Leading Architecture & Design October/November 2021

October/November 2021

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UMPHAKATHI MALL Mall as community gathering place

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Contents

“Migrant workers and the low-income housing township in close proximity to the centre now have a new community gathering place, which has quickly gained popularity since it opened.”

Pierre Lahaye, partner at MDS Architecture, Umphakathi Mall [p18]

FIRST DRAFT 10 THE BRIEF Editor’s note and book review.

61 DRAWING BOARD What’s new in the world of architecture and design.

BLUEPRINT 12 7 CALAIS A luxury apartment building in Cape Town, designed by Daffonchio Architects, is designed to accommodate a modern urban lifestyle.

[p22] EDITORIAL EDITOR: Graham Wood email: graham.wood@newmedia.co.za SUB EDITOR: Anita van der Merwe LAYOUT & DESIGN: Julia van Schalkwyk PHOTOGRAPHY Unless previously agreed in writing, Leading Architecture + Design owns all rights to all contributions, whether image or text.

SOURCES: Shutterstock, supplied images, editorial staff.

COVER PHOTOGRAPH: Dave Southwood ADVERTISING ADVERTISING EXECUTIVE: Johan van Heerden | Cell: 082 887 6627 email: johan.vanheerden@newmedia.co.za

SUBSCRIPTIONS Felicity Garbers email: felicity.garbers@newmedia.co.za PUBLISHING TEAM GENERAL MANAGER: Dev Naidoo PUBLISHING MANAGER: Sandra Ladas email: sandra.ladas@newmedia.co.za PRODUCTION MANAGER: Angela Silver ART DIRECTOR: David Kyslinger Johannesburg Office: Ground floor, Media Park, 69 Kingsway Avenue, Auckland Park, 2092 Postal Address: PO Box 784698, Sandton, Johannesburg, 2146 Tel: +27 (0)11 877 6111 Fax: +27 (0)11 877 6198

14 PARKLANDS COLLEGE Parklands College’s new Innovation Centre, designed by dhk, embraces new modes of learning within an innovative, technology-based environment.

18 UMPHAKATHI MALL The new Umphakathi Mall in Randfontein, Gauteng, designed by MDS Architecture, is set to become a gathering place for the community.

ON SITE 22 OUTDOOR Focus on the exteriors of buildings, from lighting, braais and decking, to planters and pool covers.

34 KITCHENS Featuring kitchen mixers, water coolers and stone surfaces.

41 BATHROOMS Taps, tiles, sanitaryware and more.

50 SAFETY AND SECURITY From entrance solutions to barriers and fire safety.

56 WOOD One of the world’s most wonderful building materials.

74 FEATURED DESIGN Architect-designed pre-fabricated garden offices from Garden Studios.

MANAGEMENT TEAM CEO, NEW MEDIA: Aileen Lamb COMMERCIAL DIRECTOR: Maria Tiganis BRAND STRATEGY DIRECTOR: Andrew Nunneley CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER: Venette Malone CEO, MEDIA24: Ishmet Davidson Head Office: New Media, a division of Media24 (Pty) Ltd, 8th floor, Media24 Centre, 40 Heerengracht, Cape Town, 8001 Postal Address: PO Box 440, Green Point, Cape Town, 8051 Tel: +27 (0)21 417 1111 Fax: +27 (0)21 417 1112 Email: newmedia@newmedia.co.za

Leading Architecture + Design is printed and bound by CTP Printers – Cape Town.

Published by New Media, a division of Media24 (PTY) Ltd © Copyright Leading Architecture & Design Magazine 2021 www.leadingarchitecture.co.za

While precautions have been taken to ensure the accuracy of its contents and information given to readers, neither the editor, publisher, or its agents can accept responsibility for damages or injury which may arise therefrom. All rights reserved. © Leading Architecture. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, photocopying, electronic, mechanical or otherwise without the prior written permission of the copyright owners.

8 Leading Architecture + Design OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2021

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Ed’s letter When I look at the projects featured in this issue, I’m reminded all over again that architecture is, beyond its basic functions, crucial to so many other aspects of our lives.

Certainly the new Umphakathi Mall in Randfontein, designed by MDS Architecture, is a place for people to shop. But at the same time, designed thoughtfully and with a sense of people’s multidimensional lives, it’s a community gathering place. If architects look for opportunities, a brief to design a shopping centre can also become a chance to enhance the social fabric of the region. (Not to mention an opportunity to introduce some beauty and vibrancy to the built landscape. Making it attractive

undoubtedly helps draw people in and has a functional dimension, but it is simply uplifting, too.) Likewise, but in quite a different way, the new Innovation Centre Parklands College by dhk is so much more than just a school building. It’s a place that enables new kinds of learning, that encourages creative thinking, that makes a contribution to the rest of the campus, and leaves some space for playfulness and a light touch. In the end, both embrace the role that the quality of the spaces we inhabit play in the rest of our lives – which is crucial to the real beauty and power of architecture.

Graham

Editor's bookshelf

LIGHT SPACE LIFE Light Space Life is the first monograph from South African architecture studio SAOTA. Presenting memorable and distinctive residences selected from its wide-ranging global output, the book celebrates 35 years of innovative residential design from Lagos to Los Angeles, including houses from the dramatic South African coast where it all began. This monograph features 23 residential projects from around the world, illustrated with colour photography, and includes a foreword by Reni Folawiyo, founder of the West African luxury concept store Alara, known for celebrating contemporary African culture.

ANNUAL

SUBSCRIPTION: R452.00 for 6 issues (SA postage only, including VAT).

Email: Felicity.Garbers@newmedia.co.za Tel: +27 (0)78 758 6227

10 Leading Architecture + Design OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2021

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Streamlined

simplicity A luxury apartment building in Cape Town, designed by Daffonchio Architects, is designed to accommodate a modern urban lifestyle while taking advantage of mountain and ocean views.

Phot og r aphy: A dam L e tch

T

his picturesque site on the Atlantic Seaboard boasts sea views to the north and views of Lion’s Head to the south. The steep gradient of the site allows street-level access to the basement parking, with a lift taking you up directly into one of four duplex apartments.

The site constraints and client ’s brief to create four luxury apartments for a modern urban lifestyle informed the streamlined and orthogonal envelope of the structure, with clean and simple lines following through internally.

The ground and first floor house two duplexes, with the internal and outdoor living areas on the ground floor, and three bedroom suites on the first floor. The main bedrooms have sea views, while the other bedrooms enjoy mountain views.

The second and third floors are occupied

by two penthouses. The bedrooms of the penthouses are on the second floor, with the entrance and living areas on the third floor. The living areas lead up to outdoor living areas on the roof, which feature pools, outdoor showers and covered entertainment areas.

The external finishes are limited to three different materials: Neolith, Aluminium and Marmoran, all in a dark monochromatic colour palette. On the street façade, aluminium shutters provide privacy while shading the north-western sun. On the other façades, the windows are punctured in strategic positions in order to exploit the views of Lion’s Head.

The interiors are a series of clean lines and planes, with highlights of raw exposed concrete soffits and feature walls. The raw concrete is washed by warm indirect cove lighting.

12 Leading Architecture + Design OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2021

Professional Team Architect: Daffonchio Architects Quantity Surveyor: Oudmayer and Associates Structural, Civil Engineers, Fire + Mechanical Engineers: Ekcon

Tel: +27 (0)11 447 8118 Email: info@daffonchio.co.za Instagram: @daffonchio_architects www.daffonchio.co.za

P r o je c t #1 7 C a l a is

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www.LeadingArchitecture.co.za OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2021 13

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A large, steel-andglass double-volume recreational atrium, which also functions as a central movement hub and informal gathering space, forms the nucleus of the building. The DNAinspired pendant light-fittings are a playful touch.

Designing

progressive schools O Parklands College’s new Innovation Centre, designed by dhk, embraces new modes of learning within an innovative, technologybased environment.

Phot og r aphy Dave Southwood

ver the past several years, schools around the world, including South Africa, have begun to embrace new modes of learning. This shift has emerged as a result of technological advancements, new ways of accessing and disseminating information, as well as a pedagogical shift towards collaborative or blended learning. Parklands College, an Apple Distinguished School in Cape Town, is at the forefront of innovative education techniques in

14 Leading Architecture + Design OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2021

the country and uses these methods to develop global competencies and skills in its learners so they can build their own futures. In aid of this, the College recently expanded its campus to include a new ‘Innovation Centre’, designed to accommodate a variety of teaching methods – all within an innovative, technologybased environment.

Parklands College, along with development partner Milnerton Estates, commissioned multidisciplinary design studio

P r#1 o jeE cL Lt IP #2 S EPA WAT R KELRAFA NDLSL CP OL H ALSEEG1E

The building was envisioned as two solid rectilinear wings separated by courtyards.

The southern wing responds to the College quadrangle, while the gently bending northern wing provides a backdrop to the playing fields.

dhk Architects to tackle the project based on the firm’s sound track record and mutual interest in the future of forward-thinking education spaces. The brief was to create a substantial addition to its existing campus, dedicated entirely to spaces that facilitate these progressive teaching techniques and philosophies.

A PROGRESSIVE APPROACH TO PROBLEM-SOLVING SPACES A key focus area involved creating spaces to facilitate group work and classes that combine subjects (such as science, technology, engineering and mathematics) and art-based subjects into creative problem-solving activities. Additionally, as a local leader in the emerging field of robotics, another focus area was on

creating workshop-style learning spaces to facilitate soft entrepreneurial and vocational-based skills training. Furthermore, themes of interconnectivity, transparency and movement were vital to the ethos of the centre.

When considering what sort of ‘spatial instruments’ could facilitate such new modes of learning and how they might deviate from traditional environments, dhk conducted a series of workshops with the College and professional team, testing a range of configurations that balanced the need for stimulating and physically connected spaces with the need for moments of quiet focus, or careful acoustic control; spaces that balance a sense of containment with a feeling of connectedness.

The solution was ultimately found in the form of clusters of interconnected spaces of varying sizes, often adjacent to or connected by circulation spaces, which have the opportunity to become recreational areas or extensions of the learning environment.

FACILITATING FLOW WITH A SYMPATHETIC EXTENSION Conceptually, the building was envisioned as two solid rectilinear wings separated by courtyards; the southern wing responding to the College quadrangle, and the gently bending northern wing providing a distinctive, striking backdrop to the playing fields. The two wings are simultaneously split and bound together by a large, steel-and-glass double-volume recreational atrium, aptly named ‘Grand

Central’, which forms the nucleus of the building. Not only does the atrium serve as a central movement hub, it is also used for activities such as informal gathering, impromptu performances, self-study and immersive digital experiences.

Overall, the architectural design is contemporary and elegantly simple. It makes a distinct departure from the existing style of the campus buildings, yet remains sympathetic to the overall orthogonal planning. The form of the building was strongly driven by optimising spatial relationships while adhering to the basic tenets of good environmental design – particularly internal environmental comfort.

Continued next page//

www.LeadingArchitecture.co.za OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2021 15

Bl ue print This page and next: Large collaboration rooms combined with smaller break-away pods and highly flexible designs provide multi-functional spaces that balance opportunities for group work and individual study.

a continuous circulation route loops through the entire building in a threedimensional figure 8 and is actively populated with a variety of incidental ‘hangout moments’. The circulation route was designed to ensure the free movement of large numbers of learners while simultaneously providing visual connections between the building’s various spaces.

BUILDING FOR WELLBEING Research has shown that without natural daylight, fresh air, good acoustics and good thermal comfort, the ability to engage meaningfully and the opportunity for deep learning are compromised (we consider connection to the outdoors to be equally vital!).

Therefore, the use of brick and concrete for the primary learning spaces, which face north and south, were driven predominantly by the need for thermal mass to stabilise temperature fluctuations. The north façade was given a playful, modular articulation by creating an irregular pattern using large windows, deep reveals and light shelves.

The central atrium, being predominantly a movement and recreational space, was made distinct by the use of steel and glass, shrouded by a bespoke aluminium sunscreen. The building also ‘breathes’ on its own – all the larger rooms are fitted with C02 sensors and automated window-opening systems that measure the air quality and automatically open the

windows incrementally to optimise it and eliminate the need for air-conditioning.

Furthermore, acoustic performance was given significant priority and the specially designed system, integrated with the lighting, is vital to the success of the learning spaces.

FLEXIBLE SPACES FOSTER INDIVIDUAL AND GROUP ENGAGEMENT Collectively, forming the southern and eastern wings of the building are three large collaboration rooms, each with a series of smaller break-away pods clustered along their flanks. Adjustable and versatile, the rooms are designed to accommodate up to 150 learners but can also be adapted via sliding screens to become two to three smaller learning spaces for 30 to 40 learners.

A series of several small breakaway ‘pods’ feed off the larger collaboration rooms and allow learners to engage in smaller groups or quiet self-study. These back onto two inner courtyards, which separate them from the northern wing; a string

16 Leading Architecture + Design OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2021

of non-specific classrooms intentionally designed square to ensure there is no front or back. Two larger workshop-style learning spaces occupy the ground floor of the northern wing and are dubbed the ‘Robotics Lab’ and ‘Experium’ (Maker Space). The idea is for these spaces to provide learners with opportunities to prototype solutions to real-world problems using digital electronics, design, crafting and building. On the upper level, breakaway pods are expressed as suspended boxes that hover above the courtyards, clutched only by the top and bottom of the concrete walkway. Lastly,

MEANING & INNOVATION EMBEDDED IN THE DESIGN Throughout the building there are several playful details. One is the distinctive, perforated aluminium screen that bathes the atrium in dappled light.

The embedded pattern on the screen is a subtle reference to the concept of coding, where holes of different sizes create a sense of openness but also form vertical streams of light spots that reveal words reflecting the ethos of the building: ‘discover’ and ‘innovate’. Additionally, the DNA-inspired pendant lightfittings in the atrium remind learners of the human code within us…

Importantly, these big leaps in flexibility and multi-functionality are made possible not only by

P r o je c t #2 PA R K L A ND S C OL L E G E

the architecture but also by innovative furniture and clever storage, which play a significant support role in mode shifting.

These include mobile furniture items that can be quickly arranged in various permutations – whether by virtue of lightness or manoeuvrability courtesy of wheels. This could be storage that doubles as seating, or inviting nooks and perches to engage in a variety of different activities. Another example is colourful smart acoustic panels that house screens, Wi-Fi points and other technologies. Increasingly, the need to move, sit, stand, and even lie down and learn, is being facilitated via bar counters, poofs, ottomans, large staircases, and cavelike nooks.

While the pandemic put a pause on the building’s opening year, the new centre was praised when learners did return to the campus.

The adaptable spaces allow teachers to increase the floor area of their classrooms to ensure social distancing without needing two

classrooms and two teachers for each lesson. Also, the digital connectivity, including the green-screen breakaway rooms, allow learners to connect easily and stay at a distance from teachers but also remain engaged in the content (and allow for teachers to pre-record lessons). Lastly, all teaching spaces and breakaway rooms have excellent acoustics, natural light and crossventilation without glare, which make the spaces ideal for using technology while remaining in collaboration.

Parklands College’s Innovation Centre is the 2021 winner of the prestigious SAPOA (South African Property Owner’s Association) Awards ‘Other Category’.

Professional Team Developer: Parklands College & Milnerton Estates Limited Architects: dhk Architects Education Consultants: Parklands College Structural Engineers: Henry Fagan & Partners Mechanical + Electrical Engineers: Sutherland Consulting Engineers Landscaping: dhk Architects Quantity Surveyor: B&L Quantity Surveyors Main Contractor: Stabilid Cape Construction Fire Consultant: Sutherland Consulting Engineers Sustainability Consultant: PJ Carew Consulting Land Surveyor: bvi Engineering Interior Designer: dhk thinkspace Lighting Consultant: Lights by Linear Civil Engineers: bvi Engineering

Tel: +27 (0)21 527 7000 Email: cpt@bviwc.co.za www.bvi.co.za

Tel: +27 (0)21 982 8210 Email: admin@stabilidcape.co.za www.stabilidcape.co.za

Tel. +27 (0)21 425 0065 media@sutherlandengineers.com www.sutherlandengineers.com

a multidisciplinary studio incorporating architecture, urban design, landscape architecture and interior design + cape town + johannesburg

www.dhk.co.za

www.LeadingArchitecture.co.za OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2021 17

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Gathering place The new Umphakathi Mall in Randfontein, Gauteng, designed by MDS Architecture for developers MET Development, is set to live up to its name by becoming a unique, convenient and attractive gathering place for the community.

Phot og r aphy: suppl ie d

Vibrant sand-coloured patterns mimic a weave design on the exterior of the building while taking advantage of face brick’s long-term durability.

18 Leading Architecture + Design OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2021

P r o je c t #3 UMP H A K AT HI M A L L

The colour palette reflects the hues of the surrounding environment.

T

he new Umphakathi Mall strip mall is located on a prominent site off the main arterial road, Main Reef Road. With a large catchment area serving Carletonville, Kagiso, Westonaria and Randfontein, the mall has been several years in the making. Expanding from the initial 10 000m2 size planned, there has been strong local involvement in the development and construction of the scheme.

Pierre Lahaye, partner at MDS Architecture, says the development is a burst of beauty in a predominantly mining area. “Migrant workers and the lowincome housing township in close proximity to the centre now have a new community gathering place that has quickly gained popularity since it opened,” he says.

The first phase of the development offered 11 560m2 and this was expanded to 14 500m2 GLA with Phase 2. The design incorporates future opportunities for fast food drive-throughs, service stations, motor trade and additional major tenants.

SITE The site has a significant fall, which was accommodated by introducing level changes transitioned through landscaping detail. “In this way, a practical matter creates interest and becomes an integral part

of the aesthetic of the building,” says Lahaye.

As there is some existing retail in the Umphakathi precinct, town planning has earmarked a retail node including a value retail offering.

VIBRANT PATTERNS AND AN ELEGANT WALKWAY The U-shaped building creates a simple yet elegant covered walkway. Vibrant sand-coloured patterns mimic a weave design on the exterior of the building, which is softened by greenery climbing up at several points along the façade of the building. The colour palette reflects the hues of the surrounding environment.

The steel frames, including the columns, and fibre cement accents make for a neat and tasteful look. The lightweight steel frames used in the design also played a key role in speeding up the construction timeframe for the shopping centre.

With more columns, smaller spans were required and made the insulated roof sheeting simple to install.

Prominent signage ensures that both major tenants and the seating area stand out. “The idea is that major points of interest are created through activity to draw people in,” says Lahaye.

PARKING WITH A PURPOSE The courtyard of parking created by the U shape of the building has been

used for more than one purpose. The parking area includes photovoltaic (PV) cells located on top of structures to power the centre during the day, while creating shaded parking for shoppers.

“While this feature came at a significant additional initial cost, this investment makes sense in so many ways: it provides shaded parking and supplements most of the energy requirement during the day, which would have been difficult to achieve using the low amount of roofing on the building,” says Moegamat Behardien from MET

Developments.

“While shopping centre roofs are not always optimal to harvest the sun because of the slope of the roof, the parking area is ideal,” adds Lahaye.

Given that the primary use of the PV cells is daytime use, batteries are not required. Umphakathi Mall also has backup generators and domestic water tanks.

The building design includes a collection and public transport waiting areas for both busses and taxis, as well as easy pedestrian access.

Continued next page//

www.LeadingArchitecture.co.za OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2021 19

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DETAILING The entrance features brick detailing, using building materials in a unique way to create an eye-catching pattern while taking advantage of face brick’s long-term durability.

The landscaping provides a welcome dash of soft greenery and reinforces the idea of Umphakathi Mall as a sanctuary in an area with rather sparse vegetation.

“We’ve built a large play area in front of the food section at the main entrance with a tactile, rubberised floor finish.

We wanted to create an environment where young people and children want to stay and play, essentially building a new urban framework in an area where it was previously lacking,” he says, adding that a large grass area is under discussion for use as a flexible space for the community to enjoy.

There are lots of nuances in the design – details one notices only when they haven’t been carefully considered. “Similarly, shoppers may be on a

P r o je c t #3 UMP H A K AT HI M A L L

walkway and suddenly a car drives onto the walkway. In this case, there is no place of transition between the walkway and the edge of the kerb. Good design means you don’t quite know why you feel safe, but it works,” explains Lahaye.

The building is serviced from the back, which is all finished in face brick to ensure that the typically unattractive service area, which faces Main Reef Road, looks the same as the front façade. At the same time, this area provides further opportunities for branded signage, while serving as a striking pedestrian entry point from the residential area behind Umphakathi Mall.

The ablution facilities are

cheerful and elegant, with tiling patterns that subtly acknowledge some of the geometric patterns on the exterior of the building.

The shopping centre is cooled by opening windows in smaller shops, thus utilising passive energy.

Tenancy at Umphakathi Mall includes convenient stores like Pick n Pay, Boxer and the OBC Wholesale, which is a 750m2 chicken butchery outlet. It also includes a Cash Build hardware and building supplier, retail featuring both clothing and banking, and food operators in a food node.

INTEGRATED DESIGNS Other design elements

work in concert with the building design, including a logo designed by MDS Architecture to complement the development. “The feeling evoked by the typography – the way the letters feel – is part of a bigger design picture. When people see Umphakathi Mall and its logo, the name has the same feeling as the building. When done well, this relationship is almost subliminal,” says Lahaye.

While the building and several elements are linear, the logo is organic, with the letters U and M interlinked.

The association is symbolic of the way in which Umphakati Mall connects the community, by providing a place to gather and enjoy.

Professional Team Developer: MET Developments Project Manager and Principal Agent: BDLPM Architects: MDS Architecture Structural Engineers: Ellis Consulting Engineers Civil Engineers: Ellis Consulting Engineers Quantity Surveyors: RLB Pentad Electrical Engineers: KKA Consulting Engineers Mechanical Engineers: Air Innovation Wet Services Engineers: MDS Architecture Fire Consultant: IFESA

The U-shaped building creates a simple yet elegant covered walkway.

20 Leading Architecture + Design OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2021

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Low-impact luxury at its finest When it comes to luxurious living, only the best, most advanced and sustainable building materials will do. That’s why Eva-Last’s range of high-quality bamboo composite building products are making a serious statement in South Africa’s most sought-after destinations.

Nkomazi Private Game Reserve selects Eva-Last for sustainable, low-impact deck construction Nkomazi Private Game Reserve’s timber deck had reached the end of its useful life and was in need of replacement. Having had experience with the maintenance and upkeep requirements of timber, the game reserve owners sought quality composite materials for longevity of performance and selected Eva-Last Infinity Swiss Oak as the product of choice.

SAFETY AND PERFORMANCE CRITICAL While performance and longevity were important factors in the decision, another was that the main entertainment area’s deck is unusually high, at six meters above the ground. The owners required any new deck material to be an improvement upon the safety performance of the previous timber deck. Infinity’s non-slip and fireresistance ratings were, therefore, also key determinants of material choice. Adding to a safe and secure

installation, Eva-Last’s RapidRail system was fitted, including composite posts with stainless steel cable and, in some areas, glass to not obscure the view.

a lot of maintenance. Composite materials have also been much easier to handle and fit to the required shape.” – Andri Knight, owner, Nkomazi Private Game Reserve.

INITIAL PROJECT LED TO SUBSEQUENT INSTALLATIONS The initial order was for the main entertainment area deck, at 290m2. On the basis of this deck’s performance, safety credentials and aesthetic appearance, installations were commissioned for the reception area and a tented unit at several times the area of the initial commission. Further installations will continue in 2022 to complete the decking around all accommodation units.

KEY INFLUENCER QUOTE “The decks came out beautifully and their performance is excellent – we’re very happy. In the future, we will install decks around all the tents in our next phase. The previous decks were very expensive and required

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Project details Project Name: Nkomazi Private Game Reserve Project Type: Decking and handrails Description: Composite decking boards and handrail posts used to create luxury private game reserve main entertainment area deck, reception deck and decks surrounding tented accommodation Size: +/- 1500m2 Product used: Infinity Swiss Oak, stainless steel cable railings Date of installation: 2020 Project Location: Nkomazi Private Game Reserve, Mpumalanga, South Africa Architects: Bushtec Creations

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Steyn City opts for Eva-Last products to add long-lasting appeal As South Africa’s premium lifestyle estate, Steyn City selects only the finest outdoor building materials to add to the estate’s overall luxury and appeal. As a specification, Eva-Last composite building products used in and around Steyn City’s lagoon meet all architectural guidelines and, as a result, can be seen throughout the estate.

AESTHETIC VALUE A KEY DIFFERENTIATOR To reinforce the estate’s high-value look and feel, the most significant factors when specifying product was aesthetic value and character.

According to Steyn City architects, what sets Eva-Last product apart is not only the versatility of product application, but the extensive colour range, which offers the most natural timber look, while the high performance of Eva-Last products ensures UV-resistance, providing a long-lasting quality aesthetic.

LASTING DURABILITY ESSENTIAL To ensure a sustained quality finish,

selecting Infinity I-Series deck boards for the arched bridge over the lagoon allows for high traffic tolerance without any of the wear, thanks to the boards’ anti-scratch performance properties. Complementing the bridge and its low-maintenance requirements is VistaClad, used to clad the kiosk, and LifeSpan, used for the architectural showpiece pergola.

The use of LifeSpan for the pergola showcases superior design versatility, while offering structural integrity that is highly durable and weather resistant.

KEY INFLUENCER QUOTE “Specifying Eva-Last’s product was an easy decision. From the versatile and highly adaptable product range, to the performance properties and aesthetic quality that is offered in the most exciting colour range, EvaLast provides a complete package.

All the components, including the fasteners, installation and aftersales service is superior, high quality and long lasting.” – PW Hattingh, Architect, Nsika and SCAD.

Project details Project Name: Steyn City Lagoon Project Type: Decking, cladding and pergolas Description: Composite decking boards used for arched bridge over the lagoon, and VistaClad for kiosk cladding with accompanying wraparound Lifespan pergola. Project also includes fencing with fascia boards Size: +/- 640m2 (Pergola 280m2 | Decking 102m2 | Cladding 250m2) Product used: Lifespan Rusteak, VistaClad, Infinity I-Series decking Tiger Cove Date of installation: 2020 Project Location: Steyn City, Gauteng, South Africa Architects: PW Hattingh, SCAD (Steyn City Architecture and Design), Nsika, DBM Architects, Boogertman & Partners From the largest corporate installation to the simplest residential home, Eva-Last has products to suit every project requirement. www.eva-last.co.za

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Eurolux new product focus THE CURTIS LED SOLAR WALL LIGHT The Curtis LED solar wall light is part of Eurolux’s Lutec range of outdoor lighting. A perfect blend of form and functionality, Curtis comprises an opal diffuser and square aluminium frame, complete with an integrated PIR motion sensor. This means that the light automatically switches on when movement is detected, making it an ideal security lighting fixture.

LUTEC LED SOLAR GARDEN SPIKES These LED solar garden spikes from Lutec are ideal for lighting gardens and pathways. They’re easy to install and can be moved around the garden with the different seasons, so as to accommodate the changing direction of sunlight.

Made of die-cast aluminium with a clear polycarbonate lens, these solar fixtures will take up to eight hours of daylight to fully charge, emitting a colour temperature of 3500K after sunset. Although supplied with a mounting spike, these spikes can be removed should you wish to mount them directly onto a wall or gate post.

OVAL EYELID BULKHEAD This black and gold oval eyelid bulkhead will add a touch of understated sophistication to your outdoor area – be it domestic or commercial. The robust nature of bulkhead lighting means that it can withstand all weather conditions, dust and even vandalism. This design takes an E27 ​​ max 100W light bulb.

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MOTION SENSOR SOLAR LIGHT If you’re serious about home security, then a motion-sensor solar light should be included in your outdoor lighting plan. This 1000 lumen solar design, with rotatable integrated LED, can be manually controlled with an on/off switch or set to three other modes, each with its own activation specifications. With a 180-degree beam angle, it will ensure a large flood of light where you need it most. We recommend installing security lights like this high up, so as to ensure a wider spread of illumination and to reduce the risk of it being tampered with.

WHITE, DIE-CAST ALUMINIUM BULKHEAD Bulkhead lighting was originally designed for nautical use, to shine through fog and wet-weather conditions, which is why it makes for fantastic home exterior fixtures.

This white, die-cast aluminium design would look right at home around the pool area or outdoor entertainment space. It takes an ​​E 27 max 60W light bulb.

SQUARE BULKHEAD This square bulkhead is made from ABS, a material used in many outdoor lighting designs because of its resistance to impact and its structural strength. This design features a ceramic E27 lamp holder for a 15W energy-saving bulb and has an opal acrylic lens. www.eurolux.co.za

EUROLUX

PROJECT SOLUTIONS LUMENS

PR509

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step

step

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A lifecycle cost analysis is presented to the client, thus allowing for informed easy decision making.

www.eurolux.co.za

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The perfect built-in braai Although it is great to braai outdoors on dry/warm days, the risk of rain or cold weather prompts many people to install a built-in braai on a covered patio, to ensure that entertaining and cooking can be done regardless of the weather.

Before buying a built-in braai, how do you decide what is right for you?

WHAT SIZE BRAAI SHOULD YOU BUY? Size the braai to cater for the number of people you typically have around at one time. If you include an ember maker or go gas, you can continue cooking when you have larger numbers of guests.

WHAT STEEL IS RIGHT FOR YOUR APPLICATION? Mild steel works well in dry climates. 3Cr12/Stainless Steel are more resistant to corrosion and are the steel of choice for coastal or high rainfall areas. The closer you are to the sea, the higher spec steel you should use.

CHOICE OF CHARCOAL/ WOOD OR GAS: • If you make a wood or charcoal fire in an ember tray, it will take 45 minutes to get hot enough to cook over. If you run out of hot charcoal, you need to stop cooking while you get new charcoal hot.

• If you have an ember maker in your braai, it will cut down the time needed to get charcoal hot and you will be able to continue to produce hot charcoal while you are cooking. Providing you have enough charcoal, you can cook indefinitely.

• With gas, you need to light the grill at maximum setting and leave it to warm up for five minutes or so before you can cook. Very convenient if you lead a busy lifestyle and do not have

the time to get wood/charcoal hot. Some of the fat from the cooking meat will drip into the flames and ignite, giving the meat a similar flavour to that acquired over charcoal.

If you are catering for bigger groups of people and want the convenience of gas, but still have charcoal cooking ability, a Combo Braai is right for you.

Working platform – Ideally you need a stable work platform in front of the braai area to hold the meat platter, spices, marinades, braai tools and, of course, your drink. Consider how stable the platform is and how far out from the braai it protrudes. Too much protruding and you can get a sore back from leaning over the platform to get to the cooking meat.

Optional tools – By buying some additional tools, you have the ability to do so much more than conventional braaiing. How about a joint of meat, or chickens on a spit or in a spit basket? Or a stir fry, seafood or breakfast cooked in a braai pan?

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Storage of charcoal, wood or the braai, and put cupboard doors gas – You will need one of these to over to stylishly conceal it. be able to operate your braai with www.braais-sa.co.za ease. Consider a storage space under

BRAAI & EXTRACTION SYSTEMS FOR THE HOME ENTERTAINER Visit www.braais-sa.co.za to view our extensive range

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Top environmental certification for The Vanguard Collection Europe’s respected ‘Eurofins Indoor Air Comfort: Gold’ environmental certification has been awarded to the producers of The Vanguard Collection’s Dryback LVT as well as High Density Core (HDC) rigid flooring.

Extremely popular in South Africa, The Vanguard Collection is an exclusive range of luxury carpeting and vinyl planks, offering stylish flooring for home and office. The award of the coveted certification is now likely to inspire more local designers and property-owners seeking ‘green’ indoor environments to focus on The Vanguard Collection in future. Vanguard was launched in South Africa in 2016 with just four LVT ranges but has since never stopped growing in diversity and popularity.

Eurofins is an international group of laboratories headquartered in Luxembourg that provides testing and support services for various types of industry, including the flooring sector. The Eurofins Indoor Air Comfort: Gold certification provides assurance that the tested product fulfils low product emissions requirements, and testifies that producers – such as the European manufacturers

of The Vanguard Collection – are committed to quality and healthy indoor environments.

Eurofins’ product testing and certification are backed by a global organisation of more than 23 000 employees with about 30 years of collective experience. Eurofins Indoor Air Comfort: Gold combines the most relevant emission specifications and requirements in Europe in a single certification, and verifies regulatory VOC requirements and compliance with all relevant requirements in Europe.

The certificate is directly accepted as proof by programmes for sustainable buildings like BREEAM international and LEED (outside North America).

The award of the certification follows annual testing and inspections of production sites, at which manufacturers can show that their products have a stable and sustainable quality. More and more manufacturers are using the Eurofins label on products and marketing material, and it is now widely recognised as a global ‘Best of Class’ label. www.kbacflooring.co.za

Cape Town Tel: 021 464 4320 E: infocpt@kbacflooring.co.za Johannesburg Tel: 011 608 4270 E: infojhb@kbacflooring.co.za www.kbacflooring.co.za

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Free standing stairs made easy with Terraforce Need a neat and easy to install staircase?

The Terraforce 4×4 Step block, a light, drystack concrete unit, is ideally suited for efficient and economical steps, either in combination with the Terraforce L range blocks or for free standing staircases.

dependant on the manufacturer.

Compact the soil behind each step and ensure that the ground is absolutely level before you start laying the next row of blocks. In some instances, it may be advisable to place a bedding layer of stabilised sand below the blocks (5% cement added).

GENERAL GUIDELINES The step can be as wide as you wish; four blocks in a row will result in a flight 800 mm wide. With an overlap of 50mm, a single block tread of 350mm and a riser of 150mm is obtained, although a double row will work well on a gentle slope and where the steps curve. After positioning the blocks, push mortar into the hollow of each block, but only if the blocks are supplied without the internal T-bar,

STEP BY STEP STAIRCASE, FARM OLIVIA In March this year, a farmer in in the Hex River Valley, Western Cape, South Africa, required some steps up to his concrete water reservoir. He chose to use the 4x4 Step blocks to create a comfortable step of stairs that allow him and his family better access to the water. www.terraforce.com

1. Using builder’s rubble for a foundation, well compacted.

2. Spread dry sand cement mix and spray moderately with water.

3. Rocks packed dry and grouted with mortar to provide side support.

4. Side stopes to be stabilised, here with packed rocks to be grouted with dry sandcement mix, brushed into gaps before being moistened by a light spray with water.

5. Approved by Duck Duck, the Egyptian Goose.

6. Project completed, and the grass filled in along the base of the stone stabilised slope.

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Bhaca by Andile Dyalvane

Indigenus designs Contemporary African design brand Indigenus designs and manufactures a range of architectural planters for residential, hospitality and corporate environments. Designed in collaboration with leading designers and architects who understand the impact large-scale sculptural planters can have in an architectural site or landscape, the Indigenus range was developed as a solution that presents planting in a sophisticated, statement-making vessel with high style integrity, which would amplify and augment the scenic quality of creative planting.

Although Indigenus is known for creating large-scale planters, the new HOME IS SANCTUARY range, developed in 2020, is a response to a demand for a smaller scaled planter that could be easily incorporated into interior spaces as a decorative device, while still retaining all the design credentials, finishes and form of the original, more massive range.

“With most of us becoming more home-centric, it is important to find ways of bringing nature into our spaces in a design-driven way that works hand-in-hand with the furniture and finishes of a room in a holistic aesthetic,” comments Peter van der Post, director of Indigenus.

All Indigenus planters are

meticulously crafted. Made of raw, honest materials such as hardwood, cork and concrete, a recognisable aesthetic of pared-back, bold forms and organic silhouettes runs through each collection. Used as a single statement, cluster, or group configuration, Indigenus planters are designed to be versatile in how

Terra by Laurie Wiid van Heerden

and where they can be placed. For landscape and interior designers and architects, Indigenus planters increase a profound interactive experience of the natural and the built environment.

“Indigenus planters all have a close connection to the earth.

This is expressed through a stable and grounded design, made with beautiful natural materials. Each planter has an underlying story of our relationship with the natural world,” says van der Post.

Indigenus planters have been used by several globally recognised interior designers and architects such as SAOTA, Paragon and DSGN. Indigenus planters are available worldwide and can be purchased from our extensive distributors network found in Europe, USA, UK, Dubai, India, Australia, Hong Kong and Japan. www.indigenus.co.za

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The argument for water-smart pools Water, or the lack thereof, remains a hot topic in South Africa. Going into summer, Gauteng already faces unprecedented water supply challenges and the water authority is under severe pressure in a landscape where the water demand consistently exceeds the water supply. In the Eastern Cape, the metro’s supply dams are only around 12% full. The SA Water Chamber predicts a 17% shortfall of supply against demand by 2030. With swimming pools being a heavy consumer of water in the domestic setting, pool owners have to completely rethink how they design, maintain and use their pools, according to PowerPlastics Pool Covers. “[W]ater-saving efforts must start at home.

Blaming the ageing infrastructure and the drought is not going to change anything. Pool owners in particular need to step up and be a part of the solution. Put simply, if your pool is not covered, you are contributing to the problem,” says Andrew Crafford, Managing Director of PowerPlastics Pool Covers.

There are a number of issues to consider when it comes to maintaining a pool when water is restricted, such as during a drought.

Firstly, a pool is an essential part of your water storage on-site and ‘a last resort’.

During the very worst of a drought, residents turn to their pools as an emergency backup plan, using the pool as a reservoir. In such cases, the fewer chemicals in the water, the better. The only way to reduce chemical input but maintain proper water hygiene without

an outbreak of algae or mosquitoes is to use a ‘smart’ pool cover such as the EnergyGuard GeoBubble cover, which allows for a 50% reduction in chemicals.

Water levels must be maintained to run the pump. When left out of service for long periods, components quickly degrade and will need replacing, the pump too. The answer here is to keep water in the pool in the first place.

“All our pool covers stop evaporation by over 98%. On a typical summer day in South Africa, tests show that the average pool will lose 105 litres a day. And all that is needed is a simple pool cover to save water,” says Crafford.

The call to action goes way beyond homeowners. Golf estates and gated communities, gyms and schools, hospitality and safari establishments, BnBs and Airbnbs should be assessed from a sustainability point of view and covered with either a quality GeoBubble cover or a safety cover.

“Perhaps Standards like SANS 10400-XB should insist on pool covers in new homes.

Pool covers should also be part of the C40 Cites SA Building program. Pool covers should be part of green building bylaws for zero carbon emissions. There are many opportunities to use the different frameworks to offset South Africa’s looming Ground Zero on water,” says Crafford. www.powerplastics.co.za

32 Leading Architecture + Design OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2021

You design it, We Create it!

Let’s collaborate and design your bespoke one-of-a-kind, sustainable tented resort.

Our product offering includes full turnkey services and we specialise in conceptualising, design, manufacturing and installation of eco-friendly solutions to offer authentic and personalised luxury experiences.

For us no destination is too remote, no idea bold, no challenge too big.

Contact us today – Bushtec Creations, we create extraordinary experiences!

info@bushteccreations.com | www.bushteccreations.com Natural Selection – Jack’s Camp

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The heart of the home is undoubtedly the kitchen The kitchen is where special memories are made. Whether it’s making family dinners, packing school lunches or helping with bakers’ day goodies, the kitchen is where it all happens. It’s no surprise that parties always land up in the kitchen, so why not make a design statement in your happy space? Enter the NEO range of pullout sink mixers from BluTide. These mixers, which are the epitome of elegance and sophistication, are expertly crafted and available in three colour variations: • A matte black finish, making a bold and unapologetic statement of grandeur and nobility • A brushed brass finish, adding a nostalgic touch with its warm

undertones to create the kitchen of your dreams • And finally, a brushed stainlesssteel finish, which is sure to intrigue your guests with its cool understated charm. The most wonderful styling characteristic of brushed stainless steel is that you can create a contemporary space or you can captivate the magic of a true vintage classic.

Don’t let the glamour and beauty of these designer masterpieces compromise the functional requirements you require from a kitchen mixer. Not only are these mixers stunning to look at, they are extremely functional and practical to use. They are easy to

manipulate when rinsing off fruits and vegetables or when you’re simply rinsing your dishes. There is a spray function and a normal stream function. Both functions have their advantages and will be used extensively in any kitchen setting.

Should you wish to remodel your kitchen, be sure to ask for the BluTide Neo range of pull-out sink mixers.

BluTide products carry a 15-year guarantee against manufacturing defects. www.blutide.co.za

Rediscover joy in the kitchen Cooking shouldn’t be a chore.

It unites family and friends and brings culinary magic to life – through happy accidents, expertise and experiments. The kitchen is the centre of the home that connects the people who matter most in your life. And the hansgrohe Talis M54 kitchen mixers make a true meal of world-class design in this special space.

shape. The sleek design is built to fit the modern, open-plan lifestyle, where the kitchen is a place to congregate and catch up, and reduced design language makes conversation flow like fine wine.

ECOSMART DESIGN AND FRESH FUNCTIONALITY Available in beautiful matt black and sleek chrome finishes, Talis M54

CELEBRATE YOUR KITCHEN The Talis M54 is not just a tap.

When it’s paired elegantly with a freestanding kitchen island and built-in sink, its smooth, elongated high arc design – at the ComfortZone height of 210mm or 220mm – makes open-plan living and socialisation more natural than ever before. The Talis’s slender but unobtrusive silhouette is uncompromising, without any interruption to its perfectly curved

34 Leading Architecture + Design OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2021

mixers complement marble, granite, veneer or wood finishes equally. The pull-out spout extends easily for washing dishes or vegetables, and the Magfit magnetic support gently guides the hose back into place when you’re done.

Sustainable EcoSmart technology reduces water consumption by up to 60% and you can choose your pleasure when you install the two-jet

spray type, which features a smooth, uninterrupted laminar spray and standard spray setting – with easy switching between the two types.

QuickClean technology ups the convenience, allowing you to simply rub limescale build-up off with your finger. And the convenient temperature control is marked with subtle Temperature indicators, quietly placed so that there is no interruption to the design.

MAKE IT WITH LOVE hansgrohe brings you forwardthinking, ecologically-friendly functionality – all packaged in undeniably beautiful design – into the most important room in your home, where memories are made and culinary legends begin. Whatever the case may be, it will all flow seamlessly with hansgrohe. www.hansgrohe-group.com

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Introducing Duram’s New ArmaGuard Duram’s New ArmaGuard is a fine-textured exterior wall paint for extreme weather protection.

It is formulated with OptiFlex technology for optimised flexibility to cover hairline cracks and plaster imperfections with enhanced dirt resistance.

ArmaGuard offers ultimate protection for exterior walls and trims and has a 15-year Quality Guarantee.

It offers advanced ColourSmart technology for high colour accuracy and consistency, beautiful depth of colour and exceptional endurance and fade resistance. Choose between 11 contemporary standard colours, ranging from subtle hues to intense shades. ArmaGuard is also available for colour tinting.

ArmaGuard has a low odour and low VOC with minimal chemical emissions, protecting your health and

that of the environment. It has an easy, low-splatter application with

36 Leading Architecture + Design OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2021

a brush or roller for quick-drying, same-day application and is waterbased for easy clean-up without the need for strong chemicals.

Its superior-quality formula provides the utmost protection against weather and UV damage, and it’s high dry film build makes it tough, durable and long lasting.

This product offers excellent adhesion and obliteration, exceptional recoating properties and is water-vapour permeable.

ArmaGuard is specifically engineered and laboratory tested.

Try a colour sample – each colour is available for purchase in a convenient and affordable 90ml Colour Sample. Paint a test patch on different walls and see how the colour subtly adapts to the changing light throughout the day.

Duram ArmaGuard is available at leading hardware stores. www.duram.co.za

SITTING LEOPARD 70 |

GBR/25313/LA

BRING HABITAT HOME

HIGHVELD STORM 12 |

HABITAT C olo u r C o l l ec tion 90 inspired paint colours

Duram’s Habitat Colour Collection draws inspiration from nature’s diverse colour palette. Featuring a selection of 90 inspired paint colours, all conveniently availab le in 90 m l Colour Sam ples. Ear t hy and s o p his ticated, bold yet neut r al, it ’ s nev er been simpler to find the perfect colour.

Ask for Duram at your local hardware store.

The paint that’s made smart to look smart.

Dry paint colour and sheen may vary from colours shown.

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Florim stone

now available in SA The wait is over – Florim Stone Large Format Slabs have landed in South Africa. Stronger than quartz and impervious to stains, this elegant sintered stone is now available at The Granite Company.

Sintering is the process by which heat and compression convert powder to hard mass. While we see this process in nature in the creation of granite, sintered stone mimics this process, but comprises

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in a stronger, non-porous slab engineered to last.

“This is a revolutionary technology,” said Keith Endean, Director of The Granite Company, “and we are proud to offer largeformat slabs, 6 and 12mm thick, in beautiful colours to the South African market. We also have various finishes available, matte, glossy or textured, to suit any design need.”

Italian manufacturers Florim

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different materials, which results

industry, bringing style together with clever engineering. With this extraordinary technology, tiles and grouting are a thing of the past. This highly versatile product can be used across the home, both in and outdoors; however, its real point of difference is its solution for the kitchen – an invisible hob.

Florim Stone’s unique technology uses specialised heat dissipation circles placed underneath the stone, creating a completely invisible induction system.

“We are really excited about working with Florim Stone as they really care when it comes to sustainability,” Mr Endean continued. “The product is made using 100% recycled water as well as self-generated solar energy to power their factories. It is also certified as a Benefit Corporation – the only company to attain this within the sector.”

Additionally, Florim Stone are dedicated to the product’s longevity, and utilise specialised technical materials to ensure correct installation every time, as well as a full-time technician available to answer any customer questions. www.graniteco.co.za

Stone are true innovators in the

WHOLESALERS OF GRANITE, ENGINEERED QUARTZ AND SINTERED STONE SLABS

GRANITE & MARBLE

ENGINEERED QUARTZ

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SINTERED STONE

STONE-VENEER

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Say hello to the future of water BIBO is driving the future of water. With unparalleled innovation, BIBO brings you a careful selection of cutting-edge water products for homes and offices.

Among designers’ favourites is the BIBO bar, an all-in-one water purifier, kettle and cooler wrapped in a single and beautiful package. This countertop unit not only adds pizzazz to any space, but is a practical water solution for most domestic and office environments. The BIBO bar offers instant purified ice-cold and boiling hot water at the touch of a button, and is plumbed in-line for endless supply. With 11 colours to choose from, you will find the BIBO bar a match for your next project. What‘s more, BIBO offers various payment solutions for your clients, including rentals.

New on the market is the revolutionary BIBO express2 – an instant and endless water boiler like no other. Not only is this stunner competitively

40 Leading Architecture + Design OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2021

priced against other available water boilers in the market, but it also makes use of the latest technology to significantly reduce water and energy waste. The secret behind the BIBO express2 is that it boils water instantly as it is dispensing, so that only the exact amount of water for your cup is boiled. And because the BIBO express2 boils water as you need it, it is perfect for both high- and low-usage environments. In addition, the BIBO express2 has a safety non-drip function, which means you can wall-mount it anywhere, there is no need for it to be on top of a sink or drainage point. Now dispensing at twice the speed than before, there is no reason not to include the BIBO express2 in your next project. Think canteens, pause areas, boardrooms, homes, offices, you name it. Functional and beautiful, BIBO’s solutions are unsurpassed. www.bibo.co.za

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Champagne in the Winchester The Winchester Hotel, the classic Cape Revivalist landmark overlooking the Sea Point promenade in Cape Town, has reopened after a R90m renovation. This much-loved icon, which is almost a century old, was updated to suit the needs of the contemporary traveller while maintaining a strong sense of its heritage, cognisant of the nostalgia generations of local and international visitors associate with it.

“The building comes with an enormous history, personality and charm,” says Mardré Meyer, creative director at Source Interior Architecture, which guided both the refurbishment and rebranding of the hotel. “In reimagining what the hotel could be, it was important for us to reference and respect that past, while also creating a more contemporary experience that fits with the needs and desires of today’s global traveller.”

The hotel’s public spaces were enlivened by an eyecatching monochromatic colour scheme of richly detailed black-and-white tiles, offset by striking signature chandeliers and splashes of colour and character.

All 76 guestrooms and suites have been thoughtfully updated, too. Carpets, bathrooms and fittings have been entirely replaced. The spacious en-suite bathrooms are a particular triumph, with expansive showers complemented by glamorous touches that hint at the golden era of travel, from elegant freestanding baths to champagne-hued brushed-metal faucets from Mier, available from Flush Bathrooms.

“Our backdrop is all about black and white, and we used it in a very bold way,” says Meyer. “It gives us a beautiful stage for the faucets.”

He says that one of Source’s main reasons for selecting Meir faucets was the fact that the range looked appropriate without merely copying an historical style.

“The Meir champagne tapware has elegance, romance and proportions that feel appropriate to this kind of building,” he says.

They enabled the modernisation of the bathroom experience while maintaining a sense of coherence and appropriateness in keeping with the romance and glamour of the historical architecture. In fact, the Mier range ended up taking centre stage and “really became the most decorative items in the bathrooms, because the colour is strong, so it really becomes the hero of the … bathroom.

“The bathroom refurbishment for this building is the heart of what this renovation is about.” www.flushbathrooms.co.za

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Cobra now offers the full bathroom solutions Kitchens and bathrooms are quite unique, so they’re often styled differently from the rest of the neighbouring rooms. It is also safe to say that in today’s world, the bathroom has become the epicentre of the modern-day home. Outside of the kitchen, it is the most frequented room, by family, friends and guests.

With this in mind, it is important that the ultimate bathroom possesses a certain element of not only cleanliness but cohesiveness too, both in style and design.

As a result, Cobra recently introduced its latest offering, the complete bathroom solution from the Cobra new ceramic and mixer ranges.

One might wonder what is meant by “a complete bathroom solution” – well, Cobra is your one-stop-shop for all your bathroom and sanitaryware needs, from shower heads, basins to toilet, cisterns, taps and mixers.

The new Cobra bathroom solutions connect everyday moments with bathroom fittings that speak to both your needs and desires, while eliminating the stress of creating a bathroom where all elements match. This full bathroom solution was designed to complement both design and style, all while making the customer journey experience easier with a full solution to fit any home.

This new offering consists of four distinct ranges, dedicated to capturing the timeless moments spent and created in the bathroom.

The ranges are: • Welcome – a range designed to transform the bathroom into a comfortable space with modern design cues • Followed by Shelter – a range that derives its cues from creating a safe and comfortable space

• Next is Pause – a range that is

meant to inspire awe, where one takes the time to embrace the beauty of their surroundings • And finally, Arrive – a showstopping range that is made to be shown off and make a statement.

To complement the ceramic sanitaryware, Cobra also recently introduced its new tap and mixer collection with ranges including

Recess, Breathe and Pause.

With all the above, it is clear to see how Cobra is committed and dedicated to providing the utmost comfort, style and modern-day bathroom and kitchen. Cobra’s complete bathroom solutions afford one peace of mind when it comes to designing and achieving the ultimate time out. www.cobra.lixil.co.za

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42 Leading Architecture + Design OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2021

COBRA LAUNCHES

F UL L BATH ROOM S OL UT IO N

Cobra now offers the full bathroom solution, ensuring each product fits together seamlessly. Each range allows you to choose the style that best suits your project.

+ Amazon Basin Mixer

+ Arrive Square Basin and Semi Pedestal

+ Pause Wall Hung Toilet Pan

For more information visit: cobra.lixil.co.za or contact customer.helpdesk@lixil.com

Flush Plate Square TO STEP INTO THE COBRA VIRTUAL SHOWROOM NOW

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Ceramic Industries invests in world-leading tile tech Installation of one of the world’s most advanced tile-production facilities has been finalised in Hammanskraal, Gauteng.

Ceramic Industries’ new SAMCA+ plant features Italian-made SACMI tile-pressing equipment, along with a new 241m-long, energy-efficient kiln.

“As an innovative business with a long-term view on our investments, we decided to get ahead of the game and invest in world-leading technology and machinery,” says SAMCA+ Factory Manager Jaco Snyman. The investment totals R274m, and includes the installation of energy-efficient, Italian-made SACMI Continua equipment, production lines and kiln.

WHAT MAKES SAMCA+ DIFFERENT? Conventional tile pressing is achieved by filling a cavity with clay, then pressing it between two punches. The bisque emerges as rectangular or square shapes to a size determined by the amount of clay in the cavity and the size of

the die box. By contrast, the new machinery uses technology that’s able to form the clay between two large rollers in a continuous feed.

The clay is cut to size thereafter.

This ensures maximum flexibility for tile dimensions, allowing unlimited lengths, widths of up to 1 800mm and thicknesses of between 3mm and 30mm.

“This is a first for our Group, and a first in southern Africa. Few manufacturers in the world have the ability to produce a red-body tile with high-quality textures and unrivalled surfaces,” says Snyman.

NEW TECH, NEW TILES, NEW SIZES SAMCA+ will be producing largeformat floor tiles, responding to a

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strong preference in the market for the near-seamless look that can be attained with these sizes.

The initial production will include sizes up to 600 x 600mm in square tiles and up to 600 x 1 200mm in rectangular tiles. Production trials on slabs up to 1 800 x 3 000mm in size are planned, and when these are production-ready, they’ll be the only South African-made slabs on the market.

An in-line rectification plant forms part of the manufacturing process, producing perfectly square edges that allow for grouting gaps as small as 1mm, ideal for attaining an uninterrupted design effect.

Initial production will commence in September 2021, and from early

2022 SAMCA+ will also manufacture a select range of shiny tiles. Stateof-the-art printing equipment will allow for special effects and printed profiled finishes.

ENVIRONMENTAL LEADERSHIP “We have ambitious plans to become a producer with zero carbon emissions, so the environmental credentials of any new plant equipment is crucial,” says Snyman. By the company’s current estimations, the new equipment will result in a 17% saving on electricity and a 21% saving on gas.

Part of the efficiencies are won from heat recovery, with hot air directed from the kiln’s cooling chimney to the drier.

a dv e r t o ri a l

The continuous production method also reduces clay wastage from 12% to just 3%. However, the aim is to achieve zero waste on clay, and the new machinery allows for 100% recovery for reuse in the milling process.

PREPARING FOR DEMAND Installation has been completed and production will commence in September 2021. A team of 14

Italian technicians have overseen the process in collaboration with the local SAMCA+ team. “Our team members are in a unique position, as they have had the opportunity to re-build and install state-of-theart equipment they will ultimately be working with,” says Snyman.

“We’ve learnt new skills from the SACMI team, enabling us to become the most technologically advanced tile producer in South Africa.”

Snyman emphasises the company’s track record of successfully reading international design trends and the needs of the local market. “We’re confident South Africans are going to love these new, high-quality, large-format tiles – made with ecologically responsible methods by a proudly South African company,” he says. www.ceramic.co.za

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Small bathroom?

So what?

Just because your bathroom is small does not mean you cannot design or renovate it the way you’ve always dreamed about…

Bathroom renovations can be a costly undertaking, which means good planning and durable products are essential. The result is long-lasting pleasure in the bathroom. Studies show that the bathroom is one of people’s

favourite places for switching off and recharging their batteries.

However, they also say that the average bathroom has a floor area of not quite 7m2 . That means there’s not much space for the bare essentials, let alone a place for feeling at ease. Does that mean you have to bid farewell to hopes of a dream bathroom? Not necessarily. Even though your

own bathroom may fall short of the dimensions of the bathroom landscapes shown in glossy magazines, there are always ways and means of creating a sense of spaciousness and comfort.

The trick is to reduce the solely functional elements to a minimum and to conceal things such as the cistern and washbasin trap. This is achieved by using half or room-

height installation walls that not only hide the technology but also serve as room dividers, providing an uncluttered look and creating a certain added sense of comfort. So, the answer is yes. Yes, it is possible to design a comfortable bathroom even when space is limited.

Here are a few helpful insights to keep in mind when designing your bathroom: THE LUXURY OF SPACE Simply installing a new wall-hung WC and washbasin with matching cabinet results in a much tidier and cleaner bathroom. Among other reasons, this is due to the free space underneath the toilet and washbasin area, which makes the room appear larger.

CLEANLINESS MEANS COMFORT A well-designed bathroom is not just a question of designs and colours – hygiene and cleanliness also play an important role.

Avoiding corners and edges – as can be seen in the example with the wall-hung WC – eliminates nooks and crannies that would otherwise have to be cleaned carefully. The less time spent cleaning, the more time you have to enjoy your bathroom.

HARMONIOUS DESIGN When you buy a new sofa, you have to make sure it fits in with the style of the rest of your apartment.

A harmonious look is also in demand when choosing the toilet, washbasin and furniture in the bathroom. After considering space and comfort when fitting out the bathroom, the design is the cherry on the cake in creating a perfect bathroom ambience. www.geberit.co.za

46 Leading Architecture + Design OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2021

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Axor – following a tradition of pure perfection A bastion of faultless German design and precision at its finest, AXOR works with a host of internationally renowned designers and architects, each of whom adds a personal touch to the products they shape with their imagination and flair.

Passion shines through in every detail with AXOR’s extensive variety of styles. The renowned artists that have contributed to the AXOR aesthetic include Philippe Starck, Antonio Citterio, JeanMarie Massaud, Patricia Urquiola and Barber & Osgerby.

Their designs range from the exquisitely minimalist to the avantgarde, and are simultaneously innovative and timeless.

AXOR’s high-end German precision and aesthetically pleasing design add a new dimension of style to any home. You can brighten up your bathroom with a selection of seamless solutions that will kit you out for comfort from top to tail – from decadent showers to beautiful bath taps and a world of uncharted luxury that truly turns your home into a refuge.

AXOR ONE – GROUNDED IN PERFECTION Meticulously designed by Barber Osgerby (Edward Barber und Jay Osgerby), the AXOR One collection captures the essence of luxury with its sleek design, purely pleasurable

48 Leading Architecture + Design OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2021

functionality and inimitable class entirely unto its own.

The AXOR One collection of slender, elegant forms embodies the principles of compact luxury, where space is at a premium but quality is non-negotiable. AXOR One generously melds purity and sophistication with perfectly interactive precision and control.

AXOR One washbasin mixers combine elemental forms with ultra-precise Select technology, for push-button control.

AXOR One overhead showers bring curved geometry in design to life and the hand showers are defined by monolithic forms, driven by the power and relaxation of variable Rain and PowderRain spray types. The AXOR One floorstanding bathtub tap tops the overall look off with its sleek, archetypal form, distinguished by a high parabolic spout.

The AXOR Universal Circular Accessories programme is the perfect complement to the

AXOR One collection. Designed in collaboration with Barber Osgerby, the range reflects AXOR’s passion for highly functional, expertly crafted design objects in the bathroom. The accessories programme includes a wall mirror, shaving mirror, towel hooks, single and double hooks, a towel holder, and a cosmetic tissue box.

For the shower, the programme offers a shelf and a bath towel holder in various lengths. For the toilet area, a paper roll holder, a toilet brush holder and a dustbin are available. The entire collection can be individualised in Matt Black or an exclusive AXOR FinishPlus surface.

AXOR One brings the benefit of sheer, minimalist design to life, balancing a radically reduced aesthetic with exceptional functionality. Discover the new trend in sleek, compact bathroom design and find a whole new way of living with water – the One way. www.axor-design.com/int/

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Secure your entire site with Aperio® wireless locks As building security becomes smarter, the need for electronic access control systems spreads further. With Aperio technology from Assa Abloy, all doors can easily be upgraded and wirelessly linked to the access control system by using Aperio battery-powered electronic locking devices with integrated RFID card readers – optimising access control and boosting security.

Because Aperio is built using open technology standards, access control devices can integrate seamlessly with systems like Incedo, Lenel, Impro, Axis Communications, Gallagher, Genetec, Tyco and Honeywell, among others.

No matter what security level you need, Aperio has devices for

any door type and application.

Some rooms demand additional security protocols like scheduled authorisations or fire protection.

Others with high traffic need to permit quick and convenient access to anyone who can enter. Aperio can handle it. It can be installed in multiple sites for data centres, multi-unit residentials, commercial and hotel applications.

Looking at some of the products from the Aperio range, we have the high-security L100 security lock with integrated door sensors. This lock has an 850kg side force, making it perfect for your exterior doors.

H100 is a contemporary and intelligent handle that can be integrated into any access control

system via AADP protocol integration or via Aperio Wiegand Hub. It is ideal for interior doors with easy fitment – just remove the old mechanical handle and install the new H100 to have a fully access-controlled door.

It is important to mention that considering the POPI Act in place, and the focus on data security, the KS100 and KS200 server rack locks enable the server racks to be incorporated into your company’s access control system. In shared data centres, these are ideal to give access only to the relevant IT technicians.

Our locks are enabled for mobile

credentials to improve security – use your mobile phone to access doors with the H100 and E100, which are fully NFC and BLE compatible. The C100 will be released in a BLE version shortly as well.

Installing wireless locks is far more cost-effective than hardwiring doors into an access control system – no cabling or invasive building work around the door is needed. Aperio makes for an easy and attractive upgrade to your access control system. www.assaabloyopeningsolutions.co.za

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For more information, follow this link https://www.assaabloyopeningsolutions.co.za/en/ products1/digital-access-solutions-and-access-control/ wireless-card-ble-locking-solutions/aperio/

+27 11 761 5000 or za.info@assaabloy.com

50 Leading Architecture + Design OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2021

STOPPING FIRES BEFORE THEY START! ASP Fire is able to conduct fire-risk assessments and Rational Fire Designs for shopping centers.

Fire plans have to be resubmitted for approval whenever a tenant changes, or if the internal layout of a shop changes.

Ceiling void smoke detection, void fire protection and the activation of smoke extraction systems by tenant fire panels are areas often ignored when shopping centers are built.

Most tenants are not aware of the specific requirements for automatic fire detection and alarmsystems and their obligation to install them.

+27 11 452 2169

ASPFIRE Chat to us on LinkedIn

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Multiple solutions for window security Windows bring air and light into a room, link it with the world outside, and reflect the architectural appeal of the structure. They also make buildings vulnerable to various intrusions.

Trellidor offers an innovative collection of window protection solutions to address this problem.

ALUMINIUM LOUVRES Versatile louvre shutters act as curtains, blinds and burglar proofing in one classy product. Trellidor offers two elegant designs, one with reinforced louvres, engineered for high-level protection, the other a well-priced, strong ‘estate’ shutter. Both designs are fitted with patented locks that can be used from either side for extra protection.

They are clutter-free, with no external operating mechanisms.

Louvres are hand-tilted to control airflow, light and privacy.

CLEAR GUARD See-through Trellidor Clear Guard mesh screens solve multiple problems. They keep out insects and animals and provide a high level

of intruder protection. The mesh regulates internal temperatures, facilitates airflow, and blocks out harsh UV rays. Trellidor has several ranges at different price points. All are fitted with patented locks and can be customised for any type of window and building style.

POLYCARBONATE BARS Polycarbonate bars are virtually invisible. They allow light and fresh air penetration and stop monkeys and baboons from getting into buildings. The Trellidor design has a full aluminium frame and internal strengthening mechanisms, to make

this a popular solution for windows in low to medium crime risk areas.

BURGLAR GUARD Affordable protection for windows is in demand for medium to lowcost housing projects and schools requiring protection at a lower price point. Trellidor Burglar Guard offers three designs, all semi-framed, tamper-proofed and professionally installed. This product can be powder coated to match building colour palettes. Units can be fitted internally, externally, face-on, in the reveal, horizontally or vertically, depending on specifications.

Smart, trusted innovation for 181 years We utilise smart gadgets from the minute we wake up in the morning. We use smartphones, tablets, voice assistants and laptops for work and play. These types of smart gadgets have been developed to work alongside a range of connected devices creating a smart home. Secure your smart home using equally smart innovative products from Yale.

Yale’s range of innovative smart home security products allow users to check in on their home security anytime, anywhere. Yale’s smart security innovations are protecting homes. Use their intuitive apps to view your cameras, grant access to your smart locks or even arm your alarm.

Yale’s smart security innovations have helped to

make protecting homes more convenient, without compromising on security. Yale continues to be the brand to trust for style, sophisticated technology and, of course, security for homeowners across the globe. www.yalelock.co.za

52 Leading Architecture + Design OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2021

COTTAGE GUARD Trellidor Cottage Guard is the gold standard in strong burglar proofing due to unique internal strengthening structures. It matches cottage pane windows or creates a cottage-pane effect for other window styles. The units are fully framed and installed without welding, so there are no weak points in terms of corrosion.

The current trend for oversized, continental-style black aluminium cottage pane windows can make buildings vulnerable to crime, but they can be protected with matching Cottage Guard burglar bars.

ROLLING SHUTTERS Holiday homes, offices and other premises frequently left vacant are extremely exposed to break-ins.

Trellidor Rollerstyle shutters, either manual or automated, are an excellent solution for windows and doors, providing a complete lockdown when closed. www.trellidor.co.za

Beautiful ESTATE SHUTTER

CONTACT TRELLIDOR TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THIS BEAUTIFUL NEW ADDITION TO OUR SHUTTER RANGE.

0861 873 554 367

info@trellidor.co.za

Trellidor and The Ultimate Crime Barrier are registered trademarks of Trellicor (Pty) Ltd.

www.trellidor.co.za

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Revised SANS 10139 brings local fire-safety standards in line with the US and Europe The revised version of South African National Standards (SANS) 10139 published recently by the standards division of the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) has brought South Africa in line with fire safety standards similar to those in the UK and Europe, highlights ASP Fire CEO Michael van Niekerk.

SANS 10139 provides recommendations for the planning, design, installation, commissioning and maintenance of fire detection and fire alarm systems in and around buildings other than dwellings. It is based on the British Standards BS58391, Fire detection and fire alarm systems for buildings.

Its revision comes in the wake of two recent devastating fires, one at Charlotte Maxeke Hospital in Johannesburg and the other at Table Mountain. The latter eventually swept onto the upper campus of the University of Cape Town, causing extensive damage to the African Studies Library reading room.

“The seriousness of fire is often overlooked and its impact is often underestimated. It is crucial that a national set of guidelines and rules for the designers and installers of fire protection systems is provided for them to follow and uphold. The costs of fire within this country runs into billions of rands and needs to be prevented,” the SABS said in a statement.

54 Leading Architecture + Design OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2021

The revised standard includes updated recommendations about the need for a fire detection system, variations from the standard, system components, detection zones, communication with the fire services, staged fire alarms and manual call points.

In addition, it contains updated requirements for smoke detectors and for the spacing and placing of automatic fire detectors. There are also updated measures to limit false alarms and a commentary on inspection and servicing has been added.

As part of its value-added service offering to its clients, ASP Fire works closely with insurance brokers and underwriters to address a client’s fire risk based on the outcomes of a fire-safety risk assessment report. This assists in preventing damage to property and products, loss of life, financial loss, consequential loss of profit, loss of productivity and insurance repercussions.

A rational design is the performance-based design of fire safety and prevention mechanisms and strategies in a

building in order to provide the same or better fire safety levels as prescribed in the National Building Regulations. Here a firerisk consultant such as ASP Fire visits the premises in question, or reviews a set of new building plans, in order to undertake a comprehensive evaluation of all areas of the property in terms of fire safety and risk.

CRITICAL REVISIONS CONTAINED IN SANS 10139: • Updated requirements for smoke detectors • Updated requirements for spacing and placing of automatic fire detectors • A commentary has been added with regards to a control and references the appropriate equipment • Updated measures to limit false alarms • A commentary on inspection and servicing has been added.

www.aspfire.co.za

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Smart and secure solutions and support from dormakaba South Africa Providing smart and secure access solutions involves more than just the products themselves. With more than 30 years covering Sub-Saharan Africa, dormakaba South Africa understands that the competitive differentiation lies not only in innovative solutions, but access to experienced architectural hardware consultants that can deliver the consulting services essential to ensure installations are managed successfully.

“Our team of skilled consultants are available to provide tailormade specifications and technical support for progressive businesses.

Together with our partners across southern Africa, we are committed to making access an effortless experience for our customers. These specialists provide the insights necessary when it comes to the likes of architectural hardware, automated entrance systems, access control systems, guestroom access systems for hospitality, and access systems for multifamily projects, to name just a few,” says Barry Conway-Cleaves at dormakaba South Africa.

In fact, the specification service offering provided by dormakaba South Africa is built on a combination of global best practice and an understanding of the unique requirements of projects in Africa. To this end, it comprises six components that ensure projects are managed successfully from the ideation stage all the way through to post-implementation support: • Inspiration • Design • Specification • Installation support

• Installation signoff • Service support The inspiration part of every project entails access to a large portfolio of local and global reference projects. Whether airports, commercial properties, industrial areas, or residential buildings, hotels or hospitals, the dormakaba team has seen it all.

“This means our consultants can provide customers with a wealth of innovative ideas to get inspiration for their projects or to see if there are challenges that implementations in other parts of the world have overcome.”

On the design side, the dormakaba 360° City app provides a virtual space to enable existing and potential customers to experience and explore its products in an innovative, interactive way.

The app lets customers gain digital experience of using its broad product portfolio and features more than 80 products across five different sectors: industrial complex, private living, airport, hotel and healthcare.

A series of integrated videos let users become familiar with the functions of each product. If a customer requires more detailed information about products, they can easily switch back and forth at any time between the dormakaba 360° City app and the product browser.

When it comes to the specification stage of a project, skilled dormakaba architectural consultants and specifiers can advise on products and solutions for every requirement.

“Our digital specification tool, ISPEC, lies at the centre of our locally-developed software ecosystem, which our specifiers use to prepare detailed technical documentation tailored for your project. And with the move towards digitalisation and the prevalence of BIM software like Autodesk Revit, we have developed a tool that allows us to securely and easily incorporate your tailored specification directly into your model.”

BIM content in the form of product families can easily be accessed either through the app or our website to populate a customer model with accurate digital content.

Installation support and signoff are critical to the success of any implementation. When it comes to the former, dormakaba technical teams provide installation support for all its product clusters. This includes the installation and commissioning of the dormakaba automated entrance systems.

And in terms of the latter, on dormakaba-specified projects the company provides installation inspection and signoff reporting.

This provides customers with the piece of mind that the dormakaba products are installed

as per the defined guidelines and specifications.

Finally, dormakaba service support sees the organisation leveraging its extensive national service network. This delivers all the required support on every dormakaba solution to ensure they continue to operate as intended.

“Ultimately, the dormakaba South Africa team provides customers with all the support they need throughout the lifecycle of a project. While this might be an all too familiar saying, we can honestly attest to delivering the cradle-tothe-grave assistance our customers need on smart and secure access solutions,” concludes Barry. www.dormakaba.com

www.LeadingArchitecture.co.za OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2021 55

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MiTek brings project planning alive with 3D modelling service If a picture is worth a 1 000 words, then a 3D model must surely be worth a whole lot more, especially if you are planning a new building project.

Being able to see designs in 3D, explore fly-throughs, examine elevations from different aspects, and view immediately any modifications or enhancements are all reasons why this kind of visual technology is an increasingly critical element of all kinds of construction projects.

VISUALISE YOUR PROJECT There are five core benefits to using 3D technology for your projects. The first is visualisation.

Using the right software and design expertise can help all players, from investors, clients, builders and occupants, quite literally to see plans take shape, and to gain a good understanding of what the finished project will look like.

It also helps them understand the context of the development, and see how it might fit with the local environment, whether it’s a brownfield site, a rural location, or a business park or industrial complex.

STREAMLINE THE CREATIVE PROCESS Another great benefit of 3D is the way it speeds up the building information modelling (BIM) and design process. It’s an excellent solution if you are looking to get a project off the ground quickly or you need to supply a proposal to a client, investor or stakeholder and want to provide a really robust and tangible plan. It’s estimated that using a 3D/ BIM approach can reduce design time by around 45%.

The third major advantage is the way that 3D modelling enables you to experiment with different ideas and be creative in your design.

You can test what works and what doesn’t, and map it against the

context of the building and the surrounding area. How will your project fit with its environment – do you need to adjust roof lines or cladding colours to better blend with the existing building? This is a great way to find out. You can also identify any potential design problems there and then, rather than causing costly issues down the line.

It’s not just about static visualisation. 3D modelling and BIM bring virtual walk-throughs to your fingertips, with the chance to demonstrate the effects of lighting, different furniture, a variety of compass angles and the impact of internal decoration and external design. It really does bring a project to life.

REDUCE SURPRISES And finally, the beauty of a virtual 3D model and associated BIM is that they can easily be shared with others digitally, either as video animations or stills. It makes promoting your project to stakeholders straightforward, without the need for physical in-theoffice meetings – something that is of particular benefit as the industry seeks COVID-safe ways of working.

This ease of sharing is invaluable in the case of projects where public consultation may be involved or you

56 Leading Architecture + Design OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2021

have multiple, geographically spread stakeholders.

MiTek has developed MiTek 3D, a cloud-based platform. It’s aimed at component manufacturers who use MiTek timber engineering software, and enables them to share interactive 3D models of roof, floor and timber frame designs with their stakeholders.

It also provides housebuilders the ability to see the roof design before a single brick is laid and, once onsite, the 3D models provide an invaluable virtual tool using a mobile phone or tablet to show exactly how the roof is to be built.

MiTek’s easily accessible 3D model of engineered timber designs facilitate greater interaction between the manufacturer and end client, allowing for better collaboration on design, easy identification and resolution of

potential issues, and a greater overall understanding of the project.

Roof truss, Posi-Joist (metal web floor joist) and timber frame designers using MiTek Pamir design software all have access to generating brilliant 3D visualisation tools enabled by Pamir, which also helps them to create accurate and cost-effective designs.

The models are extremely simple to share and can then be viewed anywhere, for free, on any device.

Since beginning the roll-out of MiTek 3D in December 2020, more than 20 000 3D models have been uploaded of roof truss, Posi-Joist and timber frame designs.

The MiTek 3D tool was shortlisted for the 2021 Constructing Excellence Digital Construction Award in the UK. www.mitek.co.za

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Swartland ready-2-fit windows and doors Homeowners love the warm beauty of wooden windows and doors. But traditional installation and glazing methods don’t always do justice to even the highestquality products because on-site skills and standards vary. In short, the best-made product might end up being less than perfectly glazed and fitted.

That’s why Swartland introduced its Ready-2-Fit windows and doors, which are sealed and glazed in the factory during manufacture. The product is then thoroughly wrapped in protective two-stage packaging before being transported.

When it arrives on site, it’s ready to be installed immediately. This not only saves the builder time and money, but also ensures the overall quality of their workmanship at no extra cost. Swartland’s offering is unique in the wooden windows and doors market. But it’s also only part of the story: • Pre-sealed: During manufacture, all Swartland’s Ready-2Fit windows and doors are pre-sealed with Maxicare, a high-quality water-based sealant that ensures optimum protection against the elements.

Maxicare boasts a number of benefits: it’s an environmentally friendly sealant, with low VOC (volatile organic compounds) emissions, it’s ultraviolet- and water-resistant, non-flammable, lead-free, and has an element of anti-fungal protection against dry rot and other threats. It will also offer years of protection from the damaging effects of extreme temperatures, humidity, cold, rain and sunlight. And while Maxicare was developed in Germany, it copes well with the harsh African sun: to cater for darker colours such as Teak and Imbuia, it contains

heat-reflective pigments that lower the surface temperature of the wood to reduce natural contraction and expansion.

Swartland’s expert team advises against using dark colours in direct sunlight, though.

• Colour choice: When this range was launched in 2012, Swartland offered the following colour options: Teak, Imbuia, Light Oak and White. Recently, four new colours were introduced to offer clients more choice: Bali Deep, Dusted Moss, Sombrero and Ivory Parchment. They’re in a natural palette that will enhance your home’s modern or traditional design.

• Variety: Ready-2-Fit windows and doors are available in Swartland’s Cape Culture and Winsters ranges on request.

• Low maintenance: What really makes water-based sealant a real winner is how it makes wooden windows and doors a cinch to maintain. There’s no need for laborious sanding and re-sealing.

Just wash and wipe them down to restore their original beauty.

58 Leading Architecture + Design OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2021

• Glazing is standard: All windows and doors in the Ready-2-Fit range come pre-glazed with standard 4mm glass or 6,38mm safety glass, in compliance with National Building Regulations.

Other types of glazing, including double-glazing – which improves insulation and reduces noise – as well as Low-E glass (low-emissivity, to reduce infrared and ultraviolet light), are available on request.

• Pre-hung doors: Due to public demand, Swartland pre-hangs doors in their frames in the factory, with all essential hardware fitted. The building trade welcomed the move, as well as the introduction of adjustable frames to compensate for swelling and shrinking.

• Fixtures and features: Ready2-Fit doors and windows offer a number of features to ensure security and energy-efficiency, including: • Espagnolette lock, a multiple locking mechanism that enhances security and ensures a snug, draft-free fit

(available in the Cape Culture Supreme range).

• Brass thumb-release handle.

• Double-glazing: A variety of thicknesses of glass is available to meet a range of needs.

• Composite gaskets, which form an airlock between the frame and casement, to improve insulation.

• Wood sections are available in varying thicknesses to ensure windows have optimal thermal and security properties.

• Four-bar friction hinge to handle the weight of the extra glass and thicker frame.

• Compliance: Swartland continuously tests its products to ensure they comply with the National Building Regulations and the Consumer Protection Act. To ensure compliance with SANS 613 Mechanical Performance Criteria, the Ready-2-Fit range is tested for deflection, structural strength, water-resistance, airtightness, operating forces, and energy efficiency. www.swartland.co.za

PROMOTING TREATED TIMBER AND THE USE OF TREATED TIMBER PRODUCTS PRODUCED BY SAWPA MEMBERS CHOOSE THE CORRECT HAZARD (H) CLASS: H2 H3 H4 H5 H6

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SAWPA Advisory and Guidance Note: Treated wooden poles – Agricultural end uses Preservative-treated wooden poles have been successfully used as the preferred choice of material in agricultural support structures on wine- and table-grapeproducing farms. More recently, treated poles have also been used to a large scale in shade-net structures to cover and protect fruit trees and various other crops against damage caused by natural factors such as wind, hail, excessive sunlight, frost, insects, birds, etc. These poles are exposed to frequent irrigation and application of fertilisers, which, together with varying soil types and climatic

conditions, cause conditions favourable for microbial and fungal activities.

Traditionally, the preferred timber species and preservative types used for treated vineyard and table grape orchard poles differed for the different climatic regions, with creosotetreated Eucalyptus poles (SANS 457-3) used mainly in the drier regions such as the Northern Cape, whereas CCA- and creosote-treated Pine poles (SANS 457-2) were mainly used in the Western Cape. More recently, from around 2007 onward, CCA-treated Eucalyptus poles (SANS 457-3) were introduced to the market on a large

TABLE 1: Requirements for agricultural poles used in ground contact and exposed to frequent irrigation and use of fertilisers

60 Leading Architecture + Design OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2021

scale, triggered mainly by a severe shortage of creosote at the time, as well as a growing shortage in the availability of suitable Pine poles due to Government policies on plantation forestry in the Southern and Western Cape Pine-growing regions.

Over time, changes have occurred to agricultural practices such as irrigation and planting methods, as well as the fertilisers used.

Furthermore, the resources of the material used have changed, e.g. scientific progress in respect of silvicultural practices and tree improvement that led to much faster growing plantation timber, including

clones and hybrids. The industry and SABS technical committee monitor and maintain the requirements of the standards to adapt to such changes with the aim to ensure that poles perform in respect of longevity and being fit for purpose.

Table 1 gives the minimum requirements specified in the relevant standards. Purchasers and end-users of agricultural poles must ensure that poles acquired for agricultural purposes are ordered to at least the minimum requirements given herein. www.sawpa.co.za

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a.b.e. products for upmarket Radisson Red hotel in Oxford Parks a.b.e. Construction Chemicals supplied concrete fairing and repair products for the construction of the Five Green Star-rated Radisson RED Hotel in Oxford Parks precinct, now being developed in Rosebank, Johannesburg, by Intaprop with Concor as main contractor.

Rens Pelser, Technical Sales Consultant for a.b.e., part of the Chryso Southern Africa Group, says a.b.e.’s durarep FC fairing compound was applied by Concor to enhance the appearance of the finishes of all exposed concrete columns and the exposed, off-shutter concrete surfaces of the precinct’s Radisson RED Hotel, with durarep FR fibrereinforced mortar used to deal with concrete imperfections. The upmarket hotel, which opened in August 2021, has 222 rooms and features a wide variety of ultramodern, high-tech amenities.

The two a.b.e. products were previously used for the construction of the BPSA head office and other buildings, which formed part of an earlier phase of the multimillionrand Oxford Parks development in Oxford Road, between Eastwood and Rosebank roads in Rosebank. “durarep FC is a single component, polymer-modified cementitious compound that provides a fair-faced finish to concrete and masonry, and can also close blowholes prior to the

application of protective coatings.

The compound only requires the addition of a minimal amount of water for mixing. It is easy to apply and requires no priming or curing to ensure excellent bonding to concrete and masonry structures. durarep FC also contains no chlorides and can be used for vertical and overhead applications,” Pelser said. “durarep FR is a polymer-modified, cement-based mortar widely used to repair voids and honeycombed areas of concrete. The product, which is also chloride-free, provides high ultimate strength and has four to six times stronger resistance to abrasion

than plain rendering. durarep FR does not shrink and is easy to apply and, as it is pre-blended, constant quality and performance are ensured,” Pelser explained.

The vibrant mixed-use Oxford Parks precinct has become a focal point along Oxford Road in Rosebank and currently houses five buildings on a master basement structure. All the precinct buildings are constructed to be compliant with Green Star design requirements. “a.b.e. is likely to supply more concrete products for the rest of the construction of the Oxford Parks project,” Pelser added.

Noteworthy South African building projects for which a.b.e.’s durarep products have already been used include: • Impala Platinum cooling tower, Springs • Growthpoint Lakeside offices, Centurion • N17 Regents Park highway bridge, Johannesburg • Val de Vie River Bridge, Paarl • Norval Foundation premises, Steenberg • Nuform office block, Margate. www.abe.co.za

www.LeadingArchitecture.co.za OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2021 61

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Zigzagging at Carnival Gardens Carnival Gardens, located at Salfin, Boksburg on the Ekurhuleni boundary with Gauteng, is a three-phase, 888-unit Affordable Housing Development project consisting of one- and two-bedroom units. Technicrete, part of the Infrastructure Specialist Group (ISG), were commissioned to supply the development with JZZ pavers, kerbs and retaining blocks.

“There is a high demand for socially affordable housing in South Africa, and developments such as Carnival Gardens help those who qualify to get a foot in the property market. The ground layout, design and landscaping has been carefully thought through and utilises top-quality products, such as our Technicrete JZZ pavers, garden kerbs and Earthform retaining blocks, which have created an attractive and aesthetically pleasing finish to the complex,” says Arno Smuts, Technicrete Sales Consultant based at Technicrete’s Olifantsfontein manufacturing plant.

“Our JZZ pavers are renowned for their longevity and hard-wearing surface, which make them ideal for residential complexes and the anticipated high traffic and foot flow.”

“Despite the completion date having been brought forward by one month, our production team were able to manufacture and release stock without any delays, and the supplies were delivered to site on time,” Arno says.

Stefanutti Stocks Senior Site Agent, Thomas Herholdt, comments, “Technicrete’s technical support was very much evident on the Carnival Gardens project, and the products supplied are of a high quality. Arno Smuts and the Technicrete team ensured we had sufficient stock on site to keep the continuity of the development on schedule. It’s always a pleasure to join forces with Technicrete.”

PRODUCTS SUPPLIED TO CARNIVAL GARDENS The Technicrete JZZ pavers are a solid block interlocking paver that, once applied, forms a continuous, hard-wearing surface. They are particularly suitable for domestic driveways, pedestrian pavements and pathways. Technicrete supplied 9 321m2 of their 60mm grey pavers and 370m2 of their 80mm grey JZZ pavers to Carnival Gardens.

In addition to JZZ pavers, Technicrete supplied 285m of grey garden kerbs 500 x 150 x 75mm and 195m of Barrier kerbs sized at 1 000mm. One thousand Earthform retaining blocks were also supplied to the development, offering an attractive feature for plant and flower placements while maintaining difficult steep areas safely.

“When you look at the finish of Phase One at Carnival Gardens, you can see how the products selected from Technicrete’s range have created a sense of smartness to the driveways and paths. The grey tone blends beautifully with the earthy tones used on the four-storey-high apartment buildings,” concludes Smuts.

Technicrete offers a range of paving and kerb solutions suited to any commercial, industrial or residential project, with colours such as slate, terracotta, plum, tan and autumn also available. www.technicrete.co.za

64 Leading Architecture + Design OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2021

TAL expands waterproofing range for contractors

TAL, a division of Norcros SA, has expanded their range of waterproofing products with a new fibre-enriched acrylic waterproofing compound specifically designed to be fully compatible with cement-based tile adhesives.

“We are pleased to introduce TAL Superflex Fibre 1K to the market. The fibre-enriched formulation provides a flexible waterproofing system ideal for use in shower recesses, roofs, parapets, exterior balconies, and tiled ponds, pools and water features prior to tiling. It’s also very easy to apply: simply stir well to ensure uniform dispersion of product and apply with a suitable roller,” says Sharon Margon, TAL Technical Advice Supervisor.

TAL Superflex Fibre 1K possesses excellent flexibility and UV resistance, which allows it to be left exposed on non-trafficable roof slabs and parapet walls. The product is available in grey or white to accommodate any aesthetic requirements, or it can be painted with a high-quality exterior grade acrylic paint. The fibre-enriched formulation of this product also eliminates the need for reinforcing membranes in most applications, and is ideal for installations where no significant building movement will take place, or where the use of a membrane-reinforced system is impractical.

When applied onto rendered and screeded surfaces that are cured and free of surface contamination, no priming is required prior to applying TAL Superflex Fibre 1K. It can be used to fill small hair-line shrinkage and static cracks up to 2mm wide. Due to its excellent flexibility, the product will tolerate normal building movement.

The product is fully compatible with cement-based tile adhesives and can be tiled directly onto without the need for primers, once cured. “Due to the impervious nature of the waterproofed substrate, only rapid- or quicksetting tile adhesives should be used,” Margon continues.

TAL Superflex Fibre 1K is available in 5L and 25L buckets in grey or white. It is classified as a DMO membrane material (Dispersion Liquid-applied Water Impermeable Membrane (DM), with Crack Bridging Ability at Low Temperature (O)) in terms of EN14891. www.tal.co.za

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The green, light roof tile The way we build in South Africa is in large part due to how a building copes with the burden of an extremely heavy roof. Traditional weighty roofing materials, such as concrete, slate and clay tiles, dictate considerable capacity in foundations, pillars, beams and roof structure simply to cope with the load of the roof.

Harvey EcoTile® changes all this with a lightweight mineral composite roof tile.

What happens if the roof is much lighter? At 1.35kg per tile, a Harvey EcoTile’s® weight is 25% of a comparable concrete tile of 5.5kg. This affects the design in numerous ways.

ROOF STRUCTURE Compared to other heavy roof tiles, a roof structure designed for lightweight Harvey EcoTile® requires considerably less timber, with resultant cost savings.

WATER/MASS BENEFIT High water absorption culminates in added mass to the entire structure. Concrete roof tiles can absorb between 6 to 10% of their mass in water. Thus per m2 weight added for a concrete tile of 5.5kg (6% absorption) equals 3.4kg or litre/m2 . In comparison, Harvey EcoTile’s® water absorption is less than 0.36%, which translates to a maximum of 0.05kg/m2 .

LIGHTWEIGHT DESIGN, HEAVYWEIGHT STRENGTH Being a lightweight product does not compromise Harvey EcoTile’s® strength credentials. The secret lies in the material composition and design of its fixing methodology,

FOUNDATIONS Saving weight on both the roof covering and structure reduces the burden on foundations. The building can be designed from the ground up with a new perspective.

TRANSPORTATION COSTS Weight equals transportation cost. Imagine the ability to transport 75% more material to site. With the resultant savings on trips, fuel and handling, a Harvey EcoTile® roof adds value and savings to every build’s logistics and saves on breakages as it is virtually unbreakable in normal handling.

66 Leading Architecture + Design OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2021

which results in a roof being a single impregnable unit. An advance engineered product results in an interlocking system for weather proofing and superior strength. It displays symmetrical lines once installed and means a complete roof will be weather-, water- and dust-proof as all gaps are eliminated. www.harveyroofingproducts.co.za

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Unique crystal-clear DIY glass adhesive Formulated and manufactured for glass-to-glass repairs or projects, Pratley UV Bond is a single-part, crystal-clear glass adhesive that cures in direct sunlight or under a UV light or torch. Being the only crystal-clear DIY glass adhesive on the market, sales of Pratley UV Bond have increased significantly since its launch in 2013, explains Pratley National Sales Manager Mark Bell.

Ideal for repairing broken wine glass stems and glass ornaments and the like, it is also a great product for making glass trophies.

Pratley UV Bond cures absolutely crystal clear in direct sunlight in about five seconds and achieves full strength and cure within five minutes.

UV Bond is part of an extensive Pratley adhesive range aimed at the DIY and arts-and-crafts market, which is a key growth area for the company. “Our adhesives and other products are well-known to the hobbyist and are used in everything from jewellery making to model aircraft construction, sculpting and decoupage,” highlights Bell.

Pratley UV Bond is recommended for transparent, well-matched surfaces or substrates. It is not recommended for gap-filling or coating. The first step is to ensure that the surfaces are clean, dry and oil- and grease-free.

It is best that one does not work in direct sunlight, to prevent the adhesive curing before the surfaces

have been bonded. Application of the UV Bond is an easy process.

Simply apply the adhesive to one surface. Bring the two surfaces together and then expose it to UV light or direct sunlight.

“UV Bond is a unique product that has achieved great success in the market,” points out Bell.

He adds that Pratley is constantly investigating new or additional applications for its product range, and Pratley UV Bond is no exception.

“The DIY construction of glass trophies is an excellent example of a niche application,” he concludes. www.pratleyadhesives.com

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68 Leading Architecture + Design OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2021

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Dulux’s Colour of the Year 2022 – a breath of fresh air Dulux has revealed the Colour of the Year 2022, an airy, light blue that’s fresh, open, and good for the soul.

The colour is called Bright Skies™, which reflects the limitless skies around us, brings a hint of the natural world inside and breathe new life into any space.

After a spell of feeling shut in, people are craving expansion: the great outdoors, the open air, a sweep of limitless sky – a feeling of release and revitalisation with a breath of fresh air.

Extensive global trend research

conducted by a team of inhouse paints and coatings colour experts and international design professionals revealed that there was a need for open air, connections to the great outdoors, and a fresh approach to everything.

Many events over the past two years have thrown the social, economic and environmental aspects of our lives into sharper focus. We’re reassessing what really matters: family, friends, home, and the world around us.

“In 2022, Bright Skies will help

us embrace new ideas and shape a new future,” says Heleen van Gent, Creative Director of AkzoNobel’s Global Aesthetic Center. “The colour reflects the limitless skies above us, giving us the space to redefine the role of our homes, nature, the arts and new voices in our lives.

As consumers look to express themselves and transform their spaces, our aim as colour experts is to inspire their colour confidence.”

“A light and optimistic shade, Bright Skies is a perfect way to bring a breath of fresh air into any

WORKSHOP COLOURS (KALEIDOSCOPE HUES) Multicoloured and joyful, this light, bright palette is perfect for reinventing the home, and zoning a multipurpose, do-it-all space.

Positive and complementary, these tones make the functional fun.

STUDIO COLOURS (CONSOLING TONES) Pale pinks, reds and oranges, these warm, consoling shades can help turn any space into a soothing sanctuary. Subtle and inspiring, they can help us recharge and escape the everyday.

GREENHOUSE COLOURS (FRESH NATURALS) Made up of fresh greens, greys and blues, this palette can make any room feel in touch with the natural world. These are colours that bring in the positive effects of nature to create a vital space.

SALON COLOURS (AIRY NEUTRALS) Comprising soft whites and light neutrals, this palette can help create the perfect blank canvas.

Fresh and unifying tones, they can help create an open space and a home that’s ready for anything. www.dulux.co.za

70 Leading Architecture + Design OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2021

room. It’s also incredibly versatile, working alongside four different complementary palettes to give any room an instant sense of light and space, no matter the size. The palettes make it easy to choose and combine an array of soft neutrals and joyful hues. They can be used to define zones in multipurpose spaces, bring a sense of nature indoors, create a soothing atmosphere or encourage a sense of unity,” says Dulux colour expert Palesa Ramaisa.

The four CF22 palettes, the colours that bring Bright Skies to life:

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Company announcement:

Den Braven Sealants South Africa Colene Baker has been appointed interim Managing Director of Den Braven Sealants South Africa. She takes on the role after being with the company for more than 20 years as the financial manager.

Colene studied cost management accounts at the Technikon Witwatersrand, obtaining her national diploma in 1994 with the goal of following in her father’s footsteps in construction. She feels very fortunate to have worked very closely with her mentor and previous managing director, Averil Webbstock.

Colene lists her management strengths as being open and inclusive, and she enjoys a close-knit relationship with her team. She is married and has two children, Kathleen and Alec. Much of her spare time is taken up in seconding Kathleen, who is a provincial mountain biker, and supporting Alec on the cricket

field. Colene has a love for cars and motorbikes, but family time is foremost – they spend any spare time they have in the outdoors of our beautiful country on their mountain bikes.

Her vision is to support her team in getting Den Braven through these incredibly tough trading times, continuing to grow the business by building on its strengths of integrity, service and technical know-how, in both the built environment and hardware industry.

Den Braven Sealants has been trading for over 40 years in South Africa and currently employs 27 people, many of whom have been with the company for over 10 years. There are branches in Cape Town and Durban, with the head office based in Johannesburg. www.denbraven.co.za

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www.LeadingArchitecture.co.za OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2021 71

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Do it right, do it green, get it done Phot og r aphy: The C it y of C ape T own and G are th Griffiths

When it comes to achieving energy efficiency (and hence reducing emissions), there is no question as to the importance of passive climate control measures. They represent a once-off investment for a new build, or a retrofit done on demand to get immediate and effective energy saving and interior climate comfort for building occupants. Fitting of thermal insulation provides just such an opportunity, says an established natural products insulation supplier, Thermguard SA. Here are some questions for the architect to ask of the insulation systems supplier prior to specifying a thermal insulation product: • Does the product and its installation contribute to a building’s qualification for a

high-level Energy Performance Certificate?

• Does the product add virtually nothing to the embedded carbon/ energy footprint of the building as built? This requires that the manufacturing process be as low carbon and use as little water as possible at the place of manufacture.

• Is the material being considered based on sustainable sources? For example, is timber manufactured locally, leading to a lowering of its carbon footprint delivered on site, or is it imported?

• Is the product compliant with the requirements of SANS10400-XA; and will it further comply with the enhanced requirements of the 2021/2022 version of this standard?

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• In cases of a retrofit, does the

installer know what R-value is required under the building regulations and does that person have a solution to meet it?

• Does the contractor install what the design calls for and is the installation neat and tidy without any spots left bare, allowing the escape or entry of heat?

• Circular economy: Does the product support recycling during manufacture and at its end of life?

The above boxes all ticked will enable the professional to assess who is greenwashing and who is genuinely able to meet both climate and occupant comfort goals at the same time. “Thermguard cellulose fibre insulation is professionally installed and ticks all the above boxes with confidence,” says Eric Quarmby the CEO of Thermguard.

CASE STUDY: ‘FUTURE ENERGY FESTIVAL’ CLEAN GREEN SHOW HOME A collaboration between the Green Building Council of South Africa (GBCSA) and the City of Cape Town’s Future Energy Festival, the design called for a net-zero-carbon home for display and exhibition purposes.

The challenge was to create this ‘mobile’ unit for a total construction cost of only R180 000. The unit also needed to be designed to be assembled on site in two days and should be easily constructed and deconstructed using simple fixings and flat-pack, modular design

elements. Transporting of the unit also needed to be considered.

The design for the net-zerocarbon home incorporates solar power generation, energy-efficient appliances, passive cooling, rainwater harvesting and an edible food garden, according to the GBCSA press release.

Team Mahali, a group of recent graduates and young African professionals from South Africa, Zimbabwe and Nigeria, designed the sustainable show home.

A number of system suppliers ‘pitched’ to be included in this build, but in the end the net-zero requirement and professional installation service offered by Thermguard resulted in the company’s cellulose fibre insulation being specified to facilitate passive control of interior climate.

The housing unit consists of two recycled shipping containers that are shielded from direct sunlight by a porous latticework of recycled wooden palettes, which allow the movement of air but provide shading to the walls. The unit is covered by an elevated IBR steel roof suspended over each container and interconnected by an array of PV panels, which also allows the free movement of air.

However, each container is highly effectively insulated inside the wall cavities and above the ceiling by Thermguard, who developed a special delivery process to get product in situ in the most energy-efficient way. www.thermguard.co.za

green

Do it right Do it Get it DONE

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Sustainable developments with Mapei & Citra The ability to offer the best and most innovative solutions to design and construction according to eco-sustainable principles is a fundamental commitment for Mapei.

CITRA is an innovative architecture and construction company based in Cape Town, which has developed a superior green building system that includes various Mapei products. The system allows for the construction of strong, energy-efficient structures of all types. Their goal is to change the landscape of conventional building methods through innovation and sustainability. The CITRA system is available to individuals and professionals such as architects, engineers and main contractors.

“From day one, Mapei was able to

understand what we aim to achieve and could supply products that worked with our system. Mapei’s proposed products are reliable and are coupled with technical expertise and training,” says Joel Baur, Managing Director at CITRA. CITRA trusts in Mapei’s comprehensive range of different waterproofing systems, one of which is Mapelastic Smart. Mapelastic Smart is Mapei’s highly renowned flexible cementitious waterproofer used for waterproofing concrete surfaces such as balconies, concrete in civil works, water-retaining basins, retaining walls, exposed concrete surfaces and swimming pools, to name a few; and is applied by trowel, block brush or roller. Due to the content and high

quality of the synthetic resins, the hardened layer of Mapelastic Smart remains constantly flexible.

“Our continued research and development ensure that our products are world class, environmentally friendly and deliver optimal protection for structures. Mapelastic Smart is no exception,” states Ross Creasey, Waterproofing Product Manager at Mapei South Africa.

Another recommended product for the CITRA system is Mapei’s Aquaflex

Roof HR – a fibre-filled membrane in water emulsion with high solar reflectance (SRI of 105). It can lower the surface temperature of a roof by more than 50% compared to a dark coating. CITRA also chooses Mapei’s alkali-resistant, glass fibre mesh called Mapenet 150 to reinforce the protective waterproofing layers on their systems.

Mapei is proud to be the CITRA’s chosen supplier. www.mapei.co.za

www.LeadingArchitecture.co.za OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2021 73

f e at ure d d e s i g n

Pre-fabricated garden offices A Cape Town architect duo have developed a novel solution to one of the main contributors of increased stress levels among people working from home during these challenging Covid times.

Governments worldwide have enforced lockdowns and have encouraged remote working as much as possible. But psychologists have identified that working from home without a clear separation between working and family space is a major contributor to the increasing stress levels in many households.

Garden Studios has come up with an exciting solution to this problem: An ‘office-away-fromthe-office’, but also away from the home. An office in the garden! A short commute on foot across your lawn and within minutes you’re

ensconced in insulated tranquillity.

No noisy children or dogs to photobomb your Zoom meetings. At the end of your shift, close the door and join the family for dinner.

The work studios range in size from 4 to 8m 2 . That’s not a big footprint, so most backyards or gardens would be able to accommodate one. They may be compact, but they offer an efficient working/studying space that will take the pressure off those working remotely. Prices are affordable, starting at R59 500 for the base model (prices depend on size and finishes).

Garden Studios offers four different architect-designed models, available in various finishes. The units are entirely prefabricated and then assembled on site. The structure offers

74 Leading Architecture + Design OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2021

comparable sound and heat insulation performance to conventional brick-and-mortar construction. On-site assembly offers numerous advantages – it keeps costs down and they can be positioned easily, within three to four working days, even in compact gardens and backyards.

The elegant studios are externally clad in timber or MagnaBoard (a compressed weather-proof magnesium board), while internally being finished in furniture-grade birch or pine plywood. There are also optional extras available such as matching desks, filing/storage pedestals, and wall-mounted or floor-standing shelf options. A fully functional garden studio can be delivered in just three weeks. www.gardenstudios.co.za

HEAD OFFICE 2 Gravel Drive Kya Sands Business Park Kya Sands 2169 011 510 1500 086 694 2794 info.za@dormakaba.com KENYA dormakaba Kenya Ltd 1st Floor Delta House Watermark Business Park Corner Langata & Ndege Roads Karen Nairobi +254 700 894406 info.ke@dormakaba.com

Experience products as never before Intuitively involve your clients as never before, Step inside our Virtual Design Centre interactive, which offers you many functions, and enjoy the infinite possibilities.

Immersion is both emotional and intense, and is perfect for applications in the entertainment industry. Businesses are also increasingly exploring how they can make use of this rapidly developing technology – currently mainly in marketing and sales.

In the future however virtual reality may be used in all business areas, particularly in production and customer service for industrial companies.

At dormakaba, we have declared digital transformation a vital component of our corporate strategy. That’s why we are exploring the possibilities of virtual reality. Researching new technologies requires us to work and think in more agile ways.

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