More than 3 million of Corobrik’s quality face brick products were used in the construction of The Junction @ Forest Hill in Centurion, Pretoria.
The 440-unit rental housing development, based in Heuweloord, will be completed by Central Developments in February 2017 to meet the growing need for well-constructed housing in the R5 000 to R7 000 rental price range.
“There is a huge demand for affordable, rental properties in the Centurion area,” explained
Schalk Eagar project manager for Central Developments. “The site was selected because of its proximity to Forest Hill Mall as well as major highways in the vicinity.”
The Junction @ Forest Hill consists of 20, four-level blocks with a total of 440 apartments. Each unit has two bedrooms, one bathroom with modern, interior finishes letting from R5 600 to R6 200. The development also includes three children’s play areas, a laundromat and 24-hour security for all residents.
Construction of the building’s exterior was completed with 1 268 000 Moroccan Red Travertine and 1 807 000 Nebraska Travertine face bricks supplied by Corobrik.
“We decided to go with Corobrik’s face brick range because of the product’s low maintenance qualities as well as the superior aesthetics,” said Eagar.
Gert Claassen of Gert Claassen Architect, expanded on the use of face brick in the development: “The deep red face brick was used throughout on the ground level as foundation walls and as a dado of five-courses high, while the rest of the ground storey and the three higher storeys were constructed in the lighter Nebraska Travertine.”
He explained that the lighter brickwork in the upper levels was broken up by a horizontal line of two red brick courses placed above the windows.
“These horizontal blocks were further broken by strong, vertical elements such as stairwells, balconies and pipe ducts in the red bricks which interrupted the monotony of long walls,” said Claassen. “Furthermore, the red bricks were used as window sills and brick-on-edge lintels over the windows.”
Musa Shangase, Corobrik’s commercial director, said the finished development was testament to the face brick’s high quality visual appeal.
“The end result is always striking and there is no need for further plastering or painting later on,” explained Shangase. “In addition to the low maintenance cost-saving benefits, face brick has outstanding thermal efficiency which allows for natural cooling in the hot summer months and retention of warmth in winter.”
Shangase said face brick was also increasingly popular for the construction of apartment blocks and close proximity buildings where noise could be an issue.
“The sound insulation offered by each brick means a more comfortable living environment for all residents,” he said. “The bricks are extremely durable, fire-resistant and the perfect product for any housing development.”