as-janfeb-2011

�Architect & Specificator Jan/Feb 2011

Contents3 FromtheDesk...

CoverStory5 Don’tForgettheGeyser

PracticeProfile6 AThoroughlyModernFirm

HousingInsurance9 NeedanOverhaul

DesignerTreehouses�� OnHigh

TrendsinRetail�4 GetShopping

SocialProgrammes�9 LeavingLegacies

EnergyEfficiency23 MultimillionRandPolystyreneMansion WeathersCapeStorms

InnovativeFixingSystem25 KeepingItUp

Glass&Glazing29 AGlassyAffair33 DoubleorNothing

Kitchens&Bathrooms37 HandyintheKitchen

AccessControl&Security40 SecurityNeedn’tbeUnattractive

4� News&Views

56AAAMSAMatrixes

SASEMA, SA Shower Enclosures Manufacturers Association

SAGGA, the SA Glass & Glazing Association

EPSASA, the Expanded Polystyrene Associationof Southern Africa

TPMA, the Thermal Panel Manufacturers’Association

AAAMSA Fenestration

SAGI, South African Glass Institute

SAFIERA - South African Fenestration & Insulation Energy Rating Association

Architect & Specificator is an alternate monthly magazine. 9100 copies are distributed to individuals and companies involved in the building industry

AAAMSA, The Association of Architectural Aluminium Manufacturers of SA incorporates:

SABISA, the SA Building Interior Systems Association

ASDA, the Aluminium Stockists’ & Distributors’ Association

SASA, the Skylight Association of Southern Africa

TIASA, the Thermal Insulation Association of Southern Africa

Featured on cover:

WE GeysersTel. 011 769 1387

Email:[email protected]

Promech PublishingP O Box 373, Pinegowrie, 2123Tel: (011) 781-1401 Fax: (011) 781-1403E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.promech.co.zaEditor: Susan CustersContributor: Brigitte BillingsAdvertising: Di BluckDTP: Zinobia Docrat and Sean BacherPrinter: Typo Colour Specialists

AAAMSA, PO Box 7861, 1685 Halfway House, E-mail: [email protected]: (011) 805-5002, Fax: (011) 805-5033, Website: www.aaamsa.co.za

Views expressed in articles and advertisements are not necessarily the view of AAAMSA members or the publisher.

Articles or extracts thereof may be reproduced, provided prior permission is obtained from the publisher and full acknowledgement is given.

Architect & Specificator is the official journal of the following organisations:

Jan/Feb 2011

2 Architect & Specificator Jan/Feb 2011

www.aaamsa.co.za

3Architect & Specificator Jan/Feb 2011

Hans A Schefferlie, executive director

From the Desk

F irst and foremost, in my opinion, are the introduction of the new Companies Act and the Consumer Protection Act. Both acts are set to be introduced during April of this year

and will, without doubt, place additional admin-istrative and other duties on all of us.

Secondly the introduction of Part X to the National Building Regulations will, in my opinion, happen during the course of this calendar year. Every month that passes without the implementation of this Part X, which invokes Energy Efficiency in Buildings, will cost the country between 100 to 200MW in lost energy savings. As our country has to provide some 80 000MW capacity by 2030 to sustain employment and economic growth, the introduction of this legislation is an essential part for the success of Government’s objectives.

Large company’s demiseThirdly the demise of a large aluminium and glass company during the latter part of 2010 will require significant adjustments in the market place. Add to this the ninety or so companies which failed to pay their membership fees and one realises that the economy is not quite what we would like it to be. We sincerely wish that those who have been affected by the downturn will find gainful employ-ment again and will be part of the adjustments occurring in the industry. We would not like to lose their skills if at all possible.

To support all of the above, our Association will con-tinue to promote our members, as those companies have proven material workmanship capabilities, which are reflected in the various Matrixes published in this magazine and on our website. Contact our Secretariat for the latest information.

Defence against claimsOur Association is your Testing and Certification Authority for building envelope systems such as fenestration, roof and wall assemblies. We urge all manufacturers of building envelope systems to test their products to understand the products which they supply. Also the ability to provide certifica-tion of product performance will be an important defence against claims made by Customers under the Consumer Protection Act.

Our Association will continue to encourage end users and specifiers alike to consult our Matrixes detailing the capabilities of our members to ensure proper selection of Contractors/Suppliers. Be very circumspect when selecting products which have not been tested in terms of the relevant SANS Standards. Should products be offered claiming compliance with foreign standards, insist that they have also been tested in accordance with our local SANS Standards. Our building methods differ from foreign methods and what appears to be suitable for foreign building applications is not necessarily acceptable for local applications.

Specifiers beware!Also Specifiers beware! Testing of building envelope systems, under appropriate SANAS accreditation, indicates that the conventional wisdom of adding individual material properties used in the assembly together to obtain theoretical results may deviate up to seventy percent from the actual test results.

The actual test results reflect the influence of in-terfaces, thermal bridges etc which are not always fully accounted for in the calculations.

We wish all our readers a Prosperous & Healthy New Year.

Hans A SchefferlieExecutive Director

We are standing on the threshold of numerous profound changes which will influence the manner in which we are

going to conduct our businesses.

Be very circumspect when selecting products which have not been tested in terms of the relevant SANS Standards


www.trellidor.co.za


Geysers are not high on the list of design priorities in a construction project,” acknowledges Etienne Holder, technical director at WE Geysers during a recent

conversation with “Architect & Specificator”. “In fact,

we’ve had assignments where entire developments have been designed without making allowance for any geysers at all!”

Hassle freeWalter Hupertz, managing director of the company, concurs. “A geyser is often the last thing you think of, but obviously without one you’re in hot water,” he smiles. Recognising that these products are something of a grudge purchase, the company has made a name for itself as a manufacturer of hassle-free equipment.

With a 13 year track record in the water heating industry, WE Geysers has seen its share of develop-ments in the field. The company’s range of solar and electric geysers boasts the best guarantee in the market, being covered for ten years against defects.

“We manufacture a geyser with double the guar-antee offered by other local manufacturers and we have the history to back this up,” Walter assures us. “Too often companies import low-cost products which may not be ideal for local conditions, then market them aggressively to move stock. When maintenance or replacement is required, many of these companies are no longer around to support the product.

Maintenance free“We also have totally different corrosion protec-tion on our range,” he continues. By using a PEX (cross linked polyethylene) lining, the geysers have no need for anode protection against rust, so no maintenance is necessary.” Having said this, Etienne adds that it’s necessary for architects to design structures that allow easy access to geysers. While the company does not handle installation, opting to refer clients to its nationwide network of agents, the team is happy to advise on design and specification.

Etienne Holder, WE Geysers, Tel. 011 769 1387, Email. [email protected], www.wegeysers.co.za

Developments have been designed without making allowance for any geysers at all!

Don’t forget the Geyser!

Large-scale construction is a tricky task and while the aes-thetics of a project may draw much of the attention, most architects understand that it is very often the nitty gritty

details that can make or break a project.

Etienne Holder, technical director at WE Geysers

The tanks are suitable for a range of applications

COVER STORY


A rchitect & Specificator” recently had a word with Ryan Sanders of Nage Architectural Consultants, a company that is comfort-ably applying these principles. Ryan and

partner, Ratanang Nage, have set their sights on some impressive projects; low overheads and a wide sphere of influence give them a competitive edge, while an association with sister company, Amanda Architects, headed by Amanda Ndabakhulu and Kenneth Masvikeni, extends their skills base even further.

Expanding staff“I’m the Sandton branch,” Ryan chuckles when we meet at his Parkmore office. “The team can incorporate any number of staff members depend-ing on the project we’re working on. We often tap into a pool of temp staff including site managers, draftspeople and designers. Today it’s just me.”

From the size of the projects in the pipeline, it’s clear that this is not the norm. Apart from local

developments such as the 256-unit Saohatse Estate in Germiston, Nage is making inroads into the Zimbabwean market, with the new Davech International warehouse project set to break ground in January 2011. “It’s one of the largest paper warehouse facilities in southern Africa outside of South Africa,” Ryan tells us. “It’s also one of the largest commercial developments to have been constructed in Zim in the last 20 years.”

“Although it’s a warehouse, we wanted it to be beautiful, so a lot of attention was paid to good design. We focused on a very modern look, rather than a conventional industrial design,” he continues. The four hectare development, with three storey office development in the front, is able to accommodate up to 60 staff members in the offices alone.

Opening doors“It’s also completely self-sustaining, which is great from a green perspective, but also essential, considering its location.” The facility has its own water purification plant, solar power and sewerage systems to make allowances for the intermittent nature of these services in the area. There are also overnight quarters for drivers. “A chemical compound had to be factored in too. It truly was a multi-faceted development,” he adds.

“The project has definitely been opening doors for us and the client’s so happy he’s asked us to design his personal home.” From the plans Ryan shows us, the term ‘personal home’ is something of an understatement. “Actually, it’s a super man-sion,” he grins.

Super mansionsOn completion, the double storey Tuscan villa will span hundreds of square metres with umpteen suites opening out onto a central pool area. “We’ve been given an unlimited budget,” says Ryan, adding that such residential extravagance is not unheard of, even in these gloomy economic times.

“We’re working on a similar project for another client who has asked for a helicopter landing pad, rooftop tennis courts and outdoor dance areas.” If

A Thoroughly Modern FirmThe trend towards non-standardised corporate operations has, not surprisingly, found a happy home in the

architectural industry. Rather than carrying the expense of office-bound environments, more and more firms are opting to run with a small core of associates in satellite offices, outsourcing work when necessary.

PRACTICE PROFILE

We often tap into a pool of temp staff including site managers, draftspeople and designers

Ryan Saunders of Nage


PRACTICE PROFILE

Proposed office and storage/dispatch wareouse facility in Zimbabwe

Proposed new residential development in Germiston, Spruitview

The Tshakuma Conference, Heritage and Tourism facility appears both practical and elegant

� Architect & Specificator Jan/Feb 2011

all goes to plan, the client may even accept the proposed three-storey fish tank surrounding the elevator.

Commercial ventureOf course, the real money is in commercial de-velopments and the Nage team has had ample opportunity to hone its creative skills on a project for the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism. “The 5-star Tshakhuma Conference, Heritage and Tourism Facility on the Tshakhuma dam was a major project for us,” Ryan admits. “We handled everything from the architecture to interior finishes, collecting authentic local art and beadwork to decorate the venue. To ensure social upliftment in the area, 85% of the staff are sourced locally.”

Taking a strong influence from the Venda culture of the area, the resort required extensive collabo-ration with kings and chiefs in the area to ensure authenticity of style. Designed to cater for major events, it boasts a 5 000-seater conference venue and 2 500-seater restaurant.

Quite so glamorous“It was important to incorporate traditional Venda design into the architecture,” he explains. In many instances, this included complex meeting areas, as well as accommodation for various dignitaries. The Chief’s living quarters incorporates guard houses, ministers’ houses, ablutions and cook areas.

“Like many firms, not all of our projects are quite so glamorous,” acknowledges Ryan. “We get a lot of basic municipal work, but often this gets us into bigger projects like heritage museums, which are very exciting. The important thing is to be in the right place when the opportunities arise.”

Ryan Sanders, Nage, Tel. 011 783 1445, Fax. 086 543 2855, Mobile. 076 546 2901 (Ratanang) / 076 234 3752 (Ryan), Email. [email protected]

Another client who has asked for a helicopter landing pad, rooftop tennis courts and outdoor dance areas

PRACTICE PROFILE

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Features for March/April 2011

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HOUSING INSURANCE

He says while the NHBRC was initially set up to protect consumers of homes costing less than R250 000, this was soon extended to include all

residential developments, regardless of value, while the NHBRC still capped its exposure to R500 000 per unit.

Statements not availableLeon says they tried to get 2009 and 2010 financial statements from the NHBRC in Cape Town a while ago but were told only the 2008 financial statements were available.

“We did however manage to find them on the internet and these reflect that the NHBRC has investments totalling almost R3 billion.

“There is no way the NHBRC can ever spend all this money as they are earning interest of around R240 million a year on the funds they hold. The 2010 financial statements reflect that they paid out a paltry R14,1 million in that year to remedy defects,” Leon comments.

Risks further reducedHe points out the NHBRC’s risk was further reduced by the fact that developers with a bad track record are prevented from registering with the Council and that those developers that

Needs anOverhaul The operations and ambit of the National Home Builders

Registration Council (NHBRC), which was set up 10 years ago to protect unsophisticated consumers against unscrupulous

developers in the social housing context, urgently needs to be reviewed and amended, says Leon Cohen MD of Rabie

Property Group, one of the country’s top, award-winning developers.

refused to rectify defects were suspended from their developer’s list.

“Since 2003 Rabie Property Group has, like many other developers, paid in excess of R40 million to the NHBRC for which it has received little or no benefit.

“It is highly unlikely that any claims against repu-table developers will ever have to be paid out by the NHBRC as any such problems are sorted out by the developer who has a reputation to uphold and who wishes to stay in business.”

Leon says that over five years ago, the NHBRC promised to reduce enrolment fees but to date they still have not done so.

“In addition, Section 23(9) of the Housing Consum-ers Protection Measures Act, 95 of 1998 provides that the Council Advisory Committee must after five years after commencement of the Act, submit proposals to the Council for recommendation to the Minister regarding introducing outside insurers. This has also not been forthcoming.”

Similar institutionsHe goes on to say that in its early years, the NHBRC continually quoted the United Kingdom and Australia as providing examples of similar institutions. “However, those institutions are only in respect of single and double storey buildings – not for high rise, large sectional title projects where a full professional team is involved and where these consultants all have their own pro-fessional indemnity anyhow. In these instances the NHBRC serves no purpose as many of the building contractors for these developments are listed on the JSE.”

Leon says unlike other organisations such as SAPOA which provide a hugely valuable service to the property industry, the NHBRC appeared only to be interested in collecting money and running an expensive overhead structure which at the end of the day impacted negatively on property prices and the consumer.

“Furthermore there continues to be a total lack

Appeared only to be interested in collecting money

�0 Architect & Specificator Jan/Feb 2011

of communication and meaningful interaction by the NHBRC with regards to developers even though promises have been made by them to improve this.

“At the very least, the NHBRC should pay no claim bonuses or rebates to those developers who have contributed to the fund for years but against whom few if any claims have had to be paid out by the NHBRC.”

Skill to be addressed“Furthermore, there is a dearth of skills in the development sector and the SETA has failed to adequately address the shortage due to lack of funds. It would benefit both the industry and job creation if the NHBRC was to earmark some of its funds to this greatly-needed area and look at the reintroduction of apprenticeship training which was so successful years ago.”

Leon concludes that a further anomaly is that in most cases the developer is the seller but are not the link between the contractor and the consumer, therefore functions as themselves responsible for the construction of the building. Yet developers and

HOUSING INSURANCE

It is highly unlikely that any claims against reputable developers will ever have to be paid out by the NHBRC

not contractors are the party obligated to contract with the NHBRC.

Rabie Property Group, Tel: 021 550-7000, Fax: 021 550-7002, Email: [email protected], www.rabie.co.za

Leon Cohen MD of Rabie Property Group

www.rimexmetals.com

��Architect & Specificator Jan/Feb 2011

You can’t get much greener than living in a tree and it would go against the grain to construct a treehouse out of materials that weren’t environmentally friendly. Most are made

primarily of wood and rope with the occasional element of steel for reinforcement. Companies such as German-based Baumraum have developed a reputation for creating remarkable examples, some of which are located in South Africa.

Baumraum builds with domestic timber which can be oiled, waxed, scumbled or varnished for longev-ity. Insulation materials include wood fibreboard, wool panels or coconut matting. Although natural materials are favoured, every element must be waterproof and impact-resistant.

Design is a collaborative affair involving the client, the architect and the tree itself, which determines the shape the building will take. Structures are built into the branches or suspended from the tree using webbing and ropes, so it’s vital that the specimen be as healthy as possible. There’s no sense in going to the expense of designing and building your dream home only to have it topple down a year later. With price tags ranging from €18000 to €140000, it’s certainly not a cheap exercise. Those not fortunate enough to have a great tree can take heart in the fact that a similar effect can be achieved by building on stilts within a forested area.

While some take fairly conventional, albeit organic forms, other houses, such as those designed by Freespirit Spheres are far more fanciful. These wooden or fibreglass spheres dangle from the

On High

The Redwoods treehouse restaurant in New Zealand is

booked years in advance

��

DESIGNER TREEHOUSES

Since becoming fashionable in

the 90s, the art of

treehouse building has captured

the attention of some

passionate designers and many

of their structures are so

attractive that tourists will pay a

pretty penny to spend a night in

one of them.

Design is a collaborative affair involving the client, the architect and the tree itself


branches and literally bob about in the breeze. The designer, Tom Chudleigh, claims they have therapeutic benefits, allowing occupants to achieve a spiritual ‘oneness’ with nature through medita-tion and communing with the surroundings.

Tree typeYour tree will also dictate the size of the building, with most houses being about the size of a small caravan. Extra space can be gained by working around two or more trees, or incorporating multiple interconnected levels. Fittings can be as frugal or decadent as budget allows with many manufacturers offering customised built-in furniture. Since interior decorating will involve lugging items up the

Planning laws are something of a grey area

This house is covered in mirrors, making it almost invisible amongst the surrounding trees

Freespirit Spheres offer the chance to become ‘one’ with nature

The Nut House in Dusseldorf. Need we say more?

trunk, it’s probably a good idea to scrap the 8-seater corner unit.

This doesn’t mean that style is out of the question.

DESIGNER TREEHOUSES

�3Architect & Specificator Jan/Feb 2011

Today’s modern pad comes complete with high-tech features like CCTV, satellite and wi-fi

Staircases are far more accessible than the ladders we climbed to our childhood clubhouse

Treehouse hotels boast some very upscale fittings and many are marketed as ideal honeymoon des-tinations. Bathrooms and kitchens are fully fitted, while a number of living areas provide ample room to breathe.

Regulate itPlanning laws are something of a grey area since they’re not recognised by many local planning departments. In some cases treehouses are given exemption from normal building regulations, as they are not considered to be actual buildings. Many fit into the category of ‘temporary structure’ such as a garden shed.

Restrictions may include issues such as height, distance from boundary and privacy for nearby properties. On the whole, there’s little to dictate what you do in your tree, as long as you don’t damage yourself or anyone else. Purists believe that the primary aim is that no trees are hurt either. Most companies prefabricate the structure in a workshop and then install it in the tree using strong web belts and adjustable steel cables, rather than more harmful methods. Apart from keeping the bunny huggers happy, this has the additional advantage of discouraging fungal infection due to damaged bark.

Heard it on the grapevineUnlike the rickety clubhouses many of us may have built as kids, today’s modern pad comes complete high-tech features like CCTV, satellite and wi-fi. Other modcons include hydroelectric and solar power systems for heat and power with biodigest-

ers being used to process human waste, which certainly beats a trapdoor under the throne.

While childhood versions may have been accessed with rope ladders, these upmarket models have spiralling staircases, ramps and bridges. For some, access is more of a challenge, for example in the case of the inhabitants of the tree village in the Brazza River Basin in Indonesia. Here, the houses are built 30 metres above the ground and are reached on dizzying ladders which entirely negate the need for a Stairmaster in the household gym. However, this move to the trees was prompted more as a means of evading jungle pests and predators than to grace the pages of House & Home.

Meanwhile, environmental activists in the Styx Valley in Tasmania are out on a limb to save 400 year old trees which are in danger of being har-vested. Plans are afoot to design more comfortable quarters for the activists, who currently perch on platforms and live on rehydrated rations. Not for the fainthearted, particularly when these trees reach 80 metres into the sky.

Whatever the reason for taking to the trees, you can rest assured that the views will be spectacular and you’ll probably never get closer to nature in your life.

Sources: www.wikipedia.org, www.baumraum.de, www.elledecor.com

DESIGNER TREEHOUSES


Get ShoppingWith new shopping centres cropping up with somewhat

alarming frequency, it’s crucial for developers to do

their homework before establishing a new mall.

The exterior of the centre is highly important to attract members of the public into it

Centres with parking issues are less attractive

The much-touted Morningside Shopping Cen-tre, brainchild of Flanagan & Gerard, MDS Architects and the Grapnel Property Group certainly seems to have the right recipe for

success. “Architect & Specificator” spoke to Pat Flanagan of Flanagan and Gerard to find out more about current retail trends.

Two models“When it comes to designing a mall, you’ll gener-ally be looking at one of two different models,” he tells us. “The project will either take the form of a large, dominant regional centre or a smaller, convenience-based centre, such as Morningside shopping centre.”

Large centres, which usually cover a minimum of 30 000m² to 50 000m², are driven by fashion, food and comparison shopping, with shoppers visiting on a weekly basis. Smaller malls cater for a local market who may shop there daily. “In the case of Morningside, our raison d’etre was not to compete with Sandton City,” explains Pat. “Rather, we focused on shoppers who’d be making short visits, which is why the first hour of parking is free.”

On the topic of parking, it appears that this is an often underrated element of mall design. “Centres with parking issues are less attractive,” he says. “Our bays are 20% bigger than normal, and are located conveniently close to the stores. The up-per end of the market loves to see and be seen, which is why the restaurants are at the front of the centre, facing incoming shoppers. However, we made a point of keeping the parking a comfortable distance from these eating areas.”

Identifying needsHe adds that it is also important to identify the needs of the inhabitants in the area. “Morningside shopping centre is an upper LSM market with a strong ethnic mix incorporating Jewish and French or Continental residents. With a mean average income of R100k per household per month, these are discerning buyers led by a need for high quality food stores and eating places, along with home and gift shops.”

The right mix of stores goes a long way to ensur-ing customer loyalty. “In this instance, food comes first, followed by health care,” Pat elaborates. “It’s also necessary to offer choice in these matters.” Since food is generally linked to entertainment, the centre provides a wide variety of social facili-

TRENDS IN RETAIL


The interior should be stylish, clean and effectively spaced for all paces of walking shoppers

The aesthetic was strongly influenced by international trends reflected by premium brands

ties too, with numerous coffee shops, restaurants, bookshops, music stores and photo bars. Health comes in the form of a pharmacy, Pilates, beauty salons, nail bars and hairdressers.

“Our shoppers love to browse here, or meet friends for meals. It’s also a popular venue for business meetings; the suburb is home to many senior ex-ecutives who enjoy fitting in a breakfast meeting as a means of missing morning traffic.”

Good design is a drawcard and Pat explains that the aesthetic was strongly influenced by interna-tional trends reflected by premium brands such as Armani. “The look is clean, linear, simple, with natural light for a bright environment, as well as for its green appeal,” he says.

Community centreCatering for a variety of different visitors is neces-sary, for instance wheelchair access is important for any mall. However Pat adds that researching the needs of a specific community will also lead to a better understanding of what shoppers in an area are looking for. “We do a lot of interaction with neighbourhood schools, shuls and the local police in order to determine community values and link into them,” he says.

“We’re also involved in many community activities, such as the recent Harley Davidson Ride for Cancer and the King David’s School Art competition. In addition to the social benefits, there is the spinoff of drawing people into the mall, which is beneficial to our restaurants and stores.”

In some cases, legislation will not allow manage-ment to accommodate all shoppers entirely, for instance, smoking regulations prohibit smoking in any public area. “Here, we left it to the restaurants to determine how they would cater for smokers, and all opted to designate areas outside the mall.

TRENDS IN RETAIL


We left it to the restaurants to determine how they would cater for smokers

However, I think this says as much about social trends as it does about changes in the law.”

Recipe for successUltimately, a successful shopping centre relies on developers getting the funda-mentals right. “Location is essential. Morningside was already known, and had the advantage of being easily accessible and a convenient drop-off point. Flagship tenants also win customer acceptance.

“Design includes making best use of the position of the site. Attention to small details can be a big factor; initially our doorways allowed too much of a draft, which disturbed shoppers. By installing revolving doors we negated this problem.

While it’s something most are unaware of now, if we hadn’t attended to it, it would be troublesome,” he continues.

Maintenance is a regularly neglected aspect of a successful centre. Not only should the mall be clean and sanitary but management must maintain a clean, crisp environment. It’s essential to invest in regular upgrades. Often, private ownership of a centre will ensure that there is no deteriora-tion, particularly if the owners are resident. In a high spec market, it’s easy to lose clientele simply because they’ve decided that a venue has become tacky.

Thankfully, with malls moving away from the old ‘concrete box’ look of past decades, shoppers are being treated to more variety, more style and, at the end of the day, a more satisfying overall experience.

Patrick Flanagan, Flanagan & Gerard, Tel. 087 940 3833 Fax. 087 940 3834 Email. [email protected]. Website. www.fgprop.com

Patrick Flanagan

TRENDS IN RETAIL

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11020 Architect Spec Ad F 1/27/11 9:10 AM Page 1 C M Y CM MY CY CMY K

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SOCIAL PROGRAMMES

G rinaker-LTA’s Mark Belman sees it as much more than this. He chats to “Architect & Specificator” about a project that started yielding benefits for the surrounding com-

munities of Mitchell’s Plain and Philippi from the moment the R394-million construction contract was awarded to Grinaker-LTA. As an important

cog in the tender process, Mark explained that for him, the project has several other priorities, many of which have an equally important impact on the local communities.

Demanding demographicsThe project, which falls under the mandate of the

Department of Transport and Public Works, has stringent requirements in terms of the demograph-ics of service providers employed.

A percentage of contractors are to be sourced from historically disadvantaged backgrounds as well as women-owned enterprises, and should include youth, women, disabled persons, rehabilitated drug addicts and ex-convicts. Due to the changing nature of the construction process, this percentage will be monitored on a monthly basis to confirm that statistics are adhered to.

Mark says that interaction with local bodies has assisted in sourcing suitable candidates. “Keeping the process transparent and consultative is ensur-ing that things are running smoothly. It’s vital to understand that these choices touch the people in the area in a very personal way, so there’s a lot of emotion involved in the decision-making process.

Local involvement“We have a community liaison office in the area and work under the direction of local bodies who have compiled a list of contractors who meet our needs,” he says. “We’ve also been involved in

Leaving Legacies

On site the project has truly begun

For some, the new Mitchell’s Plain Hospital is a much need-ed health care provider in an area that has been desperate

for such a service for far too long.

Should include youth, women, disabled persons, rehabilitated drug addicts and ex-convicts


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SECURITY TALL A4 FP.pdf 9/3/10 12:23:24 AM

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List of contractors who meet our needs

community forums to ensure that we have a clear understanding of their priorities.”

A community database lists suitable service providers, providing details of their background, capabilities and work capacity. “It also provides information on whether they’re financially capable of handling a project of this size,” he adds. “Of course, we don’t preclude individuals who are not listed on the database. It merely provides a good starting point.”

Community upliftmentHe adds that with the scope of work handled by the company, it’s rewarding to be involved in projects with a strong theme of community upliftment. “Mitchell’s Plain has been desper-ate for a hospital for years. Apart from general healthcare issues, high crime rates necessitate emergency care services. This facility will be a fully operational hospital with all the necessary modern conveniences,” he emphasises. Upon completion, 230 beds will be housed in a four-storey building.

Sourcing candidates from local groups comes with the added benefit of assuring community sup-port for the project. The fact that the project has grassroots approval is very important.

Mark is aware, however, that even the best social programmes can be misdirected if not closely monitored. “Transparency is important and we have strict inspection procedures in place to negate practices such as fronting, for example.”

A life-like representation of what the hospital will look like upon completion

SOCIAL PROGRAMMES

Skills developmentIn an effort to bring increased skills to the area, the project will include a minimum of 150 local unskilled candidates, who will receive training in bricklaying, plastering and painting. Mark adds that although most workers will fit into labourers’ positions, some will also be enrolled in leadership training courses.

In an additional bid to encourage skills develop-ment, some of the larger contractors have entered into joint ventures with community members. “This isn’t simply about giving short-term jobs,” he continues. “We’d like to see workers grow into secure roles in the construction industry.

“These projects are a pleasure to manage,” Mark adds. “You know you are do-ing so much more than just overseeing the construction of a building. My part in the project is not huge as I am involved in the tender stage but it’s great to be involved in something so positive,” he concludes.

Mark Belman, Grinaker-LTA, Tel 021 703 1040, Fax. 021, 703 4511, Email [email protected], www.grinaker-lta.com


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Bernhard has a solid reputation in business circles and his company Diel produces high-tech upper air meteorological systems for customers in 20 countries around the

globe. He has also designed and built his own boat christened the ‘Diel’, in which he has sailed

to Antarctica … twice … crossing the planet’s roughest seas to reach this polar wilderness. His choice of material for the yacht was also unusual - aluminium.

Multimillion Rand Polystyrene Mansion

Weathers Cape StormsSuccessful businessman, engineer, sailor and intrepid Antarctic explorer Bernhard Diebold is drawn to nov-el ideas. So when he built his double storey home in Hout Bay 12 years ago, he decided to build the walls

with expanded polystyrene (EPS) blocks instead of bricks.

Bernhard Diebold

ENERGY EFFICIENCY

I also incorporated EPS in the under floor heating system


million home which Bernhard shares with his eldest daughter, stands majestically on a smallholding verging on a river.

So why this decision?Asked why he chose polystyrene as a building material on his home, Bernhard says there were several reasons: cost effectiveness, its impressive insulation properties and ease of use. “It’s like building with Lego, the lightweight blocks just click into place.”

“There was very little heavy work required and you do not need a professional bricklayer to build the walls. Even unskilled people can build with these blocks. The mixing of the mortar to fill the cavities inside the blocks was physically demanding but can also be done by unskilled workers.

Held up well“The only hiccup we experienced was with the plastering. This has to be done slightly differently when plastering over EPS. However, once we mastered the technique, it was easy.” Bernhard adds that the walls have held up well and have not moved or cracked in over a decade.”

Mike Myers, Email: [email protected]

“Being a manufacturing company, Diel was ap-proached some years ago to manufacture the moulds for polystyrene blocks,” explains Diebold. “It was at that time that I thought these blocks were a good idea and I was especially drawn to their insulating properties. The convincer was when I visited the home of an acquaintance in mid-winter. The house had also been built using polystyrene and it was warm and dry despite the cold, wet weather outside.”

Never looked back“So I chose a combination of a steel structure and expanded polystyrene blocks to build my double storey home. I also incorporated EPS in the under floor heating system, and I’ve never looked back. Over the years the house has stood up well to the Western Cape climate, it is energy efficient, requir-ing very little heating and there are absolutely no cracks in the walls.”

The use of high-quality fire-resistant EPS ensured that Bernhard’s home could be confidently and safely capped with a beautiful thatch roof. The R7

Five CMA Cathay Industries Premier Award trophies were presented at a gala dinner on 6 November 2010 in Midrand. Pictured here are representatives of all the trophy winners: Jorrie Jordaan (left), trade sales manager, Marley Roofing winner of the trophy for Concrete Roof Tiles; Paul Phipps, general manager, Southern Pipeline Contractors (SPC) winner of the trophy for Innovative Products; Gerhard de la Ray and Sam Malemela of SPC; Steve Delport, SPC sales manager; Barry Kok, B2 Architects winner of the award for Concrete Masonry; Hans Barnard, Watson Concrete; JJ Coetsee, Watson Concrete; Claude Gorgulho, managing member of C.E.L. Paving Products, winner of the trophy award for Concrete Block Paving; Tony da Silva, Cathay Industries; Anca Szalavicz, ASA Architects; Mark Irving, Marley Roofing MD; Samantha du Plessis, a Marley Roofing sales executive; Silvio Ferraris, CMA President and CEO of ReMaCon Products; Rene Coetzer, ReMaCon Products; and Jaques Roosendaal, MC Civils.

Top Notch

ENERGY EFFICIENCY

Very little heavy work required and you do not need a professional bricklayer


A rchitect & Specificator” speaks to Kerry Kuhlmann and Stefano Oroni at Fischer Fixtures about their innovative fixing system. “We specialise in connecting

things,” smiles Kerry by way of introducing the firm. “We supply anything from fixings for hand rails to systems that will hold a 20 ton load onto a concrete beam. But top of the pops is our new Advanced Curtain Wall Technique (ACT).”

Concrete systemsStefano shares his enthusiasm, explaining that the system uses basic undercutting technology originally developed for the concrete industry. Specialised machinery drills a hole into the tile, into which a stainless steel bolt is inserted. This is encased in a polyamide filler which expands into the hole, filling into the cavity and protecting the material from both the bolt as well as ingress of dirt. This fixture is then attached to an aluminium

substructure on the surface of the building.

“The system can be used with a wide range of ma-terials,” says Kerry, adding that glass is becoming increasingly popular, while photovoltaics are an exciting new avenue. “It’s perfect for photovoltaic panels because the machinery doesn’t puncture the surface, which is an important consideration for this material.” Curtain walls have the additional green advantage of providing ventilated cladding by leaving a clearance between tiles and structure.

Precision cuttingThe equipment is very precise, calculating exactly how far to drill the holes needed to create a per-fectly smooth surface and automatically aligning the tiles. This minimises material costs by allowing less material to be used. High loading capabili-ties also result in thinner tiles and lower material consumption.

“Tile sizes are determined by the type of material used, along with climatic conditions in the area,” explains Stefano. “We can work with stone tiles

Keeping it UpRecent design and energy efficiency trends

have seen cladding come into its own in the architectural sphere. Originally a stone

art, the technique has evolved to in-clude materials such as glass, high

pressure laminates and even photovoltaic panels.

INNOVATIVE FIXING SYSTEM

Perfect for photovoltaic panels because the machinery doesn’t puncture the surface


Kerry and Stefano

of 3m² using four anchors. The method is equally effective for either soft or hard stone, such as sandstone or slate. For high pressure laminates we can work with tiles of up to 6m² while glass

has no real limitation, it’s simply a matter of us-ing more anchors.” The ACT system is the only one available for use with glass cladding, and

Tiles are cut off-site and delivered ‘ready-to-hang’, ensuring up to 30% less breakage

Undercut point fixing

in glass

the technique has been used to great effect with some impressive structures, for example the new Porsche Museum in Germany.

No one-hit-wonder, ACT has seen use in over 300 international projects and is gaining ground locally. “Work is underway for Coca Cola in Luanda and there is a project in progress in Pretoria with two more potentials pending,” Stefano enthuses.

Clear benefitsOther advantages come in the form of easy ap-plication, since tiles are cut off-site and delivered ‘ready-to-hang’, ensuring up to 30% less breakage. Maintenance is also simplified. Other cladding systems, such as slide-on rail and dial and pin techniques require the removal of multiple tiles in order to replaced damaged sections. With ACT, tiles can be replaced individually.

“Keeping cladding in a good state of repair can be a major issue,” advises Stefano. “In some in-stances it’s necessary to remove an entire row of tiles to remove a broken one, risking damage to



all of them. Another benefit of this method is that tiles can be removed and replaced with different material, completely changing the look of the building. There are examples in Europe where buildings have seasonal cladding – the design-ers completely change the look of the building throughout the course of the year!”

Adaptable subframeThe adaptable nature of Fischer’s subframe allows it to be tailored to fit in with existing substructures, creating some-thing of a hybrid. “Its flexibility allows it to integrate easily with other cladding systems, making it simple to upgrade,” says Kerry. “It’s designed to handle both heavy and light loads, which is important in Europe, where building weight is a growing issue.”

As a basic Hook and Hang system, the ACT allows speed of installation, along with accuracy. While the pair acknowledges that the equipment comes at a premium, the cost can be justified in projects of suitable scope. Besides, a premium product comes with perks. “Optimal quality is pretty much assured,” smiles Stefano. “It’s not the kind of system that will be picked up by a low-end contractor. We also manage the process from training to certification of operators.”

Kerry interjects in conclusion, “ACT is designed to make life easier for construction professionals. Architects are concerned with aesthetics; they also want to touch the panel and not feel a millimetre of difference. This sort of accuracy is some-thing that engineers strive for too. Our precise tolerances make this a possibility without making the job impossible for the contractor.”

Kerry Kuhlmann, Fischer Fixing Systems, Tel. 011 624 6716, Fax. 011 624 6760, Email. [email protected]

Compensating for panel thickness tolerences

We create new ways to design modern facades


Examples in Europe where buildings have seasonal cladding – the designers completely change the look of the building throughout the course of the year

2� Architect & Specificator Jan/Feb 2011

ARCHITECT & SPECIFICATOR 2/1/11 9:36 AM Page 1

Composite

C M Y CM MY CY CMY K

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The recipe for glass: 60% Silicone sand, 19% Soda Ash, Cullet (broken recycled glass), 15% Dolomite, 5% Limestone, 1% Sodium Sulphate. Bake at thousands of degrees and serve chilled!

Interactive panels give visitors a chance to experience various glazing options first-hand

GLASS & GLAZING

PG Group’s new World of Glass showroom in Bedfordview is a good example of this principle, as Architect & Specificator dis-covered during a recent tour.

Practical demonstrationsThe slick glazed panels and classy interiors of PG’s

showroom accommodate interactive installations, allowing visitors to get a real feel of the difference between double-glazed and ordinary glass, or of the effects of sound-proofing and other glazing options.

Privacy glass can be demonstrated at the flick of a switch, showing how the glass can change from clear to opaque at the same speed a light bulb would either illuminate or darken a room. Using physical examples of materials, the importance of laminates for both construction and automotive glass is made immediately apparent.

Freely functionalHowever, the biggest selling point of this showroom is the fact that it is available for industry-related

functions at absolutely no cost. “Our main aim is to give exposure to our ranges,” says Hulde Jones, marketing manager at PG Glass. “What better way to do this than by allowing our clients to immerse themselves in the glazing experience while conducting their own busi-ness dealings?

“Let’s face it, architects understand what PG has to offer. They work with these products daily and they know the regulations and specifications. It would be silly for us to think we could teach them their jobs. However, we realise that sometimes they want to give their own clients the ability to truly get to grips with the products they’re using. By providing them with a venue at which they can launch new products, conduct workshops or run seminars, we’d like to think we’ll meet this need.”

Classy facilitiesBoasting a 70-seater auditorium with all

the bells and whistles, a 10-seater boardroom and chic glass-themed café, the World of Glass is well equipped to handle business func-tions, whether a fully-fledged event, or simply to meet clients in a profes-sional setting. Hulde adds that the café is capable of providing basic snacks, but companies are welcome to arrange their own caterers and cocktail specialists for more intricate dining requirements.

Not only are companies invited to make use of these facilities, but if necessary PG will also provide the input of a specialist glass architect who is available to conduct talks on new trends in glass-related architec-

The biggest selling point of this showroom is the fact that it is available for industry-related functions at absolutely no cost

A Glassy AffairWe’ve all been into specialised product showrooms but a lo-cal company has taken the concept much further than many

others have.


www.rollup.co.za


We’ve provided a practical glimpse of our history, our product ranges and our projects in a way that is not entirely self-serving

ture – also free of charge.

While the offer may sound too good to be true, Hulde assures us that there’s no catch. “This is not our core business; we sell glass. However, we recognise that clients may want to know more, so we’ve provided a practical glimpse of our history, our product ranges and our projects in a way that is not entirely self-serving.”

Ethel, PG Glass, Tel. 011 417 5800, Website. www.pg-glass.co.za

Café Vue

Widney, PG’s BEE partner, won the window tender for the Gautrain

GLASS & GLAZING

Glass installations, such as this printed glass tower, provide inspiration to visitors








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GLASS & CLAZING

Avinash Akhouri, South Africa and Sub-Sa-haran Sales Manager at Guardian Africa, comments , “South Africa traditionally uses coated glass ( Solar and Low E ) in single

glazing. We at Guardian believe that for the best performance (U-value and Shading Coefficient) double glazing is essential,” he begins during a conversation with “Architect & Specificator”.

The company, which is a local subsidiary of a vast, US-based firm, is a world leader in the float glass field, boasting 28 float lines, 14 sputter coating lines, and 20 000 employees. The glass industry plays a very vital and responsible role with increasing energy costs and the emphasis on going green “

Energy efficient glazingEnergy efficient glazing is all about controlling the amount of solar energy that is transmitted into an office or a home. Cooling, not heating, is the single biggest energy cost that a commercial building faces. High performance coatings can now be ap-plied to the glass in order to dramatically improve the energy efficiency of the building as well as the comfort of the occupants.

Several key energy related terms are regularly used to clarify the needs of a commercial building or home. Shading Coefficient or S.C. is a measure of the heat gain through glass from solar radiation. It’s important to remember that a lower Shading Coefficient number indicates better performance and less solar heat gain.

U-Value or U-Factor is a measure of the heat gain or loss through glass due to the difference between indoor and outdoor air temperatures. Like Shading Coefficient, it’s important to remember that a lower U-Value number indicates better performance and less heat gain or loss through the glass.

Uniquely designedGuardian offers a wide range of products that can achieve dramatic energy cost savings. These coated glass products will meet or exceed local building regulations and energy requirements. They will satisfy different aesthetic and design requirements and they will provide shorter lead times for projects.

Emphasising that energy efficiency is of equal importance for both commercial and residential applications, Avinash broadly explains the issues to consider. “Ideally, glass should eliminate damaging ultraviolet light (fading energy), while transmitting maximum Visible Light. Our range of coated glass products offers many options for the control of solar energy, while maintaining the aesthetic appearance that the architect requires.”

“Magnetic sputter deposition coating technology al-

Double or Nothing

The debate over the thermal efficiency of glass in South Africa traditionally hinges on the issue of double glazing

versus laminated single glazing. Proponents of single glazing claim that the costs of double glazing outweigh the benefits

that may be achieved and as a result, they claim double glazing is not necessary in South Africa.

Cooling, not heating, is the single biggest energy cost

The art of double glazing


GLASS & CLAZING

lows stacks of metals to be deposited on the surface of the glass. Some of these coated products may use as many as 14-15 layers of metals which are stacked on top of each other - but the combined thickness of the entire stack is less than 1/1000th of a human hair. That’s about 130 nanometers for the engineers or scientists out there.

The revolutionary aspect of this new technology is that all of the products are ‘post temperable’. That means that this high performance coated glass product can now be tempered, heat strengthened, bent or laminated after the glass has been coated. This allows the glass fabricator and glazing con-tractor to fully control the supply of the glass for the project. Each coated glass product is uniquely designed to control the important aspects of energy efficient glass, namely, visible light transmission, visible light reflectivities, Shading Coefficient and

U-Value. This is all achieved while ensuring that a range of aesthetic options assist the architect with the design intent of the project.

Low emmisivity“Low-E glass refers to glass with a low-emissivity coating. It reduces heat gain or loss by reflecting long-wave infrared energy (heat) and therefore decreases the U-value and solar heat gain. This dramatically improves the energy efficiency of the glazing. Low E glass is typically very neutral in ap-pearance and very cost effective. As a result Low-E glass is widely used in residential and commercial buildings and it is expected to continue to increase in usage in the coming years.

“Clear uncoated glass provides virtually no control over solar heat gain. As a result, the airconditioning has to work at maximum capability to maintain comfortable temperatures. This unnecessary cost can be reduced by adding a coating to the glass. There is a reduction in energy costs and an improvement in comfort as we change the makeup of the glass and add energy efficient coatings. This performance

Effective use of high quality glass for protection and style

improvement can easily be seen when comparing the performances of single uncoated glass, single coated glass, insulated uncoated glass, solar control coated insulated glass and insulated glass with a Low Emissivity coating. We South Africans need to understand the real benefits of double glazing and the addition of higher performing coatings.” he intones.

To give an example, Avinash uses the company’s thermal optical performance program to show how glass performance can be improved by ap-plying various coatings and selecting the correct double glazing system. The figures are impressive. “Usually, to get a U-value between 2 and 3, and a Shading coefficient of .40 and less the architect needs two coated glasses, based on the products available locally.

“We offer a product that combines solar control and low-E properties which drastically reduces the cost of the double glazing unit, and eliminates the need to specify two separate products. We can achieve very low U-values and a very low Shading Coef-

ficient when using SunGuard coated glass along with a double glazing system. This concept needs to become the standard and the norm ,” Avinash enthuses, showing how U-values can easily be dropped to 2.2 and even as low as 1.6.

Performance products“Normally, designers will use two performance products and still not achieve such low figures, compelling them to incorporate additional elements such as sun-screens and overhangs to improve energy efficiency. Our glass cuts sorts all of this out, allowing more freedom for design. SunGuard products can help reduce glare, without the need for additional shading devices, particularly where large areas of glass are an integral part of the building design and the architect needs to ensure a relaxing internal environment.

Teamed with Indoor Reflectivity rates that rival clear glass, and exceptional Colour Rendering Index figures (CRI which indicates the extent to which the glass affects the colours on the other side of the panel), the range is certainly appeal-

Combines solar control and low-E properties which drastically reduces the cost of the double glazing unit


ing and has already won approval for some high profile projects.

“SunGuard Neutral 40 has been used very effec-tively in Protea Place in Sandton,” says Avinash. “It has a Colour Rendering Index (CRI) of 89, providing neutral colour, as well as enhanced energy efficiency. A CRI above 85 is considered to be excellent. It’s important to know that many other tinted glass products have a CRI much lower than that. ” Sunguard has also been specified and used at Intercontinental OR Tambo Airport, the of-fice of Investec Cape Town, Nedcor SA, Vodacom Midrand and the Sheraton Western Grand Cape Town to name a few.

The glass is readily available from the company’s regional plant in Dubai. High performance glass is project specific and requires a special order. “Specifications are determined after examining the requirements of the architect, considering issues such as U-values, aesthetics, Shading Co-efficient, etc. We’ll offer a number of options to suit these needs, bearing in mind that optimum performance in one area may bring compromise in another. Fortunately, with advances in technol-ogy, these compromises are becoming fewer and fewer,” he smiles.

Make it a double“I think double glazing is as important here as it is

in the West, or the Middle East.” Avinash assures us. “We need to reduce our energy consumption before we are hit with really big hikes in tariffs. The right glass can result in substantial HVAC savings. This occurs initially by allowing designers to implement a lower capacity system and in the long term in the form of annual savings for heating and cooling. These energy cost savings continue for the life of the building! Furthermore, green building design using the right glass can earn up to 20 points of a possible 69 points towards a Green Star (Platinum) rating certificate.

“We’re looking at furthering our cause through presentations at AAAMSA, SAGGA and SAGGI as-sociations, and personal meetings with architects. Ultimately I’d like to see a Double Glazing Body in place too. Education is essential to show people what they could be achieving. There’s no sense in using a single glazing and thinking you have a high performance product when you could be doing so much better,” he closes.

Avinash Akhouri, Guardian Africa, Tel. 011 826 6019, Email. [email protected], Website. www.guardian.com, www.sunguardglass.com

Using the right glass can earn up to 20 points of a possible 69 points towards a Green Star (Platinum) rating

The elegance of glass with incredible design, Sheraton Western Grand Cape Town

Effective use of high quality glass for protection and style

GLASS & CLAZING


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Sliding into 2011

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Shelving needs to be implemented at a logical, user-friendly height

A rchitect & Specificator” recently spoke to Barry Kaplan at Risely Kitchens about designing for special needs. “Ultimately, it depends on

the type of disability involved,” he tells us. “For a vision impaired user, you’ll probably need to provide better lighting sources, for instance. However, if you’re designing for a wheelchair-bound client, accessibility is the main priority.” Since many kitchens are also created for older clients who are anticipat-ing diminished functioning, perhaps due to arthritis for example, this forms the bulk of special needs design.

Easy access“Logical design is very important. The de-sign triangle will evolve into something of a U-shape to allow more open space between fridge, hob and sink for wheelchair access. It’s also necessary to ensure an uninter-rupted work surface between these areas to allow the client to slide heavy items along the countertop without having to pick them up. For this reason, a free-standing cooker is not a good idea.

Mechanically adjustable work surfaces allow heights of preparation areas to be adapted to accommodate both wheelchair chefs and able-bodied cooks who might share the facili-ties. Barry explains that many new products are being designed with convenience in mind – ideal for special needs kitchens.

KITCHENS & BATHROOMS

Handy in the KitchenA kitchen is not just a kitchen, every design must

incorporate the specific needs of the intended user.

Kosher kitchens, Halaal kitchens, vegan-friendly and

catering kitchens all come with their own set of is-

sues. However, it’s unlikely that any pose as much

of a challenge as designing for the needs of a physi-

cally disabled chef.

Stylish and easy to use carousel shelving

You can’t expect a client in a wheelchair to comfortably use a drop-down oven door



“It’s also necessary to provide undercounter clear-ance for the cook to get close to work areas. For example, there should be space beneath hobs, preparation surfaces and sinks to fit a chair. This requires attention to matters such as plumbing and electrical connections, which obviously need to be kept clear.

Opening doorsDoor opening is another area of concern. “You can’t expect a client in a wheelchair to comfortably use a drop-down oven door,” Barry tells us. A solution is a lower oven with a hinged door which opens 180°, to allow full access. Similar thinking should be applied to other appliances, such as washing machines and tumble driers, which can be raised or lowered appropriately.

“Dishwashers, which typically feature drop-down doors, have to be positioned at the end of the work area to avoid causing obstruction. Washers with pull-out drawers are a more suitable option since they’re easier to load and unload.”

Barry adds that drawers are getting a lot of atten-tion from kitchen designers, with more products

Taps with instant boiling or chilled water are very handy

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being designed to allow ease of access and clear visibility. “Cupboards are available with pull-down units which drop down to put shelf contents in easy reach, while low level cupboards are fitted with carousel type systems which swivel out to display items. Pull-out grocery cupboards, which store items in a roll-out unit, are a useful way to store food items while offering access from both sides of the unit. “Wherever possible, doors should not open into the work area. Meanwhile, draw-ers should pull all the way out so that the client isn’t compelled to reach too far into the cupboard space,” Barry adds.

Door handles also require attention. “I find that a D-shape handle is the easiest to open, with many of the sleek ornamental types being a little impractical. Push release doors can be useful as long as they’re not in an area where the chair will accidentally open them by bumping.”

Material issuesMaterials need to be considered carefully too. Kitchen units should be scratch-resistant and hard wearing, with a protective layer along protruding edges to protect the user as well as the surface. “High gloss paint finishes wouldn’t be a good idea,” smiles Barry. “However, natural wood is great, since it won’t easily show damage from a knock or a scratch.

Other considerations take the form of convenient appliances, designed to suit able and handicapped users alike. “Taps with instant boiling or chilled water are very handy,” says Barry. “They also reduce the need for the user to lift hot kettles or reach into fridges for ice water.” Taps with levers are easier to use, while sprung taps are very convenient, since they can be pulled towards the user, retracting automatically when not in use.

Other conveniences come in the form of common household items used sensibly. Waste disposal units minimise refuse, and rubbish bins on wheels make garbage day less of a chore. “There are many items available to make life easier, from bread slicers to mixers,” says Barry. Remote control extractors and even ovens which drop down at the push of a button all offer enhanced ease of use.

“At the end of the day, however, apart from more space under counters, a kitchen designed for a client in a wheelchair will probably not look much different from any other kitchen. There’s certainly no need for the space to look as if it belongs in a hospital. Although it may be primary to design around wheelchair use, we’ll also consider if the person is left-handed, needs to prepare a specific food or prefers a classic style to modern. When it comes to design, I think that everyone has spe-cial needs – and we have every right to them!” he smiles.

Barry Kaplan, Risely Kitchens, Tel. 011 807 5007, Email. [email protected], www.risely.co.za


Going placesThe Eskom 2010 Energy Efficient Lighting Design competition was again a major success with a record 567 entries and also a record number of professional entries. It’s a showcase for the industry that building professionals, lighting manufacturers, the public and media should not miss out on, says sponsor Radiant Lighting (Radiant).

Says Anthony Lloyd, sales and marketing director at Radiant Lighting: “This competition, which we sponsored for the third time, serves as a vital entry point to the lighting industry for new and young designers. It is also a great platform for introducing new ideas, innovation and creativity to the industry to encourage adoption of energy efficient technologies like CFLs and LEDs – which are becoming increasingly affordable and available.”

Lighting is trendy - it’s a ‘fashion’ item and a core element in any décor scheme. This competition brings fun contemporary elements as well as ‘high art’ styles, making energy efficient technologies more accessible to a broader range of residential customers.

The healthy interest and significant response this competition creates is indicative of a strong local design and décor culture, Anthony notes. “Eskom also hopes that it will encourage build-ing professionals - architects, interior designers and builders – to incorporate energy efficient lighting options into the design phase rather than having to continue doing costly and time-consuming retrofits. It makes great sense.

“The simple reality is that adoption of energy efficient lighting will continue to grow – it offers direct savings in terms of utility bills, offers better performance and requires less maintenance.”

Radiant Lighting, Tel: 011 386 0000, www.radiant.co.za


lored in both single and double formats to suit a variety of window and door shapes and sizes. These include hinged, sliding and French doors, casement awnings, sliding or fixed windows, not to mention coverings for emergency windows where a quick-escape latch is fitted.

The window and door frames are fully framed thereby offering greater security than other bar-riers while the mesh screen screens out up to 60% of the sun’s UV rays and as a result allows for easier temperature control, thereby improving energy efficiency.

The frame is powder coated providing excellent corrosion prevention in humid climates.

Flying coloursTrellidor Clear Guard doors and windows have been subjected to a range of standardised international strength and attack tests and have surpassed all requirements. Some of the tests the doors and windows were subjected to include a knife-shear test, a dynamic impact test, a UV test, a bend test and an adhesion test.

Trellidor, www.trellidor.co.za

High tensile steel mesh

T rellidor has recently introduced its Clear Guard door and window security barrier range. The new range is designed to provide custom-ers with an unobtrusive yet secure barrier.

Sturdy yet elegantAccording to Trellidor, its patented use of an alu-

minium frame, combined with a high-tensile steel-mesh insert will provide its customers with an invis-ible barrier that allows air to flow through the room, all the while providing that all important security barrier to keep unwanted intruders out.

The fine mesh not only keeps criminals at bay but also keeps other un-wanted pests such as snakes, mosquitoes and flies out.

The solution can be tai-

Security Needn’t be Unattractive

Many beautiful South African homes are disfigured by

unsightly burglar bars, high walls and electric fences. So, what about invisible security?

ACCESS CONTROL & SECURITY


News & ViewsDetailed and preciseCheckers in the new Bonaero Park shopping centre has become the latest retailer, to recognise the superior per-formance, quality and cost effectiveness of Apex Strip Curtains and Apex SR 9000 doors.

“The specifications submitted to us as developers for strip curtains and insulated doors were detailed and precise,” Elia Zotos, project manager for developers, Zotos Broth-ers, explains.

“The strip curtains had to prevent cold air being sucked out of cold storage areas while preventing the ingress of external hot air and pol-lutants, such as dust and insects. However, at the same time, the curtains could not hamper the free flow of traffic specifically for deliveries to and from the cold rooms. This also meant that they needed to be transparent for im-proved safety and visibility.

“We issued tenders and also visited numerous sites to inspect door installations to assess factors such as maintenance, lifecycle, temperature seal and the passage of traffic. In evaluating the proposals we had no hesitation in awarding the contract to Apex.”

The patented Balledge design on Apex Strip Curtains enhances the effectiveness of the thermal seal while allowing the strips to part

Diverse arrayPassive and active fire protection, security and specialised service and maintenance are core offerings of Fire-spec, a protective systems company servicing South Africa nationally from its HQ in Cape Town.

The range is comprehensive - from the installion of new hardware - to extensive servicing and maintenance contracts of existing systems.

The company has enjoyed a significant number of high profile installation contracts. These include, recently,

Firespec was intimately involved in installing both active and passive security and fire control systems at the recently completed Departures Terminal at Cape Town International Airport

Apex SR 9000 doors were chosen by Zotos Brothers for Checkers in Bonaero Park

easily for people and goods to move through. The specially formulated PVC material used for the strips is technologi-cally advanced and transparent. The Balledge reinforces the strips while ensuring that they do not snag or scratch goods or people.

“Since they are designed to withstand even aggressive environments, it means that they will have a long lifecycle in this retail application,” Elia concludes.

Wim Dessing, Apex Strip Curtains, Tel: 011 452 8723, www.apexstrip.co.za


News & Views

Gas in bulkSasol is introducing LPgas reticulation into housing devel-opments from bulk on site tanks as an alternative energy option to property developers.

Sasol Homegas is an ideal alternative energy source solu-tion for property developers interested in building ‘greener’ developments where carbon footprints are reduced and electricity consumption costs are lower. As a testament to this shift in thinking in energy, Century Property Develop-ments is installing Sasol Homegas in the Waterfall Country Estate in Midrand, Johannesburg, providing reticulated gas to about 2 000 homes.

Losing its gripWood’s Powr-Grip pioneered the use of hand-held vacuum cups and below-the-hook vacuum lifters in glass handling. They revolutionised the American glass industry when they developed pump-action vacuum cups in the 1960’s, allowing glaziers to hold sheets of glass securely without lifting them by the edges. These cups featured Powr-Grip’s patented “red-line indicator”, which warns the user of any vacuum loss, and a check valve, which allows the user to restore vacuum without losing a grip on the glass.

Today, Wood’s Powr-Grip continues to make glass handling more efficient, ergonomic and secure through innovative engineering. Every Powr-Grip vacuum lifter is equipped with many features to enhance worker safety, such as vacuum gauges with coloured zones to indicate whether vacuum is sufficient for lifting. Indicator lights and warning buzzers

likewise signal when a vacuum lifter is, or is not, ready to move the glass. And with the addition of their Dual Vacuum System, Powr-Grip has reduced the risk of falling glass, which could otherwise result in breakage or other workplace ac-cidents. From factory floor to final installa-tion, glass handling is easier and less danger-ous with hand-held vacuum cups, below-the-hook vacuum lifters and other products by Wood’s Powr-Grip.

a contract at the new departures terminal at Cape Town Airport – for passive fire protection in addition to active fire and protective systems.

Firespec’s flagship service & maintenance project is an enduring service contract with the University of Cape Town at all three upper, middle and lower Rondebosch campuses. UCT’s campuses have evolved over many decades and its security systems are consequently a cross mix of differing generation technologies and vintages. Over recent years, the need for more sophisticated security systems has arisen and the servicing of this diverse array is in the hands of the dedicated Firespec team with technicians located at all three campuses.

In addition to installation of passive and active systems, plus service and maintenance, Firespec is also able to conduct Fire regulations compliance surveys, carried out by skilled and highly experienced technicians.

Firespec, Leo Slootmans, Tel: 021 685 1111, Email: [email protected], Web: www.firespec.co.za

The sinking of the tank at Waterfall Country Estate

“Many South Africans are thinking twice about how they make use of energy at home and at work. Sasol Homegas provides them with a safe and clean energy solution that significantly reduces electricity costs in the home. Waterfall Country Estate is an example of a step in the direction of a greener future,”says Pieter Claassen, Sasol Oil’s Manager of New Business Development.

Sasol Homegas provides business, industry and households with water heating, cooking and spatial heating solutions, using reticulated Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) from bulk tanks that range from 6 200 to 22 500 litres making this project the first of its kind undertaken on this large scale within the South African retail sector.

Sasol Limited, Jacqui O’Sullivan, Tel: 011 441 3252, Email: [email protected], Nothemba Noruwana, Tel: 011 441 3295, Email: [email protected], www.sasol.com


News & ViewsWhite River’s “Earth House”Products supplied by Chryso SA played an important part in adding sustain-ability to a new “earth house” built in White River, Mpumalanga.

The house, designed by mechanical engineer, Michael Matthews, was con-structed with a technology known as “rammed earth”. This age-old concept involves compressing a damp mixture of earth containing sand, lime and clay into an externally supported frame to create a solid wall of earth.

The White River earth house features a planted concrete roof on which Matthews has planted some water-wise plants allowing scope for future natural vegetation development. Cast as a single slab, the roof comprised over 100 cubic metres of a special waterproof concrete mix designed by Lafarge. The internal walls consisted of welded wire frames and a layer of insulating material erected by splic-

ing panels together before rough plastering with a 10mm layer of concrete on each side.

Before the house was constructed, a number of test walls were made which started to crumble as a result of oxida-tion. To prevent this, Chryso Conseal sealant was used on the walls. Conseal is a product which, when applied to porous surfaces, will reduce crumbling, improve perme-ability and impart a harder, denser surface by reacting

Bohle Glass Equipment (Pty) Ltd, based in Strijdom Park Randburg, is the sole supplier of a wide range of Wood’s Powr-Grip products in South Africa. The variety of different Wood’s products ranges from single handle windscreen suction lifters to 6 pad vacuum lifters capable of handling loads up to 500kg.

Bohle, Tel: (011) 792 6430, Email: [email protected]

Work nearing completion on the “earth house” at White River for which Chryso SA supplied several products to augment sustain-ability


News & ViewsThe FBI and Lanseria The same security system employed by the FBI and the Kennedy Space Centre in the US will be used at Lanseria Corporate Estate, Gauteng’s newest upmarket industrial property development situated adjacent to Lanseria Inter-national Airport. Custom designed by security engineers the system surpasses traditional safety methods used in South Africa which, in most instances, are restricted to surveillance and guarding.

Industrial property developer, Jurgen Erhart of Efcon Capi-tal-believes that security is among the main considerations for many companies, both in their ongoing operations and when initially selecting premises. This thinking has driven Jurgen to embrace the non-conformist, top-end custom engineered security system provided by Rentsec for the 90 hectare Lanseria Corporate Estate. In addition to Israeli embassies around the world, companies using the same system locally through Rentsec include the likes of Kuehne + Nagel, UTi, Nestle, Altech, Bidvest, BMW, Vodacom, KFC and Nampak.

The cutting-edge military-grade security solution is tailor-engineered to the specific requirements of the physical environment to which it is being applied, as well as numer-ous other considerations. The system is fully digitised, with failsafe measures, thus it avoids human error and flaws.

Rentsec director David Ash explains that, cameras paired with detectors are programmed to detect security breaches, this triggers a video alarm which is sent to Rentsec’s off-site monitoring control room where intervention specialists are able to respond to any emergency and to take immediate action and conduct an appropriate response alerting armed response units and emergency services telling them what to expect and where to go. Rentsec are also able to utilise outdoor horn speakers to identify intruders and let them know that they have been detected and that armed guards are coming for them.

Simon Mills, Tel: 083 357 7592 or John Whall 082 459 5553

with the free lime and binding it to form solid calcium silicate hydrates.

To prevent the roof from leaking, it was sealed with Chryso Hydroflex, a cementitious based UV stable waterproof and protective coating, with a 4 mm crack bridging capabil-ity. Chryso Cim was used as bonding agent. The product significantly increases plasticity, cohesion and adhesion of the plaster to the ceiling while acting as a waterproofing agent. Chryso Xel GTX was used to help the plaster set and harden quickly.

Chryso SA, Kirsten Kelly, Tel: 011 395 9700, www.chryso.com

Full-time CEOThe Concrete Society of Southern Africa (CSSA) has announced the appointment of its first full-time Chief Executive Officer.

John Sheath, Chartered Marketer and well known figure in the cement and concrete industries, relinquished his responsibilities as National President of the Society for 2010/2011 to take up the position of CEO from January 3 this year. For the remainder of the presidential term, Nick van den Berg, structural engineer and Associate with Goba (Pty) Ltd, will be assuming the duties of the National President.

The creation of a CEO position for the Society is in line with the strategic plan agreed to by the CSSA National Council early in 2010 and is aimed at strengthening the drive and growth of the Concrete Society, in terms of both membership and activities.

CSSA, John Sheath, Tel: 012 348 5305, www.concretesociety.co.za

John Sheath


First SABS certification Concrete retaining blocks (CRB’s) producer ReMa-Con Products of Kempton Park, Gauteng, recently gained SA Bureau of Stan-dards (SABS) certification on its main products – the first producer of CRB’s in South Africa to do so.

“It makes absolute sense for us to obtain the SABS certification applicable to CRB’s as we produce CRB’s exclusively, unlike many other concrete block manufacturers, who pro-duce them along with a

News & Views

Silvio Ferraris, Managing Member of ReMaCon Products, displays the SABS certifi-cate gained by the company recently for the three CRB products shown (from left): ReMRock 220, Terraforce L18 and ReMblok 30

range of products used in other applications,” comments Silvio Ferraris, the company’s managing member.

“As part of the certification we are obliged to have the products tested periodically to ensure that they continue to conform to the standard. It requires that we test a sample of every production run on each of the certified products and maintain records of the tests,” Silvio explained.

“To make this practicable we have acquired the necessary test equipment to do the test-ing ourselves. In addition the SABS conducts six-monthly audits at our site to check that we adhere to the quality management system that also has to be applied as part of the certification requirements.”

Silvio Ferraris, ReMaCon Products cc, Tel: 011 393 5504, Fax: 011 393 5502, E-mail [email protected], Website www.remacon.co.za

‘What’s next?’NCS Colour has teamed up with interna-tional colour trend forecasters Global Color Research, creator of Mix Publications, to compile NCS Insight – showcasing 30 of the most important colours for 2011.

Transition is key for 2011. We’ve begun to emerge from the slump of the economy so the colours selected are a little more vibrant and positive than in recent seasons - a sign that people are beginning to dig into their


News & Views

Reflector designA 60% energy efficiency saving is achieved by simply switching from the traditional T8 elec-tromagnetic lamp to a T5 circuit, which is more optically friendly, offering greater control of the light emitted from the lamp. The other 30%, however, depends on the reflector design, the materials used to manufacture the lamp and the actual luminaire housing, which is where Lighting Innovations delivers the competitive advantage.

With an in-house laboratory containing state-of-the-art measuring equipment, including a goniometer, an integrated sphere and the Photopia software program, the company is able to ensure the

pockets again and look to the future. We look to the reali-ties of our world, encouraging ourselves away from solitude and into the richness of life.

A stronger level of optimism is reflected in the colours for 2011. There is strong coverage in the neutral and yellow areas and the palette starts to become warmer, opening out in chocolate browns, rich berry red and a vibrant orange. Green continues a steady growth in fresh vegetal shades through to aqua, while mysterious deep blue and purple cover the darker end of the spectrum. Grey scale tones are cool and smoky, contrasting well with warmer plaster shades in the palette.

The website also give a complete trend forecasts for 2011, 2012 and 2013.

www.ncscolour.com

Flat floor surfaceSince 1987, Buzon Pedestal International has been Europe’s leading manufacturer of screwjack polypropylene pedestals, now exported thoughout the world. Used in a variety of applications, their infinite height options and slope cor-rection ability, enables any project designer to create a flat floor surface in almost any environment.

Since 2005, Buzonr Pedestals have been used throughout South Africa on numerous prestigious projects.

Resulting from this success Buzon International is proud to announce the launch of its regional office, Buzon Southern Africa, based in Johannesburg in order to better serve all of the current projects throughout sub-Saharan Africa. The regional office was launched in September 2010 and will work with local agents in all major centres in the region. A full technical design service is offered and full installation

training will be provided to ensure installations all conform to sound engineering design principles and standards.

Richard Bentley, Director, introduced the Buzon pedestal to South Africa in

2005 as a lightweight deck support solution for a heritage restoration project that was being undertaken at the time. Since then, Buzon has been utilised throughout South Africa in a wide variety of different projects, some of which can be seen on the website.

Richard Bentley, Buzon Southern Africa, Tel 011 463 7324 / 083 399 5174, Email: [email protected], www.buzonsa.co.za

Designed and manufactured locally, Lighting Innovations’ Pinnacle recessed fluorescent luminaires offer over 93% energy efficiency, helping organisation achieve higher Green Star ratings


News & Views

Parkhurst Square, view from 13th Street

design and production of the most innovative luminaires that optimise efficiency for the maximum financial and environmental rewards.

Furthermore, Lighting Innovations utilises MIRO-Silver aluminium materials from Alanod, which contribute to en-hanced efficiency and lower energy costs. Specially suited to energy saving technology, MIRO-Silver combines 98% total reflectivity with excellent durability, offering UV and long-term stability, as well as no angular dependence of spectral reflectance for maximum colour rendering.

The superior efficiency of the Pinnacle luminaire not only reduces energy costs, but also helps companies to achieve a higher Green Star rating. A five-star plus luminaire, the Pinnacle consumes only 1.5w/m2/100 lux, which is lower than the required standard of 2w/m2/100 lux.

Craig Waddell, Lighting Innovations, Tel: 011 444 1168, Fax: 011 444 0116, E-mail: [email protected]

electricity. The design of the development with ground level retail space and upper level offices, will be one of the first buildings built uniquely out of natural materials and with specific attention paid to noise reduction and off street office space.

Sheldon Bakos, Intergrale Architects, Tel: 011 268 3100, www.integrale.co.za

Magic in ParkhurstSheldon Bakos, head architect at Intergrale Architects has an exciting new project underway. When the old garage on 4th avenue Parkhurst went up for auction, he jumped at the opportunity to transform the sad eyesore. His vision for the new development ‘Parkhurst Square’ is aligned with the upmarket, trendy nature of Parkhurst enhancing the look and feel of the area. 4th avenue in Parkhurst has a unique look and feel; similar in some ways to the quirky sister suburb of Melville, yet with a more luxurious aspect to its nature.

The Development will offer various office and retail spaces. ‘The nature of the area and the quirky design of the building is sure to attract marketing companies, advertising agencies and other creatives, notes Sheldon. The street level area will be home to four new independent restaurants offering Parkhurst patrons and Jozi connoisseurs every imaginable culinary delight.

As Parkhurst is a very sensitive neighbourhood, many environmental and architectural design ele-ments need to be taken into consideration when building Parkhurst Square. The building has some amazing design elements - not only is it completely ‘green’, but Sheldon has gone to great lengths to include elements such as using timber wherever pos-sible as it’s a renewable resource, as well as implementing a clever cross ventilation sys-tem that will limit the use of air conditioners, saving on the use of

The writing’s not on the wallKeeping painted walls free of dirt, from pollution to fingerprints to writing, amateur artwork and graffiti, usually involves much elbow grease and often damaged paintwork.

Now a complete range of non-stick “wipe and go” coatings that can get rid of the most ingrained grime, including graf-fiti, has become commercially available under the name Graffitex. What makes these paints different is that they contain polytetrafluoroethylene (commercially known as Teflon, the material that is best recognised for its use in non-stick frying pans).

The Graffitex product was developed in South Africa some years ago for specialist applications and has now expanded into a complete range of water-based plastic wall coatings for interior and exterior use, as well as a roof coating. A Cape Town company also known as Graffitex was launched last year (2010) with the sole rights to manufacture and supply the products to market.

Graffitex owner Simon Beauclair says the technology is user and environmentally friendly. “The non-stick qualities of the coating prevent it from absorbing even marks such as pen, crayon and permanent marker,” he explains.

This makes the products ideal for hospitals, schools, day care centres and other high traffic areas where quick and easy cleaning is a priority.


News & Views

Graffitex also manufactures a range of water soluble sprays specifically designed to remove marks like these, along with daily dirt and grime, from the surface of the coat-ings simply by wiping them away. Even extreme graffiti can be removed using a heavy duty cleaning gel known as “Wipe Out”.

The coatings are weather resistant, come in a range of colours or as a transparent coating that can be applied to existing painted surfaces and are comparable in price to conventional products.

Graffitex, Simon Beauclair, Tel/Fax: 021 712 9225, 082 733 5400, Email: [email protected], www.graffitex.co.za

Even pen, crayon and permanent marker can be simply wiped off Graffitex coatings with no damage and a minimum of effort

UnsurprisingNedbank Corporate Property Finance has funded the R265-million second phase of the Upper Eastside mixed use development in Woodstock, Cape Town. The 50/50 joint venture between Redefine Property Holdings Ltd and Swish Property Group features commercial, residential and retail space, as well as the area’s first luxury hotel, the Upper Eastside Hotel and Conference Centre.

According to Richard Thomas, regional executive of Ned-bank Corporate Property Finance Cape, the joint investors’ reputations were a leading factor in the bank’s decision to

fund the development. “While Redefine is a major player in the South African property loan stock industry, Giancarlo Lanfranchi, the owner of Swish Properties, is widely re-garded as an experienced property developer.”

The Upper Eastside development comprises three sec-tions – West, East and South blocks – consisting of 12 000 m² of commercial office space, 2 200 m² of retail and showroom space and a 183 bed roomed hotel and conference centre. The 250 apartments range from 28 m² bachelors apartments to 143 m² two bedroom penthouses and feature top class finishes.

The 800 m² art atrium and 280 seated outdoor amphitheatre are ideal venues for events such as musical and theatrical performances, launches and fashion shows.

Lanfranchi believes that the Upper Eastside is contribut-ing towards Cape Town’s inner-city rejuvenation, which is being led by a partnership involving the municipality, developers and businesses. “In an area with a traditionally vibrant and colourful past, we’re proud to help bring about its upliftment by encouraging the resurgence of residents who will bring with them a new wave of creativity and a much needed financial injection. By offering residents a completely self-contained commercial, retail and residen-tial experience, we are in line with global trends of mixed use facilities.”

Richard Thomas, Nedbank Corporate Property Finance Tel: 021 416 7100, Email: [email protected]


News & ViewsNew name, new designThe new Umfolozi Resort in the uMhlathuze Region in Empan-geni, KwaZulu-Natal is a modern celebration of Zulu culture and offers the residents and visitors to the uMhlathuze Region a new and unique variety of entertain-ment, hospitality and conferencing facilities.

“The resort retains its African identity and culture with a new, contemporary design theme in-corporated into all aspects of the resort from logo to room design.” says Mark Jakins, Peermont’s Chief Commercial and Market-ing Officer

The redevelopment of the resort includes a great deal of exciting new venues and facilities – including a hotel, convention centre, restaurants and an outdoor domed events venue and corporate or family action park for teambuilding and parties . Recently opened are the newly refurbished Salon Privé with 30 slot machines and three gaming tables (Roulette, Texas Hold ’em Poker and Blackjack) and the Umfolozi Casino smoking section. Guests have direct access to the

Tomorrow’s citiesThe world’s leading showcase for industrial technology is staged annually in Hannover, Germany. The next Hannover Messe will be held from 4 to 8 April 2011. Hannover Messe 2011 will feature a new display category focusing on innovations for urban infrastructure and cities: “Metro-politan Solutions”. “The sustained growth of cities all over the globe is placing increased pressure on the urban infrastructure. Numer-ous technologies already exist that can bring about significant improvements in the lives of city-dwellers”, says Dr. Wolfram von Fritsch, Chairman of the Board of Management at Deutsche Messe AG.

“In its role as the world’s most important platform for industrial innovations and technologies, Hannover Messe 2011 will present relevant solutions within the framework of a new, dedicated display category.”

Climate change, dwindling natural resources, population growth and urbanisation are posing an increasing chal-lenge to cities all over the world – above all, with regard to the energy, water, mobility and building infrastructure. According to the United Nations Organization, six billion people – two thirds of the world population – will be liv-ing in cities by the year 2050. The so-called megacities in Asia (ie, those with populations in excess of 10 million) will experience particularly strong growth.

Dr. Wolfram von Fritsch

new Salon Privé which is adjacent to the gaming floor, with exclusive parking for Privé guests. The main casino has a total of 267 slot machines and 12 tables in play with upgraded cashier booths and casino interiors.

Peermont Hotels Casinos Resorts, Julie van Wyk, Tel: (011) 928 1014, Email: [email protected]

In China, for example, it is expected that at least 60% of the population will live in cities by the year 2030. In Europe as well, urban modernisation and maintenance will play a crucially important role.

Metropolitan Solutions will be staged in Hall 8 at the show.

It will create an international platform where enterprises can demonstrate forward-looking models in the area of energy, water, mobility and building infrastructure. The exhibition will include various reference projects featuring (for example) smart power grids, large-scale charging net-works, energy-efficient building concepts, and innovative methods for drinking-water production.

Tanja Gerhardt, Tel: +49 511 89-31012, Email: [email protected], www.hannovermesse.de/pressservice

Highest rankingPPC has achieved the highest ranking broad-based black economic empowerment (“BBBEE”) status in the cement industry. Having climbed from a level 3 to a level 2 con-tributor, PPC customers are now able to claim 156% of their spend with the company towards their own empow-erment rating.

The second improvement in the company’s rating in one year; this achievement confirms PPC’s ongoing commitment to meaningful transformation in South Africa.


Individual illuminationDuring the spring of 2011, the Museum of Ancient Shipping of the Roman-Germanic Central Museum (RGZM) in Mainz will reopen following completion of extensive renovation and reconstruction work.

Photovoltaic modules manufactured by the Schott technol-ogy group will then

function as the roof of the former market hall that houses the museum. “Equipping the museum roof with modern solar technology is the first step in our offensive to make the RGZM a ̀ green museum,” explains Professor Dr. Falko Daim, general director of the Roman-Germanic Central Museum.

Electricity generation, heat insulation and less incidence of daylight were the key reasons for utilising Schott “Asi Thru” photovoltaic modules for the energy-saving roof renova-tion project. These modules consist of a glass plate that has been thinly coated with amorphous silicium. Sunlight releases electrons within this semiconductor layer. A sec-ond component, laminated glass, is used to stabilise the module. In future, the electricity produced will be fed into the electricity grid using inverter modules.

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Photovoltaic modules manufactured by Schott are now serv-ing as the roof of the Museum of Ancient Shipping of the Ro-man-Germanic Central Museum in Mainz. Following extensive renovation and reconstruction work, the museum will reopen its doors this year

These photovoltaic modules offer the additional benefit of reducing the thermal load of the building by functioning as a semitransparent glass roof. The Museum of Ancient Shipping can forego an air-conditioning system as the total energy transmission factor of the photovoltaic modules is only 12 percent. At the same time, the modules also reduce UV irradiation and thus protect the exhibits.

In the past, the old glass roof exposed the exhibition area to too much daylight and heat. The very low light trans-mission of the semitransparent modules of only about 10 percent produces subdued light with diffuse shadows in the interior of the museum. In future, this will enable exhibi-tion designers to draw attention to the exhibited items by using individual illumination.

Schott AG, Christine Fuhr, Tel: +49 (0)6131/66-4550, Fax: +49 (0)6131/66-4041, Email: [email protected], www.schott.com

Fewer injuriesThe Gordon Verhoef and Krause group of companies comprising Gordon Verhoef & Krause and GVK-Siya Zama, specialists in the construction, renovation, restoration and recycling of buildings, has recently been awarded Occu-pational Health and Safety Assessment Series (OHSAS) 18001:2007 certification. This certification means that companies in the group comply with the international oc-cupational health and safety management standard.

The group is one of only a few construction companies in South Africa to be registered as an OHSAS 18001 compli-ant company.

Group Health and Safety manager Pedro Gonçalves says, “We are thrilled about this certification as this promotes our aim of being the contractor of choice for our clients. Not only is it hugely important to our workforce, it also gives our clients peace of mind to know that in addition

Group CEO Richard Williams and health and safety manager Pedro Goncalves with the group’s OHSAS 180012007 certificate of registration

“I am proud to announce that our new level 2 rating is a number of years ahead of our original target date,” said Paul Stuiver, CEO of PPC. “At PPC, meeting all of the ob-jectives laid out in the department of trade and industries BEE codes of good practice is vital and we will continue to strive toward reaching the highest level.”

PPC already has a level 1 rating in the specific areas of equity ownership, enterprise development and socio-eco-nomic development.

PPC Cement, Nomzamo Basson, Tel: 011 386 9000, Fax: 011 386 9001, [email protected]


News & Views

Half the world averageAfriSam has cemented its position as Southern Africa’s most eco-friendly construction materials group with the launch of a range of environmentally responsible readymix concrete products to the greater Gauteng market.

These Eco Readymix products are application-branded, fit-for-purpose readymix concrete, which are specific to the needs of various construction requirements, including foundations, surface beds, suspended slabs, columns and retaining walls.

A significant feature of AfriSam’s Eco Readymix is that the product’s carbon footprint is roughly half the world aver-age. The reduction in the carbon dioxide emitted during the manufacturing of AfriSam’s Eco Readymix has been achieved through a significant capital investment into more environmentally-friendly production processes.

to complying with the laws of the land, we work to the highest international standards of Occupational Health and Safety practices.” The group’s Lost Time Injury Frequency Rate (LTFR) currently stands at 1.09, compared with the national industry standard of 4%.

Gordon Verhoef & Krause, Tel: 011 608 0313, www.gvk.co.za

All AfriSam products are put through rigorous tests in the company’s Research and Development laboratories

Aaamsa 2

Bohle 38

Epsasa Inside Back Cover

Firespec Systems 20

Kwikot 18, 22, 32

McCoy’s Glass 17

PG Bison Outside Back Cover

PG/Inso Aluminium 8

Pronto 28

Rimex 10

SA Sliding Door/Henderson 36

SafeQuip 16

Sonae Novobord Inside Front Cover

Trellidor/Trellicor 4, 30

WE Geysers Outside Front Cover

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“Since 2004, AfriSam has invested in excess of R1-billion in upgrading its operations with initiatives such as mini-mising the use of non-renewable resources such as coal; reducing dust emissions; improving energy efficiencies; and introducing technology that has increased the company’s ability to produce composite cements,” Mike McDonald, AfriSam cement product manager, says.

AfriSam has also successfully halved its readymix product carbon footprint by substituting clinker with alternative material such as slag and fly ash.

As well as reducing the carbon footprint, AfriSam has retained the high performance characteristics for which it is renowned in its new Eco Readymix range. It is also able to produce ultra-high performance Eco concretes with compressive strengths of 70 MPa.

Victor Bouguenon, Afrisam, Tel: 011 670 5520, www.afrisam.com

Holistic solutionWhile it is long recognised that insulation materials in the roof offer significant benefits in reducing the need for electrical energy for heating and cooling of homes, the other area of opportunity is the walling envelope where thermal mass, naturally inherent in clay brick masonry, has been scientifically proven to be a “must have” thermal performance property for “optimising” thermal comfort and for achieving lowest energy usage for heating and cooling when compared to high R-value lightweight wall-ing systems (ie, walling systems with inadequate levels of thermal mass).

Double skin clay brick walling with a face brick external skin underscores what might be considered the “perfect solution” for advancing sustainable housing here in South


News & Views

Talking sustainabilityHighly respected and world-renowned Australian architect, Peter Stutchbury, is to present a series of seminars around South Africa from 14 – 17 March 2011. The presentations will be aimed at professionals of the built environment and students.

Peter Stutchbury is the much published, award-winning principal architect of leading architectural firm, Peter Stutchbury Associates. He was winner of the 2008 Inter-national Iron and Steel Institute ‘Living Steel’ Competition for extreme climate housing in Cherepovets, Russia and held the 2008 Catedra Luis Barragán in Mexico, a Chair previously held by Glenn Murcutt

Peter is a founding director of the Architecture Foundation Australia and a founding member of the Australian Archi-tecture Association. He has been practicing independently since 1982 and Peter Stutchbury Associates has become a bespoke firm of architects with an innovative approach to design and sustainability.

“When considering the environmental impact of building materials, we need to take into account the function that is being fulfilled, the value that is being created, and the needs and aesthetics of particular applications”, says BlueScope Steel’s regional GM, Wayne Miller.

Andrew Slot, Yolande Mellet, BlueScope Steel, Tel: 021 442, www.bluescopesteel.co.za

Paradise settingTile Africa Contracts recently supplied tiles to Eden on the Bay, an upmarket residential development on Blouberg’s Big Bay beach front near Cape Town as well as Cappello restaurant, which forms part of this mixed-use development. Residential apartments, a shopping centre and restaurants make up this striking development where the architectural design imitates indigenous West Coast style with a subtle Mediterranean influence.

Developed by Asrin Property Developers and Mvelaprop, Eden on the Bay is a lively complex featuring luxury apart-ments with amazing views of Table Mountain and a number of top-class restaurants offering fantastic sea vistas. The apartments blend contemporary living with small-town comfort, charm and natural splendour.

Tile Africa Contracts supplied full-bodied 300x300mm black porcelain tiles with a slate look, called Famous Black. The tile was used for the balconies of the apartments and the walkway areas of the apartment section of the devel-opment, totalling 5000m². For Cappello restaurant, Tile Africa Contracts supplied 100 square metres of large-format 600x600mm Oasis Nova glazed porcelain tiles featuring a light natural colour with earthy tones that was used throughout the restaurant.

With a national network of representation through the 37 Tile Africa retail branches and the backing of sister companies Johnson Tiles and TAL Adhesives, Tile Africa Contracts is able to supply specialist products for com-mercial and industrial applications.

Tile Africa Contracts, Tel: 011 970 2124, www.tileafrica.co.za

Africa. That clay bricks are widely available throughout South Africa, and that clay brick construction adds to employment and skills development further compounds the weighting towards clay brick as a truly holistic solution for greater sustainability.

Corobrik (Pty) Ltd, Peter Kidger, Tel: 031 560 3233

At the Cappello restaurant, featured are the Oasis Nova glazed porcelain tiles


Separate climatesAssa Abloy Entrance Systems South Africa is the local supplier of the Besam range of door entrance systems. According to Andre Aiton Managing Di-rector Entrance Systems SA, this is undoubtedly the best entrance solution for the efficient flow of people and luggage through the main entrance of the Radisson Hotel in Mozambique. “The large convenient compartment areas of the RD3 Besam revolving door easily accommodates the large numbers of people and luggage entering and leaving the premises and is an ideal solution for entrances with continuous, high-volume pedestrian traffic -– a prime requirement for a hotel of this magnitude and these high standards”.

In addition to delivering smooth movement of people and luggage, the Besam 3 Wing RD3 re-volving door offers some important added safety features and cost savings. Andre explains, “If, for example, an obstacle should prohibit the rotation of the door, rotation will automatically cease - one of the key safety factors in a revolving door of these dimensions. In the event of a faulty system, our professional technical teams are on standby to assist with rapid service support to prevent the embarrassment that malfunctioning doors could cause our customers.

“Add to this our cutting edge detection technology equip-ment which ensures that doors operate efficiently to contain and reduce airconditioning and electricity costs, and we have an end-to-end solution that combines the climate-control advantages of a revolving door with security and convenience.

Assa Abloy Entrance Systems South Africa (A subsidiary of ASSA Abloy), Tel: 011 761 5000, Fax: 086 665 0493, Andre Aiton (S.A.I.M.), Email: [email protected], www.assaabloy.co.za

Besam 3 Wing RD3 revolving door for Radisson Hotel in Mozambique

News & Views

Step in time …When the server room at the national passport pro-cessing database at KG6 Barracks in Harare was damaged by an electrical fire on New Year’s Eve, this could have been prevented. If Fire De Tec had been used, many lost work days would have been saved and the Registrar General’s office in Zimbabwe could have resumed the issue of new passports a lot earlier than it did ten days later.

Fire De Tec is both a detection and suppression system in one. Plastic tubing delivers fire retardant directly to the heat source and protects server rooms from fire caused by electrical faults or equipment that overheats.

A group of veteran fire equipment design engineers in the USA developed a system that is fool-proof, cost effective and stops fires almost as soon as they start. These experienced people recognised the value in Fire de Tec fitted to an electrical encloshure

creating fire suppression systems for micro-environments. Their concept was simply to provide supplementary pro-tection that puts out the fire quickly within the protected space before larger rooms or building systems need to be activated.

Rovic International’s subsidiary, SafeQuip, SA’s leading fire equipment supplier, sells Fire De Tec. It is a simple design that can be installed by qualified service technicians in a short space of time and can be matched with any fire suppression agent such as foam, dry chemical, carbon dioxide or argon gas. This ensures that there is no damage to valuable computer equipment by powder residue.

Fire De Tec system, SafeQuip, Tel: 086 000 (FIRE) www.safequip.co.za


All is wellPan Mixers South Africa’s (PMSA) Fiori self-loading concrete mixer has come under fire in recent media re-ports, which claim that the on-board electronic weighing system is prone to technical problems, owing to the fact that the sensitive equipment is not built to withstand the harsh South African climate and terrain.

Responding to these claims PMSA director Walter Ebeling points out that PMSA has sold several Fiori self-loading mixers over the past few months, and the company has not had any complaints about the weighing system.

He notes one example of two Fiori mixers, which have stood up to the elements in the Thohoyandou region of the Limpopo province, where they are being used as part of a rural infrastructure development programme.

What’s more, Walter explains that Fiori’s advanced weighing system has pressure sensors in the hydraulics system for weigh-ing, which makes it more robust and accurate. “Fiori is the top-of-the-range mixer on the market, and enables users to produce the highest-quality concrete. Although the weighing system is an optional extra, it is highly-recom-mended in order to ensure that a top-quality end-product is produced every time.”

“The Fiori self-loading mixer is the ideal way of bringing quality control to green field and rural sites. Advanced technology developed by Fiori enables the mixer not only to weigh the raw materials, but also to calculate whether the material is mixed, and the slump value required – making it the only self-loading mixer in the world capable of producing world-class, CE quality concrete,” says Ebeling.

PMSA, Michael Dorner, Tel: 086 100 7672, Email: [email protected], Web: www.pmsa.com

News & Views

New inroadsMcCoy’s Glass is the biggest independent glass company in South Africa. The company has gone from strength to strength in the last 14 years, successfully servicing South Africa from six warehouses situated around the country. Their success can be directly attributed to the fact that they are constantly looking for new ways to become the best that the glass Industry has to offer, with unparalleled service, delivery and world class products.

As leaders in glass, McCoy’s is known as an innovator

setting new standards and making new inroads, such as the new McCoy’s Glass website, which allows suppliers to order glass online. This is an industry first. McCoy’s has many industry “firsts” on their list, from bringing you “Glass News Online” (an industry newsletter written by McCoy’s), to publishing “The Glass Guide”, which is considered the handbook of the South African glass industry.

By investing in world class glass software, glass cutting, processing and manufacturing technology, McCoy’s Glass is at the forefront. They supply stock sheets and cut to size in the shortest of lead times and possess the latest laminated glass manufacturing equipment. From processed glass to bullet resistant glass toughened laminates to double-glazed units – McCoy’s supplies widely from its recently opened branches in Bloemfontein, Nelspruit & Cape Town, which complement the existing branches in Johannesburg, Durban and Port Elizabeth

Martin Volker, McCoys Glass, Tel: 0860 55 22 22, www.mccoys-glass.co.za

6.38mm McLam Clear PVB, Mutual and Federal, HB Interiors

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