CONSTRUCTION NAM MAGAZINE FEB-MAR 2017

Feb - Mar 2017 | Vol. 2 / No 1

N$10

STATE OF LOCAL PROJECTS

Another green first for Namibia

Rock splitting made simple: NoneXTM The future of energy in buildings

27 Construction Namibia February - March 2017

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CREDITS Publisher Young Press Multimedia Editor Henry Masuku editor@constructionnam.com +264 81 599 5081 Business Developer Roxy Silta Tjarukua info@constructionnam.com +264 81 432 8467 Marketing Caryn Chanengeta marketing@constructionnam.com +264 81 2967087 Design and Layout Marcolino Justino designer@constructionnam.com Printers John Meinert Printers Physical address 24 Mozart Street, Windhoek West, Windhoek, Namibia Š2016 Young Press Multimedia cc. All rights reserved. Neither this publication nor any part of it may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of Young Press Multimedia cc.

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CONTENTS 5

Kranzberg to Tsumeb Railway line upgrading...

7

How to tell if your roof is fit for solar panels

8

Rock splitting made simple: NoneXTM

10

SCE offices – another green first...

13

Modern railway track Part 1...

14

Barnard Mutua Architects scoops top design...

16

Renewable energy for Namibia

18

DBN steps up to the Harambee platew

19

The future of energy in buildings

20

Bring discourses into the engineering...

24

Mengela Safety Consult- a leader in work...

25

A positive start for construction 2017

Construction Namibia February - March 2017

F r o m t h e E d i t o r ’s d e s k Welcome 2017. Two months have passed and these are decisive months for most industry. Decisive in the sense that the first quarter of the year determines significantly the annual operations of industry.

Besides there is so much to think about this year. Exactly what will be in the budget which everyone seems to be awaiting with much hyped anticipation. Will the budget alleviate some the fears and drastic measures so far experienced by some companies?

We have to wait and see. In the meantime industry works to finish what has already started.

Infrastructure development goes on. New building are being constructed and new plans continue to be approved by the City of Windhoek.

The water situations and rhetoric seems to be changing. Will the current rains bring significant fortunes to the economy? We can only hope that this precipitation brings a sigh of relief to the construction sector to continue operations unhindered.

Henry Masuku

This edition bring to you completed projects making an impact in Namibia. We congratulate SCE Consulting for the magnificent 6 Star Rating for Omake house. This is no mean fit. Bernard Mutua Architects also scooped some awards for setting a big footprint in the design and construction of two Windhoek landmarks. So much is happening. We are the mouthpiece.

Keep reading!

As we continue to build a stronger partnership together, we fully recognize that your support and the continued trust that you place in us is the foundation of this magazine's success.

Driven by a desire to promote the construction industry and help players in the sector keep up to date with developments and practical matters, Construction Namibia covers topics including contracts, cost management, procurement, construction law and regulations, communication and project management skills.

The turn of the new millennium has set on course numerous routes for growth in the construction sector characterised by massive investment in green buildings, low cost housing, optimisation of power utilities and development of sound business.

Construction magazine is driven by a strong editorial team with a vision to ensure expansion of clients business through reportage of significant events and developments in the world of construction including the newest methods of construction intended to improve efficiency, performance and reduce construction waste.

Construction magazine is the largest construction magazine in Namibia edited exclusively to guide CEOs, owners of small-to-midsize companies, engineers, technological experts and policy makers to success.

Stars can only be seen because they shine in darkness far above the hustle and bustle. Join us as we let success do the talking.

For those who wish to be added to our mailing list for a free soft copy of Construction Namibia please do not hesitate to drop me an email at info@constructionnam.com

Roxy Silta Tjarukua

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Construction Namibia February - March 2017

INFRASTRUCTURE

Kranzberg to Tsumeb Railway line upgrading and rehabilitation

T

he Railway line from Kranzberg in the Erongo Region to Tsumeb in the Oshikoto Region was initially built late in the 19th century to export copper per rail from Tsumeb and by sea from Swakopmund to Europe. This railway line branches off from the Usakos to Okahandja main railway line approximately 11km from Usakos and the rail distance to Tsumeb station is 392km. During the late 1950’s the railway line was upgraded to accommodate heavier loads and higher speed trains and the material is thus today more than 60 years old and worn to a great extent. (See picture 1) The railway line began to fail extensively at sections from 2011 which caused a number of derailments at very high repair cost by TransNamib. It was during that period when D&M Rail Construction was appointed to do emergency repair work to the railway line and soon after instructed to attend to rehabilitation and upgrading of the entire Kranzberg to Tsumeb railway line.

Rehabilitation of the railway line includes the maintenance of rail joints, corrective welding of train wheel skid marks and battered rail ends at joints, tightening of rail fastenings and adjustment of rail geometry. All the work is done by hand and light machines, and a distance of 243km have been completed.

Rehabilitation of a railway line is a short term solution and should be attended to after 12 months. (See picture 2)

Photograph 1 and new 48kg/m rails are fixed to the sleepers. In some instances the old 30kg/m rail is placed back on the concrete sleepers where new rails are not yet supplied. (Partial upgrading) The task is completed by distributing new ballast and align the track horizontally and vertically. Thus far 15.8 km have been upgraded and 123.9 km partially upgraded. (See picture 3)

Different ways of railway upgrading such as the total rebuilt of the line, or just replacing of rails can be done, depending on the funds available and the actual condition of the formation and track. Between Kranzberg and Tsumeb the upgrading process is the removing of the existing material, grading away of the old ballast and levelling of the formation. New P2 concrete sleepers are placed at 700mm intervals

Fotograph 2

Fotograph 3 Construction Namibia February - March 2017

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STRUXIT Projects Engineers CC provides full civil and structural engineering services, covering the entire project’s scope. We strive for excellence in each venture, with our focus being customer/client satisfaction and project sustainability. We are recognized as being honest, hardworking, resourceful, effective, punctual, reliable and to the point. We are a team that aspires to build long lasting relationships with our clients and project teams. Our team members are experienced in a variety of projects in the property market sectors of residential, commercial, retail and industrial.

SITE SUPERVISION/ ENGINEERING REPRESENTATIVE CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT DUE DILIGENCE STUDY BUILDING INTEGRATED MODELLING SCHEME DESIGN STRUCTURAL CONCRETE DESIGN STRUCTURAL STEEL DESIGN ENGINEERING DRAWINGS RENOVATIONS CIVIL ENGINEERING DESIGN OUTLINE SCHEME REPORTS WET SERVICES DESIGN

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+264 81 214 2688

Construction Namibia February - March 2017

schalk@struxit.com

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“We understand your specific needs, and adapt to deliver.” w

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ENERGY

How to tell if your roof is fit for solar panels There are a lot of compelling reasons to go solar—reducing your carbon footprint and cutting energy costs are two of the biggest. But before you schedule your solar installation, it’s important to know how suited your roof is for solar panels. If you’re thinking about adding solar to your home, here’s everything you need to know to determine if your roof is ready.

Roof Materials Some materials work better with solar panel installation than others. Fortunately, asphalt shingles, the most common roofing material, are ideal for solar panels. Other materials that are easy for installers include corrugated metal, standing seam, clay tile, and rubber roofs. Roofs made of slate or wood shingles are more difficult. Those materials are more brittle and sometimes can’t withstand the weight of installation.

That doesn’t mean you’re stuck with traditional power if you have a cedar or slate roof, though.

There are special mounting components and equipment elements that make it possible to install an array—just anticipate a slightly longer and more complex installation if you go that route.

Roof Style and Slope Solar panels need a certain amount of space to be properly installed. A large rectangular roof—free of any vents or chimneys—is ideal for solar installation, but few homes have such an arrangement. Fortunately, most professional installers are familiar with a variety of roof configurations and can work around things like skylights, turrets, chimneys, and dormers.

They can even move drain pipes, if needed, to accommodate the solar system.

When it comes to slope, you’ll want to discuss the optimal arrangement with your installer. If you set your array flat, you’ll see reduced precipitation runoff, impeding overall efficiency; if you set it too steep, you could be limiting the amount of sun the panels can take in. Generally, a twenty- or thirty-degree tilt will work well, though the angle will need to be made a bit steeper if you live further north.

Roof Condition Many solar installations come with warranties that last up to twenty-five years, and most arrays will keep working fine long after that. As such, make sure you won’t need to replace the roof a couple years after installation. If your roof is due for an upgrade, it’s best to get that taken care of before installing a solar system.

Don’t despair if your roof doesn’t face true south. You can still get good energy output from panels that are facing southeast, southwest, or even east and west. However, if you choose an east- or west-facing orientation, try to eliminate any shade-causing obstructions because the panels will already be taking in slightly less sun than a south-facing array.

Home and Roof Regulations

It’s possible to replace your roof after you’ve had solar panels installed, but you’ll incur the added expense of uninstalling and then reinstalling the array. If you’ve got between ten and fifteen years left in the life of your roof, you’re in good shape to add a solar installation—otherwise, tackle the roof before the panels.

If your home is a condo or townhouse governed by a homeowners association (HOA), you may not actually have the final say about what goes on your roof. Many HOAs regulate the outer structure of neighborhood homes—including the roofs. So before you sign any contracts, find out what the HOA regulations are for solar panel installation.

Roof Sun Exposure

Likewise, if you’re a renter, you may not be able to make the decision to go solar on your own— it’s ultimately the landlord’s call. However, it’s worth contacting your neighbors to see if they’re also interested in solar power. If several tenants would like to install solar panels, you may be able to make a proposal to the landlord for approval to go ahead.

Obviously, you need to make sure your roof gets plenty of sun in order to maximize the output of your solar panels. Ideally, you want to make sure your roof gets full sun exposure between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. all year long. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory has some helpful insolation maps that will give you an idea of the amount of sun your area usually gets.

In addition to identifying how much direct sunlight your home usually receives, look for obstructions that cause shade. Everything from trees to neighboring buildings to chimneys can potentially put your panels in shadow. Keep in mind that shadows are longer during the winter months, and sunny hours are limited.

If you’re not sure how much different your sun exposure might be in the winter, contact a solar installation company—many of them have tools to help you figure it out.

Roof Direction The direction your roof faces also has an impact on its suitability for solar panels. Photovoltaic (PV) panels in the United States are most effective when they face true south. It’s easy to find out what direction your roof faces by looking your house up on Google Maps. This will orient you toward true south—which is slightly different from magnetic south—and give you a good idea about how much real southern exposure your roof has.

Other Solar Arrangements Even if your roof isn’t ideal, you can still go solar. Consider installations on other buildings on your property, like a garage or shed. If you don’t have a garage, look into building a solar panel carport. This will offer shade and protection for your car, all while powering your home at the same time. If all else fails, there are also ground-mounted solar systems available.

If none of these are an option for you, find out if your city has any shared solar gardens or other community solar installations. You may be able to invest in a community solar project that gives you the benefits of rooftop solar without the necessity of having it installed on your property.

https://www.solarpowerauthority.com/tell-roof-rightsolar-panels

Construction Namibia February - March 2017

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EXPLOSIVES

Rock splitting made simple: NoneXTM

T

he NoneXTM Technology is based on a non-detonating propellant compound enclosed in a cartridge, which reacts very quickly when ignited to produce high volumes of harmless gas, mainly consisting of nitrogen, carbon dioxide and steam. When the cartridge is sealed in a drill hole, the high pressure gas generated by the ignition of the propellant enters into the micro-fractures created from the percussive drilling process and into the natural fractures and planes of weakness of the rock, expanding the fractures and propagating cracks towards the nearest free face of the rock.

The NoneXTM Cartridge inserted in a drill hole

The number of cracks propagated is related to the maximum pressure and peak pressure rate achieved by the expanding gasses within the drill hole. The gas pressure, within the drill hole and propagated cracks, then causes the fractured rocks to heave apart, producing a shearing of the rock often called splitting.

The NoneXTM rockbreaking technology was developed to solve problems associated with specialist excavations and rockbreaking in sensitive conditions. The collateral damage associated with excavations using explosives in poor rock conditions or in blast sensitive areas often creates a larger problem than the original explosive solution set out to address. Problems of blast damage in highly jointed rock and collateral damage to sensitive installations and infrastructure have persisted in the industry for many years due mainly to the absence of credible alternative methods to address such situations. NoneXTM offers the industry a solution, which allows a controlled approach to excavation in these difficult situations without the vestiges of damage associated with traditional methods of rockbreaking using explosives.

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The NoneXTM rockbreaking method, developed

by NXCO Mining Technologies, has recently been applied to several applications in a wide variety of rock conditions. The NoneXTM technology allows a tailored rock breaking (“TRB”) approach whereby energy can be applied more efficiently to break and dislodge the rock in a controlled fashion, which can be optimally adapted to suit the rock breaking requirements of any particular situation in all types of rock conditions.

What are the advantages of using NoneXTM? • NoneXTM is environmentally sensitive -minimal fly rock (< 10m) -minimal vibration -lower noise and overpressure levels than conventional explosives -negligible noxious gasses • Similar yields to small-diameter conventional blasting can be achieved with NoneXTM using smaller charge weights. Primary rockbreaking yields typically around 1m3, in hard in-situ rock pavements, can be achieved using a 100g NoneXTM cartridge. Significantly greater secondary-breaking yields are produced when breaking boulders rather than in-situ rock • Only localised clearance of personnel is required with NoneXTM. Production is optimised as no downtime to loading and hauling equipment is experienced due to site evacuation during initiation.

• NoneXTM is safer to transport, store and use than conventional explosives.

• NoneXTM can be used with low capital, lightweight equipment – One small hand-held drill rig is all that is needed to drill the hole.

The reason why a NoneXTM cartridge does not explode, and is therefore not an explosive in its packaged state, is that the velocity of deflagration or burning of the propellant is almost directly proportional to the degree of confinement of the chemical reaction. Thus, in an unconfined environment such as the product’s original packaging, the propellant if ignited will only burn at a very low velocity, which is incapable of causing an explosion. In contrast, an explosive if detonated or initiated

Construction Namibia February - March 2017

in its original packaging, will produce a major explosion the result of which historically has had fatal consequences. The end result is that propellant-based cartridges are much safer to transport, store and use than explosives and for that reason the regulations relating to the transport and storage of NoneXTM are considerably less stringent than for explosives such as Ammonium Nitrate/ Fuel Oil (ANFO).

One of the most salient features distinguishing NoneXTM from high explosives is that explosives detonate whilst the propellant used in a NoneXTM cartridge deflagrates.

Deflagrations are thermally initiated reactions propagating at subsonic speeds that proceed radially outwards in all directions through the energetic material, away from the ignition source. The maximum pressure developed by deflagration is dependent on the energetic materials involved; their geometry; and the strength (failure pressure) of the vessel or structure confining the materials. Deflagration speeds of propellants are in the order of 200 to 1000 metres per second producing pressures reaching 1000 Mpa, which are developed in thousandths of a second.

The NoneXTM Technology is based on a nondetonating propellant compound enclosed in a cartridge, which reacts very quickly when ignited to produce high volumes of harmless gas, mainly consisting of nitrogen, carbon dioxide and steam. When the cartridge is sealed in a drill hole, the high pressure gas generated by the ignition of the propellant enters into the micro-fractures created from the percussive drilling process and into the natural fractures and planes of weakness of the rock, expanding the fractures and propagating cracks towards the nearest free face of the rock.

EXPLOSIVES The number of cracks propagated is related to the maximum pressure and peak pressure rate achieved by the expanding gasses within the drill hole. The gas pressure, within the drill hole and propagated cracks, then causes the fractured rocks to heave apart, producinga shearing of the rock often called splitting.

The NoneXTM rockbreaking technology was developed to solve problems associated with specialist excavations and rockbreaking in sensitive conditions. The collateral damage associated with excavations using explosives in poor rock conditions or in blast sensitive areas often creates a larger problem than the original explosive solution set out to address.

Problems of blast damage in highly jointed rock and collateral damage to sensitive installations and infrastructure have persisted in the industry for many years due mainly to the absence of credible alternative methods to address such situations. NoneXTM offers the industry a solution, which allows a controlled approach to excavation in these difficult situations without the vestiges of damage associated with traditional methods of rockbreaking using explosives.

away from the ignition source. The maximum pressure developed by deflagration is dependent on the energetic materials involved; their geometry; and the strength (failure pressure) of the vessel or structure confining the materials.

Deflagration speeds of propellants are in the order of 200 to 1000 metres per second producing pressures reaching 1000 Mpa, which are developed in thousandths of a second.

Flush break next to brickwall,without compromising the integrity of the wall

The NoneXTM rockbreaking method, developed by NXCO Mining Technologies, has recently been applied to several applications in a wide variety of rock conditions. The NoneXTM technology allows a tailored rock breaking (â&#x20AC;&#x153;TRBâ&#x20AC;?) approach whereby energy can be applied more efficiently to break and dislodge the rock in a controlled fashion, which can be optimally adapted to suit the rock breaking requirements of any particular situation in all types of rock conditions.

The reason why a NoneXTM cartridge does not explode, and is therefore not an explosive in its packaged state, is that the velocity of deflagration or burning of the propellant is almost directly proportional to the degree of confinement of the chemical reaction.

Thus, in an unconfined environment such as the productâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s original packaging, the propellant if ignited will only burn at a very low velocity, which is incapable of causing an explosion. In contrast, an explosive if detonated or initiated in its original packaging, will produce a major explosion the result of which historically has had fatal consequences. The end result is that propellant-based cartridges are much safer to transport, store and use than explosives and for that reason the regulations relating to the transport and storage of NoneXTM are considerably less stringent than for explosives such as Ammonium Nitrate/ Fuel Oil (ANFO).

One of the most salient features distinguishing NoneXTM from high explosives is that explosives detonate whilst the propellant used in a NoneXTM cartridge deflagrates. Deflagrations are thermally initiated reactions propagating at subsonic speeds that proceed radially outwards in all directions through the energetic material Construction Namibia February - March 2017

9

ENVIRONMENT

SCE OFFICES – ANOTHER GREEN FIRST FOR NAMIBIA

T

he offices of SCE Consulting Engineers, Omake House in Windhoek, has received the prestigious 6-Star Green Star SA – Existing Building v1 rating and also obtained a Southern Africa’s first NetPositive Energy result for an existing building during the performance period of the Existing Building v1 rating tool.

Omake House has been developed by F.A.H. Properties with Stauch and Partners as Architects and SCE serving as Engineers in all disciplines (Civil, Structural, Mechanical and Electrical).

The building construction started in January 2006 and was completed and the building occupied by December 2006. The building was designed and built with sustainable designs and energy efficient principals even before the inception of Green Star in Namibia.

With the proper implementation of sustainable and efficient principals the building uses significantly less energy compared to the industry average and achieving a NetPositive Energy consumption, meaning that the building is an energy producer and not a consumer of energy.

The building also achieved a higher occupant satisfaction (85.7% satisfaction) with regard to thermal- and lighting comfort.

Of the sustainable and efficient principals applied the building orientation played a vital role in reducing the amount of heat load and heat gain through solar radiation, while allowing 100% of work stations within the offices to have external views and a minimum of 200 lux of daylight at each workstation.

Energy efficiency was also a key aspect of the sustainable design and the use of LED downlights, energy efficient florescent light fittings with electronic ballasts and a high energy efficient air-conditioning system with individual controls, all contributed to the overall energy efficiency of the building. The building also has a solar power plant producing renewable clean energy and is able to provide the network with clean power.

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With its integrated solar power plant (50 kWp production) located on the roof of the building, SCE has achieved a Net-Positive Energy use since the commissioning of the system in September 2015. The system generates more energy compared to the energy consumption, with the system capable of exporting a yearly average of 6500 kWh energy back into the City of Windhoek electrical grid and therefore earning the building the maximum allowable points for this category of the rating tool.

Construction Namibia February - March 2017

ENVIRONMENT

Other features contributing to the sustainable and efficient operation of the offices are, amongst others, the building management policy adopted

by SCE and a building monitoring system. The building monitoring system tracks and records the building’s energy consumption, renewable solar energy production, water consumption and the waste generated to allow for the effective operation of the building.

The low maintenance rock gardens were specifically designed for the harsh Namibian climate with water wise indigenous plants. The rock garden also provides natural storm water run-off reduction areas which prevent the effects of erosion and allows the water to remain on the site. This reduces the consumption of potable water and contributes to the water efficiency of the building.

To contribute to the development of sustainable buildings in the future SCE became a Silver Founding Member of the Green Building Council of Namibia (GBCNA) in July 2015.

While promoting holistic sustainable designs SCE has 12 registered Accredited Professionals across all three Accredited Professional fields (New Buildings, Existing Buildings and Interiors) of the Green Building Council of South Africa (GBCSA).

Achieving the 6-Star rating confirms SCE as market leaders in the sustainable building sector.

The 6-Star Green Star SA – Existing Building v1 and Net-Positive Energy result means SCE achieved the maximum rating for an existing building (World Leadership) and confirms SCE’s long standing design philosophies of sustainable design throughout the life cycle of a building.

Construction Namibia February - March 2017

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Construction Namibia February - March 2017

INFRASTRUCTURE

MODERN RAILWAY TRACK Part 1 HISTORIC PERSPECTIVE

Private collection Walter Rusch

By Jack Dempsey, Contract Manager, D&M Rail

M

odern Railway Track, its current status, relevance to Namibia and technological developments will be explored in a 5 part series which we trust will bring about a better understanding of railway systems in general and insight into the challenges faced by developing countries such as Namibia to develop their rail systems into competitive modern day transport systems that can contribute optimally towards the National development agenda.

The Railway Track performs the basic functions of bearing and guiding, providing the railway system with its distinct technologies of guiding, coupling and bearing which enables such system to accommodate high surface transport speeds (through guiding), high axle loads (bearing) and high capacity (coupling).

Modern Railway Track evolved around these competitive genetics to distinguish railway systems in the surface transport markets of passenger transport (intercity high speed

/ rapid transport, high density metro) and freight transport (heavy haul, bulk freight and intermodal).

The development of a National railway network in Namibia commenced with the construction of the Staatsbahn between Swakopmund and Windhoek from 1897 – 1902 in the then German South West Africa territory.

This was a narrow gauge (600 mm) line built will very light materials (10 kg/m rails on light steel sleepers). The national rail network expanded since that humble beginnings to a total route distance of 2683 by 2017, all on Cape Gauge (1067 mm) standard but with various standards and conditions ranging from state of the art modern day track to dilapidated and obsolete track standards.

The Kranzberg to Tsumeb railway line currently being rehabilitated and upgraded by D&M Rail Construction dates back to 1903-1906 when the construction of the Otavi Minenund Eisenbahn- Gesellschaft (O.M.E.G) railway between Swakopmund and Tsumeb was undertaken as a privately funded railway to serve the needs of the Tsumeb Copper mine.

It was constructed as a narrow gauge (600 mm) line with 15 kg/m rails (9 m long) on light steel sleepers accommodating 6.5 tons per axle. The O.M.E.G line was purchased by the State in 1910 and the Kranzberg-Tsumeb section was upgraded to Cape Gauge between Jan 1958 and Dec 1960. This upgrading was done at the then branch line standards of the then Railway Authority, SA Railways and Harbours, at 15 ton axle load and laid with 30 kg/m rails in 36 m lengths on light steel sleepers and a very low ballast standard. This railway line served the economic, socio-economic and national interests of Namibia on this specific route very well during the 1960 ‘s up to the early – mid 2000’s when the economic lifespan of the rail track materials neared its end and maintenance backlogs accumulated to the point of near collapse of this line in 2011.

In the next edition we will look at modern day track standards and its importance for the economic viability of today’s railway systems.

(Acknowldegement: “ The First 100 Years of State Railways in Namibia”, Brenda Bravenboer, & Walter Rusch, 1999)

Construction ConstructionNamibia Namibia February February--March March2017 2017

13

ARCHITECTURE

Barnard Mutua Architects Following Barnard Mutua Architects’s (BMA) successful completion of construction of two state of the art buildings: the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) Headquarters Building:- NIA Award of Merit - ( 2nd highest honor awarded) and the Nujoma Offices Building - NIA Award of Excellence (highest honor awarded) and the subsequent honors awarded for the two buildings, Construction Namibia Magazine(CNM) went on to find out what processes led to this success.

CNM: Could you explain the spirit behind Barnard Mutua success in view of the awards received recently.

BMA: Commitment to professionalism - a duty to care towards our client is a key philosophy of our office. We take time to ensure that we place ourselves in our clients’ shoes and ensure if we were in the same position, what would we expect of our team.

Excellence; - The team at BMA has an intrinsic drive to ensure that the next project we turn out is better in some aspect from the previous projects we have executed. Constant improvement in personnel and in professionalism is key to our staff. If we are not improving we are regressing and will be relegated.

Ownership: - staff members handling a project take it upon themselves to ensure an exceptional outcome for everything under their care.

Teamwork: - we have the habit of spending time as a team reviewing design solutions and hearing out the teams opinions and incorporating them in the designs has resulted in more well rounded and thought out solutions.

CNM: Could you give the specifications of both buildings stating the uniqueness, how they are suited to the environment and how they meet green building standards BMA: Nujoma offices -Design report brief: The Client requested a contemporary mixed-use building to accommodate his business and as a long term investment. The building was to reflect his progressive innovative approach to business and to reflect the positive progressive mood of the

BMA - SACU Building 14

Construction Namibia February - March 2017

newly independent country. The client wanted to reflect the fact that the growth of his business was due to the support from those who shared his vision and was not a solitary journey.

A bulk of 4.0 and a further free residential bulk of 50% determined the size of the development.

The building is a village. A series of solid and voids are arranged along a street that leads via a generous staircase up from Luther Street. This generous staircase invites people in and ties the building functionally and visually to the neighborhood, in particular to The Village which is a short distance away.

Sculpturally the building is composed of a series of solids and voids. At the front, public end of the building the solids are offices on two levels. The internal street leads visitors past the offices deeper into the village to 8 residential units, 4 on the street level and 4 one level up. Staircases off the street lead up to the entrances of the upstairs units, both offices and residential. The staircases animate the spaces and further reinforce the notion of a village street.

The simple grid arrangement gives a strong clue as to how this village could be extended further towards the other flats seen on the hillside at the end of the street.

The buildings flanking the internal street read as two stories high. However the buildings on one side are three stories high when seen from the external street. The sloping site gave the opportunity to have retail units opening onto the lower street level and a parking area on the same level. Articulation of the façade at street level and the use of clip-on cladding serve to conceal the parking so that it is barely noticeable. Again the parking has stairs leading up to the internal street.

A canopy of perforated and cutout out steel panels floats over the street providing shade and a sense of enclosure. Names of people who have supported the client on his journey or who have contributed to buildings and words that express the client’s core values have been cutout of the steel panels creating a delightful shadow play on the floor and walls.

BMA - SACU Building

BMA - Nujoma Offices

scoops top design awards The forms are abstracted cubes and the detailing is minimal so as to reinforce the clarity of the space and the purity of the forms giving a contemporary and progressive expression to this unique village.

SACU-Design report brief: Established in 1889 as the Customs Union Convention, the Southern African Customs Union is an important institution which makes manifest the regional co-operation between the member states Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa and Swaziland. As such, the client required a head office, which would reflect the importance of this institution and fulfill the needs of the modern states and reflect on the cooperative nature of SACU. To give importance to the stature of the institution the design approach was to have a freestanding building with strong references to historic institutions, an â&#x20AC;&#x153;abstracted templeâ&#x20AC;?. The white painted cubic form stands on a raised platform in a classical manner, referencing other buildings of government and civic importance. The setback from the is road creates a space in front of the building that will become a forecourt when the wings on both sides are built up to the road in the next phase.

The cube is articulated and abstracted further through the vertical fins which create a strong columnar rhythm. Deep concrete fins on the north and south facades are contrasted with thin steel columns supporting sunscreen louvres on the east and west facades. The abstracted cube form remains uninterrupted, retaining the strong visual presence.The office building is contained within the exterior colonnade. The dark surface treatment of the top floor helps to accentuate the articulation of an abstracted exterior colonnade supporting a floating roof enclosing the office building.

Visitors are welcomed into the multi-volume entrance atrium via porte-cochere. The internal atrium is flanked by offices and walkways. The main stair and lifts are on axis

BMA - Nujoma Offices

with the main entrance. This arrangement creates a legible internal space which echoes the simplicity of the exterior form.

Offices are arranged around the central core optimizing the views and exposure to natural light. Deep fins, on north and south facades, sunscreens on the east and west facades mitigate against thermal exposure as well as articulating the form of the building.

CNM: What factors influenced the award decisions and to what extent does this confirm Barnard Mutua architects as a force in the design and construction sector?

BMA: NUJOMA OFFICES: This reprogramming of an existing suburban plot sensibly adds building density to the area and maximizes land use. It does so while maintaining an open spatial character and contributing favorably to the urban public realm. The shaded canopy courtyard manages to make a delightful open shelter while mediating the transition to the more private space. This mixed-use building is an attractive and compelling addition to the architectural language of the city.

SACU: This facility hosts and administers important regional and international trade and economic discussions.

The purity and abstraction of the monumental form is appropriate for the function and stature of leaders that are hosted. The layered facade and technical resolution allows a transparency and connection to the street and view of the surrounds; and addresses the security requirements through an integral experience of the building, site and its elevated position in the urban landscape.

The hope that teams on key public projects like the New Airport Terminal, Parliament etc will be open to and subject to a competitive selection process that will ensure the best possible solutions reflecting Namibia â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s unique stature is on display for all to enjoy.

BMA - Nujoma Offices Construction Namibia February - March 2017

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ENERGY

Renewable energy for Namibia

By Harald Schütt Namibia cannot continue to be electrified by conventional means. A population of 2,2 million, spread over 824 000 square kilometres cannot come up with the financial means to put each of the estimated 465 000 households on grid. And even if all these houses could technically be connected to a national grid, the majority of the Namibian population cannot afford rising prices for electricity, which would be unavoidable to finance the connection and centralised generation plants.

According to the Namibia 2011 Population and Household Census, 59% (135 084) of urban and 7% (16 512) of rural households are connected to grid electricity, and are thus exposed to the centralised distribution system with all its weaknesses and exorbitantly rising costs and tariffs.

To try and finance further investment in the outdated technical concept of centralised, fossil-based electricity supply from tax-payers’ money will put further constraint on the national budget and disappoint many of the people who voted for the new Namibian government, because many long-awaited investments will not be possible since the money needs to be used to service expensive international loans.

Government thus has two choices: either to bring electricity to where the people are, in order to make life more attractive in the countryside to persuade people to stay there, or to wait until people come to where the electricity is. Windhoek grows with approximately 10 000 people per year and approximately 44% of the Namibian nation is now urbanised, as compared with less than 28% at independence in 1990 – indicating massive rural-urban migration.

Namibia is in the historical situation to be able to decentralise Power generation not only technically, but also with regard to the valuestreams attached. Estimations say that 20 000 to 50 000 – some say even more – direct and secondary jobs of a permanent, sustainable nature can be created mainly in rural areas if the opportunities that are related to decentralised, renewable energy (RE) generation in conjunction with energy efficiency (EE) are put to use.

Bush-to-electricity can generate power on demand and at the same time employ thousands of workers to harvest the bush and run the power stations, while creating more space for raising cattle. Decentralised photovoltaic (PV) installations can provide employment for hundreds of people for the processes of setting up and maintenance. The installation of solar water heaters can also provide jobs, provided 1 NPC (2011:76).the decision makers in Namibia make their use compulsory and ban electrical water heaters (EWH), which are installed because of the lower initial investment, but incur exorbitant running cost for making warm water. Other technologies such as concentrated solar power (CSP), with storage, and biogas can fill the gaps when resources like wind and PV cannot meet the need.

New sources such as geothermal potential (hot springs at Gross Barmen, Windhoek, Rehoboth and Ai-Ais), wave power, ocean stream and others need to be explored and made useful for the Namibian nation. Such strategies would decouple power supply in Namibia from internationally linked factors such as the price for gas, oil and coal, as well as exchange rate fluctuations of international currencies, and would provide electricity to Namibian households and enterprises at conditions and prices that are dependent on circumstances prevailing in Namibia, not elsewhere in the world.

Prices for renewable energy can easily be kept at a consistent level, because the source of power generation is free and eternal, while prices for all fossil fuels and nuclear energy are subject to international developments beyond the control of any Namibian.

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ConstructionNamibia Namibia February February--March March2017 2017 Construction

Yellow - 220kV

Namibian transmission backbone: Transmission in Namibia is expensive First published in "Perspectives on Energy Security and Renewable Energies in Sub-Saharan Africa", KAS 2015, Macmillan Education Namibia"

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CONSTRUCTION

ADVERT

Construction Namibia February - March 2017

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FINANCE

DBN steps up to the Harambee plate

D

BN CEO, Martin Inkumbi says by approaching DBN early, project initiators can ensure that financial resources are available, when required for largescale projects and enterprises.

Inkumbi has announced that the Bank is prioritising infrastructure and business projects which are aligned to the pillars of the Harambee Prosperity Plan (HPP).The priority infrastructure areas, to which the Bank may contribute with finance, are energy, water, transport and ICT. The Bank will consider projects in these areas, promoted by private entrepreneurs, through public private partnerships (PPPs), as well as public institutions such as SOEs. He illustrates the difference by pointing to finance for Erongo RED to secure power supplies at the coast as an SOE,and finance for Omburu Sun Energy as a utility owned and operated by a private sector entity.

Inkumbi says the prioritisation is not a shift away from the Bank’s focus on key sectors identified

by National Development Plan 4 (NDP4), but an additional focus for the Bank. The Bank will continue to provide finance for larger enterprises, with annual turnovers of more than N$ 10 million, in the key NDP4 sectors of manufacturing, transport and logistics, and tourism.

He adds that the Bank’s historical track record closely matches the requirements of HPP. The Bank, Inkumbi says, has been active, since inception, in HPP priority areas such as social progression (the 3rd Pillar of HPP) through financing the delivery of serviced land and housing, and improvement and expansion of education and health services, through finance to private educational institutions and private medical services providers.

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Construction Namibia February - March 2017

General Manager Namibia As a leading international company specialising in formwork, scaffolding and engineering services, PERI worldwide employs more than 7,700 employees people at 64 subsidiaries in more than 70 countries.

Your responsibilities  Lead, motivate, coach and develop the Namibian team  Build up and maintain network with important stakeholders  Market intelligence for the region (trends in technology, competition, market, customers)  Responsible for driving revenue growth in the area  Responsible for delivering against targets and PVA (PERI Value Add)  Reporting on status of Management Accounts and progress against operational goals  Guide and lead departments for the compliance of standards of procedures both internal and external  Establish and monitor performance goals and key performance indicators of staff  Represent PERI brand and values Your profile  An accredited qualification in Engineering and/or Commerce  3 – 5 years’ experience in sales, logistics, finance/administration, design and general management of these functions, preferably within a formwork environment;  Strategically and sales oriented  Excellent technical understanding and project management experience  Very good command of Afrikaans and English  Competent in problem solving and negotiation, combined with well-developed analytical and organizational skills  Experienced in using MS Excel, MS Word, MS Powerpoint  3 – 5 years’ experience in leading and motivating a team Market related salary and lucrative incentives scheme on offer. Please take not that PERI is an equal opportunity employer. For more information, contact Theresa Senger on +27 82 49 32 989 or email theresa@teamfuture.co.za. All applications will be handled on behalf of the client with confidentiality.

ENERGY

The future of energy in buildings

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here can be no doubt that every building owner views energy use, a necessary evil, after looking at their utility bills. Recent announcements of the changes in governments, rising or even better, the fluctuating oil prices etc., has not helped calm the nerves either. However, the future seems to be mixed with opportunities to turn this around as will be pointed out further in this article.

Light at the end of the tunnel (no pun intended), seems to be coming in the form of renewables coupled with the Internet of Things (IoT) and energy storage. Even more so, as pointed out by General Electrics (GE’s) Bill Ruh, and as quoted by Kleiner and Sviokla in their article , the Industrial Internet is facing a revolution which will definitely affect the IoT. How is that relevant to you the reader and the construction industry?

Imagine the ability to combine the power of the internet (again no pun intended), to the power use and energy generated in your building, so that you gain full control of your energy cost structures. This would definitely be a revolution of sorts.

The current rain forecasts as reported in the Namibian Sun (14 February 2017) will be a welcomed relief to the effects of the current drought but of course is a reminder of the intermittency of renewables like wind and

solar. Our utilities do not like this for various practical and economic reasons. The ultimate solution then would be energy storage to provide “smoothing” and avoid erratic production / consumption cycles. However, the current reality is that storage is evolving and evolution in technological terms means increased cost factors until the technology becomes commonplace.

Well to place a practical thought here also, the smart people at Stanford University have focused their attention on developing a low-cost battery, that working along with a renewable energy source, could be fully charged in 45 minutes! . Imagine the impact of that on energy storage potential and the demand for changes in the way the construction industry configures buildings and building services.

Flynn points out that the battery technology features an electrolyte made with urea, commonly found in fertilizers and mammal urine, [which] could provide a low-cost way of storing energy produced through solar power or other forms of renewable energy for consumption during off-peak hours.

Developed by Stanford chemistry Professor Hongjie Dai and doctoral candidate Michael Angell, the battery is non-flammable and contains electrodes made from abundant aluminium and graphite. Its electrolyte’s main ingredient, urea, is already industrially produced by the ton for plant fertilizers.

“With this battery, the dream is for solar energy to be stored in every building and every home,” Dai said. “Maybe it will change everyday life.

We don’t know.”

What we know is that “change is coming” and you heard it here.

David Jarrett is a freelance Energy and Sustainability Adviser and Managing Consultant at RDJ Consulting Services CC based in Namibia. He can be reached at office@rdjconsulting.co.za / consultant@ rdjconsulting.co.za https://www.namibiansun.com/news/damn-good-rain/?

Flynn, J: Stanford Engineers Create a Low-cost Battery for Storing Renewable Energy (Renewable Energy World Magazine, February 10, 2017) Flynn, J: Stanford Engineers Create a Low-cost Battery for Storing Renewable Energy (Renewable Energy World Magazine, February 10, 2017)

David Jarrett

Construction Namibia February - March 2017

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FEATURE

BRING DISCOURSES INTO THE ENGINEERING FRATERNITY

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t home, at work or anywhere, when there is a problem or a disturbing issue we summon meetings to come discuss, analyse and derive solutions to the problem. Late in 2016 when teachers saw that their remuneration was not sufficient to meet nowadays high living cost, they summoned a meeting to discuss with the government how their remuneration can be improved.

Contrary to human nature, in the face of nation-wide infrastructure crisis there is a lack of discourses, discussions and dialogues in the Namibian engineering fraternity.

It is widely accepted by many that engineering is mother of all civilization which the human race has encountered. The primitive tools of the Stone Age, the invention of the middle century’s steam engines, the discovery of electricity and its wonders in the 20th century and lately the computer, mass communications medias and technology of the 21st century were and are artefacts of engineering which have transformed the living style of the human race. Engineers are needed in the society to find solutions to problems, find ways around obstacles and steer the society into doing things efficiently and effectively. Concerning engineers role in the society Boelter said “Engineers participate in activities which make the resources of nature available in a form a beneficial to man and provide systems which perform optimally and economically” for the society’s progress. It is to this cause when Founding President Dr. Sam Nujoma realized how crucially engineers were needed for societal and economic transformation, led the University of Namibia into establishing a Faculty of Engineering in Ongwediva, which is now a source of bright, trustworthy and reliable engineers.

While the importance of engineering in societal transformation cannot be overemphasized, the contribution to national issues by the Namibian Engineering fraternity over the past years has been minimal. In Namibia on many occasions we read of associations like “The Economic

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Association of Namibia “, “Law Society of Namibia” etc, organizing conferences and conventions for members to come discuss the state of affairs in their professions, national issues and opine on questionable decisions by government officials. Take for an example the role played by the “Law Society of Namibia” in the rejection of ungrounded amendments proposed to the Citizenship Act in 2016.

Another example is the “Economic Association of Namibia” which had a conference on the 10th Nov 2016 in which they discussed the State of the Namibian Economy. In so doing these associations inspire their members as INTELLECTUALS to be as Job Amupanda puts it “BINOCULARS OF THE SOCIETY” and as Prof Joseph Diescho says “PURVEYORS OF IDEAS” that prevent their societies from sinking into the mire of poverty, economic and social disorder, a course which engineers should be at the forefront. Furthermore we read of engineering associations like South Africa the South African Institute of Civil Engineers (SAICE) and UKs Institute of Civil Engineers (ICE) etc organizing conventions, conferences and dialogues for the said reason.

However, that is rarely SEEN and HEARD of in the Namibian engineering community.

With Namibia battling an infrastructure crisis (Low – capacity and worn-out water supply infrastructures, Inadequate Power Generation Infrastructure, Inadequate houses and serviced ervens etc) engineers led discussions with public office bearers and community members are needed for many reasons.

Firstly discussions will allow all stakeholders (Leaders, technical professionals, industry experts, public office bearers and community members) to collectively analyse the problem and recommend how it should be addressed culminating in a solution set wholly owned by all. Secondly engagements with all stakeholders will foster trust and facilitate the conception of evidence – based decisions, underpinned by a comprehensive understanding of societies needs (like WHO needs WHAT , WHEN AND WHERE) with acknowledgment of the

Construction Namibia February - March 2017

needed trade-offs. Thirdly, such engagements will raise awareness about the important role played by engineering in the society, which nowadays have been undermined by many policy makers and public servants.

Thus the Engineering Council Namibia (ECN) as the custodian of the engineering practise in Namibia must awake from the “sleep of death” and inspire Namibian engineers to creativity, innovation and invention through proper marketing of the engineering profession and through organizing discussion and debate platforms. To engineers as practitioners of the engineering trade, gone now should be the days of complaining and giving classical analysis of pressing national issues in our design offices, at site inspections and site meetings, it is time to take to the battle to the forefront. Let us roll out the conferences, “get to gathers”, conventions and debates that will conceive and foster ideas that will make Namibia a comfortable home for me, you and any other Namibian citizen.

This article was written by Hofni Unomasa Nguvenjengua. Hofni is a graduate Civil engineer from UNAM and also an associate member of the South African Institute of Civil Engineers (SAICE). un58479@gmail.com.

Nguvenjengua Hofni

INFRASTRUCTURE

The water supply to the City of Windhoek · The present need is stated to be 82 000 m3/d or 30 Mm3/a · The factual consumption is only 49 000 m3/d or 18 Mm3/a · From where and by when can the missing 12 Mm3/a be supplied?

From The Hardap Dam •

This is presently still by far the biggest dam in the country and has a storage capacity of some 300 Mm3

•

Because of excessive discharge which can cause serious flooding of the town of Mariental it is used only up to a storage capacity with 200 Mm3 and as such delivers 40 Mm3/a to the 2000 ha irrigation lands and to the town of Mariental

•

•

•

To increase the permissible yield needed are - Improved upstream inflow measurement to operate the outlet gates timeously - The clearing of the Fish River bed passing Mariental To deliver water to Windhoek needed are: - A Purification plant - The Pipeline 260 km long from Mariental at level 1100 m up to the Aris Pass at level 1930 m - The Power supply to the intermediate pump stations These measures can be realised in about 2 years at a cost estimated at N$5.5b

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Tel: +264-(0)61-233693 • infowhk@whssnamibia.com • 5 Nickel Street • Prosperita • Windhoek Tel: +264-(0)64-462020 • infoswakop@whssnamibia.com • 36 Hidipo Hamutenya St. • Swakopmund Tel: +264-(0)65-226212 • info-oshakati@whssnamibia.com • Main Road • Oshakati

Construction Namibia February - March 2017

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A

UGUST

Twenty Six

UBM CONSTRUCTION (Pty) Ltd

As the new year begins, we look forward to fruitful partnerships and long-lasting collaborations, bringing value to your projects and businesses.

Leopards Valley, P.O Box 81581, Olympia, Windhoek, Construction Namibia February - March 2017 22 Namibia

Tel: +264 (0) 61 - 243 325 Fax: +264 (0) 61 - 243 325 www.august26ubm.com

CONSTRUCTION

A picture collage of UBM exploits

Building of Navy Warehouse ( Rooikop), Walvisbay The Warehouse for the Navy was built using state of the art UBM machinary at the record time of two months.

Erongo Regional Council Warehouse (Rooibank) Building the Topnaars Project for Naras at Rooibank for the manufacturing and adding value to the !Naras. The building was build by August 26 Construction in record time of two months.

Accomondation for NDF Soldiers at AD Brigade Leopard Vallei This state of the art accommodation for soldiers at AD Brigade was built by August 26 using the UBM machine at Luiperd Valley.

They are beautiful and took less than a year to complete.

Air Plane Hanger at Swakopmund A small aircraft hanger for a private plane constructed near Swakopmund.

Construction Namibia February - March 2017

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SAFETY

Mengela Safety Consult - a leader in workplace health and safety

M

engela Safety Consult was established in the middle of 2012 and commenced with its operations 2013. Its founder Martinus Mengela built his career as the safety manager of private railway contractor D&M Rail. In that capacity he was responsible for all safety aspects on D&M Rail projects.

Through D&M Rail’s massive initiative to uplift and empower its employees through its social corporate responsibility programs, Mengela took up this opportunity to start up an SME. This way, the company sponsored to set up Mengela Safety Consult and supported both by being their first and biggest client.

“I started Mengela safety Consult CC because of the passion to eliminate barriers of becoming self-sufficient, financial independence, desire to be part of the development and industrialization of my country. I want to learn the ropes of industry leadership, and how being an entrepreneur could make me an expert in Health, safety and environments,” Mengela says.

Mengela Safety Consult has grown through leaps and bounds from a nascent company to become an experienced and well equipped allround occupational health and Safety Company with a key focus on OHS (Occupational health & safety).

Mengela says throughout the years the market demand coerced the company to

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expand it’s portfolio to deliver services to different industries such as oil & gas, mining, construction, logistics, earthmoving machinery and plant supply & services, General supply chain, consulting services on technical and financial feasibility of projects and their implementation, Procurement & Supply of goods and services, FMCG, Food safety and retail.

“While we were able to be a beneficiary of D&M Rail corporate social responsibility program, we are working very hard around the clock to ensure that our business systems and programs are well in place to attract confidence from our current and prospective clients. We are able to achieve this by ensuring that we have all the required business tools, accreditation, etc.

These strategies are gradually but surely falling in place thus making us an SME of choice to put our grip on these developmental programs through PPP, subcontracting facilities, business networking and referrals, etc,” he states.

“Our vision is to become one of the leading SME through provisions of optimised excellent Safety & Health services, training, Procurement of services, goods and deliveries, deliveries of Construction heavy and light equipment and all related services thereof with endeavour to make valuable impact to National development Plans’ goals and objectives. In addition, it is our vision to embark vigorously in oil & gas industry on shore and off shore,” he adds.

Construction ConstructionNamibia NamibiaFebruary February- -March March2017 2017

Martinus Mengela Founder

RESEARCH

A positive start for construction 2017

BUILDING PLANS JANUARY 2017

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ccording to a report by IJG Securities a total of 174 building plans were approved in January 2017 with a value of N$259.5 million, while 30 buildings with a value of N$7.85 million were completed. Thus far 2017 is off to a better start than 2016, where only 116 plans were approved in the first month and 25 were completed. The value of the approved buildings is nearly double the value witnessed in January 2016. However, on a twelve month, cumulative basis, 1819 building were approved worth approximately N$2.1 billion, 5.7% less than the preceding twelve-month period.

The report states that the largest portion of building plan approvals were made up of additions to properties, from both a number and value perspective. For the month of January 143 additions to properties were approved with a value of N$ 156.5 million, 148.3% more in value terms than in January 2016, and 48 more than the number of additions observed in the first month of 2016.

created a substantial base off which continued growth was always going to be a challenge.

The report further states that as a leading indicator for economic activity in the country this implies that the whole economy could remain under severe pressure. With government spending on infrastructure slowing and the current interest rate environment making it increasingly difficult for banks to extend credit, we expect further contractions in the construction sector in 2017 and possibly beyond. This is cause for concern as the sector provides a substantial amount of jobs and those employed in the sector earn low wages on average while supporting large families in many cases.

New residential units were the second largest contributor to building plans approved: 25 residential units were approved, 10 more than January 2016. In dollar terms, N$62.2 million worth of residential plans were approved, 162.2%% higher than the previous January.

The number of commercial units approved in January only amounted to 6, valued at N$40.8 million. This compares to 6 units valued at N$42.0 million approved in January 2016. On average over the last 20 years, 4 commercial units valued at N$13.5 million were approved in the first month of the year.

The 12-month cumulative number of building plans approved has ticked up slightly for the last two months. However, in the last year 1819 building plans were approved, 24.1% less than the same measure for January 2016. This figure has nearly halved from the peak in September 2013 to the current lows.

The construction industry has been a major driver of growth in the Namibian economy in the past. Private and public sector investment in infrastructure was complemented by the construction of three large mines. Between 2010 and 2015 construction took centre stage in the Namibian economy and Construction Namibia February - March 2017

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OBITUARY

Tribute to Kerry McNamara

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onstruction Namibia Magazine pays tribute to the late Kerry McNamara for his outstanding contribution to the construction industry in Namibia for the past 50 years. His death has created a void in the fraternity which is difficult to fill.

According to his long time mate, Dave Smuts, Kerry was born in Kuruman in the Northern Cape. He graduated with his degree in architecture in 1965, and came to Namibia in 1966 to work as the resident architect on the Ongwediva Training College, in the Oshana region.

This he did for four years. And so began his distinguished practice as an architect in Namibia for the next 50 years. In 1971, he set up a practice in partnership in Windhoek, and in 1977 set up his own practice, called Kerry McNamara & Associates.

Kerry's creative professional design work has over the years involved a number of building types, which both adorn and serve this country. They range from lovely private homes, to effectively coordinated designed commercial banks, to a mineral spa and the Hoba meteorite display near Grootfontein, to mention but a few.

Kerry Mcnamara 1941 - 2017

Architect

But his multifaceted approach to architecture was even more evident in his innovative design of public places, where space was conceptualised in the design so as to work well for those who use those buildings and the spaces around them. Some examples of these projects, which come to mind, are the RĂ&#x2013;ssing Foundation Adult Education Centre, his work for NUST, including its new library, and more recently the new open air market at Oshakati.

In the course of his practice, Kerry received no less than 17 awards from the Namibia Institute of Architects for different projects. In 2002, he was the first member of the institute to be placed on its roll of honour in recognition of his community work, and in 2010 he was the recipient of a Lifetime Achievement Award.

Kerry Mcnamara passed away in Swakopmund in January. He was 76.

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Construction Namibia February - March 2017

Construction Namibia February - March 2017

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