 LEADINGARCHITECTURE & DESIGN OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2020

Crest, and Kalk Bay from Habitat Colour Collection. It’s important to see how neutrals change from day to night, so test them on different walls and in every room.

Duram’s richly pigmented paints are available for interiors and exteriors – walls, ceilings, trims or accents – and for any style, providing exceptional depth of colour, luxurious finishes and unbeatable value. Ideal for interior living spaces, Duram Classic Matt is least reflective and hides imperfections. Duram Satin Touch’s medium sheen creates an elegant interior for high-wear areas. Popular Duram WallTech is a durable low sheen with a soft glow, ideal for interior and exterior.

Duram Armatex’s textured finish covers hairline cracks, hides plaster imperfections and offers all-weather protection on exterior walls.

Duram Bathroom & Kitchen, a hygienic paint, protects against black stains, steam and moisture. These are complemented with Duram’s enamels that offer a tough and extremely durable finish. The well-balanced and considered colours can be tinted using highperformance pigments and top-quality tint bases. Also, as we move towards more conscious and sustainable living, all Duram’s decorative paints are low VOC. www.duram.co.za

A HONEY stel

32 |

69 |

ACACIA HONEY 69 / Pastel

GREY LOERIE 32 / Paste

GREY LOURIE

ACACIA HONEY

GREY LOERIE 32 / Paste

AS SIMPLE AS

GBR/24933

A SAMPLE

HABITAT C olo u r C o l l e ction 90 inspired paint colours

Introducing Duram’s new Habitat Colour Collection, a curated palette for the contemporary home. Featuring 90 inspired paint colours from subtle earthbound neutrals to dark inky hues, choosing the perfect colour couldn’t be simpler. Each colour is available for purchase in convenient and affordable 90ml Colour Samples at select stores.

Ask for Duram at your local hardware store.

The paint that’s made smart to look smart.

Dry paint colour and sheen may vary from colours shown.

BLACK MUSSEL 50 |

FEATURED DESIGN

Homewood Broaden Design Horizons with a Unique Cantilever Table

“

Design is where science and art break even.” This quote

by Robin Mathew accurately reflects custom furniture manufacturer Homewood’s latest addition to their Imbiza range: The Cantilever Table.

Originally designed and manufactured for German business tycoons, this table started off with a small sentiment. The clients had fallen in love with a cantilever-style table they had found in Germany. In fact, they loved it so much that they brought it with them in their move to South Africa. Unfortunately for them, it was too small to fit in their dining room and looked a little out of place.

This led them to assign Homewood with the task of designing a one-of-akind cantilever-styled table to suit their space.

Considering the large openspace layout of the dining room and its spectacular view, Homewood knew they had to create an equally spectacular table that would boldly occupy the room.

Another thought that Homewood had to take into account was design continuity. Previously, they had designed this client’s bedroom furniture using the Imbiza range as their guide. It was, therefore, only fitting for them to carry this style over into the dining room.

A DARING DESIGN

Merging the Imbiza design style with the cantilever concept translated into what appeared to be a giant ‘boomerang’ in Homewood’s concept sketches. With the client’s enthusiastic approval, Homewood embarked on a rather daunting engineering journey.

Homewood’s biggest challenge arose in the design of the table’s leg structure, since it needed to balance the weight of a large, heavy

58 LEADINGARCHITECTURE & DESIGN OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2020

slab of wood while creating the illusion of the slab floating in space.

Although this design and engineering journey was marked by many failures, Homewood were not willing to accept defeat. After many attempts, success was soon in sight and a truly unique, mastercraft piece was born!

“What this job taught us, was the importance of embracing challenges in order for us to grow as custom furniture designers

and manufacturers. Our failures ultimately taught us many things – things that will guide us in the future when we try push more boundaries,” remarked Homewood founder, Ian Perry, when reflecting on this project.

If you have a challenge for these artisanal furniture designers, you are welcome to get in touch with them to discuss how they can help your design idea materialise. www.homewood.co.za

Distinction

Alania’s reputation for delivering uncompromised quality, leading technology and exceptional turn around times is underpinned by an astute understanding of and respect for the design intent.

to the last detail

Implement your projects efficiently and to the finest levels of detail with Alania. www.alania.co.za

JHB • DBN • CPT