A total of 612 000 Corobrik Moroccan Red Travertine face bricks are being used in the construction of Royal School Alberton in Cosmopolitan Projects’ Leopard’s Rest housing development in Albertsdal, bringing rich aesthetic appeal and integrity to this greenfield project.
 
Leopard’s Rest consists of 4 500 houses of which the first phase of 600 houses is now under construction. First occupations will be early in 2016.
 
Royal School Alberton is one of three schools managed by the Royal Schools Management Company, a partnership between Old Mutual’s Schools and Education Investment Impact Fund South Africa (SEIIFSA) and educational specialist, Dr Bennie Fourie, and his team of experts. Their aim is to deliver quality education at independent, low fee paying schools, through the provision of accessible facilities.
 
Construction of Royal School Alberton is being undertaken by CDP, Cosmopolitan Projects’ in-house contractor. Building commenced in May this year and is scheduled for completion by the end of September. The school will open for pre-school to Grade 10 in January 2016. Grade 11 will be introduced in 2017 and Grade 12 in 2018. After-care facilities will also be provided. At full capacity the school will cater for 1655 learners with 65 staff members.
 
The choice of Corobrik Moroccan Red Travertine face bricks for the construction of the school was primarily for their robustness in a school environment, durability, and associated low maintenance attributes. “With sustainability a key requirement in modern construction, clay face brick eliminates the need for material replacement, saving on costs throughout its lifetime of way beyond 100 years,” said Corobrik’s sales director Ockert van Heerden.
 
“Clay face brick has many other advantages. It comes with a ‘desirability factor’ and provides a good balance between aesthetics and practicality. All in all, face brick is rightly regarded as a material of choice for defining a school building’s status as right and proper.”
 
“Not many people give much thought to the contribution clay bricks quietly contribute to good air quality and healthy indoor environments. The inorganic qualities of fired clay assure mineral properties that guarantee a nearly pollution-free indoor air quality while A clay bricks natural propensity to absorb and release humidity from the atmosphere helps keep humidity at the desired 40 to 60% level for healthy living.”
 
“Another important attribute of clay brick is its good thermal performance,” van Heerden said.
 
“Scientific research has demonstrated that clay brick walling provides the most thermally efficient day-time occupancy institutional buildings, such as schools, helping ensure classroom environments are warm in winter and cool in summer and conducive to better teaching and learning.”
 
Other positive characteristics of face bricks are its structural strength, flexibility in design and application, natural sound proofing qualities, incombustibility, natural resistance to fire and security.
 
“At the new Alberton School, the combination of earthy face bricks with the turquoise roof coverings and brightly painted accent walls creates a striking image, reflecting the passion that Royal Schools has for education and a stimulating learning environment,” he said.
 
This state-of-the-art development has 63 class rooms, two computer laboratories, three science laboratories, four pre-school classes with a well-equipped play area, a hall with a stage, tuck shop, administration block, several staff and meeting rooms, sports fields, a drop-off zone for learners and a staff parking area. Each class will have a data projector, laptops and Wi-Fi access. A complete security system with alarms will be enhanced by an electric perimeter fence and cameras throughout the site.
 
Whilst the catchment area for Royal Schools Albertsdal is mainly Katlehong, Thokoza and Vosloorus, it is only 20 km from the Johannesburg CBD and the major industrial areas of Alrode, Wadeville, Jetpark, Isando and City Deep, with direct access to highways.
 
The other two schools managed by Royal Schools Management Company are Princess Park College and Queens Private School. They are both situated in the Pretoria inner city and are well known for their academic excellence. All three schools are co-ed English medium schools that cater for children from pre-school to Grade 12.