Volume 10 Issue 3 November 2020
Prevent the BooHoo
O H O B GO
r u o l o C
psychology explained
10nniver a
REDGREEN gets its
Ry A E -Y s a r
Revamp
that second bathroom Cross laminated timber faรงade an SA first
DIY - Sandpit to Cape coastal floral haven
The lack of wind will blow you away.
There is more to air conditioning than cooling down a room. The Samsung Wind-Free™ 4-Way Cassette quietly and gently disperses air through its 15 700 micro holes maintaining the desired temperature and eliminating direct cold drafts while reducing energy usage by up to 55%*. In addition, the turbo fan’s wide blades provide evenly distributed cooling and heating from four separate outlets, so the entire room cools down or warms up faster. Stay comfortably cool, without the wind. *Compared to normal cooling mode.
How often do you find yourself displeased with the cold drafts from air conditioners? The evolution of air conditioning is interesting, from using basic fans to using the latest digital air solutions which feature Wind-Free™ technology. Staying cool when it is hot outside is a priority to many, however, there is more to air conditioning than just reducing heat. Samsung’s Wind-Free™ 4-Way Cassette represents a revolution in the way air conditioners function to make the lives of users pleasant. It has been designed to improve airflow to bring new levels of comfort to our daily climate control requirements with the world’s first Wind-Free™ Cooling technology. Samsung’s Wind-Free™ 4-Way Cassette provides stable temperatures without direct cold drafts to create the ideal working or living conditions. Cool air is gently dispersed through 15,700 micro air holes to create a “still air “environment with a very low air speed of just 0.15m/s and no unpleasant direct drafts, thereby allowing for perfect and optimal comfort control. Fast Cooling & Quiet Operation The Wind-Free™ 4-Way Cassette has an 84mm blade that is 31% larger than normal, meaning it can deliver cool air a long distance, reaching up to 10 meters and it has an optimised blade shape, to cool an entire room fast and evenly without leaving any “dead zones”. During the low speed Wind-Free™ operation, the Wind-Free™ 4-Way Cassette reduces noise while gently dispersing cool air across the room through tiny micro holes. As a result, it produces only 34dB(A) of sound, which is significantly less detectable than when in normal cooling mode.
Energy Saving & Fresh Air Electricity costs have significantly increased in South Africa due to several factors. Therefore, it is imperative for manufacturers to bring in energy efficient solutions to respond to the energy crisis. Wind-Free™ Cooling reduces energy by 55% to save costs. When operating in the Wind-Free™ mode, the outdoor unit uses minimal power compared to normal cooling mode. However, it can still provide adequate cool air to maintain your desired temperature without a sizable electricity bill. According to the WHO, there is less chance of distributing bacterial infected air if there is more fresh air distributed into buildings, “a well maintained and operated heating, ventilation and air conditioning system can reduce the spread of COVID-19 or other similar viruses in indoor spaces by increasing outdoor air change”. It is important not to recirculate air and increase fresh air intake. The Wind-Free™ 4-Way Cassette maintains a healthy indoor environment by introducing fresh outside air to the room. Without access to clean air, people may inhale air contaminated by bacteria and mold, as the same air is continually recirculated. The Wind-Free™ 4-Way Cassette unit is an excellent representation of Samsung’s continued history in innovation in the air conditioning industry.
Cape Town: (021) 556 8292 KZN: (031) 579 1895 Port Elizabeth: (041) 484 6413 East London: (043) 722 0671 Gauteng: (011) 704 6320 Pretoria: (012) 643 0445 Bloemfontein: 083 381 0074 George: 082 380 0708 sales@fourwaysgroup.co.za www.fourwaysaircon.co.za
ED’S NOTE
WELCOME to our 10th anniversary edition!
Seven years ago when I first started editing TO BUILD, the magazine was very different to what it is today..... An experienced B2B editor friend of mine once advised of Editor’s Notes: “Don’t waffle on about what is inside the magazine - let the readers find out for themselves”. Therefore, just a few words to say that we are extending our aim and reach to a much wider audience than ever before. We’ve included more content of interest to the homeowner and DIY enthusiast. We have finally created a space where the smaller architectural firms may 'strut their stuff'. And of course, we have a funky new layout. Architects be warned! The ‘YOUR SPACE’ pages are going to be hotly contested. If you want to show off your projects and score oodles of publicity in the next edition of TO BUILD, get your pitches for this space to me early. My email address is below. Since this edition will be the final one of the year, and at the risk of repeating depressing news, what else can one say about 2020? Some of it will be best forgotten or recorded in books of medical history. Other memories include, however, the rise of fake news and denialism.
Gareth Griffiths editor@tobuild.co.za
To Build Publication @To_Build @to_build_publication
I was gobsmacked today to read a seasoned SA socio-political commentator’s attack on the facts of greenhouse gasses and climate change. Reading his rebuttal of a slightly naively written article in the ECONOMIST could have been best compared to reading the tales of the Yellow Brick Road. Its all a massive conspiracy towards global domination, was the cry. "An impending green industrial complex". I guess the commentator conveniently forgot that this is nothing new to the world. The carbon-based economy that is slowly destroying our environment (a phenomenon that the commentator strangely seems to see nothing wrong with) is entrenched simply because of the cynical manipulation tactics by the fossil fuel based oligarchy of the 1900s, which funded the heck out of candidates to high political office in the US and elsewhere on the globe. In turn, these candidates turned a blind eye to their rape of the planet and even sponsored legislation in support of it. So now we have oil based plastics in place of bioplastics, for example. The commentator then goes on to dismiss the companies, non-governmental organisations and individuals who are actually trying to tackle the problem as part of some kind of cabal. What the commentator neglected to mention is the fact that the agents of change of humankind’s carbon-heavy ways are not only governments and mega-corporations. Never before have a bigger number of smaller businesses and individuals been involved globally in designing and putting to market solutions to diminish our devastating footprint on the earth. Green building has opened the doors to small business innovation like never before and long may that continue.
Gareth 2
volume 10 | issue 3 www.tobuild.co.za
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CONTENTS 4
volume 10 | issue 3 www.tobuild.co.za
EDITOR
INTERIOR DESIGN 12
HVAC 34
56
34 Project Profile: Cape on Porterfield & Cape Dahlia
ENGINEERING
38 2 EDITOR'S NOTE
8-10 EDITOR’S CHOICE
12 LEAD STORY
PROFESSIONS
Opinion: Is modern ERP the right fit for engineering firms?
PROPERTY
42 Responding to the investment paradigm shift
44 Iconic Sandton building given new façade
18
48
Architecture opinion: Is your architect a registered professional?
Cape Town’s East City precinct a healthy development – despite pandemic
22 Architecture: Your space – a roundup of home projects
24 Construction Law: Getting back to basics: safety on the building site
DÉCOR
28 Prevent the Boohoo – Go BOHO
30 Bespoke pieces for breathtaking locality
BATHROOMS
56 Opulence with utility cost reduction
KITCHENS
60 Kitchen Specialists’ Association
ROOFING
62 Energy efficient roofing this summer
64 Expanding building systems knowledge
SWIMMING POOLS
50
68
Revamp that second bathroom
Year-long swimming comfort – a case history
DOORS & WINDOWS
52 Engineered timber for increased durability in doors and windows
WALLS & PARTITIONING
71 Case Study: Modern building solutions & quick turnaround times
STANDING THE TEST OF TIME
Sikalastic MTC
A cold-applied, one-component, liquid applied waterproofing membrane CET TECHNOLOGY: High elastic and crack-bridging properties High colour stability / non-yellowing High durability Faster drying time Environmentally friendly CAN BE USED: On horizontal and vertical surfaces For roofs displaying complex detail areas and geometry For cost efficient life cycle extension of failing roofs Highly reflective top coat for excellent cool roof characteristics Photograph: Sand and See Rooftop in Blouberg 12 years after application
Call us for more info: 010 823 8688 www.sika.co.za
CEMENT & CONCRETE
DIY
GREEN MATTERS
74
88
100
74
94
Fly ash research paves way to even greener cement
Lessons from the ancients – Opportunities for Green Star rated homes
RED gets its GREEN
76
100
Colour psychology explained
SA amends ozone layer regulations
80 Harmful chemicals in paint – why no legislation?
86 How to apply sealants properly
88
CONSTRUCTION CHEMICALS
82
Sandpit to Cape Coastal floral haven
102
92
Longstanding architecture competition goes online
6 Carlton Crescent, Parklands, 7441 | Tel: 021 424 3625 l Fax: 086 270 9693 Email: info@tobuild.co.za | Website: www.mediaxpose.co.za @To_Build
@to_build_publication
Picture Credit: 123rf.com / pixabay.com / pexels.com
Distribution:
Printed by:
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the publisher or its agents. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information published, the publisher does not accept responsibility for any error or omission contained herein. Consequently, no person connected with the publication of this journal will be liable for any loss or damage sustained by any reader as a result of action following statements or opinions expressed herein. The publisher will give consideration to all material submitted, but does not take responsibility for damage or its safe return.
volume 10 | issue 3 www.tobuild.co.za
STUDENT PROFESSIONALS
Plans free to all wood workers and DIYers
Project: Securing 55 storeys of The Leonardo
To Build Publication
104
98
COATINGS & COLOUR
6
STUDENTS & ACADEMIA
104 Honours in construction health and safety management
NEWS FROM THE MARKETPLACE
108 Sandton Central office space usage adapts
110 African projects in Go Green fare well in finals
Publishing Director Elroy van Heerden elroy@tobuild.co.za
Advertising Sales Manager Rene van Heerden rene@tobuild.co.za
Editor Gareth Griffiths editor@tobuild.co.za
Advertising Sales Jacqui Marsh jacqui@tobuild.co.za
Sub-Editor Tessa O'Hara tessa.ohara@gmail.com
Distribution & Subscriptions Shihaam Gyer distribution@mediaxpose.co.za
Ad Traffic Controller Wadoeda Adams artwork@mediaxpose.co.za
Chief Financial Officer Shaun Mays accounts@mediaxpose.co.za
Editorial Contributors Anton Oosthuizen Bryan Hack Erina Botha Gareth Griffiths Imaging John Smallwood JP Feyt Lauren Shantall Lisa Reynolds Stephanie Forbes Wynand Tromp
Media Partnerships Maurisha Niewenhuys maurisha@mediaxpose.co.za
Designer Anja Bremley artwork1@mediaxpose.co.za
Social Media Coordinator Kyla van Heerden social@mediaxpose.co.za Receptionist Daniëla Daniels receptionist@mediaxpose.co.za
EDITOR’S CHOICE
Palette of super-fuelled colours for summer In South Africa, come summer holidays, there is an annual migration to the coast to soak up the sun, sand and sea. Plascon tells us that its newest colour palette has been dubbed City to Surf and pays homage to the Great South African summer the sea, sky, the lush colours in nature and the annual festive celebrations. We investigate.
Warm orange – Giggling Girl
Plascon “Using this mid-tone palette in your home will inject carefree vibrancy, whether it’s to liven up your holiday home or bring a feeling of happiness and excitement into your urban abode. The colours have names like Surfing Sarah, Lemon Tang, and Sporty Blue - labels which capture the buoyant atmosphere these colours create. After all the stresses and negativity of the Coronavirus lockdown, we can all harness this sense of positivity to enhance wellness,” says the manufacturer.
Sun-kissed red – Go Go Red
Environmentally conscious designers can get the colours of the City To Surf palette made up in Plascon Double Velvet Pure, an advanced coating with airpurifying technology that abates harmful formaldehyde in your home. Colour advice for consumer and professional alike is available at: www.ColourAdvice@kansaiplascon.co.za
The coolest blue - Pristine Blue
Glowing yellow – Lemon Tang
Those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer are on the way.
Playful green – Green Jubilee
8
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Youthful blue – Sporty Blue
EDITOR’S CHOICE
New table saw
promotes user safety Every year approximately 4 000 people are injured on circular saws, corresponding to 16 injuries per working day, says an established German supplier. With the newly launched table saw, the risk of most serious cutting injuries during sawing is reduced drastically, say the manufacturers, Festool. Festool This is the first Festool saw with innovative ‘SawStop’ technology for increased safety while sawing. If the saw blade comes into contact with the user's skin, it stops immediately and disappears into the work surface – the risk of serious cutting injuries is no longer an issue with this new saw. The responsive sensor stops the blade within 5 milliseconds. An intelligent cartridge releases a pretensioned spring and pushes an aluminium block into the saw blade. After being triggered, the cartridge is replaced in just a few steps. The local distributor, Vermont Sales, is the go-to for further information on how to obtain the Festool TKS 80 EBS.
Resin anchors for heavy use International anchoring system supplier, Rawlplug, says its resin anchors can be split into two main groups: capsule systems and injection systems. Rawlplug Both capsule and injection mortar systems consist of two chambers, one filled with a polymer resin and the other with a hardener. Various resin types are available in each system, from polyester to vinyl ester and epoxy. Bonded anchors are used for fixing threaded rod, internally threaded sockets and rebar to many types of structures substrates. The range RawlPlug RAW R-KEM-II-300, RawlPlug RAW R-KF2-300 and RawlPlug RAW R-KER-II-400 – MOQ 10.
Vermont Sales have further information. volume 10 | issue 3 www.tobuild.co.za
9
EDITOR’S CHOICE
Options for outdoor living With more people looking to spend time in contained spaces, there has been a notable uptick in outdoor entertainment area revamps. Here are the suggestions put forward for the season by a local handmade furniture manufacturer. Woodbender Strength and longevity are key to outdoor furniture. Known as “African Teak,” Iroko wood is tough, dense, durable, and resistant to decay. Honey-brown with a straight grain, the colour improves as the furniture ages. All joined with stainless steel bolts, screws, and brackets; or wood-to-wood interlocking joints to avoid glue lines that degrade over time. The wood used is sustainably sourced, naturally weather-proof, algae/pest resistant and is easy on maintenance and repair. The finished range is pre-treated with Ciranova outdoor oil delivering extreme UV protection. Oiling is an easy process that does not require any striping or sanding and furniture can be kept looking brand new if oiled every 6 months. With an eye-catching new aesthetic based on one of the brand’s popular indoor ranges, the mix and match collection offers everything needed to set up outside, including: dining table, chairs, carver, benches, two-seaters, tub chairs, coffee table, bar table and bar stools. Information on the Chalbi range at www.woodbender.co.za
Dining Table, Bench and Carver
10
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Two Seater & Coffee Table
Tub & Coffee Table
SUPERIOR QUALITY AND HIGH PERFORMANCE PRODUCTS YOU CAN TRUST.
AfriSam’s range of superior quality cement products are specifically designed to meet all your building and construction needs. With each of the products made fit for purpose they deliver enhanced performance and durability to ensure the highest quality output. Our unparalleled technical support will provide peace of mind to ensure that you can build your reputation on ours. Don’t compromise, choose the best cement for your project.
www.afrisam.com
Creating Concrete Possibilities
1011281/E
ENGINEERED FOR GREATNESS
LEAD STORY
Cross laminated timber
façade an SA first
An attractive but modest new commercial building off Dock Road in the direction of the V&A Watershed, the Ridge approaches completion shortly with the tenant Deloitte receiving beneficial occupation in the near future. It offers 8 500m2 of gross leasable area. Gareth Griffiths
Feted as the Waterfront’s greenest building and potentially the greenest commercial building in Cape Town, the Ridge features a unique timber façade, which plays not only an aesthetic role but also makes a substantial contribution to the environmental performance of the building. (The building team aims for the highest possible SA Green Star (GBCSA) rating). 12
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TO BUILD investigates this unique building and what makes it special. Development Director at the V&A Waterfront, Mark Noble says that the building’s unusual pleated façade uses a natural material in place of brick and concrete and partially replaces aluminium and glass, by choice and by design. This greatly reduces the Ridge’s carbon footprint.
“This is of great importance to the Waterfront’s 'Our Normal' approach where we use sustainable construction methods. In this case, structurally graded engineered timber was used in the production of the cross laminated timber (CLT) façade aspect. This is sourced from sustainable plantations mainly located within the Western Cape. In addition to the material being a net sequestrator of
LEAD STORY
carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, timber sourced within the province minimises the transport carbon and energy considerations too," Noble adds. The Ridge’s extraordinary CLT façade plays a very important part in a range of measures facilitating natural indoor temperature control and fresh air inside the building, instead of conventional air conditioning (HVAC) for most days of the year. This yields not only savings in operating costs for heating and cooling, but also greatly benefits health, productivity and well-being of building users. The design, alongside the benefit of timber being a renewable material, significantly reduces both the operational and embodied carbon in this building. Significantly, the pleated façade is driven by logic: It creates a north-south- east-west orientation for the outside of the building, meaning that you can control the effect of direct sunlight and thereby the indoor temperature, say the architects.
“It seems very obvious, but one of our key questions was: ‘On a good day, can the occupant open a window?’. Designing a suitable response to this and setting the building apart from the sealed glassed-in prevailing corporate standard, took our multidisciplinary team on a concentrated path defining the Waterfront’s new normal standard. It also presents something fresh and unique,” Mahoney adds. Tessa Brunette, lead engineering and façade consultant at Arup agrees. “The use of CLT is a large contributor to the green credentials of this building. The design reduces the amount of sunlight entering the building, meaning that the internal spaces can largely rely on natural ventilation and not air conditioning to remain comfortable. “To ensure that the timber is as durable as conventional cladding materials, we added
a rain screen of Accoya timber cladding (a proprietary material that is weatherproofed) over the CLT structural panels. The CLT panels are not in themselves weatherproof and are protected by a breathable membrane. The Accoya planks can be replaced separately if needed; leaving the building still enclosed by the CLT panels, ensuring occupation is not disrupted”.
In addition to an exterior timber ‘skin’, the interior walls where the façade has been applied will also be exposed CLT, giving the interior of the building a warm feel.
CEO of the V&A Waterfront, David Green, comments: “The Ridge effectively offers an oasis in the city. Inhabitants will enjoy its inspiring views, its inner green spaces, including a groundbreaking ‘central street’ concept naturally ventilated with fresh air, breakaway zones and a reflective environment. “The Ridge is the opposite of conventional city buildings which are dominated by concrete and glass. Its pioneering timber façade and mixed mode natural ventilation mechanical systems are firsts for South Africa” he adds. Lead architect on the Ridge project, Sean Mahoney of Studio MAS Architecture and Urban Design, says that engineered timber is the most natural choice of walling material for a sustainable building such as the Ridge and uses biophilic principles. The concept of biophilia strives to connect the occupants of a building with their natural environment, thereby achieving health, environmental and economic benefits for building occupants and urban environments (Ref: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biophilic_ design).
Capping the roof - timber facade adds triangular origami-like shapes to the roof
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13
LEAD STORY
Embodied carbon at the Ridge The principle of embodied carbon comes from assessing the amount of energy consumed and carbon dioxide or equivalent released into the atmosphere by the mining and production of many common building materials from cradle (source, including mining activity) to gate (completed product leaving the factory) plus the fossil fuel burned to produce that material and its transportation. The Ridge’s engineers have calculated that 354 tons of CO2 have been saved from the embodied carbon load of the new building by using timber on this project, in place of using conventional materials. Regarding the sequestration of carbon dioxide equivalent from the atmosphere due to sustainable forestry operations, it is estimated that the usage of 36 tons of CLT on the project has removed 60 tons of CO2 (equivalent) from the atmosphere. This is calculated using the Carbon and Energy Index developed by the University of Bath.
How does it work and why the zigzag façade? The façade consists of pre-engineered CLT units, joined to pre-engineered glass and aluminium facets that form an apex. Mahoney says that a major design element hinged on the building having an operable façade. Hence, the unique pleated (zigzag) façade consists of crosslaminated timber panels on one facet, with high performance glass set into aluminium on the other side. Most of the glazed units contain custom-designed opening windows.
However, in South Africa where CLT is novel, we are setting a whole new standard in this area. Sean Mahoney, Project Architect
The exterior timber skin and openable windows
“The glazed and timber saw-tooth façade is prefabricated to enable high quality assembly and swift installation time. Timber is ideal for prefabrication because it can be machined to very high tolerances,” adds Brunette.
The people factor The Ridge has been conceptualised as a living, breathing building. Green says that a vital component of the circular economy is the focus on people. 14
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“Hence, this building seeks to create an unparalleled internal environment with the highest level of natural light and fresh air”. Commenting on the user-experience of working inside such a building, Mark Noble adds: “Increasingly, the negative effects of building in a sealed-in office space are being identified worldwide. These include sick building syndrome, SBS. This explains the onset of various
illnesses among workers, absenteeism and poor morale among staff leading to a loss in productivity. "With recent people-centric designs in the Silo District and Merchant House, we wanted to raise the bar further by providing a working model that could be adapted and applied elsewhere. This is part of 'Our Normal' ethos, but it also meets the sustainability approach of our client, Deloitte,” he adds.
DOCK ROAD
JUNCTION
Where yesterday, today and tomorrow seamlessly intersect The newly upgraded Dock Road Junction is the gateway between the City and the V&A Waterfront, seamlessly linking Battery Park and its amenities in the Canal District to the CBD and the surrounding Cape Town International Convention Centre. When the V&A Waterfront took over management of the area in 2015, the company invested R77-million to redevelop it into a modern, lively precinct with easy access for vehicles and pedestrians. The development included restoring the historic Queens Hotel, the Amway Building, Dock Road and landscaping newly opened spaces and pedestrian walkways.
The Queens Hotel building and Dock Road portions date back to the midnineteenth century when the hotel was an important social gathering spot. In years before land was reclaimed to build a deep-water harbour, the hotel was on the water’s edge where it was frequented by captains of ships, sailors and tradesmen from all walks of life who came to overnight, refuel or exchange ideas. As the Queens Hotel is a heritage site, developers paid careful attention to restoring the façade, the main central staircase and the original timber flooring. Supporting the building, which started leaning to the right over the decades, was a complex task made more difficult as the original brick structure was so brittle. The cautious process of structurally supporting the building involved the use of micropiles, raft foundations, adding support concrete walls, roofing and structural steel supports.
The successful outcome was delivering a building of significant age and historic fabric fully restored with selective modern elements. During the restoration process a set of historical train tracks leading up to the hotel was unearthed. The tracks are now preserved as a visible tribute to history. Today, the buildings retain their historical charm but offer modernday convenience and are occupied by bespoke shops, a shared co-working space and a flagship new iStore.
LEAD STORY
Indoors - a warm timber feel for the office workers
What is CLT? An engineered timber first developed and used in Germany in the early 90’s, crosslaminated timber (CLT) is regarded as a rising star among natural construction materials. Made into panels and used in mass timber construction projects, it is manufactured to specifications issued by the relevant authorities. CLT provides structural strength in both linear directions, making it superior to conventional laminated timber or glulam. The CLT at the Ridge has five layers and arises from a Cape Town based manufacturing plant, currently the only of its kind in SA. In all, 960m2 of CLT timber panels were used, equivalent to 36 tons of timber. The CTL timber panels were fabricated at XLAM in Retreat. The Ridge’s façade was erected by an expert team from Geustyn & Horak, which also fabricated the aluminium and glass facets.
Sean Mahoney
Another new structural timber-containing commercial building currently under construction is the Google London Headquarters at King’s Cross. With a huge surface ‘footprint’ on the ground, and referred to as a 'Landscraper' offering 92 000m2 of interior space, it is designed by the firm of Thomas Heatherwick, who incidentally was the visionary architect behind the redevelopment of the V&A Grain Silo into the Zeitz MOCAA Museum of Art and SILO Hotel.
Façade design, manufacture and installation team Developer: V&A Waterfront Architect: Studio MAS Engineering/Consultants: ARUP CLT fabricator: XLAM Façade, aluminium & glass fabricator and erector: Geustyn & Horak 16
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Tessa Brunette
BUILD STRONGER, FASTER STRONG SEES OPPORTUNITIES WHERE OTHERS SEE NONE. STRONG BUILDS COMMUNITIES FOR THE FUTURES TO COME. STRONG IS WHAT WE ARE MADE OF. www.sephakucement.co.za 0861 32 42 52
ARCHITECTURE: OPINION
Is your architect
a registered professional? The time has come for you to decide. Your home is just not big enough for your growing family. Your teenager wants his privacy. Your mother-in-law needs to move in with you. You desperately need an en-suite bathroom for you and your wife. You either need to build on to your existing house, or you need to build a new one. But something’s got to happen, now! Wynand Tromp Wynand Tromp 18
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ARCHITECTURE: OPINION
But where to next? What do you do? You have ideas, but you’ve never done this before so have no idea where to begin. Someone tells you that you need to find an architect, someone that can advise you on how to solve the challenges you are facing about your property needs. “OK, but I don’t know any architects so I’ll just post on a Facebook group and someone will refer an architect to me.” Although this is an acceptable way of going about it, there is something of utmost importance that you have to be aware of before appointing that individual. Just because someone says they are an architect, does not necessarily mean that they are in fact, an architect.
Acher Am Meer, Glentana
To bring structure to the industry, the South African Council for the Architectural Profession (SACAP), has put in place categories of registration for architectural professionals. This initiative protects you as the consumer, but the general public aren’t actually aware of this. These categories of registration are based on Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) meaning that the higher the qualification of the individual, and therefore their competency, the higher their level of registration. The categories are:
Category Professional Architect
Professional Senior Architectural Technologist
Professional Architectural Technologist
Professional Architectural Draughtsperson
Acronym
Acher Am Meer, Glentana
Qualification
NQF Level
M Arch (Prof)
9
B.Arch 5 or 6 years
8
BAS Honours B Arch (Prof) (4 years, 480 credits) PG Diploma
8
B Tech Advanced Diploma + 1 year work integrated learning
7
BAS (3 years, 360 credits) Diploma (3 years, 360 credits) Advanced certificate (total 240 credits + 1 year work integrated learning)
6
Higher Certificate (1 year, 120 credits, + 1 year work integrated learning)
5
PrArch
PrSArchT
PrArchT
PrArch Draught
There are numerous problems with this system that are not being addressed and it is exceedingly difficult to manage. In fact, the only way this system could work, is to educate the public as to what each category means and when to use which professional.
False ‘prophets’ In response to your post in a Facebook group, your community recommends people they’ve heard of, or perhaps made use of. You do some research and obtain a few quotes and to your amazement some of the ‘architects’ quote just half of what the others do. It’s human nature to accept the more affordable quotation. It sometimes does happen that individuals with lower registration categories will present themselves as being Professional Architects, even though this is considered illegal. If you’re requesting quotes from
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ARCHITECTURE: OPINION
architectural professionals, make sure to check that individual’s registration details. You are undertaking an expensive venture, and you need to make sure you are appointing someone that is competent to do the work. You can check the persons registration at www.sacapsa.com/search by searching for their details.
“Don’t worry I’ll get someone to sign the drawings off” More often than anyone would like to admit, it happens that a person of a lower registration category offers to do the work for you at a lesser fee but says that the drawings will be signed off by an architect. This is an illegal practice, and the eligible professional signing off these drawings could lose their registration with SACAP. It’s like a nurse offering to do your wife’s heart bypass operation for a cheap rate, but that a doctor will be standing next to her observing and making sure everything goes well. Would you accept this? Would you allow someone that is not competent
do the operation because that person is being supervised?
Do I really need a Professional Architect? A common misconception is that a small extension to your home does not need the services of a Professional Architect. The exact opposite is true. The more restrictive the space, the more challenging the design. An architect is trained to imagine a space even before it is constructed. He or she can predict how the afternoon sun will flow into a room and where to place a window to allow for maximum ventilation. An architect has the ability to see and envisage the comfort levels of a space and uses the restrictive aspects of the context to inform important design decisions. An architect can walk onto a site, or into a room and instinctively advise you on the best possible solution to the problem. This ability takes years of tertiary studies and practical experience to develop. It’s not something just everybody understands or has the aptitude for. As with everything else in this world, there are ways to cut corners and get stuff done cheaply. But to what
Beam Suntory, Claremont
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expense? You can have re-tread tyres fitted on your car at half the cost of new tyres. You can rent out your property without making use of an estate agent and avoid paying agent’s commission. You can go to a pharmacy and self-medicate when you fall ill. You can book your own flights and accommodation without going through a travel agent. You can get your friend to cut your hair. But at what expense? By trying to cut corners in an attempt to save money, you can end up spending much more than you needed to, especially with regard to the building industry. Your new home or the renovation of your existing home, is most likely to be one of the largest financial investments you will make in your lifetime. Is this really where you want to be cutting corners? I don’t believe saving a few Rands is worth the gamble. My advice to you is to make use of the most qualified, most experienced, most competent person you can find for the project, even if it means spending a little more than you anticipated. An architect is the agent for the client. They fight your battles and they look after your best interests. They are there to guide you and assist you through what is an immensely complicated process. They prevent your dream home from becoming your worst nightmare. So, in short, yes. You really do need a registered architectural professional.
Wynand Tromp is an experienced and qualified professional architect. He has 18 years industry experience, and is the owner of Cape Town based TROMP Studio (www.tromp.studio). He specializes in commercial, residential and industrial architecture, and has now evolved the studio to include branding and multidisciplinary collaboration. He expresses his views which are his own and do not necessarily represent those of the publication.
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ARCHITECTURE
Your space a roundup of home projects 22
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ARCHITECTURE
To celebrate its new format, TO BUILD has taken a deliberate decision to feature projects of small and medium size practices. “We often feature the large or corporate companies, yet the smaller practices are doing great work and contributing fantastic designs, especially within the residential space,” says Gareth Griffiths, editor of TO BUILD. SALT Architects We invite small and medium practices to send us their photos of projects they are particularly proud of. In each edition of TO BUILD, we will publish the work of one qualifying practice. Contact Gareth for details.
This edition’s practice, which will celebrate its 10th anniversary this year, is SALT Architects of Cape Town CBD.
House Basson Gustav Roberts of SALT says that the aim of
House Basson was to create a house that is very contemporary in terms of design and detailing but fits well within the character and identity of the suburb. And it does not conform to the mainstream trends that will lose their value when the next trend takes over. The way that the volumes are arranged and flow around the central main space and between interior and exterior as well as the way light enters the spaces at different times from different sides, makes for a special experience. A standout feature is the extensive use of timber on the home. “The one novelty that required technological modifications of an existing system is the garage door. In contrast to the solid brick massing of the house, we wanted to express the main entrance and garage, the primary threshold areas, in filigree timber, as a soft, touchable and more transient material,” explains the architect. “To have the timber in one pane, the garage door panel needed to be close to the external wall-pane. After lengthy investigations and talking to almost all the garage door installers in Cape Town who told us it was impossible, we came across Bob Hulsman from BH4 Doors. He is the authority on large door mechanism designs in the Western Cape and perfectly addressed our need by designing the mechanism for a sectional overhead door's panel to sit flush with the external wallpane.” Regarding sustainability, the designers ensured that the energy gain and loss is optimised and one of the roofs is ready for a PV installation at a future phase. The majority of the structural material has also been sourced locally, minimising embodied energy. volume 10 | issue 3 www.tobuild.co.za
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CONSTRUCTION LAW
Getting back to basics:
safety on the building site Where does the responsibility lie for the safety of everyone on site, be it at a large construction site or a home, from both a physical and legal point of view? So asks TO BUILD’s legal eagle in his latest piece on the law as if affects the built environment. Adv Bryan Hack Advocate BC Hack
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CONSTRUCTION LAW
As a keen rugby spectator, I always chuckle when the losing coach is interviewed after the match and says, “We need to go back to basics”. As the world battles with the need to keep building sites clean from possible infection we must not lose sight of the basics. Where does the final responsibility rest, and not simply where does it legally lie, for safety on site? The answer, while obvious – with each individual person who enters the site – is not always appreciated and understood. Having said that, the industry must not forget the basics – communication.
Doing it right To return to the rugby theme: I was very grateful and fortunate to visit Japan last year during the Rugby World Cup. Anyone who has visited the country will understand how impressed a tourist is about the level of organisation. Having a background in construction it is inevitable that I notice construction sites when ambling around a city. In Tokyo at the entrance of all construction sites there is a person standing in a neat outfit, wearing white gloves and stopping anyone wishing to enter the site. While I could not understand the language it was obvious that the purpose was, in a polite way, to ensure that the person was wearing proper attire. I could see indications of the person being questioned about shoes and hard hats etc., and then being directed to a site office at the entrance to obtain protective gear.
but in truth it is a legal requirement. To highlight only one applicable provision, namely: The construction regulations of 2014 published in government gazette number R84 in GG 37305 of 7 February 2014 which under, Housekeeping and general safeguarding on constructions sites, states as follows in regulation 27: “A contractor must, in addition to compliance with the Environmental Regulations for Workplaces, 1987, promulgated by government notice No. R 2281 of 16 October 1987, ensure that suitable housekeeping is continuously implemented on each construction site, including - (f) ensuring that construction sites in built-up areas adjacent to a public way are suitably and sufficiently fenced off and provided with controlled access points to prevent the entry of unauthorized person.” In my view this should be applied in respect of all sites regardless of location. It should include all persons entering the site, with the emphasis on the person controlling the access point having a duty to remind everyone of health and safety requirements.
Adv Bryan Hack Coming originally from a property development background before starting his legal career, Advocate Bryan Hack currently serves as an Acting Judge in the High Court, Cape Town Bench. He writes for TO BUILD in his private capacity, in the interest of furthering the cause of the law in the built environment community. He can be contacted at hack@capebar.co.za
Checks and reminders I understand that a response from contractors will be that this is just another expense contributing to overheads. The question is, what is the value of life and/ or limb? Most sites already have security personnel. With a little more effort a guard can be trained to ensure that everyone who enters the site is checked and reminded to follows safety protocols. The cost of site accidents is significant and can be financially debilitating to a company over and above the critical protection of human life, regardless of whether it is an employee or visitor. My comments above are a simplistic restatement of what is morally required, volume 10 | issue 3 www.tobuild.co.za
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ADVERTORIAL: CITIQ PREPAID
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The future is shaped by smart solutions that deliver great customer experiences and service
“Thanks to intelligent solutions and prepaid sub-metering systems, utility management does not have to be an admin-intensive nightmare or a complicated juggle between payment and tenant relations,” says Michael Franze, Managing Director at Citiq Prepaid. “Modern prepaid sub-metering solutions are designed to provide both tenant and property owner with insights and control that change how they engage with utilities and budgets.” Citiq Prepaid has been leveraging technology since its inception, building solutions and innovating to provide customers with the kind of service and utility control that they want. The Citiq Prepaid online portal, for example, provides tenants with a space where they can track their utilities and spend while accessing a range of prepaid sub-meter payment options. Property owners can use the portal to manage their prepaid sub-meter investments and usage and potentially identify issues, such as under-recovery, before it becomes a very expensive problem.
Prepaid sub-metering is accessible and user-friendly “We’ve also focused on using advances in mobile devices to make prepaid sub26
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metering as accessible and user-friendly as possible,” says Franze. “We have one of the largest prepaid recharge networks in the country. These include both physical and online options, giving tenants the ability to manage their utilities according to their preferences and convenience. Our advanced online recharge offering is also well suited to minimising social interaction and contact during the pandemic.” Citiq Prepaid has been paying attention to advances in smart metering and intelligent prepaid sub-meter developments and has always invested into solutions that embody both quality and capability. The company is looking at how smart metering and further intelligent evolutions in service and system can be used to improve customer experiences and transform how they approach their utility management. There will always be a need for electricity and
water, and there will always be bills, but these do not have to come with admin, complexity and inconvenience. “We pride ourselves in being open about our fees by ensuring there are no hidden costs in our agreement with landlords. We charge no connection fee, and no monthly fixed fee. We believe that prepaid sub-metering should be easy, transparent and convenient,” concludes Franze. “This can be seen in our online platform, high-quality sub-meters, and ongoing investment into intelligent solutions that make a difference to both tenant and landlord.”
DÉCOR
Prevent the Boohoo -
Go BOHO Like many people and as a hardcore materials scientist, I did not have a clue about the background of Boho, until an international article enlightened me and I turned to Google for ideas. Gareth Griffiths
Gareth Griffiths, Editor, To Build
So, according to Google, Boho is short for Bohemian, an adaptation of the French word ‘bohémien’. This referred to the gypsies, who are described as a group of people who travelled from Bohemia, a region in the Czech Republic. Later on, the term evolved further to include artists, writers, actors or musicians who were poor
and led a nomadic lifestyle and also travelled throughout the major cities. In modern use, the term ‘bohemian’ is applied to people who live unconventional and usually artistic lifestyles. (Think Lloyd-Webber’s Sunset Boulevard in the Californian sense.)
Wildly mixed patterns and colours Throw conventionality to the wind. Mix bright colours and lots of patterns, including florals and paisleys with ethnic or wildlife patterns, including tribal prints, zebra stripes and geometric patterns today these are hallmarks of boho chic style.
Both natural and rustic finishes to the fore Accessorise with items that use natural or raw materials - think hemp, sisal, wood and rattan. Add woven wall decor, macrame plant hangers, a sisal area rug, a leather footstool or even a decorative but functional ladder used as a bookshelf. 28
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In turn, ‘Boho chic home décor’ combines elements that are informal, relaxed, bold and unusual. The look typically involves an eclectic mix of natural and multi coloured items, patterns and textures. From a décor and decor elemental perspective, such a style could incorporate the following:
Boho chic at Cécile & Boyd
DÉCOR
Accents coined from global destinations Home decor items with a global feel are standout in a bohemian-inspired space. Such elements could include Buddha statues, Moroccan lanterns, Asian tribal prints and Chinese Ming-era vases and urns all to include that well-travelled homeowner look.
Boho chic at Cécile & Boyd
Vintage pieces Experts suggest that this style actually focuses more on midcentury modern accessories with a smattering of any throwback to the free spirit hippy culture of the 1960s and '70s. You could, for example, mix a mid-1900’s arc lamp with a tribal print rug. You could also add a selection of framed magazine covers from the 1970s to the wall this will look truly BOHO! So, once Google had opened my mind, I was seeing BOHO and Boho trends everywhere.
Personal items as accessories A substantial hat rail with various items of headgear obtained from exotic locations gets you the Boho look. Think Woodstock or Mad Max bandannas, Out of Africa hats, funky bikers’ helmets and Blue Bulls style ‘horings’ safety helmets.
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DÉCOR
Bespoke pieces for breathtaking locality 30
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Stratos polished brass
DÉCOR
South Villa is a new five-floor penthouse in Clifton Terraces, offering panoramic views of Table Mountain, Camps Bay and Clifton beaches. OKHA In keeping with the iconic nature of the location and the overall design of the apartment, a number of bespoke décor items were designed and produced by a well-known Cape Town décor and design studio. Partnering with leading architectural firms, SAOTA and ARRCC, the OKHA interior design studio designed and supplied the décor and bespoke furniture. The dining room overlooks the pool, patio and Clifton beaches and showcases the marble topped dining table with brass inlay, custom dining chairs in a sorbet green velvet and the bespoke chandelier with Perspex and brass. The Stratos candleholders sit at the centre of the table, ‘heralding the sunset’. “The two designs in the Stratos collection are both totemic in design, structure and meaning. The more angular design is inspired by Mayan iconography and ritual and the concept of paying homage and
giving thanks for each new sunrise, the daily emergence of the spirit of life (light) at dawn each morning. The second more curvaceous design visually conveys the perpetual shape shifting, metamorphosis of cloud structure and formation, earning its name, Stratos,” says Adam Court from OKHA. “Both designs and their inspiration explore the themes of mutation, change and the eternal cycle of life, death and rebirth.” Court explains that physically, both structures illustrate this cycle. One face of each design is delicately and moderately worked whilst the opposing face is heavily transformed and in an advanced state of evolution; affirming that all things and all states coexist at once, rendering time without dimension, without meaning. These exceptional pieces are available in waxed mild steel, polished brass or antique brass with wire brushed oak candle holders.
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INTERIOR DESIGN
Project profile:
Cape on Porterfield & Cape Dahlia Cape on Porterfield and Cape Dahlia are two developments completed by Jan-Hendrik Conradie, the director for 22 Cape Road Investments Pty Ltd, a local developer specialising in property development on the Blouberg beachfront. Their business model is to find investment opportunities for a variety of local investors. Kim Williams
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INTERIOR DESIGN
Kim Williams Design and Enrica van der Linden Architects have been collaborating with 22 Cape Road Investments for the last four years to create a unique package for investors that combine JH Conradie’s financial, investment and development background with Kim Williams’s marketing, behavioural strategy and interior design background, and the well-known skills of architect Enrica van der Linden. The concept focuses on first finding the opportunity and then it is Kim and Enrica’s job to design a unique concept that will attract the right target audience; 22 Cape Road Investment then put the full project together. Cape Dahlia specifically was a special project given it was initially the personal home of the investor, and therefore close to the team’s heart. Development on 22 Cape Road had made substantial progress prior to lockdown with only the finishing to complete. However, with the combination of good positioning and product packaging the building sold out during lockdown. Cape Dahlia is a road away from Bloubergstrand beach and the focus was to create a modern coastal look that appealed to a variety of buyers, from first time homeowners, investors and those scaling down and looking for a simpler lifestyle.
How it was done Kim Williams Design put together an offwhite coastal scheme with warm tones, including wood-look vinyl, vintage tiles from Decobella and an earthy palette in the kitchen. Lights from Linea supplied the modern lighting that added to the modern nautical concept. The project cleverly managed to create a nautical façade using plaster bands that mimic Nutec and black plaster bands that wrap around the building, accentuating what otherwise would have been a very simple building. Marmoran finished features to the sides of the building and the rustic brick corner wall adds texture and character to the finished product.
Cape Dahlia
We create functionality and zones within a smaller space. It is also incredibly important to pull through the architectural detail into the design and use it to connect the spaces. We are seeing that more and more, clients are wanting this multiple functionality from spaces, as well as the ability to cocoon and revive ourselves in them.
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INTERIOR DESIGN
Every detail was considered, including colour on the ceiling in the passages and a dado rail where an off-white was painted on the lower half of the passage to create a sense of space and a line to draw you down the internal walk-ways. Custommade stainless-steel birds seem to fly out the windows as you walk up the staircases, which draws your eye to the stainless-steel balustrading and down the passages to the custom apartment number plates.
Functionality is at the centre of the apartment design Apartments have more compact and smaller areas for us to work in and this was given a lot of thought upfront. Galley type kitchens and clever storage were used, as were counter and off-
counter space, to give each kitchen the most use of cupboard space and the functionality it needs. This is important to offer the compact lifestyle that people are looking for when living in an apartment. Also included are laundry cupboards to support the limited space and to hide appliances. With the limited space in mind, the spaces behind the doors hides unsightly items. This provides the owners the opportunity to install a washing machine and tumble dryer combination, if they need a laundry cupboard or linen cupboard, and also allow space for a pantry. “We always maximise the light in all areas to give the apartments a warm atmosphere’ concludes Kim.
Kim Williams is an entrepreneur and well-respected local interior creative of the full-service Cape Town-based interior studio, Kim Williams, working across décor, design and interior architecture. Kim completed her certification for Interior Design and Styling with the JD London Institute of Design, wrote the NHBRC technical exam for building professionals, and is registered with the NHBRC. Artist Impression: Kim Williams Design for 22 Cape Road Investments Pty Ltd
Kim also holds qualifications in business management, human behaviour, marketing, training, assessment and communications. She worked as a change management consultant and behaviour specialist, giving her good insight into human behaviour, work culture and workspaces.
Artist Impression: Kim Williams Design for 22 Cape Road Investments Pty Ltd
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Currently, Kim's portfolio adds up to millions of rands in retail value, including several building and construction projects, alongside developers and architects of more than 25 residential properties, three apartment blocks and more recently expanding into commercial projects.
www.solent.co.za
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ENGINEERING
Opinion: Is modern ERP the right fit
for engineering firms? In recent decades, software has become ubiquitous. Almost all modern engineering firms be they in the business, military, mining, or transportation sectors rely significantly on software systems. However, most of these firms are still operating from one of two possible software strategies that are ill equipped to deal with the rising rate, pace and demands of modern trade. This article deals with Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP). Anton Oosthuizen
Image by Free-Photos
Anton Oosthuizen
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ENGINEERING
The custom-built business software strategy This is where a homegrown system was built for the company a few years or decades ago, typically at great expense to the organisation, with lengthy development and deployment times. It is rife with pitfalls: rigid and inflexible, it doesn’t scale well, nor does it integrate well with other best-ofbreed systems. Support and development usually depend on the people who built it, so progress is slow, if at all, causing the system to fall into disrepair and become outdated.
The patchwork software strategy Hardly a ‘strategy’, this is where the business haphazardly bolts on singlepurpose systems as and when needed to meet every business function’s need. This approach causes continuous frustrations at all levels of operations. These systems don’t communicate with each other, resulting in disjointed information flow, document version-control issues, human errors, bottlenecks and unmet deadlines, unsatisfied clients, uninformed business decision-makers, and a bloated, overburdened admin team.
The role of Business Operating Systems Business Operating Systems (BOS) or to use the phrase that Gartner coined in the mid-90s: Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems provide businesses with a centralised, integrated solution that houses all the information and transactional data of the entire business in one place. Organisations seeking to manage their staff, sales, operations, and business as a whole effectively, all rely on BOS benefits which include: • effort, schedule and cost estimation, • unified data collection, • dashboard project and production tracking, • effective sales and CRM management, • monitored stock and inventory control, • fast, accurate finance management, and • real-time business intelligence. BOS stores, processes, organises and analyses all captured data in a single database. This removes the need for spreadsheets and patchwork systems to manipulate and calculate data, and allows
all departments to work with the same information. This also means reports are automated, accurate, and instantaneous. BOS brings together customer management, human resources, business intelligence, financial management, and inventory and project capabilities into one system.
Why engineering firms need modern ERP Traditional ERP is associated with big-brand solutions that insist the business processes are moulded around their functionality. Rigid, massively expensive to procure and support, they also require significant investments in the hardware needed to run them. Prior to the availability of cloud services, the only option for ERPs, or BOS, was to be housed on local servers and maintained by IT staff, or an external IT support supplier. Modern BOS emerged with cloud technology. Cloud allows business software to be stored in the cloud, inside a secure data centre, and accessed by users via an Internet connection. With cloud ERP there are no additional hardware costs, server insurance, or IT support costs associated with traditional BOS. Users can also work from anywhere, at any time, facilitating the growing need and demand for always-on, mobile, office-anywhere functionality. Modern BOS is also more flexible, versatile, and typically more affordable than traditional ERP. Because of this, business operating systems are now no longer only suited to large conglomerates, but give midsized enterprises big-brand functionality. Able to process large volumes of data, unlike legacy ERP systems, it supports digital
transformation strategies and gives instant access to meaningful data.
Engineering-specific benefits of modern ERP 1. Improved planning Improper planning in the framework of an engineering company can cause substandard completion of projects, dissatisfied customers, and ultimately, lowered revenue. Engineering firms can incur heavy losses in the form of labour costs, penalties, and loss of clients due to poor planning and delivery. BOS supports the planning and procurement of the requisite raw materials, effective use of resources (staff and machines), and meaningful deadline scheduling. It can be deployed to calculate and control expenses and allocate budgets. It also prevents unnecessary downtime and contractual issues with clients throughout the duration of the project. 2. Streamlined project management Distributing tasks and monitoring progress across several workstations and locations can be challenging. With the help of a BOS system, engineering managers can easily track the progress of each project, spot and prevent bottlenecks, delegate tasks to the right staff, and keep track of productivity with just a few clicks. Real-time dashboards give instant visibility into the entire production process, ensuring projects are met on time, costs are controlled, and that customers are satisfied. 3. Better cost and revenue estimation Most engineering companies work on a tender basis for projects. To bid on a project, they need to first calculate volume 10 | issue 3 www.tobuild.co.za
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ENGINEERING
costs accurately to provide a realistic, but competitive estimate. BOS software can be used to effectively estimate on raw materials, designs, labour, and how long it will take to deliver on a project so that the actual costs are close to estimated costs. BOS software also gives business decisionmakers insight into profit and losses per project. This allows for improved time and cost management for future projects. 4. Consolidated exchange of information Larger engineering companies deal with multiple projects and clients simultaneously. Using spreadsheets to capture and process tasks and information is an inefficient, time-consuming, error-prone process that exposes projects and companies to risk. BOS software promotes clear communication and secure information flow, with user-specific security measures that limits access to sensitive information and controls the flow of data up and down stream. 5. Accurate decision-making process A recent Gartner survey found that 87% of businesses have low business intelligence and analytics maturity. BOS provides a centralised system with inbuilt BI and analytics that can rapidly process masses of data. It offers a holistic view of staff, projects, or an entire organisation, prior to making decisions. 6. Increased ROI BOS software allows engineering organisations to automate processes that were previously manual, time-consuming and labour-intensive, allowing these expensive resources to be deployed towards more revenue-generating tasks. Modern BOS also provides visibility into overheads, and material and equipment expenses, while lowering IT costs, eliminating unnecessary downtime, and ensuring project deadlines are met. All of these work towards greater ROI.
How to choose the best-fit ERP system There are hundreds of software providers available, so it is understandable that choosing the right BOS system can be daunting at the onset. To help, here is a quick guide that will give you the right questions to ask and points to consider in terms of features and subscription options. 40
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What features are included, and what are add-ons? At the core of all BOS systems is the ability to integrate an entire business into one system. At the very least, the ERP should be able to deliver on financial management, business reporting, inventory control and sales management. For engineering firms it is imperative that your BOS solution has the ability to streamline complex operations processes. Be cautious of solutions that insist you purchase each module as an addon, as these costs can accrue quickly and the temptation may arise to not integrate every aspect of the business, mitigating the benefits of true BOS functionality. Also, although these separate add-ons may be configurable, they typically limit meaningful customisation.
is completed and users start using the system on their own. To do this successfully, secure a BOS partner who is interested in long-term relationships, provides ongoing support and training, knows your business deeply, and is available to customise the system as you grow. The fast-paced landscape of modern business demands that businesses use technology to remain relevant and competitive. By using modern BOS systems, businesses increase velocity of operations and achieve greater efficiency in meeting overarching business goals. Investing in BOS software will future-proof engineering companies, and ensure greater productivity and efficiency across the board.
Does it help you reach your goals and objectives? Investing in and deploying a BOS solution can be disruptive and expensive, so make sure the solution accommodates your longterm objectives. Things to consider: can it scale users and operations to accommodate future expansion plans? Does it provide multi-warehouse, multi-currency, multilocation functionality if the business expands beyond a single location?
How flexible is the solution? This is critical. If your prospective BOS solution does not adapt to your business needs, that means your business will have to adapt to the software’s structure and limitations. Ensure your BOS is highly flexible, that it can integrate with other systems where needed, and that it supports your deployment needs.
Assess the system requirements If you opt for a modern ERP that will be hosted in the cloud, then you will need a dedicated internet connection and devices that are internet-enabled. If you decide on an on premise option, then discuss with the vendor what the technical requirements are to host the solution on your server. Any additional IT spend will need to be factored into your decision-making.
Does the vendor provide support and training? The software itself is only one aspect of ERP investment. The real measure of value comes once the implementation project
Anton Oosthuizen is the Commercial Director of QuickEasy BOS (www. quickeasysoftware.com) , a South African ERP company that develops and supports business operating systems for organisations in every industry. Specialising in the engineering sector, his passion is to see local engineering operations streamline operations, reduce waste, and improve efficiencies through providing astonishingly flexible BOS solutions, with local, professional support. Oosthuizen writes for TO BUILD on the applicability of modern enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems to the professional practice.
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PROPERTY
Responding to
the investment paradigm shift? A Cape developer claims it has scoped the urban property developer’s answer to a shift in the investment paradigm. They say that buyers are increasingly prioritising their lifestyles. Hence, they are seeing a move towards blended unit typologies co-existing in one project, as investors and residents seek a more agile product that responds to market movements. Gareth Griffiths
Image by Daria Nepriakhina
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PROPERTY
A new 87-apartment development, called SIX ON N, to be situated on the renowned Norfolk Road in Sea Point, is said to marry the lifestyle benefits of shared spaces with the convenience of a serviced offering, creating an immersive residential experience, according to the developer.
where we live and stay. This development seeks to challenge our previously-held notions of home and how we live, both in our private space but also in shared spaces and our neighbourhood," says Jacques van Embden, Managing Director at Blok.
Entry-level unit prices are from R1.1 million, VAT inclusive, and the apartments are anticipated to be extremely attractive to both investors and owners alike.
In addition to a deli and grocer on the ground floor where residents can purchase essentials as well as luxury foods, SIX ON N will also offer shared leisure spaces, such as a rooftop pool and dining room.
“We wanted to design a forward-thinking solution that took into account the economic climate, historically low interest rates, as well as the growing desire for flexibility in both
Van Embden says that the advent of COVID-19 has altered people’s approach to work and has therefore also influenced the design.
“As people continue to spend more time at home for the foreseeable future, we have created private boardrooms that can be booked by owners and tenants, as well as an integrated workspace in each apartment, so that residents have the flexibility to work comfortably from home.” The development’s homes are cleverly designed to make full use of the space, resulting in a product that feels significantly larger than its physical footprint might suggest. The developer’s signature ‘Blok Raw’ finish contributes towards keeping the initial investment low, and the yield and living experience high. “As developers we put pressure on ourselves to offer compact spacing through thoughtful and innovative design solutions, which meet the expectations of modern life - meaning that one can pack more living into a smaller space,” he explains.
Property ownership is key In South Africa, property ownership is seen as important by investors, although the global recession has taken a considerable amount of capital out of circulation. “Therefore”, says the developer, “affordability is a key factor that drives ownership decisions and is now more compelling than ever”.
Image by DanaTentis
“Fortunately, property remains an extremely resilient asset and is considered one of the more stable investments over a long-term period. In addition, the interest rates are currently the lowest they have been in five decades, making it an attractive time to buy.”
Affordability is a key factor that drives ownership decisions and is now more compelling than ever.
Sea Point by Gareth Griffiths
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PROPERTY
Iconic Sandton building given new facade Since 2016, the City of Johannesburg has embarked on an ambitious programme to renovate those iconic but dilapidated buildings throughout its suburbs. The 3 Alice Lane building is a case in point. While this building was renovated by its owner, it also supports the trend of restoring older buildings in the city. GVK-Siya Zama
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PROPERTY
Not only is a restoration significantly more cost-effective than rebuilding, but if properly planned, the building can continue to operate during restoration. Hence, the 3 Alice lane façade project was fully upgraded while the tenant in the building continued to trade. The upgrade was completed by 25 June 2020. According to Pherdy le Roux, Managing Director at GVK-Siya Zama’s regional business in Gauteng which was appointed to work on the building: “The project was commissioned by the Public Investment Corporation for its tenant, Bayport Financial Services. The restoration was designed by ARC Architects, and renovation work took 18 months to complete.”
New glass and aluminium façade “We fitted a new glass and aluminium façade to bring the forty-year-old building, situated in the heart of Sandton, in line with its iconic neighbours, one of which is The Leonardo and Michelangelo Towers,” said Le Roux. “The five-story building was built in the ‘80s and the dated precast concrete panelling and flush window design detracted from the value of this prime property in the economic heartland of Johannesburg,” says Le Roux. The most significant part of the renovation was the new façade, which required specialist construction skills. These skills, say the contractor, are threatened and nearly
lost because of the demise of so many of the big names in South African construction. “The new façade consists of a full glass wrap of the building with a ventilated tiling system cladding the ground floor. The east elevation facing Alice Lane features a perforated aluminium screen with a design of trees in the panelling. Blue LED lights backlight the screen to highlight the perforated design at night,” Le Roux explains. The north elevation was divided into three sections with an eyebrow, wing cladding and a tongue frame highlighting these. All three sections were constructed from powdercoated aluminium to fit in with the design aesthetic of the suburb. The fact that the building was live with more than 600 people working in it during construction proved challenging in terms of safety, noise and access. Specially designed cantilever scaffolding had to be used to allow all work to be done on the outside of the structure.
Noise reduction methodologies To minimise noise, construction lead GVK-Siya Zama, did not use conventional construction methodologies but instead found alternatives which were instrumental in making the project feasible. As is common with façade installations of this nature, the work required
exacting precision, even more so due to the use of different materials, such as glass, structural steel, tiling and aluminium cladding. Le Roux says that due to the duration of the work and the fact that the building was occupied during the project, the structure had to remain watertight for the entire period. In addition, the discovery of unexpected asbestos and services during construction added to health and safety concerns and increased the complexity of the task. These had to be mitigated.
Adding a new façade to an old building is a challenge “We do a lot of façades in the normal course of our work, but working on an old, fully occupied building requires additional care and planning. In the end, all kudos to the client and the architects. This new skin has really brought the building to life again, probably adding a good few decades to its appeal. Renewing buildings presents landlords with a viable option to keep their assets current by adding decades to the life of a building at relatively low cost,” he adds.
Professional team - Façade Architect: ARC Architects Mo Phala and Marco Boersema Main contractor: GVK-Siya Zama Façade engineer (client): THS & Associates Façade engineer (subcontractor): Pure Consulting Manufacturer & erector – Façade Solutions
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® ®
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Engineering Access Control
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PROPERTY
Cape Town’s East City precinct
a healthy development despite pandemic Just nine months after launching to market, a new 48-unit apartment/mixed-use property development located at 75 Harrington Street in Cape Town’s East City Precinct, has sold 63% off-plan. Only 16 of 42 studio apartments remain unsold, while just two of the six loft apartments are still on the market, say the developers.
Loft bedroom
Sepia and Silk
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PROPERTY
Construction is underway, with a completion date of April 2021. This follows neighbourhood construction, which began last year, of a new mixed-use development at 84 Harrington Street, which includes retail units, a restaurant, co-working space and residential living, and the recently completed ‘The Harrington’, a new mixeduse retail and commercial development at 50 Harrington Street. The new development, ‘The Harri’, was creatively conceived by Steven Lampert and Lisa Blacher who were seduced by the contagious energy of the East City Precinct, motivating them to invest in the area by purchasing the site. They then joined forces with Jeffrey Kleu, who in collaboration with Lampert, have injected their unique expertise, to create The Harri. “We sold right through lockdown,” says Kleu, co-developer with Lampert, both of property-development company Sepia and Silk. They bucked a national trend in which property sales plummeted by up to 70% in the month that followed the hard lockdown of March. “We sold to investors wanting to buy to rent, parents buying an apartment for their
student kids or a holiday flat, and to locals as well as Zimbabwean, German and USA nationals.” The Harri’s units are priced between R1 299 995 and R1 999 995 for a studio apartment ranging in size from 24.5m2 to 32.5m2, and R2 499 995 for a two-storey loft apartment. The development, which is optimally located in the heart of Cape Town’s design district, offers a blend of apartment living with open-plan, tastefully furnished co-living and co-working space, and includes fireplace lounges and a TV room. There are three dedicated Zoom (video chat) rooms, a rooftop terrace with a gas braai and mini-bar area, and hotel-grade amenities like Wi-Fi, a concierge, a housekeeping service, and 24-hour security.
developments here include the upgrading of the Cape Town City Hall at a cost of R27 million, The Old Granary at R31 million, the purchase of the Nicro head office on Harrington Street by a European company, Groupe SOS, for R30 million, and the opening last year of a R75-million five-star boutique hotel on Church Square. Sandra Gordon, research economist for Cape Town’s Central City Improvement District, points out that while development activity was initially concentrated at the lower end of Harrington Street, developers have shifted their attention to the area above 50 Harrington Street, and she cites as examples both The Harri and 84 Harrington Street.
Right now it’s a buyers’ market, Kleu notes. “Since we launched, interest rates have dropped from 10,25% to 7%,” he says. “This plays directly into the hands of the buyer”.
Harrington Street at the heart of the precinct’s revival Harrington Street has been at the heart of much of the recent revival of the East City, which was previously a gritty industrial-commercial area. Major
Loft patio
Lounge - fireplace and media
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BATHROOMS
Revamp that
second bathroom A spare bathroom is essential if you have grown-up children in the house, are offering student digs or are operating an Airbnb. But how often have you looked at this bathroom and thought OMG ….. Why is it so dark, pokey and cluttered?
Bathroom small and pokey Declutter! By eliminating all the spacehogging essentials you can free up more space and include some fresh new decorative ‘pick me up’ elements, such as candlesticks and crystal stones. Simple storage solutions consist of items such as baskets or waterproof plastic containers - pack away those personal accessories and consider suction cup storage utilities that stick onto the wall.
Joe137
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Bath and wet area mats These things can make a strong impression and help to chivvy up the place. Since Airbnb or student digs are rather bland, consider a single strong standout element to make an impression. Go for a bold colour, daring pattern or a quirky shape. Your guests will smile.
The shower curtain Shower curtains are a great way to spice up your bathroom, add character and breathe new life into the space. Hanging a bold and colourful curtain is an inexpensive and non-permanent way to totally transform your basic bathroom into a burst of colour.
Here’s the plus; shower curtains can be switched out in minutes. And they are cheap. Experiment - try daring patterns and prints that contrast with the surroundings!
Green it up Bringing a touch of nature indoors is great and inexpensive. You can transform your bathroom into a peaceful and tranquil sanctuary by purchasing a few indoor plants and placing them on the windowsill and countertops. Pick plants that can thrive in warm and humid environments and also help dehumidify the space. Pinterest and Instagram will show that the most stylish modern bathrooms come complete with greenery. Indoor greenery
karolina-grabowska
We combined some South African manufacturer/supplier tips with information from a major English bathroom supplier, Victorian Plumbing, to bring you some ideas on how to perk up THAT space - on a tight budget.
BATHROOMS
up your bathroom on a budget. Just make sure you have a helper when you do this. You only get one shot from the roll.
Shelving There are many creative ways to store bathroom essentials. Fitting a shelf allows you to use up empty wall space, and clear countertops and floor space. Use doublesided removable tape should you later want to remove any shelves damage-free.
Tip: Change shower curtains regularly because they get dirty, brittle and mouldy.
A leaning ladder! If you’re feeling really adventurous and have the space, why not consider investing in a leaning ladder. Leant against a wall and secured safely, this effortless piece is perfect for hanging towels and bathrobes.
A word on accessories
Be a bright spark - change the lights
and surprising decorative feature that complements a bathroom space is art and photography. Whether it’s a black and white painting or a colourful vintage photograph, bathrooms can benefit from eye-catching pieces of art. They’re also fab for covering any marks or stains on the wall that you may not want to see!
Bear in mind to ask your dealer whether the new fitting you would like to select is permissible for bathrooms and wet areas. Building standards SA require a double insulated light fitting.
No holes in walls desired? Use one of the new super silicone adhesives on the market or try adhesive hooks - they are both cheap and great.
Tile grout
Wallpaper
A build-up of mould and mildew can leave grout looking awful. But by using a scrubbing brush you can restore grout to its original colour. You may need to fill in gaps where the grout has come away. Speak to your hardware store about this. Whatever you do, do not use a filler that promotes the growth of mould.
offers a rustic, natural feel to any space and the variety of plants available allows you to get really creative. Experiment with levels and suspend a hanging plant or two from shelves.
However, this still allows a lot of leeway for creativity. Beautiful, diffused lighting effects can be obtained from fluorescent coiled lights inside large glass globes. Then there is the LED revolution of today. These are quite smart since many of them require only low voltage and are therefore safe. You can even use battery LED lighting. Flexible LED strip lights are an amazing solution which come in a variety of styles and can be installed without any damage or fuss. Simply cut to the desired length and fix the product using the fixtures provided in the pack.
Walls Bare walls are certain to make your guests feel institutional! So decorate! A simple
Create instant impact with removable wallpaper. While transitional wallpaper is permanent, peel-and-stick wallpaper is the dream decor trend. Accent the entire wall, or just the built-in units in the bathroom. You can later remove the wallpaper without damage. South African supplier, Stickythings. co.za says: Installation is where wallpaper companies have really spent their time developing – the easier the better and we wholeheartedly agree. The only catch is that the ease of wallpaper installation is directly proportionate to the cost of the wallpaper. So be advised accordingly. Whether patterned, monochrome or one bold colour, decorative wallpaper will jazz
Pick a quirky soap dispenser with matching toothbrush holders and storage jars and find a towel collection with contrasting colours for impact. If you have any Mason jars lying around, clean them out and stuff them with make-up brushes and cotton pads for an effortlessly tidy look.
Some effort in cleaning grimy tile grout will make your guest or student digs bathroom much better.
And if your grout is extra dirty, try grout pens which are also an easy solution for restoring the look of stained tile grout. Try baking soda mixed with hydrogen peroxide and apply with a clean old toothbrush. Leave for a few minutes and rinse off. If you are interested in some more ideas from the UK, try this website: www.victorianplumbing.co.uk volume 10 | issue 3 www.tobuild.co.za
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DOORS & WINDOWS
Engineered timber for increased durability in doors and windows Compared to ordinary solid timber, engineered wood boasts better strength, energy efficiency and durability, say the experts. Swartland & Antmoreton/Pixabay
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DOORS & WINDOWS
In the past, timber was thought of as being a temperamental material that is time consuming to maintain and often detrimental to the environment. However, with the introduction of engineered timber, you no longer need to worry about these factors – now you can enjoy timber’s natural beauty, knowing it’s now a better and a greener product. According to seasoned timber professional, Tyrone Hicklin from an established window and door manufacturer, Swartland, engineered timber is made from various lengths of timber that are laminated together, to create a pattern of random grains. “Our company embraced this technology as far back as the early ‘90s, and invested in a factory and specialised equipment to locally pioneer the engineering of our joinery products, including those that we export to the USA and the UK. Today, our high performance guaranteed wooden windows, doors, door frames and mouldings bear testimony to the advantages of engineered wood,” he says.
Increased durability The process of combining several cuts of timber together, with alternating grains, to make a single structural piece of timber,
ensures that engineered wood boasts unparalleled strength, notes Tyrone. “Engineered timber is stronger than conventional solid timber, making it perfect for windows and doors, where thermal efficiency and security is high on the list of priorities. In fact, it is estimated that it is up to 60% stronger than solid timber, which has a tendency to split or crack in the direction of the grain. With engineered timber however, the laminates randomly orientate the grain, thereby reducing the risk of splitting," he says.
Better stability The technology involved in the creation of engineered timber makes the material much more stable than its solid wood counterparts. “Because of the manufacturing process, engineered timber is less prone to shrinking, swelling or warping. As a material, it resists heat and moisture better, and it is tougher to damage. In addition, engineered timber is more thermally efficient than its solid wood counterparts.” he says.
Enhanced sustainability Wood is already considered a green material due to its efficiency, durability,
great insulation qualities, and the fact that if sourced from sustainable forests, it is also a renewable material. It has a low carbon impact and low embodied energy. In fact, timber is actually carbon-negative since it removes carbon from the atmosphere and it can be recycled. However, engineered timber boasts even better environmental credentials than its solid wood counterparts, as it negates the need to source an entirely flawless piece of wood, a very wasteful practice. Engineered wood can reduce waste by as much as 25% when compared to solid timber. The optimisation of engineered timber increases the raw material yield by allowing the less aesthetically pleasing cuts of wood to be used as the internal core, while the premium cuts are used on the visible faces of the end product. Improving the yield means that engineered wood is a far more sustainable resource, as it reduces waste and the end cost of the material. Ultimately, more product is created from the same volume of timber harvested – which means engineered wood comes in at a much more affordable price point, and offers better durability, without compromising on great aesthetics. “It really is a win-win situation all round,” concludes Tyrone.
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Guidance Note
Treated Wooden Poles Structural (SANS 457) vs Non-structural (SANS 1288)
Treated wooden poles (excluding utility poles) can be produced under either SANS 457 or SANS 1288. (Please note that SANS 457-2 is applicable to softwood, e.g. Pine and SANS 457-3 is applicable to hardwood, e.g. Eucalyptus/gum). The difference between the SANS 457 and SANS 1288 standards is that SANS 1288 only covers the preservative treatment requirements when the physical strength or visual requirements specified in SANS 457 cannot and will not be met. SANS 1288 poles do not and cannot comply with the visual and physical strength requirements, whether because of drying or mechanical defects (or both). SANS 1288 poles are therefore classified as non-structural poles and shall not be used as structural poles. SANS 457 poles are classified as structural poles intended for the pole types and end uses specified in SANS 457-2 and SANS 457-3, i.e. building poles, agricultural poles, fencing poles, and guard rail posts. The allowance for treating poles under SANS 1288 was only permitted from 2000 onwards. This was to allow for the use of treated poles not in compliance with SANS 457 in applications such as ranch style outdoor furniture or other applications where a crooked/curved natural looking pole was required by the purchaser on request. Proper preservative treatment and protection against biological agents such as decay fungi and wood destroying insects would still be ensured in accordance with SANS 1288 The SANS 1288 pole treatment allowance is therefore only for special requests/orders and needs, and not for general retail purposes where the enduser/consumer can potentially purchase a pole, and then use it in an application where it could fail and cause harm or damage due to non-compliance with the physical strength requirements specified in SANS 457. Note – Utility poles, i.e. transmission, communication, and street lighting poles are covered under SANS 753 for selected Pine species and under SANS 754 for Eucalyptus species. ---000---
For more information on preservative treated timber, contact SAWPA at 011 974 1061 or admin@sawpa.co.za, or visit our website at www.sawpa.co.za
PROMOTING THE USE OF PRESERVATIVE TREATED TIMBER
PROMOTING TREATED TIMBER PRODUCED BY SAWPA MEMBERS
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Tel: 011 974 1081 admin@sawpa.co.za www.sawpa.co.za
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HVAC
Opulence with utility cost reduction With the price of electricity in South African homes continuing to get more expensive due to the country’s worst energy crisis in history, consumers are struggling to keep up with the increase in tariffs. A major air-conditioning system supplier shares a recent case history with TO BUILD readers. Horizon Capital
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The Azure, in Camps Bay, Cape Town, is an exclusive residential estate nestled between Lion's Head and Twelve Apostles mountains, and the serene Camps Bay beach. Limited space is a priority, while not compromising on the elegant design of a first-class property. With this in mind, HVAC consulting engineers Jo Lubbe & Associates sought to integrate an energy-efficient heating and cooling system that would help keep occupants’ utility costs at a minimum, while still providing maximum capacity and taking up limited space. As a solution, accredited HVAC installers Airwise Airconditioning, approached Fourways Air who assisted with the design that fitted with outstanding eco-conscious HVAC technologies.
efficiency rating as low as 3.82 and the flexibility to be installed almost anywhere, regardless of location or distance from the building, with a piping length of up to 160m. Stylish and sleek, the Inverter split units with wired-touch controllers were the best option due to limited ceiling space. The midwall units also include full HD filters which filter out dust particles and due to their anti-bacterial coating, effectively remove harmful biological contaminants. Other 'green' features in The Azure residences include independent battery back-up power, independent borehole
water supply, water efficient sanitary fittings and low-voltage LED lighting. Overall, the installation resulted in quality air-conditioning systems that match the grand design opulence of The Azure – where first-class comfort always comes first. When an air conditioning project calls for a modern design, leading-edge airconditioning solutions and energyefficiency, Fourways Airconditioning and Samsung deliver.
Fourways Airconditioning W www.samsungair.co.za
As the sole distributors of Samsung air conditioners, Fourways Airconditioning, helped to bring world-class temperaturecontrolled comfort to The Azure with worldclass Samsung DVM S Eco air conditioning systems. Each of the four luxury homes in this residential development is stylish and contemporary yet timeless in elegance. Each is complemented by elemental stone and timber finishes that harmoniously blend with the beauty of the natural surroundings. A total of four AM120 Samsung DVM S Eco outdoor units combined with 28 Samsung Inverter Midwall Split indoor units were chosen for the job, totalling 114 300btu cooling capacity per residence. A prime benefit of the system is its advanced performance and top-class energy efficiency coupled with compact design and minimal noise levels. This ensures not only maximum savings on electricity but also maximum comfort with optimal temperature control and undisturbed peace and quiet. The Samsung inverter indoors were placed in the open plan living areas and bedrooms. They include an innovative Dual Smart Digital Inverter compressor with vapour injection for an industry-leading energy
Inverter splits unit - interior courtyard
Inverter splits unit - living room area
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R
New Décors
PACIFIC SHADOW BLUE
GRIGIO
FOUNDRY
CHOBE
KITCHENS
Kitchen
Specialists’ Association Over the last month we have seen the industry shift up a gear. Feedback from our membership is that they are busy and under pressure to catch up on projects delayed due to lockdown. S Forbes
Stephanie Forbes
Pressure to complete the work as quickly as possible, to recoup lost time, while maintaining quality is high but most of our members seem positive. Supplier members are seeing the effect of this with a demand for materials rising. With imported materials still taking time to come into the country, the ability to keep up with the demand on imports has been harder. With lockdown slowing the transfer of kitchen trends from Europe to South Africa, we were honoured to have Richard Hibbard, chairperson of the KBSA (the British version of the KSA) and MD of KSL Kitchens and Bathrooms in Sudbury, Suffolk, in the UK, and Alister Reed, National Account Manager at the KBSA, join us for an online discussion about trends in the UK kitchen industry and how the UK industry is handling the effects of COVID-19. It was reassuring to hear how similar our local industry is to that in the UK and that we are not far behind them in embracing new trends and materials. Key for the UK market is the move to grey as a primary palette and the use of dark stained timbers. The use of pocket door to facilitate a more open plan design that still facilitates part of the kitchen being closed off from view is also a common design feature. The return for many of our members to contract projects has seen the JBCC contract highlighted. With contracts trying to get back to their original timelines to 60
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ensure completion, it has been vital that our members, contracted under the JBCC, understand and exercise their rights as sub-contractors. To assist with this, we held a JBCC webinar with Brad Boertjie of BorCon on subcontracting and the JBCC in SA. Brad’s insights from many years of working with the JBCC contract and assisting sub-contractors to manage contracts and arbitrate disputes was valuable to members and will be expanded on with three in-depth training sessions for members.
KSA will definitely be part of all three 2021 shows and will be encouraging our members to participate as well. Decorex Cape Town will take place in June 2021.
We were very honoured to be invited to become a member of SAFI. This will cement the working relationship between KSA and SAFI moving forward with the KSA assisting SAFI with how to address the furniture industry masterplan within the kitchen industry. It was with great excitement that the dates for Decorex 2021 shows were announced.
KSA National Manager, Stephanie Forbes
It was reassuring to hear how similar our local industry is to that in the UK and that we are not far behind them in embracing new trends and materials.
ROOFING
Energy efficient
roofing this summer Heading out of a long, cold winter, South African households are thinking about reflecting heat instead of retaining warmth, advises the South African National Energy Development Institute (SANEDI). SANEDI In addition, while the country’s energy supply continues to fall short, an energy efficient cooling solution, known as ‘cool roofing’, seems the logical choice. Cool roofing simply involves the coating of roofs with a durable, reflective layer which reflects the heat of the sun. It is an inexpensive and highly effective low-tech cooling and passive energy intervention. SANEDI is one of 10 global teams awarded a $100 000 grant by the Million Cool Roofs Challenge, to deploy solar reflective coating between August 2019 and December 2020. The Million Cool Roofs Challenge is a $2 million global competition to rapidly scale up the deployment of cool roofs in developing countries suffering heat stress and lacking widespread access to cooling services. “The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in unfortunate and unavoidable delays in our implementation plans, but the challenge organisers have granted us an extension and a further US$25 000 to get us back on track. Heading into what is sure to be a scorching summer, we are excited to resume projects across the country,” says Denise Lundall, Project Officer, Energy Efficiency at SANEDI. Rollout has started in the Makhado Local Municipality in Limpopo, where 9 500m2 of roofing will be coated. 62
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Contractor, !Kheis, applies the cool roof coating on-site.
“Cool roofs offer a feasible and attainable solution that makes a tangible and, importantly, sustainable difference to South African lives, particularly those living in informal and rural communities,” explains Lundall. Elsewhere in Limpopo, working in collaboration with the Department of Defence, 15 000m2 of roofing will be coated at a military site. On this same site, SANEDI is exploring the application of cool paving to complement the project and mitigate the 'heat island' effect commonly experienced in urban areas. “In Sharpeville, Gauteng, we will conclude the coating of three schools, where learners are sure to benefit from improved concentration and awareness levels, thanks to reduced indoor temperatures,” says Lundall.
Finally, in the Western Cape, SANEDI will be coating a total of 26 000m2 of roofing on low-cost houses. “Of these, the temporary housing settlement of Masonwabi will be both cool-coated, as well as insulated. This forms part of a proof-of-concept project to investigate the interaction and mutual benefits that cool roofs and insulation can achieve, when combined,” explains Lundall. The project is being undertaken in partnership with the Thermal Insulation Products and Systems Association of SA, (TIPSASA). The intention is to use the collected data as evidence for the mandatory inclusion of passive thermal control in the national Building Code, SANS 10400 XA.
CEILING INSULATION YOUR LOW CARBON INSULATION OPTION • Excellent insulation qualities • Non-toxic and non-irritant • Insect and rodent repellent • Environment friendly – made from 80-85% recycled newsprint • Fire retardant: SANS 428 B/B1/2 • 100% ceiling coverage • Low energy manufacturing process • No heat / water used during manufacture • 100% Biodegradable at end of life
AS GREEN AS IT GETS
Thermguard is used in buildings to conserve energy, which ultimately slows the burning of fossil fuels that create greenhouse gases. Newsprint that would often be discard on landfill sites where it would decompose and emit greenhouse gases is recycled to create our eco-friendly insulation. This dual reduction in air pollution amounts to
“Double Green Effect”
YOUR guarantee of quality Thermguard has insulated buildings for over 35 years and is the only manufacturer that produces cellulose fibre insulation under the ISO 9001:2015 Quality Standard
MEMBER ORGANISATION
011 018 7800
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info@thermguard.co.za
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ROOFING
Expanding building systems knowledge
Choosing a safe, yet cost-effective building solution for a planned construction project might seem like a daunting task. Relying on age-old methods may seem the safer, easier, and least risky option to built environment practitioners. However, once familiarised with proven new and innovative solutions, design and engineering professionals soon understand the benefits of an alternative, energy-efficient building solution, argues an industry professional service provider. JTC Nadia Bekker, JTC Building Systems Pre-engineered structures: The difference Unlike brick and mortar, these alternatives have evolved with technology to become the new future. It allows the chained construction process to continue, even if one link in the chain gets delayed. Previously, if the foundations were not laid the roof could not be installed and rainy days meant little to no progress on site. But not anymore. With modular hybrid steel buildings this is no longer the case. In modular hybrid steel buildings, the designer makes use of a combination of heavy welded or hot rolled steel members in combination with light steel frame sections to develop a cost-effective modular construction solution to clients.
Montecasino in Fourways, South Africa. Built within just eight months, it consists of 130 modular units and several facades. Most of these unitised facades were completed in a controlled factory environment, drastically reducing scaffolding requirements on site, and increasing quality and accuracy. Other suitable applications include modular residential apartments, multi-story buildings of up to 25 storeys, eco-friendly houses, residential buildings and construction camps.
Another example is the world’s largest beer brewer. They welcomed the benefits of preengineered building (PEB) structures after a need arose to increase the overall supply capacity of its Rosslyn plant in Pretoria, South Africa. Tight project deadlines resulted in the team looking to more innovative ways to construct a building in a shorter period of time and at a reduced cost. This led to a new, pre-engineered 13 000m2 pack line and physical resource management (PRM) warehouse.
The components of pre-engineered buildings and modular buildings are manufactured off-site in a controlled factory setup and delivered to site. Units are assembled by clicking and bolting predrilled and numbered parts together. Not only does this simplify site logistics with a reduction in workforce and equipment but also reduces safety risks and improves quality control.
Case studies An example of a recent local project that was built using modular construction technology, is the Hi Monte hotel at 64
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The swift progress that was made on the 13000m2 SAB Rosslyn project.
ROOFING
When compared to the estimated cost for a conventionally designed building, using a PEB resulted in an approximate 30% cost saving on the structural steel and sheeting. Furthermore, it ensured reduced turnaround time as the full project spectrum (design to fabrication) had a single source responsibility that was executed by professional engineers.
uniformly distributed load of 1 kPa. Rafters and columns are spaced at 12-metre centres, instead of more conventional 6 to 8 metres spacing, therefore reducing the time required to construct foundations. Purlins were designed from 350MPa material, rather than conventional 200-230MPa material. This ensured that purlins could withstand induced loads, while spanning
12 metres. Mezzanine floors cantilever for 3 metres from main columns, reducing columns and obstacles in new pack line. PEB structures tend to also be more stable during erection when compared to conventional buildings from trusses. This increases the rate at which steel can be erected, reducing construction time as well as preliminary and general costs on the project.
The national COVID-19 lockdown was implemented during this projects’ fabrication stage. Even then, technological advancements allowed the JTC Building Systems team to continue remotely with the design and detailing of the rest of the project during lockdown, ensuring that fabrication could commence once it was allowed.
A building with unique, technical design features The PEB structure at the Rosslyn plant was designed to withstand an unfactored
The visual illustrates the comparison between a PEB vs a conventional steel structure.
PEB FAQ’s Is it only for a specific building type? PEB structures are ideal for retail stores, strip malls, mall superstores, aircraft hangars, warehouses, truck terminals, distribution centres, office complexes and bottling- and processing plants. Modular building technology is ideal for residential apartments, multi-story buildings of up to 25 storeys, eco-friendly houses, residential buildings, and construction camps. How can I assure that PEB’s are correctly designed? At JTC Buildings Systems, all PEB structures are designed by professionally registered engineers in accordance with relevant codes. Upon client’s request, independent design reviews are conducted by other consulting engineering firms to provide additional peace of mind. Are PEB and modular building installers accredited organisations? And if so, do I receive any proof of it? The designs of our professional team
guarantee safety and integrity of each structure, backed up by an engineering certificate for each structure as standard. How do I specify these building methods for my next project? Modular buildings: Alternative building system consisting of predesigned and pre-assembled modular units placed into position on site. Pre-Engineered Building (PEB): Steel framed structure with primary structural steel elements designed and fabricated from tapered welded columns and rafters, made up from plate with a minimum thickness of 5mm. Pre-engineered buildings have two main components: 1. Primary built up members Columns: vertical members from the ground up. Rafters: horizontal members connecting the top of the columns. Normally fabricated from
high grade steel S355JR (yield stress of 355 MPa), confirming to ASTM A572M. . Secondary members 2 Purlins, girts and eave struts. These sections are cold formed and normally ‘Z’- and ‘C’ shaped. Sections are rolled from pre-galvanised coils with a yield stress of between 230 MPa and 400 MPa, depending on design requirements. Thickness of material varies from 1.9 to 2.5mm. All fixing holes are CNS prepunched during fabrication.
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ADVERTORIAL: MITEK POSI-STRUT SOLUTIONS
MiTek Posi-Strut
POSI-JOIST S solutions coming SA OF THEto FUTURE MiTek is currently establishing viability for the Posi-Strut solutions in the South African market. Part of our initial strategy is to engage with industry influencers such as yourself for us to determine any specific industry requirements that we have to consider before we implement the system.
One of the key focus areas is to investigate which of the two Posi-Strut solutions Posi-Joist (flooring) or PosiRafter (roofing) will be most suitable for the SA market. Posi-Strut solutions have achieved great success for more than a decade in some of our international markets, such as the UK and Ireland, Australia, New Zealand and in the United States. The current aim here in SA is to share those success stories and to generate interest about Posi-Strut solutions. We are currently investigating SANS code, acoustic, vibration and fire compliance. We are also busy testing local timber properties with regard to deflection and other design factors. So far, we have received comprehensive interest for PosiStrut solutions in SA, and we hope to introduce it to the SA market during the first half 2021. We have imported the first consignment of Posi machinery which arrived in SA at the end of October. Should you have a specific project in mind for which you want to specify 66
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MiTek Posi-Joist and Posi-Rafter solutions combine the lightness of t steel web to produce a floor or roof system allowing you to span far g with alternative timber products. This is a result of their engineered,
Easy access for the installation and maintenance of services in the floo system, and with the ever increasing need for MVHR (Mechanical Ventil provides a perfect and simple solution that just isn’t possible with alter
Posi-Rafters are suitable for both pitched roofs and flat roofs and are s which allows them to span further with less internal support.
the Posi-Strut solutions, we will gladly collaborate with you to establish the design requirements. Costing will be dependent on the supplementary hanger and Posi-Strut requirements, which we need to establish if it will be part of our local inventory.
Combines the lightness of timber with the strength of steel MiTek Posi-Joist or Posi-Rafter solutions combines the lightness of timber with the strength of the Posi-Strut steel web to produce a floor and roof system that can span far greater distances than would be possible with alternative timber products. This gives you unequalled design freedom across a wide range of applications for
You simply can’t afford ignore the in advantages: both flooring andto roofing domestic,
andprovides commercial •industrial Open web design total easeapplications. of access for services and ventil
• Lightweight and easy to handle for speedy installation saving time an
•Easy Unequalled acoustic, fire and vibration performance by alternative tim access for the installation and
•maintenance Off-site manufactured according to measurements and quality st of services insite the floor
zone is the clear advantage of the Posi-Joist system, and with the ever increasing need for MVHR (Mechanical Ventilation and Heat Recovery) systems, Johannesburg ce: +27 11 237 8700 | MiTek Park, 754 16 Posi-JoistOffi and Posi-Rafter provides a Road, Randjespark, E Cape Town Office: +27 21 905 0244 | Durban Office: +27 31 700 6332 | Port Elizab perfect and simple solution that just marketing@mitek.co.za | MiTek.co.za isn’t possible with alternative solid @miteksa @miteksa MiTek Industries South Africa timber products.
Better Technology. Better Building th
POSI-STRUT
®
Advanced component systems
SWIMMING POOLS
Year-long
swimming comfort a case history Heat pumps present an efficient way of warming your swimming pool’s water temperature even in cold weather or winter. We asked a major distributor to share a case history of interest with our readers. Alliance/Fourways
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With electricity prices in South Africa continuing to increase due to the country’s worst energy crisis in history, energyefficient pool heaters are an ideal money-saving option because they don’t use power-gobbling electric elements to heat.
SWIMMING POOLS
When it comes to competing and succeeding at the highest levels in provincial school sport, the students at Maris Stella always make a splash. What hasn’t made much of splash this year, however, is the water in the school’s swimming pool. COVID-19’s early disruption of the academic and athletic year mid-summer has meant that water sports, such as competitive swimming, springboard diving, water aerobics, water polo and the school’s ‘learnto-swim’ programme, had to be placed on hold along with everything else. A heart breaking situation for the enthusiastic young learners when you consider that most pools are only used for four months a year due to the water being too cold. Fortunately, specialised distributor, Fourways Airconditioning and respected system installer’s, Highway Airconditioning, stepped in with an economical solution that would extend the swimming season to year-long enjoyment.
A neat and tidy installation completed with 91kW heat pumps installed on galvanised steel frames.
That solution came in the form of Alliance pool heat pumps. Universally praised for their reliability and affordability without compromising on quality, two ALLPH91kW pool heat pumps were chosen to achieve the project objective of heating a 22m x 25m swimming pool to a temperature between 25˚C to 28˚C. Fourways Air KZN supplied the weatherproof units which Highway Airconditioning installed on galvanised steel frames. PVC piping was used to divert the pool water through the new heaters which were connected in parallel. Alliance heat pump units operate in all weather conditions and have built-in automatic defrosting protection. Their combined heating capacity for the Maris Stella pool is a powerful 182kw and each unit boasts a Titanium Heat Exchanger that ensures maximum protection against pool chemicals, while a water flow volume of up to 28m³/h provides rapid heating of pool water. The project included the supply and installation of pool blankets and roll-up stations, as well as complete electrical installation for a convenient all-in-one solution which went swimmingly. With electricity prices in South Africa continuing to increase due to the country’s
Alliance 91kW pool heat pumps being hoisted onto site.
worst energy crisis in history, energyefficient pool heaters are an ideal money-saving option because they don’t use power-gobbling electric elements to heat. To run the compressor and fan takes as little as 1.5 to 3 kilowatts of electricity per hour and the units’ environmentally-friendly gas ensures no pollution of the atmosphere. This allows swimming pool owners to remain eco-
conscious, keep utility costs at a minimum and heat a pool for a third of the cost of electrical heating. For the school, this is a win for the pupils, who can now enjoy time inside their pool and hone their athletic swimming talents all year long thanks to the power of quality and efficient products, coupled with great technical backup from the supplier. volume 10 | issue 3 www.tobuild.co.za
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Affordable Quality . Proven reliability . Since 2006
Electricity prices will have increased 22% by 2022!
How will you combat Eskom’s constant price increases? The National Energy Regulator of South Africa has approved a 22% increase in Eskom’s electricity tariffs by 2022. An Alliance Heat Pump will help you to reduce water heating costs between 50% to 70%, saving you money.
For more information please contact Fourways Airconditioning. JHB & Central: (011) 704-6320 Kwa-Zulu Natal: (031) 579-1895 Bloemfontein: 083 381 0074 Pretoria: (012) 643-0445 Port Elizabeth: (041) 484-643 Cape Town: (021) 556-8292 George: 082 380 0708 East London: (043) 722-0671
WALLS & PARTITIONS
Case study:
Modern building solutions & quick turnaround times 49 Jorissen is a recently completed student accommodation project in Braamfontein, Johannesburg. This project stands out as a model of what can be done by retrofitting existing buildings to serve the growing demand for student accommodation, argues well-known materials and solutions supplier, St Gobain. St Gobain The original 18-floor hotel and office block was revamped in four months and officially opened in January 2020. The successful completion of this project in time, and on budget, can be attributed to a number of factors, including the expertise and diverse
product range offered by the system supplier. The project brief focused primarily on cost, function and space allocation in the 645-room project, but there was still a
The project was, in a sense, an internal fitout of an existing structure and therefore the layouts had to be refined around the existing structural grid, fire escapes, window positions and circulation core. Within these constraints the challenge was then to develop an efficient layout that combined a variety of communal and private spaces.
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WALLS & PARTITIONS
need to provide the modern facilities and conveniences for the tenants. Additionally, lightweight building materials were essential as there were load restrictions within the existing structure. Despite the challenges inherent in a retrofit like this, the end product met all the client’s requirements and expectations.
Designing an internal fit out: Architect Daniel Trolip, director at Local Studio architectural firm, says the project brief was governed by the current market offering of student housing and therefore driven by the need to develop a product that stood out. “The project was, in a sense, an internal fit out of an existing structure and therefore the layouts had to be refined around the existing structural grid, fire escapes, window positions and circulation core. Within these constraints the challenge 72
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was then to develop an efficient layout that combined a variety of communal and private spaces. “Coupled to this, the timelines to complete the project were incredibly tight and being a refurb, there are always unexpected issues to resolve as the project progresses. To further complicate matters, traditional brickwork was out of the question as we could not exceed the original structures load bearing capacity.” Considering these constraints, Local Studio took advantage of the range of building solutions available from Saint-Gobain that offer lightweight, cost-effective products. “Traditional brick and mortar is not always suited to every project. As a result, we specified a number of products from the company, not only because they are highly reputable in the industry but also because their on-site assistance and their in-depth product information always becomes helpful
when selecting an appropriate product,” says Trolip. “The use of our products in this project delivered a number of benefits that traditional materials would not have,” says Bongane Msiza, Specification Manager at Saint-Gobain. “Essentially, we had high quality finishes that could be installed far quicker which ensured on-time delivery despite the tight deadlines. Moreover, material handling was far easier and made logistics simpler in the constraints of an 18-floor building due to the use of lightweight materials.
Project team Architects: Local Studio Architects Contractor: Lemay Construction Quantity surveyor: Walker Mare Consulting Quantity Surveyors Drywall sub-contractor: Danico Interiors CC
CEMENT & CONCRETE
Fly ash research paves way to even greener cement South Africa’s progressive role in the use of fly ash in cement production opens the door for the country to reduce its carbon emissions while retaining a strong and innovative cement sector. We find out more about this useful replacement for non-renewable mined materials. Afrisam
What is fly ash? Fly ash comprises the fine particles of coal ash that rise with flue gases from burning coal, and is usually removed by electrostatic precipitators or bag filters. All fly ash from different sources contains large quantities of silicon dioxide, both amorphous and crystalline, and aluminium oxide and calcium oxide, which are the main mineral compounds in coal-bearing rock strata. With South Africa’s substantial coal-based energy economy, the appropriate use of the by-products of coal combustion, as opposed to their burial in landfill sites, is a growing trend and a progressive step forwards. Companies that manufacture building materials are often at the forefront of this trend.
The field of blended cements has become intensely science-driven, with material such as fly ash and GGBS contributing significantly to the performance of cement.
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One application of fly ash has been its incorporation into concrete, where it partially replaces the usage of Portland cement. It also replaces other traditional non-renewable ingredients in the manufacture of clinker. Most often, these non-renewable ingredients come from mines; limestone and shale are good examples of this. Mining activities impart a high-embodied carbon/energy component to the virgin raw material at the factory gate.
CEMENT & CONCRETE
Large role-players step up Cementitious executive at AfriSam, Hannes Meyer, agrees that the local sector has already made great strides in reducing its carbon footprint. By incorporating fly ash in its cements, as well as ground-granulated blast furnace slag (GGBFS), his company has reduced its carbon emissions per ton of cement by over 30% between 2000 and 2018. (This has been achieved by switching to recycled materials that enter the lifecycle chain with a zero embedded carbon/energy in line with the Recycled Content Approach adopted by the Index of Carbon and Energy by Hammond et al, University of Bath - Ed.) However, there are other environmental benefits from using more fly ash, including a reduction in the amount of coal ash that power stations must dump on surface. Meyer says that about two-thirds of the ash produced worldwide still ends up in ash ponds or landfill sites. “Fly ash extends the volume of cement while adding valuable cementitious qualities to
Hannes Meyer
the final product,” Meyer explains. “This on its own reduces the amount of energyintensive clinker that must be produced – thereby economising on the energy our plants must consume.” In addition to cement replacement, Meyer says that the use of fly ash can also replace the traditional non-renewable products in the manufacture of clinker. These include limestone and shale, which have to be mined at considerable cost. AfriSam has been researching this area for some time, with exciting results. “The use of fly ash in clinker production means less carbon dioxide is produced,” he says. “Usually, calcium carbonate in the limestone must first be converted to calcium oxide” This reaction consumes energy and generates carbon dioxide. “ “However, the calcium in fly ash has already been converted in calcium oxide and silicate form”, he concludes, meaning that there is no need for heat processing.
Value to the SA economy and carbon tax considerations Meyer highlights the strategic importance of this kind of research and development for the future of the South African economy. He urges that revenues from the government’s recent carbon tax be carefully channelled into incentivising this kind of low-carbon innovation in the market. “A carbon tax needs to play a supportive role in gearing up the economy for a lowcarbon future,” he says. “This is in fact vital to off-set the negative impact that the tax could have on the cement sector’s global competitiveness and its capacity to retain or create jobs.” This, he argues, is due to the danger of the carbon tax rising to unsustainable levels in future making it more cost effective for clinker manufacturing facilities to be moved offshore to untaxed jurisdictions. The cheaper clinker would then be imported, and the number of jobs required to produce cement locally would drop significantly.
Manufacturer says it makes cement with up to 70% slag and achieved the required strength.
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COATINGS & COLOUR
Colour
psychology explained Plascon Lauren Shantall for Plascon
Moody Blue Wall, Hot Terracotta Table.
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People instinctively know what colours resonate with them, what 'feels right', but not everyone knows why this is the case. The reasons have more to do with science than sentiment, and choosing an appropriate colour for an architectural or interior design project can be determined rationally, rather than by personal preference alone.
COATINGS & COLOUR
Mermaid Jewel, Oak Forest, Stormy Day.
Photographer, Daron Chatiz
Correct colour placing is critical so as not to overstimulate or depress the occupants of the space. There is a reason why some colours encourage positivity and are uplifting, and others are, well, just downright gloomy. While context is part of it, it is important to remember that colour comes from light and is part of the electromagnetic spectrum. Each individual colour has a frequency or wavelength. Similarly, each organ of the human body produces a different resonance. In holistic medicine, each organ has been linked to a colour and is affected by the wavelength, which has frequency and vibration.
make informed colour choices. One of the biggest sources of stress when it comes to painting or repainting is choosing the colour. Yet this needn’t be the case.
a less stimulating effect on the body than red because it has a shorter wavelength. The shorter wavelength colours are cooler and less agitating.
To make it easy, the company offers an email colour advice help service at ColourAdvice@kansaiplascon.co.za
Conversely, a deep emerald green colour would not work well in that very same wellness environment. This is because a dark green paint colour would have black in the tint formulation, and black absorbs light. This translates into a colour that is less healing and could leave a young child feeling anxious and afraid.
“It is because the light spectrum works on wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation that specific colour stimulation accompanies a specific response pattern in terms of light and psychological reaction,” explains paint colour expert and qualified chromatherapist,Claire Bond of Bondthrucolour.
“Research has begun to validate the importance of coloured light in treating illness; the colour green is linked to the heart meridian, which physically governs, amongst other things, our immune and endocrine systems. This explains why light green is an excellent healing colour,” confirms Bond.
Help is available
Lighter pastel colours such as cool green are energetically more calming for people. Greens, blues and green-blues are all colours that put people at ease because they bring a sense of tranquillity. Green has
A leading coatings company, Plascon, is well aware of this dimension of colour and has set up the Plascon Colour Consultancy to help members of the trade and the public
Quick wins There are some quick wins. For example, if your project involves a décor scheme for a wellness centre, vegan restaurant or even a children’s hospital, then using light green becomes an obvious choice.
“Crisp, clean greens are best used as fun accents in a children’s ward,” says Claire, “and beware of green with too much yellow in it as yellow has a long wavelength and is very stimulating, so much so, that it can upset a sick patient’s nervous system and worsen their condition.”
Cool colours Of course, wellness projects aren’t the only commercial environments that interior designers and architects will need to treat. The general rule is that if the walls are painted in cool colours, the room will feel cooler than it would if the space were painted in warm tangerine. A room that is
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COATINGS & COLOUR
Image courtesy of Plascon. Photographer, Shavan Rahim
hard to cool benefits from the use of a cool colour. But white isn’t necessarily the answer. White reflects the highest amount of light. A pure white room is energy draining because of its high reflective value and the heat it reflects. Pure white actually causes exhaustion so should be exercised with caution. Which means it’s not great for a reception area in a business. According to Bond: “It is important to consider the effect the architect wants to have on the users of the space. A double-volume corporate reception area with minimal natural light would appear unwelcoming and cold if painted in pure white. The negative aspect of white paint is its high light reflective value, which produces glare. The glare causes optical fatigue resulting in excessive strain on the eyes and as a result, affects productivity levels in an office environment.” If you are a lover of white, always look to rather use an off-white or neutral. Primary red is another colour to be used sparingly, as it is overstimulating. An individual with anger issues will be pushed into an agitated state when exposed to a bedroom wall painted in this colour and this could result in a sleepless night. Instead, deeper, richer colours are better in residential projects, where they give a more comforting, homier feeling.
Nautilous, Bitter Chocolate, Double Velvet Apricot Cream.
It’s clear that when you are specifying colours for a project, it is important to determine what shades of paint are best suited for specific spaces. These choices should be made with plenty of consideration for not only the facility type, but also the department or area being painted, and the individuals who will be using it.
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The general rule is that if the walls are painted in cool colours, the room will feel cooler than it would if the space were painted in warm tangerine.
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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®.
Advanced engineering provides interlocking system for weather proofing and superior strength.
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.
Precision-fit ridge tile provides weatherproof, maintenance-free seal.
Think differently about roof tiles. We did. A DIVISION OF
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COATINGS & COLOUR
Harmful chemicals in paint
- why no legislation? JP Feyt, the marketing manager for Dekro Paints, an enviro-conscious independent paint manufacturer, poses some challenges to the industry. Gareth Griffiths There is currently an extremely high demand for more sustainable and healthier paint products as the cost for healthcare and raw materials exponentially increases. This begs the question “why isn’t there more legislation regarding the use of harmful chemicals, especially within the paint industry?” asks Feyt. Feyt says that this is where the research and development department at his company aim to lead the race when it comes to sustainability and healthier products. “There is currently no legislation regarding the use of harmful chemicals in coatings, with the exception of Pb/lead. Although some manufacturers list their environmental ranges as low VOC or Zero VOC, there is more to it when it comes to harmful substances in coatings. Before you go out to your local hardware store to purchase paint for your next redecoration, be aware of the following facts,” he advises.
Watch out for another known carcinogen, glycol, which is used to slow paint drying times. It accomplishes this by preventing the surface from drying due to its slower evaporation rate compared to water in acrylic based paints.
Ammonia Ammonia is highly toxic to aquatic animals and classified as dangerous to the environment. It is widely used in paint as a preservative, thickener and to increase paint viscosity.
Formaldehyde Formaldehyde is a known carcinogen and
also a VOC. It is a preservative for acrylicbased paints and regulated for safety in various countries around the world but freely used in SA in paint manufacturing
There is currently an extremely high demand for more sustainable and healthier paint products as the cost for healthcare and raw materials exponentially increases.
VOC’s (Volatile Organic Compounds) These are low boiling point substances that pollute air (<250°C) and are suspected carcinogens. Others are highly toxic, and their inhalation can lead to sick building syndrome. VOC’s are used in a wide range of manufactured products and are often two to five times higher indoors than outside. VOC’s also contribute towards smog formation. Even though most suppliers have Low or Zero VOC coatings many manufacturers use stainers (colourants) that are high in VOC’s to tint the paint to provide the artistic array of colours that the buyer is trying to achieve. 80
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Why sleep in a bedroom where VOC’s are present? The Hotel Verde features enviro paint with below 1 g/l VOC content (SA average is 16 g/l).
YOUR HEALTH IS IMPORTANT TO US!
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Hotel Verde, Africa’s ‘greenest hotel’ coated with the supplier’s Enviro products.
C
M
Solvents and heavy metals Most solvents are VOC’s. The heavy metals tend to be accumulating poisons, slowly absorbed into the body. Heavy metals used in paint manufacturing include antimony, barium, cadmium, chromium, cobalt, copper, manganese, strontium and zinc. These harmful substances are either added by the manufacturer of the raw material or the decorative coating. “We offer you our ‘Green Generation Products’ labelled with the daisy that have been specifically formulated (www.dekro.co.za) to contain zero levels of any harmful substances. If you are looking for a paint supplier that is able to provide you with health benefits, and also cares for your environment, then try the seven water-based products in the greenest coating range in Africa,” concludes Feyt.
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CONSTRUCTION CHEMICALS
Project:
Securing 55 storeys of The Leonardo The Leonardo, Legacy Groupâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s impressive mixed-use development located just 100 metres from the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, has officially opened. Rumoured to have cost around R3 billion, there are no compromises on the construction design and state-of-the-art finishes of this prestigious property, which towers 234 metres above the Sandton skyline. TAL South Africa
The Leonardo, Sandton
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CONSTRUCTION CHEMICALS
At the Leonardo, specific tiling and waterproofing requirements within various areas of the multi-faceted project, totalling a surface area of 40 000m2, were supplied by TAL, a division of Norcros SA. The challenge of tiling an extremely tall building arises when specifying a flexible installation to allow for the movement of the building. Additionally, in the case of The Leonardo, was the use of a selection of trend-forward large format tiles, as is to be expected at such a prestigious address. The material suppliersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; team, consisting of technical representative, Eugene Pelzer and technical sales specialist, Tendai Muzondida, devised a comprehensive solution, ensuring a multi-level system was in place at the outset. Pelzer was responsible for advising on the tiling specifications and steps necessary for the project, while Muzondida was
onsite to advise on the waterproofing aspect. They explain that the first step in their multi-level system was surface preparation, including priming and floor levelling. As the tiles are large format, a levelled surface is a prerequisite to help reduce lipping of the tiles. Additionally, all areas subject to moisture were properly waterproofed before tiling. Installation of the tiles required a quick-setting adhesive which was modified to accommodate movement, as well as moisture in wet areas, together with careful attention to movement joints within the installation. A flexible grout solution is the final level of the system.
and sizes for the different spaces within The Leonardo. These included large format tiles of 600 x 600mm, 900 x 900mm and 600 x 1 200mm as well as cut porcelain tiles of 100 x 100mm and fusion type glass mosaics.
While initial construction began in 2016, the company supplied fit-for-purpose products for the tiling phase from early 2018 and these are ubiquitous to date. The tile selection included an assortment of high quality tiles with varying finishes
Dry wall partitioning was primed with a slurry prior to tiling, or primed with floor primer, prior to application of the TAL Superflex waterproofing. A primer slurry was applied to power-floated surfaces prior to tiling and waterproofing, whilst TAL SF
Surface preparation was key As the walls of The Leonardo are constructed of porous light weight AAC (Autoclaved Aerated Concrete) bricks, these needed to be thoroughly wiped down to remove dust and loose particles which could impair adhesion. These AAC bricks and the wood-floated rendered walls within the building were primed before application of the waterproofing compound.
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CONSTRUCTION CHEMICALS
Primer was applied prior to the levelling compound being installed. Variances in floor levels frequently occur in multi-level structures such as The Leonardo. These were rectified prior to tiling to prevent excessive adhesive bed thicknesses and reduce potential lipping of the large format tiles. “Due to the nature of power floated post-tensioned coffer slabs, the levelling compound was wet-bonded to the concrete using our primer”, explains Muzondida.
Fully compatible waterproofing To ensure a waterproofing installation fully compatible with cementitious tile adhesives, TAL specified a system, which when cured, also provides a flexible waterproofing layer that can accommodate normal structural movement in the background. This system was applied to all bathroom floors and
shower enclosures in the apartments, to the ‘wet’ areas in the gym/spa, hot & cold pools, steam room, shower, bathroom and toilet floors, and to screeded balconies and terraces prior to tiling. “A total of approximately 12 200m² was waterproofed with TAL Superflex 1,” waterproofing specialist Muzondida continues. Accredited waterproofing sub-contractor, Ngobeni & TDS, confirmed that, “subsequent water tests performed on these waterproofed structures have proved the efficacy of the system.”
Tiling considerations “The tile adhesives were selected to accommodate the requirements of different areas within the building,” confirms tiling specialist, Pelzer. Large format porcelain tiles were installed in the apartments, on
As post-tensioned concrete suspended slabs are prone to increased movement,it is essential that these are catered for in the tiling installations to limit cracking and lifting of tiles.
the apartment balconies and in the lift lobbies of the apartment levels, as well as on the terraces and viewing deck, all using quick-setting product. The adhesive used has a longer pot life and open time, which was ideal when tiling in the hot summer months. The tiled finishes to the upper level spa/gym included fusion-type glass mosaics which were installed using a fine epoxy mortar and grout, designed for applications where imperviousness, chemical resistance and good hygienic conditions are important. A highly modified adhesive system was specified for fixing the porcelain and silestone tiles in the steam rooms due to the extreme operating conditions associated with these installations. Porcelain tiles were installed to the rest of the spa areas using TAL Goldstar 6 + TAL Bond. Grout modified with the bonding agent as a total water replacement in the mix was then applied to the joints of the tiled surfaces throughout the apartment levels. A water-based epoxy grout was specified for grouting between the porcelain tiles and silestone slabs in the ‘wet’ areas of the upper level spa, pool splashbacks, steam room and shower, to provide an impervious and hygienic finish. As post-tensioned concrete suspended slabs are prone to increased movement, it is essential that these are catered for in the tiling installations to limit cracking and lifting of tiles. The bonding agent was incorporated as a total water replacement in the adhesive and grout mixes for tiling to all floors, thus enhancing the flexibility and water resistance of the installation. To further accommodate movement within the project, intermediate tile panel movement joints and perimeter joints were installed to cater for the anticipated structural, background and thermal movements of the building, and were specified at 2.4 metre centres, to align with the modular tile sizes. Pelzer and Muzondida were on site throughout the project to ensure material was delivered timeously, provide product training on the application of the materials, and to assist the contractors with queries and troubleshooting for both the waterproofing and tiling installation.
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Den Braven products have unique attributes with continuous research and laboratory testing used to formulate the range. With the correct sealing, jointing, filling and adhesive applications, Den Braven will demonstrate why their products offer quality and lasting solutions.
Visit our FaceBook page for our latest “how to” application videos
JHB: + 27 11 792 3830 • DBN: 031 579 2375 • CT: 021 552 9674 • sales@denbraven.co.za • www.denbraven.co.za Please contact us for further technical information and assistance.
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DIY
How to apply
sealants properly DIY jobs often confronted by the homeowner or handyman-for-hire include activities made simple courtesy of the supplier below:
A well-known manufacturer advises readers on the correct application of foams, sealants and adhesives. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a process, explains the manufacturer, based on the following four critical steps. 1. selecting the correct sealant; 2. preparing the surface prior to application; 3. applying correctly; and 4. curing time. The methods are straightforward, argues Den Braven South Africa and made simple for readers of TO BUILD in a series of 'howto' videos which can be easily accessed by scanning the Q-codes listed with each activity.
Paint Sili-Kill on old sealant leave for 20 minutes and use a scraper to remove it.
Removing old sealant
Clean the surface thoroughly Use masking tape on both sides of gap to ensure a neat finish.
Sealing a bath 86
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Remove the masking tape immediately - pulling the tape off towards the seal.
DIY
Cut the cartridge nozzle to the width required to fill the gap between tiles and sanitary ware
Replacing broken tiles
All Round Fixing
Fixing a leaking gutter
The application of PUR foam
Permanently sticking a heavy item to a wall
Sticking a mirror to a door
Filling an expansion joint in brick paving using polyethylene cord as a bond breaker.
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DIY LANDSCAPING
Sandpit to Cape coastal
floral haven One of my favourite challenges when it comes to indigenous landscaping is to hear someone say words to the effect of: "Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve got a real sandpit around our home, what can we do to change it into a garden!â&#x20AC;? Gareth Griffiths Erina Botha, indigenous landscaper
Carpenter bee
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DIY LANDSCAPING
Asking people if theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve noticed the dense vegetation in the sandy area between the R27 and the coastline as they drive out to Melkbos, Velddrift, Langebaan, Yserfontein, Paternoster and further, is usually a 'light bulb' moment, as that is obviously a very sandy habitat on both sides of the road. One of the first, colonising plants to use in a new sandy soil garden is Arctotis, that beautiful and tough, grey-leafed trailing plant that sets off so beautifully whatever other green-leafed vegetation one adds to the garden. It is a long-flowering trailing plant and it comes in a wide range of colours, from pink and maroon to bright orange, pale yellow and white.
For height in a new sandy soil garden, I suggest some of the wide range of greengrey leaved Salvias, interspersed with long-flowering green-leaved Polygalas. Both species are fast growers and can easily reach a height of 8 to 9 feet, but can also be kept at a lower height with trimming a few times a year. Both are abundantly flowering plants that flower through spring and summer if in the right conditions.
Getting the soil covered But the starting point in a new, sandy soil garden is to get the soil covered. The dense fynbos vegetation of the Cape Floral Kingdom naturally provides a continual cover of vegetation on the sandy soil as leaves, twigs and flowers continually drop
The best cover to use is natural plant mulch chopped up plant material without any manure added. Most fynbos plants do not like manure-rich composts as food plants would do.
down and further vegetation is added as birds, bugs and other creatures feed on the plants. The best cover to use is natural plant mulch â&#x20AC;&#x201C; chopped up plant material without any manure added. Most fynbos plants do not like manure-rich composts as food plants like celery, tomatoes and spinach would do. One of my recommendations is an indigenous lawn for lounging on. In a small garden I often recommend we create a retaining brick border for the lawn so that it is contained and does not grow into surrounding flowerbeds. Buffalo lawn is our indigenous, coastal lawn and my first recommendation. It is thick and with the right feeding of natural organic plant food it grows thick and requires very little maintenance. Every garden should have at least one tree and if the space is small, my first suggestion would be Nuxia floribunda, a marvellous garden tree species with a neat, naturally rounded canopy and abundant flowers in autumn and spring.
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DIY LANDSCAPING
What makes it such a particularly marvellous tree is that it doesn’t drop leaves, so it could even be planted near a pool; it has a small root system so it is no treat to walls or paving. Adding seasonal bulbs is another marvellous way to spice up Cape coastal region gardens – Watsonias for spring and summer, Crocosmia for summer and autumn and Chasmanthes for winter and early spring. Another important feature for creating a lush, indigenous garden is to change the shady areas into a forest floor with some of our wide range of indigenous Plectranthus species. And of course, in that forest-environment section, a bird bath with running water. It is always placed best under or near a tree as the birds prefer to be able to flit up onto overhanging branches to get out of danger of cats, for instance. If placed fairly close to the house, it has the added advantage of adding a continuous gurgling sound, like a stream running past your front door. It is also fun to add some fitting ‘decorations’ to your garden for contrast. Like placing tall ‘steel’ ornamental cranes in carefully selected places. You may be surprised to find that the local ‘wildlife’ use these. In my own garden, carpenter bees have used the head of the steel crane for three years as a breeding place as they found a hollow spot without having to bore into an old tree branch to create it.
Erina Botha is both a freelance writer and an experienced indigenous landscaper. Erina comments: “Living in the heart of the world’s richest floral kingdom in the Cape coastal region, makes indigenous gardening such an obvious choice. “Yet, even though our indigenous plants are greatly in demand all over the world, many of the most striking species are often not available through most of our local retail nurseries. If we widely encourage indigenous gardens, the demand will increase and our nurseries would be able to stock a much wider range of the 14 000 plus species in our Cape Floral Kingdom alone.” Future editions of TO BUILD will host further articles with Erina’s advice. She will cover indigenous gardening topics from other South African botanical regions. Please contact her on +27 82 920 6559 or email on erinab@mweb.co.za should you have questions. 90
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Tracking water Tracking water consumption is made consumption is made easy easy by by Water Water Wise Wise
The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) aim s toDepartment ensure water by 2030. Currently, The of security Water and Sanitation (DWS) our swater-stressed country faces economic water aim to ensure water security by 2030. Currently,
scarcity due to issues withfaces the economic country’s water our water-stressed country infrastructure, ever-increasing demand water on a scarcity due toan issues with the country’s limited supply, and other environmental factors. infrastructure, an ever-increasing demand on a limited supply, and other environmental factors. With a deeper understanding of water consumption patterns understanding and water balances, With a deeper of water utilities and patterns municipalities canbalances, work towards consumption and water water improving their existing water-supply models. They utilities and municipalities can work towards can then their address water wastage such as They nonimproving existing water-supply models. revenue and excessive use and leakages, in can thenwater, address water wastage such as nonorder to reduce water losses in large distribution revenue water, and excessive use and leakages, in networks. order to reduce water losses in large distribution networks. End-users such as homeowners also encounter leaks, whichsuch canasbe easily detected if they End-users homeowners also encounter monitor their water use by taking regular leaks, which can be easily detected if water they monitor their water use by taking regular water
meter readings. To assist homeowners with understanding water habits, Water Wise with has meter readings. To use assist homeowners developed a Water which serves understanding waterWise use calculator, habits, Water Wise has as a simple tool to estimate household water use developed a Water Wise calculator, which serves anda simple assist tool people in detecting high water water-use as to estimate household use activities even leaks. In general, and assistand people in detecting high showering water-use and flushing toilets are the highest water-use activities and even leaks. In general, showering activities in a home. and flushing toilets are the highest water-use activities in a home. The calculator, through a question–answer system, generates through a water usage chart and an The calculator, a question–answer estimated cost (R) of the household’s water billan in system, generates a water usage chart and a month. The is to homeowners to be estimated costaim (R) of theassist household’s water bill in responsible in their use of water. The Water Wise a month. The aim is to assist homeowners to be calculator can found responsible inbe their usebyofgoing water. The Water Wise to the Rand website at calculator canWater be found by going www.randwater.co.za, clicking to the Rand Water website at on the Water Wise logo and www.randwater.co.za, clicking going to the Water Info tab. on the Water Wise logo and going to the Water Info tab.
www.randwater.co.za and click on the Water Wise logo FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ONand WATER WISE,on PLEASE US ON: logo 0860 10 10 60 www.randwater.co.za click theCONTACT Water Wise FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON WATER WISE, PLEASE CONTACT US ON: 0860 10 10 60
DIY - WOODWORK
Plans free to all
wood workers and DIYers Kreg says is has extended its unique free project plan offer to all its customers with its latest collection of seven plans from Kreg BuildSomething, the international leaders in pocket hole wood working jigs and wood working equipment. Vermont Sales
Using www.buildsomething.com, the manufacturer advises DIYers to enter the plan they are looking for in the website search i.e. ledge shelves.
Ledge shelves Build these quick and easy picture ledge shelves using pocket hole joinery to avoid nail holes on the front side. This is a perfect beginner woodworking project, and they are unbelievably cheap to make.
DIY single sink vanity with drawers These plans detail how to build a single sink bathroom vanity with drawer storage that fits around your plumbing. This is an 92
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easy project that will totally transform a bathroom space and add storage without interfering with existing plumbing.
would ever expect, and keeps your garage or workshop organized.
Gaming controller/headset stand Gaming controller/headset stand to hold two gaming controllers and your gaming headset.
This small printer cart is great for a small office, but pretty enough for storing a printer in any room. The sliding plexiglass door can cover up areas that are not needed.
DIY outdoor wooden lanterns
Toddler bed with built-in shelves
Make these beautiful designer outdoor wooden lanterns for a super budget savvy price.
This toddler bed offers great style, plus built-in shelves where you can keep their favorite books and toys. The bed is built from just nine 1x6 boards and a piece of plywood, and it all goes together with pocket-hole screws.
DIY tool organization & storage This small unit holds more tools than you
Small printer cart
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GREEN MATTERS
Lessons from the ancients
Opportunities for Green Star rated homes Gareth Griffiths
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We lost what our ancestors knew about home building practices in the pursuit of faster, contemporary, and aggressive city and precinct growth. We forgot why they positioned homes to face north. We shrugged off the all-encompassing veranda, the parquet floors, the stable door, the ceiling fans, the compost heap, the water troughs, and we removed the local clay, boulders and the centuries-old trees that were in the way of progress, modernity and aesthetics. What we are left with are homes that need costly technology to best drive our comfort, yet do little to advance sustainability and environmental protection.
GREEN MATTERS
The contemporary concept of sustainability and 'green' is really anachronistic, because, as Lisa Reynolds, CEO of the Green Building Council South Africa (GBCSA), points out, there’s a new willingness to be resourceefficient to lessen the burden on the environment, “and a greener home design presents us with an opportunity to return to building homes as instinctively as the ancients.” This is largely referred to in our time, as passive building, a design that reduces a building’s ecological footprint, yet still improves the quality and comfort of the life of occupants. It is also something that the GBCSA has become credited for driving in our country, given its advocacy and certification of predominantly green built commercial, retail, and other buildings. Although the GBCSA has been EDGE certifying new building multi-unit residences, it is now expanding its focus into the individual residential and community markets, and will be launching a green rating tool for existing private properties in late 2021. “We’re responding to the lack of information in the market by providing a user-friendly guide to help residents to 'green' their homes, be that off-plan or retrofit. Two significant and challenging incidences have advanced the need for, what we are currently calling, our ‘resi-tool’,” says Reynolds. “More people are realising, now they are working from home as a result of the COVID-19 lockdown, that their house isn’t thermally comfortable. And when impacted by load-shedding, their frustration is exacerbated, and not only by addition of the ever-increasing cost of energy or sourcing an alternative, but what it really does cost when you don’t have power, or water for that matter.”
Defining a healthy home Another realisation that the lockdown introduced is the need for safe, healthy home spaces; especially for those living in the affordable housing sector.
“A home must be thermally comfortable, sealed from rain and condensation, and promote healthy social interaction with reduced infection transmission, whilst achieving the needed occupant density,” says Reynolds. “A green home is a healthy home and we need healthy housing now and beyond lockdown.” It can be difficult to know where to start solving these issues. Obviously, a new build, if it includes passive design concepts, consideration of the orientation of a building, and the installation of renewable alternatives, is the ideal. The government has introduced energy efficiency regulations, which guide how we build. but as Reynolds says, “these are minimum standards and aren’t necessarily promoting green homes.” With the GBCSA already qualified to define ‘green’, its resi-tool is going to be somewhat of an eye-opener, particularly for existing homes. “For example, shading your home may be more cost-effective than installing airconditioners, and consider that thatch or insulation both increases and decreases natural thermal properties,” says Reynolds. “We want home-owners to look at their entire building envelope before retrofitting, and that includes how the house is insulated and ventilated; and not 'leaky', be that energy or water. It has to be a holistic effort in order to actively make systems and efforts more efficient, comfortable, and cost-effective. “In so many ways this is about returning to what our ancestors applied when building their homes … with balance and working with the environment. Houses on stilts, for example, were built to allow air access beneath, for cooling. Our homes in the southern hemisphere were positioned to face north to capture the winter sun, regardless of whether that meant skewing the house against its perimeter lines. The
Lisa Reynolds at the 4-Green Star rated Radisson Red Hotel handover event.
veranda that went around the entire house kept heat ingress to a minimum.”
Still good looking Aesthetics don’t need to be compromised with a retrofit. Reynolds points out how innovative products are today, but this highlights the problem of 'greenwashing', and how the banks that are issuing 'green' bonds, can use the GBCSA’s resi-tool to better understand what really constitutes a green home. “The banks are risk-adverse, and we believe our tool will provide them with better and more comprehensive information to mitigate their 'green' bond risks. It will also prove the case for passive efforts in the house having as much value as solar or batteries for example," says Reynolds. “While the qualitative value of the new GBCSA tool will embrace the continuous fast development of all stakeholders in the home architectural environment, it will also direct us all to take inspiration from our ancient builders and their total commitment to sustainability,” she adds. volume 10 | issue 3 www.tobuild.co.za
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ADVERTORIAL: COPPER DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION
Copper in building construction Copper is the oldest mined metal used by humans. Some of the most common uses of copper in today's built environment includes plumbing, electricity, HVAC, handles, handrails, push plates, brass nozzles in sprinkler systems, roofs, canopies and curtain walling. Copper is also gaining popularity in interior design. Copper is the best conductor of all nonprecious metals and, unlike many other materials, loses none of its properties when recycled. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It has been exciting to see the development of copper in the building industry as well as the application of copper alloys in the health and aquaculture industries.â&#x20AC;? says Levine Warries, Centre Director of the Copper Development Association (CDAA) in Wadeville, Germiston. The CDAA warns electricians to ensure that the copper products they purchase are manufactured to SABS specifications. Local manufacturers could produce items such as busbars from locally melted copper which may be fit for use, but the alloy could be marginal. The COVID 19 pandemic has led to instances where Legionella was found in pipes where the water had been stagnant for a long time. However, this would not occur in copper water tubing due to its ability to kill waterborne pathogens. Legionnaires' disease is a potentially fatal type of pneumonia, contracted by inhaling airborne water droplets containing viable Legionella bacteria. Such droplets can be created, for example, by hot and cold-water outlets, atomisers, a wet airconditioning plant, and whirlpool or hydrotherapy baths. 96
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Copper in renewable energy Copper plays an integral role in alternative energy and four to five times more copper is used per kilowatt in wind turbines and three to four more times in photovoltaic energy, than fossilfuelled power generation. The advent of alternative 'green' energy also reduces the amount of CO2 emissions and the rapid development of electric vehicles will further reduce greenhouse gasses. Some very innovative and attractive architectural designs have incorporated the use of solar energy. The continuous improvement of energy storage and the reduction in the cost of alternative energy will gradually increase the use of solar energy in residential and commercial buildings.
countries, which deprives local industry from much needed production material. However, the CDAA, government and industry is progressively tightening controls by improving container inspections and educating customs and excise officials. There is also consideration being given to the introduction of a tax on the export of copper scrap. Copper produced from scrap saves approximately 80% of the energy necessary to produce primary copper from mining.
Government has recently approved the purchase of energy from the independent power producers and the combination of photovoltaic energy and wind turbines will soon see total elimination of loadshedding.
Copper theft The theft of copper cable, in particular, has been a concern for many years. Stolen copper is mainly exported to Asian
Office: +27 11 824 3916 www.copper.co.za
GREEN MATTERS
RED gets its GREEN An interesting and vastly different type of hotel has recently been awarded its Five Green Star ‘As Built’ rating, in addition to its 5-Star Green Custom Hotel Design. Gareth Griffiths
Pardon Mutasa (GBCSA), Leonie Andereya (Radisson Red), Lisa Reynolds (GBCSA, CEO), David Green (V&A Waterfront, CEO), and Mark Noble, Kirsten Goosen and Vusi Nondo (all V&A Waterfront).
Photojournalist, Gareth Griffiths, also editor of TO BUILD, was on hand to cover the event. The Radisson RED brand, of which the Radisson Red Hotel at the V&A Waterfront is a significant part, is owned by and part of the international hotel group Carlson Rezidor’s first new concept upscale lifestyle hotels in Europe, Africa and the Middle East (EMEA). Radisson RED hotels are placed in vibrant, urban locations where travellers have the unique opportunity to tailor their stay to their style. This appeals to the younger traveller and also to travellers with pets.
Lisa Reynolds, GBCSA – RED rooftop bar
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The ground floor of the hotel houses the reception and welcome area, event and meeting spaces and the restaurant. The first floor is set aside for back-of-house functions
while floors two to eight house guest rooms. A gym, lounge bar and pool deck with panoramic views are located on the roof level. This conceptually-lively, 252-room Radisson RED Hotel won the award for the Best ‘Other’ Development, making it the first new hotel to receive a 5-Star Green Custom Hotel Design rating. It has also received a 5-Star Green Hotel As-Built rating. “We are super chuffed about the award and we will display this plaque for all our guests to see. RED is an attitude with a GREEN mindset about our responsibilities to run a business sustainable,” says Leonie Andereya, the Curator and General Manager for Radisson Red.
GREEN MATTERS
Radisson Red team in rooftop vegetable garden.
So what exactly earned the Radisson Red its stars from the Green Building Council of SA’s assessors? As part of the V&A Waterfront, which has an outstanding record of sustainable developments, the ‘Red’ incorporates the following features which got the Green Building assessor’s pens busy ticking boxes: • Low maintenance: The surrounding industrial and warehouse setting of the working harbour and the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Arts Africa (MOCAA) has been articulated in the design of the building. Concrete and face brick therefore form an integral part of the architecture, giving the hotel a contemporary aesthetic look and ensuring low maintenance. • The building is spatially efficient with low VOC finishes. Good levels of natural lighting, together with appropriately designed facades, ensure maximum efficiency of resources. An independent commissioning agent was appointed to manage the commissioning and tuning process, which ensures optimum operations of the building. • The opportunity to install district-wide services for the various buildings was identified early in the planning of the Silo District. With major initiatives such as the centralised district sea water cooling and heating plant being among the most high-profile interventions, other simpler initiatives such as the shared potable water and fire sprinkler water tanks cut down on the amount of water required to be stored as well as reduce the space in the car park taken up by multiple individual tanks. • Efficient water and electrical design to
Leonie Andereya and Pardon Mutasa in the rooftop garden – note the green herbal wall planters.
minimise demand. • Durability and maintenance were a key consideration in the design detailing of the building. • The building’s close geographical position to Cape Town’s MyCiti bus service and a secure bicycle parking facility, as well as various amenities within walking distance promotes the use of sustainable public transport. Commenting on behalf of the GBCSA, the head of technical, Georgina Smit, said: “Congratulations to the V&A for pioneering leadership within the hospitality sector. When No. 6 Silo, the building housing the RED was conceptualised, there was no local green building certification tool for hotels. The V&A's ambitious commitment to green, however, resulted in the project initiating the first custom hotel tool to be developed in South Africa, by making use of the GBCSA Custom Tool process.” The 5-Star award was handed over to Andereya and V&A Waterfront CEO, David Green, by the new GBCSA CEO, Lisa
Reynolds, on a warm spring morning on the open roof. “The GBCSA acknowledge the role that the hospitality sector plays in raising awareness about sustainability and how travellers are increasingly requesting accommodation and transport options that reduce their carbon footprint,” says Reynolds. “No 6 Silo is an example of a green hotel that connects guests to alternative city transport options, precinct scale services that optimise efficiency (such as the innovative central seawater cooling plant) and attention to detail when it comes to dematerialisation in the interior finishes.” Explaining the V&A Waterfront’s sustainability philosophy, Vusi Nondo, Executive Manager for Development said: “We value this latest accolade and all that it signifies as our buildings are an important asset to the V&A Waterfront and we take pride in applying a rigorous approach to sustainable development, towards which we take a holistic approach”.
Project team Owner: The V&A Waterfront Architects: Design Space Africa and Peerutin Engineers: Sutherland, Solution Station, ARUP and Source (Mechanical) Quantity surveyors: MLC Quantity Surveyors Acoustics: SRL Sustainable building consultant: Arup Wet services: Sutherland Landscape architect: Planning Partners Façade engineer: Arup Main contractor: NMC & WBHO Project manager: Mace Management Services volume 10 | issue 3 www.tobuild.co.za
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GREEN MATTERS
SA amends ozone
layer regulations
“In an effort to ensure that we close the potential gaps in illegal trade, an amendment of the Regulations regarding the phasing-out and management of ozone depleting substances has been undertaken,” Environment, Forestry and Fisheries Deputy Minister, Makhotso Sotyu, said. Addressing the virtually held International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer event, Sotyu said measures are put in place to monitor and control imports and exports in the country, such as import quotas and the licensing system. The new measures in place directly affect the refrigerant industry, a vital member of the built environment value chain. Themed ‘Ozone for Life’, this year’s event signalled 35 years of ozone layer protection, bringing together the refrigeration and air conditioning industry, importers and exporters of refrigerants, learning institutions and government. The event reflected on measures taken to phase out ozone depleting substances (ODS) such as fluorocarbons and hydrochlorofluorocarbons in South Africa and encourage use of environmentally friendly alternatives. (Hydrofluorocarbons HFCs - were introduced in response to the calls for a worldwide swing to ozone-friendly chemicals in the early 90s. This worked and the ozone layer was restored, but this family of chemicals are up to 9 000 times
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more harmful than carbon dioxide is as a greenhouse gas. However, humankind now sits with the serious consequences of this early solution to the ozone-layer depletion problem - Ed.) Government’s collaboration with the industry birthed the Chemicals Management Phakisa Initiatives, aimed at impacting positively on both the environment and economy, such as the training of refrigeration and air conditioning technicians in the informal servicing sector in the country by 2023. It is extending its reach to learning institutions to develop and raise a generation of environmentalists. “South Africa also participates and plays an important role in leading the Africa Group in international negotiations, making sure that the needs of the continent in phasing out and managing ozone depleting substances are met,” Sotyu added. This year, South Africa is the President of the African Ministerial Conference on the Environment and has been privileged to
co-chair the Open-Ended Working Group Meeting in 2020. “We are hopeful that despite the very difficult circumstances we face the world over, our contribution and leadership will help in guiding the ozone family to making important decisions,” Sotyu said. Government, says the Deputy Minister, has much work ahead in dealing with global warming substances such as HFCs and implementing the Kigali Amendment. World Ozone Day was declared in 1994 by the United Nations following the signing of the Montreal Protocol, which aims to protect the ozone layer by taking measures to control the total global production and consumption of ozone depleting substances. A later protocol, called the Kigali Accord, 2016, addresses the greenhouse gas emission problems caused by nonozone layer depleting gases that we phased in after 1994. (Source: SA Government Press Release).
STRIVE
MARVEL
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STUDENT PROFESSIONALS
Longstanding architecture
competition goes online The 1.618 Education Initiative (1.618), an annual design competition in its 28th year and aimed at third-year architecture and interior design students around South Africa, is written into the curricula of participating educational institutions. It is supported and sponsored by a well-known South African wood panel manufacturer. The competition continued during 2020, despite all the impediments of the COVID pandemic, surely a credit to both organisers and sponsor. This year the competition moved online for the first time. 1.618 Education Initiative A vital development intervention by the built environment, the 1.618 aims to nurture and recognise young talent, introduce students to real-world briefs and products, and encourage creative thinking. “Our brief for the 2020 edition of the PG Bison 1.618 Education Initiative was ‘The pursuit of Balance’”, explains Lian Markham, Communications Manager at PG Bison. “Students are given a brief – exactly as they would be on a real-world project – and submit their designs, which are judged by a panel of industry experts. Every year, we choose the site for the project based on where the previous year’s winner was studying. The 2019 competition winner was Sanette de Villiers from Nelson Mandela University in Port Elizabeth, so this year’s brief focused on a site in Port Elizabeth.” The 2020 brief asked students to submit their ideas to transform a site in a community-based space for work and leisure in the Lower Baakens Valley, South End. In short, entrants needed to select a tenant or brand and design a fit-for-purpose space within the existing development, balancing the tenant/brand requirements with a social cause that would elevate the brand experience. Livia Coetzee-Stein, Creative Executive at DHQ Interior Brand Architects, was one of the five competition judges and helped PG Bison to craft the 2020 brief. “The theme – Pursuit of Balance – is about balancing the experiential component with 102
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the actual site and its distinct elements,” she says. “It's a very raw space, so I’m interested to see how the students are going to look at the tenant mix and who's there at the moment, and then what they can bring that's different and that will bring value. It’s more than design – it’s strategic thinking.” Coetzee-Stein was joined on the judging panel by Dale Friedman, associate at Paragon Interface and Phill Mashabane, founder and principal architect at Mashabane Rose Associates, both who have served as PG Bison 1.618 Education Initiative judges before, as well as two new judges, Mardre Meyer, Creative Director and a partner at Source Interior Brand Architects, and Henk Marais, founding member and Director at Connect Architects. “I believe strongly that supporting students is supporting the future of the design industry in this country,” says Meyer, adding that being a judge is a way to help shape
Livia Coetzee-Stein
Mardre Meyer
these students, and thus the future of the industry. “Our awards ceremony will take place online this year, which is something we’ve never done before, so we’re working hard to ensure we keep our students engaged,” says Markham. “There is a benefit in doing a digital ceremony instead of a gala event. We can include more of the students’ special family and friends, allowing them to be part of celebrating South Africa’s young architecture and design talent.” It’s not only about attractive prizes and top honours. Previous winners and finalists of the PG Bison 1.618 Education Initiative have gone on to receive job offers as a direct result of the competition, and to achieve successful careers. The awards will be announced on 11 November - look out for them. For further info, visit www.1sixoneeight.co.za
Mardre Meyer, new judge for 2020
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STUDENTS & ACADEMIA
Honours in construction
health and safety management TO BUILD is pleased to report that due to the efforts of leading academics in the field of construction health and safety, a new course is now available at Honours level for eligible postgraduate students. Professor John Smallwood, Nelson Mandela University (NMU), reports for us. NMU
Prof John Smallwood
The study of construction health and safety management at this level aims to equip students with advanced knowledge in the discipline of construction health and safety (H&S) management. It is envisaged that a graduate will be able to apply the knowledge, skills and values gained during their studies, within a business or project environment using an encompassing political, economic, social, technological, environmental, and legal (PESTEL) framework. The Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) industry report Construction Health & Safety Status & Recommendations published in 2009,
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highlighted the significant number of accidents, fatalities, and other injuries that are prevalent in the construction industry. This is attributed to a lack of compliance with H&S legislative requirements, which is indicative of a deficiency in effective management and supervision of H&S on construction sites, as well as, in advance planning from the inception of projects within the context of construction project management. It is also evident that there is a lack of sufficiently skilled, experienced and knowledgeable persons to manage H&S during construction projects and on sites. The Council for the Built Environment
(CBE) then mandated the South African Council for the Project and Construction Management Professions (SACPCMP), in terms of Act No. 48, to register construction H&S professionals following the CIDB’s report, which highlighted the need for professional registration of construction H&S practitioners due to, inter alia, the finding that there was a lack of competencies and no formal registration process. This in turn led to the identification of three such categories of registration: Professional Construction Health and Safety Agent (Pr CHSA), Construction Health and Safety Manager (CHSM), and Construction Health and Safety Officer (CHSO).
prescribed supplementary modules prior to commencing with the Bachelor of Science Honours in Construction Health and Safety Management qualification.
after admission. This would be expedited according to the Nelson Mandela University RPL Policy.
The widening of access to higher education will be promoted by considering candidates with Bachelor’s degrees from related fields of study.
The presentation of this qualification by the Nelson Mandela University will complement the MSc (Built Environment) Construction Health and Safety Management specialisation first presented in 2007, and accredited by the Chartered Institute of Building in September 2008, as well as the SACPCMP in December 2012, and in December 2017. This will be possible due to the inclusion of H&S as a component of the Construction Management subject throughout the 49 years of the offering of the Construction Management programmes, the conducting of extensive H&S research, including numerous Honours, Masters and Doctoral studies, and publishing relative to H&S.
The emphasis on the Bachelor of Science in Construction Studies or a qualification deemed by Senate to be equivalent, is that underpinning knowledge in the built environment in the form of economics, management, and science and technology modules is a prerequisite for managing construction H&S.
Registration rules were then gazetted for these three categories for commencement on 1 June 2013 in the case of Pr CHSA, and 1 August 2013 in the case of CHSM and CHSO. To date, no NQF Level 8 construction H&S qualification has existed.
Applications can be made at www.applyonline.mandela.ac.za. The extended online application date is 14 November 2020
Purpose
Applicants who do not meet the direct admission requirements are required to demonstrate to the satisfaction of the university that they have a qualification, plus suitable experiential or work-based learning, which will take the applicant to the equivalent of the entry level of the qualification specified above.
Overall, the purpose of the Bachelor of Science Honours in Construction Health and Safety Management is to develop the necessary knowledge, understanding, abilities, and skills required to practice as a CHSA, and become a CHSM. Graduates will be able to practice as CHSOs by default. The SACPCMP approved the programme in principle in May 2014.
Access to the qualification Candidates shall be admitted to study for the postgraduate qualification of Bachelor of Science Honours in Construction Health and Safety Management only if they hold the qualification Bachelor of Science in Construction Studies or a qualification deemed by Senate to be an equivalent, or a Bachelor qualification in one of the built environment or engineering disciplines, or if they otherwise qualify for admission in the opinion of the Senate.
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
Such candidates may be considered for admission through RPL after assessment via a portfolio of evidence, which indicates that the prior learning has been done. Applicants who, after the assessment, are deemed to have sufficient potential but are in need of further academic development, may be required to broaden their curriculum by enrolling for preliminary modules prior to admission or parallel modules
The presenting department
Furthermore, construction H&S is a current School of the Built Environment and Civil Engineering research niche area. Finally, the aforementioned includes three decades of recognition by, and collaboration with, government, industry, other tertiary institutions, professional associations, and the SACPCMP since its establishment. This recognition is based on the delivery of related professional vocational education, community engagement, and research. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2021 first semester commencement date has yet to be finalised.
Further information For further information visit www.mandela.ac.za/study-at-mandela/ discovery/Qualification-Details?appqual=Br& qual=73555&faculty=1700&ot=01&cid= For queries, please e-mail Professor John Smallwood at john. smallwood@mandela.ac.za
Modules • Construction Health & Safety Management 4A and 4B (30 Credits) • Construction Environmental Management 4 (10 Credits) • Construction Risk Management 4 (10 Credits)
Candidates may be required to undertake a selection procedure, which may include written evaluations and an interview. If deemed necessary, candidates may be required to complete certain
• Design Management 4 (10 Credits) • Project Management 4 (10 Credits) • Professional Practice for Construction Management A and B (20 Credits) • Construction Health and Safety Management Treatise 4 (35 Credits) volume 10 | issue 3 www.tobuild.co.za
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ADVERTORIAL: URETEK DEEP INJECTION
Uretek deep injection 120 Fox Street
The building known as 120 Fox Street in Johannesburg central, underwent recent renovations. The building consists of two structures; a U-shape eight-floor office building with underground parking on two levels and a single high volume building in the centre of the courtyard, formed by the wings of the main building. This single high volume structure underwent structural changes by adding two additional floors to the existing volume. Extensive geotechnical investigations required that the affected concrete columns and bases be strengthened to carry the additional loads. This was achieved in two phases: Firstly, the concrete columns were strengthened by carbon fibre wrapping carried out by a specialist contractor. Secondly, the bearing capacity of the soil below the bases was increased. This was carried out by Uretek Geo-Systems. The consulting engineers appointed Uretek Geo-Systems as the company is able to provide a quick and non-intrusive solution backed by a 10-year guarantee. DCP tests were carried out to determine the depths to which the structural resin needed to be injected. The test results indicated that it was necessary to inject in 106
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two levels. One directly below the concrete bases, and a second layer a metre below. The injection process was halted at each column when the rotary laser level and receiver attached to the columns indicated that the minimum lift of 0.5mm was achieved. The reaction of the structure indicates that the ground is subjected to a pressure equivalent to several times the static load of the building and that the bearing capacity of the soil has been improved sufficiently to carry the additional load exerted on the existing structure.
the 14mm diameter hole, which was drilled through the concrete bases to the required depth. There is no excavation needed. The resin reaches 90% strength in 15 minutes, so the injected area is readily available for use on completion of the operation. This project exemplifies the versatility of Uretek technologies, characterised by fast and clean implementation.
The whole operation was completed within one day by a crew of three technicians. The equipment is housed in a mobile workshop which was parked at street level, outside the entrance to the parking basement. The resin travels through 100 metres of heated hoses to the injection gun. The injection gun is attached to the injection tubes, which are inserted into
Uretek Geo-Systems 68 C Olifantsfontein Road Glen Austin, Midrand 1685 T +27 (0)11 238 7154 F +27 (0)86 550 3164
URETEK Geo-Systems (SA) (Pty) Ltd specializes in industrial, commercial and residential applications as well as the rehabilitation of roads and highways through advanced technology characterized by superior chemistry, inventive technique, and extensive experience. URETEK Deep Injection patented technology employs high density expanding structural polymers to stabilize soils at depth and increase their bearing capacity. Once the soils at depth are addressed, then the foundations, Floor slabs or road pavements are realigned or raised as needed. Most importantly, URETEK Slab Lifting Method returns your road pavement systems and concrete floor slabs to their original design with a stronger sub-base and improved soil structure. Regardless of whether your problem is routine or complex, URETEK can draw from extensive resources to develop the best solutions for your needs. URETEK loves a challenge and an opportunity to be innovative.
The flexible nature of the application of the Uretek technologies enable us to reach confined spaces without disturbing existing structures
For more information about what makes Uretek the best choice contact Info@uretek.co.za | 011 238 7154 | www.uretek.co.za
NEWS FROM THE MARKETPLACE
Sandton Central
office space
usage adapts Much has been said in recent months about the dearth of office space use as we knew it pre-COVID. Paragon Group
Owners need to work with tenants while having the flexibility to adjust spaces for relevance, with an offering underpinned by on-demand services. Elaine Jack-CID Manager of Sandton Central
Humans are social creatures who become more creative when they are together. Over time, companies may downscale their office footprints somewhat, but they will most certainly retain their office as a meeting point where staff, suppliers and customers can congregate to create, motivate and influence one another. This is the view of Barry van Wyk, a property specialist and chair of the Sandton Central Management District (SCMD) Marketing Committee. Since the first building developed exclusively for offices arose some 300 years ago in London in 1720's, the office concept rapidly swept around the world. Over the centuries, the densities and the privacy that offices have afforded has altered in line with trends and tasks. They have shifted from dense rows of desks to open-plan spaces and from cubicle farms to today's more modern, agile and activitybased working designs. “Is the rise in work-from-home the death of the office as we know it? Absolutely not," counters Van Wyk. 108
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Van Wyk’s view is echoed by Ridwaan Loonat, Property Analyst at Nedbank CIB, which has its head office in Sandton Central. "Office space is here to stay in our opinion as it preserves company culture, helps to attract talent, supports mentorship and encourages collaboration,” he says. Loonat notes the office segment was the property sector facing the most pressure going into COVID-19 but, in terms of rental collections during the lockdown and the months following, the sector has proven surprisingly defensive. Some things will change, however. "In a post-COVID-19 world, we expect to see organisations adopting a hybrid model, combining working from home with local and head offices. They will re-look at office designs, ensuring physical distancing, and improving bathrooms, air conditioning and high-traffic touchpoints," Loonat points out.
Change is nothing new for offices Offices have adapted throughout history, starting with their origins in ancient Rome.
For centuries, people have been waking up and commuting to work or retreating to quiet workrooms. Offices have been used by governments, trading companies and religious orders. It was not unusual for medieval monks, for example, to work in quiet spaces at a workstation comprising a desk, chair and storage shelves. "While already emerging as a trend before lockdown, tailoring space to its use is going to be a big part of the office of the future. There will be spaces to meet and collaborate, to do admin tasks or to concentrate, rather than a staff member having one dedicated desk to do everything," notes Paul Kollenberg, Growthpoint Properties Head of Asset Management: Office. Darryl Mayers, joint CEO of Investec Property Fund, suggests that owners need to work with tenants while having the flexibility to adjust spaces for relevance, with an offering underpinned by ondemand services.
NEWS FROM THE MARKETPLACE
1 Park Lane Sandton / Alchemy Properties
Amelia Beattie, Chief Executive of Liberty Two Degrees, believes that remote working brings new opportunities for innovation and doing things differently. "New formats and ways of working more efficiently will be top of mind for the leadership of businesses. As the world settles into different perspectives, so will the new demand and supply cycle emerge," Beattie says. Her company is exploring innovative solutions and new uses for space.
For several years now, technology has enabled many employees to effectively and efficiently work from home. Before the pandemic, 15% of American office workers were already working from home and commuting to their offices intermittently.
on the sector, in comparison. But they cannot be discounted entirely.
Larger determining factors
And is Sandton ready to meet the challenge?
The biggest challenge for the office sector in South Africa, however, is a weak economy, which means fewer business opportunities, fewer jobs and lower demand for office space for now at least. The impacts of the work work-from-home trend are insignificant
A preference for offices in amenity-rich environments was evident before the COVID-19 pandemic but has now been amplified. Sandton Central, which positions itself as South Africa's financial capital, is truly amenity-rich, argue the experts.
"Sandton Central benefits from a compelling and a well-managed infrastructure. It provides an exceptional experience for employees, clients and all business stakeholders. We have more offices than anywhere else in the country, many of them truly magnificent, modern and environmentally innovative," says Elaine Jack, City Improvement District Manager of SCMD. volume 10 | issue 3 www.tobuild.co.za
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NEWS FROM THE MARKETPLACE
African projects in Go Green fare well in finals A total of 2 900 submitted projects to the annual Schneider Go Green global student competition 2020 were chosen from a diversity of countries and people representative of all groups and genders. Every year the global student competition, ‘Schneider Go Green’, sees students from around the globe invited to submit their innovative and bold ideas on energy management and automation for a smarter and more sustainable future. Winning first runner-up for Middle East & Africa was a team from Nigeria – Daniel Alumona and Esther Mbabie from the University of Ibadan. Having previously entered a different competition, only to have their prototype fail at semi-finals, these two rising stars saw the Go Green competition as their chance to show their innovation, WakaGen, to the world, with the support of Schneider Electric. "I believe in our solution's potential in helping to solve the power problems in Nigeria, and I wanted the world to see it,” comments Alumona. After integrating digital
functionality into their product, the team entered the hybrid category for digital and sustainable energy and were named the best in Anglophone West Africa. “We are thrilled to see that the youth of today is rising to the energy challenges of tomorrow,” says Siphumelele Nhlapo, Human Resources Director, Anglophone Africa. “While Africa has abundant renewable energy resources to aid our sustainability efforts, we are also facing a rapidly growing population. If we are to combat climate change, our future leaders need to be innovative in how they solve problems. This competition has once again shown that there are skilled youth in Africa who are ready to put their solutions to the test.” The finalists were supported by Schneider Electric mentors through to the final stages of the competition.
WakaGen is a mobile energy harvesting product in the form of ‘tiles’ that enable the production of electricity with each footstep taken on them. Essentially, WakaGen tiles convert footsteps into storable and usable electricity.
Despite their strong and viable solution, the Nigerian team was topped by Egypt. The top teams were: • Egypt: Abdallah Mohamed from the German University in Cairo (GUC), Egypt, and Habiba Abdelwahed from The American University in Cairo. • Indonesia: Felicia Shelly and Vincent Oktavian Kaulika from Institut Teknologi Bandung. • USA: Nainika Sudheendra and Omeed Noorbakhsh, from the University of Tennessee Knoxville, USA. • Colombia, South America: Jorge Polo and Angie Redondo from Universidade Nacional De Colombia. • China: Yichen Yao and Yuxiao Lei from Xi'an Jiaotong University. • Russia: Kseniya Sherbakova and Batyr Ovezov from the Sergo Ordzhonikidze Russian State University for Geological Prospecting. • India: Shalvi Shukla and Anirudh S Chakravarthy from BITS Pilani.
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Single Coat Oil-Based Wood Stain Protects, nourishes and colours wood in one easy application
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Jax Oleum is incredibly effective and highly durable. It enhances the grain and transforms the look of any natural wood.
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“Egoli Gas offered us numerous system solutions to advance daily living activities. Water heating was the first step for us. The fact that we have no geyser tanks onsite makes life so much easier. Clients always have unlimited hot water and we have less maintenance. Insurance companies in turn gives us better premiums as we don’t get burst geysers. Our second approach was solving cooking; being able to cook even when the power goes out, no need to order in. The outdoor natural gas braai offers that up market element and convenience, especially when tenants move, it’s one less thing they need to bring in and forms part of the units feature. We also solved space heating with indoor fireplaces, providing atmosphere and heat, which is a huge value to us. Piped natural gas is a huge convenience with psychological value as well, when people hear there is piped natural gas they tie green elements to it. The biggest thing is safety, families with little kids don’t worry about gas bottles dangers and from a landlord point of view I know my clients are safe.” Michael Rumbak (Director) - Clearstone Properties
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Complex Name- 21 Melrose | Developer and Landlord- Clearstone Properties Interiors by White Thread Interiors 95 75
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ADVERTORIAL: TWINSTAR PRECAST
Custom-made and one-off precast
concrete products
Twinstar Precast is the industry-leading expert in SA for the design, manufacture, delivery, and placement of custom-made and one-off precast concrete products for construction companies working on projects in the public and private sector, and civil engineering contractors. With 26 years' experience in the precast industry, owner-operator Annemerie Coetzee realized that there was a gap in the precast concrete market for custommade products and once-off items. In the concrete pipe and manhole market for example, the emphasis is on high volumes, and the effort and time required to design and build once-off moulds for non-standard products disrupts any normal well-oiled production line, and also requires additional skills and supervision. This makes custommade, one-off product manufacture an unprofitable business for mainstream, high volume operations. However, not all building contractors have the necessary expertise, manpower and facilities to manufacture such products on-site.
keeping a few fast-moving products in stock which are standard spec for tenders and drawings.
Twinstar Precast was founded in 2014 with the express aim of assisting specifying civil engineers and civil engineering contractors with complicated sites and situations where currently available precast concrete products would not work.
In 2016, Twinstar Precast assisted a client in successfully closing old mineshafts in Gauteng which were previously closed but could not withstand vandalism, and were rife with illegal mining activities. Twinstar Precast's mineshaft slabs are still intact, and no illegal activity has been reported since.
Twinstar Precast strives to be a problem solver, and is solution driven in all aspects of precast concrete. With products ranging in weight from 2kg up to 6 tons, the company is capable of solving almost all precast problems and turning nightmare requirements into a quick and affordable solution. To date, it is the only company in South Africa specialising in custom-made and one-off precast concrete products, only 112
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Twinstar Precast has a unique relationship with mainstream precast concrete companies who pass on referrals and use Twinstar to supply certain non-standard products to keep their clients happy. As far as possible, Twinstar Precast uses small local suppliers and SMMEs, rather than large corporate companies, to transport its products. Marketing is done mostly online, but direct contact is made with specifying engineers to make them aware that their need for custommade products can be met.
Achievements include manufacturing of polymer products
In 2018, Twinstar Precast started with inhouse manufacturing of polymer products. The risk of theft of products with steel and cast iron components increases daily. These polymer products have no metal components and reduce the safety risk of open manholes as well as the financial implication this has on councils and developers. The company manufactures
manhole covers and frames as well as storm water gratings. These components can be bought as a loose item, or casted into the required precast concrete slabs. In 2012, Annemerie Coetzee was part of the team which received the CMA Award for Excellence in Innovation for her contribution in the design and development of bombproof ATM enclosure. Twinstar Precastâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s manufacturing facility is situated in Olifantsfontein, Gauteng, but deliver anywhere in South Africa. Its cranemounted trucks can offload the product directly on site. The company also offers a service where the crane-mounted trucks can assist with placing of slabs during installation.
Twinstar Precast (Pty) Ltd T 012 670 9083 M 082 552 1915 E info@twinstar.co.za W www.twinstar.co.za
YOUR PRECAST CONCRETE SPECIALIST PRODUCTS Storm Water Electrical Markers Water Reticulation Outdoor & Building Polymer Products Mining Solutions Kerb Inlet & Road Products Custom Products SERVICES Moulds Drawings
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Email: info@twinstar.co.za