Private offices typically house the highest paid workers within an organization, and they usually allot more square meterage per person than open plan. While many private offices have remained essentially unchanged for decades, the rest of the workplace has changed dramatically — cross-functional teams, multitasking, creative thinking, group processes – the grown-up equivalents of “plays [...]
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2011 Bathroom Faucet Trends
Tapping into trends It is a well-known fact that it is the smaller details that truly finish a home, and this is especially true in the bathroom. Says Jasmin Kraneveldt from Bathroom Bizarre: “The choice of bathroom faucets can really make or break a bathroom composition, and hence there are a number of concerns that [...]
“The future African city” is the theme of 2011 C&CI sustainable design competition
“The Future African City” is the theme of the fifth annual Cement & Concrete Institute (C&CI) Architectural Sustainable Design Competition. Daniel van der Merwe, architect at C&CI, says the purpose of the competition is to promote the innovative use of concrete in providing sustainable environments. “C&CI wants to stimulate fresh thinking that produces [...]
Bosun red on Soweto sidewalks
In 2006, in commemoration of the 30th anniversary of the June 16 Student uprising in Soweto, the route from Morris Isaacson High School to the Hector Pieterson Memorial was paved with red pavers. This was the first stage of a broader project to pave all the routes learners took on 16 June 1976 on their [...]
Why use extended rather than pure cements?
Negative perceptions about the durability and performance of extended cements, combined with tradition and a conservative approach to new technology have caused resistance to their use, a situation which is gradually changing, according to experts from AfriSam. “Extended cements are being used increasingly in major projects such as Gautrain, the SANRAL Gauteng Freeway Improvement [...]
Tiling for Birchwood Hotel
Tile Africa Contracts supplied tiles and bathroom ware for the extension to the Birchwood Hotel & OR Tambo Conference Centre in Boksburg, Gauteng. “We are proud to be associated with this development and to have supplied tiles for the interior and exterior as well as accessories for the bathrooms,” says Craig Irvine, national contracts [...]
New products see shift in focus
Traviata Flooring Systems, established distributors of laminate flooring, have recently partnered with two global manufacturers to bring exciting new ranges to South Africa. Traviloc, a luxury vinyl wood-plank, Is the cutting edge of solid vinyl technology. Using a patented click all round system it forms a truly floating resilient floor that has great aesthetics, is [...]
The South African Interior Designer of the Year Awards 2011: Call for Entries
This year’s most prestigious interior design and decorating awards are underway! The Fabric Library brings The South African Interior Designer of the Year Award to you in association with House and Leisure and The South African Institute of the Interior Design Professions (IID). The aim of this prestigious awards programme is to recognise and reward [...]
Ombudsman for solar water heating industry
With the appointment of an ombudsman, Colin Bain, one of the country’s fastest growing ‘green’ industries has taken a huge step forward in ensuring it delivers on consumer expectations while meeting stringent quality standards. Bain, who represents the Sustainable Energy Society of Southern Africa’s Solar Water Heating division offices (SESSA SWH), is responsibility for investigating [...]
Concrete roof tiles cap a successful housing project in Kleinmond
The Concrete Manufacturers Association (CMA) maintains that concrete roof tiles are fast becoming the preferred roofing material for affordable/low-cost housing sectors. A striking example can be seen here at the Kleinmond Housing Project near Hermanus, where some 370 000 double roman plus standard were supplied for the project. Supplied by a CMA producer member, Marley [...]
Latest Issue - January/February 2012
In This Issue:
- Goba offices by Elphick Proome Architects
- Central Government Offices by MEG Architects and Muhammad Mayet Architects
- Edgars extension at Ballito Lifestyle Centre by Evolution Architects
- House van Dyk by BbA Architects
- Retrofitting and Energy Efficiency
