Structure & Design ISSUE 23

ISSUE 23 | 2019 ZIMBABWE’S LEADING INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT MAGAZINE

Space of the Month on Page 6: Homestyle Bricks Invests In New Machinery

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TWENTY-THIRd ISSUE

CONTENT SPACE OF THE MONTH PUBLISHER Structure And Design Media MARKETING Clive Mapfumo Newton Musara +263 779 141 137 +263 772 233 086 +263 8644 224 569/70 DESIGN & LAYOUT Tami Zizhou

06 | Homestyle Bricks invests in New Machinery

MAIN PROFILE 20 | Econet Invests in Mutare

PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT 40 | ZIMREAL Property Investment Forum

PUBLIC PROFILE 46 | US Embassy Campus Dedication

INTERIOR DESIGN 56 | Pride of Africa

CONTRIBUTORS Michael Nott PHOTOGRAPHY Michele Fortmann Structure & Design

MATERIAL FOCUS 61 | Picking the Perfect Paint Color 62 | Winter Lawn Prep 65 | Jetmaster Fireplaces 66 | Roller Shutter Doors 71 | Aggregates 72 | Precast Building

SUBSCRIPTIONS +263 8644 224 570

LOCAL CONSTRUCTION COUNCILS 76 | ZBCA on Cyclone Idai

EMAIL adverts.structureanddesign@gmail.com adverts@structureanddesign.co.zw WEBSITE www.structureanddesign.co.zw FIND US AT 31 Alexander Rd, Highlands, Harare

While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of its content, neither editor nor publisher can be held responsible for any omissions or errors: or for an y misfortune, injury , or damages which may arise there-from.

All rights reserved. Copyright 2019 Structure and Design M agazine: No Part of this magazine may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means electric or mechanical, including photocopying or recording.

VISIT: issuu.com/structuredesign for the digital editions of every issue

ISSUE 19 | 2019

ISSUE 21 | 2019 ZIMBABWE’S LEADING INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT MAGAZINE

ARCHITECTS’

YEARBOOK 2018

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MAIN PROFILE on Page 8: Building The New American Embassy in Harare.

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Structure & Design Team publisher@structureanddesign.co.zw

S&D PARTNERS

S&D PARTNERS

PUBLISHER’S MEMO

đ&#x;…ˇ

ome-Style Bricks has recently invested in a brand new state of the art Zenith 844 single pallet Brick and Paver manufacturing machine.

The machine will hugely improve their manufacturing capacity, speed delivery time and increase efficiency. The new machine has the capacity to manufacture around 60,000 cement bricks per day. Confidence is never lacking in Zimbabwe.

In the same vein, The Econet Zimbabwe Group Pension Fund (EZGPF) has recently made a huge investment in the City of Mutare making their services more easily accessible for their customers, boosting livelihoods and helping to

create jobs. The new Mutare Trade Centre has consolidated a number of the Econet Group’s enterprises including, amongst others, the Steward Bank banking hall, the Higherlife Foundation, Kwese, Ecocash, Ecosure, Econet Mobile Network, ZOL, Connected Lifestyle, Cumii and Ownai. Higherlife Foundation is the philanthropic arm of the Econet Group investing in education, health, rural development and most recently assisting victims of the Cyclone Idai disaster.

A follow-up on our hugely popular Issue 21, where we profiled the new Embassy of the United States, the official dedication ceremony for the NEC (New Embassy

Campus) was held on Thursday 2nd May. It was attended by a myriad of US Nationals, other members of the diplomatic community and local dignitaries amongst other invited guests.

Stepping into winter, we compiled some handy tips to get ready for the change in weather, at the office and at home: 3 tips to get your air conditioner ready for winter, tips for preparing your fireplace for winter as well as winter lawn prep in landscape focus.

All Structure & Design content, and much more is available online at...issuu.com/ structuredesign or SDMagzim

Structure & Design Team publisher@structureanddesign.co.zw

S&D PARTNERS

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SPACE OF THE MONTH

Text by Michael Nott Photos by Michele Fortmann

Home-Style Bricks invests in new machinery‌

H

‌showing confidence in the construction industry

ome-Style Bricks has recently invested in a brand new state of the art Zenith 844 single pallet Brick and Paver manufacturing machine.

The machine will hugely improve their manufacturing capacity, speed delivery time and increase efficiency. The new machine has the capacity to manufacture around 60,000 cement bricks per day. It produces batches of 378 bricks and stacks them

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automatically on a pallet in rows of 9 by 6 (equalling 54 bricks or pavers at a time) by 7 layers high. In addition to this, it automatically places a thin layer of sand in between the horizontal layers to prevent the layers sticking together. Remarkably it can produce a single layer of bricks in 26 seconds. Apart from the bricks the machine is also capable of producing 60mm and 80mm interlocking and rectangular pavers.

Zenith is a German based company specialising in manufacturing and installing the highest quality, most advanced brick and paver machines, from single machines to full plant planning and implementation.

Zenith was established in 1953 and have been world leaders in the field for more than 60 years, renowned for their innovations and safety features and well known for the low maintenance requirements of their machines.

Home-Style Bricks new acquisition was manufactured in Germany and then imported to Zimbabwe. The machine is fully computerised and controlled so that the operator can select the desired quantities of all the necessary inputs including cement, aggregate, water and oxides for colouring. This makes it extremely efficient and cost effective to run as the quantities and combinations of inputs can be closely monitored and controlled. A German technician came out to Zimbabwe for about a month to help install the machine and train local operators to programme and run the machine as well as explaining the basic maintenance requirements. The machine has two computer operators plus a third technician who acts as the quality controller ensuring the end product is up to specific standards.

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Home-Style Bricks was started in 2011 with a single brick making machine and rapidly became the largest supplier and manufacturer of cement based products in the country. With the acquisition of the new Zenith 844 they now have four machines, capable of manufacturing around 200,000 bricks per day. Because of their huge volumes that they produce, they are able to maintain the best and most competitive prices. Home-Style also carries a large quantity of all their products in stock, so even very large orders can be accommodated quickly making it very convenient for the construction industry. Smaller orders for individual home owners can usually be filled and delivered the same day.

Home-Style Bricks has a fleet of ten 30 tonne trucks enabling them to offer a fully comprehensive customer service from sales to the final on site delivery. By offering customers the convenience of an in-house transportation service, they are also able to reduce costs and ensure that deliveries are reliable.

Home-Style Bricks also manufactures a huge range of other cement based products for the construction industry and the home owner.

One of their innovative products is the Ribs and Blocks system to create suspended floors in multi-storey buildings. Basically the ribs are 8

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precast sections used to span between walls. The ribs are reinforced with deformed bars and a steel lattice set into the concrete. The blocks are pre-cast hollow section units which span the ribs to create the floor. The blocks can then be skimmed with cement and finished to the customer’s specifications. This system is quicker, stronger and more cost effective to install than the traditional method of casting floor slabs on site using steel shuttering. The Ribs and Blocks system allows customers to make substantial savings on materials, time and labour. Because the Ribs and

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Blocks are relatively light they can be moved and assembled by hand so there’s no need for extra cranes or other machinery. It’s an ideal system for buildings or houses where access is restricted.

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Home-Style Bricks has over 100 products in its range. This includes commons bricks, load bearing bricks, hollow maxi bricks, and face bricks in a range of six attractive colours.

The bricks are coloured with oxide powders during the manufacturing process so that the colour runs all the way through. If the bricks are chipped or damaged in any way the colour remains consistent. Incidentally, cement bricks slowly get harder over 95 years as the cement cures gradually. Home-Style also produces a range of blocks and breeze blocks as well as a variety of pavers, cobbles and even floor tiles and wall cladding. They produce coping for the top of brick walls, drip stones, window sills, and Dura-wall panels and pillars. Decorative items include pillars and columns, benches and tables for the garden as well as bird baths, plant pots and cement globes. Their impressive range includes ZESA poles, culvert pipes, lintels, slabs, pool copings and concrete sinks for washing outside. This is just a small selection of their products. For a more comprehensive idea of the extent of their range visit their website at www.hsbricks.co.zw where you’ll also find the technical specifications of all their products.

Some of their range like the pillars and the breeze blocks are individually cast by hand in fibreglass and steel moulds, so production is very labour intensive. Currently Home-Style offers employment to around 240 people involved in the manufacturing and transport sections, with additional jobs in sales and administration, making them a major player in the construction industry.

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From their modest beginnings; their yard now covers five hectares to accommodate their stock and machinery, plus huge piles of aggregates and river sand used in the manufacturing process. Home-Style is conveniently situated right next to Pomona quarry, where they source their aggregate as a by-product from the production of ž inch gravel stone. Their manufacturing process requires around 400 cubic metres of aggregate per day; therefore proximity to the quarry vastly helps to reduce their running costs. They also have 10 massive PPC cement silos of onsite which can consume 60 tonnes of cement per day. They have four backup generators when ZESA is not available and 3 boreholes to feed the eighteen 10,000 litre water tanks. The availability of materials, water and power means that their production run is never interrupted.

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Home-Style Bricks even have a recycling facility where reject products can be crushed and re-cycled to remanufacture products.

Largely due to their size Home-Style Bricks supplies many companies in the Construction Industry, Government and the Private Sector.

To find out more you can: Visit: Home-Style Bricks at Pomona Quarry along Alpes Road Email: sales@hsbricks.co.zw Tel: (+263 242) 851 996 / 851 983 Mobile: 0772 232 054 Or visit their website mentioned above: www.hsbricks.co.zw

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Econet invests in Mutare text by Michael Nott photos by Structure and Design, Nabiot Banda and Mukamba Architectural Practice

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he Econet Zimbabwe Group Pension Fund (EZGPF) has recently made a huge investment in the City of Mutare making their services more easily accessible for their customers, boosting livelihoods and helping to create jobs. Mutare is often left behind by developers and investors with other cities like Harare, Bulawayo and Gweru getting the most attention. But now EZGPF has set out to help revive the fortunes of the border town – one of the oldest cities in Zimbabwe and the gateway to Mozambique and the Indian Ocean.

The new Mutare Trade Centre has consolidated a number of the Econet Group’s enterprises including, amongst others, the Steward Bank banking hall, the Higherlife Foundation, Kwese, Ecocash, Ecosure, Econet Mobile Network, ZOL, Connected Lifestyle, Cumii and Ownai. Higherlife Foundation is the philanthropic arm of the Econet Group investing in education, health, rural development and most recently assisting victims of the Cyclone Idai disaster. The Higherlife Foundation currently supports around two hundred and fifty thousand students across Zimbabwe enabling them to receive quality education.

Econet’s regional manager for Manicaland is also based here.

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MAIN PROFILE

The new Mutare Trade Centre also houses other offices, some smaller shops facing onto First Street, including a motor spares shop, a hairdresser and an outlet for electrical goods. There are fast food outlets Kapoto (which specialises in selling traditional food) and Jipps for takeaway food, although there is also a bright and welcoming seating area for diners.

The most important and innovative aspect of the Mutare Trade Centre is the interior mall where smaller vendors can safely and securely sell their products and services.

Around 90 vendors are now accommodated within the Trade Centre on the upper and lower ground floor as well as on the mezzanine level. Because of the steep slope of the site the ground floor is laid out on two levels with the mezzanine or first floor above.

Both ground levels and the mezzanine have ramps for easy access for wheelchairs.

The concept of the mall is in some ways similar to the Eastgate SME market in Harare. (See Structure and Design issue 17.) The idea was that small scale vendors and traders could have a venue away from the streets where they could conduct their business in peace without constantly being harassed by the local authorities. It would also free up the pavements and vending sites making the City of Mutare more attractive > 23

VALUATIONS AND ADVISORY SERVICES (VAS) CORPORATE REAL ESTATE CONSULTANCY (CREC) REAL ESTATE SUSTAINABILITY ADVISORY SERVICE (RESAS) STRUCTURED REAL ESTATE FINANCE (SREF)

BEFORE

Our Capability Property Management and Sales Cell:+263 774 571 925; +263 719 571 925 Tel: +263 4 798496/7 or 0731798497/6 6th Floor Green Bridge Eastgate Complex Harare www.intpro.co.zw

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AFTER

Speaks For Itself...

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MAIN PROFILE

> friendlier and more easily accessible for pedestrians.

The vendors would be required to pay a nominal monthly rental which would make their businesses more secure and it would increase revenue – in the form of rates and taxes – for the City of Mutare. The availability of clean and functional ablution facilities would also help to maintain standards and protect the health of all residents. So far all of these aspirations have been met.

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The smallest vendors’ stalls or cubicles are around 3.6 metres square but there are also some bigger cubicles available. The stalls have glass counters and fronts so vendors can display their wares, and they’re free to bring in other furniture like stools or chairs or racks for displaying clothes and fabrics. All the stalls have access to power points for lighting or other electrical items – far better than the nonexistent facilities on the pavements or streets.

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MAIN PROFILE

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MAKING BUILDING MORE THAN JUST STRUCTURES OUR SERVICES

LV and HV Transmissions CCTV & PIR Detection Systems Fire Detection & Protection Services Computer Aided Drawings Power Factor Correction & Audits Air Conditioning Systems Electrical & Mechanical Design and Installations

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Telephone: +263 242 334961 / 336484 / 308254 E-mails: reception@speartecelectrical.co.zw admin@ speartecelectrical.co.zw Website: www.speartec.co.zw

MAIN PROFILE

In addition there’s secure storage space for vendors to keep their goods.

The mall is well lit with natural light from the large windows which were newly installed. Although most trading takes place during daylight hours there are facilities in place for artificial lighting should the businesses become so popular that they would like to continue to trade after dark.

Mukamba Architectural Practice was largely responsible for the interior architectural design. Much of the old interior was gutted out as it had been neglected and fallen in to a state of disrepair.

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Mukamba Architectural Practice did extensive consultation and research to find out what the vendors really needed for their businesses to prosper. The building had previously been a furniture showroom so the basic layout was good with large open plan spaces that could be fairly easily reconfigured.

The building was originally constructed in the early 1950’s and was structurally quite sound. A previous renovation had installed new roof trusses and roof sheets so the roof was fairly good with just a few leaks needing some attention.

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MAIN PROFILE

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Mukamba Architectural Practice installed new ceilings and lighting and re-tiled the floors with hard wearing ceramic tiles.

Interestingly, the architect has installed the floor tiles in a black and white pattern with the white tiles subtly suggesting how the foot traffic should flow through the spaces. This helps to encourage a logical traffic flow within the mall as well as demarcating fire escape routes for ease of evacuation and communication in the event of an emergency.

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MAIN PROFILE

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Local architectural practice Studio Five was mostly in charge of the exterior renovations of the building although Studio Five and Mukamba Architectural Practice collaborated and worked together to achieve the final design. Much of the original façade of the building was reddish brown face brick which was quite oppressive and dated and not particularly attractive. In addition the rainwater downpipes were exposed as were the header boxes which were situated halfway down the parapet walls. Canopies sheltering the pavements were damaged by leaks and damp and were quite dilapidated.

Studio Five has created smart new facades that are either crisp white or glass curtain walls which allow natural light to fill the interior spaces. The façade of the Econet shop has been slightly extended onto the pavement and clad in reflective glass in interesting geometric frames. Red, white and blue are now the dominant colours.

The pavements were renovated and new canopies installed. Three large new entrances were created to provide access to the interior mall and they also help to provide natural ventilation and airflow so there’s no need for artificial air conditioning. Fixed aluminium louvres and whirlybirds on the roof also contribute to the ventilation.

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Econet was already occupying part of the building when the EZGPF bought the rest of the building in 2017. The idea was partly to diversify their investment portfolio but also to create a new model of business for Mutare and to help give back to the community by supporting small scale businesses. The mall has also become a kind of meeting place for both socialising and shopping. The fact the all the shops and vendors’ stalls are occupied shows the success of their vision and it’s helped bring new energy to the City.

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THEME:

NAVIGATING OPPORTUNITIES WITHIN THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT

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AN OVERVIEW OF ZIMREAL 2018 30

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SPEAKERS

MEDIA

131

COMPANIES COPANIES

236 DELEGATES

15 INDUSTRIES REPRESENTED Property Investment Consulting and Advisory Property Management and Support Services Retail Hoteliers Construction and Engineering Services Finance and Banking Property Development Legal Architect Quantity Surveying Services Pension Fund Government Media and Other

10.84% 10.84% 24.14% 1.97% 1.48% 8.87% 7.88% 13.30% 4.43% 1.97% 0.99%

0%

5.42% 1.97% 5.91%

5%

10%

15%

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ABOUT THE ZIMREAL FORUM The ZIMREAL Property Investment Forum is a conference centred around the Zimbabwe real estate sector. This one-day forum is a unique platform for senior local and regional investors, developers and practitioners together with their public sector counterparts to develop a strategic roadmap to stimulate economic growth through property investment and development. Featuring keynote addresses, interactive panel discussions and case studies from local and regional experts, this high-calibre event provides the premier platform for networking, deal making and insights for the local property market.

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ZIMREAL 2019 FEATURES 35

250

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DelegatesISSUE 23

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Speed Networking

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Contacts Contacts Our team values participation Our team values participation from the industries we serve. from the industries we serve.

To participate in one of our To participate in one of our industry defining conferences, industry defining conferences, please get in touch with one of please get in touch with one of our team members today. our team members today.

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100 on Montgomery is a landmark luxury townhouse development in the much sought after leafy suburb of Highlands.

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INFORMATION +263 4 497 231 |+263 4 496 833 +263 4 496 773 | +263 4 495 054 +263 783 180 658 admin@arlingtonzw.com

US Embassy Dedication text by Michael Nott photos by Michele Fortmann 46

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T

he official dedication ceremony for the NEC (New Embassy Campus) was held on Thursday 2nd May. It was attended by the US Ambassador to Zimbabwe Mr Brian A. Nichols, his wife Ms Geri Kam, Mr Kenneth Wetzel the US Public Affairs Officer, Mr Tad Davis Director of the Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations, Mr Mathew Kolinsky from B. L. Harbert the main contractor and project manager, and other dignitaries from the international diplomatic corps. The Zimbabwean delegation included the Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr Cain Mathema and the Mayor of Harare Mr Herbert Gomba. Local contractors, suppliers and service providers were also invited.

The ceremony was opened by Mr Kenneth Wetzel who went on to introduce local superstar Hope Masike who gave a beautiful rendition of the Zimbabwean national anthem accompanying herself on the mbira. Ms Masike is an alumni of the OneBeat musical exchange programme sponsored by the United States. Incidentally the design of the canopy over the main entrance is said to have been inspired by the design of the traditional mbira.

This was followed by Mr Clinton Canady IV (General Services Officer) who sang the national anthem of the United States of America.

A short video clip showed the ceremonial Lowering of the Flag at the former US Embassy on Herbert Chitepo Avenue and the Raising of the Flag at the new embassy campus.

Ambassador Nichols then addressed the assembly starting with his condolences for the victims of Cyclone Idai which claimed the lives of more than a thousand people in Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Malawi. He also remarked that the following day, 3rd May, would be the US Foreign Services Day which commemorates US citizens who have lost their lives while serving overseas. He went on to ask for a moment’s silence to respect those who lost their lives.

Ambassador Nichols went on to say that, “great architecture enriches the people and society around it. The proud people of this land knew this truth a millennia ago when they laid the foundations of Great Zimbabwe, the land of kings, nearly 300 kilometres from here. And Great Zimbabwe served as the inspiration for this beautiful building.” He went on to say that the design of the NEC was also inspired by the geography of Zimbabwe with gently sloping terrain, vast areas of veld or grassland and extensive tree cover.

Ambassador Nichols remarked on the Art in Embassies programme which promotes local artists and artists from the United States.

He thanked the City of Harare and Government officials who had provided support and assistance for the project. He also commented on mutual trade and investment between Zimbabwe and the USA and stressed that political and economic reform can be achieved through mutual dialogue.

His final remarks were about World Press Freedom Day which would also fall on 3rd May this year and he congratulated the Financial Gazette on its 50th Anniversary.

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Mr Tad Davis from the Bureau of Overseas Building Operations rounded off the ceremony thanking the Mayor and Mr Mathema as well the main contractors, project managers and architects. He re-iterated the NEC’s commitment to sustainable, ecofriendly construction models.

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The highlight of the dedication was the official cutting of the ribbon by the Ambassador, Mr Tad Davis, Minister Mathema and Mayor Gomba. Guest were then free to tour the American Centre library and multi-purpose meeting and convention rooms.

For more in depth information on the design of the NEC see Structure and Design issue 21.

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WEDDINGS.PORTRAITS.FASHION COMMERCIAL.EVENTS Model - Sibu from Top Model Zimabwe MUA - Kelli Barker Stylist - CHarlotte Van der Merwe Designer - Joanna Ross Wells of JB Couture (now rebranded to JRW Bridal) It was shot for Stitch Magazine and the Fashion Editor was Jill Day The location for the shoot was - Inn on the Ruparara.

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Michele Fortmann Photography

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Pride of Africa – flooring and more Text by Michael Nott

E

stablished in 1999 Pride of Africa are celebrating 20 years in the business of manufacturing and supplying superb local teak flooring and decking - but they also do much more than that.

The star of their range is undoubtedly their exquisite teak flooring. Their teak products are available as solid strip tongue and groove flooring, as well as laminated or engineered strips.

They also manufacture the traditional parquet blocks which have been a favourite flooring option in Zimbabwe (and around the world) for very many years – their appeal is timeless and elegant.

In addition they manufacture the mini mosaic parquet blocks as well as teak skirting to match. They also make industrial teak flooring which is ideal for factories and for places like car showrooms.

In addition to their teak strip floors they manufacture Cypress timber strip flooring which is often seen in older Zimbabwean homes and is enjoying a revival in popularity. A fairly new venture is their diversification into engineered oak and walnut flooring which is available in different shades and profiles.

Many of their timber flooring products are available in a prefinished option which means it has already been sanded, stained and sealed. This makes it’s much quicker and cheaper to install and floors don’t need to be sanded in situ after they’ve been fitted. The dust created from on-site sanding as well as the fumes and odours from stains and sealers are completely eliminated.

Flooring products are available in a matt finish which is ideal for high traffic areas as it is more resilient, or in a gloss finish which is often preferred for low traffic residential use. And the old days of polishing your wooden floors every day have, thankfully, gone. The new sealers mean your floors can easily be cleaned with a mop or a damp cloth and it only needs polishing with a simple product like Cobra wax now and again.

These floors are not only beautiful they add a sense of warmth and luxury to any home. Because timber floors fit just about any décor scheme from traditional to ultra-modern they’re often specified by architects and interior designers. Timber floors never go out of date and last forever with very little maintenance so they’re a great investment too.

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Apart from creating elegant and timeless indoor flooring teak is also ideal for exterior decking for verandahs, viewing decks for lodges, pergolas and even pool surrounds. It’s strong enough for high traffic areas and resistant to scratches from moving deck chairs, tables or braai stands around. It has a high oil content that prevents it from cracking and makes it water and mould resistant and it’s too tough for most insects including termites. After all, teak was originally used for railway sleepers because of its durability outdoors! All their decking comes with a 12 year guarantee on the materials so you can tell just how resilient the timber is.

Because of the exception quality of their timber flooring there’s been a big demand for their products and Pride of Africa are now exporting teak, Leadwood and Rosewood flooring and decking to regional and international markets. They have a distribution centre in Johannesburg to cater for their export market.

What makes Pride of Africa unique is that their production is ‘vertically integrated’, meaning that they have complete control of their supply chain from logging to milling as well as manufacturing and finishing. Teak is harvested from the Nkayi region of Matabeleland from a concession in association with the Forestry Commission. The forests are sustainably managed and there are restrictions on the size and number of trees that can be harvested.

Pride of Africa have their own saw mills in Nkayi where the raw timber is initially processed before being transported to their factory in Msasa.

Pride of Africa employs around 200 people at the mill creating jobs in this economically depressed region.

Once the raw timber arrives in Msasa its kiln dried on the property for around 14 days before being further processed and finished to create the end product. The factory uses state of the art German and Italian machinery in their manufacturing process. Teak is notoriously hard and can be difficult to work with although its very toughness makes it extremely

INTERIOR DESIGN

durable hardwearing. Apart from manufacturing their own flooring Pride of Africa also supplies rough sawn timber to exclusive furniture manufacturers like Nigel Joscelyne. Pride of Africa also manufacture a small selection of furniture including unique custom made live edge table tops.

In addition other flooring options include luxury vinyl tiling in a strip form which is almost identical to real timber. Because it’s totally water resistant and easy to clean it’s perfect for bathrooms or kitchens or even for hospitals and other applications where timber flooring is not ideal. Pride of Africa also have a great range of carpets available including major brands like Van Dyck, Belgotex and Nouwens. Carpeting is available in rolls or in tiles. Tiles are great for commercial or high traffic areas as if a section of the carpet is stained or damaged it’s simple to lift a few tiles and replace them.

Pride of Africa also manufacture timber wall cladding in both teak and engineered oak. It’s mostly selected for residential applications but also for lodges and hotels as it adds warmth and texture and a sense of luxury to any room. According to Emmanuel Makoni from Pride of Africa the most popular choices at the moment are engineered oak in French White or Papyrus Grey. Teak can also be used for exterior wall cladding although this design trend is not as popular in Zimbabwe as it is in Europe and North America. Pride of Africa also manufacture teak tongue and groove strips ceilings.

Pride of Africa don’t install their floors or other products but they can come out to measure up your requirements for a quotation.

They have a list of their preferred contractors who have proven themselves reliable and efficient. Apart from their timber Pride of Africa also stock adhesives, glues, stains and sealers and all the necessary products for finishing the timber and creating a beautiful floor.

The company also has well developed corporate responsibility programme to support the communities where they work. The Nkayi region of Matabeleland, where they operate their logging and saw milling enterprise, is very under developed. Apart from employing a large number of people in the area they also provide internship opportunities for school leavers to receive training

and experience in various related fields like furniture making.

They support the local orphanage and old age home as well as supplying furniture for the community’s schools. They are involved in local road maintenance as well as commissioning boreholes in the region which is often subject to droughts and water shortages.

At the Msasa factory in Harare members of the local community can collect sawdust and shavings for free to use for cooking and heating.

To find out more you can visit their showroom and factory situated at 21 Woodlands Road in the Mukuvisi Business Park complex in Msasa.

Mobile: 0784 631 707 (calls) 0773 157 975 (WhatsApp) Landline: +263 242 447 120 Email: hr@prideofafrica.co.zw Website: www.prideofafricazw.com

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INTERIOR DESIGN

Things You Need To Know About Teak Furniture

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eak is a popular wood with furniture makers and buyers across the world. Once heavily used, the deforestation of teak is now strictly controlled to ensure a continued and rejuvenated supply of wood. What is it that makes teak so desirable?

1. STRENGTH Teak is a hard wood. It is strong and durable, able to withstand extremes of heat and cold. Whilst this makes it excellent wood for outdoor furniture, it also means that it can provide a lifetime and more of use indoors.

It’s durability means that it is unlikely to suffer from rotting or many other afflictions that can attack other woods. Using the right type of teak – good quality wood with high quantities of oil and rubber – can result in beautiful pieces of furniture that can take whatever your home and throw at them.

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2. BEAUTY The colour and grain of teak wood makes it one of the most attractive to furniture makers and home owners. Whilst outdoor teak furniture can be left to the elements and become an elegant silver-grey colour, teak used for indoor purposes is often oiled to retain its warm golden colour. Its strength is a

real plus-point for furniture designers, who can produced a range of pieces that may not be viable using other, softer woods, which often means that you have a wider range of choice in teak furniture than in many other woods.

3. ADAPTABILITY The natural benefits of teak; strength,

durability, warm colour, resistance to termites or other damaging elements, make it an extremely adaptable wood. Its water-resistant properties and tendency not to splinter easily made it a favourite for shipbuilders for hundreds of years and it has since been used for a wide range of both indoor and outdoor furniture. From large dining room tables to elegant cabinets and patio furniture, teak has the flexibility that many furniture makers are looking for today. Outdoor Teak Furniture - Important Facts When Buying One of the biggest logical considerations for buyers of deck or patio furniture is price.

Most of us cannot simply go out and buy the biggest and best outdoor patio furniture without serious financial consequences. Still, while pricing is always a huge factor in any deck furniture purchase decision—it should never be the only thing considered. The value that you get for your money is really just as important as the amount you spend. If you take the time to calculate the true value of any furniture purchase, then the initial price will not be a true indication of the quality and usefulness.

So how does one go about assessing value on premium outdoor teak furniture? One critical component to any valuation of furniture is its durability. After all, if a patio set only lasts one season then it certainly has little value and is most likely not worth

the time and effort it takes to go out and purchase the furniture. Premium outdoor teak furniture is not made to be used for a season or two and then discarded.

The durability of teak wood is world renown and it has been used to construct ship

railings and similar products because it can stand up to the elements—especially rain—year after year. Teak wood originates in Southeast Asia and takes nearly 4 decades to reach maturity and a stage where it can be used to make furniture and other fine products. The oil content of teak is very high and helps give the wood its weatherresistant qualities. Because of this high oil concentration within the wood itself, teak outdoor furniture can literally be left outside season after season with little to no care.

It is very possible that a premium outdoor teak furniture set will be the very last set of exterior furnishings you ever buy—the quality is that good!

Aside from durability, the other critical component in any value estimate of teak furniture is its beauty. After all, a chair made from stainless steel would undoubtedly last for years and years outdoors without any signs of wear but that does not mean any of us would want metallic deck furniture!

Fortunately, outdoor teak furniture is made with a golden brown hue that fades to a grayish silver patina as the years roll by giving the furniture a stately and refined look.

Beautiful, highly durable, and designed with comfort in mind, premium outdoor teak furniture is a very valuable investment and will bring you and your family bountiful returns for years to come.

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Any Colour you can think of!

Msasa Branch: 196 Mutare Road (Old Jaggers) Tel: +263 24 2446667/8/9

Email: sales@union.co.zw / unionmsasa@union.co.zw

Branch: 60 Burnley structure & design8 |Burnley ISSUE 23 Road, Workington, Tel: +263 24 2754880/1, 773248/9

www.unionhardware.co.zw

Here’s How to Pick the Perfect Paint Color Every Time Text by Union Hardware

L

et’s face it: Picking the right paint color is important. There’s no denying the shade we pick to adorn the walls is a fundamental part of any interior design project. In fact, it’s often the element the rest of our aesthetic choices are based on.

That said, choosing the ideal shade is far from easy. There are so many options available and each one just a little different than the last. For many, it’s almost impossible to figure out where to start.

We’re ready to put this age-old problem to rest, once and for all. We’ve compiled a list of our best tips on how to pick the perfect paint color for your interiors. Use these suggestions the next time your home needs a fresh coat of paint and we guarantee selecting the shade will be a quick and painless process.

Buy textiles first Usually when we talk about textiles, they’re considered a finishing aspect of the design, so this advice may seem counterintuitive.

However, one of the easiest ways to make sure your paint coordinates well with the rest of the room is to use fabrics as your design inspiration.

Think about it this way: If you pick the paint first, you might find yourself limited to only a few fabric options that match your wall.

But if base your color palette on an existing product, you’re far more likely to find a coordinating shade of paint. If need be, most home improvement stores will even mix a unique shade for you.

Most often, this feeling occurs when homeowners try to do too much with their design. They’ll give each room its own distinct style and color scheme while forgetting to account for the fact that their home needs to feel cohesive.

paint color is about much more than the shade itself. Finish is another component that can alter how your finished product looks. Be sure to take this into account before making your final decision.

Paint can be that unifying element. Before you decide on a particular shade, consider how it will look with your existing interiors.

The colors should work in harmony. While this tip is especially important to follow when working with open concept spaces, the effect a color has when transitioning between more traditional rooms should also be considered.

Here are the options you can choose from: • Flat finish: This is your least shiny option.

It comes off as modern and

sophisticated, but it doesn’t clean well,

so it isn’t the best choice for kitchens

and bathrooms.

• Egg shell finish: Low luster, the finish

looks decorative and is often used in

dining rooms.

• Satin finish: This is the most popular

choice and works well for high-traffic

areas like hallways.

• Semi-gloss finish: Will give the room a

subtle shine and is fairly easily cleaned.

It works well in kitchens and baths.

• High-gloss finish: This will give the room

a shiny and polished look, but is stain resistant and easily scrubbable. It works

best in kitchens and baths. Choosing the

right paint color is a key part of the

success of a design. However, for many

of us, the selection process can be

incredibly difficult. After all, there are

countless shades of paint on the market

and their slight differences can have a

drastic effect on your final product.

Msasa Branch: 196 Mutare Road (Old Jaggers) Tel: +263 24 2446667/

There is hope. Consider the advice in Burnley Road, Workington, Tel: +263 24 2754880/1

thisBurnley postBranch: to be 8your ultimate guide to

picking the perfect paint color

every time.

Factor in lighting Like it or not, the way in which a room is lit can have a huge impact on how the room looks. Each light temperature pulls out a color undertone, which is why rooms often feel vastly different at night than they do during the day.

With that in mind, it’s crucial to ensure you’ll be happy with a color regardless of the time of day.

The only way to know for sure if a color meets your needs is to test it out for yourself. It’s an easy process, but it does require a little work.

Once you have a color in mind, ask to have a sample made up for you at the local home improvement store. When you take it home, paint a few, small sections of paint on each wall.

Then, check in on them throughout the next day.

If you’re happy with how the color looks in both natural and artificial light, you’ve found a winner.

Don’t forget finish Many people tend to overlook the fact that

Do you have trouble selecting paint colors?

Or do you have a tip of your own to add?

Share your experiences with us.

With that in mind, start your design projects by building off a single piece that catches your eye. Patterned items are particularly good options because they often incorporate multiple shades and can be used as the basis for your entire color scheme.

Work with neighboring spaces Odds are, you’ve experienced a house where the paint choices were truly overwhelming.

As you walked from room to room it may have felt as though there was nowhere for your eyes to rest, as though the home was too busy for its own good.

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Winter Lawn Prep There are a range of tasks designed to prepare a yard for winter that many people would be glad to hand over to you.

These include: •

Trimming back trees and shrubs.

•

Removing dead plants from flower beds and planters.

•

Draining sprinklers.

•

Dethatching and aerating the lawn.

•

Fertilizing the lawn.

•

Planting bulbs that will sprout in the spring.

•

Wrapping young trees in protective burlap.

•

Moving patio furniture and other lawn and garden items into storage (Many seniors and people with disabilities appreciate this option).

You can easily put together various winter prep packages offering different combinations of services.

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THE EXPERTS IN AIR-CONDITIONING AND REFRIGERATION

CONTACT US FOR A QUOTE

GREAT SUPPORT With the largest stockholding of spare parts in the country, we fix problems quickly.

Unit 1, 183 Loreley Crescent, Msasa, Harare

THE BEST BRANDS We are the official distributors of the LG and Samsung air-conditioning brands. We are also agents for Rowa air-conditioning, A-Gas, Emerson, Just Refrigeration, and HC Refrigeration Equipment.

+263 (24) 2 446 838 - 9

HIGHLY CUSTOMIZABLE SOLUTIONS Our skilled design and technical departments can offer highly customizable solutions to fit your business's individual needs.

www.naturalair.co.zw sales@naturalair.co.zw /naturalairzimbabwe /naturalairzimbabwe

3 TIPS TO GET YOUR AIR CONDITIONER READY FOR WINTER

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e are all familiar with the preparations we need to do before the first signs of winter come along.

We know that we need to visit our doctor for those flu shots because flu usually hits during the most unfavorable of weathers.

But apart from this, do you know that you also need to ready your AC and heat pump for the cold winter season? Here are three tips on how to get your AC/heat pump winter-ready.

Winter-proofing your AC and heat pump has to be done not during the winter but when the weather outside is still summery.

Make sure that your outside unit is clear of obstructions so any twigs, plant debris or leaves have to be removed. If unit is near a tree make sure you do the necessary trimmings.

Do not cover your AC. You may see a lot of people cover their ACs during the long winter but do know that these appliances are designed to withstand harsh weathers so

there is no reason for you to cover it up.

Have it maintained, cleaned and sanitised before the start of the winter season.

Sure you can clean your AC by yourself but always know that if you are not a professional and if you are not skilled, you are running a very big risk of destroying your AC so it would be best that you let professional AC cleaners do the job.

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OUT OF AFRICA

READY TO COMPLETE YOUR HOME No home is quite complete without a real fire. And there is no fire quite like a Jetmaster.

Since 1951, Jetmaster has been conceptualising, designing and manufacturing smokeless fireplaces and braais for distribution around the world.

INDIVIDUAL CREATIVITY

MAKE A STATEMENT

Designed for Living Engineered to Last

SUPERIOR HEAT OUTPUT

CONTACT US Address: Stand 003A Cnr 1st Ave and 2nd Street, Exhibition Park, Samora Machel Avenue, Harare Tel: (024) 2 750535 / 756418 / 756413 • Cell: 0784335060 / 0772653785 • Email: sales@jetmaster.co.zw 64

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Tips for Preparing Your Fireplace for Winter such as oak. You want to use wood that has been split and stored in a dry place for at least six months. Green wood and softwoods, such as pine, produce more creosote, which is a flammable by-product that can build up in your chimney and cause trouble later.

F

ireplaces, especially wood-burning fireplaces, are a great way to heat your home without spending too much on electricity. However, before you take your fireplace out of retirement for the winter, you have to make sure it is safe and ready to go. Did you know that fireplaces and chimneys are involved in about 42% of heating-related house fires? You have to be aware of how you can safely start using your fireplace in order to not become part of this statistic. Before it gets too cold out, it is important that you do some research on safety tips for fireplace preparation and fireplace use.

PREPARING YOUR FIREPLACE You want to make sure that your fireplace is ready to use safely. You can follow these tips to get your fireplace ready for use: Sweep the Chimney: You should hire a chimney sweep before you start using your fireplace at the beginning of winter. The National Fire Protection Association suggests that you have your chimney swept once a year to remove dangerous soot and debris.

Note Any Abnormalities: While your professional chimney sweeper is over, make sure to let him or her know about any odd things you have noticed from your chimney. This could be an odd smell, a new draft or anything of the sort.

Check for Damages: You need to check the chimney structure and lining for cracks, loose bricks, deterioration or missing mortar. You also want to take this time to make sure that your chimney is properly and securely attached to your house.

Also, check for water damage, which can be harmful to the entire house.

Inspect Gasket Material:

Make sure to take care of the gasket sealing the door, the glass door itself, and the ash dump. It is important to inspect these pieces and replace them as necessary. If these aren’t working properly, your fire can get too much oxygen, which can create an over-fire condition.

Prepare the Firewood: If you are cutting your own firewood, you want to make sure to follow all of the right steps.

You first have to split the wood into pieces that will fit into your fireplace or stove. Make sure the pieces are no larger than six inches in diameter to ensure they burn properly.

Then stack the wood so the split-side is down and off of the ground. Make sure to cover the wood so it stays dry from rain or snow.

Finally, store the wood for several months–it is recommended that you store softwood for a minimum of six months and you store hardwood for a minimum of 12 months.

Clean the Blower: If your fireplace has a blower, make sure it is thoroughly cleaned. Most fireplace blowers don’t have a filter, so you have to clean it to prevent buildup.

Test the Moisture: You can also buy a wood moisture meter to test the moisture of your firewood. If the wood is properly dried, it will have a moisture reading of 20% or less. Wood that is high in moisture will not burn well.

Inspect the Damper: The damper is a valve or plate that regulates air flow inside of your chimney. You want to make sure that it is working properly before you start using the fireplace.

Use Just Enough: You don’t want to overload your chimney.

Larger fires give off more smoke, which leads to more creosote buildup. Large, high heat fires can also crack the chimney lining.

Cap the Chimney: Your chimney should be properly capped in order to keep birds, rain, squirrels, leaves and other debris from entering. Make sure you replace or repair a damaged or missing cap.

Build it Right: You need to know how to safely build a fire in your chimney. You want to put the logs towards the rear of the fireplace on a metal grate. You want to use kindling, not flammable liquids, to start the fire.

There may be a few other things you have to do, but these steps will help get you on the right track to a safe fireplace. Make sure you hire a professional to inspect your chimney because they will know exactly what to look for, and they will be able to keep your family and home as safe as possible. Be sure to ask these professionals about what warning signs to look for and for proper maintenance and usage tips.

Use a Guard: You should also use a spark guard when you’re using your fireplace. A spark guard is just a mesh metal screen or glass fireplace door that stops embers from shooting out of the fireplace.

Clear the Area: This one is obvious, but always be sure you move any flammable objects far away from your fireplace or wood stove.

Using Your Fireplace Now that you know the fireplace is safe to use, you should also know how to safely operate it: Pick the Firewood: Make sure to burn dense, seasoned wood

Circulate the Air: You can get the most out of your firewood by circulating the warm air in your home. You can do this by running ceiling fans clockwise on low speeds to redirect the warm air from the ceiling into the living space.

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LOCAL MATERIAL FOCUS

Roller Shutter Door

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ne of the most versatile and commonly used door types. The roller door is a door that opens and closes vertically with the door curtain rolling up onto a barrel situated at the top of a pair of guides in which the door curtain travels in. A roller door is either lifted using a manual operation with spring and gearing assistance or electrically operated using various single and three phase electric motor drive options.

A roller door curtain can be a continuous sheet of steel or more frequently is a curtain constructed from many small horizontal lath sections. These lath sections can vary from very small, flat faced aluminium sections through to much larger double skinned and foam filled insulated slats. This diversity in the curtain makes the roller door ideal for so many applications, small or large The roller shutter door is very often confused in architects drawings and references with the sectional overhead door but the differences are great so it is important to be specific.

Ideal for almost any application where there is sufficient headroom internally to accommodate the curtain roll. Materials and motor drive technology means far greater options now available for the door opening speed and the controls and safety on these doors.

APPLICATIONS Roller shutters have many applications including doors for vans, garages, kitchens, schools, prisons and warehouses. In some parts of the world, roller shutters are subsidized by local governments. In areas that are frequently exposed to inclement weather, roller shutters are used as a method of insulation, can protect windows against hail damage, and can be made to withstand high wind.

Built-on roller shutter door Describes the type where the roller shutter box is fixed to the exterior of the building facade.

Built-in roller shutter doors Where the roller shutter box is built into the lintel above the window.

Integrated roller shutter A roller shutter and window combined as a single unit.

Roller shutter with tilting louvres A roller shutter with laths that tilt, similar to an external venetian blind.

Manual With gear drive from the shutter roller traced through the building facade to a universal joint on the room side that is operated by a cranked winding handle.

Manual tape A tape drive around a flange on the roller is traced through the building facade with pulley guides to an inertia reel on the room side.Motorized / Electric With a tubular motor fitted within the roller axle tube. Automatic operation can be added. Controlled with a smartphone, remote or hardwired switch.

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INSTALLATION MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR OF; > roller-shutter doors, > tip-up doors, > sectional doors > sliding gates and automation

Winnermatic Tel: +263 29 2475195, Mobile: +263 778 120 475 / +263 772 307 209 +263 714 307 209 2 Vanguard St, Belmont Bulawayo P.O. Box FM41, Bulawayo Email: info@winnerman.biz,

What Are the Benefits of Concrete Pots?

C

ontainer gardening allows you to plant a variety of flowers, herbs, vegetables, trees, shrubs or ferns with limited space or adds mobility to plants in a larger garden. Nearly anything can be used as a planter, and each type of container has its own benefits and drawbacks. For larger plants and trees that you’re not planning to move, concrete pots could be a good option.

Decoration

Durability

Since concrete is porous, the soil inside tends to dry out more quickly than it does in non-porous containers. Either seal the inner surface of the container with a waterproof concrete sealant or water your plants more frequently to prevent wilting. Concrete containers are heavy, and once you add soil and plants, they become difficult to move, so choose the location of your concrete containers carefully before planting.

Concrete is a strong and durable material, and unlike wood or plastic containers that will rot or become brittle over time, concrete will last year after year. Since concrete is heavy, concrete planters are less likely to blow over in the wind or get knocked down by children, pets or lawnmowers. If you live in a damp climate, concrete won’t be ruined by prolonged rain or humidity.

Size Larger plants, such as trees and shrubs, require large containers to give their root systems adequate space to grow. Many concrete planters come in large sizes and are strong enough that large roots won’t break the pot. When planting flowers, herbs, vegetables or smaller plants with smaller root systems, having a large container means less root crowding and greater moisture conservation in the soil.

Insulation The thickness of concrete containers combined with their lighter color will help protect the soil from temperature fluctuations.

Darker-colored pots tend to draw in heat and can quickly damage roots and cause the soil to dry out, particularly in hot, sunny climates.

Concrete can be stained or painted to create a range of decorative effects, or, if left bare, can develop an aged, mossy look for a more natural, classical look. Unlike plastic containers, concrete planters often have decorative elements. For a customized concrete container, add mosaic tiles to the outer surface for an extra pop of color.

Considerations

Planters that make a statement: Consider using large urns, and stately containers for porches that need ambiance, structure, and presence. Especially around large decks, lanais, and pools, large planters can become the focal point! Plant topiaries and medium sized trees to bring visual interest to grand entryways and front porch areas. Stately planters tend to have foliage and plantings that bring vertical visual interest to a home. Also use planters in foyers, and around outdoor entertaining spaces to bring greenery and visual ‘walls’ around conversation areas.

Planters are a great opportunity to give your porch or outdoor living space a lively and welcoming ambiance. Planters come in a variety of sizes, materials and heights. Consider the size and scale of your porch before purchasing planters. Often times we under or over estimate the size of our outdoor space and are disappointed with the final visual outcome. The same is true when picking the greenery for your planters. Too large or too small plantings can make your porch feel overwhelmingly small, or too large and impersonal. Planters are versatile and eye catching, add a few to your porch today.

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Wall & ceiling insulation Ceiling boards Expansion joints Structural fill Cold room insulation Polystyrene sheets Acoustic tiles

Polystyrene Blocks POLYSTYRENE BLOCKS ARE USED AS BUILDING MATERIALS Polystyrene blocks are used in construction as permanent insulation in buildings. The blocks are energy efficient and ensure optimal insulation not only for walls of buildings, but also the roofs and even floors.

The polystyrene blocks are stacked and then the forms are filled with concrete. Building with blocks is a lot like building with the toy blocks. Once in place the blocks are used to give structure. As soon as the concrete is casted in the blocks, stability is gained.

Rebars are placed in the foam blocks before the concrete is casted. The steel bars are used for reinforcement of the structure.

pipes can be inserted in the polystyrene. This ensures quicker installation of electricity and plumbing pipes in a building.

With the interlocking polystyrene block system an exceptionally strong, yet, well insulated building can be constructed faster than is possible with the normal brick and mortar method. The steel connectors ensure flexible reinforcement of the structure.

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• • • •

Construction with polystyrene blocks as shells filled with concrete holds several benefits including: • • •

A specific method is used for the filling of the polystyrene blocks to prevent overflow or too much expansion. Once the concrete has become firmer, the units can be left in the exact spot. As such the foam structures are used as empty bricks and then filled with concrete. The polystyrene is not removed afterwards simply because the material forms a sound insulation as well as act as thermal insulation. Electrical wiring and plumbing

• • • •

• • • • •

Extremely strong structure.

Completed buildings are energy efficient as less heat escapes.

Ensures lower sound emission from activities in a building.

Fire safe materials ensure safer buildings.

Environmentally friendly and clean method of construction.

Show high wind resistance.

Mould and insect infestations are eliminated.

Recycled materials can be used to minimize the environmental footprint.

Minimizes the risk of leakages.

Long lifespan.

The foam structures can be recycled.

Improved comfort with minimal air leakage.

Increases the sales value of a home or building.

No rotting because of damp weather.

Significant building management savings in terms of heat, airflow, and fire safety.

Since rotting is not a problem, basements can be constructed with the use of the blocks filled with concrete and rebars.

Cost and time savings are two of the most important considerations in the building industry. When building with block system it is possible to save on labour, time taken to complete the project and the overall construction costs.

The long term benefits of energy saving cannot be overstated. Environmental regulations will become stricter in future and by building with polystyrene blocks, companies can ensure that their buildings will meet environmental regulation requirements for sound pollution, energy saving, and recycle value of the materials used.

Aggregate ‘Aggregate’ is a term for any particulate material. It includes gravel, crushed stone, sand, slag, recycled concrete and geosynthetic aggregates. Aggregate may be natural, manufactured or recycled.

Aggregates make up some 60 -80% of the concrete mix. They provide compressive strength and bulk to concrete.

Aggregates in any particular mix of concrete are selected for their durability, strength, workability and ability to receive finishes.

For a good concrete mix, aggregates need to be clean, hard, strong particles free of absorbed chemicals or coatings of clay and other fine materials that could cause the deterioration of concrete.

Aggregates are divided into either ‘coarse’ or ‘fine’ categories.

- Coarse aggregates are particulates that are greater than 4.75mm. The usual range employed is between 9.5mm and 37.5mm in

diameter.

gravel and coarser than silt.

- Fine aggregates are usually sand or crushed stone that are less than 9.55mm in diameter.

Lightweight aggregates can be from natural resources, or they can be man-made. The major natural resource is volcanic material whilst synthetic aggregates are produced by a thermal the thermal treatment of materials with expansive properties.

Typically the most common size of aggregate used in construction is 20mm. A larger size, 40mm, is more common in mass concrete.

Larger aggregate diameters reduce the quantity of cement and water needed.

Gravel is formed of rocks that are unconnected to each other. The Wikipedia entry explains that ‘Gravel is composed of unconsolidated rock fragments that have a general particle size range and include size classes from granule- to boulder-sized fragments.’

Sand Sand occurs naturally and is composed of fine rock material and mineral particles. Its composition is variable depending on the source. It is defined by size, being finer than

These materials can be divided in three groups—natural materials, such as perlite, vermiculite, clay, shale, and slate; industrial products, such as glass; and industrial by-products, such as fly ash, expanded slag cinder, and bed ash.

Recycled concrete is created by breaking, removing, and crushing existing concrete to a preferred size. It is commonly used as a base layer for other construction materials.

Recycled concrete can be used as aggregate in new concrete, particularly the coarse portion.

PRODUCTS WE OFFER

45mm Ballast | 19mmST | 13mmST | 10mmST | 7mmST | 19mmBS

Pitching Stone | Crusher Run | Quarry Sand | Quarry Fill

LOCAL MATERIAL FOCUS

PRECAST CONCRETE ELEMENTS – BUILDING SYSTEMS AND PRODUCTS MODERN CONSTRUCTION WITH PRECAST CONCRETE ELEMENTS What is a building system?

A building system constitutes the basis of a building. It consists of the individual elements like walls, floors and roofs, as well as columns, beams and stairs. Precast concrete elements for walls, floors and roofs are flat construction elements with integrated building services. Walls are produced mostly floor-to-ceiling high. Floors and roofs are produced in specific widths and lengths,

depending on the maximum size permitted for transport and on aesthetic requirements.

Comparing in-situ and precast concrete construction methods In the precast concrete construction method, the construction elements are produced in a production facility with a high quality with fixtures for building services (electricity, plumbing, heating, air conditioning etc.) being embedded. The precast concrete elements are then transported to the building site by truck. The individual elements are then assembled on site and connected with each other in a force-fitting manner.

Saving costs with the precast concrete construction method In the in-situ concrete construction method, the molds for the individual construction elements are assembled on-site and filled with cast-in-place concrete. On the one hand, this ensures a great flexibility with regard to the design of the buildings and has positive effects on the structural behavior but on the other hand, the quality,

time and cost benefits of the industrial production do not come into effect. The precast concrete construction method takes into account the entire costs for the shell, like material savings, lower costs for site equipment due to a shorter construction time, earlier utilization of the buildings, less maintenance etc. and not only the m² of wall or floor as it is done for other building materials.

Decision criteria for the selection of a building system Each building type requires a different building system with suitable structural elements. Industrial buildings are based on columns and beams. A building system with walls and floors is the most advantageous choice for an apartment building.

At the beginning of the planning stage, it is necessary to determine which building types are built in order to find the most efficient building system. Apart from the building type, climatic conditions like wind loads, seismic loads, temperature etc. have an influence on this decision.

Every building system has its specific guidelines and regulations which need to be considered in order to use it efficiently. In some countries, norms and guidelines need to be adapted to the precast concrete construction method or be established in the first place.

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ADVANTAGES OF THE PRECAST BUILDING SYSTEM INDUSTRIALIZED CONSTRUCTION OFFERS MANY ADVANTAGES Many advantages result from the industrial prefabrication of precast concrete elements. Apart from quality and precision, the manpower requirements are reduced tremendously. The actual erection of the buildings on site is executed in a much shorter space of time compared to in-situ constructions. This is environmentally friendly and reduces noise and dust pollution.

Moreover, concrete as a natural building material is 100% recyclable and is, in combination with steel, a safe, sustainable and earthquakeresistant material with little wear and tear. Our individual pages provide interesting facts about the various benefits of precast concrete elements.

ZBCA hails TiB Insurance Brokers and accolades it “THE BEST SERVICE PROVIDER OF THE YEAR 2018’’

T

iB Insurance Brokers was awarded the top accolade of being the “BEST SERVICE PROVIDER OF THE YEAR 2018’’ at the ZBCA Annual General Conference which was successfully held in Victoria Falls at the Majestic Elephant Hills Resort Hotels from the 10th to the 12th of October 2018.

Commenting upon receiving the Award, the Managing Director of the TiB Insurance Brokers, Mr Charles Mulele said, “We thank God for having been given the opportunity to serve the Construction Industry and indeed having lived to our Vision of being, The Preferred Insurance Broking Firm providing Insurance Broking and Risk management solutions to Businesses.

We are truly grateful that the Stakeholders of ZBCA have recognised and awarded our efforts to unlock value to Contractors by providing them access to the Bank guarantees, particularly Bank Bid Bonds without the need for cash cover that has been locking their operational cash flows with Banks for periods of up to 3 months and in some instances 4 months.’’

BACKGROUND TO BANK GUARANTEES PRODUCT In the last quarter of 2017, TiB Insurance Brokers realised that most Employers under Construction contracts had started insisting on provision by Contractors, Bonds & Guarantees that are issued by Banking Institutions as opposed to Insurance Institutions.

In response to this demand by Employers, TiB Insurance Brokers arranged several facilities within Banks and are now issuing required Bank Bonds and Guarantees to Contractors, with the Contractor only paying the premium and THUS ELIMINATING THE CASH COVER COLLATERAL REQUIREMENT. For instance, in a tender requiring a Bank Guarantee of $2 000, a Contractor through TIB will only pay a premium of $300 to 74

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get a Bank Bond and not the $2 000 plus establishment fees as is the case with a cash cover facility through a Bank.

“We are excited that in 2019, as we are celebrating Our 20 years of service to Business, more Banks are coming on board and this will increase our facility lines to service more members of the Zimbabwe Building Contractors Association at the stroke of an enquiry’’ said Mr Mulele.

The following Bank or Insurance issued

Bonds & Guarantees are on offer: - - - - - - -

Bid Bonds Performance Bonds Advance Payment Bonds Retention or Maintenance Bonds Contractors All Risks Insurance Plant All Risks Insurance Credit Risk Insurance

Mr. Mulele went on to say that TiB Insurance Brokers is now also assisting Contractors with Guarantees internationally starting with Zambia.

First option

đ&#x;…ƒYOUR CONTRACT BANK OTAL SOLUTIONS TO

BONDS & GUARANTEES.

Most of the Employers under Construction Contracts are insisting on the provision

by Contractors of Bonds and Guarantees that are issued

by Banking Institutions as opposed to Insurance Institutions.

In response to this demand

by Employers, TiB Insurance Brokers has arranged several facilities within Banks and are now issuing the required Bank Bonds & Guarantees to Contractors.

The Delivery time at present, if all the requisite documents are submitted is 48Hours.

So for all your Bank Bonds & Guarantees and other Contract Insurance needs, you can now approach TiB Insurance Brokers and specify your requirements.

The following Bank and insurance issued bonds & guarantees facilities are on offer: • Bid Bonds • Performance Bonds • Advance Payment Bonds • Retention or Maintenance Bonds • Contractors All Risks • Plant All Risks • Credit Risk Insurance

TiB Provides Insurance Broking and Advisory Services to Clients across a broad range of sectors including inter-alia Manufacturing & Construction, Trading, Farming & Agriculture, Financial Services, Academia, Government and Quasi Government Institutions.

CONTACT DETAILS

TiB Insurance Brokers

TiB Insurance Brokers

Structure & Design Tea

Ericom Communication Complex 3rd Floor, Charter House 1 Boshoff Drive Cnr L Takawira/Fort Street Graniteside,publisher@structureanddesign.co.zw Harare Bulawayo Tel: 04 748294/6 or 0777 057 386 Email: charlesm@tib.co.zw sethc@tib.co.zw

S&D PARTNERS

Tel: (09) 75789 or 0773 402 361 Email: xolanin@tib.co.zw belindas@tib.co.zw

Award Winner of the SERVICE PROVIDER OF THE YEAR 2018

CONDOLENCES TO THE VICTIMS OF CYCLONE IDAI The President of the Zimbabwe Building Contractors Association (ZBCA) Eng. F.M. Mangwendeza, the National Executive Committee, Members and Staff would like to convey, with deep sadness, their condolences to all the victims of tropical cyclone Idai in the affected parts of Zimbabwe, as well as Mozambique and Malawi.

Our thoughts are with the affected families. We pray for the speedy recovery of all those who were injured, all the victims of the cyclone and all those whose homes and livelihoods were destroyed including the loss of loved ones.

“As we mourn with you during this period of grief, we pray that God Almighty grants comfort and solace to the bereaved families. We pray that the nation finds strength to grapple with this devastating state of affairs.

“Tinoti nematambudziko kwamuri mose vakashaikirwa nevadiwa vavo, tiwanirwe tsitsi” “Silusizi kuzimuli zonke ezilahlekelwe yizihlobo labangane, sithi madudu kini lonke” “Nossa sincera simpatia para com todos aqueles que perderam seus entes queridos” “Chifundo chathu chochokera pansi pa mtima kwa onse omwe anataya okondedwa awo” We would also like to thank the following ZBCA Members for their contributions towards infrastructure repairs efforts; ASPHALT PRODUCTS (PRIVATE) LIMITED

:

Bulawayo

DOUBLE ‘C’ CONSTRUCTION (PRIVATE) LIMITED

:

Harare

FOSSIL MINES t/a FOSSIL CONTRACTING (PRIVATE) LIMITED

:

Harare

LAQUER CONSTRUCTION (PRIVATE) LIMITED

:

Bulawayo

MAK BOKANO CONTRACTING (PRIVATE) LIMITED

:

Harare

ONEL ELECTRICAL ENGINEERS (PRIVATE) LIMITED

:

Harare

TACNA ENGINEERING (PRIVATE) LIMITED

:

Harare

T & J INCORPORATED (PRIVATE) LIMITED

:

Harare

TENSOR SYSTEMS (PRIVATE) LIMITED

:

Harare

VISIONARY ENGINEERING (PRIVATE) LIMITED

:

Harare

and;

All others not mentioned on the above list.

We invite the nation to pray for the victims, the communities and the governments of the affected countries as they continue to work hard to restore the situation to normalcy.

Address: 2nd Floor, Office 202, Saint Barbara House, 115 N. Mandela Avenue/L. Takawira Street, Harare.

Tel: +263 (242) 779 283-4. Cell: +263 773 595 599. Email: zbcaoffice@gmail.com Website www.zbca.co 76

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ZIMBABWE BUILDING CONTRACTORS ASSOCIATION ZIMBABWE BUILDING CONTRACTORS ASSOCIATION

ZBCA DONATIONS/PLEDGES ZBCA DONATIONS/PLEDGES

N0.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

N0.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

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Company Laquer Construction Double ‘C’ Construction Onel Electrical Engineers Tacna Engineering Fossil Contracting Asphalt Products Mak Bokano Contracting Tensor Systems Visionary Engineering T&J Incorporated

Equipment Donated 1 Compactor &Diesel 1 pedestrian roller, plate compactor & diesel

Cash Donations

$5,000.00 Company Equipment1 Donated Pedestrian Roller &Operator 5 Tippers 2 Tippers Laquer Construction 1 Compactor &Diesel Tipper Truck & Operator Tipper Trucks Double ‘C’ Construction 1 pedestrian roller, plate compactor & diesel Fuel & Artisans builders etc $1000.00 $300.00 Onel Electrical Engineers ZBCA Interventions Tacna Engineering 1 Pedestrian Roller &Operator As an industry the situation in Manicaland requires our services as Contractors.

The Ministry Transport requires the following Fossil Contracting 5 ofTippers 1. Tippers to transport gravel, supplies etc.

Asphalt Products 2 Tippers Resolutions equipment willTruck go under the ZBCA – ZBCA Stickers for the Equipment to be Mak Bokano Contracting  Allprovided Tipper & Banner Operator by secretariat  Operators to be sent out for 7 to 10 Days Tensor Systems Tipper Trucks  Fuel to be provided by MOT. However, ZBCA members willing can donate Fuel (coupons or cash) through Secretariat. Account details to be supplied.

Visionary Engineering Fuel & Artisans builders etc T&J Incorporated

Cash Donations $5,000.00

$1000.00 $300.00

ZBCA Interventions As an industry the situation in Manicaland requires our services as Contractors.

The Ministry of Transport requires the following 1. Tippers to transport gravel, supplies etc.

Resolutions   

All equipment will go under the ZBCA Banner – ZBCA Stickers for the Equipment to be provided by secretariat Operators to be sent out for 7 to 10 Days Fuel to be provided by MOT. However, ZBCA members willing can donate Fuel (coupons or cash) through Secretariat. Account details to be supplied.

ZBCA 4th ANNUAL GOLF TOURNAMENT

Royal Harare Golf Club Sponsorship Opportunities

2019

FRIDAY 24th May

Platinum sponsorship • $ 5.000.00 RTGS

Participation Fees

Gold Sponsorship

$100

Per player

• $3,000.00 RTGS

$390 4 ball

For Further Details Contact the following; Kudzai 0773483886/Boniface on 0773595599 or office 0242 779283/4/ email: zbcaoffice@gmail.com/boniface.mahwere@gmail.com

• Silver • $1,500 RTGS Hole Sponsorship • $700 RTGS

• Prize Sponsorship

• Several Sponsorship Opportunities available

Zimbabwe Building Contractors Association – Office 202 St Barbara House Cnr L. Takawira & Nelson Mandela

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Inso Aluminium Zimbabwe is in the business of manufacturing aluminium doors, windows, partitions, roofing systems, shop fronts, frames, curtain walling and fabrication services. This is then installed into a variety of different applications. This service is provided for multiple applications relating to commercial and residential properties.

Inso Aluminium (Pvt) Ltd

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George Harare At23A Inso, tailorDrive, madeMsasa, is our standard.

Email: info@insozim.co.zw We oer custom made bespoke aluminium Tel: +263at242 446313, +263 783prices.

461 822 products highly competitive Each door, window and shower is carefully crafted out of SABS approved materials for years of trouble free service.

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HOMES & STYLES MAGAZINE

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