WALLS & ROOFS in Africa JNL 3'10

VOL 11.3 MARCH 2010 R38 incl. VAT

Aluminium solutions for large scale projects Back to masonry basics Non-stain sealing technologies

IN THIS ISSUE: Tile trends from Revestir 2010 When sun control is only an afterthought

Cover stories

Volume 11 Number 3 2010

052 Architectural aluminium 064Getting back to the basics 072 Building projects

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Green DesignEco-friendly retrofit for Melbourne020TilesTrends seen in Brazil

Marbleous garden

Tiles, mosaic items and clay brick

Marmomacc meets design

Concepts & VisionsThe architecture of change018

Intelligent foam

Innovative solar roofing shingles

Striving for colour

024036039

Architectural AluminiumVersatility and sustainability

Large-scale façade design

Gaborone’s world-class airport facility

052058

Masonry SystemsMasonry: Getting back to the basics

Air-purifying pavers in South Africa

Upgrading informal settlements

Recycling rubble for new bricks

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ArchitectivesSoccer City

Electricity hikes

080086

024 Tiles06 Rigitone gets ceilings right

Mechanisms

Shading and sun control solutions050046

Shading & Sun Control

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Tech SavvySacred building project

Curved roofing features

Thermal and acoustic insulation

100 years serving the construction industry

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Green Design

02 WA L L S & R O O F S Number 3, 2010

WALLS & RoofS focusses on the aesthetics of walls and roofs and technicalities pertaining to the aesthetics. Readers are

welcome to contact us for any information. WALLS & RoofS is published six weekly by Media in Africa (Pty) Ltd. The views

expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the editor or publisher. We accept no responsibility for the accuracy of

information published.

publisher:Media in Africa (Pty) Ltdwww.mediainafrica.co.za

ContaCt information: Tel (012) 347 7530fax (012) 347 7523

International: Tel +27 12 347 7530fax +27 12 347 7523

E-mail [email protected] Box 25260, Monument Park, 0105

Republic of South Africafirst floor, Unit G

Castle Walk Corporate ParkCnr Nossob & Swakop Streets

Erasmuskloof Ext. 3

the Walls & roofs team:Editor: Marlene van Rooyen – 083 327 3746

Key Accounts Consultant: Shayne Lessing – 082 549 8226

founder: Schalk Burger (1943 – 2006)Journalist: Adrienne Brookbanks – 082 468 4566

Business Unit Coordinator: Lorraine CoetzeePublishing Manager: Liezel van der Merwe

financial Director: fanie Venterfinancial Manager: Sietske Rossouw

Accountant: Denise BakkerDesign and Layout: Ilze Pohl

Proofreader: Angus ReedReproduction & Printing: Business Print Centre

Tiles – artists come alive in Brazil!The recent tile show, Revestir, held in São Paulo, Brazil, brought about some wonderfully beautiful tiles. Designed by artists from around the globe including Ronald van der Hilst from Holland and Marcello Chiarenza fom Italy, these tiles were reminiscent of paintings and they actually transported me to “a happy place”, so to speak. So often lately the trend has been to neutral colours, muted trends, more texture, layering in tones, all of which I adore and truly believe has a distinct place in design and architecture. However, I found the sweeping strokes of the artists brush, the painstaking penmanship and detail of some of these tiles by Ceramica Bardelli, simply gorgeous. Their uniqueness and individuality resound in a world where imitation and repetition abounds. See more on Revestir from page 24 and indulge in the unique artists work from page 34.

1st Class produCts, World Class projeCtsWith this issue, once again, I have been exposed to unique projects and world class products. In this issue we feature the new international airport at Gaborone, Sir Seretse Khama, the Church of St Evangelist in Croatia and technical repair projects in mines. In every issue we bring you the latest projects, products and technological developments. You will also enjoy the article on Lars Spuybroek’s Liquid Architecture, based on a presentation he gave in Brazil recently.

earth hour 2010: shoWing our CommitmentTo those of you who took part in this world wide initiative, here are some statistics from Earth Hour 2010:

74,6 million mentions on Google in 24 hours •All 50 US states joined the initiative •Number 1 worldwide trending topic on Twitter for most of the 24 hours, •

which never fell below position 7 (at its peak 2,2 % of all tweets were Earth Hour related)

Morethan1000officialEarthHourphotosweresubmitted • across the globe.

thanK YouWerecentlyclosedoffourbooksforthefinancialyear.Toalltheadvertisers,contributors, clients and our team that makes the publishing of this magazine possible, THANK YoU. Walls&Roofs has been growing very healthily every year, despite the construction slowdown and recession. I look forward to another wonderful year of growing our clients’ businesses and being an invaluablepartofyourspecificationarm.

find out about a new Belgian-designed curtain wall facade and roof system taht is used to create continuous glass facades for large scale projects. This system was created by Reynaers Aluminium and it is distributed in South Africa by Wispeco Aluminium. It is able to carry bigger glass panesovermultiplefloorsasasinglestructure,findoutmoreonpage 58

on the cover!VOL 11.3 MARCH 2010 R38 incl. VAT

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Aluminium solutions for large scale projects Back to masonry basics Non-stain sealing technologies

IN THIS ISSUE: Tile trends from Revestir 2010 When sun control is only an afterthought

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Basotect is made from a material called melamine resin, which is a very hard type of plastic. Researchers at BASf have managed to fabricate a foamfrommelamineresinthatislightandflexible,eventhoughthesourcematerial is extremely brittle.

“Basotect has an incredibly wide range of applications. The researchers have done an amazing job here,” says Dr. Christof Möck, Head of Global Business Management at Basotect during a podcast on the company’s website (www.basf.com). “Thanks to Basotect’s versatility, it can be used in the simplest and the most complex applications.”

Möck explains that the material from which the foam is produced is unique.“Melamineresinisoneofthehardestplasticsbutyoucanfinditinnormal household applications, such as a countertop in your kitchen. one of Basotect’s most important properties is its ability to absorb sound waves effectively,” says Möck.

Basotect is used in noisy factory buildings, the construction and housing industry, sound studios as well as sound insulation in the automotive industry.“ThereasonwhyBasotectoffersgreatsoundproofingisthatitismade from open-cell foam,” says Möck before explaining that one can get a good idea of how open-cell foam technology works if one thinks of it in the same way as bubbles in a bubble bath.

“Think of bubble bath foam where the bubbles are right beside each other.

Imagine the soap bubbles have burst and all that’s left is the connecting strands between them – this is what open-cell foam is like. With open-cell foam, there are lots of open channels which are linked to each other and when acoustic energy hits the foam, it gets absorbed into these channels,” says Möck.

“These strands which connect open cells with each other are also what cause Basotect to be such a good cleaning sponge. When these thin strands break they are as sharp as razor blades so it is really effective when cleaning hard surfaces, but you would not use it to clean your car, for example.”

According to Möck, Basotect is the best option if you need to combine many of the product’s features for one application. “We can derive so many applicationsfromBasotect.Itisflame-retardant,providesheatandcoldinsulation, it’s solvent-resistant and extremely light – so when you need many of these performance qualities at the same time, you should be using Basotect,” concludes Möck.

BASF Holdings South Africa (Pty) Ltd. Tel: 011 203 2422 Fax 011 203 2430 E-mail: [email protected]: www.basf.co.za

Basotect, an intelligent foam from BASf Chemical

Company, can be used in simple as well as technically

demanding applications thanks to its versatility. Some

of these applications include sound absorption in sound

studios, thermal and sound insulation in the aerospace

industry as well as cleaning hard serfaces.

Intelligent foam for

simple and technical

applications

Basotectoffersgreatsoundproofingbecauseitismade from a unique open cell foam.

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Number 2, 2010 WA L L S & R O O F S 05

Rigitone gets ceilings right

Until now, creating the perfect acoustic ceiling has only been possible with a grid

solution – an effective one, but one that compromises on aesthetics in a high-

performance upmarket environment. Saint-Gobain Gyproc has revolutionised the

South African ceiling market by importing Rigitone, a range of acoustic ceiling boards

that are installed with an invisible jointless system.

The Rigitone boards, which are imported from Germany, give architects, interior designers and developers the means to create a visually pleasing ceiling for noisy environments such as conference centres, shopping malls, and high-impact sporting environments. The boards feature staggered perforations of different sizes that boost theirnoise-reductionefficiencywhileadding visual interest.

While grid systems for ceilings eliminate the possibility of visually pleasing curved ceilings, the Rigitoneboardscanbefittedtoavaultedcavitywith a minimum radius of 5 000 mm.

The boards are supplied with a specially designed acoustic black tissue that works with the perforations in the board to provide high sound absorption performance. This structure means that the ceiling boards can be maintained and painted with a mohair roller in the same that any other ceiling would be, without compromising its noise-reduction effectiveness. Architects and interior designers can now offer a wide range of aesthetic options and colour schemes (affected by painting) for the ceilings that they design, which is particularly important in environments where corporate colours and branding are an intrinsic part of the building.

Rigitone 12-20/66 features regular staggered perforations of 12 mm and 20 mm, and is 12,5 mm thick. The board is supplied in sheets of 1 980 mm x 1 188 mm, and weighs 9,5 kg / m2. Itoffersanoise-reductionco-efficient(NRC)of 0,90 at a plenum depth of 200 mm, with the addition of glass wool insulation.

Rigitone 8-15-20 SUPER is also 12,5 mm thick, and offers staggered perforations of 8 mm, 15 mm and 20 mm. It weighs 10 kg / m2 and is supplied in sheets of 1 960 mm x 1 200 mm. It offersanoise-reductionco-efficient(NRC)of0,70at a plenum depth of 200 mm, with the addition of glass wool insulation. This board is particularly suited to extreme noise environments like indoor sports arenas.

The boards achieve a substantially better sound absorptionco-efficientbyincreasingthedistancebetweentheceilingandthesoffit.BothboardsofferafireratingofClass0/EuroclassB,owingto the unique behaviour of the non-combustible gypsum core.

Careful consideration should be given when specifying Rigitone in particularly humid environments, as excessive moisture could impact on its performance.

for more information about rigitone acoustic ceiling products, contact gyproc on 086 027 2829.

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The DoW Powerhouse Solar Shingle system consists of revolutionary photovoltaicsolarpanelsintheformofroofingshinglesthatcanbeintegrated into roofs with standard asphalt shingle materials, harnessing the power of the sun to offset a portion of a home’s energy usage. It was named one of the 50 Best Inventions of 2009 by Time magazine.

“This successful development is further proof of Dow’s commitment to contributing solutions to world challenges. This is a product which resonates with the needs of developing countries like our own, South Africa, that face the challenges of reducing their dependency on the generation of coal-basedelectricitywithoutsacrificingtheirgoalsforsustainabledevelopment,”says Sazi Lutseke, managing director of Dow Southern Africa.

The innovative product design reduces installation costs because the conventionalroofingshinglesandsolargeneratingshinglesareinstalledsimultaneouslybyroofingcontractors,andDowSolarSolutions(DSS)expectsanenthusiasticresponsefromroofingcontractorssincenospecialised skills or knowledge of solar array installations are required.

Jane Palmieri, managing director of Dow Solar Solutions, noted that this technology addresses two of the biggest challenges associated with solarpower–costandacceptance.“Consumersreapthebenefitsofourinnovation. This is about providing roof protection and electricity generation all from one product, with lower costs, improved aesthetics, easier installation and long-lasting performance,” she said.

“This is one-of-a-kind technology that helps remove the obstacles towidespreadadoptionofsolarroofing,”saysPalmieri.“Thesystemintentionally mimics asphalt shingles in appearance, form and function, making it compatible with both new and existing residential roofs.”

“There’s no on-roof wiring, minimal through-roof penetrations and no need foranelectriciantobepresentduringinstallationoftheshingles.Aqualifiedbuilderorroofingcontractorcandotheinstallationandtheelectricalconnections can be made later.”Theseshinglesareinstalledflatagainsttheroofdeck–unliketraditional

frame-mounted photovoltaic (PV) panels which are installed above the deck. “Theyarethefirst-evermass-marketbuildingintegratedphotovoltaic(BIPV)shingles that seamlessly blend with residential asphalt rooftops while also providing the roofs with protection where they replace the asphalt shingles,” says Palmieiri.

While the majority of solar technology today is built around silicon-based solar cells, Dow’s technology uses a much more cost-effective and durable

photovoltaic material called CIGS (Copper Indium Gallium diSelenide). Thisisanewtechnologythatismakingrapidgainsinenergyefficiencywhileenablingsolarpowergenerationfromthinner,moreflexiblematerials.

for the DoW Powerhouse Solar Shingle, CIGS-based PV cells are incorporated into the product by over-moulding them with a proprietary Dow polymer formulation, resulting in a unique product design that has similar reveal, weight, and installation practices as an asphalt shingle and also generates electricity. Electrical circuitry is integrated into each shingle and the shingles are connected by wireless plug-style connectors.

“The beauty of this system is that it can be installed in about half the time it takes to install traditional solar panels,” remarked David Parrillo, senior R&D director for Dow Solar Solutions. “The fact that no electrical tradesmenareneededduringtheroofinstallationisanothersignificantadvantage to contractors.”

In March this year, The Dow Chemical Company received a MEGA Job Creation Tax Credit from the Michigan Economic Growth Authority (MEGA), whichincludesincentivesfortheprovisionofasiteinMichiganforthefirstfull-scale production facility for the Dow Powerhouse Solar Shingle, subject tolocalstateandfederalfundingbeingfinalised.

More information about Dow Solar Solutions can be found at www.dowsolarsolutions.com

Innovative solar roofing shingles

Thisrevolutionaryphotovoltaicsolarpanelsystemconsistsofroofingshinglesthatcan be integrated into roofs with standard asphalt shingle materials.

Installationcostsarereducedbecausetheconventionalroofingshinglesandsolargeneratingshinglesareinstalledsimultaneouslybyroofingcontractors.

Tech Savvy


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Roller shutter manufacturer Roll-Up Serranda fabricates both functional and top-end galvanised steel and aluminium ‘curtains’ for a variety of applications. from the solid-door screening for despatch areas to attractive patterned roller shutters that allow air to circulate freely and those that are a striking combination of punched vents with safety glass for high visibility, this roller shutter manufacturer has done it all.Custom-made,professionallyfittedrollershutterscanservethree

purposes in one simple solution: present a visually pleasing façade to buildings; provide reliable physical security; and integrate with an electronic alarm system for both safety and security purposes.

steadfast seCuritYIn recent years, the security feature of roller shutters has moved to the top ofthepriorityandfunctionalitylist.Professionallyfitted,made-to-measurerollershuttersaredifficulttomoveonceclosed.Theyarehard-wearingandweather-resistant, making them safe to use on external openings such as a home’s veranda, a retail outlet in a shopping centre or a delivery hatch or workshop entrance.

easY automationIfautomationispartofthespecification,rollershutterscanbeelectricallyoperated using a remote control. This allows one to open or close these security doors from inside the house or place of business, as opposed to going outside to do this manually and possibly being exposed to criminal attack or the elements.

Roller shutters can also be linked to an alarm system, which can be set so that, if the burglar alarm is activated, the roller shutters automatically close or,ifthefirealarmgoesoff,therollershuttersopen,forexample.

interesting faCts about roller shuttersseal off customised rooms: • Roll-Up Serranda’s specialised roller

shutters can be used to seal off custom-designed rooms used to house assets such as art or wine collections, rare or sensitive documents, or people under threat.

Protectionagainstgasandfire:• These doors can also protect occupantsagainstnoxiousgasleaks,petrolbombattacksandfire.

popular for domestic applications: • Roller shutters are being used more frequently in domestic settings, requested by homeowners under siege from criminals.

optimise space: • one of their major attractions is that they don’t require wallorfloorspaceastheyrollupontheirownguides,soareidealfor areas where space is at a premium.

long-term solutions: • Their component design ensures that they run smoothly and quietly and don’t require any greasing of parts, leading to long-term cost savings.

Roll-Up SerrandaTel: 011 494 5809Email: [email protected]: www.rollup.co.za

Eye-catching curtains solve several

design requirements

roll-up serranda roller shuttersNo unsightly or dangerous bottom tracks•Customised T-bar at the bottom of the roller shutter •Powder-coated in-house in corporate colours•Recessed and invisible when open•Require little maintenance•

Roller shutters at McDonald’s, Bridge City, Durban. These roller shutters ensure good ventilation, security and high visibility.

Spur at Bridge City, Durban. Roller shutters can be designed to blend discretely into the façade of the retail outlet.

Super Spar at Bridge City, Durban. Automated roller shutters open effortlessly at the touchofabuttonandcanbelinkedtosecurityandfirealarms.

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The conscious handling of colour in the early stage of any creative process is necessary for the colour to be perceived as an integrated part of the whole. Colour interacts with form, scale and material to complete the architectural or design experience. “An analytical, pragmatic and emotional attitude to colour is key when striving towards colour-attuned architecture,” says Lisa Taylor, corporate colour consultant and colour specialist at NCS Colour Centre SA.

According to Taylor, it is essential for designers or colourists to create a good colour environment for their work by thinking in colour, to view colour as only one of the appearance factors in what they are trying to achieve, and to use colour as a means of attaining goals. “Choosing colours for a building is an intricate process which requires both inspiration and knowledge and there are many questions which the creative person must ask,” says Taylor.

Visions, ideas and Values How does the colourist get her vision? What ideas and values control the work? How are ideas about the appearance of surroundings documented and what position should a designer adopt towards the unknown and towardshowhumansarementallyinfluencedbycolour?“NCSisaspecificnotationsystemwhichensuresthatasamplecolour

created in Germany or Japan will be identical. With NCS it is easy to use intuitionandkeepthecolourdesignprocessscientific,”explainsTaylor.

matChing Colours With notation sYstemsThe background colour in the Richmond fabric in the photograph is described as S2030-Y20R (a mustard yellow), meaning that it has 20% blackness, 30% chromaticness and a hue of 80% towards yellow and only 20% towards red. “If you had to match the colour background to a paint swatch you would get a straight yellow but what NCS offers is both the inherent and perceived colours – the colour you would have chosen after long deliberation and endless paint swatches,” says Taylor. “In other words, we could choose different levels of detail for our vision and establish that the

lawn as a whole does not have the same colour as a single blade of grass.”“Now by using the notation S2030-Y20R, we know that everything on Y20R will be harmonious and so any of the 63 colours on the hue will work very well. NCS can help the colourist or designer easily achieve an array of complementary colours in her design with the help of the complementary scheme, the monochromatic scheme and the analogous scheme and this is only a small portion of what is available,” explains Taylor.

hoW nCs ensures ConsistenCY of Colour:With the 1 950 NCS sample colours you have the ability to create 4 000 million different colour combinations with a simple four-colour combination.Thescientificapproachenhancesthecreativeprocess and instinctive selection can be compared against the rules and categories of the NCS system.

ComplementarY sCheme:The NCS system is based on the Herings opponent theory which states that if you look at a colour long enough and then look away you will see its complement.

“Choose any direct opposites on the NCS colour circle. We know that the complement of yellow is blue and the complement of red is green but NCS takes it one step further by stating exactly what colour is meant by saying Y20R is the complement of B20G,” says Taylor.

monoChromatiC sCheme:Using any one hue with its nuance will give one a monochromatic scheme and so Y50R with any of the nuances which are blackness and chromaticness will achieve this.

analogous sCheme:An analogous scheme can be achieved by using any three hues or nuances on the NCS Colour space, for example R80B, R70B and R60B. “To consider that the relationship between colour and architecture is a result of an intentional will to create, it is necessary for the colours and shapes to have some kind of relationship with each other. Colour reinforces shape and can be made sub-ordinate to the shape expression. So to create a harmonious room experience it is often a question of balancing uniformity and variation,” concludes Taylor.

NCS Colour Centre SATel: 011 486 3190E-mail: [email protected]: www.ncscolour.co.za

Striving for colour – attuned architecture

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Foskor’sphosphateminewasfirstestablished55yearsagotoreduceSouth Africa’s dependence on imported phosphate rock, a vital raw material used in fertilizer for the agricultural industry. Situated in Phalabhorwa, Limpopo Province, this mine produces a large percentage of fertilizer ingredients for the South African agricultural sector as well as for the export market.Littleornomaintenancehadbeencarriedoutonthemineinthefirstfew

decades of its existence, leading to critical repairs which were undertaken in 2006, and in 2009 moderate repairs were carried out. VGC Consulting Engineers (now Ilifa Africa Engineers) and Ilanga Construction were initially brought on board to repair and rehabilitate the concrete structures of the mine, which amounted to a total of around 150 m³.

Being located in the Limpopo Province – which is subject to extreme temperatures of around 400C, combined with an aggressive environment, wet conditions, local aggregate, and lack of cover – the project was particularly challenging for the contractors.

produCts used at the mineApproximately 500 kg of SikaTop Armatec 110 Epocem was used as a bonding agent and anti-corrosion coating as it is suitable for bonding new concrete to old (wet to dry). Due to the product’s good adhesion qualities and its ability to act as a barrier against

penetration of water and chlorides, SikaTop Armatec 110 Epocem proved to be ideal for this project.

5 m³ of one component, a cement-based multi-purpose patching and repairmortarknownasSikaRepLW,wasalsousedforsmallerre-profilingof repairs such as deteriorated concrete and mortar on walls. This product has excellent adhesion and can be used on exterior or interior, horizontal or vertical surfaces and provides a compatible surface for the application of otherSikacoatingsandfinishes.Approximately100m³ofSikaCrete214wasspecifiedforlonger-scale

shuttering and repairing as it is ideal for casting sections or members where the volumes required are too large for conventional grouts, and too small and inaccessible for normal concreting procedures.

4 000 kg of SikaTop-Seal 107 was applied to all the necessary concrete surfacesasaprotectivewaterproofcoating.Thiswaterproofinganddamp-proofingcementitiousslurrycomprisesaliquidpolymerandcement-basedmix incorporating special admixtures and is easily applicable by brush or trowel or can be sprayed on.

Sika South AfricaTel: 031 792 6500Email: [email protected]: www.sika.co.za

and rehabilitation at Foskor MineFoskor’sphosphateminehasreceivedamakeoverofitswallsandslabsoftheproductionarea,filters,flotation,

mills, extension 8, tailings and mining. A range of Sika products and systems was used for this repair and rehabilitation project.

Concrete repairSolutions for repairing and rehabilitating concrete structures at a Limpopo mine.

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016 WA L L S & R O O F S Number 3, 2010 Number 3, 2010 WA L L S & R O O F S 016

Now in its ninth year, Rooms on View, South Africa’s premier décor show, is back in 2010. The exhibition will be held from 27-30 May at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg, sponsored once again by one of South Africa’s leading fabric houses, Home fabrics, and top décor magazine Conde Nast House & Garden. Rooms on View is a world-class event and it embraces not only decorators and lifestyle merchants but the best new names to watch in the

future, and gives visitors an opportunity to view the individual signatures of its diverse and carefully selected exhibitors. Each exhibitor has to create a room setting in its entirety. This approach gives the visitors to the show an idea of what is possible in their homes, what the latest trends are, what products are out there and how they can be incorporated into their homes and lifestyles.

“South Africa has a growing and diverse pool of design talent and Rooms on View brings the best of this talent under one roof,” says Sumari Krige, managing director of Rooms on View. “South African design and décor has been recognised by the rest of the world and we are getting more and moreexposureontheinternationalstage.2010isdefinitelySouthAfrica’syear and what better way to celebrate this than at Rooms on View, just two weeks before the World Cup.”

Guest of Honour for 2010 is American designer Vicente Wolf who has beentopofhisindustryforover30years.Fromthespaciouslight-filledloftin New York City where his company is headquartered, Wolf and his team build on his passion for design that is guided by integrity and simplicity. He maintains this focus throughout his many creative endeavours: photography, art collection, interior design and global travel.

Wolf’s portfolio offers a snapshot of the ultimate American aesthetic, from multinational conglomerates to private homes, from hotels to restaurants, and his list of residential interiors is equally expansive, including homes in the United States, france, Israel, Japan, Saudi Arabia and Sweden.

The must-attend event is the very exciting Guest of Honour Workshop at

Rooms on View on friday 29th May from 10h00 – 12h00. Participants will be taken through an amazing slide presentation of Vicente’s work, the latest trends in décor and design in America and insight into the world of Vicente Wolf.

Anyone interested in knowing more about this exciting exhibition should visit the website www.roomsonview.co.za

Rooms on View 2010 – a great Décor and Design

exhibition

Dining room by Vicente Wolf showing the style you can expect at Rooms on View 2010.

Bedroom by Vicente Wolf - top American designer.

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Concepts & Vis ions


“Variation is a topic normally understood better in biology, like Darwin’s ideas about evolution. I use the word for a whole range of options in architecture and it basically means using the computer to generate or create forms, but you need a type of system to produce these variations.”

“If you look at the oblique WTC building in New York, you will see that the thin towers which make the whole building a type of system can be arrangedinanyotherconfigurationaslongastheynetworkintoasinglestructure.” The WTC was exhibited in the American Pavilion of the Venice Biennale in 2002.

The design of the WTC in New York, USA, started in 2001 with the client, Max Protetch, requesting that a selection of international architects rethink the idea of a skyscraper in New York. The WTC consists of a complex set of diagonal towers that lean into each other in order to form a single networked system. This system allows the sunlight to penetrate between the towers andreachthestreetlevel,interconnectingofficespaceswithpublicspacessuch as galleries and cinemas. The WTC’s design was widely published and isviewedasasignificantinnovationofskyscrapertypology.

a sYstem of peaKs“The ECB (European Central Bank) is also a type of networked system, but

it is a system of peaks – like a mountain,” says Spuybroek. “Like the WTC, you can again make many design variations in the system by changing the heights and shapes.”TheEuropeanCentralBankinFrankfurt,Germany,isanofficetowerthat

covers 200 000 m2offloorarea.Theprojectconsistsofavastprogramofofficesandmulti-functionalspacesandthedesignstrategythatSpuybroekused extends a large, existing structure called the “Grossmarkthalle” into a range of complex towers.

The structural skin of the European Central Bank consists of a steel honeycombwebfilledwithlargeglasspanelsontheouterskin. A second glass skin on the interior allows the building to be ventilated naturally. from a distance, the European Central Bank looks like a metal range of mountains. The design methodology groups all the different typologies into a single range, leading it to result in an expression of wholeness and pluriformity.

liquid arChiteCtureSpuybroek is the director of NoX architecture studio where he practises as both designer and architect in Rotterdam, Netherlands. Spuybroek started to receive international recognition for “The Water Pavilion”, which is seen

Lars Spuybroek, one of the world’s most famous architects renowned for his innovative designs,

theories and technological methods, recently gave a presentation at Revestir 2010 in São Paulo, Brazil,

entitled The Architecture of Change. “The lecture I gave at Revestir is about variation and architecture, applied all

the way between structural solutions to skin solutions,” says Spuybroek.

The architecture of change

Concepts & Vis ions


asoneofthefirstbuildingstofullyincorporatenewmedia.During the presentation, Spuybroek also spoke about The Water Pavilion

and Liquid Architecture. “Liquid Architecture is a term I use only for the Htwooexpo’s Water Pavilion which was built during 1994 – 1997,” says Spuybroek.

This Water Pavilion is an interactive museum on Neeltje Jans Island, Netherlands, for the Delta Expo, Ministry of Transport and Waterworks. AccordingtoSpuybroek,theWaterPavilionwasthefirstofitskindtocombine an innovative interactive interior involving all the senses with a continuous geometry.

The Water Pavilion covers 1 050 m2 floorareaandthedesignhasreceivedhighinternationalacclaimduetotheflowingtransformationoffloorsintowalls and walls into ceilings. The inbuilt exhibition is based on existing watertechnologiessuchasthesprayingofmist,artificialrainfall,freezingof a wall and innovative real-time electronic interactions. There are sensors throughout the building that allows visitors to change the sound, projections and light, completely altering the atmosphere of the interior.

refuse to taKe shortCutsIn his book, The Architecture of Continuity, Spuybroek asks what will happen to architecture if architects do not embrace digital technologies and insist on taking shortcuts when it comes to architecture.

“Some who have written off digital architecture have probably mistaken it for yet another style in the ever-widening estuary of multiplying and branching languages we were so used to in post-war western architecture. Meanwhile, digital architecture has been getting an education; it has slowly learned to “architecturalise” its tools but it has also refused to associate itself with(oras)agroup,indicatingitswiderscopeanddeepersignificance.”“Thedigitalturnhasprovedamuchlargeronethanwethoughtatfirst,

mainly because it involves a much deeper, more encompassing change at all levels of architecture: its experience, its methodologies, its history, its structure, its fabrication process, its aesthetics, its clients, its critics, its teachers, everything. I don’t think singling out one or two components allows ustosufficientlygraspitscomplexity.NordoIthinkwedoitjusticebyapplying it only to form, or structure, or decoration.”

“We should resist easy solutions and refuse to take shortcuts. I think digitisation is as inevitable as the Renaissance was after the tools of perspective, as modernism was after movies and trains, as postmodernism was after cars and television – but we must theorise digitisation at the most fundamental levels of architecture, at the levels where we can start to repair the rift between the materiality of tectonic structure and the sensuousness of human experience,” writes Spuybroek.

For more information, visit www.nox-art-architecture.com, to which full thanks and acknowledgement are given.

far left: The European Central Bank looks like a metal range of mountains. The design methodology groups all the different typologies into a single range, leading it to result in an expression of wholeness and pluriformity.

left: The oblique WTC’s design was widely published and it is viewedasasignificantinnovationof skyscraper typology.

below: The Water Pavilion in Neeltje Island, Netherlands, is an example of Liquid Architecture. The design has received high international acclaim duethefloorstransformingintowallsand walls transforming into ceilings.


“Buildings are responsible for 40% of all emissions, making them the single biggest emitter of carbon emissions,” Mike Taylor, Vice President of HoneywellBuildingSolutions.“Giventhesefigures,itcomesasnosurprisethat large urban areas with the densest and most mature building stock are among the biggest targets to reduce emissions of climate-changing greenhouse gases.”

The City of Melbourne has launched a comprehensive programme to makeitsbuildingsmoreenergyandwaterefficient.InMelbournealone,the commercial building sector contributes a startling 48% of the city’s total emissions, giving efforts to curb their output the potential to make a significantimpact.

In May 2007, President Clinton announced the creation of CCI’s Energy EfficiencyBuildingRetrofitProgrammeandMelbourne’sBuildingRetrofitProgramme is being carried out in partnership with the (CCI) and the C40 — a group of the world’s largest cities dedicated to tackling climate change.

“This programme brings together many of the world’s largest energy serviceandtechnologyfirms,financialinstitutionsandcitiesinalandmarkeffort to reduce energy consumption in existing buildings across the municipal, private, commercial, educational and public housing sectors. The initiative’s merging of governmental, environmental and business concernstoachieveamutuallybeneficialoutcomeonaninternationallevelis an unprecedented effort,” says Taylor.

melbourne’s zero net emissions goal has a 15 Year paYbaCKMelbourneisoneofthefirstC40citiestoinitiatearetrofitprogrammeand

the Melbourne Council has set a goal to reduce carbon emissions by at least 50%. This is against the backdrop of the City’s ambitious target to reach zero net emissions by 2020 through low carbon, renewable energy and other initiatives.

“The programme includes 13 buildings, will cost AU$2.4M to implement and will pay for itself, via the energy and water savings, in 15 years. The resulting savings are guaranteed by the energy services company (ESCo) — Honeywell, in this case,” says Taylor. “So if the project fails to perform as designed, the company will make up the difference to ensure the city carries no economic risk.”

The conservation measures of the programme include HVAC systems andbuildingcontrols,lightingretrofits,solarpoolheatingsystem, lowflowplumbingfixtures,rainwaterharvestingtechnologies and gas, water and electricity metering using a wide area network computer system. “Thiswillresultinnotonlymoreefficientbuildingsbutsignificant

infrastructure investments that will not adversely impact operating budgets or require additional ratepayer funding – a boon for the city, its residents and the environment,” concludes Taylor.

HoneywellTel: 011 695 8023Fax: 011 315 2199E-mail: [email protected]: www51.honeywell.com

Eco-friendly retrofit for Melbourne building

an example for all

Green Design

Green Design


The Temple College Campus, which is made up of residential, recreational and educational buildings spread over 114 acres, received a LLumar Energy Audit using U.S. Department of Energy DoE-2 analytics. JohnsonControlsspecifiedLLumarEnergySavingWindowFilmfor Temple College Campus’ energy-saving strategy because it would beabletosignificantlyreducesummersolarheatgainandwinterheat loss through these windows.

reduCing solar energY that passes through the glass bY 85%To maximise performance, LLumar E-1220 was selected. When installed onglass,thislow-emissivity(low-E)windowfilmreducessolarenergypassing through the glass by 85% and improves window-insulating properties by as much as 25%.TheTempleCollegewindowfilmproject,2787squaremetresinall,

was estimated to return annual energy savings of US$33 917 and the investment had a payback of approximately 3,6 years. The individual building return on investment on the campus varied from as low as 1,3 years to 8,6 years (for buildings with lower energy consumption). Actual results showed an impressive 193 KW summer peak demand saving and an annual saving of 410 000 kilowatt hours.LLumar,globalleadersinarchitecturalwindowfilm,havebeensaving

energy and providing window protection solutions for some of the world’s best-known buildings for decades. from the Vatican and Chrysler World Headquarters to Buckingham Palace, LLumar is able to supply the highest qualityofwindowfilmintheindustryandexceedexpectationsofeven the toughest customers.

LLumarTel: 011 321 8040Fax: 011 324 8045E-mail: [email protected]: www.llumar.co.za

Savings of 410 000 kWh

at Temple College Campus

solar Control film projeCt Building: Temple College Location: Temple, Texas (USA) film: E-1220 SR CDf (Silver) Type: Solar Control film

Low-emissivity(low-E)windowfilmreducessolarenergypassingthroughtheglassby 85% and improves window-insulating properties by as much as 25%.

Sharply increasing fuel costs and rising energy expenses at the Temple College Campus in Texas, USA,

caused the institution to retain the services of Johnson Controls Inc, a global Energy Services Company

(ESCO)forenergyefficiencysolutions.JohnsonControlsdeterminedthatnumerouslargeglasswindows

werecontributingsubstantiallytothecampus’overallenergyinefficiency.

Green Design


Trends seen in

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Brazil

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EXPo REVESTIR 2010 is one of the most important events in the ceramic tile industry. Lauro Andrade filho, REVESTIR’s Director, said the exhibition is a springboard for many companies in the coverings sector. “As the exhibition is Architecture and Construction fashion Week, EXPo REVESTIR draws the attention of all of the professionals and businessmen operating in this sector; they’ve got their eyes open for the latest in design and technology, colours, textures and formats. The thousands of products from nearly 185 exhibitors will set the tone for the sector during the year,” explains filho.

thin rules supremeone of the interesting new innovations in the tile industry was very thin tiles, ranging from as thin as 3,5 mm. Tiles by Eliane were available in exclusive large formats (up to 1 m x 3 m) and only 3,5 mm in thickness. Another exhibitor displayed large porcelain tiles (80 cm x 80 cm; 90 cm x 180 cm and 100 cm x 100 cm), showcasing a trend in porcelain tiles which gives widerspacesacleanerlookandanewwaytodesignwallsandfloors.

Unlimited design possibilitiesDigital printing in tiles has also come to revolutionise the aesthetics of porcelain tiles. A collection by Portinari showcased a range of new digital printing technologies that proved the advantages of having a high resolution image(HD),unlimitedvisualvariation(InfinityDesign)andprintsofhighandlow relief (3D) images.

mosaiCs and featuresEXPo REVESTIR also paid tribute to exciting developments in the textured mosaic sector. Cerâmica Antigua displayed its “faentino” mosaic line, which features pieces that are both recycled and hand-painted. INTI launched its“Verona”collectionlineofmosaics,whichincludedfloralmotifsthatwere created from a mixture of Travertino Romano Bruto (material and white glass with bubbles). The textured mosaics create an elegant array of textures in which every element can be seen, but most notably through the shineandsatincontrastintheglassfloralmotifs.Manyofthesemosaictilesare intended for internal and external walls, making them both decorative and highly functional.

artists’ palettesAnother popular trend at the exhibition was designer tiles such as those presented by Ceramica Bardelli. The entirely handmade decorated pieces were produced in different colour variants with self-coloured backgrounds and specialised, intricate drawings. All elements are hand-painted and variousopaquefinishes,decorativethemesandcreativedimensionsofthetiles drew a lot of attention.

Besides the individual tile ranges, companies and manufacturers also astounded crowds with their inspiring tile booths. from booths with touch-screen TVs, virtual catalogue displays of new collections, interactive showcases, pop-up displays to artistic stands designed by international architects, EXPo REVESTIR 2010 continued to amaze designers, architects, builders, retailers and exporters.

Although the new technologies, exciting developments and intricate creative pieces made EXPo REVESTIR 2010 a highlight in the ceramic industry, the functional properties of the new collections show that the exhibitors are thinking of the practical implementation of their work. “AllofthetilesIsawcouldbesolddirectlyofftheexhibitionfloor,”saysWalls&Roofs editor Marlene van Rooyen. “It was the subtle elements that made the new tile collections popular and the technologies incorporated all lead to better, more functional and aesthetically appealing tiles. These tiles can be used everywhere,” concludes Van Rooyen.

Revestir Tile & Stone ExpoEmail: [email protected] Web: www.exporevestir.com.br

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1. Revestir 2010 attracted a record number of guests and exhibitors.2. Santorini’s beautiful exterior wall with swirls and bold circular mounds.3. Santorini brought textured and smooth tiles together in an uneven installation, adding interest to an otherwise neutral wall.4. Swirling patterns on tiles create a unique effect.5.Castelatto’sbeautifulconcretecoveringsincludedafloortilerange,Storia,reminiscent of a padded cushion. Available in 6 colours.

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026 WA L L S & R O O F S Number 3, 2010026 WA L L S & R O O F S Number 3, 2010

1. Another classic image brought to life by Venezia Arte, made entirely in Italy.2. Unique tiles showcased at the event.3. A simple, modern display.4. Wallpaper was imitated in various designs in the Printemps range, available in 44 x 88 cm formats.5. Ceusa’s wood look had visitors bending down at their stand to touch the displays. With different ranges for a variety of applications, wood was once again successfully translated into tiles.6. Teaming wood look-alikes in a banner pattern with a crystal chandelier updates the look.7. Duratex laminates adds the perfect finishestoamodern,contemporaryroom.8. Portobello’s launched Extra fino, a range of extra slim tiles. This innovative product is the first4,7mmporcelaintileproducedinBrazil.9. Wood imitation is no newcomer to the tile scene, but digital printing technologies and attention to texture has made this a creative alternative in tiling.10. Solarium’s ”Cargo” range comes in 150 cm x 20 cm and 235 cm x 12,5 cm formats.

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EXPo REVESTIR is one of the largest ceramic tile and stone shows in the world and this year’s event exceeded all expectations. EXPo REVESTIR 2010 was held in March in São Paulo, Brazil, and over 45 000 visitors attended the event – a record in the show’s eight-year history.

brazilian tile industrY is reCoVering“Last year, even when the world crisis was at its worst, EXPo REVESTIR surpassed all expectations for attendance, business and attractiveness. 2010willbenodifferent.Weareconfidentthattheeventwillkeepupits innovative pace, solidifying its importance in the market. In terms of business, we expect 10% growth in comparison with the previous edition,”

says President of the exhibition Antonio Carlos Kieling. According to www.builderonline.com, Brazilian tile makers are predicting

that 2010 will bring back the explosive growth that this industry has been seeingforthepastfiveyears.Althoughexportsdroppedby25%from2008to 2009, the mood amongst exhibitors was upbeat and optimistic due to a 15% growth prediction for Latin America’s domestic construction sector.

organisers estimate that roughly US$ 150-million in business will be generated from the 181 exhibitors who presented their latest covering trends and engineering, architectural and decorative product solutions. “The forum Tecnargilla is extremely important to discuss the essence of the clay industry around the world,” says Kieling.

Revestir 2010: Brazilian covering market trends

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“We have led the market in development for many years and have a long history of success. The construction industry is an extremely diverse sector and we are developing new products with which to grow our representation in this sector,” says Hamish McKee, TAL’s general manager.

flexibility is the key to the application of TAL Goldstar Sealmaster 1000. “A common problem with joints is the expansion and contraction of the joint and this is where this product works best,” says McKee. Applications include heavy and light precast panel expansion joints, wood, aluminium and PVC joinery seams and expansion joints in traditional construction.

TAL Goldstar Sealmaster 1 000 shows excellent adhesion without primer tosteel,PVC,zinc,fibrecement,aluminium,marble,clay,concrete, brick, glass, stone, ceramic tiles, wood, most lacquered metals and polyester, thereby reducing cost and time, which are both important factors on any construction site.

The product is ideal for interior and exterior applications as it is fast curing and offers superior resistance to abrasion, is UV-stable as well as resistant toshock,vibrationandtemperaturechangeswhencured.Anotherbenefitis that it is resistant to moisture, chemicals and corrosion and it is highly recommended for bonding baked clay and concrete roof tiles.

Its water resistant qualities make it ideal for sealing around windows and windowsills,ceramictilepanelmovementjoints,rooftiles,orasajointfillerin walls and around showers, basins and sinks.

With a proven track record of over 35 years in the industry and over 280 millionsquaremetresoftilessuccessfullyfixedwithTALadhesives,TALisa market leader in quality, service and technology. “We are the key supplier to major tiling installations around the country and our products are readily acceptedbyarchitects,specifiersandcontractorsalike,”saysMcKee.

TAL offers an effective range of tiling products suitable for any tiling application and TAL Goldstar Sealmaster 1 000 is the perfect solution for those jobs requiring a combined adhesive and sealant to bond differing materials. “If you have a serious adhesive problem, we are serious about solving it,” says McKee.

TAL (a division of Norcros SA)Technical Advice Centre: 0860 000 TAL (825)Tel: 011 316 3133Fax: 011 316 3278E-mail: [email protected]

New polyurethane adhesive and sealant

introducedSouth Africans have for many years trusted TAL with their tiling

adhesive requirements and the company is proud to introduce a new

product with a multitude of applications – TAL Goldstar Sealmaster

1000–aflexiblepolyurethane-basedadhesiveandjointsealant,

whichformsapermanentlyflexible,highlyelasticandresistantjoint.

The product adheres to most materials and has the ability to withstand

continuous extension and recovery.

The product is ideal for interior and exterior applications as

it is fast curing and offers superior resistance to abrasion,

is UV-stable as well as resistant to shock, vibration and

temperature changes when cured.

Its water resistant qualities makes it ideal for sealing

around windows and window sills, ceramic tile panel

movementjoints,rooftiles,orasajointfillerinwalls

and around showers, basins and sinks.

the adhesive specialists, guaranteeing Your installation*Contact the tal technical advice Centre on 0860 000 tal(825) for advice on any aspect of tiling*terms & conditions apply

tal sales offiCes: gauteng (011) 316 3133 | Cape (021) 386 1810 | Kzn (031) 700 1535

GOLDSTAR®

talisproudtointroduceanewflexiblegeneralpurposepolyurethane-based adhesive and joint sealant with a multitude of applications.

tal goldstar sealmaster 1000 forms a permanently flexible,highlyelasticandresistantjoint.Theproductadheres to most materials and has the ability to withstand continuous extension and recovery.

“We have led the market in development for many years and have a long history of success. The construction industry is an extremely diverse sector and we are developing new products with which to grow our representation in this sector,” says Hamish McKee, general manager tal.

tal goldstar sealmaster 1000 is a single component product that is ready to use with no mixing required and adheres without a primer, which reduces cost and time, to most surfaces including glass, steel, wood, aluminium, PVC,zinc,clayrooftiles,fibrecement,marble,brick,stone,ceramic tiles, concrete, most lacquered metals and polyester.

Its water resistant qualities make it ideal for sealing around windows and windowsills, ceramic tile movement joints, roof tilesandasajointfillerinwalls.

tal goldstar sealmaster 1000 is the perfect solution for those jobs requiring a combined adhesive and sealant to bond differing materials.

With a proven track record of over 35 years in the industry and over 280 million square metres of tiles successfully fixedwithtal adhesives, tal is a market leader in quality, service and technology.

TAL LAunches goLdsTAR seALMAsTeR 1000

Another successful installation guaranteed.

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1. (1+2) Ceramica Portinari introduced their 5.5.mm Slim Collection which was born from their “Echo Tech Concept”. The products were produced using high technology in a sustainable manner.2. Portinari claims a 50% reduction on raw material used, 50% reduction in Co2 emissions on transport and 50% reduction in labour in civil construction projects. Available in 90 x 90 cm and 90 x 180 cm sizes.3. Portobello’s 4.7mm “Extra fino” tile is lighter and easier to carry, handle and install.4. Porcellanato launched their 6 mm slim tile.5. Gyotoku’s 6 mm slim porcelain tile. The exhibition showcase illustrates its thinness. 6. Slim tiles in various large formats and colours on show at Pamesa.7. A simple installation by Meyra is modern yet comfortable.8.At Santorini’s stand, smooth and textured materials were combined to give different swirled effects in the same space.9. Bob Marley brings images to life on a 3-D grooved tile.10. Texture abounded at Revestir.11. The Lucce range from Castelatto showcases a staggered and rugged texture for a unique design.12.Solarium’s Permeare tile range gives designers the opportunity to play with shapes in order to compose a succession of symmetries and numerous design options.

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Artistic creations, glitz, glamour and textured displays

at Revestir 2010.

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Ceramica Bardelli’s Italian-manufactured, hand-painted range of designer tiles is not only unique due to the thoughtful process involved in the production of the tiles but also because renowned artists design and draw each tile. According to Ceramica Bardelli, there are no viable alternatives to individually hand-painted tiles if we wish to respect an artist’s idea down to the very last detail and nuance.

a phased proCessCeramica Bardelli achieved an artistic result by adopting the best method for each range of tiles, from freehand drawings by the artists to stencinds and from combined artistic techniques. At times, a single tile’s decoration demanded one and a half dozen phases in order to offer a high-quality design product. Ceramica Bardelli combined modern industrial processes andrefined,almostobsessive,decorationtechniquestypicalofhandcraftingtradition to allow artists to showcase their artwork on ceramic.

floral masterpieCesIn earlier years, alchemists were able to create mixtures that were poured over bulbs and roots in order to obtain new and exciting colours. Similar innovative colours have now been achieved with a patiently and masterfully hand-paintedseriesinwhichtheflowerstakeonunexpectedformsandcolours.

Ronald van der Hilst, a Dutch-born artist and landscape designer, is one of 16 artists that have contributed to Ceramica Bardelli’s hand-painted range of unique tiles. Early in Van der Hilst’s career, he concentrated on designing garden and landscape projects. Although it initially started as a joke, the tulip has become a constant theme in his work for ten years. Van der Hilst isapassionateflower-loverandthepatternsonhistilesallrevolvearoundvarious tulips.HisTulipanirangeisafloralsetoftiles(20cmx100cm)comprisedof

fiveentirelyhandmadedecoratedpiecesproducedinthreecolourvariants.

Alltheelementsarehand-paintedwithanopaquefinish.VanderHilst’sTuli Pop range shows dark red and purple tulips on a black, glossy glaze backdrop.

timeless sYmbols on tilesMarcello Chiarenza is another tile artist to contribute to Ceramica Bardelli’s range.HewasborninSicilyin1955andworksinthefieldofsymbolicrepresentation and festival dramatic art. over the past ten years, he has been a sculptor, stage-designer and workshop and theatre director.

The themes that Chiarenza portrays in his article are often in the symbolic body of the calendar year, in the elements of nature as well as the cycle of seasons. The images spring from spiritual memories, religious history, psychology, legends, fables and symbolic shapes.

other designers and artists to contribute to Ceramica Bardelli’s range include Antonio Annicchiarico, Davide Pizzigoni, Gio Ponti and Nigel Coates. Each artist brings different ideas, expressions and a personal frame ofreferencetothistilerangethatcanbeseenasthefinalwordintrueartistic, designer tiles.

For more information, visit www.bardelli.it, to which full thanks and acknowledgement are given.

Hand-painted tiles by true artists

There are no viable alternatives to individually hand-painted tiles if we wish to respect an artist’s idea down to the very last detail and nuance,” says Ceramica Bardelli regarding their Italian-manufactured, hand-painted range of designer tiles. from freehand drawings to combined artistic techniques, each artist has created a ceramic masterpiece.

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It comprises an enchanting oversize garden where the use of natural materials, namely marble, stone and onyx, ensures interplay between light and dark, illumination and shadow, bas-reliefs and patterns, voids and solids. Surrounded by a “grillage”, the composition is served to the public on an embroidered tray, so that guests experience an “Alice in Wonderland” sensation amidst vases with different decorations and enormous dimensions, upside-down cups used as seats, small bowls that really want to be huge basins.

The exceptional textures not only include surface decoration but become a kind of low relief inspired by the idea of elegant viruses invading form: expressed through different heights, concave or convex shapes, or only visible through other transparent items. It is a contemporary interpretation combining traditional ‘engraving’ techniques and modern numerical-control ‘drilling’. Natural colours and vegetation animate the scenario.

The installation is completely in marble, onyx and stone, with a maximum height of 2,10 m, a base area of 6 m x 6,5 m, and the platform tray dimensions in fret-worked Carrara marble measure 6 m x 6,5 m. The lighting is from inside the objects themselves and from outside the structure. Almost all the surfaces are fret-worked or have patterns. The Landscape Project was coordinated by Stefano Baccari.

budri• : The stone inlays and mosaics by Budri are world-renowned and are the result of combining ancient tradition with the most advanced production technology. for this installation, the company produced the tray in Carrara marble containing the collection.

grassi pietre• : The quarries of Grassi Pietre produce a wide range of world-class stone. for this installation, the company developed the geometrical “grillage” structure in stone.

marsotto• : Marsotto uses modern technologies to process marbles, granites,stonesandagglomeratesinspecificfurnishingand interior design projects. for this project, the company produced the seats – four pouffes in onyx which were ‘embroidered’ on the surface.

testi Fratelli• : This is a company that has maintained quarrying activity in its own quarries in Sardinia and Piedmont, and is one of the leading companies in the natural stone sector. It is also a direct importer of unhewn marbles and granites. for this project, the company produced the basins and the large vases.

Website: www.marmomacc.com

GardenMarbleous Garden – a project that was received with acclaim at the 44th Marmomacc exhibition that took place in Verona,

Italy at the end of 2009 – was conceived by designer Patricia Urquiola, coordinated by Evelina Bazzo of Veronafiere, and

developed by four leading companies in the marble and the stone sectors – Budri, Grassi Pietre, Marsotto and Testi fratelli.

Marbleous

Photo

s by A

lberto

Par

ise

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Dustless tile adhesives for building professionalsChryso South Africa’s new dustless tile adhesive has

astounded seasoned building industry professionals due

to its performance. This adhesives were recently applied

for internal and external tiling during the construction of

one of the upmarket mansions in the Waterfall Country and

Equestrian Estate in Sunninghill, Sandton.

responsible eCologYThe prestigious 200-hectares estate, being developed by Century Property Developments, features over 2 000 indigenous trees with free irrigation waterprovidedfortheaffluenthomeownerswholiveon8500m2 stands and the emphasis of this estate is on responsible ecology.

Tiling contractor Julio Building & Tiles used Chryso’s Davco SAC 28 ECo premium-grade tile adhesive, and Davco TTB tile adhesive – both dustless tile adhesives – for the expansive tiled areas in the multi-million-Rand House Rebel in the Waterfall Estate.

“There was hardly any dust when the bags were emptied. It was the ideal product for this estate – and this particular eco-friendly residence,” said Jan du Plessis, contract manager of the project.

According to Hannes Engelbrecht, marketing manager of Chryso SA, the Davco dustless tile adhesives are made from recycled materials and produce about 80% less dust than traditional tile adhesives. The result is improved air quality, healthier working conditions, less mess and faster clean-up on site. The adhesives spread easily and provide exceptional workability, longer open time, and high bond strength. And no special effort or steps are required in the tiling process,” says Engelbrecht. The Davco tile adhesives also offer waterproof properties, and are non-toxicandnon-flammable.

Chryso SATel: 011 395 9700E-mail: [email protected]: www.chryso.com

New dustless tile adhesives are made from recycled materials and produce 80% less dust than traditional tile adhesives

For more information please contact your

CHRYSO representative at 0861 CHRYSO

CHRYSO Southern Africa (PTY) Ltd. 0861 CHRYSO

GAUTENG: 26 Malcolm Moodie Crescent, Jet Park Tel: +27 (0)11 395 9700 Fax: +27 (0)11 397 6644

DURBAN: Unit 3, 14 Travertine Crescent, Briardene Tel: +27 (0)31 564 0325 Fax: +27 (0)31 564 0583

CAPE TOWN: 57 Assegaai Road, Parow, Industria Tel: +27 (0)21 933 5953 Fax: +27 (0)21 933 5991

PORT ELIZABETH: cr Lower Valley Road, Alabaster Str Tel: +27 (0)41 582 4260 Fax: +27 (0)41 582 4261

Environmentally Friendly Tile Adhesive with

Dust Less Technology

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Large decorative panels of embroidered lightThe Vibrazioni tile collection represents an architectural expression of light, the result of advanced research and avant-garde design. Vibrazioni, which is Italian for Vibrations, synthesises a design which features four slightly raised, “now-you-see-them-now-you-don’t” micro-structures on the tile surface that caneitherappearopaqueorreflectthelightdependingonyourangle.

Vibrazioni tiles are maxi-sized: 110 cm long and 34 cm wide. They are made to be installed in any pattern the client desires so that the entire wall becomes scenery; the whole surface becomes dynamic, shimmering, refracted light in motion: a vibration in itself.

teChniCal dimensions and speCifiCations of Vibrazioni:Walltiles:34x110cmrectified•Floortiles:34x34cmrectified•Colours: white, black, cream•

Low-relief patterns softly model the surface of these large decorative panelsandrevealanelegant,refined,femininecollectionasifthepatternswere embroidered light. The Vibrazioni tiles by Impronta are a unique way to take your design further and have your presence felt in your wall tiles.

ItaltileTel: 011 510 9000E-mail: [email protected]: www.italtile.co.za

Decorative tiles inspired by the world of fashion Le Rable, a collection by Italtile, showcases an adaptable, sleek range of tiles that are characterised by tone-on-tone decorations. The soft surfaces of the tiles are almost like delicate embroideries, with decorative accents which speak volumes about the fashion world that inspired them.

A liberal interpretation of the french word for root, “Le Rable” refers to a particular root of the ash tree which is highly prized in ornamental craftsmanship. This root is considered to be the silkiest

ofallwoodsbecauseofitshighlyreflectivesurface,whichreflectslightin a thousand different ways thereby making it by far the most elegant of all the types of woods.TheLeRablewhite-bodytilesareavailableinfivecolors–off-white,

beige, chocolate brown and light and dark grey.

teChniCal speCifiCations Wall tiles sizes: 250 x 400 mm •340x560mm(rectified)•Floortilessize:340x340mm(rectifiedornon-rectified)•

ItaltileTel: 011 510 9000E-mail: [email protected]: www.italtile.co.za

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Tile and Brick, a dynamic, family-run business based in Port Elizabeth, supplies unique and unusual decorative products, allowing their clients to incorporate its own personal touch into their projects.

The company’s team of designers and industry experts works closely with clientsinordertoensurethateachspecificprojectisplannedtoperfection.Sandstone, marble, travertine, glass, quartzite and slate tiles, as well as porcelain and ceramic tiles, natural stone cladding and walling, and a large range of quality glass tile mosaics are offered.

Tile and Brick services a wide range of people in and around the Eastern Cape, such as architects, interior decorators, developers and homeowners. With creativity and inspiration forming the cornerstone of the Tile and Brick brand mantra, the company strives to help turn their clients’ visions into reality.

some of the projeCts that tile and briCK has been inVolVed in:

The new ACSA Airport Departure Terminal renovation in Port Elizabeth•Walmer Park Shopping Centre, Port Elizabeth•The Hub Boutique Hotel, Walmer, Port Elizabeth•Pumba Game Reserve, Alicedale, Eastern Cape•Vista University, Port Elizabeth•Dischem Pharmacy, Newton Park, Port Elizabeth•VolkswagenOfficePark,Uitenhage•

Tile and Brick is the sole agent for Aviva Marble, who create innovative and unique décor items, offering an array of products made of marble and granite, combined with glass tiles or stainless steel.

other designs allow for the use of Swarovski crystals as impact points on the designs, the insetting of marble and granite into tiles in pattern formats, and the creation of a plethora of fascinating listellos in marble and granite. These creations are exclusive and capture the mood of each design and the environment in which it is placed.AnexpertdesignerisalwaysonhandatTileandBrick’sofficetoassist

clients throughout their projects. for more information on unique tile solutions, contact Cilla at Tile and Brick!

A wide range of natural clay brick products for the building industry in the Eastern Cape is also available. Tile and Brick have been supplying natural clay brick products to developers, architects, homeowners and renovators, and the general public for over 25 years. for expert advice contact Simon Jordan.

Tile and BrickTel: 041 581 2855 Fax: 041 581 6175 E-mail: [email protected]

Tiles, mosaic items and clay brick solutions in the Eastern Cape

Tile and Brick offers sandstone, marble, travertine, glass, quartzite and slate tiles, as well as porcelain and ceramic tiles, natural stone cladding and walling, and a large range of quality glass tile mosaics.

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Stains on structures are usually a result of hydrophobic oils and plasticisers in silicone sealants that tend to run down with rain, streak on non-porous substrates, or are absorbed by capillary action on porous substrates.

seal natural stone, Composite metal and glass substratesSCS9000 is an elastometric joint sealant designed to seal natural stone, composite metal panels and glass substrates. The standard colours of this product include white, black, limestone, light grey, aluminium grey, dark grey, precast white, and bronze, although colours can be customised for individual products.

It is ideal for use on a variety of substrates, such as granite, limestone, marble and other natural stone, glass, metal and plastics in glazing, curtain wall assembly, EIfS-to-EIfS joints, masonry, concrete, wood and other common construction substrates.

Silicone and Technical Products has been providing sealing solutions to professionals in the façade and infrastructure industry since 1984.

Silicone and Technical ProductsTel: 021 534 9055, 011 4525164 and 031 7002201Fax: 021 534 6611E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.silicone.co.za

Remove stains with high-performance silicone sealants

Removing stains from joint-sealed perimeters on

buildings, aluminium composite panels, glass and

natural stone has become easy with SC9000,

Silicone and Technical Products’ new silicone

sealant. This non-bleeding, neutral-cure sealant

enables customers to solve aesthetic problems

with its non-stain technology which eliminates or

reduces stains in order to maintain the long-term

aesthetic appearance of a project.

adVantages of the non-stain teChnologY:The sealant provides a 100% durable silicone weather seal that is guaranteed for 20 years. It also provides a watertight seal and approximately 50% joint movement for high performance. ThespecificationsincludeASTMC920,TypeS,GradeNS,Class50,

Use A, G, M & o and packaging is 310 ml cartridges or 600 ml foils, making it easy for customers to choose the ideal product for their project.

Silicone and Technical Products is the distributor of GE sealants for South Africa and other GE-branded Momentive Performance Materials offered by Silicone and Technical Products silicone-sealant solutions include:

GE SCS2000 Silpruf: Neutral-cure silicone weather sealant with a • movement capability of +/- 50%

GE SEC 2400 SilShield: Architectural, elastomeric silicone coating•GE Tosseal 817: Highway joint sealant•GE SSG 4000 E Ultraglaze: 1-component, neutral-cure, structural •

glazing silicone sealantGE SSG 4400 Ultraglaze: 2-component, neutral-cure, structural •

glazing silicone sealantGE IGS 3723: 2-component, neutral-cure, insulating glass •

silicone sealantGEPensil300:1-component,neutral-cure,fire-rated •

silicone sealant

Remove stains from joint-sealed perimeters on buildings with the new silicone sealant.

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As one of the most spectacular sections of the 44th Marmomacc exhibition held in Verona at the end of September 2009, Marmomacc Meets Design: Hybrid and Flexible, coordinated by Evelina Bazzo, was run for the third time, and proved to be an outstanding success, having closed with excellent press reviews and positive feedback from experts in the stone industry.Hybridity,flexibility,contamination,metamorphosisandprocessing:these

were the stimulating research keys proposed to the thirteen companies that participated in close collaboration with 16 designers to develop this new topic at Marmomacc.

In Hall 6, the stand of Il Casone saw the young architect francesco Steccanella majestically express his detailed passion for research into materials.Steccanellaalternatedsliversofmarblewithfinewoodeninlays,metal and glass to create a rhythmic, sensuous, tactile and chromatic

counterpoint.Close by, the exhibition area of

Marsotto hosted the new Editions collection of multi-functional furnishing objects designed by James Irvine set ideally in a very minimal garden with swimming pool.

on the other hand, the Hybrid by Tobia Scarpa for Testi fratelli saw marbleemanatewarmthasthefinishingofanantique-styledfireplacewitha huge stove and smokestack. The stove in Carrara marble dominated the space like an imposing totem while the chimney almost turned it into a ‘recessed’ element. In some ways, the metal body of the chimney could have closed on itself in order to accentuate the elegant marble framework.

Architects Marta Laudani and Marco Romanelli presented a sculpture-seat

hybrid and flexible

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for Mele Design di fratelli Mele. The architects’ pencils ‘carved’ the noble block of leccese limestone as a hybrid between art and nature.

The delightful combination of the technical excellence of Budri and the ingenious creativity of Patricia Urquiola exceeded all expectations, creating a carpet for a magical Eden, where a cascade of colourful, oversize flowersembracedvisitors.MarcoPiva,ontheotherhand,createdararefiedloungeforCava

Romana.Comfortableseatsandelegantsmalltablesdelicatelyfilledaspace, suspended on imposing columns in marble and metal, designed as a high-techlimboforanidealfitnesscentreofthefuture.

Hall 5’s exit was through the ‘stand-museum’ by Alberto Campo Baeza, which presented a lyrical wall set-up with the entire collection of articles produced by Pibamarmi. Here the interior of the structure immersed in penumbra, provided an oasis of silence and meditation. Visitors could stop and contemplate the slow passage of luminous ellipses reverberating on the surface of the stone.

In Hall 8, Michele De Lucchi presented for MGM furnari his Geological Décor and The Trampoline Tower.Bothinlava,thefirstwasanoutstandinggeometrical game in a wall cladding, while the second was a piece of furniture comprising a series of overlapping trampolines.

A completely different, sinuous structure, in wood and marble, was designed by Craig Copeland and Turan Duda for a new exhibition interpretation of the Henraux stand. The interior of the structure-belt alsocontainedfurnishingaccessoriesdesignedspecificallytocreate a total work.

Paying homage to the Palladian tradition, in a fusion between the classic age of scenic space and contemporary objects, Luca Scacchetti developed the Hybrid and Flexible topic on the stand of Grassi Pietre.

Hall 10 saw Santa Margherita highlight the Flowering Stone project by Aldo Cibic, which sought to humanise architecture by combining it with nature.

The poetic interpretation of young architects Marco fagioli and Emanuel Garganoinvolvedflexingstoneasifitwereafabric.

Modularity characterised the perimeter of the exhibition stand of Vaselli Marmi in a sinuous development of volumes achieved through the rhythmic scansion of irregular alternations of thin strips and delicate voids.

The proposal by architect francesco Lucchese in the set-up for Scalvini Marmi, on the other hand, took the opposite direction through a lively space with columns in marble and plexiglas that seemingly dissolved into the reflectionsintheshinymetallicflooringandceiling.

In conclusion, the design solutions presented to promote creative and technological innovation were a huge success that turned Marmomacc Meets Design into a truly marvellous show.

Website: www.marmomacc.com

Bringing space to life with tilesLuceisahighlyrefinedyetversatiletilecollectionbyItaltile.Luce means light in Italian and these tiles are a signature of Giorgio Saporiti’s work, highlighting his delicate use of lighting, and they are designed for people who are keyed in to the latest developments in fashion and home lifestyles.

“I want a house where you can appear at the window to see the things as they are - the kisses are kisses, the embraces are embraces and the words are words. I want a house full of sun,” says Giorgio Saporiti.

By using the subtle differences between light and shade, the neutral palette of the Luce collection utilises the natural illumination of every livingspacetobringittolife.Thetilesarealsorectified,therebyremoving the need for big grouting spaces and enabling a rooms to have a continuous, seamless beauty over every surface.

ItaltileTel: 011 510 9000E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.italtile.co.za

TechnicalSpecifications•Walltiles32x55cmrectified•Floortiles32x32cmrectified•Colours: white, ivory and mint•finish: gloss and matt•

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With today’s fast-moving lifestyle, as well as architects and designers becoming more aware of conserving Earth’s natural resources, Union Tiles has started to set the pace in the tiling industry by launching a new range of tiles. This exciting collection of extremely slim, full-bodied, chemically modified,cementitioustilesandmosaicsisknownastheTerra-Stonerange.It incorporates environment-friendly recycled glass and polished concrete, in an innovative range of colours and textures.TheTerra-Stonerangeissuitableforwallorfloorapplicationsandis

available in a 300 x 300 x12 mm module, in “Polished” as well as “Sure-grip” finishes,and13mmthickin“ExposedAggregate”.Weighingonly25-26kg/m2dependingonitsfinish,therangeoffersextensiveweight-savingqualities, making the tile ideally suitable for a variety of applications.

50% thinner than ConVentional terrazzoManufactured 50% thinner than conventional terrazzo, it is 50% lighter in weight and therefore causes less stress loading on high-rise or canterlevered building structures. The Terra-Stone range is also far more economical to transport, due to its slim feature. Thechemicallymodified

formulation reduces water absorption prior to the application of any impregnating sealer by 50%, ensuring the tiles are far less likely to stain. only conventional tile adhesive is required, ensuring further cost savings as the more expensivechemicallymodifiedtile adhesives are normally used with porcelain and vitreous tiles.

unique smooth-honed appearanCeThis hardwearing tile surface is offered in a “Polished”

concretefinishorterrazzofinish,whichincorporatesauniquesmooth-honed appearance. for external, wet areas or ramps, Union Tiles offers the finelytextured,non-slipfinishofthe“Sure-Grip”range.Althoughtexturedtoensureagoodgripunderfoot,thisfinishstillensuresthesurfaceiscomfortable whilst barefoot and it is child-friendly. UnionTiles’“ExposedAggregate”rangeissuitableforwallsandfloors

and the beauty of the natural stone or recycled glass is assured in their “Eco-friendly Green” product range, creating a hardwearing maintenance-freefinish.

Custom-designed border mosaiC aCCessoriesArchitects and designers can request custom-designed border mosaic accessoriesandcolourdesignsinanyofthethreefinishes(“SmoothPolished”; non-slip “Sure-Grip”; “Exposed Aggregate”) or incorporating exciting recycled glass. The tile can also be manufactured incorporating a smallpercentageofrecycledmirrortoaddareflectivesparkletoa wallorfloor.

This range offers a unique recycled glass composition, incorporating up to 50% recycled material, which means these tiles can be classed as being environmentally friendly “green”. Designers can now add glitz to the exterior orinteriorofhomesorcommercialbuildingsandoffices,whilecontributingto the environment by reducing carbon emissions, thanks to the new “Eco Terra-Stone GREEN Range”. This collection is available in a wide selection of standard colours to suit a client’s colour scheme.

unique features of the tile range include:Calibrated top and bottom to a • + 1 mm toleranceQuick and easy to lay. Can be laid using conventional tile •

adhesive, saving costs.Weighs 25-26 kg/m• 2 due to its new thin dimensionSupplied pre-sealed at no extra cost in Smooth & Sure-Grip•Extremelyhardwearingsurface,idealforhigh-trafficareas(airports,•

corridors, stations, schools & outdoor Piazza areas)Boxed for easy handling and less damage during on-site handling•Massive saving in transport costs due to the slim feature of the tile •

weighing + 25 kg/m2 (50% lighter than conventional terrazzo tiles)

Union TilesTel: 011 663 2000E-mail: [email protected]: www.uniontiles.co.za

New range of slim line, full bodied, conglomerate

tilesPorcelain and natural stone cladding creates a timeless beautyattheUnionTilesHeadOfficeinBedfordview.

Ventilated cladding using porcelain tiles at the De Beers Centre (Debswana) in Botswana.

This exciting collection of extremely slim,full-bodied,chemicallymodified,cementitious tiles and mosaics incorporates environmentally friendly recycled glass and polished concrete.

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Architects and designers use louvres, shading mechanisms

and sun control panels for various reasons such as for

aesthetic purposes, functionality and in order to shade a

building from the sun, direct light and heat. Walls&Roofs

spoke to various industry leaders about the versatility,

features and technicalities of shading mechanisms.



“Shading products are either used for aesthetic purposes, as a feature of a building or to ensure the occupants of the building are shielded from the harsh sun, but these mechanisms should be seen as a function or solution rather than merely a product,” says Luigi Zito, General Manager of Architectural Products, Hunter Douglas South Africa.

shading of sortsTraditionally,suncontrolproductsareeitherfixedhorizontally(sothattheyappear to come out of the building) or vertically (so that they cover the windows) to shield occupants from the glare of the sun.

According to Zito, a variety of materials can be used when installing different types of louvre systems. “Sun control mechanisms can usually be divided into three broad categories – aluminium, steel, and fabrics. Sun control is for the reduction in the use of power costs and is essentially environmentally-friendly.Aluminiumhasthehighestreflectiveproperties

of metals and it is resistant to corrosion, durable, lightweight, strong and recyclable,” says Zito.

“Modern fabrics which are durable and shade the building from the sun arenowavailable.Someclientspreferfabriclouvresthatarefixedovera window because there are light-coloured and transparent materials available that do not block the occupants’ view.”

Dennis Phillips, sales and marketing manager of L&D Enterprises, says that although glass cannot replace aluminium with sun control, it can definitelybeusedinconjunctionwithaluminiumforaestheticandfunctionalpurposes. “There are many good reasons to combine glass and aluminium for shading as sun control. Performance glass alleviates the amount of direct sunlight on a building because high-spec glass diverts the sun’s rays and reduces the amount of heat that penetrates the building. Performance glass is not a replacement for aluminium but it can be used very effectively in a combination,” says Phillips.

Shading and sun control

mechanisms

Aluglass Suncontrolproductsarefixedvertically(sothattheycoverthe

windows) shieding occupants from the glare of the sun.



tWo main issues of shading solutionsZito explains that the two main issues that architects need to consider when installing sun control mechanisms are energy saving and creating a building that is comfortable for its occupants.

“When it comes to creating a comfortable environment with louvres, the heat of the sun as well as the sun’s glare factor needs to be considered,” says Zito. “Sun control elements reduce the load requirements for airconditioning. Energy saving is a huge buzzword now, but being in Southern Africa means that you need to meet the sun control requirements of the East, West and North sides of the building.”

In the Southern Hemisphere, the East façade of a building is affected by the sun during the morning, the West is affected by sun in the afternoon and North façades also receive a fair amount of sun throughout the day. “If there are sun louvres on the South façade of a building it is usually only for aesthetic purposes.”

Svenja Johannsen, marketing manager of Aluglass, says that there are various technologies available to determine where and when sun control and shading mechanisms should be used. “our products are very simple in the way you know where and when they should be used,” says Johannsen. “Consultation is usually done beforehand so that clients can be advised on what should be installed. Besides traditional blinds, there are also various new technologies such as automated sun sensors, which can be used to reduce the harsh effects of the sun.”

When sun Control is onlY an afterthoughtAccording to Zito, it often happens that sun control solutions for buildings are not implemented during the design phase of a building. “Many times, suncontrolisconsideredtobeoneofthefinishingproductsofabuildingand by that time the budget has been depleted. This becomes an issue because it usually takes about four seasons to pass before the client really feels the different effects of the sun and decides that the sun control system needstoberetrofitted,”saysZito.

legislation for energY saVing“There is a universal drive to save energy. In reality, this boils down to sun control systems for buildings in Southern Africa. In developed countries,

there is already legislation in place to minimise the effect of the outside temperature so that airconditioning and indoor heating are kept to a minimum. People are looking for products, such as louvres, that can help themachievetheirenergyefficiencygoalsanditisonlyaquestionoftimebefore we have that in South Africa, too,” says Zito.

Phillips comments that the amount of available light in a building is also an issue which may be legislated in future. “I doubt whether architects will ever be legally obligated to install louvres and sun control, but these mechanisms woulddefinitelyhelpwithotherfuturegreenbuildinglegislationsuchasthenecessary amount of natural lighting in a building,” says Phillips.

using the CorreCt shading produCtsZito emphasises that it is extremely important to use the correct product for each project and application. “It is vital that the shading products you use aredesignedwithsuncontrolinmindandthattheyfiteachapplication.”

“There are standard products, but it does happen that an architect desires somethingoutoftheordinarythatneedstobecustomisedforaspecificproject. The only problem with this is that the products are researched and developed in order to perform in a certain way, so an architect should makesurethattheproductsarenotmodifiedinsuchawaythatreducesthe performance of the shading mechanisms. As I’ve already mentioned, shading control should be seen as a concept and solution, not just as individual products. You need to look at the entire package that you are getting in terms of technical support, performance testing and the primary functionality of the solution.” concludes Zito.

L&D Enterprises Glass alleviates the amount of direct sunlight on a building because it diverts the sun’s rays and reduces the amount of heat that penetrates the building.

Aluminiumhasthehighestreflectiveproperties of metals and it is resistant to corrosion, durable, lightweight, strong and recyclable.

It is vital that the shading products you use are designed withsuncontrolinmindandthattheyfiteachapplication.

Solar Shading Industries is the sole Southern Africa distributers of Colt Solar Shading Systems Technology and Products

gautengTel:+27116084640•Fax:+27116084643

Chris edwards: 082 855 9776Email: [email protected]

eric Whelan: 082 452 2257Email: [email protected]

KWa zulu natalTel: +27 31 307 4640fax: +27 31 304 6640

ron burns: 082 936 0562Email: [email protected]

fixed solar shading systems • fixed & Controllable solar shading • acoustic louvres

glass solar shading systems • screening louvres, rain defence & performance louvres



retraCtable and fixed fabriC aWningsSolamark & Markilux® are custom-made,fixedandretractablefabricawnings to extend or enclose an outdoor area. Markilux®, one of the largest German brand names in awnings, has brought two sets of skills to bear when creating these superior-quality awnings: technical understanding of design engineering and a highly developed knowledge of textiles.

Aluglass is the sole distributor of Markilux® in Southern Africa.

exClusiVe textile adVantagesdisperses,absorbsandreflectsUVrays•unsurpassable colour stability•high resistance to light and atmospheric conditions•maximum resistance to shrinking, tearing and stretching•maximum resistance to atmospheric pollution•permeability to air and water repellency•

projects completed: Bedford Square, Woodbridge Square, ShoppingCentresinLonehillandRynfield and privacy screens at the Raphael Apartments.

Shading and sun control solutions

Aluglass Bautech provide effective interior and exterior solar

shading solutions for a variety of applications. By merging

traditional creations, quality imported material and modern

technologies, they are able to provide a product range to suit

every client’s needs.

Custom-made,fixedfabricawningsatWoodbridgeSquare,KemptonPark.

Aluglassspecificallydesignedanawningtofitovertheexistingguttersystem.The awnings are rectangular canopies, in ferrari Soltis Stretch fabric. There are 12 canopies in various sizes in the region of 4 m x 4 m by 1,5 m high.



solux sun Control roller blindsSolux blinds are designed for internal or external applications and provide various levels of opacity: from 100% blackout to translucent.The fabrics arenon-flammableandfullycomplywiththemostdemandingfiresafetystandards in the world.

glass Yarn teChnologYThe technology for Solux sun control roller blinds was developed using wovencoatedfibreglassyarns,whichoffertensilestrength,resistancetobad weather, dimensional stability and colour stability.

projects completed: Sandton Convention Centre, Cape Town International Convention Centre, MTN Phases 1 & 2, De Beers ormonde, Stanlib Melrose Arch and Discovery Uppark.

Verosol sun Control blindsVerosol is a worldwide supplier of branded quality solutions for solar control, and Aluglass is the license-holder for these sun-blinds in Southern Africa. These sun-blinds ensure effective protection from heat and reduction of irritating and bright sunlight while retaining a perfect view of the outside world. Combine the advantages of curtains and externalsun-blindsinasingleproduct,safelyfittedtotheinteriorwall, with these sun-blinds.

product advantages:reduces bright light•retains a perfect view•reflectsexcessheat•thermal comfort•fire-retardant•reflectivemetalisedfabricforenergysaving•

for functional shading and sun control styles, Aluglass has solutions that will lend any space a luxury feel.

Aluglass BautechTel: 011 451 8400Fax: 011 609 8097E-mail: [email protected]: www.aluglass.co.za

Architectural Aluminium Products


“The use of aluminium dates back to the 1940s and architectural aluminium still gets used in so many applications. Aluminium window frames, for example, are suitable for household applications, commercial applications aswellasspecialisedfunctions.Aluminiumisflexibleandstrong,makingita great solution for a variety of projects.”

aluminium for future generationsAluminium for Future Generations is a programme of continuous improvement on the part of the global aluminium industry. In 2009, a report on the aluminium industry was released, representing approximately 80% of global primary aluminium production and overseen by the International Aluminium Institute (IAI).

The programme involves voluntary objectives for improvements in the social, economic and environmental performance across all the key phases of aluminium’s life cycle. The IAI’s Board of Directors, which comprises chief executives of the Institute’s twenty three member companies, have agreed on fourteen voluntary objectives and the number is increasing each year.

2008 performance data was collected from IAI members and non-member companies representing the following:

Aluminium smelters producing 26 million tonnes of primary aluminium • (almost 65% of total global production)

Aluminarefineriesproducing51milliontonnesofsmelter-gradealumina•Bauxite mines producing over 120 million tonnes of bauxite •

sustainabilitY performanCeThealuminiumindustry’sperfluorocarbon(PFC)emissionsperformancewas reported in 2008 and the global aluminium industry’s trend of significantreductionsinPFCemissions(CF4 and C2f6) continues to grow on the whole, as well as per tonne of production basis. In 2008 alone, the Aluminium for Future Generations report showed that the global aluminium industry has reduced its PfC emission per tonne of production by 86% from 4,93 in 1990 to 0,70 Co2e/t Al in 2008 – and is on course for a further 50% reduction from the 2006 level by 2020.

According to www.world-aluminium.org, the aluminium industry aims further to reduce global emissions of PfCs per tonne of aluminium by at least 50% by 2020 as compared to 2006 and the primary aluminium industry seekstoachievethelong-termeliminationofperfluorocarbon (PfC) emissions.

versatility&sustainabilityAluminium has proven to be a diverse and versatile metal in the architecture and building industry. Hans Schefferlie, executive

director of the Association of Architectural Aluminium Manufacturers of South Africa (AAAMSA), says that the aluminium

industry is constantly developing. “on a global as well as local level, the aluminium industry is constantly developing and

creating new, innovating products,” he says.

Architectural aluminium’s

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“Thesustainabilityofaluminiumisextremelygoodandmanyfigures have proven this,” says Schefferlie. “Crawford embodied Co2-e (per kilogram) of aluminium in South Africa performs better than other metals and hard wood.”

benefits of aluminium produCts in building and ConstruCtion

Aluminium reduces maintenance over time because it is durable and • corrosion resistant.

Aluminiumisenergy-efficient–itscomponentsanddesignsoptimise• natural lighting and shade and it enhances energy management. Aluminium also supports designs that make the most of a building’s physical environment.

Aluminium has a high strength-to-weight ratio, making it possible to • create stable, yet light, structures.

Aluminium is light, making it cheap and easy to transport.•95% of Europe’s architectural aluminium is collected and recycled.•Its strength allows curtain walls, frames and systems and to be very •

narrow, maximising solar gains for outer dimensions.

“Approximately 75% of aluminium products used decades ago is still in use today,” says Luigi Zito, General Manager of Architectural Products,

Hunter Douglas South Africa. “It takes only 5% of the original energy used to recycle aluminium. Everyone acknowledges that the original energy required to produce aluminium is high, but this is a once-off investment for a strong material that can last through many generations and lifecycles.”

aluminium reCYCling

Aluminiumisinfinitelyrecyclable.Approximately75%ofallaluminium• produced since 1888 is still in use.

Every year, 80 million tonnes of Co• 2 is saved due to the recycling of post-consumer aluminium, with additional sav ings from the recycling of pre-consumer scrap.

Globally, aluminium achieves among the highest material recycling rates, • with up to 90% for trans port and construction applications.

Up to 95% of the energy required for primary aluminium production is • saved by aluminium recycling.

The economic scrap value and aluminium’s ability to be recycled • continuously makes the aluminium beverage can the most recycled container in the world. The average recycling rate of aluminium cans is 60% and, in some countries, over 90%.

For further information visit www.world-aluminium.org to which full acknowledgement are given.

The aluminium industry is constantly developing and creating new, innovating products.

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Aluminiumisenergyefficient–itscomponentsanddesignsoptimisenatural lighting and shade and it enhances energy management.

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Aluminium supports designs that make the most of a building’s physical environment.

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New door, window and safety showroom in Midrand

GEZE, one of South Africa’s leading suppliers of door systems, and window and safety technology, recently launched their new showroom at the company headquarters in Midrand. The new showroom features the functional, yet stylish, character of GEZE’s philosophy of turning visions and ideas into practical solutions and it showcases the complete GEZE GmbH product range.

GEZE offers a comprehensive range of products including automatic door systems and door technology, glass systems, smoke and heat extraction systems, safety technology as well as window and ventilation technology. Since 1997, GEZE GmbH has been associated with DCLSA Distributors (Pty) Ltd and from 1st April 2010 it will be a subsidiary of GEZE Distribution (Pty) Ltd focusing on the architectural market with the brands Hoppe, Exidor and GEZE.

At the launch of the showroom, Kevin Diamond, Managing Director of GEZE, presented the aims of GEZE South Africa, and in particularly highlighting the fact that a successful business is based on supplying a range of quality and innovative products into the market and

developing a close working relationship with the Merchant network and Architectural practices.

“With GEZE Global footprint we can mobilise a team of experts to assist us in all technical aspects as well as utilise GEZE International marketing team to support and promote the brand,” said Diamond.

According to Diamond, the restructuring of DCLSA Distributors has created opportunities for both DCLSA and GEZE in South Africa. “The new showroom is opened to all partners and we want to target merchants for training as well as architecture students who can come through and see the products in a working situation,” Diamond concluded.

GEZETel.: 011 315 8286Fax: 011 315 8261Email: [email protected]: www.geze.com

(From lthe left): Managing Director of Sales from GEZE GmbH: Joachim Schulz, From the South African Institute of Architects: Su Linning, Al Stratford, Jan Ras and Bryan Wallis, Managing Director of GEZE/DCLSA: Kevin Diamond.

Glasstec 2010 is taking place in Düsseldorf, Germany from 28 September – 01 october, 2010. This leading international trade fair covers the entire value chain of glass with all its facets, including glass machinery and equipment, construction, as well as the glazier trade.

Visitors are expeCted from the folloWing segments at glassteC and solarpeq:

Silicon production•Ingot production•Wafer production•Cellproduction(crystallineandthin-film)•Moduleproduction(crystallineandthin-film)•

Components and process accompanying technology•Measurement and testing technology/software•Materials and aids•Solar glass•Research and development•Services •

To book your space as an exhibitor at glasstec and solarpeq 2010, visit www.glasstec-online.com or www.solarpeq.com. for any questions you might have, please contact Ms. Lisa Kuntze on: Tel: +27 (0)11 486 2775 or send an e-mail to [email protected].

Glasstec and solarpeq 2010



This curtain wall façade and roof system was created by Reynaers Aluminium and is distributed in South Africa by Wispeco Aluminium. Wispeco manufactures a wide variety of extrusion products with primary focus on architectural applications such as shopfronts systems, windows and doors, curtain walling and panels, skylights and louvers. The company is managed by highly skilled customer-oriented teams whose primary aim is to provide customers with the quality and service they need for their projects.

The CW50 system transfers the main loads to the building and is therefore abletocarrybiggerglasspanesovermultiplefloorsasasinglestructure.Thesystemwasdesignedtoresistinfiltrationofairandwateranditcontains built-in drainage channels to prevent leakage from rain or other weather conditions. CW50 is capable of handling single-, double-, or triple-glazed glass to allow for increased acoustic and thermal insulation. It also has by design default a thermal break component to further enhance energy efficiencyofthebuilding.

Proven system to suit large-scale façade design needsCW50, a Belgian-designed curtain wall façade and roof system, is used to create continuous glass façades for buildings that is

quick and easy to assemble. CW50 differs from standard shopfronts in that it is entirely supported by the building,

with each mullion attached to steel beams or concrete slabs, rather than an outer frame bolted to the cavity walls.

The main feature of this building was the bow-shaped front which challenged the CW50 system, but was overcome to the customer’s satisfaction with technical support by Wispeco’s technical team together with Reynaers Belgium. Approximately 25 Tons of aluminium were used in the project, and the contractors were Jowill Aluminium, a fully BEE company.



matChing the external aesthetiCs of the buildingThe system allows for several façade types to suit the external aesthetics ofthebuildingand/oritscreator.Theprofilesareaconstant50mminwidthand are able to handle faceted curves and inclines with ease, allowing for flexibledesigns.Someofthefaçadetypesthatworkwellwiththesysteminclude Pressure Plate (for a more shopfront-like look), Structural Clamp (flushglazed)andHorizontalLining(externalmetalonlyonthehorizontals).Notonlydothe50mmwideprofilesgivethearchitectunlimitedfreedomto

suit his design needs, but they also allow maximum light into a building with their slim sightlines.

the sYstem offers Various aesthetiC Variations, eaCh With its oWn indiVidual stYle

modify insulation according to your requirements:• The basic system is available in insulation level RMG 2.1 and 1.0 according to DIN 4108 IV.

safety: • Aluminium is characteristically a durable material. CW50 can be adapted to the needs of the user, from basic safety for less demanding projects to very high levels of safety for the banking sector.

maximum natural light• :Theprofileis50mm,whichisequaltothe minimum technically acceptable width for maximum natural light.

Aestheticandeconomicinsidefinish:• There are different inside finishesforverticalandhorizontalprofiles,providingunlimitedcreative freedom and a personalised solution for each individual project.

exterior diversity:• Traditional grille, semi-structural or structural façade options are some of the options available for application. Various outside face caps in different shapes, which are interchangeable, are also available.

accessory options: • Comparerangeofprofilesandaccessoriesto combine different planes: facets, corner solutions or three-dimensional roof planes.

longer spans:• Long, horizontal spans are made possible by reinforcing theC-connectionsbetweenverticalandhorizontalprofiles.

Possibilityofintegratingventsintofixedpart:• Integration of all types of vents: windows, doors and sliding systems, inward- and outward- opening windows. The wide product range means that all combination of vertical and inclined planes are possible together with the integration of different types of vents.

Wispeco AluminiumTel: 011 389 0053E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.wispeco.co.za

teChniCal solutions for different projeCtsThe extensive range also offers technical solutions for the different performance requirements of a façade. Wispeco offers full technical support for the CW50 system, from assisting architects with initial designs and concepts to the training of aluminium fabricators using the product. Some of the technical solutions include:

possibility of integrating different insulation and safety materials Glazing can be integrated into the system and various infillthicknessescanbeintegratedtomeetproject-specificrequirements.

Colours have been used to enhance appearance Wispeco offers a choice of powder-coating colours as well as anodisedmetallicfinishes.Surfacetreatmentsarecarriedoutin accordance with SABS 1796 standards for powder coating and SABS 999 for anodising.

Economiseonresourceswithspecificallytailored solutions A wide product range of vertical and horizontal structural profilesisavailabletoprovidetechnicalsolutionstosuitthedesigner’s performance criteria.

optimal behaviour on large surfaces Technical solutions for horizontal and technical expansion on large surfaces.

Absolute air, water and wind resistance Solutions for gaskets with preformed joints, in order to trim down the need for sealants to be applied on the building site.

Pressure Plate (for a more shopfront-like look)

StructuralClamp(flushglazed)

Horizontal Lining (external metal only on the horizontals).



“The project involves the substantial expansion of the terminal facilities at the existing Sir Seretse Khama International Airport,” says Mercurio Trade Managing Member Cristian Cottino. Various Hunter Douglas products were specifiedforGaborone’snewairport,ensuringthatthecompanybecameanintegral part of the project. “Mercurio Trade has been operating in Botswana since the company was formed in 1985 and we have been representing Hunter Douglas South Africa, formerly known as Kool Aluminium, in the Botswanamarketsince1994.AbranchofficewasopenedinGaboronein2008 with Ludo Vets as General Manager of the local operations.”

“The Sir Seretse Khama International Airport project was the largest Luxalon® contract, by volume and by value, secured in Botswana and certainly one of the largest ever secured in Southern Africa. Mercurio Trade offers the complete Hunter Douglas product ranges of Luxalon® aluminium ceilings, sun control and façade cladding systems,” adds Vets.

high leVel teChniCal speCifiCationsNotonlyfirst-classinappearance,thebuildingalsodemandsveryhighleveltechnicalspecificationsandalthoughfairlysmallininternationalterms,it includes the latest in international airport technologies. Various design elements incorporated Botswana’s African essence and the products specifiedwereallchosentosuitthefunctionalandaestheticneeds of this project.

produCts used at the airport:Various products from Hunter Douglas, a global leader in the production ofaluminiumcladding,ceilingsandsuncontrolelements,werespecified for the project:

Luxalon• ® 150C aluminium closed ceiling (perforated c/w acoustic lining) for internal applications

The new passenger terminal at Sir Seretse Khama International Airport in Gaborone, Botswana will breathe new life and

product design solutions into the existing facility. Gaborone’s airport terminal building, the largest in the country, is now set to

also become one of the more modern within the sub-region. The project is divided into two phases that will see the construction

ofthenewterminalwhilsttheexistingbuildingremainsoperational.Thefirstphaseoftheprojectisscheduledforcompletionby

the end of April, just ahead of the fIfA® 2010 World Cup, whilst the second phase, which will see the integration of the existing

building within the new facilities, is expected to be complete later this year.




Luxalon• ® V100 aluminium screen ceilingLuxalon• ® 150C aluminium solid closed ceiling for external applicationsLuxalon• ® 200f aluminium façade claddingLuxalon• ® 70S aluminium louvre screen

“Largerooflightcut-outsallowthelighttofilterthroughintothelargeareasof the building. The Luxalon® V100 vertical screen ceiling was used to enhance the effect of the light seeping through the ceiling,” says Cottino. “All ceiling and bulkheads features below the V100 are white, but the elements behind the screens have been painted in a charcoal colour to hide the services behind the V100 and contrast the white as a visual effect. The colour ranges from gray to charcoal to white, depending on where you are standing in each room.”


above: TheSirSeretseKhamaInternationalAirportnotonlyhasafirst-classappearance,butalsodemandsaveryhighleveltechnicalspecificationsandthebuilding includes the latest technologies.

left and below: The design of the building projects the image of a diamond, which is Botswana’s biggest export. Sharp points, white roofs and huge glass façades all help to portray this image in the building.



These top end products can be seen in many

landmarks all around the world and we are very proud

to have been part of this project

The top end products used at the Sir Seretse Khama International Airport can be seen in many landmarks all around the world.

Luxalon® 150C perforated panels have been supplied with a sound-absorbing non-woven tissue glued into the panels for enhanced acoustic performance. This product was used internally, in the passages going to the CIP lounges and in the transition areas between the Departures and main concourse as well as the transition area between the arrivals halls and the main concourse. Luxalon® 150C closed ceiling panels are manufactured solid or perforated and because of the design of the system, the latter can be used not only in acoustic applications and sound absorption, but also as a passive sunlight control screen.

Mercurio Trade, in association with their principals Hunter Douglas South Africa, were responsible for the procurement, manufacture and supply of the Luxalon® products to the Main Contractor, Sinohydro Corporation Limited. Hunter Douglas is a global company and their internationally proven Luxalon® products were clearly top of mind when it came to product specificationsforthenewterminalfacilities.

“Luxalon® is a leading global brand and Mercurio Trade is privileged to work with a company such as Hunter Douglas, which remains committed to continuous technical development, innovation and quality. These top end products can be seen in many landmarks all around the world and we are very proud to have been part of this project,” says Cottino. “Mercurio Trade, which started as a small family business, is today part of the Vitrex Group.Aftertwenty-fiveyearsofactiveinvolvementintheBotswanamarket, we remain dedicated to continue offering our unique products and service. In addition to Hunter Douglas, we also handle Vitrex’s enamel steel architectural products such as educational boards and screens, modular cloakroom cubicles and vanities, baths and shower trays, cladding and signage, as well as the complete range of Bitcon specialist doors,” concludes Cottino.

Mercurio Trade C.C.Tel: 011 826 2537 E-mail: [email protected]



Mercurio Trade C.C.9 Jansen Road, Jetpark, Boksburg Tel: +27 11 826 2537Mr Grant Vollmer (Sales Manager) E-mail: [email protected] or [email protected]

Mercurio Trade BotswanaPlot 8966 A, Bull & Bush Office 2, Gaborone, BotswanaTel: +267 3182298Mr Ludo Vets (General Manager)E-mail: [email protected] or [email protected]

MERCURIO TRADE C.C.UNIQUE PRODUCTS PASSIONATE PEOPLE

Servicing the Botswana market for the last 25 years

Vitrex System 1000 School Chalk Boards• Vitrex System 2000 Educational Boards • (Chalk, White & Pin) and Projection ScreensVitrex Writing Walls • Vitraflex Enamel Steel Modular Cloakroom • Cubicles, Vanities and Bathroom SignageEuroSan Enamel Steel Baths & Shower Trays• Vitraclad Enamel Steel Cladding Systems• VitraSign Enamel Steel Signs• Hunter Douglas Luxalon• ® Ceilings, Facade and Sun Control Systems Luxaflex• ® Window StylingBitcon Fire and Specialist Doors•

Masonry Systems


fred Crofts, co-author of Structural Concrete Masonry: a

Design Guide and lecturer in the faculty of Built Environment:

Department of Civil Engineering at the Tshwane University of

Technology, recently gave a lecture on basic masonry at the

Pretoria Institute of Architects.

Crofts covered topics such as the function of mortar and the behaviour of walls in compression and bending, and discussed case studies detailing masonry practice and costing. “I wanted to cover masonry topics that everybody knows but nobody applies anymore,” says Crofts. “Maybe people do not get trained properly or we have just started to forget the A – Z of masonry building. I think everybody needs to get back to the basics when it comes to masonry.”

Masonry refers to an assemblage of structural units, either laid insitu or construction in prefabricated panels, in which the structural units are bonded and solidly put together with mortar or grout. The functions of mortar include bonding units together, sealing joints against rain and providing a bed for laying.“Structuralengineershavea95%confidencelimitthatthestrengthof

masonryspecifiedwillnotbeexceeded.Sothequestionremains:whatisthe weakest link in the wall, the masonry unit or the mortar?” Crofts asks.

effeCt of reduCing mortar strength on strength of a WallMortar cube strengths are used as mortar quality control and according to SANS 10164:1, a class II mortar should have a compressive strength of 5 MPa, however the compressive strength the bedding mortar is 10 to 15 MPa.

“Compressive strength of mortar does not affect the strength of a wall significantly.Evenifwereducethemortarstrengthby90%,thestrengthof a wall will not even be reduced by 20%,” explains Crofts. “Mortar in a triaxialshearregime(confined)resultsinastrengthof2to3timesthatof

Masonry: Getting back to the basics

Wes

tern G

ranit

e

Masonry Systems


an equal cube; the analogy of a slice of ham sandwiched in between two slices of bread was used. So how do we know what fails? Research has endeavouredtochangethetriaxialshearregimetoauniaxial(unconfined)regime in order to better understand the behaviour of masonry mortar.”

“The mortar strength should be weaker than the unit strength of the masonry. The slenderness of the wall as a function of height to thickness and support conditions, as well as supervision and SABS material compliance, is what ensures that the wall does not fail,” says Crofts.

the importanCe of Cross-bonding“The cross-bonding of masonry bricks is extremely important,” says Crofts. According to the latest SANS 10400 - K, a collar-jointed wall (what many architects refer to as “double-leaf”) comprises parallel single-leaf walls with thespacebetweenthemnotexceeding25mm,filledsolidlywithmortarand tied together with crimp wire ties. “Masonry reinforcement, also known as brickforce, cannot be relied on to provide cross-bonding. The physical cross-bonding of masonry units in a wall needs to happen in order to ensure that the two masonry leaves acts compositely or together.”

Composition of mortarAccording to Crofts, mortar can refer to one of the following four compositions:

Common cement + sand•Common cement + lime + sand•Common cement + lime + plasticizer•Masonry cement + sand•

What is mortar? Crofts answered this question by stating that no one really appears to know.Mortar is normally batched by volume and the mix proportions of 1:1:6 may well be interpreted by some as:

1 shovelfull of cement, 1 shovelfull of lime and 6 wheelbarrows of sand • (plenty to one mix), or

1containercement(bulking–fluffup),1containerlimeand • 6 containers sand

“Ifthemortarmixisspecifiedby1:1:6bymassthisequatesto50kgcement, 50 kg lime and 300 kg sand. This can be translated as 1 bag of cement, 2 bags of lime (25 kg bags) and 3¾ wheelbarrows of damp loose sand or 3¼ wheelbarrows of dry sand,” explains Crofts.

“If based on 50 kg common cement with a volume of 33 litres, the mortar mix consists of 33 litres cement: 33 litres lime: 198 litres sand (3 wheelbarrows). Usually a 25 kg bag of lime is considered to have a volume of 40 litres. If based on a 50 kg common cement blended with flyashCEMII–A-Vthevolumeofthepaperbagwillbearound41litres.The mix consists of 41 litres cement: 41 litres lime: 246 litres sand (3¾ wheelbarrows),” Crofts continues.

KnoW Your CementCrofts emphasises the necessity of knowing what type of cement gets used. “There are 20 different types of cement in South Africa and the properties change with the amount of extenders added. We need to make sure we understand the different terms used on the cement bag as well because this can be misleading,” says Crofts.

“Sand, or a blend of sands, for mortar should comply with SANS 1090 and in particular be well graded from 5 mm particle size downwards. Sand should be uniformly graded and should not contain excess dust orfinematerial.Theuseoffinesandswithamoreorlessuniformparticle size, though contributing to good workability, frequently leads to excessive shrinkage and cracking of mortar joints. Sands containing a high percentage of clay tend to give a conveniently plastic mix, but also result inundueshrinkagewhenhardened.Thefinescontentofthesandcontributes greatly to the water requirement of a mortar for a given workability,” says Crofts.“Thepropertiesoffinesarethecauseofpotentialproblemsinmortars

because of the increased water demand, reduced durability and increased risk of drying shrinkage in sands containing sub-63 micron particle sizes.”

simple praCtiCal field test – C&Ci:“Provided that sand yields a smooth, plastic and cohesive mix, its quality, based on “water demand”, can be determined by the following test:

procedure:Dry out a wheelbarrowful of the sand to be tested.•Weigh out 5 kg cement and 25 kg of the dry sand. Measure out, each •

into a separate vessel, 5 litres, 1 litre and 1,5 litres of water.Mix the cement and dry sand until the colour is uniform.•Mix in enough of each of the amounts of water (5, 1 & 1,5 litres) in •

succession, until the mix reaches a consistency suitable for plastering.

then:if 5 litres are enough - the sand is of “good” quality”•if 5 litres + 1 litre are enough - the sand is “average”•if 5 litres + 1 litre + 1,5 litres are enough - the sand is “poor”•if more than 7,5 litres are needed - the sand is “very poor”•

“To sum up all of these details – a good grading for sand is the SANS 1090 standard, wet mortar gets into masonry pores but has a higher shrinkage and almost creates a Velcro bond between masonry units. Drier mortar acts like superglue,” says Crofts. “Good mortar has a high workability, spreads out easily; it is cohesive and has a high water retention rate.”

understand substrate CharaCteristiCs“There are different types of masonry. You get clay masonry which absorbs water from masonry mortar. Depending on the water absorption percentage

mortar mix proportions (sans 2001-Cm1)Class II mortar (NBR: Deem-to-satisfy) prescriptive specifications(whenmixproportionsarespecifiedinstead of a strength):

50 kg common cement•0 - 25 kg lime•200 litres of loose damp soil•

According to SANS 10164:1, a class II mortar should have a compressive strength of 5 MPa, however the compressive strength the bedding mortar is 10 to 15 MPa.

It is important to understand the physical requirements and durability of concrete masonry.

It is vital that mortar production is placed in the hands of skilled workers.

Masonry Systems


of clay masonry, it sometimes has to be docked (wetted) before it is laid.HighIRA(InitialRateofAbsorption)offiredclaymasonryunitscancompromise the bonding between masonry units in walls,” warns Crofts. “Concrete masonry on the other hand has to be laid dry.”

bond strength Vs ira – fired ClaY masonrY unitsCase studY – Costing Crofts explained two case studies showing the cost of masonry walling expressed in terms of the total building cost of a dwelling unit in order to highlighttheimportanceofmortar,aswellasitsrelativelyinsignificantcost.

In both cases, the dwelling unit was a double-storey dwelling unit of 267m2 with a footprint of 151m2.

Case 1: building the external walls with face brick (fba): face brick = R 144 000,00 Mortar = R 46 000,00 Walling = 18% of total cost Mortar = 4,3%

Case 2: building the external walls with rendered (plastered) stock brick (nfp): Stock brick = R 115 000,00 Mortar = R 67 000,00 Walling = 17% of total cost Mortar = 6,4%

“Masonry mortar is so important, but it is never going to be a huge expense,” says Crofts. “It is vital that mortar production isn’t placed in the handsofanyfly-by-nightworkers.InCanada,bricklayersaretrainedforfiveyearsandforthefirstsixmonthsalltheydoisbuildchimneys.Thereare basic skills that have to be adhered to, basic knowledge that has to be taught and we have to remain disciplined to ensure that maintenance free walls are provided,” concludes Crofts.

Two afternoon seminars on prestressed and reinforced precast concrete hollow-core slabs will be held by the Concrete Manufacturers Association (CMA) in April and May 2010. These seminars are aimed principally at civil engineers, architects and property developers and they follow in the wake of three very successful seminars on the same subject, attended by 370 delegates last year.Hollow-coreslabtechnologyasanalternativeflooringmaterialfor

multi-storey buildings, along with CMA;s hollow-core slab information manual, will be promoted and demonstrations on how to design in situ columnsandbeamsincombinationwithprecasthollow-coreflooringandstill achieve a monolithic, structurally sound building will also be given.

“Hollow-core slabs are widely used in Europe and North America in

buildings as high as 40 storeys. Locally this is not so, where ignorance as to their true potential and the fear of using something unfamiliar, have led to a reluctance to specify them. However, the situation is improving and the use of the technology is spreading. The substantial interest in our seminars bears testimony to this,” comments CMA director Hamish Laing.

Presenters will include: Monique Eggebeen, managing director, Echo Prestress; Daniel Petrov, technical director, Echo Prestress; David Hickson-Smith, consulting engineer; Kgomotso Modise, operations manager, Echo Prestress; and Victor Booth Pr Eng.

The seminars will take place at the Bytes Conference Centre in Midrand on April 15 and in Kimberley on May 27. They are registered with SAICA for CPD points.

Concrete Manufacturers AssociationTel: 011 805 6742E-mail: [email protected]: www.cma.org.za

Hollow-core slabs seminar for engineers and architects

Masonry Systems


Columbia DBL recently launched a concrete paver that is infused with titanium dioxide (Tio2), which works as a photocatalytic material using sunlight to convert nitric oxide (No) and nitrogen dioxide (No2) from car exhausts into harmless nitrates. A large part of Nox in the atmosphere has beenemittedbycartrafficandthetransportindustry,makingtheapplicationof photocatalytic paving stone ‘close to the source’ an appropriate solution.Theconceptofair-purifyingpaverswasfirstproposedovertenyearsago,

but the original mixtures made the pavers too costly. Subsequent research has overcome the cost and other manufacturing dilemmas and Columbia DBL is proud to introduce this latest technology to the South African market.

hoW it WorKsTio2 is a photocatalytic material that uses sunlight to convert Nox in the air into harmless nitrates. The photons from UV light activate the Tio2, oH ions are released and these react with the Nox, which leaves harmless nitrate salts behind in the pavers. The Tio2 is added to the 10 mm topping of the concrete pavers, enabling it to be produced cost effectively without jeopardising the ongoing performance of the pavers.

maintenanCe and durabilitYWith the application of Tio2 to the top capping of the paving stone, no durability problems occur as any abrasion causing loss of catalyst at the surface is accompanied by the emergence of new catalyst from deeper layers.Thesimpleflushingprocessofrainenablesthechemicalreactiontorepeat itself continuously.

Will these paVers maKe a signifiCant Contribution to the enVironment?Airpollutioncausedbyroadtrafficandindustryisoneofthemajorproblemsinmetropolitanareasanditisasignificantcontributortoglobalwarming.According to Columbia DBL, an independent laboratory test done in the United Kingdom has shown that these pavers were able to degrade in excess of 24% of the nitric oxide (No) and nitrogen dioxide (No2) to low-doseharmlessnitrates.Thisfigureisinexcessofthetargeted20%reduction in limit values for sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide and oxides of nitrogen as stipulated by the European Union council directive 1999/30/EC.

Continuous ChemiCal proCessThe chemical conversions that these pavers enable are energised by UV-A light and the process is ongoing for the life expectancy of the pavers. The pavers can be made into different colours, textures and shapes in order to create a variety of aesthetic options for customers.

Columbia DBLTel: 021 905 1665E-mail: [email protected]: www.columbiadbl.com

Air-purifying pavers in South AfricaAlthough global warming and environmental concerns

are often talked about, less is said about acid rain and

its negative impact on our planet. oxides of nitrogen

(Nox) and sulphur dioxide cause acid rain, which

contributes to the degradation of many inner-city

buildings in South Africa.

Concrete pavers infused with titanium dioxide (Tio2) convert nitric oxide (No) and nitrogen dioxide (No2) from car exhausts into harmless nitrates.

Masonry Systems


Cape Retaining Systems is a Terraforce License holder and the Terraforce retainingblockswerespecifiedtocreateplatformsandroad/sidewalksupport on the old farmland earmarked to provide 380 emergency homes to families that are currently living on what will eventually become the parking areafortheupgradedKayamandisportsfieldandTourismCentre.

“The site, called TRA2 (Temporary Relocation Area 2), forms part of the bigger Watergang Housing Project and will soon be home to 380 families that need to be relocated so that urban upgrading can take place in the area. The homes, for now consisting of basic wooden structures, will eventually give way to 100 permanent homes. The goal is to provide more formal housing in the long run, while improving the general environs,” says Henk van Renssen, project engineer with Arcus Gibb, the engineering and science consulting company involved in the project.

less ConCrete to do the jobThe retaining blocks used at the site were pioneered by Terraforce, a Cape Town-based pre-cast concrete licensor, 30 years ago. “What makes this product so popular in the industry is that the blocks require low hardware input for manufacture, low transport costs and low inventory requirements at sales outlets. They are hollow, yet strong enough, and require less concrete to do the job when compared to solid block systems which, of course, saves money,” says Jeremy Leighton of Cape Retaining Systems.ThefirstconcretefoundationsattheKayamandisitewerelaidin

November2009.Eachofthethreewallswasfittedwitha110mmsubsoildrainage pipe that runs along the entire length of the wall and exits through weep holes cut into individual blocks at regular intervals. As the walls were builtup,asanddrainagelayerof500mmwasfilledtothetoptopreventpossible damming up of water.

Upgrading informal settlements with retaining blocksIn March 2009, Requad Construction approached

retaining block manufacturer Cape Retaining Systems

to reclaim more habitable surface area for building

low-cost homes near Kayamandi, an informal

settlement in the vicinity of Stellenbosch.

A view from the bottom wall towards Kayamandi and the second completed wall in the background. Regular weep holes provide exit points for the drainpipes running along behind the wall.

A Terraforce wall creating a level platform for emergency housing and roads in Kayamandi, Stellenbosch. Here the wall runs around a storm water drain.

Masonry Systems


“Concrete retaining walls constructed using the Terraforce system are easily formed into complex curved shapes or into walls in which the upper andlowerprofilesarecontinuouslychanging,whilethesystemalsoallowsyouachoicebetweenroundface(plantsupportive)orflushface(smoothorsplitversion)tosuitspecificrequirements.Aboveall,theypresentaclosed vertical surface structure that provides a maximum amount of soil masswithinthewall,whichpreventsbackfillspillage,whileatthesametime offering uninhibited permeability,” concludes Leighton.

Terraforce Tel: 021 465 1907 Fax: 021 465 4047 Website: www.terraforce.com

above: Placing of blocks to line and level.right: To check the row levels, a string is run along the top edge of the row currently underconstruction.A500mmsandbackfillisplacedbehindthewalltopreventwater build-up, while drainage pipes exit at regular intervals, connecting to a pipe running along the entire length of the wall.

Masonry Systems


According to the Environmental Council of Concrete organisations (ECCo), old concrete/masonry that has reached the end of its lifecycle can now be used as aggregate for new concrete as well as a number of other applications (www.ecco.org).ECCO’sdefinitionofmasonryrubbleisacollectiveforavarietyofmineral

building materials resulting from the demolition of buildings and structures and it can include conventional concrete and concrete block, clay brick, sand-lime brick, lightweight concrete and block of various types, and natural stone.

Crushed brick rubble can be used as aggregate for lightweight concrete and crushed masonry aggregate from different sorts of demolition debris can be used in the precast concrete industry. Recycled rubble is also currently being used to produce aggregates for various types of general bulkfills,baseorfillfordrainagestructures,soil-cementpavement bases, lean-concrete/econocrete bases, sidewalks and even structural-grade concrete.

benefits of reCYCled masonrYenvironmental advantages: Minimises depletion of natural resources, continues to gain strength over time and old hardened concrete can be recycledandusedasaggregateinnewconcreteorasfillandpavementbase material.

economic factors: According to ECCo, recycled concrete is an attractive option for governmental agencies and contractors. Tighter environmental controls over opening new aggregate sources are limiting the possibilityofopeningnewquarries.Landfillspacefordemolition contractorsincitiesisalsoscarceandsomelandfillsdonot accept construction materials.

international Versus loCal reCYCled rubble usageIn Germany, crushed brick aggregate is used in lightweight concrete for moderate weather exposure and, according to ECCo, market researchers found over 1 000 concrete recycling plants in operation in the United States producing over 100-million tons of concrete aggregates per year in 1998.

Cape Brick, situated in the Western Cape, are avid recyclers of building rubble and they have been producing recycled bricks for over ten years. According to Jacko Gildenhuys, Sales and Marketing Manager at Cape

Brick, recycled masonry is more widespread overseas than in South Africa and people who claim to produce bricks with rubble often exaggerate the amount of recycled material used.

“There are a few companies punting the use of rubble in their bricks, but they only use very small quantities of rubble, often only 5%. World leaders in recycled masonry use around 50% of rubble and we are currently using 70% rubble – only around 30% of the brick is mined,” says Gildenhuys.

from manufacture to transport to construction, recycled-material-based concrete masonry is modest in its energy needs and generous in its payback. Construction technique does not need to be changed when specifying the product and recycled masonry also promotes sustainable building practice.

Gildenhuys believes that price considerations are still the cause of recycled masonry not being as popular as it should be. “When it comes to bricks, people still buy the cheapest,” says Gildenhuys. “The fact that these bricks are environment-friendly has only become marketable over the past few years – and our prices are competitive. The majority of tenders chosen for products are still usually chosen on a ‘best price principle’.”

“Something that has been changing in the industry, though, is the number of architects who are turning to “green” bricks of their own accord. Even if they are not trying to obtain a Green Star rating for a project, many of them specify “green” bricks because of a commitment to sustainable building,” says Gildenhuys.

Not only do recycled bricks lessen the amount of mining, but they also reduce the amount of transport used to remove rubble from demolition sites. We have contracts with demolition companies and we travel approximately 5 – 10 km into the city, pick up the rubble and take it back to the factory to make our bricks,” says Gildenhuys.

“The problem in South Africa is that there is a lot of talk about green building, without enough being done. Many companies have been making environmentally friendly products for years and it’s time that we start using these tried, tested and proven so-called alternatives,” concludes Gildenhuys.

Cape BrickTel: 021 511 2006E-mail: [email protected]: www.capebrick.com

Recycling rubble for new bricks

This house in Camps Bay, Cape Town, was built with environment-friendly imperial bricks.

This house in Tokai, Cape Town, was built with plaster bricks comprising 96,5% recycled materials. It is also an engineering-grade, load-bearing structural concrete masonry unit approved by the CMA.

Masonry Systems


Number 3, 2010 WA L L S & R O O F S 073 072 WA L L S & R O O F S Number 3, 2010

tWo deCades of planning, designing and buildingThe planning for the Church of St. John Evangelist and its Parish Centre had already started at the beginning of the 1990s in the former socialist Yugoslavia. The time between the initial planning and the completion of the project in today’s independent Croatia was characterised by drastic economic, political, cultural and social changes and these turbulent transformationsarereflectedintheinterestingdevelopmentofthisbuilding.

The design of the church was decided by a free architecture competition and the winners were two renowned creative minds: Prof. Andrej Uchytil and Prof. Renata Waldgoni.

Both of the architects were born in Zagreb and thus have deep roots in the location of the project. They also both won numerous national and international architecture prizes, wrote reference books and designed the most diverse types of buildings.

The Church of St. John Evangelist with the Parish Centre

placed next to it at Zagreb is a remarkable example

of the intricate planning and high degree of sensitivity

needed to achieve an adequate architecture for sacred

project buildings. on the one hand, the building’s outward

appearance should be eye-catching and indicate what

is happening inside; on the other hand, restraint is

necessary in order to do justice to the dignity of a religious

place, to stimulate the spiritual collection and to convey

meditative quiet. The careful choice of materials, colours

and forms is needed in order for the architecture to

express the spirituality of a sacred building project.

ExceptionalZagreb / Croatia

sacred building project in

the faCe of the ChurChThe façade plays a special part within the concept of a building and the façade of the church was carefully thought out. The architects decided infavourofceramictilesinexactlydefinednuancesofblueascladdingmaterial. The tiles were supplied by AGRoB BUCHTAL, an internationally well-known manufacturer whose particular strength is, among other things, project-specificspecialproductions.

AGRoB BUCHTAL was so fascinated by the unusual history of this project and the passion of the architects that they invited Uchytil and Waldgoni for a visit to the factory where the ceramic tiles for the façade were produced. An interview was conducted during this meeting and these are the words of the mastermind architects behind the Church of St. John Evangelist and its Parish Centre:

the Colour blueThe colour blue was chosen for various aesthetic and practical reasons: symbolic: Blue is a symbol for eternity and metaphor for the universe which always presents itself in mystic dark blue.Visual: one can visually “dematerialise” a shell, which is the façade of the building in this case, by using various nuances of blue. This would have been impossible with green, for example.Creating atmospheres: Different atmospheres were to be created in a naturalwaywithoutanyartificialmeans,whichdependonthetimeofday,the weather and the perspective of vision. An attractive play of light and shadow was intended in order to make the building appear as solitaire within the urban environment. In this way, the church harmoniously integrates itself and at the same time stands out by its subtle presence.

Theimpressionoftheceramicbluetilesisintensifiedbyaquitespecialeffect: looked at from a great distance, the building seems to be monochrome.Asonemovesclosertothebuilding,thefineshimmerand

the changing composition of the three different shades of blue become more recognisable. When standing directly in front of the building, the special texture and the colour spectrum of the ceramic surface are clearly visible.

WhY CeramiCs Were ChosenThefaçadelookwastobeeye-catching,authentic,naturalanddignifiedand ceramics was the predestined solution for achieving this. The parish also favoured ceramic at the beginning of the planning phase and other building materials such as glass, stone, plastic or metal had never been taken into consideration.

Ecological aspects and European standards for sustainable building were taken into account during the planning phase of the church and theseaspectsalsoinfluencedourchoiceofceramicasbuildingmaterialfor the façade. Ceramic is an extremely durable material which is manufactured from natural raw materials. The laying was also carried out on a modern heat insulation composite system which ensures significantenergysavings.

Cost dilemmas solVedAfter several years of planning and building, the costs of a ceramic façade seemed to the parish to be too high. for conceptual architectural reasons, however, compromises regarding the initial intention were to be avoided at all costs. A manufacturer that was capable of putting the ideas into practice at a cost that would be accepted by the parish, without concessions concerning the design, was needed.

Via the company KeramItal in Zagreb, the contact to AGRoB BUCHTAL was established. AGRoB BUCHTAL was able to present the desired shades of blue that were needed to complete the vision of the façade, at a price that was acceptable to all involved.

reaCtions to the ChurChMany years have passed since the planning and the beginning of construction of the church. Nevertheless, the style is still complex and an exception to the rule in the architectural sector of sacred buildings, even from today’s point of view.

Such an ambitious project cannot be everybody’s darling and it isn’t meant to be favoured by everyone. The goal is to trigger discussions, new impetus, to convey inspirations and offer incentives. We wanted to make the ensemble stand out of the uniformity surrounding it, to experiment with free forms and to work with amazing proportions. As the reactions from architects, clergymen and the general public prove – these goals have been achieved.

AGRoB BUCHTALSouth African Representative: Roger SkudderEmail: [email protected]: www.agrob-buchtal.de

Left & far right: from a distance, the building appears to be monochrome. The closer one gets, the more recognisable become the changing nuances of the three blue shades of ceramic tiles.

In 2009, Prof. Renata Waldgoni (right) and Prof Andrej Uchytil (centre) visited the factory in Bavaria where the ceramicfaçadecladdingwasmanufactured.RobertHofmann(left)state-certifiedconstructionengineerandtechnical adviser of AGRoB BUCHTAL, conducted the interview mentioned above.

The parish centre, on the left side of the church, depicts straight lines which are characterised by the urban environment. The church (the building on the right) intentionally differs from that and acts as a solitaire building which clearly stands out from its surrounds.

Tech Savvy Tech Savvy

Tech Savvy


Curved roofing features of cladding solutionsAccording to www.gdace.gpg.gov.za, over 12 hectares of land worth R1-billion have been made available to the

Department of Health for the construction of the new Natalspruit hospital in the the Katlehong-Thokoza-Vosloorus (Kathorus)

area. This project entails the building and equipping of a 760-bed hospital at an estimated cost of R388-million to

ensure that improved health care services are provided in a suitable site and in good conditions for the communities

(www.gautengonline.gov.za).

The roof of the Natalspruit project includes over 33 000 m2 of steel sheet cladding.

Tech Savvy


The roof of the Natalspruit project includes over 33 000 m2 of steel sheet cladding which was erected by local contractors, Rainbow Sheeters & Erectors. “We started this project in the beginning of 2009 and approximately 12 000 m2ofsteelcladding,suppliedbySafintra,hasalready been erected on the roof,” says Gerhard Schoeman, Managing Director of Rainbow Sheeters & Erectors. “over 21 000 m2 of roof area still needs to be completed and I expect this project to be completed by the middle of 2010.”

The Natalspruit Hospital needed to be relocated to a new site after a survey report, commissioned by the National Department of Health during 2005, found that the previous location for the hospital was situated on a high dolomite risk region (www.gdace.gpg.gov.za).

loCal upliftmentCommunities in the Katlehong-Thokoza-Vosloorus region are expected to benefitbythejobscreatedduringthe37-monthconstructionperiod (www.gautengonline.gov.za). “The project is run by BEE companies, and this was one of the criteria to be part of the project,” explains Schoeman.

Schoeman says that a team, which varied between 25 and 35 people, worked on the roof of the Natalspruit hospital in order to ensure precision erection and durability of the roof. “The cladding sheets used on the roof of the hospital are approximately 33 m long and we needed to use lifting beams to get the sheets onto the roof,” says Schoeman. “We also employed people from surrounding communities to help construct the roof of the hospital by helping us set up the roof sheets and so forth, which created jobs for locals from this area.”

CurVed roofing solutionsSchoemanexplainsthatthecurvedroofsofthehospitalforcedthemtofindothermethodsofworking.“Alltheroofsarecurved,makingthemdifficulttoerect. Some of the areas needed specialised curving due to the radius of

thecurveandforthisweusedthefactoryatSafintratocurvethesheets,”says Schoeman.“Ourproductionprocessesarespecificallydesignedtoallowfor

flexibility,”saysEbenNel,Research&DevelopmentandMarketingManageratSafintra.“Almostanythingtheclientrequiresintermsofrooforwall cladding design can be provided by our technical team.”AccordingtoSchoeman,histeamusesasecret-fix-roofingsystemwhere

no screws are needed. “If you use this system with the correct accessories and processes, you can give your client a 5-year warrantee”.RainbowSheeters&ErectorsisanapprovedcontractorbySafintraand

they have been operating since 1996. Some of their larger projects include the roof of the orlando soccer stadium in Soweto and the roof of the fNB fairlands project.“AllSafintraproductsaremanufacturedtomeetthehigheststandards

of production and testing criteria,” says Nel. “We only use approved contractors,givingustheabilitytooffertheenduseraone-stoproofingsolution.” The key to a successful project is to have all parties concerned participatingfromthestart.SafintraandRainbowsheeterswereconsultedthroughout the design phase of the project, resulting in a hassle free erection phase with no nasty surprises,” concludes Nel.

SafintraTel: 011 823 4027Fax: 011 011 823 4288Website: www.safintra.co.za

Some of the areas on the roof needed specialised curving due to the radius of the curve.

Tech Savvy


frame Industrials of Durban is the manufacturer of a wide range of insulation products for the building industry, including the popular ThermocousTex range, which is an environment- and people-friendly polyesterboardorfibrethatisusedextensivelyforthermalinsulationandacoustic isolation in the building sector.

NoprotectiveclothingorbreathingapparatusisrequiredtofitThermocousTex thanks to its quick, clean and labour-friendly installation procedures.

over the past three years the properties and applications of ThermocousTex have been thoroughly evaluated to ensure a high standard of quality. ThermocousTex products are well suited to all types of housing, churches, airports, shopping centres and industrial applications, to name but a few.

ThermocousTex is well known for its acoustic and thermal properties, but it can also be used for affordable housing and ceilings in either a skimmed or vinyllaminatedform,andcanbeusedinanail-uporretrofitapplication.

Energy savings of 45% for conventional houses (equating to carbon savings of 4-6 tonnes per year) can be expected. for ceilings, ThermocousTex Insulated & Acoustic Ceilings can be supplied plain (to be paintedonsite),skimmedwithcretestone,orprovidedwithavinylfinish.

In walling applications, InnoBlok Insulated 140mm masonry blocks can be supplied, which means no plaster is required – providing a considerable saving on the total cost.

ThermocousTexTel: 0861 datlink Email: [email protected] Website: www.thermocoustex.co.za

Excellent thermal and acoustic insulation

An example of one of the houses that was displayed at the ABSA Innovative Affordable Housing Competition in Cape Town.

Tech Savvy


Tech Savvy


100yearsagoSika’sSwissfounder,KasparWinkler,firstinventedaliquidwaterproofingadmixturecalled“Sika-1”and,sincethen,Sikahasgrownintoa globally established manufacturer of quality construction products.

Sika was involved in the construction of the Gotthard railway tunnels in Europe during its early days and Sika-1 earned industry acclaim and commercialsuccessin1918whenthefirstGotthardrailwaytunnelneededwaterproofing.Today,asSikacelebratesitsCentenary,thenewGotthardBase Tunnel is under construction in Switzerland and it has once again becomeahigh-profileprojectforSika.

With a planned length of 57 kilometres, the tunnel is set to be the longest tunnel in the world (even though actual scheduled train services are likely to start no earlier than the end of 2017). Sika plans to be part of the construction works of this important infrastructure project until it is in full swing in 2017.

After extensive testing, Sika together with Holcim won the contract for threeofthefivesectionsofthetunnel.Sika-1isstillverymuchpartofSika’sproduct range today, which also includes high-tech admixtures for concrete andthetailoredwaterproofingsystemsnecessarytoguaranteethetunnelwalls are waterproofed with a service life of 100 years.

future plansSika will be focusing on principles of sustainable development in the near future as these principles continue to answer to today and tomorrow’s challenges. Water handling, energy saving and climate protection are some of the challenges that Sika feels will shape future economic conditions and growth.

Sika is proud of its involvement with historic projects, which is marked by innovative products and construction systems as well as consistent service delivery to customers and society.

Sika South Africa (Pty) LtdTel: 031 792 6500E-mail: [email protected]: www.sika.com

serving the construction industry

years100The Gotthard tunnel in Europe has a

planned length of 57 kilometres and it is set to be the longest tunnel in the world.

Tech Savvy


Dockweiler AG, a leading international manufacturer of stainless steel tube systems,recentlyhadMasdarPV`sthin-filmbasedsolarmodulesinstalledon the roof of its new production facilities in Neustadt-Glewe, Germany, by systemintegratorRalos.ThisisthefirsttimethatMasdar’smoduleswereutilized for a rooftop mounted solar system.“Wearedelightedthatoursolarmodulesarenowbeingusedforthefirst

timeinaroofmountedsystem–shortlyafterhavingequippedthefirstopenspace solar park with them. System integrator Ralos has been awarded the contract for planning and installing the equipment and we are hoping to work with them on future projects as well,” said Joachim Nell, CEo of Masdar PV.

eCologiCal responsibilitY in future expansionsThesolarmodulesthatareinstalledontheflatroofoftheproductionhallatDockweiler will use the sun’s rays for electricity. “With our new production

building we have prepared for our future expansion. Together with Masdar PV and our installed solar panels we also undertake a further step and ensure in the future the combination of entrepreneurial business with even more ecological responsibility”, says Gerhard Tegtmeyer, CEo of Dockweiler.

Nell believes that more and more companies will follow the Dockweiler example by making use of open areas and factory roofs to generate electricity using solar modules and thereby providing economic advantages for their businesses.“Asourthin-filmPV-modulesproduceoutstandingreturnswiththediffuse

sunlight conditions we have here in Germany, we are expecting great future demand for our products,” concludes Nell.

For more information, visit www.masdarpv.com, to which full acknowledgement and thanks are given.

Johannesburg’s Soccer City is one of the most spectacular buildings to rise from the 2010 World Cup stadium construction boom, and in one important construction detail it has epitomised the creative architectural value of the pre-stressed hollow-core concrete panel system.

Echo Prestress says it has also demonstrated – in an international showcasesetting–theimportanteconomicbenefitsinherentinitsconcrete panel system.

The design of the 95 000-seat stadium which is the largest in Africa, won the prestigious fulton Award for “concrete in architecture” and was inspired by the African calabash cooking pot, a shape symbolising the melting pot of African cultures.

A tight construction timetable required Echo Prestress to install 6 000 m² of 150 mm deep, 4,5 m-long pre-stressed hollow-core concrete panels for the stadium kiosks and entrance areas within a tight delivery schedule and budgetary constraints, says Echo Group technical director Daniel Petrov.

The slabs were supported by raked steel beams and placed at an angle following the line of the beams to form the roof of the kiosks andentrances.Theslabsbetweenthesteelsupportsareconfinedbetween end-stops, restricting lateral movement. All were screened and waterproofed to architectural detail.

“The Echo slabs met the architectural and structural engineering requirements,” Petrov added. “In previous years, stadium kiosks have traditionally been built in in-situ concrete. At Soccer City, however,

consistentproductqualityandefficientdeliveryarrangementshelpedthecontractortoreducehisdemandinginstallationtimetable.”Thebenefitsof using the Echo Prestress panels – typically the speed and ease of construction – were once again illustrated at Soccer City.

“No formwork or propping was required, so there was no inconvenience such as restricted access, which would otherwise certainly have been the case. once the slabs were installed, access to work spaces was totally clear, and the installation of gates and turnstiles was also able to go ahead without restriction by props.”

Petrov added that Soccer City was a “brilliant world-class settinginwhichtodisplaythebenefitsofEcho’sprestressed concrete slab system.”

Echo PrestressTel: 011 589 8800Fax: 011 589 8955E-mail: [email protected]: www.echo.co.za

Masdar’s new rooftop mounted solar systemMasdar PV-modules on the roof of the new Dockweiler production hall in Neustadt-Glewe.

Concrete panels score at Soccer City

Echo’s prestress concrete slab system


South Africa celebrated 100 hundred days before the kick off of the 2010 FIFAWorldCuptournamentwiththeofficialhandoveroffullycompletedSoccer City Stadium to the Mayor of Johannesburg on 3 March. The iconic stadium took almost 10 million hours to construct and boasts more than 1m “disabling injury free man hours” – a world class achievement.

The Aveng Group, a leading infrastructure organisation, its subsidiary Grinaker-LTA and international construction partners, Interbeton and Cimolai Spa who were involved in the construction were at the celebration.

“This is an incredibly exciting moment for The Aveng Group, as we present a piece of African pride to the Mayor of Johannesburg. We are ready for the World Cup and cannot wait for the games to begin so that we can showcase African ingenuity in design and our expertise in construction and engineering to the rest of the world. I have no doubt that we will host a world-class event,” said The Aveng Group’s CEo Roger Jardine.

soCCer CitY’s historiCal ConneCtion to south afriCan historYThe ground on which Soccer City was built has a deep historical connection with South Africans. It was here that the predecessor to SoccerCitysawBafanaBafanaqualifyfortheirfirst-everWorldCup and where a mass rally was held to celebrate the release of Nelson Mandela in 1990.

The stadium is built to look like a calabash. This design was chosen because the calabash is traditionally used to store food, water and/or traditional beer. In the case of Soccer City, the calabash will hold the soccer supporters who have travelled far and wide for the event.

With 87 000 seats for the 2010 fIfA World Cup, and numerous paraplegic seats, the stadium is not only the largest in Africa but also one of the biggest all-seated stadium ever built for any football World Cup event. The stadium has also been built to ensure that not a single spectator is more than around 105 m from the soccer pitch.

There are 193 suites in total in which approximately 2 700 seats are dedicated solely to media. Building the stadium required 90 000 m³ of concrete, roughly 12 000 tons of reinforcement steel, 9 million bricks and 13000tonsofstructuralsteel.Thestructureisfittedwithadouble-layerfabric roof while the calabash-inspired design of the façade required 32400fibrecementpanels.Thestadiumislocatedstrategically between the soccer-fanatical Soweto to the South West and Johannesburg to the North East.

The Aveng GroupTel: 011 779 2800E-mail: [email protected]: www.aveng.co.za

Soccer City handover celebrates 100 daysThe Soccer City Stadium is built to look like a calabash.

Architect ives


a.b.e. Construction Chemicals, which celebrated its 70th birthday last year, has introduced new, eye-catching packaging for its retail product lines. The new look and packaging of these products also include important product information and improved durability.

“With this campaign, we intend to improve the various brands’ ‘look-and-feel’andintroducecustomerstoamoreuser-friendlyidentificationprofile,”saysElreneSmuts,BrandCoordinatorata.b.e.“Thenew,attractive packaging will not only catch the eye of shoppers in hardware stores but also contains detailed pertinent information about the products and their application. It is important to note, however, that while the products will now feature new or improved packaging, the contents will remain true to their original, trusted formula.”

four of the CompanY’s popular produCts Will be the first to sport neW paCKaging:

epidermix 318 adhesive/repair compound (in 200 ml, 500 ml • and 1 litre sizes);

duraflexwaterproofingslurry(15kgandanew5kgsize);and•creosote and carbolineum wood preservatives (1,5 and 25 litres).•

“Theseproductswillbethefirstinthea.b.e.rangetobesold in more consumer-friendly packaging. We plan to also introduce new-look packaging for several other a.b.e. products in 2010,” explains Smuts.

a.b.e. Construction ChemicalsTel: 011 306 9000E-mail: [email protected]: www.abe.co.za

New packaging for construction chemicals product line

Energy shortage is “Blessing in Disguise”, GMBA told

South Africa’s current electricity supply constraint is a “blessing in disguise” to get the country to confront more basic energy challenges, Cedric Worthmann, of Eskom’s Demand Side Management, has told members of the Gauteng Master Builders Association (GMBA).

Speaking at the GMBA’s recent annual general meeting in Midrand, Worthmann said there was a growing realisation that global energy systems had to be changed radically to supply energy needs sustainably on a long-term basis. fossil fuels needed to be replaced with renewable energy sources.

“In South Africa, the time has come to throw away our old electricity rule book. We have been operating on borrowed time. There is now an entirely new and inescapable energy landscape with new rules. The rapid energy changes we are experiencing locally are not temporary – they are here to stay and we will have to adapt to survive,” Worthmann stated. He said it was timetorealisethatSouthAfrica’selectricitycostshadbeenartificiallylowinthe past and that the “generous supply capacity” had been a bonus that no longer existed.

The current “change drivers” towards energy saving in South Africa included punitive as well as incentive-based measures, tax incentives, conservation and demand incentives and capping, as well as environmental and social responsibilities. “Companies saving energy will be rewarded and those that do not, will face penalties,” he added.

“The South African business sector should create an awareness of energy usage by means of measurement and reporting. How can there be savings if corporations do not know how much electricity they are using? This knowledge should be used to create energy intensity strategies with set targets and budgets – long-term renewable and waste energy plans. Staff should be trained on how to conserve energy with the impact of energy-savingmeasuresmeasuredandverifiedregularly,”Worthmannstated.

GMBATel: 011 805 6611Fax: 011 805 6723E-mail: [email protected]: www.gmba.co.za

Name change for Elastogran SAElastogran South Africa (Pty) Ltd announced it has changed its business name to BASf Polyurethanes South Africa (Pty) Ltd, with effect from 01 March, 2010.

following the introduction of the BASf corporate brand for all Elastogran systems houses globally, the next step is to change the business names. The name change will not affect the legal form of the companies, nor will the renaming affect existing agreements such as employment contracts or customer contracts.

“The name change is an important indicator of BASf’s commitment to its European polyurethane business and helps strengthen the BASf brand overall,” said Jacques Delmoitiez, President: BASf Polyurethanes.

What will not be changing is BASf Polyurethanes’ commitment to ensure that our customers become more successful in their businesses, through access to global polyurethane technology, products and applications, outstanding service levels as well as excellent product quality.

BASF Polyurethanes South Africa (Pty) LtdTel: 011 437 7656Fax: 086 669 7187E-mail: [email protected]: www.pu.basf.eu


Architect ives

According to Lafarge Gypsum, who recently announced the introduction of new products into the South African residential market, the difference between an average interior and a great interior is the quality of the finishingproducts.“Essentially,interiordesignisoftencompromisedbytheneed for buildings to be constructed quickly and as affordably as possible. Inevitably,itisusuallythefinishingoftheinteriorofthebuildingthatsuffers,” says Shane van der Nest, Marketing Manager of Lafarge Gypsum South Africa.“Inanattempttocounteractthistrendandprovidespecifiersaswell

ashomeownerswithanenlargedchoiceofqualityfinishingproducts,we have introduced several new products to the market, such as the 6,4 mm Jumbo® plasterboard, 75 mm Lafarge Cove Cornice and the Jumbo® Multipurpose Compound,” says Van der Nest.

Leading the Lafarge Gypsum offerings are the Jumbo® ceiling solutions thatprovidehigh-qualityceilingfinishestomeetsound,thermal,fireand insulation standards. “Besides their functional qualities, these ceilingsolutionsalsoofferaestheticbenefitsforceilinggridsystemsandplasterboardapplicationsforflat,curvedorvaultedceilings,”explains Van der Nest.

easY installationsLafarge Gypsum’s 6,4 mm Jumbo® plasterboard is quick and easy to install. According to Van der Nest, it does not sag and can be curved intomanyformstofitvariousdesigns,givingaprofessionalqualityandappearance.Theproductcontainsfibreforrigidity,whichalsoleadstosafer handling.

“our 9 mm and 12 mm Jumbo® Plasterboard ceiling products are ideal for high-end residential market applications. The range has been extended toincorporateafire-resistantboard,thisbeingtheJumbo® fire Check board.ThisboardoffersSABStestedfire-resistantresultsandcanofferuptoatwohourfirerating.”“Complementingtheceilings,andprovidinganaestheticfinishingtouch,

are cornices under the Jumbo® decorative mouldings banner which are offeredinarangeof11differentprofiles,”commentsVanderNest.

durable mouldings With high Water-resistant qualitiesMade of high-density moulded polystyrene, the mouldings are durable and will not chip if dropped. Because of their high-water resistant qualities, they make an excellent choice for bathrooms and humid areas. The larger profilescanalsobeusedtoconceallow-voltagefluorescentlighting.

Also new to the Lafarge cornice range is the Lafarge 75 mm “Cove

Cornice”, which is formulated to give exceptionally high strength and rigidity in order to reduce wastage through breakages. Manufactured from high-quality ivory-coloured paper, it seamlessly matches the Jumbo® plasterboard,requireslesspaintandprovdesanoverallpleasingfinish.

“Being constructed from a lightweight material, it offers contractors the benefitsoflargerloads,reducedtransportcosts,easierhandlingandeasy installation. In a country where the provision of social housing is anongoingprocess,theenergyefficiencyofthehomesprovidedcanbedramaticallyimprovedbythefittingofceilings.Notonlydotheyofferinsulation from sound, heat and cold, they also add substantially to the visual appeal of a home at relatively low cost,” said Van der Nest.

lightWeight Walling sYstemCompleting the interior look, the Jumbo® Residential Wall is a lightweight walling system that shows no visible joints on completion. The internal framework consists of a Lafarge Ridgeback stud and Lafarge Drywall Track manufactured from galvanized steel. Tapered- edge Jumbo® Plasterboardsarescrew-fixedtothestudsallowingforplasterjointing.“Theadvantageofthisflexiblesystemisthatitcanbemovedasthe

needs of the homeowner change. Providing good insulation and acoustics, it is also compact, lightweight, and quick to install, allowing builders to achieveauniformhigh-qualityfinish,”concludesShanevanderNest.

Lafarge Gypsum Tel: 011 257 3100E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.lafarge.co.za

Innovative products for the discerning residential market

Jumboceilingsolutionsprovidehighqualityceilingfinishesthatmeetsound,thermal,fireandinsulationstandards.

The new plasterboard is quick and easy to install, does not sag and it can be curvedintomanyformstofitvariousdesigns.

Architect ives


Architect ives


Guy Ailion of the University of Witwatersrand won the prestigious Corobrik Architectural Student of the Year Award for 2009. His entry, entitled ‘Everywhere is here - Architecture and a Developing Information Society’, wasselectedfromagroupofsevenregionalfinalistsanditshowcasedanopen Information Campus in Kliptown, Soweto.

Ailion’s win was announced at a function held at the Wanderers Club in Johannesburg on 10 March 2010. As the national winner, Ailion received a R40 000 prize from Corobrik to add to his regional winnings of R6 000.

The judges favoured Ailion’s entry because they felt it was a very thought-provoking exercise in which he addressed the issues people face in an information era that transcends cultural barriers. This project, set on a well-known site in Kliptown, will help local communities to learn technology within a friendly environment.

holistiC approaChes to sustainabilitY A prominent theme of this year’s event was environmental consciousness and the relevance of taking an holistic approach to sustainability, incorporating economic, social and environmental aspects. Dirk Meyer, Corobrik’s managing director, highlighted the organisation’s commitment to driving for sustainable outcomes in all aspects of the business and the role clay bricks play in optimising sustainability over the lifecycle of buildings.

“The Student Awards programme was important in that it extended the platform for intellectual discourse and debate on the sort of architecture and the kind of building technologies and materials appropriate for addressing the fragilities of the Earth. for devising from a myriad of design and material possibilities, those combinations are able to achieve optimal solutions, resulting in architecture that is able to inspire, yet is also functional, practical and sensible,” said Meyer.

During Meyer’s welcoming speech, he quoted Renzo Piano who on the subject of sustainability said, ‘The challenge is to create buildings that are less violent in terms of their energy requirements and which are capable of achieving economies in the use of resources. Where possible we should seek to use materials that respect the environmental balance. one of these is ceramic. It is an ancient material that comes from the earth and returns to the earth but above all it has characteristics of strength, durability, unlimited colourpotentialandthecapacitytoreflectlight,makingitfunctionallyperfectand extraordinary in various situations.’

the hoW and WhY of green buildingsEric Noir of WSP Green by Design gave a keynote speech during the event, entitled ‘Towards Real Green Architecture’, which presented the

how and why of green buildings from a practical point of view and used WSP Green by Design’s rich portfolio to explore overcoming resistance to change. According to Noir, the context in which we have to envisage the built environment is that of six interrelated time bombs: energy, water, food security, people, biodiversity and waste.

“Sustainability in the built environment is within reach and the capacity of everybody. It is not about ability, but more importantly about willingness and overcoming resistance to change. It is about using exactly the same tools of one’s trade, but to serve a different philosophy,” said Noir.

Young arChiteCts’ positiVe impaCtThis is the twenty-third year that Corobrik has sponsored the competition. As it recognises the positive impact that young graduates have on the future of the built environment, the award is coveted among architectural students and is hotly contested each year. The quality and innovation of the entries increase annually and this year was no exception.

Corobrik Tel: 031 560 3111Fax: 031 565 1532Website: www.corobrik.com

Guy Ailion’s project scoops 2009 Architectural Student Award

Thefinalistsofthe2009CorobrikArchitecturalStudentoftheyearAwardarepictured with Thilo Sidambaram of Corobrik. from left, the winner Guy Ailion from the University of the Witwatersrand, Jacques Malan from the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University in Port Elizabeth, Lauren Haiden from the University of KwaZulu-Natal, Ruann van der Westhuizen from the University of Pretoria, Thilo Sidambaram, Neels Bezuidenhout from the Tshwane University of Technology, Tascha de Lange from the University of the free State and Rikus Mundey from the University of Cape Town

Guy Ailion was the winner of this year’s Corobrik Architectural Student of the Year award. His project entitled ‘Everywhere is here - Architecture and a Developing Information Society is an open Information Campus in Kliptown, Soweto.

Tascha de Lange from the University of the free State is pictured with her professors, Jan Ras, Pattabi Raman and Jan Smit.

Architect ives


Saint-GobainWeber,oneofSouthAfrica’smostinfluentialcompaniesintheconstruction sector, has opened its new factory in Durban. The factory is fully geared to produce its standard tile adhesives range for the local market in KwaZulu-Natal, right on their doorstep.

“We’ve been cementing relationships in KwaZulu-Natal over the last couple of years, and, as a consequence, have increased our market share quitesignificantly,”saysmanagingdirectorofSaint-GobainWeber,DarylMeyer. “The time is now right to produce the Tylon range of adhesives locally to offer our clients an even quicker turnaround time from order to delivery than ever before, while maintaining the high standards of quality and reliability with which our products have become synonymous.”

produCts in KWazulu-natalSaint-Gobain Weber’s new factory is located in New Germany and it produces the Weber Tylon WB9, or standard product range that is in high demand in the KwaZulu-Natal tiling market. “We do however keep stock of our full product range at the Saint-Gobain LBS in the Riverhorse Valley Estate in Avoca,” explains Meyer. “This has also meant that our customers can order smaller quantities than the 30-ton minimum order quantity that was required when we were freighting our products from Gauteng. We are also able to split loads, so that Weber’s clients can purchase the quantities of products that suit them. We know that this agility is important to our customers – so we have made it a priority to give them what they want.”

modular design teChnologYThe new factory is making waves for reasons other than its direct response to demand from the KwaZulu Natal construction industry. “Internationally, the Weber organisation has a very strong plant design methodology that focuses on modular design technology, from our sister company M-Tec. TheDurbanplantisthefirstplantbuiltbyM-Tecthatisa‘ModelCplant’,which is a factory with a capacity of 30 000 tons per annum. our operation

here in KZN is being used as a test case for this type of plant design around the world,” says Meyer.

The 30 000-ton plant is modular and, from capex signoff to commissioning, took only six months to build. “The modular nature of the factory means that when the Durban market grows larger than the plant’s production capacity, we can either add onto the plant to accommodate the required capacity increase, or we can decommission it easily, and move it to another centre,” explains Meyer.

The new factory is the smallest of Weber’s modular plant designs, and the success of the Durban project will see the South African test case being used to lead Weber’s growth in other countries where smaller plants are requiredtosatisfyspecificmarketrequirements.

Saint-GobainTel: 086 027 2829E-mail: [email protected]: www.saint-gobain.co.za

Modular plant in Durban is making waves

from the left: Steve du Toit (Regional MD Saint-Gobain Construction Products South Africa); Claude Imauven (President of the Construction Products Sector, Senior Vice President of Saint-Gobain) David Anderson (Regional Managing Director Construction Products UK); Daryl Meyer (Managing Director Saint-Gobain Weber South Africa)

JohnCairns,theCMA’sdirectorforthepast13years,officiallyretiredattheendofFebruary.Hispositionhasbeenfilledbynewlyappointeddirector Hamish Laing.

John will continue to work for the CMA on a consultancy basis for the next six months and will still be very much involved in this year’s CMA Awards for Excellence Competition.

As one of South Africa’s foremost concrete block paving experts, he will continue to sit on the committee of the international paving association, SEPT (Small Element Paving Technologists), and will still be involved in seminars, lectures and site inspections on behalf of the CMA.

John has established his own paving consultancy and will be available to assist with the design, installation and marketing of concrete block paving (CBP) systems.

Hamish was raised and educated in Scotland and England. He has a BSc degree in civil engineering from Leeds University and has lived and worked in South Africa for the past 28 years. Before joining the CMA, he

was a technical services manager with the multi-national Hilti group. Hamish brings a wealth of experience in concrete technology to the

CMA and has held positions with some of South Africa’s leading cement and concrete supply companies.

Between 1998 and 2003 he worked for PPC Cement where he developed and marketed an entire new product range – dry mortar cement.Moreover,hehasmadeseveralothersignificantcontributionsto the advancement of this country’s cement and concrete industry.

Concrete Manufacturers AssociationTel: 011 805 6742Fax: 086 524 9216 E-mail: [email protected]

CMA stalwart retiresleft: John Cairns, the CMA’s director for the past 13 years, officiallyretiredattheendoffebruary. He will continue to work for the CMA on a consultancy basis for the next six months and will be still very much involved in this year’s CMA Awards for Excellence Competition. right: Newly appointed director for CMA Hamish Laing

Architect ives


At the end of february Pretoria Portland Cement (PPC) announced its 100th

year as a listed company on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange. over the past 118 years PPC has developed into a leading cement, aggregates and lime production and distribution

company that has played a vital role in the history and overall development of Southern Africa.

Established in 1892 with a factory in Pretoria, the company has grown to include operations across the country and in Botswana and Zimbabwe. It is a reliable supplier of cement and materials into the civil, commercial and residential sectors throughout South Africa.

The company continues to play an integral part in the construction of the country’s infrastructure, monuments and national landscape as well as contributing to our daily lives in cities, towns and rural communities. Paul Stuiver, CEo of PPC, said, “What strikes one when you study the history of the company is the courageous and visionary leadership over the years, which resulted in a number of long-term decisions that greatly benefitedthecompany.”

“our long-standing customers and suppliers have been an integral part of PPC’s success. All our stakeholders have contributed to the company becomingarecognisednationalbrandandasignificantingredientinmany of South Africa’s monuments and landmarks. We are proud of these associations and relationships, many of which date as far back as the early 1900s,” he said.

Stuiver added, “one of the reasons for our longevity is the calibre of our people. It is not only those in leadership positions, but all of our peopleinPPCfactories,depotsandoffices,aswellasthecommunitiesin which we operate.”

“Team PPC has built the company and made it the long-term success it is today. Their vision, passion and commitment ensure that PPC remains a market leader. We are looking forward to the next hundred yearswithconfidence,resolveanddetermination.”

Pretoria Portland CementTelephone: 011 386 9000Fax: 011 386 9001E-mail: [email protected]: www.ppc.co.za

PPC celebrates 100 years on the JSEPPC Chairman Prof. Bheki Sibiya

With the announcement recently that South Africa’s electricity tariffs will be increasing by around 25% a year over the next three years, energy efficiencyhasbecomeakeybusinessconcern.Operationsnowneedtotake a serious look at their energy consumption to contain costs. Building management systems are one such solution. Although these systems are by no means a new technology, they are not widely recognised or understood by the majority of potential end-users in South Africa. In many cases these systems are also perceived as an expensive addition to building operations.

“Building management systems combine various building functions, such as lighting, heating and airconditioning, over a single platform to control, monitor and optimise their operation and energy consumption,” explains frost & Sullivan Building Technologies analyst Linda Harding. “Lighting, heating and airconditioning can use up to 70% of a commercial building’s energy. An integrated BMS can reduce this by up to 30%.”

frost & Sullivan predicts that spending on building management systems in South Africa will nearly treble between 2008 and 2015. To date, only premium end-users such as banks and shopping centres have used building management systems. These are typically the companies that have the desired level of system complexity to justify the initial cost of integration, as the savings realised from this process over the lifecycle of the building more than cover the capital expense.

“However, the majority of South African buildings are leased, often under

short-term, multi-tenant agreements and tenants are thus unwilling to invest in these systems as the payback periods have been greater than tenancy duration,” Harding explains. “Also, installing a building management system in a new building can raise the cost of the building by up to 4%, which has discouraged developers”. Harding points out that there are currently no government policies or incentives to support the utilisation of building management systems in South Africa.

“The low level of recognition of building management systems in South Africaisasignificantrestraintonthegrowthofthemarket,”Hardingnotes, “but the introduction of the Green Star SA rating tool by the Green Building Council of South Africa should promote greater awareness, as theinstallationofthesesystemscansignificantlycontributetowardstheachievement of a Green Star rating.” Additionally, the proposed Eskom Power Conservation Programme is expected to provide a degree of further support, if it is enacted, as large consumers of energy will be incentivised to reduce their electricity consumption through lower pricing models. Building management systems offer the solution to achieving these reductions and cost savings.

Frost & SullivanTel: 021 680 3260Fax: 021 680 3296E-mail: [email protected]: www.frost.com

Electricity hikes will increase interest in building management systems

Architect ives


NMC Business School General Manager David Elliott says the mantra of the construction industry has changed over the past few years and construction companies need to adapt.

“The mantra of the construction industry was simply growth, growth, growth. Today’s market leaders, however, recognise that the future is about sustainability,” says Elliott. “To the outsider, the construction industry appears as a monolithic entity. on site, however, it is a very different story. In the past, large contractors carried all their own multi-tradesmen, which became a heavy overhead burden when the industry hit a dip. As a solution, they advised them to start their own companies and then, as business picked up, they would hire them back as sub-contractors.”

outsourCing and CommuniCation problemsAccording to Elliott, principal contractors outsource about 70% of the work to sub-contractors on a typical project in today’s construction environment. “The communication issues around that fragmented supply chain can create delivery problems on projects and an incentive to be claims-conscious. Typical in-house interventions, like quality, safety, health and environment or project management, would theoretically only impact around 30% of the project deliverables. The result was obvious… it was unsustainable,” says Elliott.

formalising netWorKs in order to learnNMC(Pty)Ltd,adiversifiedconstructioncompanywithover1000people,created a network of construction industries and sub-contractors over 20 years ago. “We approached sub-contractors and told them that we need their managers sitting together with ours around the same table of learning.” In recent years, this network was formalised by establishing the NMCBusinessSchoolinordertoensureongoingbenefitstoafast-growingsupply chain through corporate partnering.

“The other issue we wanted to help overcome was the natural tendency towards the formation of professional silos within the industry. We wanted cross-pollination throughout the disciplines in order to improve our ownservicedelivery,whichisoftenplaguedwithpoorinformationflow,”says Elliott.

is it arrogant not to Compete in the tender marKet?Elliott believes that clients often think the traditional tender process (design-bid-build) will get them a better price but, at the end of the day after variations and litigation, it often works out to be more expensive. “When Neil Muller started this company, one of the ways he differentiated

our offering was to say he would not compete on the tender market, rather opting to deliver to enlightened clients who wanted world-class facilities. Unfortunately, this approach has been misunderstood by many of the design professionals over the years. Contractors saw it almost as an arrogant offering,” says Elliott.

“However, this was born out of frustration with the traditional system, which often awards contracts to the lowest bidders, who then hit the client and sub-contractors with claims for variations due to changes in the design.”

Elliott says that NMC has overcome this negative perception by the formation of the NMC Alliance. “The Alliance is simply a term describing formal corporate partnerships between the design professionals – many of them appointed on the recommendation of various discerning clients – and NMC. In the USA, 50% of non-residential projects are now done using design-build.”

NMC has been offering design-build for nearly 30 years, mainly in the industrial sector, and they are now offering their clients this value using the same predictable delivery system in the other sectors as well.

“What started out largely as an in-company operation to support the Alliance,hasnowgrownintoafledglingbusinessschoolwithqueries fromcandidatesasfarafieldasEgypt.”Elliottsaystheywere surprisedbytheresponse:inthefirstninemonthsmorethan600 people signed up.”

sub-ContraCtors are trained, CoaChed, and then left unsupportedIn 2011, the NMC Business School will launch the Contractors’ Apprentice Programme. “our biggest obstacle is the high attrition rate of incubator programs,” says Elliott. “Emerging black sub-contractors get trained, coached and perform well until they are left unsupported in a highly competitive tender environment. I am led to believe that this happens in almost 85% of the cases reviewed.”

NMC has partnered with 1 Call ASAP, oosthuizen & Co. and Shanduka Black Umbrellas, an organisation created to assist Small, Middle- and Micro-sized Enterprises (SMMEs) to grow their businesses through comprehensive administrative support, and created the Contractors’ Apprentice Programme, a four-year business apprenticeship programme for contractors.

“I believe in what I am doing. This is about building sustainable work equity. It’s about making tradespeople into business people,” concludes Elliott.

NMC Business SchoolTel: 021 551 2640Fax: 021 551 2977E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.nmcbusinessschool.co.za

Business school for the changing construction industry

David Elliott, is the general manager of a business school that was established to help support the construction industry with capable, enlightened professionals

WALLS & ROOFS in Africa JNL 3'10

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