Elphick Proome Architects

SPECIAL REPORT: ELPHICK PROOME ARCHITECTS

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ELPH PROO ARCHITEC 21 YEAR THE MAK

HICK OME CTS: S IN KING

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By Stacey Rowan. From a small office space that comprised of a bedroom in a house in Morningside, to a small office in Berea, and then a self-built large office building, Elphick Proome Architects (EPA) has seen itself grow within the marketplace over the years.

Established in 1989, the practice is in its 21st year now with the two founding directors, Nick Proome and George Elphick, still in partnership. After expanding to a 60-persons practice in the last five years, the practice has developed another award winning studio in Westville, where it is currently located.

“George and I studied together at the University of Natal in the late 70s and early 80s and some years after qualifying we decided to go into

practice. The practice was established to create appropriate architecture that responds to function, context, region and climate and endeavours to create design solutions which rise to the challenges of our social and economic context and that make a significant contribution to the South African reality,” says Proome.

Defining moments Within the 21 years in practice, EPA has seen defining moments that have made the years that much more worthwhile. “I remember the moment Nick and I agreed to start a practice together and the day we moved into our first office building in Tollgate. The day we won an Award of Excellence,

EPA Studio, Westville, KZN, 2008.

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was also another defining moment for the practice. I can’t also forget celebrating our 20 th birthday bash,” says Proome.

Achievements & recognitions Apart from the fact that EPA is the largest architectural firm within the KwaZulu-Natal region, which is an achievement in itself, the practice also enjoys a rainbow nation in their studio, with a personnel of nine different

nationalities. “We also have projects in ten countries across three continents.

Our work is distinctive and well recognised both provincially and nationally,” adds Proome.

In addition, EPA has also received several awards including an Award for Excellence for EPA Studio, six National Awards of Merit for four different building types and four SAISC Awards, one National Overall Winner Award and one Special Commendation.

BELOW, LTR: ABSA Regional Head Office, Durban, KZN. One The Boulevard, Westville, KZN. Deneys Reitz, La Lucia, KZN. BOTTOM: Village Bharoochi, Westville, KZN.

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We are proud to be associated with the development of the Investec Regional Offices – Durban The first real Green HVAC installation in Durban.

The Investec HVAC installation was designed originally to comply with the requirements of a 4 Star GBCSA (Green Building Council of South Africa) rating. This was the original design intent and most of the options and alternatives were incorporated in the final installation. Below are the major design concepts implemented to achieve GBCSA Credits.

The air distribution to all offices is via a Displacement System which is based on low velocity higher temperature air being supplied at floor level via the floor void. This provides the ultimate indoor air quality as air is not mixed but flows up via convection to the ceiling return air path, thereby satisfying the IEQ Green Star Credit.

In addition, all areas are provided with individual control with variable speed drive motors where required.

A central computerized Building Managements System monitors and controls, HVAC, Electrical and other building essential services. This is an essential energy management system required to satisfy the Management Green Star Credit.

Heat Reclaim Energy Wheels are used to provide free cooling of Outside Air. This is achieved using free heat transfer between outside air and building exhaust air through the Energy Wheels contributing to the Energy Green Star Credit.

High efficiency Screw Chillers using Non Ozone Depleting refrigerants and Variable Primary Pumping further contribute to the Energy and Emissions Green Star Credits.

Side Stream Water filtration has been installed to reduce the amount of waste water through bleed off from the Cooling Towers, contributing to the Water Usage Green Star Credit.

by Noel Smith – Director and Senior Design Engineer of RPP Consulting Engineers (Pty) Ltd

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Plascon South Africa strives to inspire more ecological considerate decisions throughout our business. We have responded to the challenge by innovating unparalleled sustainable solutions based on the 3 fundamental pillars of compliance, sustainability and products.

Compliance = Green Processes Several Environmental Management Systems have been implemented in all of Plascon’s South African Manufacturing Plants and in 2005, we attained ISO 14001 certification at all of our plants.

Sustainability = Green Practices Pioneering ground-breaking processes have been implemented to ensure that we are starting on ground level. Our processes focus strictly on achieving complete sustainable progression.

Products = Green Products Plascon is dedicated to provide industry-first solutions, through quality, environmentally-aware products, which do not compromise the finished product performance or our world.

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Plascon Premium Brands – Double Velvet (white and pastel tint base), Cashmere (white and pastel tint base) and several of our Plascon Professional products all have VOC levels lower than 16g/ℓ when tinted with Plascon Inspired Colour colourants

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Plascon Cashmere was voted No.1 in the Product of the Year 2010 Paint Category for its Triple Action Bead™ technology. Cashmere diffuses light and hides imperfections, it’s washable and stain resistant and retains its stylish, plush matt finish over time.

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For more information contact the Plascon Advisory Service: 0860 2040 60 or visit our website www.plascon.co.za or www.plascontrade.co.za

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EPA is also recognised for its service.

In maintaining a positive and close client relationship from inception to completion of all projects, EPA is committed to providing a comprehensive and effective professional service which facilitates quality on time and within budget constraints.

30 projects. Days are full of meetings, design sessions and presentations for our architects and our interior designers,� says Elphick.

The work process at EPA, on a daily basis, places a strong emphasis on collaboration. The design of each project concept is initiated by a di-

A normal day at EPA

rector and developed within a team structure led by a project architect.

“Depending on who you are at EPA, or what position you hold, the day might seem long or short! Our studio is a busy place with a real buzz at times as we simultaneously tackle up to

Vaal Studio, Vall River, Free State.

Design review sessions are undertaken in all design phases, ensuring both an innovative and responsible approach to the design development process.

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Idwala Lodge, Elandslaaget, KZN.

“A normal day as an architect I expect would vary considerably across the world depending on circumstance, location and client base. Typically though, architects work hard, spend long evening hours designing, daytime hours chasing work, interfacing with clients and consultants and managing staff. It is a rich and varied career experience,” says Elphick.

The future of EPA With corporate offices and private residences, amongst others, being EPA’s speciality and what they are best known for, there is no end to their projects and new developments. “We have recently completed the new Investec Regional Head Office in Umhlanga, a 6 500m2 landmark corporate office building considered to be the finest office building Investec owns worldwide. In design phase is a new global showpiece facility for an international

corporate in Riverhorse Valley and a number of new office buildings in Durban and Johannesburg. Under construction are a group of cuttingedge private houses in Cape Town, the Southern Cape and KwaZuluNatal,” says Elphick.

Also on the practice’s architectural plate is “…generating our own development projects which have carried us through tough times. We are also building a very unusual villa on the island of Zanzibar and a corporate office in Lusaka, Zambia,” adds Proome.

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Ridge 63 Goba, Umhlanga, KZN.

ABOVE LEFT: Standad Bank, Kingsmead, KZN. ABOVE RIGHT: Investec Regional Offices, Umhlanga, KZN. BELOW: Gottlieb Group of Companies, KZN.

Proudly associated with Elphick Proome

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With private houses in Cape Town,

both small and large. We intend de-

the Southern Cape and KwaZulu-

veloping our design approach to

Natal and many office buildings in

embrace sustainability as a key as-

the works for the near future, what

pect of all projects. This is a moral

is the distant future looking like for

decision and demands clear vision

EPA? “We now have five directors in

and a practical approach to built

EPA and the future augers well as

outcomes in this South African con-

we tackle more challenging projects

text,â&#x20AC;? concludes Elphick. <

BELOW LTR: Quayside Point Waterfront, KZN. Spinnaker Point Waterfront, KZN. Protea Hotel Umhlanga Ridge, KZN. BOTTOM: Studio Elphick, Westville, KZN.

PALACE SHOPFITTERS Palace was registered in 1992

We have completed works such as Reserve Bank, Sugar Mill Casino, Sibaya ,Suncoast Casino and currently involved in Umfolozi Tusk Casino.

Investec new offices at Umhlanga, Durban and have worked on all Netcare hospital in Natal.

We specialise in Suspended ceilings, partitioning and shopfitting We do work ranging from small contracts to the larger ones.

We are BEE compliant with a level 2 contribution

Contact details: 031 464 6595