June 2013
CONSTRUCTION WORLD
38
If there were any doubts that the light steel frame building (LSFB)
method is appropriate for upmarket housing in South Africa, then the
magnificent new Kevin Els-designed home, built by Ivecon Projects in
the newWaterfall Country Estate development north of Johannesburg,
will certainly help to finally put those doubts to rest.
projects & contracts
THE SPACIOUS DOUBLE-STORY,
which has
680 m
2
under roof and a host of impressive
design features – including breathtaking
cantilevers, a home theatre, and a glass-
walled wine cellar within the hypermodern
kitchen – is a testament to the possibilities
offered by LSFB.
The initial idea to use LSFB came from
Els, of the innovative Fourways-based Els
& Associates Architectural Studio. “This is a
new methodology that has really stuck its
head out in South Africa, and when I became
aware in early discussions that timewas of the
essence, I insisted that we investigate LSFB as
an option,”he says.
Construction is significantly faster with
LSFB because the lightweight steel frame
is manufactured in the factory and then as-
sembled and erected quickly on site. Once in
place, the building can be enclosed and inter-
nal finishes can start sooner than in a bricks
and mortar structure. The method also saves
time because it allows different disciplines
to work concurrently. It is not necessary,
for example, to wait for a completed façade
before finalising accurate measurements for
windows. LSFB can also be used in conjunc-
tionwith heavy structural steel, whichmay be
required for long spans or cantilevers, or to
expose as part of the architectural expression.
More energy efficient
John Barnard, director of the Southern Afri-
can Light Steel Frame Building Association
(SASFA), explains that LSFB is significantly
more energy efficient than more traditional
construction methods – both with regard
to 'embodied energy' of the materials and
components, as well as 'operational en-
ergy' relating to heating and cooling of the
building over its design life. Steel is also a
reusable and recyclable material, which
means that it reduces the overall carbon
footprint of the project and assists in compli-
ance with the SANS 10400-XA:2011 national
building regulations.
Continually evolving system
Sven Iversen, founder and director of Ivecon
Projects, the construction and project man-
agement team involvedwith the project, has
travelled extensivelyworldwide and says that
in Europe, NewZealand and Australia, LSFB is
the growing trend.
“In South Africa, people are simply used
to brick and mortar building, but it is only a
matter of time before the mainstream South
African building market catches on to the
advantages of the LSFB method.”
Iversen says the building industry is con-
tinually evolving and that technology is the
driving force. “Traditional building methods
are no longer the only answer. Ivecon Projects
embraces new technologies and is moving
toward innovative, energy-efficient methods
of construction, fast-tracking construction
time which translates into cost savings for
our clients,”he says.
Ivecon Projects recentlywon the Best Built
Home and the Green Design award at the
prestigious Century Properties home show.
Advantages of LSFB
From a construction point of view, there
are numerous advantages to LSFB. Steel
is unequalled in meeting tight construc-
tion schedules in any weather conditions,
a smaller construction team is required, and
because a limited amount of masonrywork, if
any, is required on site, LSFB ensures a cleaner
and safer construction site.
“From an architectural perspective,” says
Els,“there are many reasons for the architect
to feel comfortable and confident when
designing with light steel framing.
"It is flexible enough to handle complex
design elements, giving you freedom of
expression in your design methodology.
Also, steel has slenderness and grace when
required to span distances and cantilevers.”
Barnard said that as the market increas-
ingly realises that LSFB can be used for a
range of different applications and takes
into account the considerable benefits, both
practical and financial, of the building meth-
od, perceptions about traditional building
methods being the only viable alternatives
are being questioned. “There are more and
more local examples of striking buildings that
are being built with LSFB,”he says.
●
Light Steel Frame home in Waterfall
