Walls & Roofs Jnl 1/2011

The projects that made headlines Green product identification Ground Zero: Freedom Tower

IN THIS ISSUE: Changing the way design professionals use concrete

VOL 12.1 JANUARY 2011 R38 incl. VAT

ContentsVolume 12 • Number 1 • 2011

RegulaRs|| SHOPFRONT08 Decorative waterproofing12 New range of bitumen waterproofing

|| CONCEPTS & VISIONS14 Ground zero - Freedom Tower

|| GREEN DESIGN16 Australia’s first green retrofit project

|| ARCHITECTIVES98 Media in Africa’s editor nominated99 Manufacturer assisting architects

FeaTuRes|| SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTS & DESIGNS18 Feature: True sustainability indicators38 Energy-efficient homes

|| PROJECTS44 2010: A year in review52 Contemporary art56 Customised roller shutters58 Low pitched metal roofs60 Prestigious local projects72 King Shaka International

|| CONCRETE82 Design professionals using concrete96 2010 Concrete Awards

Cement lends to most design choices and it is readily available in the marketplace, but how sustain-able are these products? Cemcrete marketing director, Joanne Sykes, explains the various benefits of working with cement-based products and how this building material can become even more environmentally friendly in the future. Read more on page 88.The projects that made headlines Green product identification Ground Zero: Freedom Tower

IN THIS ISSUE: Changing the way design professionals use concrete

VOL 12.1 JANUARY 2011 R38 incl. VAT

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

ContaCt information: International: Tel +27 12 347 7530 • Fax +27 12 347 7523

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

[email protected] Accounts Consultant: Shayne Lessing – 082 945 5030

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Journalist: Adrienne Brookbanks – 082 468 [email protected]

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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.

Celebrating 2010 and welcoming 2011 2010 was a fantastic year for us and the industry showed remarkable tenacity during these difficult times. In this issue we reflect on the wonderful projects completed during the course of 2010. I am always encouraged by the range and quality of projects delivered by local architects and developers. View the stunning projects from page 44.

sustainability: fact or farce?Sustainability and green products and design are on everyone’s lips. Shopping centres and commercial building owners are leading the way in developing world class green buildings. But what does it mean? What are the true indicators of sustainability in the built environment and how do we identify green products? We cover everything from “greenwashing” to standards, eco labelling, industry watchdogs and life-cycle analysis. I urge you to read our fantastically written piece by our world class journalist Adrienne Brookbanks from page 18.

note from my deskWatch out for “NOTES FROM MARLENE’S DESK” in the new year. These

informative and to-the-point e-mails will be specifically put together

on a range of topics that will be of interest to both our advertisers

and our readers. The subject matter will be different, varied and,

above all, relevant. I look forward to providing this valuable offering

to you as part of my on-going commitment to you.

The year ahead

What will 2011 hold for us? For our part, we will strive to bring you the best editorials and well researched, industry leading articles, in-depth product information and exclusive project coverage reaffirming us as the only specialist walling and roofing publication in Africa! I look forward to being with you in 2011!

ONLINE mAGAzINEFREE

www.mediainafrica.co.za

Marlene van Rooyen

WINNER: SAPOA Property Publication of the Year.

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During his presentation, van Oorsouw gave a brief history of polyurea in order to explain why and where the building industry was using the product in Europe.

Polyurea was first developed for the automotive industry in the early 1980’s as a RIM material for bumpers.

Since the mid-1980s, polyurea has been used as a spray system,” said Van Oorsouw.

“During the mid-1990s, the commercialisation of polyurea products failed in Europe, but the continent saw a renewed interest from the late 1990s. Many people want to know why the initial commercialisation efforts failed – it was because people didn’t realise the product’s limitations and they didn’t know its application possibilities,” said Van Oorsouw.

Pure Polyurea coatings can be applied over concrete, wood and steel for abrasion resistance, waterproofing and corrosion protection. The product can be moulded and shaped by spraying into moulds and can also be used as a hard-coating protective shell.

“Polyurea coatings are tolerant to moisture and humidity during curing, so they can be applied within a wider window of temperature and weather conditions than traditional coatings,” explained Van Oorsouw.

During the initial launch of the product in the mid-1990s, videos of people spraying the product onto water were released on the Internet. “These videos attempted to show that the product was moisture-resistant, but people misinterpreted the video, thinking that surface areas didn’t need any preparation,” said Van Oorsouw.

Polyurea sprays are mainly used in construction-related fields for waterproofing and secondary containment. Van Oorsouw explains that, in order to understand the vast functionalities and benefits of the products, one needs to look at the other products available in the construction industry.

“Epoxies, urethanes, hybrids and seamed membranes are your alternatives for waterproofing and secondary containment. What makes polyurea a great solution is that it is seamless – if you don’t have a seam, the seam can’t break,” says Van Oorsouw when comparing polyurea to seamed membranes.

“Although epoxies have their own application solutions,

Polyurea spray-on coating launched in South AfricaBASF Polyurethanes’ Pure Polyurea spray-on coating emanating from the leaders in polyurea from Europe was recently launched in South Africa. Alain van Oorsouw, an Elastogran sales engineer from the Netherlands, gave a presentation on the application possibilities of the polyurea spray during the launch in Johannesburg in November.

Some of the Pure Polyurea featureS inClude:

Zero volatile organic compounds•

High chemical resistance•

Excellent durability•

No substances of concern•

Seamless and impervious membrane•

Flexible (420% elasticity)•

Excellent adhesion•

Quick-curing•

Excellent noise absorption•

Tolerant of high moisture and humid conditions during •

application.

Standing from left to right: Alan Brydon, Alain Van Oorsouw, Maxie MacMavis, Victor Coenen, Thandeka Molakeng, Michael Cave, Dale Walker (in front: Michael Ljubeko & Mpfareleni Luvhengo)

Continues on page 8

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ARCELOR MITTAL

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ARCELOR MITTAL

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the range ComPriSeS variouS ProduCtS ranging from:

A Waterproofing Cement additive – This additive provides •

excellent primary waterproofing when mixed with mortar, screed or plaster.Waterproof Crack Fillers in various colours – The crack filler is •

suitable for both interior and exterior applications. This product has excellent strength and shrink resistance.Waterproof Tile Grouts in various colours – This product is •

suitable for both interior and exterior use and it has excellent strength and shrink resistance. It can be used to grout joints up to 8 mm wide by 20 mm deep.Traditional Masonry Waterproofing in various colours – •

This product can be applied to porous masonry substrates. It becomes an integral part of the substrate, thus effectively preventing moisture, damp and water seepage from entering or leaving the protected area.A Flexible Liquid Waterproofing additive – When mixed •

with Weber Masonry Waterproofing, this becomes a flexible

waterproofing membrane that provides excellent adhesion qualities with high flexural strength and excellent elongation properties. This additive is manufactured from UV- resistant copolymer latex. Wall and Floor coatings – Integrally coloured wall and floor •

coverings for varied applications.Waterproofing Kit for Showers – An under-tile tanking system •

for the waterproofing of shower cubicles prior to the fixing of ceramic, porcelain or natural stone tiles. This product is also available in component form for larger applications such as balconies, patios and flat roof structures.

This range of waterproofing products combines traditional, practical waterproofing application with a definite decorative edge, both achieved with a single, easy-to-use product. This ensures that Weber’s new products can be used with the same confidence that existing Weber customers have become accustomed to. u

Saint-Gobain WeberTel: 012 657 2800Fax: 012 657 2806Website: www.weber-tylon.co.za

New range of decorative waterproofing products launched

This range of waterproofing products combines traditional, practical waterproofing application with a definite decorative edge, both achieved with a single, easy-to-use product.

Leading industrial mortars company Weber recently launched several new waterproofing products. The new product range, called Weber Waterproof-It, stems from years of extensive research, development and investment. The range was manufactured to provide easy application, whilst also providing excellent durability and strength.

Weber’s new products can be used with the same confidence that existing Weber customers have become accustomed to.

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polyurea is much more flexible. If you waterproof a concrete surface with epoxies and the concrete moves half a mm, the epoxy will follow that movement and you will have a crack in your waterproofing. Epoxies start to fail at 0,5 – 1 mm, while polyureas can withstand a stretch of 9 mm,” says Van Oorsouw.

Polyurea spray elastomers are also an excellent choice when fast-curing applications are applied in high-humidity or low-temperature conditions where extreme abrasion resistance and a high film build are required.

What appliCations best suit polyurea?When speed of return to service is important for your project, polyurea offers the ideal solution. In Europe, the product is used in areas such as factories floors, parking lot surfaces, busy road bridges and petrol stations, where it is important for the area to return to service within a short space of time.

“Polyurea has been used as a chemical-proofing membrane in a number of petrol stations in the Netherlands and Belgium. When it is sprayed on the concrete floor tiles, the petrol station owners ensure that there is no ground or groundwater pollution due to spilled petrol,” says Van Oorsouw.

“Your application window with polyureas is much wider. When using polyurethanes or hybrids, you have to wait

for the products to dry before you can start spraying the next layer. If you want a 3 mm layer of coating, you can spray the next layer immediately after finishing the previous coating, making your application time much shorter. Polyureas achieve 80% of their properties within 15 - 30 minutes of application, making the surface walkable within minutes,” says Van Oorsouw.

trends in polyureaSome of the trends in polyurea include non-sprayable applications and aesthetic flooring. BASF Polyurethanes is also looking into branching their range of polyureas out into other areas, such

as anti-fouling usage for ships and other off- shore equipment, adhesives and traditional paint applications.

“Polyurea spray coat elastomers offer outstanding features, such as excellent durability, abrasion resistance and high chemical resistance. Polyureas have received an established status by the Deutsche Bauchemie (German Building Chemicals) body and it has now become an acknowledged solution within the construction industry,” concludes Van Oorsouw. u

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

Alain Van Oorsouw as speaker

Continued from page 4

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Waterproofing solutions at a beachfront retirement village

Waterproofing solutions expert Sika recently waterproofed the slate tile roofs of the Mollergren Park

Retirement Village as part of the Rotary Club of Hermanus’ community project. “The Rotary Club of Hermanus is involved in many charity projects and Sika is proud to be associated with one of these well-deserved ventures,” said Sika.

The community project, which commenced earlier this year, is situated at a beautiful beachfront property which is subject to the Western Cape’s heavy winter rainfall. Damage to vulnerable roofing structures tends to be exacerbated by this type of weather.

Although Mollergren Park’s roofs were originally waterproofed, the retirement village has had to undertake yearly maintenance on the structures and, looking to minimise such costs, they were seeking a long-term solution. Some of the waterproofing problems have also been pinned down to the fact that the roofs were built with insufficient fall.

Sika recommended that the roofs firstly be high-pressure cleaned, then treated with Sika Sealoflex Professional. This fibre-reinforced, flexible waterproofer eliminates the application of a separate membrane layer, making it a hassle-free, all-in-one product.

The acrylic-based waterproofer is extremely durable, requires no special cleaning products for tools and can be over-coated with other acrylic paints. Sika recommended that following the application of Sealoflex Professional, the roofs be covered with UV-protective roof paint. With Sika’s reliable products and systems there will be no wet blankets at Mollergren Park in the future! u

SikaTel: 031 792 6500Fax: 031 700 1718Website: www.sika.co.za

sika• ® blackseal-brick is a one-part, solvent-free, flexible coating based on a polymer-modified bitumen emulsion. It can be used for waterproofing of all types of below- and above-ground concrete and brick structures to protect against the penetration of water or damp, in a thin coating, and as a primer for bituminous coatings on concrete, mortar and brick substrates. Available in 5-litre & 20-litre plastic containers. sika• ® blackseal-lastic is a rubberised bitumen emulsion coating that is used as a stand-alone coating or in conjunction with Sika BlackSeal membrane to form a waterproofing system. Its main uses are for flat-roof waterproofing; waterproofing of water-retaining structures; flashing of roofs; gutters; parapet walls; and sealing of fixings, lap joints and roof screws. Available in 5 L & 20 L plastic containers.sika• ® blackseal-primer is a one-part, solvent-based bitumen primer for thick-layer bituminous coatings and membranes. It is used for surface consolidation of concrete, mortar and brick substrates; and it improves the adhesion of solvent-free bituminous coatings and membranes. Available in a 20 L tin container.sika• ® blackseal-silvercoat is a one-part, solvent-based, aluminium-pigmented bitumen protective coating for bitumen waterproofing systems exposed to UV. It offers excellent reflective properties, UV resistance, quick drying time, and is easy to apply. Available in 20 L (tin container).

neW range of

bitumenwaterproofing products launched

Sika recently introduced four new BlackSeal products to their existing bitumen waterproofing line, as part of their comprehensive range of waterproofing products. The company’s bitumen range now comprises a six-product

variety of waterproof coatings specifically designed to target various DIY waterproofing needs. Each of the new bitumen waterproofing products has been developed with the goal of overcoming challenges faced by today’s homeowner.

Other products in Sika’s waterproofing range include a variety of acrylic, powdered and bitumen waterproofing products. u

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

the new Sika BlaCkSeal range ConSiStS of:

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ConCepTs & VIsIons

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Freedom Tower is the first of several buildings that collectively will become the new World Trade Center. It is located in the northwest corner of the 6,5-hectare World Trade Center site and it was originally

envisioned by German architect Daniel Libeskind. The final design by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill Architects was more practical, although it will be the tallest building in the United States. The planned height of the building, 1 776 feet (541 m), matches the year of the U.S. independence and the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

The site is owned by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which is investing US$11-billion in the entire project. The site will include four very tall office buildings, a memorial and museum, a transportation hub and a performing arts centre, all built on top of and around busy subway and rail lines.

a long Building ProCeSSThe construction of the Freedom Tower has been used as a way to heal the scar on America after the 9-11 attacks, but the process has been painful. Early designs were ridiculed and many downtown New York residents, real estate executives and urban planners regarded the project as oversized and unnecessary. (When the Twin Towers were built many years ago, it also received a lot of objections and ridicule due to their design and expense.)

Conceptual design started in 2002 and, in 2006, years after disputes over the economics and design, steel reinforcement rods started to sprout on site. In 2008, the huge concrete walls of the building core reached street level.

During the first half of 2010, the New York Times reported that over 1 400 workers were pouring concrete and that the red steel latticework for the building was now rising up to over 73 m (239 feet).

freedom tower’S glaSS faCadeThe glass developed for Freedom Tower’s facade is capable of withstanding wind pressures experienced by super-tall buildings and the glass panels will span the full floor-to-floor height. The form of the tower is intended to evoke slender, tapering triangular forms of other iconic buildings in New York City.

As the tower rises from the concrete base, the square edges are chamfered back, transforming the square into eight tall isosceles triangles in elevation. According to WTC.com, the tower will form a perfect octagon at its middle and then culminate in a square, glass parapet rotated 45 degrees from the base. The resulting crystalline form will capture an ever-evolving display of refracted light: As the sun moves through the sky or onlookers move around the tower, the surfaces will appear like a kaleidoscope, changing throughout the day as light and weather conditions vary.

The Freedom Tower is topped with a 124 m (408 feet) tall mast which contains antennae. A 44 m-wide (145 feet) ring, which contains equipment, surrounds the mast at its base. The ring around the antenna is said to look similar to the Statue of Liberty’s crown. The antenna which was sculpted by Kenneth Snelson (a sculptor who is known for the Needle Tower in New York) is twisted at the top, giving off a gleaming beam of light.

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ground Zero: Designing and building the Freedom TowerThe Freedom Tower in New York is the replacement of what used to be the World Trade Center, before its twin towers were demolished (along with many civilian lives) on 11 September 2001 by terrorist attacks. The new structure has been cited as one of the most important buildings of the early 21st century and its significance in design, symbolism and politics has made it one of the most spoken-about projects.

The planned height of the building, 1 776 feet (541 m), matches the year of the U.S. independence and the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

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Daniel Libeskind was commissioned to design the Freedom Tower after a strongly contested World Trade Center design competition in 2002. These teams were shortlisted out of over 400 submissions:

Richard Meier Architect• Think Group• Foster & Partners• Studio Daniel Libeskind• United Architects•

In 2004, the New York Times reported that the Metropolitan Television Alliance signed a deal to put as many as 22 antennae on top of the Freedom Tower (which is home to a number of the city’s television and radio transmitters).

There are four entrances at street level and the north and south entrances are marked by an array of dichroic glass panels. The panels consist of multiple layers of clear, etched and dichroic glass which draw spectral qualities of light to create vibrant colour patterns across the surfaces of the lobby. The design draws on the results of a year-long research project into the optical effects of dichroic glass in transmission and reflection.

The base of the tower is 60 m x 60 m (200 feet x 200 feet), which is the same size as the footprints of the original Twin Towers. Over 2 000 pieces of prismatic glass were used to clad the base and the design uses the optical properties of glass to reflect and transmit various spectrums of light. This glass base, however, worried the New York City Police Department, so architects decided to include a concrete protection wall around the lobby, behind the glass wall for safety reasons. This decision was taken to ensure the base doesn’t resemble a bunker due to the amount of concrete walling.

Plazas outside the building were created for people to gather, sit, relax and reflect. Stainless steel beams cascade down from behind the prismatic glass facade to form a series of step terraces that integrate the horizontal surfaces of the plaza into the vertical surfaces of the building. Landscape architects Peter Walker and Partners created a suspended glass wall along the plaza edges which will provide protection from wind.

Paying triBute to the Building’S hiStoryThe base of the Freedom Tower has the same dimensions as the original towers – 70m2 and the observation deck is at the exact same height of the World Trade Centre Tower Two (416 m / 1368 feet). The angular design is typical for Libeskind but it echoes the design of the Statue of Liberty.

“I arrived by ship to New York as a teenager, an immigrant – and, like millions of others before me, my first sight was the Statue of Liberty and the amazing skyline of Manhattan. I have never forgotten that sight or what it stands for. This is what this project is all about,” says Daniel Libeskind on his website (www.daniel-libeskind.com).

“When I first began this project, New Yorkers were divided as to whether to keep the site of the World Trade Center empty or

to fill the site completely and build upon it. I meditated many days on this seemingly impossible dichotomy. To acknowledge the terrible deaths which occurred on this site, while looking to the future with hope, seemed like two moments which could not be joined. I sought to find a solution which would bring these

seemingly contradictory viewpoints into an unexpected unity. So, I went to look at the site, to stand within

it, to see people walking around it, to feel its power and to listen to its voices. And this is

what I heard, felt and saw.”

“The great slurry wall is the most dramatic element which survived the attack, an engineering wonder constructed on bedrock foundations

and designed to hold back the Hudson River. The foundations withstood the

unimaginable trauma of the destruction and stand as eloquent as the Constitution

itself, asserting the durability of Democracy and the value of individual life,” continues

Libeskind. “We have to be able to enter this ground while creating a quiet,

meditative and spiritual space. We need to journey down, some 30 feet into the Ground Zero Memorial site, past the slurry wall – a procession with deliberation. The Memorial site remains protected from the dynamic activities of a revitalized new neighborhood,” says Libeskind.

Freedom Tower will boast tenant amenity spaces, observation decks, restaurants as well as the Manhattan Television Alliance (MTVA) broadcast and antennae facilities. Below-ground shopping and access to the subways and the World Financial Center are also provided. Above the plaza level, there is a 24 m (78 feet) public lobby which is topped by a series of mechanical floors that form the 60 m building base. Above this base, there are 69 office floors that rise up to 341 m. An antenna structure supported by cables rises to a final height of 541 m (1774 feet). According to Reuters.com, the US$3-billion Freedom Tower should open in 2013, four years behind schedule. u

Sources: www.daniel-libeskind.com, www.e-architect.co.uk, www.nytimes.com, www.reuters.com.

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This award-winning retrofit project has demonstrated that an inefficient 16-year-old office block can be transformed into a sustainable, technologically advanced green building. 4 years of achieving a 5 Star

NABERS energy and water rating.

inveSting in future PayBaCkS Rising energy costs, tenant demand for green building and legislation have meant that, generally speaking, large project owners are starting to investigate the possibility of prioritising their overall spend in order to ensure they occupy a ‘sustainable’ building. This underscores the principle of investing in order to gain future paybacks.

“Szencorp’s business philosophy is that sustainability can be commercially viable, and 40 Albert Rd is a project that set out to demonstrate this,” said Rina Madden, Group Manager of Sustainable Buildings at Szencorp, tenants and owners of the building (www.yourbuilding.org).

“A central part of the project was the challenge of refurbishing an existing building rather than the easier task of creating a new green building with the advantage of being able to start from scratch. Szencorp believes expertise in retrofitting existing buildings is vital because the vast majority of building stock is existing buildings,” said Madden.

The passive aspects, such as heating and cooling of the 1 200 m2, four-level building include high-performance glazing, external shading and the use of exposed structure to be used as an intrinsic part of the building’s comfort control system by absorbing heat during the working day which is purged from the building using colder nighttime air. Internal cooling loads were minimised by designing an energy-efficient lighting system and specifying energy-efficient office equipment and appliances.

The building incorporates a number of renewable and low-carbon power generation systems, including photovoltaic panels, and the first commercial use of a fuel cell in an office in Australia which generates power from gas and uses the waste heat for hot water heating. The refurbishment cost was $3.5-million and construction time was 0.75 years (www.resourcesmart.vic.gov.au).

SuStainaBle featureS of the Building

energy• Polycrystalline (4.8kW, 4.6 MWh pa) and amorphous (1.1kW,

1.47 MWh pa) solar panels generate 6.1 MWh pa of electricity• A gas air-conditioning unit incorporates a small natural-gas-

fuelled reciprocating gas engine which is directly coupled to a

Australia’s first 6-star Green retrofit project40 Albert Rd, Melbourne, Victoria, was a pioneering project in that it was Australia’s first green building refurbishment project to achieve a 6-Star Green Star Rating.

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conventional refrigeration compressor. The unit heats and cools the building, reduces summer peak electrical loads as well as greenhouse gas emissions.

• A ceramic fuel cell produces 1kW of electricity and 1kW of domestic hot water (which meets 90% of the building’s hot water needs).

• High-efficiency lamps are integrated with an occupancy sensor and control system.

• Increased window area (all windows are double-glazed) and skylights allow greater daylight penetration.

waSte• There are bins at each desk for paper recycling only. Segregated

waste bins for recyclables, organics and general waste are centrally located on each floor.

• 81% of waste collected is recycled and organic waste is compounded.

• Waste to landfill has been reduced by 81%.

materialS• Re-use: 96% of the existing structure was re-used and 88% of

the existing façade was also re-used.• Recycled material from the existing site made up 98% of the

construction materials for the new building.• 90% post-industrial recycled aluminium ceiling tiles.• Synthetic rubber flooring was used in the kitchens.• Recycled stringybark timber was used for meeting room tables.

water • Waterless urinals.• Two x 2 000 litre tanks collect rainwater.• Water-efficient showerheads, toilets and tapware.• Grey water from hand basins and showers is collected, filtered,

disinfected and stored with stormwater from the building rooftop. Recovered water is used for toilet flushing, saving an estimated 12 000 L each year.

The project team for the building included Szencorp, SJB Architects and Interiors, ESD consultants Energy Conservation Systems and services/structural engineers Aurecon. Aurecon, who also provided advice on the environmentally sustainable design (ESD), comment: “Integration of ESD concepts from the inception of a project, through to design, construction, operation and ultimate decommissioning offers an opportunity to demonstrate whole life benefits for users of a facility and the wider community. Substantial reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, water usage, and waste going to landfill could be achieved in many of South Africa’s commercial buildings if some of the above strategies are adopted in order to provide comfortable, healthy and safe working conditions for the building occupants.” u

For more information visit www.ourgreenoffice.com, www.yourbuilding.org, www.aurecon.com and www.resourcesmart.vic.gov.au, to which full thanks and acknowledgement are given.

Above: Szencorp’s headquarters in Melbourne shows that a dark, underperforming 16-year-old office block can be transformed into a sustainable, technologically advanced green building.© sydney.edu.au

Project details Owner: The late Peter Szental Developer: The late Peter Szental Investor: The late Peter Szental Project manager: Paul Rooney Architects: SJB Interior Designer/architect: SJB Engineers: Aurecon ESD consultant: Aurecon Cost consultant: Rider Hunt Builder: Construction Engineering Tenants: Szencorp, ECS, Carbon Partners Facility manager: Tony Dorotic

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FeaTuRe

Green product identification and true sustainability indicators

greenwaShing our ProduCtS and ServiCeSIn the building industry, there are numerous products that claim to be carbon-neutral,

environment-friendly, made using renewable energy and so forth. Seeing an eco-logo, whether it looks like an official government-stamped certification or simply a

logo of a tree with the word “green” on it, doesn’t necessarily mean the product is environmentally friendly. When it comes to green labelling, few design professionals know how to start sifting through the hoard of greenwash.

what ConStituteS “greenwaShing”?In 1999, “greenwash” was included in the Oxford English Dictionary, which defines

the term as “disinformation disseminated by an organisation so as to present an environmentally responsible public image”. Techtarget.com defines greenwashing

as “the practice of making an unsubstantiated or misleading claim about the environmental benefits of a product, service, technology or company practice”.The Green Life, an American organisation that helps citizens make informed decisions

about sustainable products, released a report called “Don’t Be Fooled” (ironically, the report

According to the Green Building Council of South Africa (GBCSA), green building on a practical level encompasses the use of design, materials and technology to reduce energy and resource consumption and create improved human and natural environments. Apart from the GBCSA’s rating tools, there are many design theories about rating the overall energy consumption and sustainability of a building, but who are the watchdogs for the flurry of green labels on products floating about the building industry? Are design professionals truly aware of how green these construction materials and products are?


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FeaTuRe

was released on April Fool’s Day) which profiles America’s ten worst greenwashers in the country. (This list includes big names such as Ford Motor Company, which took first place, followed by BP, United States Forest Service, Chevron Texaco, General Motors, Nuclear Energy Institute and more.)

overSeaS interventionS and StandardSOn 6 October, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) newly proposed “Green Guides” was released for public comment. This guide is an update to the original “Green Guides” which was published in 1992 and then updated in 1996 and 1998. The updating of the guide has been widely anticipated in the American built industry and it includes a common-sense set of rules about what claims a company can and can’t make (and what types of substantiation and disclaimers are required for specific marketing messages).

For a product to be able to be classified as “degradable”, for example, the FTC requires that the “reasonably short period of time for complete decomposition (be) no more than one year after customary disposal”. Marketers also aren’t allowed to make unqualified general environmental benefit claims because they are difficult, if not impossible, to substantiate.

laCk of induStry watChdogS in South afriCaAccording to Ecolabel Index, a website that claims to be the largest global database of eco-labels, the only eco-label for building products in South Africa is GreenGuard

(an institute that oversees a certification program related to improving indoor air quality in buildings). The website is currently tracking 352 eco-labels in 213 countries, and 25 industry sectors, but only a single result appears for a large industry in South Africa, one of the leading developing nations.

The Eco Specifier website (www.ecospecifier.co.za), is a website that links independent information about eco-products and eco-

materials with a search interface. According to site managers, the website isn’t a directory and products must meet entry criteria before being accepted for listing. To be accepted for listing on the site, a commercially available product or material requires:

one or more unique environmental or health benefits •

compared to other products in its category and/or is a member of a product category that in itself is an •

ecologically or health preferred category does not embody significant damaging chemical or process •

issues (considered under ‘Issues of concern’ &‘Red Light’ Issues)

“There are a number of bodies who claim that they accredit suppliers but who sets the standard on how this is done. Some you pay a fee and list your product, others require some formal evaluation but the question is how is this being done and how is it applied? There should be one central body that acts responsibly and makes use of a standard mechanism and an agreed methodology to determine the specific ratings,” says Kevin Fruin, Marketing Chairperson of ClayBrick.org (Previously known as the Clay Brick Association)

“There is currently no labelling system for construction products in South Africa,” confirms Lisa Reynolds, Technical Director of Saint-Gobain Construction products.

“There is also not a SABS rating for the ‘greenness’ of a product – the SABS tests to make sure that products meet set standards. Insulation products, however, are bound to publish their R-value, which contributes to the energy efficiency of the built environment. At present, there is also no such thing as a Green Star rating for products. What is quite common is for manufacturers to take an aspect of their product that may be green or energy-efficient, and then they focus their marketing and advertising efforts around that aspect. This fails to take things like transport implications, installation costs, toxicities, disposal and the product’s life cycle into account. It is only when you include these in the evaluation that you could truly call a product ‘green’,” says Reynolds.

what iS an eCo-laBel?

According to “Eco-labelling: Overview and Implications for Developing Countries” by Eckart Naumann from the Development Policy Research Unit at the University of Cape Town, eco-labels (or environmental labels) are a guide for consumers to choose products and services that are deemed to be less harmful to the environment than other products within the same category. Eco-labels are designed to encourage industries to produce more environmentally friendly products through consumers’ purchasing power

– which translates into a “bottom-up” solution.

Although the distribution of eco-labels is largely concentrated in the highly industrialised countries (mainly the European Union (EU)), they may nonetheless have increasingly significant future consequences for developing countries, especially in terms of their trade with developed countries.

according to naumann, eco-labels can generally be classified into one of two categories:Self-declaration claims are eco-labels placed on a product by the manufacturer,

retailer or marketer of such product, and may be made on a single attribute or an overall assessment of the product. Product claims could include “environment-friendly”, “ozone-friendly” and “degradable”. However, these claims are usually not independently verified.

Independent third-party claims, on the other hand, are based on compliance with predetermined criteria, which are independently verified by a competent authority (usually government-sponsored). The criteria for eco-labels based on independent third-party claims are usually built on a product life-cycle approach.

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“There is a general ‘free for all’ approach by material manufacturers on the subject, and marketing messages are created that are intended to impress the industry role players rather than presenting scientifically backed facts. Although the green building issue is gaining momentum daily, there are gullible people in the industry who are untrained on the subject, and who are forced into believing what they read and are told by reckless and irresponsible suppliers,” says Clive Archer, managing director of Crammix.

“There are also consulting companies that claim to be eco-aware, who have jumped on the green wagon, and who, without thorough checking of supplier production facilities and processes, award green labels for products, as long as the supplier is willing to pay a price for the end use of the ‘green’ or ‘eco’ labels. Without much research and actual measurement on the products available in South Africa, most suppliers are abusing the situation for their own gain,” continues Archer.

“To make matters worse, there are no industry channels or watchdogs, or material rating systems that can curtail and control the position in South Africa. Often quotes, studies and material from other parts of the world are used incorrectly for promotion in our South African conditions, which obviously results in misinformation,” says Archer.

John Barnard, director of the South African Light Steel Frame Building Association (SASFA), comments: “Building material manufacturers often claim their products to be green after implementing an energy-saving measure in their manufacturing process, for instance. It is, however, relative as the statement should be in measurable terms – in fact, while their product may be ‘greener’ than it was, it could still be rather ‘red’ when compared with alternatives.”

South afriCan advertiSing StandardSAlthough various building material manufacturers have reports about the sustainability of their products (and are quick to point out where producers of other products are wrong about their green claims), the South African Code of Advertising Practice provides for “advertising containing environmental claims” in Appendix J of the Code in order to guide suppliers in terms of what type of green advertising is acceptable and what is not.

According to the Code, “Advertising containing unqualified claims and statements about environmental matters will be interpreted as meaning “100%”, and shall be subject to substantiation. The same principle will apply to descriptions such as “...-free” or “contains no ...” which will be assumed to claim total absence of the stated substance.”

The Code also states what an “Environmental Claim” entails: “All environmental claims and statements made in advertising should provide accurate information, meaningful to the consumer and based on recognised scientific standards and principles. Advertisements should not contain vague, incomplete or irrelevant statements about environmental matters, nor should they impair public confidence in the efforts made by the business community to improve its ecological standards.”

“Green labels and environmentally friendly terms are often used and sometime not easy to evaluate,” says Corné Koch,

the family of StandardS iS aS followS:standard description application

ISO 14020 Environmental Labelling: General PrinciplesSets out nine general principles that apply not only to labelling schemes but to all environmental claims, designed to promote accurate, verifiable and relevant information

ISO 14021Environmental Labels and Declarations: Self-Declaration Environmental Claims, Terms and Definitions

Sets out requirements for Type II labels, i.e. environmental claims made for goods and services by the producer

ISO 14022Environmental Labels and Declarations: Self-Declaration Environmental Claims, Symbols

Promotes the standardisation of terms and symbols used in environmental claims, e.g. ‘recycled content’

ISO 14023Environmental Labels and Declarations: Self-Declaration Environmental Claims, Testing and Verification

(Currently under review)

ISO 14024Environmental Labels and Declarations: Environmental Labelling Type I, Guiding Principles and Procedures

Provides guidance on developing programmes that verify the environmental attributes of a product via a seal of approval

Source: www.issd.org

Environmental labeling, sets out nine general principles that apply not only to labelling schemes but to all environmental claims, designed to promote accurate, verifiable and relevant information




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Communications Manager of the Advertising Standards Authority of South Africa (ASA). “The ASA is a reactive body and investigates complaints lodged by consumers and competitors against the content of advertising. Anyone can lodge a complaint. It is investigated first to see if it falls within the ambit of the ASA, upon which a ruling is then issued. We evaluate a complaint based on what is in the Code of Advertising Practice and basically all forms of advertising must be substantiated and proof should be at hand when asked for – same applies to environmental claims,” says Koch.

“The advertisement only ever makes reference to one entity, the respondent. In light of the quoted statement and the advertisement as a whole, it is clear that the respondent, as an industry association, is promoting clay brick as a product. The hypothetical reasonable person will most likely therefore associate the logo with the respondent who is indeed the source

of the logo. It can therefore not be said that the logo implies official approval from another accredited independent body,” ruled the ASA when dismissing the complaint.

Willem Krog, managing director of Pacific Breeze Publishing and retired manager of outdoor advertising company Ad Outpost, recently referred to companies making green claims in an article saying that being green yields financial benefits. “It creates the

snowball effect greenies have been trying to achieve for so long. Being green will become mainstream and in the process the minds of people will shift from apathy to activism. Advertisers who are not green will soon be marginalised,” says Krog.

According to Krog, companies claiming their products and services are green (when they aren’t) will not only face humiliation, but will be reprimanded by the ASA. “Social movements such as being green will obviously become a bandwagon. As a result, companies who are not green will claim that they are. Some of them will use loopholes to sustain green claims. We all know, however, that a lie can never travel further than the truth and those companies will be caught out and humiliated in due course as their credibility will be smashed to smithereens,” says Krog.

“As the industry’s watchdog with substantially more teeth than the Press Ombudsman, the ASA will play a decisive role in this process. Hopefully it will culminate in a new wave of substantial complaints lodged with the ASA, instead of the petty, inconsequential and time-consuming stuff some plaster saints waste the time of the ASA with,” says Krog.

international StandardS for green laBelSThe International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) introduced the ISO 14000 series of environmental standards, with the ISO 14020 series dealing exclusively with environmental labels and declarations. The ISO 14020 family covers three types of labelling schemes:

Type I is a multi-attribute label developed by a third party;•

Type II is a single-attribute label developed by the producer;•

Type III is an eco-label which is awarded on the basis of a full •

life-cycle assessment.

ConSumer SentimentS towardS green laBelSAccording to the fifth annual ImagePower Green Brands Survey which polled more than 9 000 participants in Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, the United Kingdom and the United States, respondents in most of the countries showed a general increase in concern about the environment (up an average of 3,5% over 2009, even in mature markets such as the UK and France). The survey, which started as a small initiative and has grown into a global barometer of consumer perceptions, also showed that consumers in developing countries want to see more green products on store shelves.

Although 30% of the respondents plan to spend more on green products over the next year, the number of respondents in developing countries such as Brazil, China and India rises to 70%. Consumers from developed countries didn’t show the same increase which suggests that they are hitting a plateau as sustainable products are more widely available (www.landor.com)

“I think that green products are important to architects and

Clients read and see vast amounts of information in the media about green products, but they don’t always know if the products really are green. Clients who are truly concerned about sustainability want to do the right thing in the long term and architects need to fulfill this need with scientific analysis of products and design theories,




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developers but they rely strongly on information given to them by manufacturers. This is why the ISO standards body and Ecobilan are working on standardising the methods used to calculate a product’s full life-cycle analysis objectively,” comments Reynolds.

arChiteCtS and green laBelS“I believe there is a growing appreciation of the need to use more environmentally friendly products and processes,” comments Barnard. “All responsible designers are pursuing greener buildings – at this stage mainly because it is the right thing to do. In due course, legislation will enforce energy efficiency in our buildings.”

Braam de Villiers, director at Earthworld Architects and immediate past president at the Pretoria Institute for Architecture, says that clients are indeed requesting the use of green building materials. “Clients read and see vast amounts of information in the media about green products, but they don’t always know if the products really are green. Clients who are truly concerned about sustainability want to do the right thing in the long term and architects need to fulfill this need with scientific analysis of products and design theories,” says De Villiers.

Kim Fairbairn, the owner of Fairbairn Architecture and green-building architect of Wesbank, says that clients will pay for more sustainable products if they are part of their sustainability plans and if they will see a return on their investments.

“I have found that clients are prepared to pay for components that will make their building ‘greener’ if what they spend money on has a return in some form or another. This may range from media exposure to self-sufficiency to ISO 14001-compliance. It always depends on a prefigured agenda,” comments Fairbairn.

“The industrialised age is still firmly entrenched in the consumer psyche. As a consequence, the entrenched ‘MacDonaldisation’ of a consumer’s approach to building materials and components is one which generally precludes a notion of the ‘where and how’ (the products’ origins, manufacture, transportation and fixing into the building) being considered for more than a few moments. In commercial realms, this is further exacerbated by the cost of finance, the net effect of which reduces design and construction time – a perfect breeding ground for quick and convenient solutions,” continues Fairbairn.

“Clients expect their design team to suggest the use of appropriate components for an aim they have in mind. The level of consciousness, as far as ‘greener’ products are concerned, is largely limited to utterances akin to fashion statements where unscrupulous advertising or ‘greenwashing’ of the public is the source,” said Fairbairn.

According to Reynolds, cost implications of green products often outweigh sustainability benefits. “I do believe architects are committed to sustainability, but sometimes finances trump sustainability. Very few architects or developers will occupy the structures that they build, so the long-term savings of a sustainable building will not be enjoyed by them – they are focused on the short- term benefit of controlling construction costs, rather than on the long-term cost savings offered by a sustainably designed and built structure. There is also a misperception that a sustainable building needs to be an ugly building. This is not true. While there are often trade-offs between aesthetics and sustainability, an innovative architect is certainly able to design an aesthetically pleasing, sustainable environment,” says Reynolds.

Archer agrees that better design principles, coupled with more awareness about the benefits of green building practices and products, will keep gaining momentum. “Architects and developers have to sell to clients and, in future, this green movement will gain momentum and popularity, and numbers of buildings where sustainable and/or green materials have been used will multiply based on a premium demand. Buildings that save money during their life, and that are more marketable through green building technologies, will command higher prices and values. This will drive more and more people to better design and upkeep principles on more and more products to all market segments,” says Archer.

will South afriCa have their own eCo-laBelS? Naumann explains that establishing dedicated, national eco-labelling programmes will require that a large number of stakeholders enter into a complex process in order to ensure that all the views of affected parties are incorporated. “The degree of general environmental awareness that consumers have in a particular country or region also needs to be considered, as this determines the receptiveness of (possibly) paying a small premium for products that are preferable from an environmental point of view. Where there is an overriding emphasis on price, and all other attributes lag far behind, this may be a considerable barrier to the development (and success) of a national eco-label,” says Naumann.

Naumann makes the point that countries where consumers are not environmentally conscious in their purchasing decisions, especially where cost factors far outweigh environmental attributes of a product (and a price premium is involved), the market is limited for eco-labelling. A viable alternative for these




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Want to know what colour trends will be up-and-coming next year? Paint specialist Dulux unveils

exciting colour trends in an exclusive ColourFutures book.

The book is the result of ongoing international colour trend research, developed by AkzoNobel’s Aesthetic Centre. It provides global style and design trends and influences which are translated into colour palettes for use the world over.

A dominant trend for 2011 is Appreciation which is illustrated by an optimistic and imaginative ‘sherbet lemon’ – a light, airy, citrus yellow that symbolises a freer spirit, sense of fun and positive energy. The beauty of everyday life is another related trend which harnesses the idea of local contentment and satisfaction. The palette of this theme is reminiscent of all the simple things that make people happy – blue skies, a vase of country flowers, fragrant herbs, sunny cornfields and more.

Another theme, Molecular magic, proves that the focus is no longer on slick packaging of technology but what technology can do for the surroundings. The microscopic, computerised palette is strong and alive with shades that grow, glow and pulsate with life and vitality. Stunning greens, turquoises and purples are showcased against an array of subtle and understated deeps – a kaleidoscope of colour and pattern to fascinate all senses.

With so many trends to choose from, the Dulux ColourFutures palettes give homeowners and designers the platform to plan 2011 around colours that will be chic and in the moment.

To download a free copy of the new ColourFutures, visit www.colourfutures.com. u

Dulux TradeTel: 011 861 1000E-mail: [email protected]: www.duluxtrade.co.za

Paint specialist reveals its 2011 Colour trends

Build It, which operates the largest number of paint retail outlets in South Africa, has pledged its support for the SA Paint Manufacturing Association’s quest to remove all paints containing

lead from South Africa stores. The Spar Group subsidiary, which has over 300 independent

members nationwide, is SAPMA’s latest important retail recruit, and follows the joining of the association by the Mica Group and the DIY Depot Group earlier this year.

“Build It has pledged to not stock any paint from a supplier unable to provide a declaration that his or her product is lead-free. Furthermore, Build It will now endorse its lead-free status by displaying colourful ‘Fill up with lead-free paint’ stickers in its stores all over South Africa,” says Deryck Spence, Executive Director of SAPMA.

“The display of these stickers not only testify to the green philosophy of the retailers displaying it but also alerts buyers about the dangers of lead in paint. We are delighted to have received Build It’s support,” said Spence.

Rob Lister, National Marketing Manager of Build It, says: “Build It’s endorsement of SAPMA’s lead-free paint campaign is in line with our commitment to be more ‘green’.In future, our stores will be far more focused on green initiatives and energy-

efficient products. Besides being more environmentally-friendly, lead-free paint is also a far healthier alternative, particularly for children and pregnant women. The paint department in Build It stores has been a major growth area for us and we feel having our Build It house brand paint certified as lead-free will accelerate growth even further – with a clear environmental conscience.”

SAPMA, which now has around 92% of South Africa’s paint producers as members, has also announced that leading paint producer, Medal Paints, has rejoined SAPMA seven years after terminating its membership.

“Medal, a major supplier to many SAPMA retail members, feels that SAPMA now truly represents the entire producer spectrum, from large to small, and has decided to throw its influential weight behind our objectives. We enthusiastically welcome Medal back to the fold,” concludes Spence. u

For more information, visit www.sapma.org.za, to which full thanks and acknowledgement is given.

Paint supplier joins SAPMA’s campaign against leaded paint


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Paint specialist reveals its 2011 Colour trends


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countries, particularly if Europe and North America are important export destinations, is for them to consider complying with foreign eco-labels.

“If the export business is important to South African manufacturers, they will have to start complying with EU standards in the future,” adds Barnard.

The cement industry in South Africa is one of the enterprises that have adopted European standards in their manufacturing processes. “It was during the 1990s that South Africa adopted the European standards for cement, in line with overseas initiatives to focus on more environmentally friendly practices. The increased use of extended cements over recent years bears testimony to the fact that manufacturers and consumers had already, albeit inadvertently, bought into the concept of using environmentally friendly products long before the media and environmentalists intensified their campaigns,” says Hanlie Turner, marketing manager at the Cement & Concrete Institute.

“As part of an international company, Saint-Gobain Construction Products already complies with European standards in all our products for local consumption or for export. We believe that all South African companies should comply with these standards, for their own benefit and for that of their customers,” adds Reynolds.

ComPlete life-CyCle analySiS needed for SuStainaBle ProduCtS“Due to the lack of clear guidelines it would be advisable to look at the life cycle energy costing and the role that the specific material plays in that exercise. Staking reputations on a manufacturers claim that they are the best is not good enough as overall performance need to be calculated by utilising the life cycle performance across energy, maintenance and total cost. Clearly this has to be balanced with the intended look and feel of the building in question and then finding innovative ways to combine the best performing materials within these parameters,” says Fruin.

CMHC’s (Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation) presentation entitled “Building materials: How to tell ‘green’ from

‘greenwash’” showed delegates that the green product life-cycle analysis considers environmental impacts at all stages:

Manufacturing (including resource extraction & recycled •

content)Transportation•

On-site construction•

Maintenance, repair and replacement•

Operating energy•

Demolition and disposal•

“The labelling issue is one that will really only come into being when the generation now being educated at the dawn of this concern, become consumers, who will, not unlike those who nowadays check the label on a product at the supermarket, check ‘Embodied Energy Content’ and the like,” says Fairbairn.

Archer explains that responsible labelling and product clarification in South Africa will take time. “Until such time that industry or individual material manufacturers have measured their own manufacturing and supply footprint, and the impact that their products make in any buildings over the life of that building per life- cycle assessments, and until there are meaningful controls through accredited and reliable watchdog bodies who rate the various products and building systems available as they apply to South African conditions, this reckless marketing approach will continue,” says Archer.

“With time, more and more professionals are becoming aware of this, and only those who do their research properly, and those who identify responsible suppliers, will determine the correct way forward for design and construction and/or retro-fitting of existing buildings,” says Archer.

holiStiC aPProaCh BeStDe Villiers explains that, at the moment, the only way for architects to identify green products is to read the label. “One needs to understand how the product is manufactured (which mix was used), understand the mechanism and functionality of the product (if you specify insulation for a roof, you need to understand how the insulation functions within the system) and you need to understand the fundamentals of sustainable design. So much information is available and there are many books an architect can use to research the subject – dig a bit deeper and understand how the product is related to the total thermal and ecological process of the building. The trick lies in the holistic sustainable thinking of the architect,” says De Villiers.

“It’s important to understand that the green approach is a holistic one. Even though you may try to include as many green products in the construction of a project as possible, the sum of the parts is the green solution. Therefore, even if you are using some green products, the final result will only be green if it has been designed as a holistic system or environment – a collection of green products used in a building does not make it a green building,” concludes Reynolds. u

Walls & Roofs would like to give thanks and acknowledgement to the following people who provided information for this article: Eckart Naumann, Clive Archer, Kim Fairbairn, Corné Koch, John Barnard, Braam de Villiers, Lisa Reynolds, Kevin Fruin, Jacqui Duarte and Hanlie Turner.



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SANS 517 is the regulation code set by the Southern African Light Steel Frame Building Association as the minimum acceptable standard for light steel frame buildings in construction and design. Lance Dickson

Construction was appointed for the cladding of the walls of the Pack House, and the well-insulated system was specified because it could be built in a short period yet still comply with SANS 517. Murray & Roberts were main contractors for the concrete structure.

Sealing the interior and exterior wallSSikaflex AT-Façade was used to attach 9 mm Nu-Tec boards on site in order to seal the exterior walls of the building. Sikaflex AT-Façade is a one-part, moisture-curing sealant based on Silane Terminated Polymers; this sealant is especially designed for movement and connection joints and has excellent weather and UV resistance. On the interior walls of the structure,

Sikaflex Fix was used as an elastic joint sealant to increase durability and provide flexible draught proofing. Lastly, the exterior substrate was impregnated with Sikagard-703W, a ready-for-use, silane/siloxane-combination-based water repellant that improves the resistance of façades to water ingress. The protective impregnation is for making façades water-repellent and protecting buildings against water ingress, and can be applied on mortar, masonry, brick, stone, asbestos and cement.

In addition to a compliant and aesthetically pleasing result, the client was delighted with the extended fire rating of the new Pack House, which, thanks to Sika, will ensure improved fire protection.

SikaTel: 031 792 6500Fax: 031 700 1718Website: www.sika.co.za

Waterproofing the Novo Pack House after a devastating fireAfter a devastating fire in April 2009, contractors in Cape Town were tasked with the rebuilding of the Novo Pack House in Paarl. Sika’s environmentally-aware ethos and safe products lead the company to be at the forefront of the contractor’s minds when it came to specifying products.

Above: Sikagard-703W, a silane/siloxane combination-based water repellant that improves the resistance of facades to water ingress, was impregnated into the exterior substrate.

Above Sikaflex Fix was used as an elastic joint sealant to increase durability and provide flexible draught proofing on the interior walls.

Sikaflex at-facade was used for sealing the 9mm nu-tec boards on the exterior walls of the building.


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Building energy-efficient homes doesn’t always mean you have to invest in the latest products claiming to be green. Traditional construction materials, such as clay bricks, have been used to create energy-

efficient buildings for a great number of years, says Clive Archer, managing director of Crammix Bricks.

“Crammix products have enjoyed substantial social acceptability for decades, being the preferred walling material for many building owners in the Western Cape. With the blend of structural strength, pleasing aesthetics, permanence and security offered by clay masonry, it is not surprising that so many Western Cape buildings are constructed from these materials,” says Archer.

In their factory in Brackenfell, Crammix Bricks produce standard clay masonry units and other innovative products that meet the requirements of an energy-efficient solution. The properties of their products result in admirable performance in the economic, social and environmental dimensions of sustainability, thereby producing an optimal “triple bottom line” for all building owners.

“Clay masonry buildings built from Crammix products are passed on from generation to generation, and it is not unusual to talk of buildings with life spans in excess of 50 years or more,” explains Archer.

reduCing a Building’S energy ConSumPtion to determine life-CyCle CoStSLeading academics and researchers are grappling with the challenge of defining a material’s lifetime impact and, whilst still in its infancy as a robust methodology, Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is gaining in popularity and use.

“Within the myriad of interconnecting sustainability issues of a building, the challenge of reducing energy consumption for the building’s life cycle is, arguably, the greatest and most important,” says Archer.

In a recent Australian LCA study1 focused on residential housing, it was concluded that “total operational energy (including HVAC, lighting, domestic hot water and appliances) dominates (up to 90% contribution) the energy performance of the house over its life (including a detailed assessment of the life cycle of construction materials)”.

“This particular study concluded that a walling material which can be used with building design principles to reduce imported energy consumption is needed,” comments Archer.

“Crammix clay masonry products form the barrier and shield for the occupants against the harshness of the external environment, particularly appropriate in the high rainfall and condensation zone of the Western Cape. The large variation in daily average temperatures (diurnal swing) presents the walls with the challenge of moderating the external temperature amplitudes to a more bearable level indoors, whilst ensuring that the average indoor temperature across all seasons is at an acceptable level for the average person. If indoor conditions are comfortable, then there will be a reduction in heating and cooling energy

consumption, as the occupants will not use artificial means. The thermal capacity in Crammix bricks acts like a battery, in that heat energy is absorbed, stored and released at a later time,” says Archer.

uSing leSS energy in the manufaCturing ProCeSSeSClay is in abundance in the Western Cape, having been formed naturally through geological and weathering processes. After inclusion in a wall system, the Crammix clay masonry unit has an exceptionally long life, with all the good attributes locked in.

“To reduce energy consumption at Crammix, all clay is extracted on site and used in the adjacent factory, and being surface mined, rehabilitation is straightforward, with the quarries designated for rain water retention once mined out, thereby enhancing the bio-diversity of the site,” says Archer.

Crammix fire their products in modern tunnel kilns, using fuels that are sourced from the non-hazardous waste streams of other industries. “All bricks are manufactured with cores, thereby substantially reducing the volume of clay mined and energy consumed for the cradle-to-gate manufacturing process. All fired product waste is recycled into various construction end uses,” says Archer.

“Crammix is passionate about being at the forefront of energy-efficient walling technology. Next time you look at a Crammix clay masonry unit, realise that it is not just another brick in the wall. Rather, it is a tried and trusted material that neatly balances the full requirements of sustainability, with its inherent thermal capacity and resistance delivering the optimal energy performance in one tidy package,” concludes Archer. u

CrammixTel: 021 981 2115Fax: 021 981 4520E-mail: [email protected]: www.crammix.co.za

LCA of a material considers the environmental impact in the 4 stages of its lifecycle

Clay bricks for energy-efficient homes


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barrier insulation for commercial applications

ThermocousTex, a noise-resistant barrier insulation solution by Frame

Industrials, has shown good acoustic, thermal and fire performance and it conforms to both SANS 428 (fire regulations) as well as SANS 204 (thermal regulations).

“Whilst ThermocousTex is mostly used in applications where a finish is required, it can also be used in commercial and industrial applications where a finish is not the most important factor, but rather acoustic and thermal values are,” explains Thomas Datel.

“ThermocousTex improves acoustics for a better working environment and it also saves on energy bills by reducing heat losses and air-conditioning. Over the years ThermocousTex has done a variety of industrial/commercial projects such as Shoprite, Cafda, Eskom, etc. which have been very successful,” says Datel.

“The product’s ease of handling and installation has made it popular amongst specifiers and developers in the commercial construction industry. It is also a low-maintenance product which is ideal for warehouses and other types of industrial and commercial buildings,” says Datel. u

Frame IndustrialTel: 0861 DATLINK (3285465)Email: [email protected]: www.thermocoustex.co.za

aBout the ProduCt

thermocoustex boarddescription: Butt Edged ceilings panels in varying sizes.application: Suitable for domestic, commercial and industrial ceilings when acoustic and thermal insulation is required.properties: Does not contribute to flame spread. Conforms to SANS 428 Fire Standard; Test reports; FTC 07/149 B1,B2,H – 25mm Plain Board; FTC 08/049 B1,B2,H – 120mm Plain Board; FTC 08/081-A B2,B3 – 25mm Plaster Board; FTC 08/033-B B1,B2 – 35mm Vinyl Faced BoardFTC09/049 60mm MetroBoard.The best acoustical performance of any acoustical ceiling tiles.The only acoustical ceiling tile offering superb thermal insulation.Performs exceptionally well in high humidity areas (up to 95% RH).packaging: Corrugated cardboard corners, and wrapped in plastic. finishes: - Whitish product, unpainted- Suspended Ceilings, Panels are laminated with a vinyl finish.profile: Butt jointsizes: Width: 600mmLength: 1200mm, 1500m, 1800mm, 2100mm, 2400mm, 2700mm, 3000mm, 3300mm, 3600mm.thermal Conductivity: 0,034 W/m.Kr- Value 25mm • 0, 74m².K/W35mm • 1, 03m².K/W50mm • 1, 44m².K/Wdensity: 50 kg/m³ (Plasterboard 80 kg/m³)nrC Value: 0, 69Weight: 25mm • 1, 25 kg/m²35mm • 1, 80 kg/m²50mm • 2, 30 kg/m²25mm PlasterBoard • 2, 00kg/m²35mm PlasterBoard • 2, 80kg/m²

silent floor, used under laminated and Wooden flooring specifications:size: 1,2m x 20mthickness: 5mmdensity: 160kg/m³Weight/m²: 800g/m²

applications:Nail-Up Ceiling Application•

Retro Fit Nail Up Ceiling Application•

Top Hat Installation Guidelines - ThermocousTex•

Silent Floor Application•

Suspended Ceiling Application – ThermocousTex•

Over Purlin Installation Guidelines •

Over Purlin Installation Guidelines – Foil Faced Flap Joint•

Cavity Wall Specification - Brick•

Dry Wall Specification•


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“The ‘eco friendly’ industry has continued to grow in volume over the recession, mostly thanks to the efforts of retailers and manufacturer who continue to find ways

of accommodating the needs of the green-minded market. Retailers who wanted to remain at the forefront of innovation brought in brand managers who were passionate about focusing on placing environmentally friendly products on shelves while educating consumers about environmentally sustainable purchases,” says Weeden.

“Not too long ago, South Africa saw paint retailers and manufacturers attempt to move towards green products – each came up with their own ‘Green’ logo and drive. Some manufacturers began by finding the ‘Green’ features of their product while others started afresh and formulated new, more environmentally conscious products,” says Weeden.

But what makes a paint product green or eco-friendly? According to Weeden, the answer needs to take all the contributing factors, such as manufacturing, application, cleaning and disposing of paint accessories into account. “Ultimately, it can be said that companies making an effort to do good for the environment are seen in a good light and we should support their efforts,” says Weeden.

not enough PreSSure to move to green PaintSMany leading paint suppliers now have green product ranges along with their traditional paint products. “Retailers still stock up on products that are in no way friendly to the environment. Unfortunately, the truth is that consumers still ask for these products and the age-old saying comes to life: Give the customer what the customer wants, and you have a sale. There is not enough pressure to cut out products – and the raw materials or processes that make up such product – that are not ‘future-friendly’. Consumers are educating themselves, yet there is still

much to achieve in stores,” says Weeden. Weeden explains the aspects to consider for green paints: what raw materials are used and how were they extracted, what was the impact on the environment, what emissions or greenhouse gases were created or will be created on application, does the product have toxic properties that pose potential hazard to human or other organisms, what happens to the waste and how does one recover or reduce environmental damage?

“Cedar Paint, an old brand in the market, known back in the old days as Cedar Vadek, is in the process of understanding the green market needs and the company is developing product and methods that will help us become future-friendly,” explains Weeden.

The Cedar Paints technical team has formulated a range of products that will help their clients reduce their impact on the planet (starting with preparation product all the way to final coats). “The product range is water-based, meaning there are no solvents required during cleanup, it is lead-free and includes the colourant if required, it is low in volatile organic compounds and dries quickly to minimise time on site,” says Weeden.

water-BaSed wood CoatingSThe Cedar tree inspired the team at Cedar Paints to develop a wood coating range that is water-based and can give the wood a long-lasting protective coating. The wood coating range includes a range of offerings, from water-based strainers and sealers to a water-based heat-resistant gloss finish that won’t burn. “We are also preparing some new products to be launched early in 2011,” says Weeden.

“The green market is growing and the demand for product suited to need is coming on line. There are manufacturers who are committed to improving their environmental performance as well as the impact their product has on its surroundings. We need to continue campaigning for responsible environmental practices and ask ourselves hard questions that challenge the environmental impact of a product’s lifecycle,” concludes Weeden.

Cedar PaintTel: 086 123 3277E-mail: [email protected]: www.cedarpaint.co.za

What makes paint green?A large number of paint and coating products are labelled by manufacturers as ‘eco-friendly’, but what makes paint truly sustainable? Shane Weeden, national sales manager for Cedar Paints, says that most people judge a product based on product descriptions and marketing efforts made by retailers.


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According to Sheath, recycling waste materials represents one of the most effective ways of reducing the use of non-renewable natural resources. “In a green context, the fly ash reduces

the amount of clinker needed and hence the energy intensity of the finished cement, while also having a major reduction effect on greenhouse gas emissions,” says Sheath.

“Incorporating fly ash in cement is also a way of offering customers a larger range of fit-for-purpose products that offer more effective solutions to the needs of different applications,” says Sheath.

CarBon emiSSion SavingSEach ton of fly ash used in a cement formulation, or blended into a concrete mix, saves approximately one ton of carbon dioxide emissions. “It is estimated that over the last ten years Ash Resources’ fly ash products used by the local cement, readymix, precast and construction industries have saved South Africa over 6 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions,” says Sheath.

the future of fly aSh in the ConStruCtion induStryThe future of fly ash is closely allied, but not limited, to cement and concrete. “Not only is concrete the second most widely consumed material on earth after water but its full potential has still to be explored and exploited. Concrete’s versatility and durability, together with its thermal and acoustical insulation properties, make up an ideal construction material. Whatever the sustainability arguments, concrete is a key component of future construction,” explains Sheath.

Ash Resources is a member of the Green Building Council of South Africa and the company believes that sustainable development has to be an essential facet of the search for more efficient products and procedures in the construction industry. “While South Africa is not as heavily regulated as many European countries, local players in the built environment are increasingly having to factor in sustainability, lifecycle costing and environmental requirements to their planning and construction methodologies,” concludes Sheath. u

Ash ResourcesTel: 011 886 6200Fax: 011 886 6140E-mail: [email protected]: www.ashresources.co.za

Fly ash - a green building assetFor over thirty years, a number of industry professionals have come to see fly ash as an increasingly important building material for greening houses, shopping malls, dams, harbours, bridges. “Fly ash in the construction industry still remains a largely unsung hero in our country,” says John Sheath, strategy and marketing manager of Ash Resources.

green ramifiCationS of uSing ProCeSSed fly aSh:

Recycles a waste product from the power • generation industry as a value-added cementitious building materialReduces the consumption of non-renewable • natural resources, in particular limestoneReduces the quarrying activity associated with • provision of raw materials for cement productionSaves energy• Reduces process and energy input CO• 2 emissionsReduces the size of power station landfill sites• Improves concrete durability, prolonging the • lifecycle of concrete structures

Fly ash in housing – fly ash provides for ‘green’ housing construction

aBout fly aSh

Fly ash is referred to as a ‘pozzolan’, a term which means it can react with water and lime to form a hard cementitious compound. Other features of fly ash are its spherical shape (cement particles are angular) coupled with extreme fineness. These properties enable fly ash to flow and blend easily in a concrete mix, when it is used as a partial replacement for Portland cement. The spherical particles fill the voids in normal cement giving a denser paste matrix while significantly improving the workability of a concrete or mortar mix. The dense concrete pore structure makes concrete less permeable to water and potentially harmful chemicals, which is particularly important for reinforced concrete in a water-retaining structure or marine environment. The chemical reactions of the fly ash with the other active ingredients in cement also result in a stronger hardened concrete.


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Sykes explains that although more developers and architects are using green building products, price still remains a deciding factor when specifying products for projects. “There are many design

professionals that are focused on trying to use sustainable building materials as much as possible. The only drawback for most of these products is price – they are much more expensive to buy and install than their ‘non-green’ conventional counterparts, which then makes them less desirable in the marketplace. However, cement is one of the sustainable products that is readily available, and it lends itself to most design choices. Hence it is being used more and more effectively in design than ever before,” says Sykes.

Most of Cemcrete’s products are cement-based. Sykes explains that their products’ manufacturing processes as well as longevity can contribute to their sustainability. The company has been looking at ways to reduce the amount of electricity and other consumables used to manufacture their products.

“Our products contain no VOCs which can cause harm to the natural environment as well as humans. Even the manufacturing process is not as harmful to the environment as most other coatings – especially the acrylic-based kind.

Also, the lifespan of a cement-based coating is much longer, they are extremely hardwearing and easy to maintain, all reducing costs and the use of many other harmful substances (such as detergents) to keep the surfaces clean and so forth. Our dry powder products are also packaged in paper bags that can be recycled when the internal lining is removed,” says Sykes.

“To me green products are those that are not only “green” in their manufacturing process and chemical make-up, but are long-lasting and require the least amount of maintenance. In other words, to use and maintain the product is at a low cost and need for other products (such as detergents, etc. to maintain) is reduced. Over many years, this reduction in maintenance and product usage will have a positive effect on the environment.

Cement-based products for sustainable design

Cemcrete has been supplying the South African construction industry with cement-based product for over three decades. Not only has the company grown its range of “fit-for-purpose”

wall, floor and pool products from just 6 to over 60 different product ranges, but it has also adapted to the ever-changing styles of construction market trends. Walls & Roofs spoke to

Cemcrete marketing director, Joanne Sykes, to find out how the green building movement and sustainable construction trends have been affecting the industry.


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For example paints have a certain lifespan, after which they need to be replaced by another layer. However cement-based coatings last much longer and will therefore not have to be re-coated as often, if at all,” says Sykes.

deSigning for SuStainaBle BuildingSSykes believes that design professionals can ensure more sustainable buildings by following adequate building practices so that fewer buildings need to undergo regulations. “In order for buildings to stand the test of time, they need to be built accordingly. So often short-cuts are taken to reduce the cost of building, or there is lack of knowledge of proper building practice,

and so, over time, these buildings are not able to withstand the weather and other environmental factors. If design professionals and development professionals make sure the proper building practices are met, the need to demolish instead of renovating would decrease. I believe this would help towards sustainable living for all,” concludes Sykes. u

CemcreteTel: 011 474 2415 Fax: 011 474 2416 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.cemcrete.co.za

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FeaTuRe

For over 10 years, the South African building and construction market has experienced considerable growth. Infrastructure spending, over 18 months of 2010 Soccer World Cup construction and development, coupled with bright outlooks for the property market, has helped keep the construction sector afloat during the 2009 recession. Although we regularly read about new developments and projects, how can we critically look at the industry’s performance? Walls & Roofs talks to some of the key analysts and looks at the important indicators and statistics to review construction in 2010.

“From 2004 – 2007, South Africa experienced a construction boom, which was supported by private sector and government’s multi-year, multi-billion-rand projects

including the Gautrain, 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup stadiums, road networks and airports,” Ronnie Khoza, CEO of the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB), told delegates at the Beyond 2010 MBSA Annual Congress in Windhoek, Namibia, on 21 September.

“There was a global financial crisis from late 2008 through 2009 and early 2010, but the South African construction industry performed well over this period,” said Khoza.

Khoza pointed out that the R846-billion infrastructure budget for the next three years by Government, which was announced in February 2010, showed a continued investment in the successful construction industry.

According to Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan, Government’s infrastructure spend had increased from R787-billion that was budgeted for the previous Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) period. A total of R720-billion was budgeted

for infrastructure on economic services (such as roads, pipelines, water, sanitation and housing), while R93-billion (approximately 11,3% of the lump sum) would be spent on social services such as hospitals and schools.

According to Khoza, a lot of money is still needed for the country’s infrastructure projects. “US$93-billion is needed for Africa’s infrastructure projects,” Khoza told delegates at the conference.

Khoza also quoted Donald Kaberuka, the President of the African Development Bank, saying: “The magnitude of Africa’s financing needs for infrastructure is far beyond the public sector’s capacity, and clearly highlights the opportunities for private sector involvement.”

PoSitive attitudeS and multiPle mood-damPerSTowards the end of 2009, the Global Construction Sector Survey released by KPMG showed a positive outlook amongst participants. Over 100 senior executives were surveyed and a staggering 64% said they expected to maintain or increase profit levels by mid-2010.

Construction of Gautrain. © designmind.co.za

projects 2010: a year in review

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According to Allafrica.com, however, these positive vibes have been dampened by setbacks such as the debt crisis in Dubai, which has resulted in a number of cancelled projects for South African construction companies. “Group Five alone had to cancel as much as R4-billion worth of contracts. There have also been some other cancellations in the Southern African region where numerous South African construction companies operate, as both public and private funds dried up during 2009,” said the local news website.

Coface building and construction analyst Jayson Naidoo says the construction industry is facing one of the most difficult periods it has had to over the last 10 years, and is not showing any signs of recovery.

Naidoo points to recent statistics showing that the industry’s growth indicators have been declining since Q3 of 2009 and that the construction industry has one of the lowest growth figures since early 2008. “This is contradictory to most other industries which have shown signs of recovery in recent months.”

whiCh PartS of the ConStruCtion SeCtor are affeCted?Companies operating in the construction industry are split into two distinct sectors, the first being large corporates who deal mostly with government and infrastructure-based projects, and secondly SME construction businesses who are mostly involved with residential property construction in the new housing and renovations sectors.

“Both sectors have been severely affected in the last year, but for different reasons. From a large corporate perspective, many

of the construction projects for the Football World Cup were completed by the end of 2009, with finishing touches such as seating, etc. being completed in 2010. The large construction companies involved in these projects would have invoiced the various government departments by the end of 2009, and are likely to have received payment in July or August 2010. This is due to the extensive payment processes involved in dealing with government departments,” explains Naidoo.

long Payment ProCeSSeSAccording to Coface SA’s experience with its clients, payment for work can take as long as six to nine months due to the different mandate levels within government departments for signoff.

“Inevitably the construction company is paid, however the process for payment will have hindered cash flow, and as such growth into new projects. In addition, many of the additional infrastructure projects proposed by government were put on hold for the first six months of 2010 while all resources were concentrated on ensuring a successful 2010 Football World Cup,” says Naidoo.

Coface building and construction analyst Jayson Naidoo says the construction industry is facing one of the most difficult periods it has had to over the last 10 years, and is not showing any signs of recovery.

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Gautrain Construction. © easterntimes.co.za


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New tender processes have only started to pick up during the middle of 2010, but new projects are not yet in their production phases. Coface South Africa expects large construction companies’ growth to pick up in 2011 as new infrastructure projects come on line.

On 30 July, the Construction Industry Development Board announced that representatives will be contacting registered contractors for the Board’s yearly CIIs (Construction Industry Indicators). The CIIs have been captured annually since 2003, and are currently being captured by the CIDB in partnership with the Department of Quantity Surveying and Construction Management of the University of the Free State.

Last year’s CIIs, which were released in March 2010, highlighted issues of payment delays, project delays and reduced profitability of projects. Dr Hendrik Marx, Head of the Department of Quantity Surveying and Construction Management at UFS, said that payment delays in 2009 showed a significant deterioration when compared with the payment delays of the previous two years.

According to the report, 74% of projects examined made a profit above 6%, while 23% of projects were undertaken at profit margins of 5% or less. The CIIs also showed that 52%, 51% and 35% of special work, mechanical work and electrical work projects respectively achieved profit margins higher than 10%.

The Business Conditions Survey for the third quarter of 2010 by the CIDB concluded that profit margins in the construction industry remain under pressure, and respondents to the survey indicated that the growth in the profitability of their businesses worsened during the quarter. The pace of labour shedding also rose in 2010 Q3.

Last year’s CIIs, which were released in March 2010, highlighted issues of payment delays, project delays and reduced profitability of projects.


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aCCeSS to Credit iS StringentNaidoo points out that the slowdown in consumer access to credit and cash flow, along with concerns about job security, is directly related to the demand for new houses, which in turn influences the SME construction market.

“While the interest rate is favourable, the access to credit from the banking sector has remained stringent. A positive indicator for this industry is the upturn in building plans passed since April 2010, although the number of plans passed remains at the lowest levels in three years,” says Naidoo.

The improvement within this SME sector of the construction industry is directly related to improved spending within the consumer market. This market is expected to remain flat for the next six to 12 months, as consumers adjust to more austere market conditions.

future outlookBusiness Monitor International has forecast that the construction industry will experience a slowdown beyond 2010. “BMI is forecasting that South Africa’s construction industry growth will decline substantially in 2010 from the double- digit highs experienced over the previous five years. From average growth of 14% y-o-y between 2005 and 2008, and an estimated growth of 9,4% in 2009, growth in the construction industry is expected to slow to 5% in 2010, and to remain at below 3,5% per year over the remainder of our forecast period – to 2014,” said the company.

Although South Africa is in the midst of a slowdown, BMI notes the investment plans of the major state-owned infrastructure operators do present potential for construction industry value (and demand for building materials) to increase at a more rapid rate; indeed this potential is sustaining our growth rates in positive territory currently. “Aided by the recent US$3,75bn World Bank loan, Eskom is moving forward with mammoth expansion plans; and Sanral and Transnet are pursuing investments in the country’s transport network. In addition, the government is planning to build a substantial amount of housing – there is ZAR16bn (US$2.13bn) of planned investment in the current fiscal year alone. However, the issue is (as always) not with the willingness or the proposals, but implementation of these plans,” concludes BMI. u

Walls & Roofs would like to give thanks and acknowledgement to Ronnie Khosa, CEO of the Construction Industry Development Board, and Jayson Naidoo, construction analyst from Coface South Africa, for the information provided for this article.

ConfidenCe levelS in the ConStruCtion induStry in 2010

The CIDB Quarterly Monitor, which covers the 3rd quarter of 2009 to the 2nd quarter of 2010, shows that the overall business confidence in the General Building sector remained somewhat constant, but confidence levels were low. (the Business Confidence Index represents the percentage of respondents rating the business conditions as satisfactory). Business confidence in the Civil Engineering (CE) sector has continued to decline.

During the third quarter of 2010, the overall business confidence of building contractors decreased markedly from an index value of 36 in 2010 Q2 to 23 in 2010 Q3. The demand for new building work remains relatively weak and a stable net 84% of the respondents to the survey reported that the insufficient demand for building work was negatively constraining their business operations.

Source: www.cidb.org.za

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Innovative sun-control products used in leading SA projectsArchitects and design professionals from around the world have taken advantage of Hunter Douglas’ innovative products, services and support. With a major operation in South Africa, the company has been involved in some of the most prestigious projects in the country. Take a look at some of the window coverings, ceilings, sun-control systems and façades that Hunter Douglas has recently installed in South Africa:

Left: Hunter Douglas worked with Group 5 and ACG Architects to install 261 m2 of Hunter Douglas Aerofoils 200AF at PetroSA’s headquarters in Cape Town. These wing-shaped panel elements, or fins, combine optimum solar effectiveness with a firm and futuristic appearance. This sun-control solution offers fast and easy installation as well as a variety of practical application possibilities.

Right: Over 640 m2 of Filigree Sun Screens were installed at the Pres Les building in Lansdowne, Cape Town. The Filigree screens offer effective, attractive and versatile functions as they filter light into offices without seriously impairing the view out through the windows. Filigree Sun Screens are available in a variety of standard cellular modules and blade pitches to meet the specific requirements of any elevation.

Right: Hunter Douglas worked with JL & B Architects and WBHO to install a number of sun-control products at the R160-million world-class Transport Management Centre (TMC) in Cape Town. The TMC building was a 2010 FIFA World Cup Project that integrates services such as freeway management, urban traffic control, the transport information centre and the new Integrated Rapid Transit (IRT) system. Over 260 m2 of Hunter Douglas Aerofoils 200AF and 131 m2 of Hulabond aluminium composite panels were installed.

Left: JL&B Architects specified 201 m2 of 300AF products, 3 571 m2 of Hulabond aluminium composite panels and 220 m2 of the 132S Sun Louvre system for the Bell Data building in

Cape Town. The 132S Sun Louvre system consists of 132 mm Z-shaped, roll-formed panels including an elegant support structure. The panels are used in order to achieve a crisp Sun Louvre or Façade, resulting in an overall aesthetically pleasing appearance. The entire specification was worth over R6-million.

Right: Hunter Douglas supplied and installed the cladding and louvres for the upmarket 12 Fredman Drive refurbishment building in Sandton. 4000 m2 of Hulabond panels, Celoscreen 468 m2 and Hunter Douglas Type 84R 1 150 m2 louvres were provided for the client, SALA. The project was completed within eight months in November 2010.

Hulabond aluminium composite panels offer superior flatness, versatile formability and ease of machinability. Hunter Douglas Type 84R system is known for its attractive, fluid lines. It is easy to install and maintain and enables a wide variety of design configurations. 84R Sun Louvres are functional and provide precise sun control. Panels are available in a wide choice of colors and finishes. u

Hunter DouglasTel: 011 793 3641Fax: 011 793 6864E-mail: [email protected]: www.hunterdouglas.co.za

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Silicone and Technical Products has been providing sealing solutions to professionals in the façade and infrastructure industry since 1984. The company’s one and two part SSG structural silicone sealants as well as the IGS double glazing sealants supplied by Momentive Performance Materials are synonymous with quality in the industrial, construction and glazing markets in South Africa and around the world, leading them to be specified for a number of high-profile projects throughout the year.

< menlyn CorPorate Park Curved, segmented, high façade

The Menlyn Corporate Park Office Development has been benchmarked as one of the most desirable office nodes in Pretoria. The 27 000m2 office and hotel complex was designed for the Feenstra Group and the building consists of a multi-level mega-basement with a 6-storey hotel, 6-storey office block and 5-storey tertiary education centre.

Edelweiss were contracted to design and install the flush-glazed curtain walls to the buildings. “The aluminium curtain wall system used was the CW90 Flush-glazed system from AGI Aluminium,” said Gert de Bruin, contracts manager at Edelweiss.

A total of 16 10 m2 AGI ME10 blue glazing was installed, using a total of 3 200 L SSG4000 structural glazing sealant. One of the unique features of the project is that 70% of the curtain walls were curved, segmented and running 21,65 m in height over five floors. All of this was installed in record time, meeting the tight project programme,” says De Bruin.

According to De Bruin, Silicone and Technical Products also contributed to the success of the project. “Silicone and Tech always delivered sufficient stock on time and, with their technical expertise, we were able to meet deadlines and install a product that met the criteria within our guarantees,” said De Bruin.

proudly sponsored by silicone & technical products (pty) ltd in association with edelweiss Glas & aluminium and industria Glass & aluminium (pty) ltd

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< illovo edge multi finish façade

Illovo Edge is strategically situated in Illovo, Johannesburg, and the building was constructed within the exclusive Illovo Boulevard Precinct. Designed by Bentel Associates International (BAI), the R2-billion project consists of a number of phases which will be completed within the next few years.

The commercial development sets the benchmark for office developments in Johannesburg and stands as a new landmark in Illovo. The diagonal boulevards that run through the site dictate the angular form of its two flanking buildings. Given the slope of the site, the buildings appear to rise like statuesque pavilions on elevated podiums, making a bold architectural statement. Silicone and Technical Products contributed to the success of the major glass, steel and sandstone façades.

Tshwane Glass & Aluminium was appointed to design and supply the facades. “Illovo Edge is a remarkable project in terms of innovated design and use of high tech modern material to construct facades on the outside edge of the building optimizing useable floor space to a maximum,” says Willie Kruger from Tshwane Glass.

“We had to install the facades to work to a virtual zero tolerance. Two part SSG 4400 silicone supplied by Silicone & Technical was used to construct the flush glaze panels. The short drying time required by two-part silicone allowed us to install manufactured panels the next day. The project is in itself is a landmark feature of modern design and technology,” comments Kruger.

< international Convention Centre – CSir flushglazed curtain wall around projected concrete

The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research completed its R35-million expansion and refurbishment project in the beginning of May 2010. The elegant convention centre takes the flow of events, comfort of delegates and organiser convenience into account for each facet of the project.

The striking full-glass façade offers magnificent views of the CSIR campus in Pretoria. Edelweiss was contracted to design and install the flush-glazed curtain wall for this building. “The Nuklip flush-glazed system from Hulamin Building Systems was used for the project. A total of 1 100 m2 AGI Stopsol Grey Glazing was installed, using a total of 1100 L SSG4000 structural glazing sealant,” explains De Bruin.

“One of the unique features of the project was that the glazing was wrapped around projected concrete edges. We were able to install the pre-glazed panels faster due to the product used. The SSG4000 sealant from Silicone and Technical Products cures faster than similar sealants, which saved us time,” concludes De Bruin. u

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

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In 2005, when the Wellington High School – one of the first in a range of FET (Further Education and Training) projects – first opened its doors, the building was made of prefabricated material. Corobrik recently supplied

over 200 000 clay face bricks for the refurbishment project, which was funded by the WCED (Western Cape Education Department).

“This school is not a traditional school in terms of architectural design. Being focused on further educational training for arts and culture, the design has a contemporary arts-inspired feel to it,” says Allistair Cloete of Corobrik.

“Red face bricks such as our Roan Satin and Kirstenbosch Travertine are not commonly used for schools, however the colour was specifically chosen to reflect the graphically favoured colours of the bold statements typical of the arts. At the same time a solid and dignified appearance was required as the building is an element of civic pride in an area previously deprived of this kind of attention,” continues Cloete.

“These face brick panels contrast well with the alternating smooth plastered wall panels, contributing to the overall appearance and style of the school in an environmentally sensitive way”, says Cloete.

ProjeCt ChallengeSFrancois Nortjé of Albertyn Viljoen Nortjé Architects in Paarl, the appointed architects and principal agents for the school, says that the design of Wellington Secondary, inspired by the free spirit associated with art, was not without its challenges.

“There were several opportunities and limitations with this project that we had to balance, and achieve the best for our client and especially also for the community. The WCED required that the school remain open during the construction phase which meant that we had to work fast to minimise the impact on students. Corobrik’s ability to meet tight deadlines was therefore most helpful during construction,” says Nortjé.

“WCED required that the design of the building portray an arts and culture theme without any additional funding. As a result we were required to work within a very stringent budget. Corobrik’s products were competitively priced and allowed us to comfortably fulfil our design specifications within our budget, which was most impressive,” concludes Nortjé. u

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

Contemporary art inspires Western Cape school

Over 200 000 bricks were supplied for the Wellington High School, one of the first in a range of FET (Further Education and Training) projects in the Western Cape.

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

GAuTenGTel: +27 11 608 4640 • Fax: +27 11 608 4643

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

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

GAuTenGTel: +27 11 608 4640 • Fax: +27 11 608 4643

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

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Roll-Up Serranda’s Cape Town branch began 2010 on a high note by being contracted to install their roller shutters throughout the Green Point Stadium for the 2010 Soccer World Cup. The branch

continued to perform, adding a number of prestigious projects to their list.

Branch manager Louise van Staden said that she is delighted that the momentum has continued right down to year end. “We’re subcontracted to Group 5 on the refurbishment of Liberty Promenade in Mitchell’s Plain. This is a busy shopping mall which opened in 2003 and is visited by over 1 000 000 people a month. The new food court is spectacular, very modern in design and full of light and open spaces,” commented Van Staden.

food Court deSignS Roll-Up Serranda was originally contracted to install 32 roller shutters in the new food court and Ster-Kinekor cinemas. When

another sub-contractor let the developers down, Roll-Up Serranda was contracted to fit another eight doors and perform ongoing repair work to doors damaged during construction. The value of the contract increased substantially.

“This job was different to the work we usually do in shopping malls in that the architects wanted all the food court doors to match, so no corporate colours were allowed. We powder-coated them all in a shade of matt grey specified by the architects and the end result is very attractive and sophisticated,” said Van Staden.

Individual branding for each of the food outlets is in the form of signage over the shop fronts instead of powder coating each roller shutter in corporate colours, as has been usual in the past.

CuStomer ServiCe leadS to more ContraCtSVan Staden believes that the company’s commitment to clients is of paramount importance, and leads to more contracts throughout the year. “The sales consultant, Taswell Buttress, and I were available to take phone calls at any time, deal with problems and visit site to sort out requests as they arose. As a result we’ve been contracted to supply doors for the centre’s refuse rooms as well as additional retail outlets within the mall,” says Van Staden.

Roll-up Serranda will also be involved in the rollout of Game’s new concept stores. The gigantic retailer is refurbishing its stores and introducing its first Liquor Mart at the N1 City store in Cape Town.

“We are supplying a range of doors here – some push-up, some motorised, in both perforated and solid slatted curtains. Again, the finish on the doors had to co-ordinate with the store’s new look, rough textured shelving finish and the colour was specified by the architects,” concludes Van Staden. u

Roll-Up SerrandaTel: 021 931 3112Email: [email protected]: www.rollup.co.za

Roller shutters customised for stadiums, shopping malls and food courts

roll-uP Serranda roller ShutterS:

Can be used to protect merchandise during the •

completion phase of a refurbishmentTake up very little space, so are ideal for small outlets•

Can be manufactured for large spaces too, such as •

aircraft hangarsProvide both a door and security barrier in one unit•

Can be both manual and automated•

Architects wanted all the food court doors to match. Individual branding for each of the food outlets is in the form of signage over the shop fronts instead of powder coating each roller shutter in corporate colours, as has been usual in the past.

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The unigum/bituprime system is recommended for any low-pitched IBR or corrugated metal roofs, such as on garages, houses, factories and offices. a.b.e. offers a 10-year maintenance-free warranty for 4.5 kg unigum MS reinforced polymer-bitumen membranes which means that no servicing or painting is required for at least a decade. u

a.b.e Construction Chemicals LimitedTel: 011 306 9000

E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.abe.co.za

Waterproofing and insulating low pitched metal roofsBuilding revamp and renovation expert CITI-CON Services recently used a combination of two renowned waterproofing products from a.b.e. Construction Chemicals to waterproof the 1 800 sq m of roofing at the Linksfield Heights apartment block in Linksfield Ridge. CITI-CON is one of the a.b.e.-approved waterproofing and concrete repair contractors who offers a 10-year workmanship guarantee, back-to-back with a.b.e.

SteP 1The waterproofing specification to seal the

low-pitch IBR-profiled sheet roof was for the initial attachment of 25 mm insulated polystyrene panels to 3.2 masonite board.

SteP 2The polystyrene panels were applied, in the first place, to stop the thermal expansion and contraction of the metal sheeting. The attachment of the panels also resulted in a thermally insulated roof, which reduces inside temperatures between 6 - 10 degrees Celsius in summer, and aids the retention of interior heating in winter. Also reduces the noise when it rains and hail by 90%.

This combination was fixed to the existing IBR sheets with polycarbonate washers and self-tapping screws and then primed with a.b.e.’s bituprime bituminous

solution to allow maximum bonding of the subsequent torch-on application of a.b.e.’s 4,5kg unigum MS (mineral surface), grey slate torch-on membrane.

SteP 3

SteP 4The IBR overhang at the gutter junction was cut back to allow the unigum membrane to run from the roof into the gutter itself, thereby stopping any water from running back underneath the sheeting. A 90 degrees metal flashing was fixed from the sheeting into the gutter before the membrane was applied.

The masonite boards provide additional strength and protect the insulated polystyrene panels when the unigum is torched on. The unigum mineral surface

4,5 kg waterproofing membrane was fully bonded onto the masonite board with a specialised 50 mm gas torch, using the heat fusion method.

SteP 5

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Vineyard hotel – Claremont, Cape townArchitects – Revel Fox and Partners

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Zinc cladding and roofing in prestigious local projectsRheinzink® is an alloy consisting of 99.995 % high-purity zinc and precisely defined amounts of copper and titanium. This zinc cladding and roofing material is increasingly specified for a number of prestigious projects around the country. Walls & Roofs Magazine takes look at some of Rheinzink’s recent applications:

o.r. tambo international airport – JohannesburgArchitects – Bentel Associates International (BAI)

private residences – nettleton road, Clifton, Cape townArchitects – Stefan Antoni Olmesdahl Truen Architects (SAOTA)

the Warehouse – the Waterfront, Cape townArchitects – Noero Wolff Architects

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sCi-bono discovery Centre – newtown, JohannesburgArchitects – Albonico Sack Mzumara (ASM) Architects

the forensic science laboratories – plattekloof, Cape townArchitects – Ivan C Sasman Architect

private residence – Victoria road, Clifton, Cape townArchitect / Designer – Rustic Homes, Elgin, Western Cape

private residence – higgovale, Cape townArchitects – Private development

RHEINZINK South AfricaTel: 021 6712600Email: [email protected]: www.rheinzink.co.za

private residence – pazula private estate, KnysnaArchitect – Paulo Esteves

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The 90 homes will be built in close proximity to Saint-Gobain’s East Rand, Durban and Cape Town facilities and the company’s employees will help construct the houses. “We want to make

meaningful interventions in the lives of the people who live near Saint-Gobain’s sites and all the houses built will be within a 20 km radius of the company’s sites,” explains Steve du Toit, Saint-Gobain Delegate for South Africa.

“Saint-Gobain employees, from our factory workers to high-level executives, will be making their contribution to these constructions. Approximately 50 man-hours per month will be taken out of the business in order to contribute to the success of this project,” says Du Toit.

Habitat for Humanity works on a project model in which each project is uniquely tailored to suit the needs of the homeowner group, the environmental and social conditions of the communities and the available funds. Since the organisation’s inception in 1987, over 2200 families across 17 communities have been served.

“We work with corporates who are determined to change the lives of ordinary South Africans by providing clean, safe shelter.

Our partnership with Saint-Gobain is the largest project we have done and it will take approximately 90 families from shack to home and over 450 South Africans will benefit from the project,” says Peter Francis of Habitat for Humanity.

The project will be implemented over the course of three years and 50 houses will be delivered in Gauteng during the first year. Energy efficiency and sustainability were some of the requirements made from Habitat for Humanity concerning the new homes. “Saint-Gobain’s employees have already shown their willingness to invest sweat equity in homes that we built with them in Langaville, Kwa-Thema, in October this year.

The company brings an innovative mix of new and energy-efficient construction products and systems to market, and we’re working with Habitat for Humanity to improve the energy performance of the homes we build, saving money for the homeowners that benefit from this project, into the future.”

Jean-Phillipe Lacharme, a representative from the Foundation in Paris, came to Saint-Gobain’s headquarters to sign the agreement contract in November 2010. Lacharme commented that the Foundation “was struck by the comprehensive need for a meaningful intervention to meet the backlog of housing in South

Africa, and the outstanding proposal from South Africa met our requirements of sustainability, community orientation and energy efficiency”. u

Saint-Gobain Construction ProductsTel: 011 345 5300Website: www.saint-gobain.com

R4,7-million to build 90 homesFrance-based Saint-Gobain Initiatives Foundation and Saint-Gobain South Africa are partnering with local non-profit organisation Habitat for Humanity to build over 90 “Breaking New Ground” houses for South Africans living in informal settlements. A total of R4,7-million is being donated by the Saint-Gobain Initiatives Foundation, which is the largest single donation that the Foundation has ever made, and the largest single donation ever received by Habitat for Humanity.

Saint-Gobain Construction Products Delegate for South Africa, Steve du Toit, looks on as Jean-Phillippe Lacharme, Senamile Mazibuko and Peter Francis sign the contract that will see R4.7million spent on building homes for South Africans in need.

Habitat for Humanity works on a project model in which each project is uniquely tailored to suit the needs of the homeowner group, the environmental and social conditions of the communities and the available funds.

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Heatlie explains that an increasing number of fire protection applicators are entering the local market, but that not all of the products they use can produce the results claimed on

their packaging. Some of the current challenges in the thatch fire protection industry include inconsistency in testing methods of products for thatched roof fire protection, inconsistency in council approval of applicators, low barrier to entry for new applicators, misleading and ambiguous test reports as well as a

lack of official standards. «Applicators have various levels of compliance and

testing by the testing authorities in South Africa, most of which claim approval by these authorities,” says

Heatlie. “Certain products on the market are not suitable for the longevity of a thatch roof’s life span. Using the wrong products can lead to rotting and ultimately destroy your thatch roof,” says Heatlie.

Thatch Protection Services was established in 1991 and the company has treated over 900 000 m2 of thatch since its inception. “From our experience, there are only two products in the market that have consistently performed and conform to what we consider the minimum compliance with thatched roof application of fire prevention materials. Thatch Protection Services is interested in being part of setting up a minimum compliance standard to eliminate the application of dangerous products within our market,” says Heatlie.

“A validation procedure for Fire Prevention Officers is in the process of being created so that they can confirm the validity and effectiveness of these products. This validation process will promote fair business practice as well as ensure the safety of owners, fire prevention personnel and anyone else involved with thatch roofs,” concludes Heatlie. u

Thatch Protection ServicesTel: 011 422 4593Fax: 011 422 6280E-mail : [email protected] : www.thatchprotection.co.za

Thatch Protection Services has developed Supercote, a water-based fire retardant that is also resistant to sunlight, fungus, bacteria and damage from animals and bugs, to treat roofs. Supercote slows down the ageing process of grass, which doubles the life of your thatch and cuts maintenance costs.

Supercote has undergone testing at SABS for long life (2000 hours of accelerated weathering equivalent to approximately 10 years). “Supercote is currently the only product on the market tested for long life. It also complies with CI.TT12.2 of the 0400 Fire Code, which allows structures in excess of 20 m2 to be built within 0,25 m from any boundary,” says Heatlie.

Supercote prevents flaming, allowing the grass to smoulder only. The fire can then be extinguished with dry-foam extinguishers, preventing water damage to contents.

Current teStS ConduCted on SuPerCote:STM 182-1979 “Resistance to laboratory artificial •

weathering of paint films for 1000 hours”STM 182-1979 “Resistance to laboratory artificial •

weathering of paint films for 2000 hours”DIN 4102 Part 7 “Fire behaviour of building materials •

and building components. Roof coverings, terminology, requirements and testing”ASTM E108: 2000 “Standard Test Methods for Fire •

Tests on Roof Coverings” as required by section 8.2.3 of SANS 10407:2006 “Thatched roof construction”. This test is covered in two parts: intermittent flame exposure as well as the spread of flame test and includes 10 minutes exposure to continuous flame at 1000°c.

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THATCH PROTECTION SERVICESTel: 011 422 4593 • Fax: 011 422 6280 • E-mail: [email protected]: www.thatchprotection.co.za

Thatch roof solutions that work

Thatch Protection Services has protected over 900 000m2 of thatch since its inception in 1991. The company developed Supercote, a water-based fire retardant comprising stable acrylic polymer resins and anti-fungal, anti-bacterial and fire-resistant components.

ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY

Supercote is non-toxic, giving specifiers an environment-friendly solution for extending the life of thatch roofs and cutting the cost of maintenance. The product dries to a clear finish and is professionally manufactured to ISO / SABS standards.

APPLICATION

Supercote is applied to the thatch using a high-pressure spray gun to achieve penetration of approximately 4-5 cm. The coating overcomes poor compaction in order to reduce maintenance.

The product is very effective against :• Veld fires • Lightning • Fireworks • Dust-rain • Sand infiltration • Monkey damage • Bird damage • Storm damage

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The term Urban Heat Island (or UHI) refers to a phenomenon that occurs within urban areas where temperatures are often significantly higher than surrounding rural or underdeveloped areas.

According to BlueScope Steel, a leading multinational coated steel roofing material supplier, two of the most effective ways of cooling UHIs would be the use of Urban Forestry methods;

and Cool Roofs.

Cool roofS helP Create SuStainaBle living environmentSIn a rapidly developing and urbanising country such as South Africa, this places a huge responsibility both on government and on urban planners and developers to ensure the effects of UHIs are mitigated in the interests of sustainable living.

From the roofing perspective, cool roofs help to reduce the intensity of UHIs, as well as maintain thermal comfort and minimise energy demand within buildings. Cool roofs have high solar reflectivity and preferable high thermal emittance at the shortwave end of the spectrum. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has determined that the surface temperature of a cool roof can be up to 39 °C lower than a dark-coloured roof. This means that the contribution of the roof to the GHGE and to running costs of the building can be reduced – simply by using a light-coloured, highly reflective, proven cool roofing material.

roofing SolutionS“Light-coloured Clean COLORBONDTM steel has a higher thermal emittance than ZINCALUME® steel, which is not pre-painted. So light-coloured Clean COLORBONDTM steel not only reduces the amount of solar radiation absorbed, but is also very effective in re-radiating heat. This means that the building will be cooler overall and also cool down faster when the sun isn’t shining, thus helping to reduce energy demand,” says Wayne Miller, regional general manager for BlueScope Steel.

“The secret lies in the paint systems and infrared technology developed by BlueScope Steel engineers and specialists, which are unique to this brand. In addition, the excellent corrosion resistance of Clean COLORBOND™ AZ150 steel is proven to provide a lifespan of up to four times longer than either pre-painted galvanised Z275 or ordinary galvanised Z275 steel.

This means the thermal performance of the roof also goes on for a considerably longer time,” says Miller.

“We have noticed that a number of developers and contractors opt for using cheaper pre-painted steel roofing materials having inferior paint systems and lower grade metallic coatings that do not provide the benefits of a cool roof. In the interests of the sustainable development of South Africa, this practice should be discouraged. Think long-term performance – and look for the brand. It is easily identified on the back of each panel so you can be sure you are receiving the genuine Clean COLORBOND™ steel from BlueScope Steel,” concludes Miller. u

BlueScope Steel Southern Africa (Pty) LtdTel: 021 442 5420Email: [email protected] : www.bluescopesteel.com

Cooling urban heat

ISLANDS

the three driverS of an uhi

Heating due to human activities – transport, industry, power generation, operation of buildings, etc.

Reduced cooling via the processes of transpiration-•

induced cooling and evaporative cooling (so-called ‘evapotranspiration’) due to replacement of vegetation by buildings and other infrastructure.Increased absorption and retention of incoming •

shortwave solar radiation due to low surface reflectivity and high thermal mass of the built environment, especially roofs – and its conversion to longwave radiation that is retained within the atmosphere – effectively contributing to and worsening the greenhouse gas effect (GHGE). These processes all contribute to a ‘vicious cycle’ leading •

to heating, increased demand for cooling, heightened energy consumption, increased particulate emissions, temperature inversions, concentrated pollution and, ultimately, smog. The impacts of this cycle on community health, increased power consumption and damage to the built environment are well documented.

Hence, surface reflectivity enhancement and promotion of evapotranspiration are twin, allied strategies adopted by responsible planners and Green Building practitioners to reduce the intensity and longevity of UHIs.

ZINCALUME® steel used in a housing development near Kuils River, Cape Town, illustrates the quantity of incoming solar radiation that could potentially be reflected thus minimising the UHI effect. Not also the use of urban forestry techniques

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umhlanga hotel nears completion

Grinaker-LTA is set to complete the construction of a new 148-room hotel in Umhlanga’s Gateway precinct in March 2011. The R161-million contract includes a four-storey hotel

with conference facilities, as well as adjacent restaurants, all overlooking the Wave Pool at the Gateway Theatre of Shopping.

Grinaker-LTA is building the hotel and conference facility for Old Mutual Investment Group - Property Investments, whose commitment to the environment has presented the contractor with some interesting, and rewarding, challenges.

“It’s been stipulated that certain natural vegetation must be retained, including an ancient fig tree on the northwest corner of the site, so Grinaker-LTA is committed to delivering a quality project while maintaining a focus on environmental considerations,” said Grinaker-LTA’s Mark Bowen.

the ProfeSSional team on thiS ProjeCt inCludeS:architects: CHT Architects, Stauch VorsterQuantity surveyors: BTKM Quantity Surveyorsstructural engineers: Tobbell Stretch & Associatesmechanical engineers: Spoormaker & Partnerselectrical engineers: Reabow Consulting Engineersfire & wetworks consultants: Emzansi Consulting Engineers u

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

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Bridge City is a new town centre being created 17 kilometres from Durban, bridging the communities of Phoenix with the Inanda, Ntuzuma and KwaMashu (INK) area. The new town will serve as social and commercial

centre to a population of over 800 000 people, who at present have limited access to facilities and social services. The new facility will have the capacity to serve up to 40 000 commuters a day.

Cristian Cottino, Sales & Marketing Director of Vitrex in Jet Park, has confirmed that 2 500 m2 of the company’s Vitraclad vitreous enameled steel panels were specified as wall cladding for the underground station by Architects Collaborative. The panels are being produced in two colours, “Whisper Grey” as well as a colour ‘Prasa Grey’,that was specially developed by Vitrex for this project.

“Andre Duvenage of Architects Collaborative has extensive experience in using enamel steel in his designs and was convinced that Vitraclad was the correct product for this application. The cladding is being installed over 540m of the station walls at tunnel and platform level. The cladding has an overall height of 4m high and consists of two individual panels secured one above the other to a Vitraclad ‘Hook-on’ mild steel sub-structure. The sub-structure has been hot-dip galvanized and painted to provide increased protection given the coastal location of the project,” Cottino stated.

“The panels – fitted with earthing points because of the close presence of high voltage cables – can be removed independently for maintenance purposes,” added Cottino.

Installation of the cladding, which is being handled by Vitrex, is scheduled for completion early in 2011. The contract was secured through Vitrex’s sales office in KwaZulu-Natal, which is managed by Vic Moodley.

The main contractor for the multi-billion rand project is the Grinaker-LTA/Enza Joint Venture whilst Bridge City is a joint venture between Tongaat Hulett and the eThekwini Municipality.

Vitraclad panels have been widely installed as cladding on railway stations across the world. The panels are produced through the fusing of an inorganic coating consisting of glass, oxides and various minerals to sheet steel at temperatures of over 800º.

vitraClad PanelS feature Some unique ProPertieS making them the ideal ChoiCe in high traffiC areaS SuCh aS StationS:

hygienic: • Due to the absence of pores the smooth, hard enamel surface eliminates the absorption of dirt and grease, reduces the presence and growth of bacteria and mould, therefore creating a more hygienic and healthy environment.resistance to abrasion:• The surface harness is very similar to that of glass. On the MOH scale vitreous enamel has a rating of approximately 5º (apatite) to 7º (quartz). This property allows the surface to resist mechanical abrasion and prevent scratching, either accidental or intentional.resistance to vandalism, impacts and chemicals:• The extreme hardness of the surface makes it very difficult to mark permanently with knives, keys, screwdrivers. Enamel is resistant to most alkali, all acids (at room temperature) except hydrofluoric acid, all organic solvents, normal detergents (pH > 7), all neutral saline solutions (pH = 7) and is unaffected by Kerosene.heat and fire resistance: • Resistance to heat, naked flames or fire up to 650º and continuous temperatures up to 400º, vitreous enamel does not support the spread of flames or smoke (incombustible) and does not give off any toxic gasses.resistance to thermal shock:• Resistant to extreme temperature differentials of between 450º to -40º, vitreous enamel can withstand rapid cooling, when drenched with water spray, from 400º to room temperature over a 30 second period.low maintenance:• The surface requires very simple and periodical maintenance and it is extremely easy to clean.

The product also fulfills a number of important “green” criteria because it is a recyclable material and it has a very long working life (30+ years), extending the life span of the product and of the building or facilities, reducing the need for refurbishment. u

VitrexTel: 011 826 6057Fax: 011 823 1641E-mail: [email protected]: www.vitrex.co.za

Enamel products at new KZN rail stationVitreous enameled steel panels produced by Vitrex have been specified as wall cladding for the

new underground railway station at KwaZulu-Natal’s visionary Bridge City development.

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REDEFININGTHE USE OF COLOURVitraflex Modular Cloakroom Cubicles and Vanities

Properties of Enamel:Variety of Colours Colour Fastness Resistance to Corrosion and Abrasion Ultra Hygienic Resistance to Vandalism Heat and Fire Resistant Low Maintenance Environmentally Friendly

HEAD OFFICE AND FACTORY: 9 Jansen Road, Jetpark, Boksburg, South AfricaTel: +27 (11) 826 6057 Email: [email protected] Web: www.vitrex.co.za

Unique ProductsPassionate People

Now available on

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significant projects completed during 2010

protea place

lebone ©neciraphotography.com

significant projects completed during 2010

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freedom park

fnb

©neciraphotography.com

www.cgaf.co.za

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Capco, South African specialists in ceiling and partition systems, supplied the new King Shaka International Airport in Durban with over 30 000 m2 of their products. Barry Gould, Managing Director of Capco, says that the

products were specified due to their ease of use and high quality.“When taking on such a large project, it’s important for

customers to know that the products they are buying are going to last and that they will be relatively easy to install,” says Gould. “The result is a highly functional, aesthetically appealing system for the new King Shaka International Airport.”

Another feature that also drew the Airports Company of South Africa (ACSA) and Bambanani (Thekweni Centurion and Abbeycon) Joint Venture to Capco’s products is the special curved design capability of the ceiling systems. Although the ceiling systems are developed to satisfy the requirements of the designer, the systems also cater to the practical onsite problems faced by the installer.

“The ceiling contractor’s expertise and the nature of the product allowed them to install the durable systems with ease,” says Gould. The specific products that were used include CKM’s metal tray ceiling tiles and suspended ceiling grid, as well as Daiken mineral fibre acoustic ceiling tiles.

A notable feature of the metal tray ceilings that were used was the “island” design where independent islands appear to float. A special ceiling tee closer was designed by Capco to finish off the surrounding edges, as seen above.

CKm’s leadinG international CeilinG systems inClude:Exposed Tee Grid Systems – Made from galvanized mild steel and finished with special pre-painted steel capping. Production lines are fully automated and computerised to produce superb quality and precision.

unique features of daiken mineral fibre acoustic ceiling tiles:Outstanding Fire Resistance, Class 1 rating, SANS 10177 Part 3 •

Effective Thermal Insulation, R=0.334m²k/w (6 times that of •

gypsum board)Superior sound absorption, NRC 0.55-0.60•

Relative humidity resistance, RH 99% @ 50°C (Guaranteed for 10 •

years)Light reflection, over 80%•

Asbestos free•

Easy installation & maintenance•

ISO 9001:2000•

ISO 14001:1998•

Daiken is focused on developing products and systems from an environmental standpoint, fully minimizing waste generation in manufacturing processes and waste output. As a result of this, the Daiken plant has earned ISO 14001 certification and the Australian Environmental Choice Award.

CAPCO ccTel: 031 569 6090E-mail: [email protected]: www.capco.co.za & www.autospec.com

Ceiling solutions for

King shaka

international airport

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At the 2010 Steel Awards, Global Roofing Solutions (GRS) had two of its projects named as joint winners of the infrastructure category. The KMG Group company was awarded for its work at the

King Shaka International Airport (KSIA) as well as the Cape Town International Airport (CTIA).

According to the Steel Awards 2010 judging panel, the CTIA and the KSIA were joint winners of the infrastructure category as both projects overcame unique and similar challenges including having to be completed within the stringent 2010 World Cup time frame and special logistical challenges.

roof CoveringS in durBanThe professional team of Ilembe Architectural JV, surveyors

Ilembe Cost Management JV and structural engineers Ilembe Engineering JV required premium roof covering which would offer specific qualities such as durability and watertightness, combined with technically superior backup and service for the King Shaka International Airport in Durban.

Two GRS roofing systems, namely the Klip-Lok 406 and the renowned Brownbuilt profile, were selected for the R8-billion project. The installation was completed by Browndeck Roofing, a GRS-approved contractor.

The judges said that the KSIA is a ‘world-class entrance to a vital region of South Africa and to the country as a whole’. “The ingenious use of structural steelwork in a project of such grandeur and importance to the economic growth of this country is a tribute to South Africa’s engineering expertise.”

Roofing products excelled at steel awards

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The entire project was completed in 32 months. ”An outstanding achievement, which sets a new benchmark for the South African construction industry,” said the judging panel.

CaPe town’S exPanSion ProjeCt The expansion of the Cape Town International Airport’s (CTIA) Integrated Terminal and multi-storey parkade project became the joint winner of the infrastructure category at this year’s Steel Awards.

GRS supplied 29 000 m2 of Klip-Lok 406 concealed fix roofing sheets for the main terminal and another 20 000 m2 of roof sheeting for the parkade.

“CTIA was an outstanding example of the ingenious use of steel. This is one of the best entries we have received where not only were all the stringent requirements of the brief met – including that it be ready for the 2010 World Cup – but a facility has been created which is economically sustainable well beyond 2010.

Also, this could not have been possible without the extensive and brilliant use of structural steel,” commented the judges.

Architects Blueprint and Groenewald Preller commented: “The GRS Klip-Lok 406 product allowed the required one-degree pitch and due to the larger number of clips per square metre the product ensures better performance in high wind conditions – one of the many challenges that faced the project.”

“Global Roofing furthermore did onsite roll forming, producing continuous roof sheets that eliminate the need for end laps – a significant feature due to the lack of space – another challenge that a working airport presented,” said main roofing contractor, Scheltema’s Dave Payne.

Both of the projects that GRS was involved in were noted for the unique challenges they had to overcome. “With Cape Town the project was completed with minimal disturbance to the existing airport operation, while with Durban the logistics of relocating an airport added significantly to the judging criteria,” said the judges.

“We are extremely proud to have been the supplier of choice to the team of architects, quantity surveyors and structural engineers of these two projects and we thank our approved contractors who have done a superb job of installing our products at these sites,” said GRS Managing Director Gavin Jacobsen. u

Global Roofing SuppliesTel: 011 392 9800Fax: 011 392 3218Website: www.brownbuilt.co.za

PROJECTS

Llew Bryan Architects used over 600 000 bricks from Corobrik for the construction of residential units at the UKZN (University of KwaZulu-Natal) Pietermaritzburg campus. The client, UKZN, required a modern and practical building to accommodate medical students studying at the university.

The clay from which Corobrik’s face bricks are made is exclusive to Corobrik. Rob Jardine, Area Sales Manager for Corobrik Midlands, explains that the bricks are fired under high temperatures in order to

display the sharp contrasting colours.Llew Bryan Architects stated that for this project it was

essential that the set did not present itself as mundane. Corobrik’s contrasting colours were a deliberate attempt to invoke the energetic use of colour, texture and contrast to articulate the building masses and achieve a vibrant and sculptural effect.

“Both our pavers and bricks were used to enhance the overall appeal of the building. In total, 145 000 Opal Satin face bricks and 27 508 Firelight Satin face bricks were used for the external walls while 431 000 plaster bricks were used internally. The pathways were completed using our 50 mm Tuscan Blend clay pavers,” says Jardine.

reCyClaBle and maintenanCe-freeLlew Bryan Architects indicated that the brief from the client required that the building use low-maintenance materials. According to the architectural team, once the decision to

produce face-brick-clad buildings was taken, Corobrik was the obvious choice.

According to Jardine both the 50 mm Tuscan pavers and face bricks, are totally recyclable and maintenance-free qualities of face bricks ultimately reduces the long-term carbon debt associated with maintenance.

“The face and paving bricks are colourfast and will not deteriorate in harsh environments or inclement weather conditions and the double skin clay brick will support high quality internal environments”, said Jardine

deSign ConCePtThe design concept evolved from the thought of creating a community around a shared resource centre in a landscaped environment. The rooms are clustered in groups of 7 and 8 with shared kitchen, lounge and ablution facilities. Each floor accommodates two clusters around a common access link.

According to Llew Bryan Architects, the new buildings are an improvement on the existing residential components in several instances, including thermal efficiency which is apparent with Corobrik’s clay bricks that demonstrate superior thermal effectiveness in moderating internal temperatures. Because low carbon footprint and life cycle energy efficiency was a key design consideration, the fact that Corobrik is the first company in Sub-Saharan Africa to be awarded CER (Certified Emissions Reductions) by the United Nations, counted in their favour. u

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

Contrasting claybrick colours for student facilities

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79Solar Shading Industries is the sole Southern Africa distributers of Colt Solar Shading Systems Technology and Products

GAUTENG

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

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

KWA ZULU NATAL

Email: [email protected]

Fixed Solar Shading Systems Fixed & Controllable Solar Shading Acoustic Louvres

Glass Solar Shading Systems Screening Louvres, Rain Defence & Performance Louvres

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moBile aCouStiC PartitionSMobile acoustic partitions, known as the Variflex system, are uniquely suited for both the domestic and contract markets and have been installed at a range of high- profile projects, such as the CSIR, all major convention centers throughout South Africa, the Department of International Relations and Cooperation, 15 Alice Lane development in Johannesburg and many more. These acoustic partitions are used to subdivide conference or large meeting rooms, thus enabling one large area to be used as

several smaller ones concurrently. Meeting venues, conference centres, boardrooms, hotels, training centres, schools, universities, community and church halls have all benefited from the flexible room layout that this partition system enables.

aCouStiC doorSVarikust acoustic doors were installed at the R600-million 15 Alice Lane development in Johannesburg. These sound insulation doors are complementary to the successful Variflex system. These doors are ideal for entrance doors to hotel rooms, radio and TV studios, auditoriums, plant and control rooms as well as meeting and conference rooms.

glazed arChiteCtural ProduCtS The Glassflex range of partitions and fixed enclosures is ideal for shop fronts, cinema foyers, restaurants and private home patios. Manufactured according to the standards of AAAMSA and SAGGA, these glass innovations provide an unobstructed entrance when open and a secure and attractive enclosure when sealed. Aluglass offers five systems to choose from, and heights up to 9m can be customised according to specification.

outstanding products chosen for high-end projectsAluglass Bautech has been manufacturing, supplying and installing a range of quality products to the building industry since 1973. Many clients, from the high-end residential market to the hospitality industry and commercial sector, have chosen Aluglass Bautech as the preferred supplier for their projects. Here are some of the products used in outstanding projects:

variflex

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glaSS Shower doorS and Bath enCloSureSThe Showerflex range of designs is flexible, elegant and diverse. Clients have choices between various glass patterns, colours, tints and sandblasting (these doors can also be engineered to include cutouts as required). Aluglass is proudly associated with SASEMA (SA Shower Enclosure Manufacturers Association), and all Showerflex designs are registered and conform to prescribed safety standards. These doors are typically custom-made, or made to measure, with additional fixed panels with or without cutouts available to complement the full range.

glaSS BloCkSThe Seves range of glass blocks offers architects and design professionals new solutions in creating a strong aesthetic impact. The innovative technology reduces thermal transmittance of the classic glass block up to 50%. The glass blocks are imported from Europe, manufactured to EN and ISO standards and they are entirely recyclable.

Sun-Control ProduCtSAluglass offers a wide range of sun-control products, which have been installed in high-traffic areas such as Stanlib Melrose Arch, MTN Fairlands, the Polana Hotel in Maputo, and more. Solux screen sun-control blinds are motorised, hardwearing roller blinds that provide sun control where and when you need it. If you are looking for metallised blinds, invest in Verosol, which is available in different transparencies. Solamark is the range of fabric retractable and fixed awnings and Markilux is a range of German fabric retractable awnings with the new fabric swela sunsilk SNC (Schmitz Nano Clean), which is permanently dirt- and water-repellent. u

Aluglass BautechTel: 011 451 8400Info: [email protected]: www.aluglass.co.za

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roofing partner for three award-winning KZN projects

Custom roofing and cladding solution supplier Safintra Roofing Coastal (Pty) Ltd KZN is proud to be associated with no less than three category-winning projects in the KZN Master Builders

Association’s 6th annual Excellence in Construction Awards programme. Category winners include the new CN Business Furniture retail showroom and warehouse, a state-of-the-art call centre for Discovery Health and a Spar distribution and refrigeration warehouse.

aBout the ProjeCtS

Discovery Call Centre – Grid Construction

project: Discovery Health Call Centre Category: Commercial Buildings under R40-millionmain Contractor: Grid ConstructionAnother Riverhorse Valley project by Grid Construction commenced in January 2009 and was completed within the required timeframe of 8 months. The project entailed the conversion of a warehouse to accommodate a state-of-the-art call centre for one of the country’s best known health insurers. Discovery Health took occupation in August 2009 and the success of the project was immediately apparent. With its fastidiously designed acoustic and thermal insulation, an ideal environment for a call centre had been created. The ground floor level houses the main operation, and accommodates some 800 staff on specialist access flooring. Other facilities on this level include auxiliary offices, ablutions, hairdresser / beauty salon “chill rooms”, a customer marketing liaison centre and reception area, plus meeting rooms. The ground floor layout boasts a specialist kitchen, cold room and upmarket canteen, comfortable coffee bar stations, and in-house catering facilities for functions. Fixed to the reinforced concrete framework, the external and internal façades of the main building frontage are clad with 150 mm thick concrete precast tilt- up panels. The roof was fitted with Saflok 700 Zincalume and cladding features IBR Zincalume. Installation was undertaken by a Safintra-approved installer and long-standing client, Cladco C.C. As an additional service, Safintra carried out the final inspection to verify that installation had been done according to specifications. The finishing touch is a lit-up water feature surrounded by a Balau timber deck intended as a recreational area for the staff.

Spar Distribution and Refrigeration Warehouse

project: Spar Distribution and Refrigeration Warehouse – Flanders Drive, Mount EdgecombeCategory: Industrial Buildings over R40-millionmain Contractor: Stefanutti & StocksAbout 25 km North of Durban lies the sprawling area of Phoenix. The Spar Group has several of its Key Operation facilities in this area and opted to do so again when developing its new Distribution Centre and Refrigeration Warehouse. The refrigeration warehouse covers a total area of 814 m², with a 20 m high roof, concrete bases, columns with a structural steel lattice girder arrangement and a soft roof. The walls of insulated cladding are designed to deliver optimal thermal performance in the freezer section which operates at minus 25ºC. The 16,2 m high concrete columns for the warehouse were cast in two lifts; the first lift of 11 m was topped by a further 5,2 m lift. This complex task was achieved successfully using tremie pipes to minimise concrete segregation, special formwork releasing agents and high-frequency external and internal vibration equipment. The roof was fitted by Safintra-approved installer Browndeck Roofing C.C. and featured Saflok 700 in colour ‘African White’. Complementary cladding, also in ‘African White’ was installed in Safintra’s IBR Profile.

© cecil nurse business furniture

project: Cecil Nurse Business Furniture – New Retail Showroom and Warehouse FacilityCategory: Industrial Buildings under R40-millionmain Contractor: NMC (Pty) LtdConstruction of the new facility for CN Business Furniture, a Bidvest company, commenced in March 2009. The project nestles in the heart of Durban’s youngest industrial development area, Riverhorse Valley. The facility comprises a 1,165 m² showroom and a 835 m² warehouse with internal air-conditioned offices and a boardroom at mezzanine level. Roofing on the project featured Saflok 700 in the colour ‘African White’ and cladding used was Safintra’s IBR profile, also in ‘African White’, fitted by a Safintra-approved installer and long-standing client, M.J. Cheater & Co Natal (Pty) Ltd. Safintra Roofing KZN prides itself on the fact that ninety percent of the industrial roofs located within the Riverhorse Valley development boast Safintra roofing products.

Safintra Roofing Coastal (Pty) Ltd KZNTel: 031 713 3600Email: [email protected]

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Today, one is able to drive on a thin pre stressed flat concrete slab bridge , install pre cast lightweight composite panel concrete homes in less than a week and create previously unimaginably

daring structures , due to innovations and technological developments in this industry. Walls & Roofs takes a look at some of the latest advances and noteworthy products, projects and architects who are changing the way design professionals look at concrete.

Bolow: The Peace Bridge in Seoul spans 130 m but the deck of its footbridge is only 3 cm thick. Thanks to new technologies and developments, the concrete slims down until it becomes a delicate whisper over South Korea’s Han River.

hyBrid ConCrete ConStruCtionHybrid concrete construction is a nowadays a very common installation technique in many countries. “South Africa has been slow to realise the benefits of hybrid concrete construction, despite the many benefits of this form of construction,” says Daniel van der Merwe, architect at the Cement and Concrete Institute (CNCI).

The term Hybrid Concrete Construction (HCC) is used to describe the combination of concrete construction methods, namely in-situ casting combined with pre fabricated concrete elements. HCC thus refers to the deliberate integration of different construction techniques where the objective is to reduce costs and the period of installation without any compromises.

“The adoption of a hybrid concrete structure instead of a composite steel frame on a shell-and-core office project can result in construction savings of up to 29% and a 13% increase in nett rentable area,” says Van der Merwe before adding that in situ reinforced concrete is commonly regarded as an economical structural framing option in combination with precast concrete elements which promotes speed and a high quality finish. “Combining the two methods results in greater construction speed, quality and overall economy,” says Van der Merwe.

Another benefit of HCC is a faster turnaround time due to the multiple benefits of this form of concrete. “Some HCC techniques can remove the need for follow-on trades such as ceilings and finishes, allowing for a faster programme,” says Van der Merwe.

The Romans created many buildings and structures with materials similar to concrete and the story of modern architecture is written in this material.

Changing the way design professionals use concrete

Photo: ©NPC Photographer: Andrew Griffin

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“The latest developments in precast and pre stressed composite concrete technologies now allow an architect to use thinner and larger panels which can achieve longer spans than ever before. Hybrid construction evolved as a natural progression of conventional construction methods, and with the emphasis on the economy of building without compromising quality, HCC should now be considered as the major option in the construction of new buildings…” says Van der Merwe.

lightweight ConCrete SolutionS Another development in the world of concrete is the lightweight hollow core concrete slab technology that removes the non-working dead load of the slab, but maintains biaxial strength. The integrated concrete slab results in longer spans requiring smaller beams and fewer columns, and which results in the use of less resources through reduced ceilings ducts, and less concrete mass; reinforcement and formwork.

The patented system was launched in South Africa a few years ago and it has continued to gain popularity amongst building professionals. The main benefits of this slab include accelerated construction times compared to other large span systems- with less deflection of slabs, as well as lighter loads on supporting structures.

In order to create these slabs, void plastic formers are placed between the upper and lower static reinforcement layers of a concrete slab. They displace concrete in zones where it has no structural benefit and the result is a floor that weighs up to 35% less when compared to solid slabs of equivalent dimensions and imposed loads.

Benefits of the lightweight, flat slabs:for architects: • Maximise space by creating slender concrete structures.for engineers:• Add additional floors and remove columns that hamper an effective design.for developers:• Increase rental space by adding further floors.

tilt-uP SolutionSTilt-up construction is a cost effective building method in which walls, and other building elements, such as columns, beams and portals, are cast horizontally on site and then lifted into place with mobile cranes and braced until the permanent structural connections have been completed.

For a design professional, this architectural solution offers the following benefits:

freedom of expression• : Tilt-up opens up a whole vista of economically feasible design possibilities which by using other conventional methods would normally not be achievable. sculptural forms• : Fresh concrete can be moulded into any desired shape or size whilst achieving a high quality and cost-effective finish.finishes• : Colour pigments, resin plasters, pigments and chemical stains can be added as surface treatments to create a wide palette of aesthetic and protective treatments to the concrete elements.

light-tranSmitting ConCreteLitracon’s is a translucent and light transmitting concrete which combines optical fibres and fine concrete to create a widely applicable new building material which can be produced as prefabricated building blocks and panels. Due to the small size of the fibres, they blend into the concrete by becoming

Left: A 3D model of how the new lightweight concrete slabs are created.

Below, left: Optical fibres and fine concrete are combined to create light-transmitting concrete. Source: www.litracon.hu

Below, right: A result of this building material is the ability to see a sharp display of shadows on the opposing side of the wall. Source: www.litracon.hu

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Pan Mixers South Africa (PMSA) hosted the second International Product Fair, showcasing the latest equipment and technology for the building sector, during 15 – 16 September 2010 at the company’s factory in Jet Park. Last year’s event attracted over 400 visitors and due to its success more systems, equipment and technologies were showcased at this year’s event.

Some of the new products that were showcased at the Product Fair included the latest European-manufactured Fiori self-loading concrete mixer, the world’s first Wi-Fi moisture sensor, designed for conditions where wiring is impossible, that allows users to measure the moisture content of readymix concrete from within a mixing drum, and innovative plant efficiency optimisation software.

Industrial software solution specialists Wonderware have developed innovative software that ensures production plants function to full capacity, thereby reducing the need for specialised supervision. The Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system is locally available from PMSA and the company’s programmers have been developing custom-made systems in-house for the past 8 years.

The computer programme can effectively monitor and control all operational functions at a production plant and one of the key processes of the SCADA system, which was displayed and

demonstrated at PMSA’s second annual International Product Fair in September, is the ability to monitor an entire system in real time. This is facilitated by a Human Machine Interface (HMI), where data is processed before being viewed and monitored by the operator.

“This software can be tailor-made to optimise the PMSA range of industrial products, and an example of a typical application is a block plant with an automated weigh-batching system. When raw materials are weighed, the SCADA system will show exactly which materials are being weighed, and can report on operational faults that need to be addressed. All information can be remotely relayed to the user, who does not need to be anywhere near the site, so it maximises productivity and saves costs,” explains PMSA director Walter Ebeling.

Concrete paving manufacturer CEL Paving has been using the SCADA system at both of its Cape Town plants for the past four years. CEL has a production capacity of up to 2 500 m2 per day and technical faults, which usually pose a serious threat to productivity, can now be easily rectified online. Claude Gorgulhu, CEL Paving’s managing director, says the system has dramatically increased productivity in the plants.

“In the past, it would have been impossible to determine what was going on at both of our plants simultaneously. With the introduction of the SCADA system, it can be done by simply looking at a screen from anywhere in the country,” says Gorgulhu.

“Technical faults previously cost us a great amount of time and money. If a machine broke down – an engineer would have to be flown out to fix it. With the SCADA system, the problem can be identified and sorted out within a matter of minutes – saving the company both time and money,” concludes Gorgulhu.

Pan Mixers South Africa has been developing plant efficiency optimisation software from Wonderware in-house for the past eight years. The software ensures production plants function to full capacity, thereby reducing the need for specialised supervision. Source: www.pmsa.com

PMSA director Walter Ebeling says that a typical application for SCADA software implementation is a block plant with an automated weigh-batching system. All information can be remotely relayed to the user, who does not need to be anywhere near the site, thus maximising productivity and saving costs.

managing Plant effiCienCy with Software

European-manufactured Fiori self-loading concrete mixer, the world’s first Wi-Fi moisture sensor, designed for conditions where wiring is impossible.



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an integrated component of the material as small pieces of transparent aggregate. Litracon was invented by Hungarian architect Áron Losonczi in 2001, and is exported worldwide to countries including South Africa.

The transparent fibers transmit light to various points in-between the interior and exterior sides of façade elements. This allows for an interesting light quality and interior aesthetic as the light-information on the brighter side of such a wall appears unchanged on the darker side. The most interesting aspect of this phenomenon is probably the sharp display of shadows on the opposite side of a wall element. Moreover, the color and intensity of the light source will also remain unchanged.

meiSo no mori Crematorium – jaPanThe Meiso no Mori Crematorium (meaning “Forest of Meditation”) in Gifu, Japan, was designed by Toyo Ito and Associates and shows the architect’s spatial ambiguity through the use of a seamless, flowing reinforced composite lightweight pigmented concrete shell. According to the architect, his design objective was to “dematerialize” any sense of formal structure by “floating” over the landscape a thin undulating and cloud like shell that shelters the ceremonial functions of the crematorium. Although the roof appears free in form, it was realized through rigorous structural analyses.

The method used to create the structural specifications used an algorithm which involved generating rational structural shapes and evolving them into free flowing shapes and structures using computer generated structural calculations. Reinforced concrete was chosen due to the building material’s limitless plastic, sculptural and structural possibilities. The challenge was how to make the various curves and tapered column shapes with precision, using the least amount of material and achieving the thinnest slabs possible.

“We designed with consideration for the relationship with the surrounding landscape. We determined the degree of various bumps on the roof according to the ceiling height required in each interior space of the building. Then we made an initial digital model with which we did a series of structural analysis tests to find the form that achieves the best structural solution,” said Ito (www.concrete.net).

The roof was completed in five separate pours, using a quick-setting mixture to eliminate the possibility of the concrete sliding off the curving sections. Joint marks were removed with grinding machines once the concrete had hardened, and the entire surface was toweled with a waterproofing cement based mortar to create a monolithic and smooth surface.

In addition a flexible waterproofing urethane layer was applied to compensate for any slight movement in the concrete surface.


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Below: Ensamble Studio built Hemeroscopium House in just 7 days, thanks to a total prefabrication of the different elements and a perfectly coordinated rhythm of assembly.

hemeroSCoPium houSe – madridSpanish firm Ensamble Studio built Hemeroscopium House out of concrete – steel and glass – in just seven days. The principal architects, Antón García-Abril and Débora Mesa, were recently in South Africa to act as tutors to the Cement and Concrete Institute’s International Design Master Class which was run as an event at the Architecture ZA 2010 Festival.

“It took us a year to engineer the structure but only seven days to install, thanks to a total prefabrication of the different elements and a perfectly coordinated rhythm of assembly,” said García-Abril.

According to the architect, the order in which these structural elements piled up on top of one another generates a helix that sets out from a stable support element- the mother beam, and evolves upwards as a sequence of elements that become lighter as the structure accumulates, closing in on a point where the system of equilibrium is achieve between the seven main structural elements.

high-PerformanCe energy: zero nett energyHigh-performance concrete can be up to 10 times stronger than regular concrete. Although this type of concrete might be more expensive volume wise than commonly used concrete, industry experts say price comparisons are misleading because the high-performance versions leads to less bulky structures, which

Above: Meiso No Mori crematorium - Japan © wikimedia.org


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implies that less material is used; to the extend that it makes the new composite concrete structurally comparable to other more traditional materials such as aluminum and steel.

High-performance concrete is a high technology material which can be seen as one of the concrete industry’s developments towards more sustainable products. An example of a recent project that used high-performance concrete is the French Pavilion, designed for the 2010 World Expo in Shanghai by architect Jacques Ferrier. The structural envelope is made of ultra thin pre cast high-performance concrete elements. Using this and other low embodied energy materials in combination with proper insulation, passive energy design principles, sun and rainwater harvesting as well as high tec utility systems, vastly reduces energy consumption towards the stated objective of creating a zero net energy building.

“Ultra-high-performance concrete is a mixture containing significant amounts of fibres within its cementitious content,” said Dr. Peter Taylor, Associate Director at the National Concrete Pavement Technology Center at Iowa State University, during a recent presentation at the Concrete Society of Southern Africa (CSSA). “Lafarge is marketing a concrete product known as Ductal that achieves strengths up to 400 MPa. It has been widely used in structural elements and in creating previously impossibly thin bridge decks. While the high binder content carries a relatively high carbon footprint, the extreme efficiency of material use and potential longevity mean that the system must be considered as a much more sustainable option,” said Taylor.

the SuStainaBility of ConCrete“Fundamentally, being sustainable in the context of the built environment is simply good engineering – the art of balancing limited resources to provide the best possible infrastructure in order to meeting growing demands,” said Taylor.

“In the past, only economic factors were considered, while sustainability considerations require that environmental and social factors be considered in addition as well. In addition, the analysis should include the entire life cycle of the project and address all impacts from the point of inception until the structure is removed and disposed of or recycled. This makes the process considerably more complex and demands wisdom in balancing and weighting the relative importance of the various parameters that have to be considered,” said Taylor.

According to Taylor, the cement industry is aiming at providing for the sustainable needs of the present population without compromising the resources available to future generations.

The most critical points to consider in the context of concrete construction are as follows:

economic measures: • Cost effectiveenvironmental measures:• Global warming potential (often measured using carbon footprinting); human toxicity; energy requirement; hazardous waste generated; durability of materialssocietal measures are not often discussed but may include:• Infrastructure sufficiency and reliability; “liveability”; impacts such as noise, traffic delays and safety

French architect Jacques Ferrier used high-performance concrete to construct the French Pavilion, which was designed for the 2010 World Fair in Shanghai. Source: www.architectmagazine.com


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“Each phase of the life of a structure will have a different impact. For instance, manufacture of cement generates carbon dioxide, largely by nature of the chemical reactions, but during the use of operations or recycling phases, a concrete system is largely inert or may indeed capture CO2,” said Taylor.

StandardiSed aPProaCh to life CyCle CoSt analySeSAccording to the website for the Big 5: International Building & Construction Show, which was held at the Dubai World Trade Centre during 22-25 November 2010, cement-based materials contribute in excess of 50% of the carbon footprint in the construction industry.

“The greatest contribution to embodied carbon for both housing types comes from cement-based materials – such as poured concrete, concrete blocks and precast elements,” said the organisers.

According to the CNCI, however, new research has returned exciting data on the re-absorption of CO2 by hardened concrete, called ‘carbonation’. A Danish study (Kjellsen et al, 2005) reports that 50% of the volume of concrete will be carbonated in the service life period of 70 years of all buildings. This sponge effect makes concrete a more ‘green’ choice than previously thought.

“There is a significant need for standardised approaches to be developed that allow engineers to quantify and demonstrate the relative benefits of any given approach or innovative system and this is the focus of a significant amount of work at present,” said Taylor. “Life cycle cost analyses are relatively familiar and a number of models are available. Life cycle environmental analysis is outlined in broad terms in ISO 14000 documents, but considerable work is required to prepare detailed methodologies and to collect valid databases of materials’ environmental factors. Such work is currently underway at a number of tertiary institutions, such as MIT and Arizona State,” said Taylor. u

Walls & Roofs would like to give thanks and acknowledgement to Daniel van der Merwe, Dr. Peter Taylor and Pan Mixers South Africa for the information contributed to this article.

The Deyuefang Seafood Restaurant in Zhuhai looks like a huge ship with a brightly lit superstructure, but it is actually a concrete building.

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The 2010 Develop A New Angle on Concrete photographic competition was held in October at the Docklands Hotel on Durban’s waterfront. Over 400 entries from enthusiastic amateur and

professional photographers across KwaZulu-Natal were submitted for judging (a 100% growth on 2009 entries). The prestigious event, now in its second year, was sponsored and hosted by NPC–CIMPOR.

Commenting on the growing success of the competition, Piet Strauss, Managing Director of NPC–CIMPOR, said: “We’ve had an extremely positive response to the competition again this year with an extraordinary number of potential winners amongst the entries.”

Photographers were required to capture images of structures which feature concrete and cement predominantly in their design whilst also being architecturally beautiful and interesting. “Concrete is an extremely versatile medium and the entries reflect the diversity of its many creative uses,” said Strauss, explaining that one of NPC–CIMPOR’s objectives is to show how this material can be used in a number of innovative ways in urban design and art.

Inspired by KwaZulu-Natal cityscapes, concrete bridges and a variety of innovative concrete structures, the works submitted impressed the judges with their extremely high standard. Mo Hope-Baillie of the Photographic Society of South Africa, who was one of the judges, said: “We were looking for images that celebrated the art of cement and concrete, that told a story and delivered on brief. And, the extremely high standard of the entries we received made judging extremely difficult.”

the winnerS, whoSe award-winning PhotograPhS were exhiBited amongSt the toP 50, were:

1 PlaCe – andrew griffin: BlaCkBurn The winning image is of the pedestrian footbridge over the N2

highway near Blackburn. This image shows the upper reaches of the bridge from the functional walkway level. Striking geometry dominates the picture with perfect symmetry lending a sense of abstraction that is at once disorientating and visually fascinating.

The arches, which pull the edges of the image outwards, are testament to the height and strength of the concrete materials. Commenting on his win, a delighted Andrew said: ”Although,

I hoped to be a winner, my main objective when I entered was to have my work exhibited at the KZNSA Gallery. I sent in a number of photographs and I’m just really happy that one of them caught the judges’ eye. Now, I just need to decide how to spend the prize money – on a new laptop or lens!”

2 PlaCe – gavin fordham: john roSS SunriSeSunrise over the new John Ross Bridge in Richard’s Bay. Gavin

owns a video/DVD shop in Empangeni and is an enthusiastic ama-teur photographer. “As I work all day and only finish at about 7.30 most evenings, a lot of my photography is either done at night or early morning. I was hoping to be in the Top 50 but didn’t expect at all to be a finalist,” said Gavin.

3PlaCe – miChelle hiBBert: kinetiC art

Nichol Square Parkade in Dur-ban’s CBD was the inspiration for this winning photograph. The symmetrical lines leading to the main arch makes a dra-matic composition and shows how concrete can unlock the potential of high design. A first-year photographic student at Vega, Michelle was encouraged by the competi-

tion to push the boundaries of creativity by taking “something as ordinary as concrete and putting a new twist on it”.

The winner received R20 000, whilst the first and second runners-up received R10 000 and R5 000 respectively. u NPC-CimporTel: 031 450 4411Fax: 031 451 9010Website: www.npc.co.za

“a new angle on Concrete” photographic competition 2010

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As building technology evolved over the centuries retaining walls have become the modern-day solution to holding up a bank of earth no matter what you are building. Retainer walls have many

and varied applications and are used in anything from the mining industry to road construction when making the grade approachable for a highway interchange.

geogrid reinforCementDesign techniques used in building retaining walls have been modified as this method of building became more popular. The walls became higher and with the added height came greater complexity in the engineering. The development of geogrid reinforcement mats in the mid-1980s was a revolutionary improvement in adding stabilising strength to the walls.

the limitationS of interloCking ConCrete BloCkSIn terms of improvement on the 80s-style method of building retaining walls, perhaps one of the greatest innovations in retaining wall architecture is the invention of the interlocking concrete block. However, while the interlocking block system has introduced advancement, it has come with limitations, particularly when having to reinforce anything near vertically, higher than 6 m.

PerfeCted teChnologyThe technologies of interlocking concrete blocks and geogrid systems have now been advanced by Kaytech Engineered Fabrics, who recently introduced a new enhanced version of the standard interlocking concrete block.

new retaining wall technology launched with tensar international ltd

tensartech tW1 Wall system in saThe history of building walls is countless centuries old, as humans have been piling stone atop stone or, in the case of retaining walls, block on top of block, for thousands of years. Locally, indigenous tribes have been using this dry stone wall construction method in Southeast Africa from as early as 1350 – 1500 AD.

the Standard definition of a geogrid:

A geogrid is a synthetic material that is generally characterised by woven bands of narrow elements to form a regular grid-like pattern with voids between the woven bands. It is the tensile strength of the woven bands and the open spaces that lend reinforcing strength and, when used as part of a retaining wall, geogrid adds strength to the wall by integrating the fill material behind the wall with the structure of the wall itself. This interlocked fill material and wall are then more resistant to movement as the grid acts as an anchor for the retaining wall, inhibiting its ability to separate from the fill behind it.

Kaytech Engineered FabricsTel: 031 717 2300 • Fax: 031 702 4477E-mail: [email protected]: www.kaytech.co.za

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“The system is known as Tensartech TW1 Wall System and consists of precast concrete modular facing blocks in combination with TENSAR geogrids, which reinforce the soil mass,” says Garth James, Kaytech’s marketing director.

James explains that the high-efficiency connection between facing unit and geogrid is a distinctive feature of the system, creating strong and durable, maintenance-free retaining wall structures. “It is due in most part to the geogrids that this method of retainment is so successful. For instance retaining walls are an essential element of the modern highway system because they are the primary structure used to accomplish abrupt grade changes,” says James.

greater heightS, time effiCienCy and aeSthetiC aPPealManie Troskie, CEO of Engineered Interlock Systems, says that the introduction of the TW1 system is revolutionary for three main reasons: firstly, one is able to achieve greater height due to the use of geogrids; secondly, it is a very time-efficient system; and thirdly, is the aesthetic appeal,” said Troskie.

A special TW1 link system option is available to allow a facing of masonry or brickwork to be tied to the structure to blend in with an adjacent structure or the surroundings. Retaining walls seldom function and seldom exist entirely by themselves. They almost always are part of the greater landscape. Because they often constitute a large physical presence on the landscape, their design and relationship to the environment can greatly influence the aesthetic qualities of the surroundings.

The concrete blocks are locally manufactured by ReMaCon Products and according to Silvio Ferraris, the managing member, the blocks are made to exacting standards and then strapped onto pallets, ready for transport to the point of installation. All edges on the blocks are rounded to prevent chafing or cutting through the geogrids.

Ferraris also designs retaining block wall structures, and was most impressed by his TENSAR factory visit in Blackburn in the UK in September 2010, where the geogrids are thoroughly tested for long term creep in 4 different temperature controlled labs. An additional laboratory conducts simulation testing, and another is used for ongoing R & D.

One major advantage that TENSAR grids have over other available geogrids and geotextiles, is that the Polyethylene uniaxial grids are punched and stretched from an extruded sheet of high density polyethylene (HDPE), not woven, nor stitched, nor sonically or heat welded.

What that means, is the geogrids are monolithic, and that the intersecting nodes are an integral part of the grid, have much higher junction strength and are far less likely to pull apart under extreme stress, ensuring a safer homogeneously bound soil reinforced mass.

The highest single structure to date was built in the Arab states,

and reached a height of 22m at an angle of 86 degrees. The highest multi tier structure designed by TENSAR was constructed to 60m high in 3 x 20m high retaining wall lifts, all at an 87 degree slope per wall lift.

TENSAR also offer their design service, for which they will produce finite element design analysis , which will also predict long term creep and movement, the reason for the 86 degree slope angle, as all geosythetic grids and fabrics will creep under constant load in the long term, limiting movement of walls >700 slopes, by +10.

Unlike vertically (900) installed conventional reinforced concrete incremental panel systems, which are tied back with galvanized steel strips that typically require a “G5” classified fill material, the TW1 retaining block wall with continuous soil reinforced TENSAR geogrids, can utilize poorer soil fill. In addition, the TW1 blocks only weigh approximately 26kg, they are therefore labour intensive to install, no cranes are required to lift them into position. This all adds up to significant monetary savings, and will in addition contribute to far greater socio economic upliftment by providing more unskilled jobs.

The system has the full British Board of Agrément (BBA) approval inspection testing certification for “Reinforced Soil Retaining Walls and Bridge Abutments”. The TENSAR TW1 retaining block wall system is the only one in South Africa that fully complies with SANS 207 requirements, thus offering design engineers a structurally safe and more economical alternative.

Together with the TENSAR uniaxial geogrid reinforcement and easy to use connectors for high block connection strength, the System provides resilient permanent retaining walls and bridge abutments which will perform for design lives of up to 120 years. The geometry of the concrete facing blocks is simply dry-laid and easily allows the creation of both internal and external curves. Corners, stairs and other features may also be easily detailed by simply cutting blocks on site with angle or bench grinders, much like cutting bricks on a building site, and the high pH associated with concrete blocks does not affect the durability and functionality of the uniaxial geogrid reinforcement during the life of the structure.

Design engineer Marco Pauselli of GAP Consulting adds that this system is proving to be exceptional in terms of securing steep faces and preventing falling debris, whatever the application. “Design should produce structures that are not only safe but cost effective for a set life span.” u

ReMaConTel: 011 393 5504 or 082 857 9512

Fax: 011 393 5502Website: www.remacon.co.za

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The biennial Concrete Manufacturers Association Awards for Excellence competition was held this year, with 35 awards being made in the following categories: Concrete Block Paving; Concrete Roof

Tiles; Concrete Masonry; Concrete Retaining Block (CRB) Walls; Suspended Concrete Floor Slabs; and Innovative Concrete Products. Cathay Industries were the sponsors of the event (as was the case in 2006 and 2008).

The event was first staged in 1986 and CMA director Hamish Laing says the aim of the competition is to promote excellence and innovation in the use of precast concrete. “It also serves to highlight the significant role that CMA member companies are playing in the provision of community housing, educational buildings, access to fresh water, improved sanitation, roads, innovative infrastructural products and eco-friendly construction practice,” says Laing.

A fifth Premier Award – for the Concrete Retaining Block category – was introduced to this year’s awards. In addition to the five Premier Awards, 14 National Awards, 12 Regional Awards and four Special Commendations were presented this year.

national award winnerSThe judging of this year’s competition took place in July when some 150 entries were critically assessed by two teams of judges at the CMA’s Midrand premises. All experts in their respective fields, they comprised architects, landscape architects, civil engineers and a quantity surveyor.

National Awards are only made if the entries meet standards which the judges feel are worthy of National Award status. The breakdown of the 14 National Awards is as follows: Concrete Block Paving (4); Concrete Roof Tiles (4); Concrete Masonry (2); Concrete Retaining Block Walls (2); Suspended Concrete Floor Slabs (2).

the following ProjeCtS won national awardS:

Concrete block paving: The Curzon in Constantia, Cape Town, in the Residential category; and Market Square Hermanus in the Roads category. Two National Awards were made in the Vintage Paving category and they comprised: the Palazzo Hotel, Montecasino, Johannesburg; and Walter Sisulu National Botanical Gardens, Roodepoort.

Concrete roof tiles: Val du Lac, Franschhoek, in the Individual Luxury Housing category; Mahlathini Private Game Reserve in Phalaborwa in the Luxury Complex Housing category; River Falls

Office Park, Pretoria, in the Commercial and Community category; and Rosebank Union Church in the Vintage category.

Concrete masonry: International Car Rental Facility, Cape Town International Airport, in the Commercial and Community category; and The Parsonage, Colleen Glen, Eastern Cape, in the Vintage category.

Concrete retaining block Walls: Public Transport Shared Service Centre, Cape Town, in the Retaining Walls < 3m high category; and the Inanda Club Johannesburg, in the Vintage category.

suspended Concrete floor slabs: Steenberg Social Housing Project, Cape Peninsula, in the Residential Houses, Flats and Townhouses category; and Novo Packhouse, Paarl, in the Commercial and Industrial category.

Premier award winnerSCommunity Housing Concrete Roof Tile project, Hlanganani •

Gardens, in Cosmo City, Gauteng;Residence Kok, an Individual Housing project in the Concrete •

Masonry category in Saxonwold, Johannesburg;The • Islands Estate, a Retaining Walls Elements >3m high project at Hartebeespoort Dam, North West Province;A Gautrain noise mitigation project which won a premier •

award in the Innovative Concrete Products category;Quality Public Spaces,• a Commercial and Community Concrete Block Paving project in Philippi, Cape Peninsula.

2010 Concrete Awards for Excellence

WINNERS

gautrain noiSe mitigation, gauteng These specialised concrete sound barriers were installed along the Gautrain rail link in selected residential and commercial areas to curb excessive noise pollution and are the first such barriers to have been developed in Southern Africa. The project won a premier award in the Innovative Concrete Products category.

They were manufactured either as reflective barriers in 100mm thick reinforced concrete panels for sound reflection, or as mitigation sound barriers (acoustic tiles) manufactured with concrete and imported wooden chips, and mounted on reinforced concrete panels.

professional teamEngineer: Bombela Civils J/VQuantity Surveyor: Bombela Civils J/VManufacturer: Southern Pipeline Contractors

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val du laC, franSChhoek The owners of this racehorse stud farm required a large rambling single-storey country house with a degree of European/North American traditional elegance. Deep spaces and design complexity meant that the roof was a major visual aspect and a Rustic roof tile in “Standard Slate” colouring was chosen for the project. The tile provides a pleasing and practical covering to the hips, gables, towers and dormer features which mirror the surrounding craggy mountains. Modern Rustic & Antique roof tiles won an award in the residential category for individual luxury housing.

professional teamArchitect: Maas & CoetzeeEngineer: Andrew GadomskiQuantity Surveyor: Carlo Herckenrath Contractor: Atuba ConstructionManufacturer: Marley Roofing

For more information, visit www.cma.org.za, to which full thanks and acknowledgement are given.

international Car rental faCility, CaPe town international airPort This large multi-company car rental facility was built with a calcium silicate Terrazzo-finish imperial face brick. It consists of a single building which houses several car companies as well as individual kiosks for each of them. The building was built with smooth Terrazzo-texture face bricks giving them a distinctive thematic relationship. The precise dimensions of the bricks were enhanced by equally accurate brickwork. This project won an award in the concrete masonry commercial and community category.

project teamArchitect: Jakupa Manufacturer: Western Granite Bricks

the iSlandS eState – harteBeeSPoort damThe Islands Estate – Hartebeespoort Dam in the North West Province project was a premier, national and regional winner in the retaining walls category.

Slopes cut along both sides of the harbour needed retaining. Gravity and reinforced fill walls up to three metres high were built above the submerged reinforced harbour walls using the ReMblok 30 system. The walls were built at 75º with open facing to maximise plant growth, a crucial requirement for this development. ReMbloks were used to create several access stairs which were later clad with paving. The result is a balanced blend of civil engineering and architectural landscaping.

professional teamLandscape Contractor: Greenacres Engineer: Silvio Ferraris Main Contractor: Burchel Construction Walling Contractor: MC Civils Manufacturer: ReMaCon Products

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n Marlene van Rooyen, editor of two niche publications at publishing group Media In Africa, was nominated for the Business to Business Editor of the Year award at the 2010 PICA Awards.

2010 marks PICA’s 41st award ceremony, which recognises and rewards publishing excellence in the consumer, customer and business to business sectors of the South African magazine publishing industry.

“A successful editor must understand the business of magazines, including marketing, advertising, budgeting and people management. The best editors are able to carry their skills across titles and between sectors,” continued the PICA judges.

The PICA nomination relates to Van Rooyen’s role in energy magazine 25˚ in Africa, but the abovementioned comments from the judges are particularly true for Van Rooyen, who has been involved in managerial duties of the company’s niche building and architecture magazine, Walls & Roofs in Africa, for over ten years.

“A successful editor is more than a person who has a good eye for a story. This is someone who can create a magazine that is successful on a multitude of levels. Such a person must ensure the title provides content that is relevant and engaging enough to capture a market. The content must be presented in a manner that is appropriate and appealing to both the reading market and the advertising sector it wishes to attract,” said the PICA judges.

“Both Walls & Roofs and 25˚ in Africa are focused on providing relevant content that engages both our readers and advertisers. Walls & Roofs, for example, focuses on catering for the ever-changing building industry in South Africa and the publication is widely considered as a go-to guide for architects, specifiers,

quantity surveyors and construction companies,” says Van Rooyen.

This year’s PICA judging resulted in the most comprehensive audit of the magazine industry ever undertaken. There were 475 entries, 29 awards, 23 judges, 3 committed chief judges and 2 500 votes. “The online voting has allowed us to collate scores and comments per question for every entry and compare these to the average for each award,” said the organising committee.

Robbie Stammers, editor of Leadership magazine, was the winner of the Editor of the Year for business to business magazines and other nominees included Louise Marsland of AdVantage magazine and Deborah Besseling of Water and Sanitation Africa.

For more information visit www.mediainafrica.co.za or e-mail [email protected]

Business to Business editor of the year nomination at media in africa

award winning australian architect to talk sustainability

Highly respected and world-renowned Australian architect, Peter Stutchbury, is to present a series of seminars in SA from 14–17 March 2011.

He is the much published, award-winning principal of leading firm, Peter Stutchbury Associates (PSA). He won the 2008 International Iron and Steel Institute ‘Living Steel’ Competition for extreme climate housing in Cherepovets, Russia and held the 2008 Catedra Luis Barragán in Mexico, a Chair previously held by Glenn Murcutt. He has founder status of both the Architecture Foundation Australia and of the Australian Architecture Association. PSA has become a bespoke firm with an innovative approach to design and sustainability.

He has undertaken several trips to South Africa and the continent in the past. During 2007 he was Visiting Professor at the University of Cape Town.

BlueScope Steel recently announced its intention

to foster a communications campaign around sustainability in the South African built environment. “When considering the environmental impact of building materials, we need to take into account the function that is being fulfilled, the value that is being created, and the need and aesthetics of particular applications”, says BlueScope Steel’s Wayne Miller.

presentation dates for professionals of the built environment and students :14/3/11 – Johannesburg 15/3/11 – Cape Town (UCT)16/3/11 – Cape Town 17/3/11 – Durban

The Green Building Council of SA supports this series and will provide an update on the Green Star rating systems concurrently .

Andrew Slot / Yolande Mellet on 021 442 5420 www.bluescopesteel.co.za

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n AGI, manufacturer and distributor of glass and aluminium construction panels, has been assisting architects to accumulate CPD (Continued Professional Development) points as required by the South African Council for the Architectural Profession (SACAP) within the Architectural Profession Act.

The company offers a presentation for architects, focusing on building regulations, the types of glass, their properties, solar performance, environmental impact and break patterns. John “Butch” Grewar, AGI Glass project manager for KwaZulu-Natal and Swaziland, is the driving force behind AGI’s introduction of this one-hour presentation that teaches architects to know glass types and applications as well as their break patterns so that they can specify appropriate glass types for the structures they are designing. Grewar’s presentation also focuses on assisting architects to correctly assess the performance requirements of the glass for specific applications and to correctly identify and write glass specifications for tendering purposes so that “apples are always compared with apples”.

“The presentation is formally endorsed by the South AfricanInstitute of Architects and accredited with SACAP so that

architects can earn one CPD point for attending the presentation,” says Grewar.

The SACAP credit system requires registered architects to accumulate 25 CPD points in five-year cycles in order to be able to renew their professional registration.

“What I am doing falls into the SACAP Category One for earning CPD points. This category covers development activities, including lectures, courses, presentations, seminars, conferences and workshops,” says Grewar.

glass break demonstrations are given with the following glass types:Conventional 4 mm float glass for standard windows;•

Standard laminated 6,38 mm safety glass; and•

High-penetration-resistant 6,76 mm laminated safety glass.•

Clear, toughened 4 mm safety glass•

Georgian wired glass, which provides fire resistance of one hour•

As all architectural practitioners are now required by law to renew their registration with SACAP every five years, Grewar adds that AGI is committed to assisting architects to keep up to speed with progress in glass and glazing technology as an integral part of their CPD programme to maintain, develop, enhance and broaden their skills and those of others in the construction industry.

AGI Tel: 011 724 6000 Fax: 011 724 6041 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.ag-industries.com

glass manufacturer assisting architects with CPd points

Architects learn about building regulations, types of glass, breakpatterns and solar performance and earn CPD points.

n ReMaCon’s concrete retaining blocks recently gained SABS certification – the first producer of concrete retaining blocks in South Africa to do so.

Managing member Silvio Ferraris says that certification on the company’s products is important because it provides independent confirmation of their efficiency and reliability in performing the functions for which they are designed.

“It makes absolute sense for us to obtain the SABS certification applicable to CRBs as we produce CRBs exclusively, unlike many other concrete block manufacturers, who produce them along with a range of products used in other applications,” says Ferraris.

The SABS standard for CRBs, SANS 508, was introduced in 2007. As part of the certification, ReMaCon has to test a sample of every production run on each of the certified products and maintain records of the tests.

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

ReMaConTel: 011 393 5504Fax: 011 393 5502Website: www.remacon.co.za

first producer to gain SaBS certification on concrete retaining blocks

Right: Managing menber of ReMaCon, Silvio Ferraris, holds the company’s SABS

certificate for their concrete retaining blocks. ReMaCon

is the first producer of concrete retaining blocks in South Africa to receive

SABS certification.

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n ReMaCon’s products were specified as premier (and automatically also national and regional inland) winner at this year’s prestigious Concrete Manufacturers Association (CMA) awards. The project won the Retaining Wall Elements category for their >3m high concrete retaining wall at The Islands Estate in Hartebeespoort Dam.

about the project Landscape contractor Greenacres along with engineer Silvio Ferraris, walling contractor MC Civils and main contractor Burchel Construction used ReMaCon’s ReMblok 30 system to create a private harbour on this exclusive estate in the North West Province.

Slopes cut along both sides of the harbour needed retaining. Gravity and reinforced fill walls up to three metres high were built

above the submerged reinforced earth harbour walls using the 460 x 350 x 190 mm concrete block system from ReMaCon.

The walls were built at 75˚ with open facing to maximise plant growth, a crucial requirement for this development. The ReMblok 30 system was used to create several access stairs which were later clad with paving. The result is a balanced blend of civil engineering and architectural landscaping.

The water level in the harbour is higher than the dam level and is mainly sourced from boreholes to prevent algae growth. Boats can access the main dam as well as inland canals via locks.

“Good integration of different and aesthetically pleasing retaining wall systems which blend in well with the surrounding area,” said the CMA panel of judges.

ReMaConTel: 011 393 5504Fax: 011 393 5502Website: www.remacon.co.za

Concrete retaining blocks wins Cma awards

n In 2009, the Cement & Concrete Institute’s architectural student short film competition announced five entries as winners and one of these entries, Litshe le Golide (“Stone from gold”) recently achieved top honours at the Turkish film festival. The film, which was produced by four University of Witwatersrand architectural students, namely Guy Ailion, Andrew Bell, Tamara Lynn and Craig Maarschalk, was awarded at the film competition which forms part of the Istanbul Architecture and Urban Festival.

Cement & Concrete Institute architect Daniel van der Merwe says the success of Litshe le Golide reflects the high standard of innovation and creativity among South Africa’s young architects of the future.

“The Istanbul International Architecture and Urban Films Festival is a globally acclaimed event which brings together audiences and films from across the entire world and the Wits students’ success in such exalted company is a feather in the cap for the South African architectural profession,” comments Van der Merwe.

Seventeen international short films were screened at the Istanbul festival this year. Seventy-two directors and 62 films, of which 17 competed in the International Category, participated in the 2010 festival.

Cement and Concrete Institute Tel: 011 315 0500E-mail: [email protected]: www.cnci.org.za

local student film winner honoured at international architecture event

erratum CITI-CON Services is a building revamp and renovation expert for the commercial, industrial and residential sectors offering turnkey solutions for painting, waterproofing, structural repair and general maintenance projects. In Journal 7 of Walls & Roofs, the magazine incorrectly referred to the company as “City Con Services”. Read more about CITI-CON’s roofing project at the Linksfield Heights apartment block on page 58.

Litshe le Golide narrates the memories of a mine worker, swimming while contemplating his infatuation with the vibrant urban life, ecstasy and turmoil of Johannesburg, the concrete City of Gold – and pondering what will happen when the gold runs out in this mining-town-turned-metropolis.

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Walls & Roofs Jnl 1/2011

Documents

Transcript of Walls & Roofs Jnl 1/2011