Consultancy works on award winning projects

1st August 2014

  

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Engineering consultancy Aurecon has been involved in three of this year’s South African Property Owners Association (Sapoa) Innovative Excellence in Property Development Awards, two of which were linked to the innovation category.

During the awards ceremony, which was held at the Cape Town International Convention Centre in June, Sapoa honoured property innovators, developers, owners and built environment professionals who have made a significant contribution to the enhancement of the property industry.

“The winners highlight excellence in design and innovation. Winners meet today’s challenges and tomorrow’s needs and reflect the cutting-edge of design in South Africa and globally,” says Sapoa CEO Neil Gopal.

The Solar laboratory at Tshedimosetso House, in Pretoria, walked away a winner in the overall best innovation merit category. Developed by JSE-listed Growthpoint Properties and designed by architecture firms ADO Architects, S&A Architects and Urban Design Architects, the building is the new home of the Government Communication and Information System.

Aurecon played the role of environmentally sustainable design (ESD) consultants on the project and, as such, was tasked with advising the project team on the seamless inclusion of appropriate environment-friendly technology.

The project was chosen specifically for its innovative solar façade, which features photovoltaic cells integrated into the glass of the building’s façade. The University of Johannesburg has linked the façade to a research study to evaluate the broader use of this advanced technology in South Africa. The inclusion of solar technology in this fashion has also hugely improved the building’s energy performance.

The University of Pretoria’s Mining Industry Study Centre walked away with the award for best refurbishment in the overall best innovation merit category. Having been built in 1974, a decision was taken to upgrade the centre by purposefully designing it to provide a place for engineering students to work after-hours and to work on group projects.

Developed by the university and designed by Pretoria-based architecture firm ARC Architects, the centre has successfully created an on-campus study and information centre. The new structure was planned and designed to use a previously unexploited space of the existing Engineering 1 Building’s street level. Adding an additional 3 000 m2 to the existing Engineering 1 Building, it consists mainly of an arched roof and mezzanine floor and is able to accommodate almost 800 students.

The centre saw Aurecon provide civil, structural and wet services engineering, and is an excellent example of the ability of skillful engineering to provide durable, aesthetically pleasing structural solutions that enhance the use of available space. The practical, innovative and highly successful use of a suspended ceiling meant the challenging time and budget requirements were achieved.

Pump manufacturer Grundfos’s office and warehouse in Meadowbrook, Germiston, earned top spot in the industrial developments category. This is the first integrated industrial and office facility in South Africa to be awarded a 5-Star Green Star South Africa Office Design rating by nonprofit company Green Building Council of South Africa.

Grundfos is a committed proponent of sustainable development and innovation. In designing their new state-of-the-art 3 400 m² offices and 9 000 m² high-tech warehouse in Johannesburg, two major challenges were encountered: that of a very sloped site, calling for innovative design techniques, and the need to implement ESD to the highest standards, including achieving ‘zero usage of potable water’ status.

Aurecon was commissioned as principal agent and held the responsibility for civil, structural and mechanical design and execution, as well as being ESD consultants.

In a novel design decision, the slope of the site was cleverly used to accommodate parking and a storm water attenuation facility underneath the buildings, resulting in the need for minimal groundworks from a fill perspective, overall better space use and faster construction time.

The rainwater harvesting system incorporated Grundfos’s own customised plant for purifying a portion of the rainwater in the attenuation tank to drinking water quality. This is believed to be a first in South Africa. A borehole was also drilled to supplement rainwater usage and incur a ‘zero rated user of potable water’ status – municipal water is only used if the purification plant and the borehole fail together.

The project team achieved both the novel use of a difficult site and created a flagship headquarters, which are an outstanding tribute to Grundfos’s commitment to sustainability.

“The opportunity to partner with visionary developers and project teams is a great honour for Aurecon. As such, we congratulate them on these outstanding Sapoa achievements,” concludes Aurecon property industry leader Ermis Marques.

Edited by Megan van Wyngaardt
Creamer Media Contributing Editor Online

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