SA Affordable Housing September - October 2015 | Issue: 54

September - October 2015 // Issue: 54

COMMUNITIES | INFRASTRUCTURE | DEVELOPMENT R216 per annum incl.

SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 2015

ISSUE: 54

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Trademax Publications SA Affordable Housing Communities | Infrastructure | Development

Tel: 0861 727 663 Fax: 0866 991 346 Email: info@trademax.co.za www.trademax.co.za

CONTENTS

Postnet Suite 241 Private Bag X103 N1 City 7463

PUBLISHER: Billy Perrin

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26

31

40

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EDITOR'S COMMENTS

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UPCOMING EVENTS

billy@trademax.co.za 082 266 6976

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INSTITUTIONAL HOUSING PROJECT

EDITOR:

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FINANCE

editor@trademax.co.za

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COVER STORY

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INSULATION

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LIFESTYLE DEVELOPMENT

kylin@trademax.co.za

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RENTAL HOUSING

LAYOUT & DESIGN:

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BRICKS & PAVING

36

FINANCE

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UPGRADED INFORMAL SETTLEMENT

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CONCRETE ROOFS

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ABT HOUSING PROJECT

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CONCRETE FILTERS

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CONCRETE

47

EVENTS

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STUDENT HOUSING

52

SOCIAL HOUSING

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CEMENT & CONCRETE

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INDUSTRY NEWS

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CEMENT & CONCRETE

SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 2015

Tracy Swain

ADVERTISING SALES: Kylin Perrin

Craig Patterson craig@trademax.co.za SUBSCRIPTIONS: Belinda Thwesha belinda@trademax.co.za

DISCLAIMER The views expressed herein are not necessarily those of Trademax Publications. Although we have done our best to ensure the accuracy of our content, neither Trademax Publications nor SA Affordable Housing magazine will be held liable for any views expressed or information disseminated, in editorial content or advertisements, in this issue.

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EDITOR’S COMMENTS

Spring into action!

The grass is greener, the mornings are brighter, and that can only mean it‘s spring!

While most of us are still left wondering what happened to the former part of 2015, there have been notable perception changes in the affordable housing market.

S

o when it came time to put this issue together, we wanted to showcase just that - how stakeholders are rethinking construction and delivering innovative, sustainable housing projects in this space.

Affordable housing is a concept developed around sustainability, which has gained momentum in its advocacy due to the earth’s degradation rate. There is a deep connection between the quality of the environment in relation to the quality of human life. In order to cope with rapid urbanization, sustainable housing developments are an imperative, especially as it relates to the creation of truly integrated communities. We need to tirelessly drive change and excellence in the built environment, and this is critical as Africa has been characterized in the last century as the continent with the highest urban growth rate. We need to deliver houses – and this should be viewed as a key social and economic development vertical.

In the social sense, housing needs to address poverty alleviation by capitalizing on the asset base for those with no or few other resources. We see this successfully executed in Harmony Village – a housing project that utilized an innovative finance model to extract value for

the beneficiaries of these housing units. Housing needs to deliver significant impact on public health because families need to live in healthy environments – this is evidenced by SOHCO’s Steen Villas housing project that has successfully implemented sustainable building methodologies, making the lives of these families more comfortable.

Housing must also be a key driver of economic verticals and integrated developments, such as the Delft Symphony Precincts 3 & 5 – SA’s first large-scale ABT project, which has aptly demonstrated this. The Leopard’s Rest development in the Albertsdal suburb that offers a mix of business premises and an affordable private school also illustrates how entrepreneurship and SMME activity can be propelled by intuitive construction.

I hope these outstanding housing projects will spring off these pages and that you’ll be inspired by them as much as I was. If you want to share your stories, projects or other information, you can find me at editor@trademax.co.za.

Until next time, Tracy

low voltage

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SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 2015

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EVENTS

UPCOMING EVENTS BAUMA CONEXPO AFRICA FORUM 15 – 18 SEPTEMBER 2015, JHB EXPO CENTRE View www.bcafrica.com for more info

3RD SACPCMP CONFERENCE 13 – 15 OCTOBER 2015, EMPERORS PALACE, JHB View www.mycouncilonline.sacpcmp.org.za for more info

AFRICA URBAN INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT FORUM 30 NOVEMBER – 3 DECEMBER 2015, MASLOW HOTEL, JHB View www.auiif.com for more info

TOTALLY CONCRETE EXPO 9 – 11 MAY 2016, GALLAGHER ESTATE, JHB View www.totallyconcrete.co.za for more info

HOUSING FOR AFRICA CONFERENCE & EXPO 9 – 11 MAY 2016, GALLAGHER ESTATE, JHB View www.totallyconcrete.co.za for more info

The Africa Urban Infrastructure Investment Forum (AUIFF) is a collaboration between IC Publications and Thebe Reed Exhibitions – both leaders in their respective fields in Africa.

The inaugural Africa Urban Infrastructure Investment Forum (Cape Town 2013) was a successful attempt to bring together the public and private sectors to discuss urban development in Africa. The second edition was held in Angola (April 2015) and offered the opportunity to learn from the country’s experience in tackling the challenge of rapid urbanization.

One of the key areas of focus will be the development and delivery of social/ affordable housing in Africa. Rapid urbanization often leads to inequality and slum development, and this event will discuss how to avoid this as African cities develop.

For more information on AUIIF, please contact the event manager, Nicol Pottow on +27(0)11 549 8300, email Nicol@ThebeReed.co.za or visit www.auiif.com.

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The making of... a Mega City

As one of Gauteng’s Mega Projects and largest lifestyle developments, SAVANNA CITY is charting the future of cities, developing an environment of productive activity, entrepreneurs, workers, consumers and support institutions to service a development of over 18000 HOMES. Visit www.savannacity.co.za for more information and investment opportunities.

Saints BRDSC1505

INVEST in your future INVEST in this Mega City TEL: 010 010 5316 www.savannacity.co.za

INSTITUTIONAL HOUSING PROJECT

Double storey units measure 48m² in extent. Two bedrooms are located on the top floor, with living/kitchen area and bathroom located on the ground floor. Ample space is available for on-site parking, washing lines and gardening.

Cape Town Community Housing Company brings harmony to Mitchells Plain Harmony Village has just been awarded as the best Institutional Housing Project in South Africa through the recent Govan Mbeki Awards Programme. The sizeable development comprises of 850 freehold housing units developed over 15ha of land in Mitchells Plain, Cape Town.

O

fficially launched by the MEC for Human Settlements, Mr Bonginkosi Madikizela on 16 May 2013, Harmony Village is the latest institutional development by the company, which has successfully completed other subsidy and open market developments in the area. The project was implemented over a 28-month period and targeted households with a joint monthly income of between R3,000 and R3,500.

LOCATION Harmony Village is located in the area known as Weltevreden Valley, within the suburb of Mitchells Plain and is bordered by Weltevreden Parkway. The project is situated directly opposite the bustling Westgate Mall, near to public transport with easy access to Vanguard Drive (N7) through Morgenster Road. These main vehicle arteries make commuting easier for residents.

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Established amenities such as schools, parks and healthcare facilities are situated in close proximity to the project.

QUALITATIVE CONSTRUCTION The houses have been designed to ensure minimal maintenance and comply with the highest construction standards, incorporating quality building materials. As opposed to single-skin structures, cavity walls were specified – being the most proven method for insulation and moisture penetration. Aluminium windows, rainwater goods as well as boundary walls were installed. The simplicity of the house design and the utilization of quality building materials also contribute to the value of the house. The units are also fitted with a 100 litre highpressure dual solar system in accordance with the new SANS/A10400 energy saving regulations. Some houses have been adapted with special-needs ramps and bathroom fittings to cater for disabled beneficiaries.

INSTITUTIONAL HOUSING PROJECT

Single storey houses measure 42m² in extent. These units are firstly allocated to elderly and disabled beneficiaries.

JOB CREATION Apart from the creation of employment opportunities for the community, training opportunities were provided for artisan students, through a collaborative venture between Cape Town Community Housing Company (CTCHC) and the Department of Public Works’ Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP). Local labour was sourced from the greater Mitchells Plain area.

The project is a testament as to how government and the private sector can collaborate effectively to create employment opportunities.

TOP-UP LOAN The innovative financial structure of Harmony Village provides substantial economic growth, with home owners possessing an asset that is in fact saleable on the open market.

Financial institutions do not have the necessary product offering to assist households earning below R3,500 per month with a loan repayable over an extended period of 25 years. The CTCHC has designed a model that incorporated the government housing subsidy, together with a top-up loan granted by the company through external funding over a 25 year period.

This model not only paves the way for low-income earners to become home owners over time, it creates an

engagement and committed relationship between CTCHC and these owners for a period of up to 25 years. Within the loan period, loan statements are disseminated, and enquiries relating to building extensions, unemployment and community issues are all dealt with. In this manner, the CTCHC is fulfilling a role of a mortgage institution and providing ongoing assistance in terms of home ownership.

Without such a financial model and CTCHC’s commitment to stay involved with the project over an extended period of time, beneficiaries’ options are largely limited to participating in the government’s Breaking New Ground (BNG) programme. The only other option that remains is for them to utilize rental opportunities until their income has substantially increased to enter the GAP market.

ASSET VALUE The project afforded beneficiaries the opportunity to access the government’s housing subsidy, and by doing so, they acquired an asset that is worth much more than what has been contributed. This is evidenced by the marketassessed value of the units being approximately R350,000 with an investment over time of only R130,000 being the owner contribution. A restrictive non-transfer four-year period post occupation is applicable in accordance with the subsidy requirements. This allows owners to realize the full asset value by only selling, if they choose to, after a four-year period, provided that the top-up loan amount granted by the CTCHC has been settled.

SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 2015

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INSTITUTIONAL HOUSING PROJECT

Foundation for the first houses started during April 2013.

PROJECT BENEFICIARIES Beneficiaries for the project were sourced from the City of Cape Town’s database, CTCHC’s waiting list, as well as through local newspaper advertisements and a telephone hotline. As with all projects and developments, it was still a requirement to comprehensively screen beneficiaries.

Screening through one-on-one interactions would determine whether they met all the qualifying criteria.

Criteria that were considered included household income, the living requirements of the family, credit history and also whether compliance to the government subsidy was met. Upon meeting all of the requirements, qualifying beneficiaries were allocated a housing opportunity within the development.

CONSUMER EDUCATION WORKSHOPS The CTCHC proceeded to enrol the beneficiaries for a three-part buyer education workshop that enabled them to be adequately prepared for home ownership. Every beneficiary took part in the workshops where the following was covered: • Project and product The project as a whole was explained in detail from inception to close-out. Different stages of the

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development were detailed and explained and the specifications of the housing opportunities were discussed. The beneficiaries had to know exactly what product and process they could expect.

• Instalment agreement, unit specifications and allocation of units The legal agreement entered into with the beneficiaries, unit specifications and the construction process were explained extensively. The beneficiaries further received the opportunity to choose a unit from the layout plan according to their preference on a first come first serve basis. Lastly, responsibilities of the beneficiaries and CTCHC were highlighted.

• Handover and ownership Beneficiaries were handed their keys of the house and thoroughly taken through every aspect that a homeowner should be aware of – such as the purchasing of pre-paid electricity and the opening of windows to ensure good air circulation. All responsibilities associated with owning a home were emphasized.

Through all of the above workshops and processes, as well as going forward in the long run, the beneficiaries are not seen as once-off clients, but rather as long-term partners.

u Fu t r u o Y “

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SPECIAL MERIT AWARD 2014

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ents m t r pa A m From o o r d Be x R329 000*

2 ple & m ,1

r Co o d el Gate h c Ba ure Sec

INCL. VAT & ALL COSTS

Bachelor Apartment, 1 Bedroom Apartment 2 Bedroom Apartment

Tenanted investment units for sale rental income from R3100 - R5600 pm

Koeberg Rd.

The area boasts an array of amenities such as: Ysterplaat Airbase

• Easy access to M5 and N1 • Close to major public transport routes • Very close to Cape Town CBD approx. 6km • Maitland Community Health care -0.23km • Maitland Medical Centre 0.74km • Brooklyn Day Hospital 1.74km • Maitland Primary School 0.43km • Ysterplaat Primary School1.13km • Laerskool Koeberg 0.75km • Oude Molan High School 1.50km • Howard Shopping centre 2.42km • St Peters Square mall 3.14km • Campground Shopping centre 3.24km

SINGLE OR JOINT INCOME FROM R10 600 P/M CALL:

+27 21 552 1780 | 079 933 0801 | 073 091 6304 | www.ctchc.co.za

INSTITUTIONAL HOUSING PROJECT

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CTCHC has always been involved with the community from the inception of any project it undertakes, and Harmony Village was no different. This meant that the CTCHC had a mandate to determine the housing tenure acceptable to the community, construction progress updates, and monthly meetings with community representatives to understand where the CTCHC could assist. This included employment of local labour, assisting unemployed home owners in job seeking or the facilitation of funds for greening of open spaces through other initiatives.

IN CONCLUSION Harmony Village has raised the bar in terms of the conventional approach to integrated human settlements, with specific reference to long-term end-user funding in the affordable housing market below the R3,500 monthly household income bracket. This is an illustration of the CTCHC’s ability and commitment to add value and options within the affordable housing sector in South Africa.

PROJECT TEAM ARCHITECTS & TOWN PLANNERS: MLH Architects & Planners PROJECTS MANAGERS: AECOM SA CIVIL ENGINEERS: Element Consulting Engineers ELECTRICAL ENGINEERS: Worley Parsons Consulting Engineers STRUCTURAL ENGINEERS: BSP Consulting Engineers LAND SURVEYOR: Adrian Geach Land Surveyors HEALTH & SAFETY OFFICER: Safe Working Practice ENVIRONMENTAL OFFICER: AECOM SA CIVIL INFRASTRUCTURE: Cornfields Construction HOUSE CONSTRUCTION: Peninsula Construction & New Age Properties.

PROJECT SUMMARY INFORMATION NUMBER OF UNITS: 850 TARGET MARKET: R3,000 – R3,500 joint monthly income PROJECT DURATION: June 2013 – September 2015 GPS COORDINATES: 34º02´12,98´ South; 18º35´24,87´ East UNIT BREAKDOWN: 111 Single storey; 739 Double storey UNIT SIZES: 42m² (single storey) & 48m² (double storey) UNIT LAYOUT: 2 Bedroom, bathroom & kitchen/living area CONSTRUCTION METHOD: Conventional brick and mortar EXTEND OF LAND: 15.17ha AVG. ERF SIZE: 110m² DENSITY: 56 units/ha FUNDING: Government institutional subsidy & CTCHC top-up loan

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The first completed homes were handed over by the MEC for Housing (Western Cape), Mr Bonginkosi Madikizela.

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Creating Concrete Possibilities

FINANCE

Coming face to face with home finance The prospect of applying for home finance can be a daunting one, but according to SA Home Loans that need not be the case.

E

ntering home ownership as a first-time (and sometimes first-generation) buyer can be an overwhelming experience. Not only is there the task of finding the ideal home in the most suitable area and at an affordable price, there is the rather daunting task of finding finance for possibly the biggest purchase and financial commitment of one’s life.

This deserves a tailor-made approach that addresses the unique needs of the first-time buyer. Zakheni Dlamini, Director of Affordable Housing at SA Home Loans comments, “We understand that first-time buyers have very specific needs and we have gone to great lengths to assess these needs, not just from a functional and product perspective such as providing 100% bonds, but also how the process of a home loan should be approached.”

According to Dlamini, “In this age that encourages online applications and people-free banking environments, there is a gaping need for one-on-one, face-to-face interaction with a client as they embark on their first home finance journey.” SA Home Loans provides the option of this faceto-face support throughout the home finance process. “We have dedicated home finance professionals who will interact with potential clients on a one-on-one basis to get a deeper understanding of the buyer’s personal situation and needs that allows them to motivate the application accordingly.”

Importantly, this one-on-one interaction also allows all aspects and costs of the bond application process to be discussed. Many applicants are not only unaware of the process, but also of some unavoidable legal and ancillary costs – and they come as a surprise at time of signature.

“Unexpected costs can take the joy and excitement out of home finance and ownership. We make sure applicants understand all the hidden costs and are prepared for them,” says Dlamini.

Affordable housing developers have long realized the need to provide support to their buyers and have established offices that provide assistance with home finance applications. SA Home Loans assigns a dedicated home finance professional to each development, and this professional keeps communication lines open with the applicants and the developer’s finance team.

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Zakheni Dlamini, Director of Affordable Housing at SA Home Loans

“SA Home Loans thrives on relationships – and the partnership with the developer is essential to making the home ownership journey of first-time home buyers a seamless and stress free one,” adds Dlamini.

Apart from the actual application and credit approval process, home finance has some essential legal processes that need to take place. These legal processes are time consuming and often alarm the first-time homeowner who is left wondering if the whole process has come to a standstill. “We make a concerted effort to keep our potential clients informed every step of the way – and make sure that the actual finance approval process is as fast and transparent as possible. We can’t obviously shorten some legal processes once the finance has been approved, but we do keep communicating with clients so that they are aware of the status of their bond with regard to registration, etc.,” concludes Dlamini.

Buying a home needn’t be a daunting exercise if you have the insight of an expert to guide you through the entire home buying process.

For more information, visit www.sahomeloans.com.

SA Home Loans is a Registered Credit Provider with branches across South Africa.

COVER STORY

An Echo prestressed slab is lowered into position at The William, a middle-income high-density residential development in northern Johannesburg.

Echo Prestress celebrates 20 years of prestressed slab production One of South Africa’s prestressed hollow-core concrete slab pioneers, Echo Prestress, is celebrating its 20th year. The company was founded in 1995 when a factory was built in Kempton Park to manufacture prestressed hollow-core slabs. Like all green-shoot business ventures there was no guarantee that the market was ready for a substantial increase in prestressed slab production, especially as in those days the South African construction industry was still largely wedded to what it had been taught and knew best -- in-situ construction.

H

owever, Echo Group’s founder and current chairman, Peter Lord, was convinced that certain sectors of the market were ready to convert to prestressed hollow-core construction, given its substantial economic and technical benefits. The fact that Echo Prestress is today South Africa’s largest prestressed hollow-core slab producer as well as the largest company within the Echo Group, bears testament to his foresight.

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The group itself enjoys the status as the largest hollowcore slab producer in the Southern Hemisphere and is nationally represented with factories in Durban (Echo Durban), Cape Town (Topfloor) and a second factory in Gauteng, Echo Floors. Moreover, it is the only South African company to offer both prestresssed and reinforced hollow-core slabs.

COVER STORY

The William, a middle-income high-density residential development in northern Johannesburg.

EDUCATING THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY Echo Prestress’ managing director, Monique Eggebeen, says that from the outset it was realized that a process of education was required if prestressed hollow-core was to make a significant impact on the South African construction industry.

“This was a task we undertook to do ourselves and we began by conducting plant tours. We found that almost everyone, from contractors to engineers, had never seen the prestressed hollow-core slab manufacturing process before. Precast construction was not a subject covered by universities and over the years we have gone to considerable lengths to lecture third and fourth year engineering students on the application and benefits of the technology. This programme is still ongoing, and in addition to lectures we conduct factory tours and in-house presentations.

“Furthermore, we run seminars in collaboration with the Concrete Manufacturers Association NPC (CMA) and we’ve brought international experts such as Kim Elliott to South Africa for this purpose. We have also formed a CPD seminar and conference facility through the South African Institute of Architects and those who attend these presentations earn CPD points,” says Eggebeen.

SABS STAMP OF APPROVAL Another aspect of Echo Prestress’ pioneering role was the introduction of the SABS mark for the prestressed hollowcore slab manufacture.

“The SABS mark offers a huge marketing advantage and once again, we worked hand-in-hand with the CMA in introducing a standard. We are very proud of our association with the CMA and have run several other projects with the Association.

“Besides manufacturing to the SABS standard, we are ISO 9001 2008 management system compliant. I believe we’re a step ahead of the market and we constantly challenge ourselves, especially on a technical level. This has resulted in new applications such as security walling and retaining walls, as well as composite construction suitable for steel and concrete frame structures.

“As market leaders we need to demonstrate that we are the most technically advanced hollow-core slab producer.

Internal skills development and in-house training plays an important role in this regard. They ensure that our personnel are up to the mark in all aspects of our industry.

Knowing that we have a highly skilled work force gives us tremendous confidence to penetrate and establish new markets,” says Eggebeen.

ALL-ENCOMPASSING FLOORING SOLUTION Echo marketing director, Melinda Esterhuizen, cites another reason why Echo Prestress has grown the demand for prestressed hollow-core slabs. She says the company is no ‘slab pusher,’ but offers a complete service-orientated flooring solution.

SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 2015

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COVER STORY

Clearwater Park, Boksburg, where Echo Prestress hollow-core slabs were used to fast track the development.

“For example, they may have used 340mm in-situ flooring and in certain instances we might propose 250mm prestressed slabs as a viable alternative.

“It’s taken us a long time to tap into the industrial and commercial construction markets and our policy of educating students and construction professionals is now bearing fruit.

Echo Gravity Retaining Walling (EGRW), a new concept in retaining wall systems, seen here at Green Cross Medical Centre in Chloorkop, Kempton Park.

“The first thing we look at on any project is whether prestressed hollow-core would be the most suitable technology. Sometimes we find that a hybrid solution, where prestressed slabs are combined with in-situ construction, works best. And in some instances we recommend combining prestressed slabs with other forms of precast concrete such as beams and columns.

“We work very closely with construction professionals to make sure we meet all their design criteria, both aesthetically and structurally. Our in-house design facility and our technical department examine aspects such as slab depth, reinforcing, spans and loading, which is why all our slabs are purpose-made for every project. We also take responsibility for slab installation so that when we walk off site the contractors have a completed working platform.

“We also maintain close liaison with principal site engineers and this saves the developers time and money.

And where appropriate, we make recommendations on how best to apply prestressed technology to their projects.

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“We form long-term relationships with our customers through our total solution service offering and by providing them with consistent quality,” observes Esterhuizen.

ADDRESSING SA’S HOUSING SHORTAGE Down the years Echo Prestress has made a substantial contribution to solving South Africa’s housing shortage.

Esterhuizen says the 21st century has seen South African professionals making increasing use of precast hollowcore slabs for the construction of multi-storey buildings and for the extension of existing structures. Some recent housing projects include the supply of precast concrete hollow-core slabs for the construction of upper-level flooring in multi-storey apartment blocks at two Gauteng retirement villages, Featherbrooke Hills Retirement Village and Olivedale Retirement Village. Another is The William, a middle-income high-density residential development, where 110 eight-unit apartment blocks were constructed in northern Johannesburg. Other recent projects include Jabulani, a high-density sectional title development in Soweto, and Fleurhof, an integrated housing project south west of Johannesburg.

The MTN Data Centre, Phase 2, which necessitated the addition of a second floor, is an example of how prestressed flooring can be used to add a storey to an existing building, saving time and money.

CELEBRATING

OF EXCELLENCE

Precast hollow-core slabs are to the construction industry what cellphones are to modern communications – fast, flexible, multifunctional and cost-effective.

ECHO PRESTRESS (PTY) LTD - GAUTENG | ECHO FLOORS (PTY) LTD - GAUTENG ECHO PRESTRESS DURBAN (PTY) LTD - KZN | TOPFLOOR LTD - WESTERN CAPE

HEAD OFFICE 011 589 8800 | WWW.ECHO.CO.ZA

GROUP OF COMPANIES

COVER STORY

Above and below: Some of the installed Echo prestressed slabs at the MTN data centre’s second-floor extension project in Centurion.

Commenting on the MTN project, Esterhuizen said that precast hollow-core slabs are to the construction industry what cell phones are to modern communications – fast, flexible, multi-functional and cost-effective.

URBAN DENSIFICATION: MAKING HIGH-DENSITY VIABLE The use of hollow-core slabs by several high-density housing developers has meant earlier completion times and substantial cost savings. As Rodney Gray, managing director of Balwin Properties says, “prestressed hollowcore slabs provide us with fantastic quality and high standards which far outweigh in-situ or beam-and-block flooring. In fact, precast concrete is what makes highdensity housing viable for us.”

One example of prestressed slabs diversity is security walling. Several walls have been erected, one of the latest being a wall for the Scaw Metals Group. The wall was commissioned after other types of security walling proved fallible by being repeatedly breached.

Eggebeen believes that the prospects for prestressed hollow-core slab growth in southern Africa is extremely bright and that during the next 10-15 years the market will enjoy substantial growth. Part of the reason is that the skills pool for in-situ construction is diminishing. Other factors include quicker construction times, superior sound insulation and thermal properties, and the consistent quality that an SABS certified prestressed factory provides.

For more information, contact Melinda Esterhuizen, Echo Marketing Director, on 011 589 8800 or visit www.echo.co.za.

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INSULATION

Ceiling Insulation Reduces Thermal Loads and Costs The adjustment of the housing subsidy quantum, together with improved norms and standards for engineering services and the construction of stand-alone residential dwellings, especially related to the ceiling and insulation, have definitely increased the quality of housing.

T

hese parameters have been based on the requirements of the 2011 revised National Building Regulations, SANS 10400XA - Energy Usage in Buildings, measures that were put in place to improve the thermal performance of dwellings.

The average heat load on a 40m2 home is 3,401 kWh per annum at a cost of R4,081.87 with the emissions at 3,264 kgCO₂ per annum. The ceiling and insulation component of the building has the greatest potential to reduce the thermal loads by up to 31%, leading to direct cost savings and a reduction in emissions. This makes the Department of Human Settlements one of the key players in helping South Africa reduce emissions by 34% below ‘business as usual’ levels by 2020, and by 42% by 2025.

ISOVER GLASS WOOL INSULATION HELPS SAVE 6 TONS OF CO₂ EVERY YEAR Isover converts discarded industry and household waste glass into a valuable raw material. Isover glass wool consists of about 80% of recycled waste glass. The other ingredients, including quartz sand, soda ash and limestone, are virtually inexhaustible resources. This is ecologically sustainable in a number of ways. The use of glass wool helps us meet the Kyoto target as well as realize energyefficient living all around the globe.

Consider this: The production of 1 ton of glass wool releases about 0.8 tons of CO₂. The annual CO₂ saving that can be realized by building using glass wool amounts to as much as 6 tons. Assuming a useful life of 50 years, we can thus save up to 300 tons of CO₂ – which is 375 times as much as the CO₂ emission caused by production.

Choosing the correct insulation to use in your roofing projects depends on various factors such as climatic zone, R-value, combustibility of the product, and performance.

For more information, visit www.isover.co.za.

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www.cosmojhb.co.za

011 553 6600

LIFESTYLE DEVELOPMENT

Affordable suburban lifestyle in the Albertsdal suburb Leopard’s Rest, the latest Cosmopolitan residential development, better described as ‘suburb living within your reach,’ provides families with affordable housing options within Albertsdal suburb, including a private school on their doorstep.

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ituated on the corner of Kliprivier and JG Strijdom Roads in Albertsdal, just off the R59, the development will house not only 2,015 residential one-stands, but also two business premises, four community stands, four public parks, as well as a worldclass electrical substation to adequately support the full development. The houses are the most affordable freestanding full-title houses in a suburb within a 20km radius from the Johannesburg central business district.

This further entrenches the development concept of providing suburb living with full access to private school education at an affordable price to residents of the Albertsdal suburb. The 55m2 units are in the market for R590k and comprise:

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• Burglar bars (all windows) • Security gates • Oven and hob • Built-in cupboards (kitchen) • 3-door BIC (main bedroom) • 2-door BIC (second bedroom) • Floor tiles and tile skirting • Pre-fabricated walls around erf • Vehicle gate • Solar geyser • TV point conduit • Bathroom tiles (1.5m wall and listello) • Semi-face brick plinth • Grass (only pavement - Kikuyu) • Glass shower • Half moon lights (lounge and kitchen)

LIFESTYLE DEVELOPMENT

AFFORDABLE PRIVATE SCHOOL Leopard’s Rest is home to the brand new Royal School Alberton – an affordable, quality private school funded through a partnership with Old Mutual Schools and Education Investment Impact Fund South Africa (SEIIFSA) and the Royal Schools Management Company (RMC). The dual objective is to deliver quality education and a commercially acceptable return.

Royal School Alberton is registered with the Gauteng Department of Education, is a co-ed English medium school and will open its doors for pre-school to Grade 10 in 2016. Grade 11 will start in 2017 and Grade 12 in 2018 with school fees of R1,460 per month for all grades. At capacity, the school will cater for 1,655 learners with 65 staff members and has already registered a number of scholars.

This state-of-the-art school, built by Cosmopolitan’s inhouse construction division, boasts: • 63 classrooms • 2 computer laboratories • 3 science laboratories • 4 pre-school classes

• Well-equipped play area • Large hall with a stage • Tuck shop • Administration block • Drop-off zone for learners • Parking area for staff and parents • Several staff and meeting rooms • Sports fields • 2 combination courts • Wi-Fi – entire school will have access • Cameras in all classes • Aftercare facilities from 17h00 • Electric fence • Security system • Data projectors and laptops in all classrooms The catchment area of the school and the residential development is mainly Katlehong; Thokoza, Vosloorus and Alberton. This unique development is within 20km from Johannesburg CBD and major industrial areas including Alrode, Wadeville, Jetpark, Isando and City Deep, with direct access to highways. It is a shining example of an integrated affordable housing development.

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ENERGY EFFICIENCY LEGISLATION FOR NEW BUILDINGS (NBR-XA) The National Building Regulation (NBR) was updated in November 2011 to include Part X, which addresses environmental sustainability and Part XA which establishes requirements for energy efficiency in new buildings and renovations (which require plans). The application of this new legislation is good news for the environment and will help you save electricity.

FEEL THE REAL DIFFERENCE WITH INSULATION THAT MEETS THE REQUIREMENTS Buildings typically account for 40% of all energy consumed in countries and by insulating with Glasswool it is possible to significantly improve the energy efficiency and comfort of buildings. Isover`s insulation can save 100 times the energy consumed and CO2 emitted in their manufacture, transport and disposal.

Glasswool is made from a combination of naturally occurring silica sand, fluxing agents and up to 80% recycled glass. Glasswool has Zero Ozone Depleting Potential (ODP) and no CFC`s or HCFC`s are produced in the production process. Glasswool can be compressed by a factor of up to 5 which saves on storage and reduces transport costs.

CEILING INSULATION A typical un-insulated home loses and gains up to 35% of its energy through the ceiling and this can be dramatically reduced by installing insulation of the correct thickness.

Think Pink Aerolite is Isover’s thermal and acoustic ceiling insulation solution that reduces the amount of energy required to maintain a comfortable living environment, offering a payback in less than 2 years with continued savings thereafter.

Isover Insulation 130 is a non-combustible Glasswool blanket that has been specifically developed to meet the Department of Human Settlements ceiling insulation requirements for 40m2 housing developments became effective in April 2014.

Our insulation is environmentally friendly, non-combustible, offers excellent sound absorption properties and is easy to install in your home.

Feel the real difference with Aerolite or Isover Insulation keeping you warm in winter and cool in summer.

For more information log onto www.isover.co.za or download our Isover SA app in the app stores.

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THINKING OF INVESTING IN AFFORDABLE RENTAL HOUSING IN GAUTENG?

CONSTRAINED BY FUNDING CHALLENGES? The Solution - The Gauteng Partnership Fund (GPF) is the ideal partner for companies seeking to develop affordable residential properties for rental to cater for households with income up to R18000.

Who Are We - Mandated by the Gauteng Department of Human Settlements to accelerate the provision of human settlements, the GPF has leveraged over R2.2 billion in private sector funding for developers and investors in the affordable housing market. The GPF seeks to share ďŹ nancing risks with debt funders and developers for affordable housing projects.

Opportunity exists - To access GPF funding that aims to assist rental housing developers by leveraging private sector funding into affordable housing rental market. The GPF funding enhances the bankability of projects to enable senior lenders to ďŹ nance on favourable terms.

Please quote reference number 0029 when speaking to a GPF representative.

For more information or to apply for funding contact Phetsile or Maki: Tel: 011 685 6600 or Email: info@gpf.org.za Web: www.gpf.org.za

RENTAL HOUSING

The Gauteng Partnership Fund (GPF) brings affordable rental housing to Shangha Village The 80-unit rental housing project in Bronkhorstspruit is targeted at beneficiaries earning below R18,000 per month and addresses the housing shortage for the surrounding townships. During the project life cycle, 106 local jobs were also created.

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he project was launched by the GPF and Eagle Valley Property 41 (Pty) Ltd – one of 94 Historically Disadvantaged Individuals (HDI) owned companies that were selected to participate as a developer in the Entrepreneur Empowerment Property Fund Programme (EEPFP).

‘Shangha’ is the Buddhist word that means ‘community’ – and it certainly has meant just that for the Bronkhorstpruit area and its surrounding townships. The housing project is located on Erasmus Extension 8, Bronkhorstpruit in the Tshwane Metro. Jointly, Phase 1 and 2 comprise of 20 blocks with a total of 80 two-bedroom units – with the size of each unit being 60m2.

After obtaining approval from the GPF Board for Phase 1 of the project, construction for 40 affordable rental units kicked off. Despite a few financial hurdles, the first phase of the project, which was initially scheduled for completion in March 2015, was completed ahead of time at the end of November 2014. Phase 2, also comprising of another 40 two-bedroom units is 80 percent complete.

FUNDING THE FUTURE Shangha Village is aligned with GPF’s mandate, especially since it is targeted at beneficiaries who earn below the R18,000 threshold. The developers, Eagle Valley Property 41 (Pty) Ltd have been the recipients of a junior and interest-free loan to improve the housing project’s viability; the project is currently fully funded by the GPF. For the duration of the project, a total number of 106 construction job opportunities were created, further entrenching the idea of an integrated housing project.

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RENTAL HOUSING

INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENTS The development is adjacent to the biggest Buddhist temple in South Africa. The immediate surrounding area consists mainly of upmarket residential properties as well as existing residential complexes which are used exclusively by pilgrims from the Buddhist temple. The vicinity of Cultura Park complex also houses an English high school and a shopping mall that is already under construction.

Massive infrastructure developments in and around Cullinan, Bronkhorstspruit and Witbank in the form of mining as well as the new Eskom plant – the Kusile Power Station – also contributes to the potential of the area.

These will directly create jobs and thus attract more people to the area who will require housing. The location derives great benefit being located in such close proximity to the Cultura Park complex and also the town of Bronkhorstspruit. It is less than 10 minutes’ drive to the town’s centre (about 2km) and is also in close proximity to the N4 highway to Pretoria (30 minutes), with Witbank in the opposite direction.

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BRICKS & PAVING

The University of Pretoria extends its student housing at Onderstepoort campus. Photograph courtesy of Corobrik.

Modular clay bricks provide construction flexibility With its inherent versatility, modular clay brick offers developers the right material at the right dimensions - thus avoiding costly delays.

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s a modular material, clay bricks are not preconfigured or manufactured based on a building plan created several months before construction begins. Developers can rest assured that every time the bricks arrive on site, they will be the ideal dimensions – never centimetres too long or too thin – brick dimensions are literally set in clay. There is a rough arithmetical relationship of length to width of 2:1 and length to height of 3:1 in the standard brick. This gives a lot of flexibility in how bricks can be laid.

FLEXIBLE AND ADAPTABLE Modular clay brick walling allows construction teams to quickly adapt to the client’s variation requests, respond to unexpected site conditions, implement complex

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architectural designs and deal with logistics or on-site damage and errors. Bricks have known parameters for use with different foundations, soils and climate zones, ensuring consistent strength, timing and costs.

RELIABLE AND ACCURATE PLANNING One of the key benefits of brick walling is that no matter where you build in South Africa, you have fast access to experienced teams and quality products. It is estimated that over 200,000 workers are directly employed across the building industry as brick makers, brick layers and plasterers. No matter where your construction site is located, there will be trained, local brick layers to complete the project.

BRICKS & PAVING

Many CBA Members offer training to the communities where they operate, which builds local entrepreneurial capacity.

Competitively-priced, accredited brick suppliers can be found in every region, providing consistent quality stockin-hand and short transport distances. Brick products and manufacturing technologies are not imported – every brick is manufactured here in South Africa and must meet SABS 227 requirements. As the industry watchdog, the CBA lobbies for improved building standards, particularly in the affordable housing sector.

INNOVATIVE ‘SUPERBRICKS’ SAVE TIME AND COSTS Bricklaying is a skill, and the construction of a masonry wall can sometimes be slower than erecting a prefabricated building system. With this in mind, the industry has developed an innovative solution that allows walls to be built faster.

‘Superbricks’ come in a range of non-standard, large sizes that use less mortar and have fewer joins per square

metre, speeding up construction whilst reducing material and labour costs for the builder and developer alike.

THE RESIDENT STILL ENJOYS ALL THE BENEFITS OF CLAY BRICK WALLING, INCLUDING: • improved thermal comfort • improved acoustics for noisy, high density living • improved security and fire resistance and • reduced energy use throughout the building’s lifetime These cost-effective masonry products have been successfully applied in affordable housing projects throughout South Africa, providing long-lasting, durable, safe and sustainable homes that will continue to increase in value each year.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT CBA: (t) +27 11 805 4206 (f) +27 11 315 3988 (e) admin@claybrick.org.za (w) www.claybrick.org

SA Patent no. ZA2011/01062

Brick easy is essentially a system to lay bricks in a new and improved manner. The only tool required for the actual laying of the bricks is a pair of gloves for the bricklayer and the other components of the team. Any labourer with a minimum amount of training can easily be part of a team of three that can lay 500 bricks in an hour.

THE STRUCTURAL BENEFITS OF BRICK EASY: The other important function which the profile performs, is the strength offered when the brick is laid against it – as opposed to virtually zero strength of the traditional fish line. The bricklayer is able to force the brick flush against the profile and push the next brick and mortar vertically to close the gaps between bricks. This means that there will not be any air gaps between bricks and that the mortar will be adhesive to the entire brick, making the brickwork very strong.

The Headed or English bond which is seldom used nowadays, is easy to lay with this system. By using the mortar box to spread the fluid mortar, the bricklayer simply has to slide the brick over, taking enough mortar with the brick to push against the next brick and close the vertical joint completely.

HIGH PRODUCTIVITY: THREE SEMI-SKILLED WORKERS 500 BRICKS PER HOUR Giuseppe Dalla Torre +27 (0) 83 305 5191 gadallatorre@telkomsa.net

The little building pictured, measuring approximately 5m², was not only built for the purpose of the SABS test, but also to see how quick a building labourer could learn how to use the Brick Easy System. The SABS test was successful on all the requirements and parameters and a Certificate was issued. With a little bit of supervision, the three building labourers were able to lay six hundred bricks in the first hour, and two hours later the job was completed.

W hen the time came to demolish the little building, I used a two and a half ton fork lift with a weight of four tons. I pointed the forks two brick courses from the top of the building, kept a distance of half a meter from the building and proceeded to impact the forks against the wall.

However, there was no sign of movement and no cracks were noted. Only on the second attempt at the top brick course of the building did I manage to dislodge some bricks. I could not continue using the fork lift for fear of damaging it, and I opted for an air-driven breaker which still took a long time to eventually demolish the building.

FINANCE

Borrower education programme and R17,000 financial grant assistance for first-time buyers A partnership between The French Development Agency (AFD), Nedbank and the College of People Management and Development (CPMD) is equipping buyers with important ownership-related information that spans across financial management, home loan obligations and processes, property implications as well as R17,000 financial grant assistance.

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edbank and The French Development Agency (AFD) have entered into an agreement to promote entry level home ownership to first-time home buyers through the provision of borrower education, ongoing mentoring and R17,000 financial grant assistance. AFD is a development finance institution funded by the French government that has a track record of involvement in developmental projects globally and in South Africa.

BORROWER EDUCATION AND MENTORSHIP Before being able to attend the borrower education programme, potential buyers who want to purchase a property within a participating development must first undergo an assessment to gauge their eligibility and compliance with the set-out criteria. There is no cost to attend the borrower education programme or the ongoing mentoring, provided the potential buyer meets the relevant conditions.

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The borrower education is one of the prerequisites to being eligible for the loan. The grant is conditional based on the Borrower Education Completion Certificate. The training usually takes place at the participating developer’s site or offices. The programme content covers topics such as broad based home ownership, including personal financial management, understanding all implications of home ownership, how a home loan works and the related obligations, as well as home maintenance.

Every development is assigned a mentor by the training provider, CPMD, and in some instances more than one mentor is assigned, depending on the demand. The mentor will continue to provide support and coaching to the client for a few months after the borrower has taken occupation, to ensure they realize their financial and other obligations that home ownership demands.

FINANCE

TARGET MARKET AND QUALIFYING CRITERIA Potential borrowers do not need to have a current Nedbank account, but the product is only linked to the Nedbank-AFD home loans product, and therefore cannot be taken up if the borrower has secured finance with another financial institution. Borrowers must be South African citizens and earn (single or joint) a maximum gross monthly income of R20,000. The maximum loan size is based on affordability but can be expected to be in the region of R570,000. The programme is aimed at first-time home buyers who wish to purchase in selected, Nedbankapproved developments. Currently, the areas of focus only encompass the Gauteng area.

PRODUCT SCALE AND RULES The programme, which is expected to run for a further period of 12 to 36 months, will provide about 1,200 loans to this affordable housing market. The loan product is similar to other loans provided by Nedbank in this market.

For example, it has a maximum loan term of 240 months, subject to the loan being fully paid by the age of 65 years.

THE FINANCIAL GRANT Regardless of the loan amount, the upfront financial grant assistance to the borrower is R17,000. The grant is credited to the home loan account at the date of transfer/ registration of the property, acting as a permanent reduction of the capital amount. It will not be accessible by the client for any other purpose than to reduce the capital home loan amount.

The grant assistance often paves the way for affordability, which, together with free home ownership tuition, is the attractive aspect of the product. The manuals received by the participants during the training and mentorship are comprehensive, with the AFD anticipating that participants will utilize it to educate the broader community. Once delegates have attended the training they become more knowledgeable, and by having a manual to take home, they are then able to advise their friends and family about home ownership related issues – thereby creating another layer of more informed prospective home buyers.

Currently, CPMD is training in the region of approximately 30 to 50 participants per month across groups of two to eight – demand dependent.

The borrower education and mentoring programme has been outsourced to CPMD (headed by Graeme and Tracy Jay) – a market leader in property related training and education, with extensive experience in beneficiary and borrower education. CPMD has trained nine mentors in the borrower education and mentorship programme, who are fully competent to service a similar number of developers.

CPMD has run similar programmes for other financial institutions, government and other types of businesses.

They are currently one of the selected providers appointed by the EAAB (Estate Agents Affairs Board) to train over 150 previously disadvantaged interns, on the FET Real Estate programme, in conjunction with the Services SETA. For more information, visit www.cpmd.co.za, or contact Tracy 011 728 7225 or e-mail tracy@cpmd.co.za, or Friddah 072 0216797 or e-mail friddah@cpmd.co.za.

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UPGRADING OF INFORMAL SETTLEMENTS PROGRAMME

The City empowers Happy Valley beneficiaries in Blackheath with the handover of title deeds Happy Valley Phase 2 is a low-cost housing project in Blackheath by the City of Cape Town that is a testament to the City’s commitment to empowering South Africans who were historically prevented from owning immovable property.

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he Happy Valley Phase 2 Housing Project is a venture jointly funded by the City of Cape Town and the Western Cape Government. The housing project features more than 1,400 brand new formal housing opportunities.

Beneficiaries include the inhabitants of the previous Happy Valley informal settlement area and backyarders from Happy Valley Phase 1.

This housing project forms part of the overall Upgrading of Informal Settlements Programme (UISP) and demonstrates how effective application of the UISP can enable the conversion of an informal area into a formal housing project.

In total, the City will issue over 1,200 title deeds to beneficiaries of this project.

The City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Human Settlements, Councillor Benedicta van Minnen, said at a recent handover of 20 title deeds: “The City is thrilled to be able to hand over these title deeds to the beneficiaries from the previous Happy Valley informal area. The handover of title deeds is in line with the City’s commitment to empowering residents who were previously prevented from owning property. It is incredibly important that beneficiaries of housing projects receive title deeds. This proves their ownership of a house and unlocks the economic opportunities that come with owning an asset. Title deeds provide the evidence needed to leverage this asset and for it to become part of one’s estate. Importantly, transferring title deeds is possibly one of the greatest methods to bring redress to our residents.”

She further added, “I must thank our City staff for their sheer determination to ensure that the beneficiaries of this project receive their title deeds. Receiving the opportunity to own an asset is key to the empowerment of our previously disadvantaged residents and to the transformation of our city in general.”

CALL 0861 727 663 TO BOOK YOUR INFRASTRUCTURE & DEVELOPMENT

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CONCRETE ROOFS

Concrete roofs have practical and aesthetic potential Concrete is increasingly becoming the roof covering material of choice for a variety of practical reasons, says Bryan Perrie, MD of The Concrete Institute.

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errie says the development of sophisticated computer modelling systems has elevated roof design and construction far beyond the most basic functional purpose of shelter and into the realm of attractive architectural creations. “In line with these trends, advances in concrete technology and waterproofing technology now make it possible to transform fantastic concepts into impressive roofing reality,” he states.

“Designed accordingly at the inception phase, flat concrete roofs can allow for additional storeys to be added later as the need arises or when funds become available, for increased densification, thereby further optimizing the use of well-located land and existing services.

“As the demand for available land in the city centre increases, there is increased pressure to develop current open green spaces. With city centre space at a premium, a flat concrete roof presents an innovative opportunity to offset the carbon footprint of a building by using potentially lost green space at roof level in the form of a roof garden. The design of water-wise roof gardens as well as 'food roof gardens' is increasingly popular in many parts of the world, with the latter presenting additional socio-economic benefits in the affordable housing market. At the same time, thermal insulation is also improved significantly inside a building with a roof garden."

Perrie says the affordable housing market has seen rapid growth in the specification of concrete roof tiles as the roof covering material of choice.

“The timeless aesthetic appeal of concrete roof tiles undoubtedly transforms a house into a home. It requires no additional finish, is labour-intensive, and has low-maintenance requirements. Furthermore, the roof pitch enhances interior thermal comfort by encouraging the convectional flow of hot and cold air through natural ventilation.

“Whether specifying in-situ or precast concrete as a roof application, designers can create shelter that is at the same time both attractive and sustainable, by harnessing concrete’s natural qualities of sculptural flexibility, durability, affordability and thermal mass – in conjunction with best practices and quality construction techniques,” he adds.

For more information, visit www.theconcreteinstitute.org.za.

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ABT HOUSING PROJECT

First large-scale ABT project at Delft Symphony Way Precincts 3 & 5 completed After numerous pilots, the Department of Human Settlements has successfully delivered the first large-scale, fully functional and integrated human settlements development built with Alternative Building Technology (ABT).

Photographs - Rosleigh Tristan Creative (Pty) Ltd

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he Delft Symphony Precincts 3 & 5 is located in the built-up residential area of Delft and has been successfully integrated with existing bonded houses.

It comprises of 2,100 housing units – of which 1,200 have been developed for Precinct 3 and 900 for Precinct 5. It forms part of the national government’s housing priority plan known as the N2 Gateway Project.

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The turnkey project that included civil and electrical infrastructure was undertaken by way of a joint venture between Group Five and Motlekar Cape (G5MC) alongside their respective sub-contractors. It consists of 200 singleand 1,900 double-storey unit formats. It is the first of its kind ABT development and underpins the Western Cape Government’s strategic impetus of maximizing the use of ABT resources.

ABT HOUSING PROJECT

THE TECHNOLOGY BUILDING SYSTEM For the units, the Agrément-certified Motlekar building system, a Structural Insulated Panel (SIP) incorporating a structural steel frame designed in accordance with SANS 517 was used. The system provides outstanding acoustic and thermal properties and lends itself to be finished with Agrément-certified waterproof paint or an armour coating.

The composite wall panels comprise of 10mm autoclaved magnesium oxide or 9mm Nutek cellulose fibre cement boards that encapsulate a polyurethane core and blanks between panel cavities. The panels, fabricated to a standard size of 1,2m in width and either 2,4m or 2,7m in height, were delivered directly to the construction site with factory-fitted windows and door frames – a factor that vastly reduced construction time.

COLD FORM STEEL (CFS) Lightweight steel serves as the skeletal and structural function for the composite panels. Due to a multitude of material proficiencies, Cold Form Steel (CFS) framing was selected as the structural system for this project. Loadbearing CFS framing members – in the form of wall studs and floor joists – were utilized to take full advantage of steel’s strength-weight ratio. Adding to the advantages of the CFS framing is the adoption of the panelisation technique. Panelisation of the load-bearing interior and exterior wall panels accelerated the construction process, and this in turn, reduced the variability and guesswork while increasing the level of construction quality.

The high productivity gained in ‘manufacturing’ panels translated to greater speed of installation on the construction site.

The unit foundations and floor slabs are conventional, whilst the roofing structure was constructed using lightweight steel trusses or in some instances timber trusses clad with metal sheeting, concrete tiles or Agrément-certified cladding. The plumbing and electrical conduits were pre-fixed into the composite panels.

Internal finishes are in accordance with conventional specifications, while the electrical conduits and plumbing sleeves were all pre-fitted.

MATERIAL FEATURES • R value = 3,5 (m2K/W) in walling system. A 9-inch brick wall has an R value less than 1, resulting in reduced electricity costs due to less heating requirements in winter.

• Sandwich panel with external weather and fireproof boards • Internal Polyurethane foam with galvanized steel surrounds • Rubber sondor strip placed on concrete to prevent water ingress • Bottom track seated on sondor strip and bolted into concrete • Panel placed over bottom track and screwed through sides into bottom track • Interlocking male-female connection between panels • Screw through sides of panels into vertical studs

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ABT HOUSING PROJECT

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT The erection of the housing units was achieved at a swift construction pace, whilst ensuring less impact on the environment. As a result, there was less waste to remove from the site. With the panels being completely flat-packed, fewer delivery vehicles were on site, resulting in a dual benefit – reduced transportation costs and a lessened ecological impact on the site. The complete panel was delivered to the site and was not just a component of the required raw material, it saved a considerable amount of erection time. It took on average three days to erect a 64m2 unit; from walls to roof cladding, excluding the finishes. The developers have paid meticulous attention to strategies of sustainability, the use of durable, resourceefficient materials, and thermal insulation over the life cycle of the development.

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ABT HOUSING PROJECT

CHALLENGES One of the major challenges initially experienced was the acceptance of the product. During the early stages of the project, construction was halted due to violent protests by the community who did not want construction with this new technology to progress. By the time the handover process was reached and once the local community witnessed first-hand the quality and properties of the building system, these negative perceptions were eradicated. During a survey conducted, residents didn’t indicate acute happiness or unhappiness, but an acceptance of the ABT system.

R&D was conducted on site and although this resulted in many technical challenges, it was a necessity as it was the first time a fully integrated ABT housing project was done at this scale. The technical challenges were overcome with resounding success – the outcome of which qualitative, modern Breaking New Ground (BNG) houses were delivered.

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ABT HOUSING PROJECT

UNIQUE FEATURES One of the aspects that make this housing project unique is that it illustrates on a practical level how ABT can be a viable and accepted building channel. During the project, local materials, local labour and a consistent community centric approach was kept top of mind. The building system used is ideally suited to government-financed community housing projects, which has a knock-on positive effect resulting in competitive costing. It also eliminates the shortage of skilled workers and traversing the challenge of the inaccessibility of building materials, whilst maintaining construction integrity throughout the project. These materials offer outstanding thermal efficiency – and have been designed in full compliance with the South African National Standards (SANS) code SANS 10400-XA, which describes the thermal properties in construction. This ensures a low thermal conductivity that provides comfort for these families and saves energy costs for the beneficiary. The housing units have been built on an elevated platform, offering deterrence from floods, and have the ability to contain a fire after 35 minutes. The project also offered the developer the capacity to manufacture 1,200 panels per day – that is 20 houses of approximately 48m2 per day. The materials are certified by Agrément South Africa and compliant with US (IRC R614) building code and SANS 517 – the building code for lightweight steel framing.

BUILDING COMMUNITIES The objective of the housing project was not only to build, but to enhance communities. This was achieved by creating key skills transfer programmes and enabling the unemployed labour force of the surrounding community to create employment opportunities for themselves, so as to

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sustain their families and ultimately their environment for the future. The project delivered cost-effective, sustainable and energy-efficient homes with home-grown materials and green technologies whilst transferring skills and creating jobs. Approximately 80-90% of local labour was employed for the duration of the project.

KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER The developer has paid forward the knowledge, having trained regulatory authorities on the alternative systems.

These included the NHBRC, The City of Cape Town Building Control and the Agrément South Africa Board. These role players were taken through the process of design and consultation with a view to highlight the role that innovation occupies in housing the nation.

CONCRETE FILTERS

PMSA to launch onsite aggregate tester and wet-press concrete filters at Bauma Conexpo Africa 2015 Pan Mixers South Africa (PMSA), the leading manufacturer of concrete, block, brick and paving machinery on the African continent, will be launching major new products at Bauma Conexpo Africa 2015 at the Johannesburg Expo Centre from 15 to 18 September.

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he first product to be showcased is a range of wetpress concrete filters from Eco-Filters of the UK – the world’s leading manufacturer of patented filters for the wet-press concrete industry. A normal production process to produce pressed kerbs, for example, utilizes paper filters, which allows the water to flow through but keeps the fines intact, namely the sand and cement.

“It has more applications than just the actual filter, as it can also provide different product finishes of the concrete, such as a wood grain or simulated stone appearance,” Quintin Booysen, sales and marketing manager at PMSA , explains.

Booysen comments that the wet mould process can now be used to produce a range of finishes and products in a traditional pressing machine. “If the concrete products industry catches on, it could be a good opportunity, particularly as it is aimed at the high-end market.”

There is an additional health and safety benefit as the filters are attached to the actual moulds, which means that the process is independent of human intervention. This speeds up the production process, boosting productivity and increasing end-product quality.

“I really think that the Eco-Filters technology has a major opportunity in South Africa. It has been around for several years but it has never been used in this format locally, especially in terms of different surface textures,” he adds.

The next major product to be launched at Bauma Conexpo Africa 2015 by PMSA is the FL-Mobimic Profi-Check from Ludwig Moisture Control of Germany. This handheld device is deployed for convenient testing of aggregates on site.

“Ludwig moisture control equipment is traditionally integrated into the mixer and the aggregate dosing side of the plant, whereas this is a mobile measuring unit used to evaluate the temperature and moisture of bulk materials,” Booysen elaborates.

Prospective clients and visitors to the PMSA stand will be able to interact with more than 10 leading European companies directly at the PMSA stand. Anyone interested in any aspect of concrete equipment will be able to get answers directly from the leaders in their respective fields.

Explaining the theme of ‘Thinking About Concrete? Think PMSA ,’ Booysen adds, “Companies need to move from an equipment supplier mindset towards providing a total solution and fit-for-purpose technology. Companies should also invest in their customers by providing the best possible skills transfer and knowledge sharing in order to upskill customers’ staff. This makes the supplier’s job in terms of support, maintenance and upgrading that much easier, increasing customers’ bottom line in the long term.”

Looking at the broader impact of Bauma Conexpo Africa 2015, Booysen concludes, “There is no single show in Africa where decision-makers can be exposed to a full range of mining, civil and building equipment on a worldclass platform. This is a dedicated four-day event that allows companies to learn about the latest equipment and business processes on the continent. Customers in Africa need local support and technology best suited to the challenges and rigours of operating in Africa, such as remote locations and a lack of skills, particularly in terms of preventative maintenance.”

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CONCRETE

Terraforce traverses tight spot with its retaining wall system Building on a steep slope is always tricky, but even more so if you have to consider other property boundaries and space is very narrow. One of the biggest challenges is the fact that there may be a desire for usable flat areas, but a large segment of the garden space may be occupied by banks or steep slopes that link them together.

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aking these challenges into account is where the advantages of versatile retaining walls – such as the Terraforce retaining system – shine through. The retaining walls offer a method of changing levels stridently, and this is of particular importance if space is limited. Add-on elements such as stairways and ramps can be successfully integrated to facilitate quick access to the newly-created useable spaces.

REAL-LIFE SOLUTION When Camps Bay home owner Sue Schalit noticed that her original stone retaining wall was showing cracks and slight forward movement, she became concerned that it would collapse and cause damage to her garden and neighbouring properties.

Says Schalit, “We hired Mike van Wieringen, the geotechnical consultant, to confirm our fears, and his report not only verified movement but also revealed that the foundations were inferior. He recommended a Terraforce wall as it has the least impact on our garden and is an exceptionally strong retaining wall solution.”

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The wall design was supplied by Fred Laker, engineer with Terrasafe, a professional wall design service offered by Terraforce, and Schalit contracted Dassenberg Retaining, an approved Western Cape Terraforce installer, to build the new retaining wall.

“The site was not an easy one, with very limited work space. All materials had to be carried to the workstation by means of bags and down three staircases. Spoils had to be carried up to road level. The whole process was very labour intensive. To ensure additional strength and due to the height of the wall, the lower section had to be reinforced with Y12 steel rebar,” says Georg Brand of Dassenberg Retaining.

The wall was completed in less than three months and Schalit was very impressed with the Dassenberg team and the resulting wall. “The team from Dassenberg was incredible, working in tough circumstances, carrying tons of rocks up by hand. The wall is extremely neat and I am very happy with the result,” Schalit concludes.

Cape Construction Expo successfully highlights industry megatrends, solutions and opportunities The third annual Cape Construction Conference and Trade Expo took place at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) in August, with this year’s event drawing in 5,000 pre-registered visitors.

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he conference provided a two-day CPD accredited programme which educated attendees around business and project opportunities in the region and garnered intense discussion around the relationship between the private and public sectors. A major theme addressed during the conference was how the relationship between public and private entities could be streamlined for the greater good of the province, without compromising the key objectives of the public and the private sectors’ bottom lines.

Some of the conference highlights included the comprehensive presentation by David Metelerkamp which looked at megatrends and opportunities within the industry. Metelerkamp highlighted that although the country is facing tough times economically, the Western Cape will experience growth with the majority of it coming from the construction industry with notable growth in property development and private building. During the high-level plenary session, MEC for Human Settlements, Bonginkosi Madikizela, highlighted that, now more than ever, government needs to start looking at the process that they have in place and to adapt to the times. MEC Madikizela also stressed that the private sector, especially financial institutions, needs to also step up to help address the shortage of houses.

Another conference highlight was the highly informative presentation by Adrian Booysen, Director at CommuniTgrow and Alastair Rendall, Managing Director of CommuniTgrow who provided an in-depth look at property development with regards to the feasibility of a project like WesCape and the intricacies of a project of this magnitude. They also explored the financial aspects of property development and the role that financing plays in the operating model of most construction businesses. They highlighted that there is a need to actively seek opportunities as opposed to waiting for business.

The Cape Construction Conference and Trade Expo provided a rare holistic look into the construction industry with a major focus on megatrends, solutions and opportunities. It placed a spotlight on all key areas of construction, including procurement, energy efficiency and project cost efficiency. Together with the trade expo, the entire conference event showcased industry’s leading service and solution providers and the manner in which they add value across the construction project life cycle. The Cape Construction Conference and Trade Expo has truly become a must-attend event for the Western Cape construction industry.

EVENTS

Find a supplier www.terraforce.com

Tel: 021 465 1907 SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 2015

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STUDENT HOUSING

Respublica launches new R125-million student residence in Pretoria The apartment-style Eastwood Village offers an accommodation alternative to the city’s students by addressing the need for affordable and student-friendly accommodation in Pretoria.

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espublica, a leading developer, owner and manager of student accommodation, has announced that Eastwood Village, its fifth purpose-built apartmentstyle student residence, will open its doors to students in January 2016, with booking facilities already open for students seeking new accommodation.

Developed at a cost of approximately R125-million, Eastwood Village is located less than one kilometre from the University of Pretoria (UP) and close to the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) Arcadia campus. It will offer accommodation to 538 students in 78 apartments, as well as a canteen, recreation rooms, a gym, a computer laboratory, and study rooms.

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SHAPING THE FUTURE OF INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT Indigo Kulani Group is an integrated multi-disciplinary infrastructure and property development holding company. The company was established in 2006 and initially specialised in the provision of planning and design services within the construction industry. Over the past few years we have rapidly grown from strength to strength into the formidable multi-disciplinary infrastructure and property development company that it is today. We pride ourselves through all our award-winning achievements. We have an operational presence in all nine of South Africa’s provinces and have expanded our operations to other African countries.

These include projects in Tanzania, Angola, Nigeria, Ghana and Lesotho.

• Architects • Engineers • Property Development • Quantity Surveyors • Project Management • Management Consulting • Project Finance • Asset Management • Facilities Management • Mining • Energy

www.indigo-group.co.za Tel: 086 111 2221 Fax: 086 690 6963 info@indigo-group.co.za

STUDENT HOUSING

Even though it is within walking distance of the UP campus, Eastwood Village has been carefully located along bus routes leading to both UP and TUT, giving students a range of options to easily travel to lectures.

This latest addition to Respublica’s portfolio sees the company building on the foundations laid earlier in the year, when Redefine Properties, the second largest listed South Africa-based property company, bought a 51% share in the student accommodation company.

“This growth in our portfolio adds momentum to investors’ focus on the commercial residential sector, amid concerns that retail, office and industrial properties will see muted rental growth and growing vacancy rates in a struggling economy,” McMurray says. “There is a justified concern about return forecasts from the traditional institutional properties segments – but there is a wellknown undersupply of student accommodation, with a demand for affordable, well-serviced solutions clearly evident in the major university towns.

Construction is on track for completion at the start of the 2016 academic year, giving students at tertiary level at any institution in Pretoria the opportunity to move into brand new, state-of-the-art accommodation.

“Respublica is committed to alleviating the critical shortage of suitable accommodation around Pretoria, and we have designed Eastwood Village to create and nurture a vibrant student community,” says Craig McMurray, CEO of Respublica. “The residence offers all the modern amenities that students need, including access to Wi-Fi and an integrated residence life programme, to help them ease into their new way of life away from home,” he adds.

The residence offers a range of upmarket apartment and accommodation options, to meet the needs of diverse personal preferences and budgets.

“Respublica is actively engaging with bursar programmes as well as parents and others who are funding tertiary education, as we share growing evidence of research that indicates students are more successful in their academic endeavours if they can live and study in a supportive environment. There is no more powerful investment than an investment in education, and we want to help all stakeholders achieve the best possible outcome for their time and money,” he denotes.

Respublica’s portfolio of residences includes Saratoga Village and The Fields in Doornfontein that provide accommodation for the University of Johannesburg, Central Johannesburg College and University of the Witwatersrand students. In Pretoria, West City and Urban Nest facilities accommodate students from TUT and UP, as well as from various other colleges in the area.

For more information, visit www.respublica.co.za.

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SOCIAL HOUSING

Steen Villa Complex - a bedrock for social housing The fully-integrated housing project comprises of 700 units across two- and three-storey walk-ups that are arranged around courtyards. Various green building practices have been implemented to ensure project sustainability.

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ood housing is the bedrock of communities. A house is a place of refuge and comfort that enables people to develop, and this positively contributes to their ability to make the most of life’s opportunities.

The development forms part of a social housing partnership between Sohco Property Investments and the City of Cape Town – who made the site available for development.

Of particular importance is the meticulous attention to detail that was paid to ensure that the development harmonizes with the existing neighbourhood. It was also a construction imperative that multiple private, semiprivate and public spaces were successfully integrated into the scheme. The development is situated on Military Road in the suburb of Steenberg and comprises of 700 units across two- and three-storey walk-ups that are tastefully arranged around courtyard spaces.

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The development is located within close proximity to a main transport hub and business corridor, and as a result it offers residents convenient commuting access and copious work opportunities.

PROJECT APPROACH One of the primary factors in the project’s success is the all-inclusive methodology that took into account factors such as safety, construction costs, maintenance costs, time and flexibility. A high level of consciousness was observed in the environmentally-friendly design and accommodation of residents with special needs. Various precast concrete elements were also incorporated into the development – these spanned across window frames, door frames, balustrades, kitchen cupboard frames and clothing lines. This has worked particularly well, ensuring the development is also financially viable as well as being fairly low maintenance.

SOCIAL HOUSING

There are sizeable inter-relationships between the building site, site features, the path of the sun, and the location and orientation of the building. Elements such as windows and external shading also impact significantly on the quality and effectiveness of natural day lighting. These elements also have a direct efffect on solar loads and the overall energy performance life of the building. Sohco also implemented permeable paving to all the car park areas within the site.

GREEN BUILDING It is of the utmost importance to take the decision to build a green development early in the design process, so as to maximize the green potential of the development.

Deciding on green construction early on also minimizes redesign and assures the overall success and economic viability of the green elements of the project.

For Steen Villas, the initial design challenge was the ‘green cost’ in relation to the initially proposed budget. However, the significance of getting the basic energy conservation issues right within this housing project was a key deliverable. Throughout the project, positive feedback was received from residents, especially as it relates to the installed solar geysers.

Permeable paving technology is a method of paving that allows storm water to seep into the ground as it falls, rather than it running off into storm drains. This technology assists with the surface water management, allowing less water into the municipal sewer system during the city’s heavy rain season. Sohco has also made provision within the units for efficient ‘water’ design, and these include low-flow shower heads and toilets. A number of water wise trees and shrubs were also planted to avoid excess water usage – whilst still beautifying the development.

Although integrating green building solutions in subsidized housing projects does present its challenges, there are important environmental, social and economic benefits that low-income residents and their surrounding neighbourhoods can derive. Housing projects such as Steen Villas illustrate a successful, sustainable urban management and socio-economic development, whilst enhancing resources at a local level. By considering the implementation of sustainable concepts, substantial savings can be achieved in natural resources while reducing the housing shortage in the country.

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CEMENT & CONCRETE

Aesthetics and durability made Artevia™ Colour the ideal choice for the Maragon Avianto School floors.

Lafarge Artevia™ adds to the ambience of the Maragon Avianto School The recently opened Maragon Avianto Pre-Primary and Primary School marks another major step in the development of the superb Avianto integrated lifestyle estate.

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et in lovely indigenous surroundings alongside the Crocodile River, in Mogale City, the architecture of the school has understated Mediterranean influences developed from the nearby Avianto Hotel.

Lafarge South Africa is a member of the LafargeHolcim group, a world leader in the building materials industry.

With its commitment to drive sustainable solutions for better building and infrastructure, and to contribute to a higher quality of life, the Group is best positioned to meet the challenges of increasing urbanization. In South Africa, Lafarge has a strong presence in its various business lines of cement, aggregates, ready-mixed concrete, fly ash, gypsum plasterboard and interior building fittings. Lafarge South Africa’s wide-ranging social responsibility programmes are focused on building better communities, which are the heart of our cities, rural towns and villages.

The flooring for the school involved 22 classrooms varying in size, from 16m² to 18m², an administration block and an assembly hall. With the highly successful use of Lafarge Artevia for the hotel and the intention to have underfloor heating in the classrooms, it was decided that Artevia

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concrete flooring was again the ideal choice. It would contribute to the aesthetic concept for the building and ensure robust, low maintenance, long-life floors. Lafarge delivered a variety of Artevia Colour samples to site, including the most popular colours of sandstone, mocha and charcoal. However, to blend with the natural brushed plaster on the walls, the tile edging for the inner rooms and the brickwork, the more unusual light reddish brown ‘Kalahari’ colour was decided on.

The flooring contract was awarded to the Lafarge Placing and Finishing Service with an extremely tight schedule for quality colour concrete work. The required 209m³ Artevia was supplied in record time from the Lafarge Roodekrans readymix batch plant and placed and finished in less than three weeks.

The success of the Artevia range of decorative concretes lies in the fact that it not only offers a wide scope for aesthetic expression, but it is also a strong, durable structural concrete. The use of quality UV-resistant colour pigments in a homogeneous mix ensures lasting beauty in the finish.

INDUSTRY NEWS

Afrisam acquires an equity stake in leading Eastern Cape readymix concrete supplier AfriSam, the largest producer of concrete materials in southern Africa, has acquired an equity stake in Port Elizabeth based Concrete 4 U, further expanding its footprint in the Eastern Cape.

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friSam has an existing, well established cement presence in the Eastern Cape through its depots in East London, Queenstown and Port Elizabeth, which are supplied from its highly efficient integrated cement plant in Ulco, in the Northern Cape. This acquisition augments and strengthens AfriSam’s ability to provide superior quality concrete solutions to its customers in this region.

“The equity acquisition in Concrete 4 U expands AfriSam’s readymix footprint in the Eastern Cape region and fully aligns with our growth strategy,” says AfriSam CEO, Stephan Olivier. “We are making good progress with our growth plans and this transition will also be further strengthened by our planned grinding plant at the Coega Industrial Development Zone (IDZ). Our intention is to begin construction as soon as we have received a positive environmental authorization,” he adds.

AfriSam is the largest concrete materials producer in southern Africa.

Established in 1994, Concrete 4 U is, in its own right, a leading producer of quality readymix concrete in the region.

With distribution plants in Port Elizabeth, East London, Mthatha and Port St Johns, Concrete 4 U prides itself in the production and distribution of quality concrete.

With its sound infrastructure, technological prowess and committed people, Concrete 4 U is well positioned to expand its customer base, offering quality products and support services throughout the region.

“The relationship with AfriSam is in line with our progressive strategies, allowing us and our customers to benefit not only from the production and supply of quality products, but also with the integration of technologically advanced systems,” said Deon Fourie, managing director of Concrete 4 U.

Established in 1994, Concrete 4 U is a leading producer of quality readymix concrete in the Eastern Cape.

The AfriSam and Concrete 4 U affiliation forms a strong foundation for continued future expansion within the construction industry as a whole, creating job opportunities and security in tandem with future economic developments.

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CEMENT & CONCRETE

CMA announces Awards for Excellence 2016 The Concrete Manufacturers Association NPC (CMA) has announced that its Awards for Excellence competition will be run during 2015/2016. PPC, the leading supplier of cement in southern Africa, is the anchor sponsor of the competition.

Winners of the CMA’s 2012 Awards for Excellence competition.

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ccording to Echo Group managing director, Monique Eggebeen, who chairs the CMA’s Awards Committee, the essential purpose of the awards is to recognize excellence in the use of precast concrete and to honour those professionally associated with its diverse applications. “This is the pinnacle event in the precast concrete construction calendar, and it presents an outstanding opportunity for CMA members – both large and small – to showcase their products and to establish themselves as trendsetters in the use of precast concrete,” she says.

Entries will be judged on the contribution that precast concrete elements make in one or more of the competition categories. The same project could be entered into more than one category; for example, a township paving project could contest several if not all six categories.

The competition is open to all, providing the precast products entered for the competition were made by a CMA member. Entries must be submitted by no later than 16 October 2015.

Entry leaflets, which cover the rules of the competition, as well as entry forms, can be downloaded from the website, www.cma.org.za. Any queries regarding the competition should be referred to the competition organiser, John Cairns. He can be contacted on 011 431 0727 or 079 884 7986, or via email to jcpaving@gmail.com.

THERE ARE SIX AWARD CATEGORIES IN THIS YEAR’S COMPETITION: • Aesthetics Commercial • Aesthetics Residential (Private Single Dwellings) • Community Upliftment • Technical Excellence • Innovation • Precast for Life

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Six floating trophies will be presented to the manufacturers of the precast concrete elements in the nominated categories. In addition, commendation awards will be made to three runners-up per category, providing these entries meet the standards of the judges.

Trophies and commendation awards will be presented at a gala dinner ceremony to take place at Summerplace in Johannesburg on 23 April 2016.

BUILDING A

NEW HOME?

MAKE SURE YOU USE A NHBRC REGISTERED BUILDER FOR PEACE OF MIND. Building a new home is one of life’s most exciting milestones. But few things can ruin the occasion like defects that show up long after you’ve parted with your money. It doesn’t have to be this way. Work that is faulty and incomplete due to shoddy workmanship can be avoided if you stick with an accredited builder. The NHBRC was established by law to protect you, the housing consumer. Make sure you use a NHBRC registered builder and that your home is enrolled with us so that we can protect you.

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