Building Engineering issue 12

ZWL 15

PRIDE IN

FLOORING

Pride of Africa is truly an African gem, it is one of the only Hardwood timber processing and manufacturing firms in Sub-Saharan Africa, which is vertically integrated, meaning the business has direct control of its supply chain including; logging, forest management, milling as well as manufacturing and processing. This has made the company a market leader in product knowledge, quality assurance as well as unparalleled flexibility to trends and new market designs.

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CONTENTS

Blue Hills Montessori School

8 Cover Feature

Kitchen Island Lighting

16

Lighting fixtures

19

Interior Design Tips to Improve Your Living Room

24

Flooring ideas.

28

Solar Energy

34

The Perfect Reading Chair

45

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Welcome to this, our 12th Edition.

In our challenging environment, what you need is a good magazine, (like BUILDING ENGINEERING), some creative and encouraging possibilities, and The Perfect Reading Chair. Read on!

I would love to have attended a school like the Blue Hills Montessori School, a beautifully designed, open plan, learning environment under an insulated agricultural steel shed. The design and flow of the classroom Angus Wakeling created offers spaces that are ideal for the students to learn. Incredibly, the entire project was completed from start to finish in 4 months, on a very limited budget.

Is it time to consider (or reconsider) the Lighting or Flooring in your home? Then this is edition is for you! Our articles consider all your options. Don’t just think of lighting and flooring as a necessity, but consider the impact your they could have in adding aesthetic value and ambience to your home.

In our article on Interior Design Tips To Improve Your Living Room, I realized that the living room is often the first room that we enter into. The influence of a great sofa, complimentary furniture, and the use of mirrors, book shelves and tables, should draw us in and invite us to sit and relax for hours. Don’t we need that?

The potential of Solar Energy is beyond imagination, and with the incessant load shedding , and our heart for ‘going green’, we take a good look at solar options and some of the questions you need to consider before setting up.

Talking of Going Green, Dry Landscaping is an ideal solution if you’re considering cutting down on that water.

And so many more articles, contacts and resources. Would you like to be one of them? Please feel free to contact us to be included in our ever expanding BUILDING ENGINEERING community.

Keep Building for the Future!

Laurie MAGAZINE CONTRIBUTORS Publisher: Afrique Infra Rapport P/L Address: 89a Hawick Road, Borrowdale

Harare, Zimbabwe Tel: +263 242 886 188

+263 772932805

+263 777036581 Email: buildingengineeringmedia@gmail.com

Marketing Tendai D. Satumba Arthur Mungule

Design & Layout

ADCo

Photography

Gavin Wyatt

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COVER FEATURE

Blue Hills Montessori School PAGE 8

Budget is probably one of the most limiting factors of any given project, a low budget however pushes the architect’s ingenuity to deliver quality work. This was the nature of the project architectural designer Angus Wakeling was called upon for the Blue Hills Montessori school located just outside Harare. The project was further restricted by an already existing slab.

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The focus was to create amazing spaces and flow under an insulated agricultural steel shed all in keeping with the Montessori philosophy, where the design and flow of the Montessori classroom creates a learning environment that accommodates choice. There are spaces ideal for group activity, areas where a student can settle in alone and there are also places where a student can enjoy reading a book or being read to.

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A minimalist ’non finish’s approach was implemented with no ceiling, no flooring, no tiles, no new taps, very little plaster or paint on the interior and no exterior plaster or paint. Apart from this, the school was constructed making use of some cheap building material such as second hand timbera trending option in low cost building, second hand garage doors and a second hand gate but still producing an aesthetically pleasing building.

Pendant lights from the specials counter further enhance the classrooms; ambience. A swimming pool modeled after a septic tank is fitted with a wooden panel cover for safety, which conveniently slides open or closes.

Then some nice big, shiny aluminium windows and doors to give a feeling of greatness. The entire project was completed from start to finish in 4 months.

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___________ Architectural Design & Project Management: Angus Wakeling Painting & Flooring: Artisan\ Photography: Gavin Wyatt

www.anguswakeling.com PAGE 13

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Kitchen Island Lighting

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The kitchen island is one of the most versatile and functional areas in the home. This is centrally located and serves as the ideal place for that morning breakfast, dinner prep, even a work station as well as a gathering spot for showcasing your decorative kitchen accessories such as your......

As island light is therefore a very essential and vital feature in creating that unique ambience for your kitchen. There’s a wide range selection of kitchen island lighting to choose from which includes classic, traditional, rustic and futuristic. This is where pendant lights come in handy, pendants are light fixtures that hang from your ceiling, roof or trusses.

Pendants come in different shapes and styles and are available in a multitude of materials and finishes such as glass, metal, slate, wood and even concrete!

When it comes to choosing the correct pendant lighting for your kitchen island there are two critical factors which are size and placement. Some island lights look and work best when lower or closer to the island and others look best when suspended closer to the ceiling. The number and placement of pendants over the kitchen island is best determined by the size of the kitchen countertop. It is highly recommended to use an odd number of pendants over the countertop as this creates a focal point and an even balance on each side. When hanging multiple pendants, the diameter of the pendant is a determining factor. Ideally it is best for the space between each pendant to be the same as the width or diameter of each fixture, for example if you have 45cm pendants, the space between each fixture should be 45cm. This rule of thumb remains true, even if the pendants are hung at staggering heights.

Generally, pendant island lights should hang at a range of about 1,5 - 1,7 meters above the floor although this is also dependent on if there’s also seating on the kitchen island. You can always make adjustments according to your personal taste, overall lighting effects, size and shape of pendants.

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Twenty Five Years 1994-2019

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Lighting

Fixtures

W

hether it is for decorative purposes, provide focused, task oriented illumination or ambience with warmth, lighting is critical for any space and to your day to day functions. By having the correct lighting in place you can transform any space from a casual setting to one that is rich in design and style. Lighting is mostly thought of as a functional part of a home or office but many light fixtures can actually serve as a work of contemporary art.

Lighting can and must be found in a number of areas in your home. The nature and size of the space will determine the best lighting fixture, for instance the dining room is the best place to have that elegant chandelier hanging above the table whereas the kitchen maybe suited more with some pendant lights hanging over the kitchen island. In the living room you can create a great ambience by having a combination of floor and table lamps.

There are several options and a very wide range of shapes, sizes and finishes to choose from when it comes to lighting fixtures. Selecting the correct lighting fixture for a space can be a daunting task so you will need to know a few basics. To start with there are 3 basic types of lighting which are: Ambient lighting, commonly known as general lighting which is intended to light up the entire room or space at a uniform level. Accent lighting focuses or highlights a specific point of interest and then there’s task lighting which provides lighting for a specific tasks such reading, writing, cooking or desktop work.

For each of these three different types of lighting there are several fixtures available. Below are some of the options to choose from for your home; PAGE 19

Pendant lights Pendant lights are lights that hang from a cable, cord, or pipe from an attachment on the ceiling, ending in a shade enclosing a light bulb that primarily provides light in a downward direction. Pendants are mostly found over a table or kitchen island because they provide ambient or task lighting and usually have unique design elements that bring character to a space because they are so visible.

Wall scones Wall scones are some of the most decorative fixtures when it comes to lighting which is the reason why they are mostly installed at eye level in most rooms. They can provide either ambient or task lighting depending on the actual fixture but they are usually not good enough to provide illumination alone for a large space. They are usually found on either side of a bed or fireplace for additional illumination showing these visual focal points in a space.

Track and spotlights Track and spotlights are fixtures that are attached to a track that is mounted to a ceiling or hung off the ceiling, depending on a particular fixture. The linear housing contains several heads that can be moved along and adjusted to focus on different angles. This ability to adjust and reposition makes track lighting ideal for kitchens or gallery spaces where task or accent light is needed but where the desired focus may change.

Ceiling mounted fixtures As the name implies, this wide range of fixtures is mounted directly to the ceiling and typically features a glass, fabric or even plastic that conceals the light bulb and helps diffuse light more evenly.

Ceiling mounted fixtures are mostly used to provide ambient light in a room as opposed to accent or task lighting because they provide more general, dispersed lighting.

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Recessed lights Recessed lights are installed above the ceiling so that the body of the light- mechanism and wiring is concealed in the ceiling with a flush bulb or lens. Unlike ceiling mounted fixtures that are easily visible, recessed lighting tends to be more demure because it is more level with the ceiling but it requires some space above the ceiling for installation. The lighting they produce can be used for a wide range of functions from ambient to task to accent, depending on the number and type of fixtures.

Desk and table lamps These are used as task lights due to their flexibility as they can be placed in various positions as per need whether it is next to a comfy chair for reading or on the desktop whilst you are working. They typically provide light in downward direction, illuminating the surface directly below it rather than providing a general glow, which prevents them from being used as ambient lights. However like wall scones they can be a major design feature as they are highly visible.

Cove lighting Cove lighting is an elegant type of lighting that is usually mounted in the upper part of the wall or ceiling. This provides upward lighting along the edges of the room onto the ceiling, it is usually hidden from direct view.

Nowadays, most cove lighting is provided by a thin strip of LEDs along a cove that is already created in the room.

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Wall Art PAGE 22

Trying to figure out how to hang a piece of art in the right position is one of the age-old conundrums of interior design. It is common knowledge that an improperly placed piece of art sticks out like a sore thumb, this is why it is important that you should get it right. There are a few basic rules to getting that beautiful piece of art correctly hung.

This is why we have come up with the ultimate guide to nailing it once and for all! The following will be a detailed step by step guide to ensuring that you not only position your piece of art correctly but it will also help you to find the perfect position to place the artwork.

Get the right size artwork!

To start with, this is probably the most important rule, that is you have to get the appropriate size of artwork for the place that you want to place it. A piece of art that’s too big or too small will definitely end up looking out of place.

If you’re going to place the wall art directly behind a piece of furniture - like a painting over a sofa then you have an easy task ahead. Ideally, your sofa

should be slightly longer than the piece of art on either side. The artwork should be generally twothirds the size of your sofa.

However when it comes to hanging a piece of art on a standalone wall, it becomes a slightly different ballgame and this will require a little bit of math to set it up in a picture-perfect position. Conventional wisdom states that the artwork should take up about 4/7 of the wall on which it is to be placed.

Start by measuring the length and width of the wall, then multiply the length and width by 0,57(4/7).

Ensure artwork placement is in sync with the room The rule of thumb was generally to place the artwork at eye level but this will definitely vary from one individual to the next one depending on their height. Nowadays it is now widely accepted that the center of the artwork should be generally 57 inches from the floor. To find the center of the artwork it is a matter of simply dividing the length by 2. Then measure the distance from the picture wire or nail hook to the top of the frame. Subtract that distance from half of the artwork’s height and add that result

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to 57. Whatever the final figure you get, measure that distance up the wall to find where you should put your nail and mark it. However maths will never be a substitute for common sense in interior design.

Whilst you can make use of these figures as a guide, you can still make necessary adjustments. You can adjust the artwork if see that it is leaving a slightly larger space.

Once you have selected the perfect spot for your artwork, you can go ahead and place your wall art, this may require two people for the job depending on the size of your artwork. You will require a piece of paper and tape to trace your wall art to make a template to use, make a mark on the template to show where the wire or hook will be. By placing the paper template on the wall it will give you a chance to stand back and see how the wall art will look like from further back. You can then make adjustments from this, that you see fit. Once you’re happy with the placement of the template you can then go ahead and place the actual wall art piece.

Gallery walls The challenge with setting up a gallery wall is that you have to come up with an arrangement that is aesthetically pleasing hence why people generally tend away from arranging one. When it comes to arranging a gallery wall, the key all lies in how you start. Once you have all the pieces in place, and have decided on a particular arrangement start by setting up the pieces on the floor so that you can easily make changes. You have to choose a center piece and work

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Interior Design Tips To Improve Your Living Room.

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You easily spend a lot of time in your living room and it is undoubtedly the most important room in your house when it comes to decor. The living room is often the first room we decorate and the first that we present our guests to during a visit. A living room should therefore be beautifully decorated so that it draws you in and compels you to stay. Every comfy living room supposed to have enough space where you can sit and relax for hours.

The sofa The sofa is probably one of the most important pieces in a modern day living room as most interior designers will agree that a great living room starts with a great sofa. In living rooms a good sofa is not only key to comfort but it is also central to how the room feels or looks. To avoid choosing the wrong sofa go for that simple sofa with a timeless shape and

a quality fabric - there are some fabrics that are not easily destroyed by kids or dogs and also easy to spot clean. Cushions can be added for comfort and to add colour.

Use decorative mirrors to add instant light to your space Mirrors can also be used to make a small space feel larger. For larger rooms or any room with a more limited amount of natural light, mirrors placed directly across from the windows, will add instant light. Decorative mirrors can be also used in lieu of art to fill empty wall space.

Cover up large spaces with bookshelves

A couple of bookshelves placed over empty walls maybe all that’s required to cover empty areas.

Books actually give a sophisticated touch to the environment.

Furniture must be complemented To make your decor gain a sense of order, each furniture piece must be complimented. For example, if a table looks very isolated, a few lamps on it will give it a new purpose. When a sofa is placed on the center of a room and not placed against the wall, we must be able to hide its back. One of the best ways to conceal the back of a sofa in the middle of a room is by placing a sofa table on the back of a sofa, just ensure that the table is of the appropriate height and it does not go over the sofa.

Allow wood to retain its texture Wooden furniture can be used timelessly and gives the impression of elegance and class. Quality hardwood floor can be perfect for your living room but it is a bit expensive to maintain.

(You can consult Interior Design experts at Inner Living)

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flooring ideas When building flooring is one of the last areas to be considered yet it is one of the most critical finishes of a building. Examples are showing a few flooring options to consider for your project;

>>

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Hardwood Even though hardwood is very beautiful flooring option, it unfortunately does not fit into every budget. It can be a bit tedious to clean and maintain.

Tiles Tiles are a great flooring option because they come with several advantages, the first being that they are relatively cheaper to get. Placing those floor tiles in your home can also be a great DIY as it is relatively easy to do. Another added advantage is that tiles are easy to clean and water proof, which makes them ideal for your kitchen or bathroom.

The only downside is that in winter tiles are very cold but this can be countered using underfloor heating although this can be expensive. You’re better off going for bigger floor tiles as these are easier to install and use less grout.

Engineered wood Engineered wooden floor boards are another great flooring option with a solid wood top layer and plywood underneath. Engineered wood looks just as good as solid wood and can be available in several wood finishes. It will not expand or contract as much as solid wood flooring, easy to install and cheaper than solid hardwood.

Laminate wood If you’re looking for a cheaper alternative flooring option whilst maintaining that natural solid wood appearance. Laminate wood is very difficult to distinguish from real wood. It is also available in different shades ranging from dark to light wood.

Rubber flooring Rubber is an ideal flooring option if you’re looking for a non-slip surface then this would be a great option. It can be the best option for garage/ workshop, gym or bathroom floor. It is also easy to clean as spillages can be easily wiped off.

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solar energy With the incessant load shedding which doesn’t seem to end at anytime soon, there’s been no better time for alternative sources of energy and going off the grid. Geographically we are suitably positioned to receive and harness almost 365days of sunshine.

The only drawback of setting up a solar system for your home or office is the initial start-up cost required. Although the government has scrapped off import duty on solar products-solar panels, rechargeable batteries and inverters are relatively still expensive. In spite of the huge initial cost solar energy still has a great return on investment with little to no cost of maintenance and provides a huge reduction on that electricity bill.

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Solar power can be used either in the home or office but this is also dependent on the structure of your building.

You can even make use of that parking lot space by placing solar panels on parking lot roof. Whilst most roofs are strong enough to support solar panels, the roof will also determine the sizes of solar panels to be installed. The best part of the roof would be the unshaded part and that is North facing to harness maximum benefit from the sun.

The amount of electricity a solar panel generates is determined by 3 factors which are the size of the panel, the efficiency of the solar cells and the amount of sunlight exposure the panel gets. Nowadays the average solar panel generates about 320 watts of power, solar panels usually come with a tag on the back that states how much power the panel will generate during optimum conditions.

This is known as the Standard Test Condition (STC) which is usually determined in a solar lab where conditions are set to test the panel at about 1000watts of sunlight which is approximately equal to the same conditions as on a sunny day, at noon, at the equator. If a solar panel with STC rating of 300watts gets full sun for 1 hour it then generates 300 watts of electricity and supposing you had 5 panels with an STC of 300 it would then equate to electricity generation of 1,5kwh.

Whatever your case maybe you will need to know the amount of power you in your home or office, this of course is dependent on the number of devices that you have and how often you use them. You will need to consult your electrician or installer to know the number of solar panels that will be required for your home or office.

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Renewable Energy for a Sustainable World

Solarlux solutions is aiming to become the leader in offering the highest quality solar systems suitable for domestic and industrial needs while saving customers money and making positive contributions to our ever green environment.

The potential of solar energy is beyond imagination.

The surface of the earth receives 120,000 terawatts of solar radiation (sunlight) – 20,000 times more power than what is needed to supply the entire world.Harnessing solar energy does generally not cause pollution. It is clear that solar energy reduces our dependence on non-renewable energy sources.

This is an important step in fighting the climate crisis.

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1986 was the birth year of U.K.Electrical (Pvt) Ltd. The business started with a modest staff of two skilled and two semi skilled personnel. In 1987 the company carried out electrification projects in Rural Zimbabwe for the Ministry of Construction, Health and Education, for schools, clinics and housing. In 1988 we carried out major computer cabling projects for Financial Institutions including the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe. A year later, Electricare was established at 99 Harare Street and major installation projects were undertaken for Industrial companies, farms and international embassies.

In 1991 Electricare began to expand along with its range of products. We invested heavily in marketing to a variety of potential customers in industries such as mining, agriculture, manufacturing and other commercial sectors. A new lighting showroom was introduced in 1992, and a year later, Hardware Home was established to compliment Electricare. In 1994 we ventured into the sanitary ware, porcelain and ceramic tile market at the iconic location at 5 Samora Machel Avenue - marking the emergence of House of Tiles.

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In 2009 our wholesale and retail stores were renovated to add new warehousing and new look showrooms. In 2015 House of Tiles opened its new state of the art showroom in Workington to celebrate 21 years of brand success. The new site saw House of Tiles engage into a strong relationship with new corporate clients in the area.

In 2017 House of Tiles, Electricare and Plumbcare continued to see rapid growth across all areas of the business. As a result of this growth a new one stop flagship store was opened at 80 Simon Mazorodze in Southerton. The new location saw all the four specialist stores come together under 3000 square metres of showroom and warehouse space to become the new headquarters for the UKE Group of Companies.

The U.K. Electrical Group now operates under four main locations in excess of 6000 square metres; including a 2000 square metre property in Harare CBD, a 3000 square metre state of the art showroom and warehouse in Southerton as well as a 1200 square metre property on Samora Machel, Harare's busiest street. With an incredibly diverse product range, a comprehensive fleet of vehicles and more than 70 highly trained staff, the company continues to grow with the vision of building a better tomorrow.

CONTACT INFORMATION Phone: 024 2661745-7 0782807842 CBD: 04 771444/ 04 761538 HRE ST: 04 772177/ 04 761538 Address 80 Simon Mazarodze, Southerton 5 Samora Machel Avenue 96 Harare Street Website www.ukegroupzim.com Email sales1@electricare.co.zw sales1@houseoftiles.co.zw

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Boosting Renewable Energy in Africa PAGE 40

CHALLENGE: Roughly 1 billion people – or about 13 percent of the world’s population – live without electricity. In Africa, today, one in three people don’t have access to electricity, often having to resort to using kerosene or spending hours in darkness. Almost 87% of those without electricity live in rural areas.

Those who do have electricity often find it unreliable or expensive. Sub-Saharan Africa’s share in the global access deficit has more than doubled between 1990 and 2016. Despite progress in all world regions, the world is not on track to achieve universal electricity access by 2030, with Sub-Saharan Africa at great risk of being left behind. Universal access to affordable, reliable and sustainable energy – Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 7 – is essential to reach other SDGs and is at the center of efforts to tackle climate change.

SOLUTION: Access to electricity makes communities safer, helps small businesses thrive, and powers essential services such as schools and clinics. The World Bank is committed to helping countries transition to low-carbon energy systems and ensuring that everyone around the world has access to affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy for all. Between 2014 and 2018, the World Bank provided more than $11.5 billion in financing for renewable energy and energy efficiency. A comprehensive approach to scaling up access to electricity is critical. Minigrids are emerging as a key player for cost-effective and reliable electrification of rural areas and have the potential for playing a significant role in efforts to achieve universal energy access. The Bank is currently one of the largest financiers in this sector - supporting about 25% of mini grid investments in the developing world. For instance, in rural areas that are not connected to the main electricity grid, solar hybrid mini-grids in place of fossil fuelbased systems could reduce emissions by about 80%. The World Bank is actively mobilizing private sector investment in mini-grid initiatives by helping establish enabling policies, demonstrating viable business models, and providing seed funding that can be used to leverage commercial financing.

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RESULTS: In Nigeria, the World Bank-funded Nigeria Electrification Project aims to expand cost-efficient access to electricity to nearly 80 million people who currently lack access to it. Mini-grids are expected to be part of the solution, with an estimated 850 mini grids extending electricity access to at least 300,000 households and 30,000 businesses In Mozambique, the International Finance Corporation (IFC) is supporting the country’s first utility scale solar power plant which will help increase electricity sector climate resilience and deliver power to rural areas. The project also includes support from the Climate Investment Funds. It will deliver power to the national grid and produce enough energy to serve about 175,000 households.

In Senegal, the Multilateral Insurance Guarantee Agency (MIGA), is supporting the country’s first utility-scale wind farm. The project is expected to provide approximately 300,000 households with electricity, especially in rural areas. As the largest wind project in Sub-Saharan West Africa, the project will also have a useful demonstration effect, showcasing the technical, financial, and institutional feasibility of large-scale wind projects in the country and in the region.

In Zambia, the Scaling Solar Program brought together a suite of World Bank, IFC investment and advisory, and MIGA services and instruments under a single engagement aimed at creating viable markets for grid-connected solar PV power plants.

The electricity generated from the 48MW plant located outside the capital city of Lusaka will be sold to the Zambian utility company through a 25year power purchase agreement. In Ghana, the World Bank is bringing renewable energy to rural communities by investing in solar mini-grids. The project will provide reliable electricity to about 10,000 people in island communities around Lake Volta, with an aggregated installed capacity of 1.7 MW. Excerpt from Worldbank: This is what’s all about.

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T

here’s nothing more pleasurable than some time alone at home or office curled up with your favorite book or an intriguing new read. It is therefore very important to have a comfortable place to do it from as you’re probably going to be reading for a while.

American furniture designer Charles Eames once said, ” You can’t tell if any chair is comfortable until you’ve occupied it for at least an hour - and then you should return to it again and again in different moods.“ A reading chair is different from a desk chair. It is usually more comfortable and not designed for proper ergonomic posture generally required for typing or sitting on a computer desk but instead reading chairs are designed to provide a comfortable spot to curl up with your book for hours.

The perfect reading chair needs to have all the right support and cushioning to keep you cozy, whether you prefer a high-back chair to support your back, shoulder and neck or a comfy lounger whilst you peruse your book. Whatever your need is there’s a perfect reading chair out there for you, with a design and style that even matches the interior design of your home or office.

The Perfect Reading Chair

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The selection of the right reading chair can transform a space, it also evokes a sense of peace and comfort. Book lovers will tell you how important it is to have a good reading chair. It is important to know what to look for when you are looking for that perfect reading chair. Here are a few guidelines;

The Book Nook Armchair

Size and layout If you have a limited space then you should definitely consider the size of the chair if it fits in your space, some chairs are best for small spaces. On the other hand if you’re a parent and like to read to your child whilst sharing the same sit the perhaps you should consider a bigger chair.

Fabric or Material Is it easy to clean in case of spillage? Fabric material can be tricky and not easy to clean whereas leather material is easy to clean.

You should also consider if the material allows your skin to breathe and not make you sweaty.

Height Are you tall,short or average in height? You may want to consider a chair that is height adjustable.

This is perfect for curling up with that new book!

The soft, subtle curves of the Book Nook armchair makes it an inviting spot to relax. The design is simple and modern making it a great option for your office or home library as it easily fits into virtually any space and moving it around is not a hassle at all.

The chair comes with a straight back which allows you to sit up straight whilst you’re reading. It will definitely look great placed near a corner window or in your favorite reading spot.

Upholstered Barrel Accent chair

Versatility or Functionality What more can the chair give you in terms of functionality? Can it also be used for something else or elsewhere?

Comfort condition

and

your

physical

Look for a chair that is not only comfortable but one that also provides support for your back and protects you from developing or worsening your back condition.

We have selected a few options for you to consider;

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This is a very versatile chair and looks great in almost any space whether it is in your home or office. It is also very compact and does not take up a lot of space. The barrel accent chair has a great ergonomic design that will help you maintain a healthy posture due to the curved backrest which allows comfortable seating over a long period of time - good support for those with back problems.

Tufted Fabric Armchair

This chair will definitely stand out wherever you place it, it is not only stylish and elegant. It can be available with a tufted 7/10 button backrest, that is a great support for those with back problems. It has a compact design that can fit in even in small spaces.

The plush cushioning ensures comfort whilst you enjoy your book.

The Chaise

This provides a perfect way to stretch out whilst you read, at the same time offering much needed support for your back and neck. It is a perfect option if you’re a parent and want something that can accommodate you and your child whilst you read to your child.

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Dry Landscaping PAGE 49

P

erhaps you’re considering cutting down on that water bill or the tedious maintenance work on that garden, then perhaps it’s time you considered going for the dry landscape look. Dry landscaping is often compared to creating that desert look right there in your yard.

Choose plants from the region that require little to no water irrigation here in the sub Sahara region you can go for plants such as succulents, cactus and or even the acacia tree. Reduce lawn areas by placing large concrete slabs and creating a walking path along the lawn area.

A fantastic and easy way to kickstart that dry landscaping journey is to create a dry creek bed which is relatively easy to do, a dry creek bed creates the perfect illustration of a supposedly one bubbling stream. You will need a few tools and materials for the task; - Pick.

- Shovel.

- Wheelbarrow.

- Garden steel rack.

- Gravel.

- Smooth stones (pebbles).

- Medium to large rocks. Below are a few pointers to guide you in the process of creating your very own dry creek bed; 1. Identify natural rain flow channels around the yard after rainwater run-off. Mark this flow with sand, creating a meandering flow with varying width.

2. Follow up the marked path by digging up a trench along the path with a depth of about 8 inches.

3. Fill up the trench with gravel, crushed stone and placing smooth stones on top, you can even throw in a few bigger rocks along the trench.

4. You can add a few plants alongside the edges of the creek bed to create a more natural look.

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Natures Way Landscaping & Design

We are eager to help you begin transforming your property into the outdoor retreat that welcomes you home. Our fields of expertise include: Landscape Design/Build, Hardscape Design/Build Landscape Management, Water Features, Outdoor Living, we undertake all forms of landscaping – tropical/exotic, waterwise, formal gardens etc.

+263772256399

vsprice@mweb.co.zw

M MOUSHTEC STEEL & FIREPLACES SF Manufacturers of: l FIREPLACES l GARAGE DOORS l SLIDING GATES l BRAAI STANDS l WATER INCINERATORS EXPANDA SCREENS l PALISADE FENCING l TANK STANDS l FIREPLACE DECORATIONS METAL/STEEL FABRICATION

Tel: 0242- 756128 /2926200 22124 Damofalls 174 Gleneagles Road.

Hotlines:- 0772446633 / 0732446633 / 0719446633 Damofalls Industrial Area CSC Complex. Willowvale, Harare.

Cell: 0773213138 / 0782890606 / 0712417874 Ruwa.

Email: moushtecsteel@gmail.com/sales@moushtecfireplaces.com Whatsapp number:- 0776735669 Website;- wwww.moushtecfireplaces.com

Affordable Housing

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Demand-Side Challenges to Housing Access Housing finance options for low-income groups are limited. Across the region, the majority of residents do not have formal savings accounts and are not able to obtain mortgages for housing consumption. Only 24 percent of the adult population 15 years or older in Sub Saharan Africa holds an account at a formal financial institution; the same holds true for 12 percent of adults in the bottom 40 percent of income levels. Only 6 percent of adults received a loan from a financial institution in 2014. The lack of savings reduces the amount of finance available for lending institutions to develop consumer mortgages or other lending products. The major source of housing investment is from household savings and government investment, rather than capital markets. This can crowd out public investment in other important sectors such as education, health and infrastructure. The lack of credit for development finance limits investment in domestic construction activities that could provide housing at scale.

Most housing is built incrementally, which is reflected by the most typical sources of housing finance: savings and small loans.

The majority of urban residents build shelter themselves or through the assistance of local laborers. Without access to mortgage finance to purchase complete homes, housing is built incrementally with investments from individual savings, remittance transfers, and participation in savings cooperatives or through the use of microfinance. The expansion of microfinance lending for small and medium enterprises has given more low�income groups access to relatively affordable finance and banking services.

Housing microfinance, though currently limited in its scope in SSA, could be a way to bridge the gap between small, short tenor microloans and large, long tenor mortgages, with a loan product tied to construction material discounts or technical assistance.

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Borrowing and saving with formal institutions such as commercial banks is rare in SSA, and the mortgage sector remains underdeveloped.

The use of formal loans for housing consumption in SSA is very low. Estimates indicate that in 2011, 85 percent of Africa’s urban population lacked access to formal housing loans and only 3 percent of the population was eligible for a conventional mortgage (Kihato 2013). Instead, alternative forms of borrowing and saving are popular, including remittances, informal loans from friends or family, and the use of community savings clubs. In 2012, 40 percent of adults received a loan from family or friends, and 19 percent saved using a community-based savings club (nearly half of those who reported any savings saved with these clubs). Nine percent of the total population and 39 percent of those with formal accounts used them to send or receive remittances from family.

Addressing the Housing Challenge in Africa: A Way Forward

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OUT OF AFRICA

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

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We offer more than bituminous products, hot asphalt mix and road rehabilita�on. We are in the business of

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30 George Avenue, Msasa, Harare | Tel: +263 24 2447 231-3 Email: enquiries@bitumenworld.net | Website: www.bitumenworld.net