August 2013
CONSTRUCTION WORLD
40
projects & contracts
“I AM CONSTANTLY
amazed how the standard of entries seems to
improve each year. Considering the history of high-level work that has
been entered into Steel Awards over the years, it is most encouraging
that the bar is raised on such a consistent basis,”Erling says.
He adds that the work at the UNISA Cape Town Campus is certainly
an example of this ongoing quality and innovation in local structural
steel design and construction.“An aspect of this year’s theme is‘proudly
South African’and the UNISA project amply displays the power of local
ingenuity for an institution that ranks among the greatest of its kind
in the world,”Erling says.
Located within a light industrial urban context the previous UNISA
facilities consisted of a combination of neweducational and converted
industrial buildings. The increase in student numbers and the subse-
quent burden on the facilities had compelled UNISA to rent nearby
factory space, resulting in a sprawling and disparate campus. Adecision
was made to assimilate all these needs back onto the main campus by
erecting a significant extension to the existing building.
The design brief included additional administrative space, contact
classrooms and examination halls and the creation of social spaces
where the distance learning students could interact with each other
and sample campus life that hitherto was not possible.
The architects were tasked with designing a building that was
environmentally responsible. “This meant that energy conservation,
material selection, natural lighting and ventilation and the conserva-
tion and recycling of natural resources consistently informed every
aspect of the building from inception to detail resolution,”saidMichele
Sandilands of MSa Michele Sandilands architects.
Innovation and the use of steel
Because of the need to build as quickly as possible and with as little
disruption as possible to the existing campus life a steel frame was,
according to the project team, the ‘optimum way to go’.
“Steel framing and the use of the innovative Cobiax systemenabled
flexible, unbroken andhighly adaptable teaching spaces.The combined
use of the steel frame and the Cobiax slab enabled the steel to span
even further. With a significant weight reduction of up to 35%, that
of a standard flat slab, there was a significant decrease in the number
of columns required with uninterrupted spans of 10 m x 20 m which
could be demarcated into teaching spaces and Examination Halls with
ease,”they say.
Furthermore, the entire building is designed for adaptation.
All cross-walls are dry walls so they can be positioned in different com-
binations allowing for smaller or larger spaces. Every module has dry
An exciting entry
The extension project at the existing UNISA Cape
Town Campus, situated in Parow, CapeTown, is one
of several exciting entries to this year’s Steel Awards.
This is according to Spencer Erling, SouthernAfrican
Institute of Steel Construction education director.
The extension project at the existing UNISA Cape Town Campus, situated in
Parow, Cape Town, is one of several exciting entries to this year’s Steel Awards.
Project team
• Developer/owner: University of South Africa (Unisa)
• Architect: MSa Michele Sandilands Architects cc
• Structural engineer: Nadeson Consulting
• Quantity surveyor: BTKM Quantity Surveyors
• Main contractor: Filcon Projects
• Steelwork contractor: Raven Steel
• Steelwork contractor (secondary elements): Olympic Steel
• Mechanical and electrical engineer:
BVi Consulting Engineers
• Landscape architect: TK Landscape Architects
jointed door openings with lintels in place to enable an instantaneous
knock-out when required.
Significantly the architects wanted a building system that, in its
simplest form, was devoid of ‘artificial ornamentation’, and would still
provide key articulation elements and rhythmto the façade.“This desire
for an honest and clear building system was well met with the use of
steel. Important too was the way in which the building related to its
semi-industrial environment adjacent to themajor railway line.The use
of steel framing and detailingwas perfect and tied the building back to
its surrounding environment with ease,”concludes the project team.
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Lane, with a Gautrain bus collection point
conveniently located on the corner of 5
th
Street and Alice Lane.
Alice Lane will offer far more than
mere rental space. The development will
also feature a central streetscaped piazza
between the three phases. This square will
be pedestrian friendly and will contain a
naturally green environment; a first for
Sandton office offerings.
The piazzawill be home to convenience
service related retailers, including; Standard
Bank, restaurants, coffee shops, hairdressers,
dry cleaners and convenience food outlets.
The Virgin Active Premier gym, which will
be easily accessible from the piazza level at
phase one, will also provide convenience
for those who want to work out after work
without having to travel far. Tenants can
rest assured that careful measures have
been taken to ensure minimum tenant risk
exposure and maximum safety and security,
despite the increased foot traffic as a result
of the piazza offerings.
The impact of adequate infrastructure on
productivity and brand quality cannot be
overstated. Working environment is listed
as one of the greatest factors in business
success. According to Pearl Buck, Nobel
Prize winning novelist; "The secret of joy
in work is contained in one word – excel-
lence. To know how to do something well
is to enjoy it."When an office environment
is crafted in excellence, it entices those
working within it to work in excellence.
Alice Lane will do just that.
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