Leads 2 Business Blog

20 Apr 2022

What is Intellectual Property?

by Nadine Vermeulen | posted in: General | 0

The definition of Intellectual Property (IP) is the ownership of ideas, such as your trade secrets, your creations; it could be a new invention, a new design, or even a new brand. There are various types of IP available and is an important asset in the knowledge of today’s economy. Some of the IP rights require a process of application, examination and registration.

Registering and managing your IP rights ensures that you receive the best protection and get the most out of your idea, creation or invention. It is also important when establishing your product or service as this will reduce the chance of your products or services being replicated and passed off as those of a rival trader.

The Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) administer the following IP domains in South Africa:

Trademarks – which identifies the particular goods/services of a trader as distinct from those of other traders. This includes a company’s name, logo, catchphrases etc. The owner of a trademark has the exclusive rights to use, sell or licence the trademark.

Patent – This protects how an invention functions or works such as new and useful inventions whether it may be a new construction method, building material formulation, power tool component, or renovation technique. Patents allow the owner to stop other traders from manufacturing, using, copying or selling the device or process. The owner has the exclusive right to use, sell or license the invention

Designs – the visual appearance of a product is protected but not the way it works, such as kitchen appliances, fashion items, etc. The owner has the exclusive right to use, sell or license the registered design

Copyright – this protects certain types of works such as Literary works; Musical Works; Artistic works; Cinematographic films; Sound Recordings; Broadcasts; Programme-carrying signals; Published editions and Computer programs. This can also range from designs, layouts, blueprints, and other aspects of the manufacturing process which can often be copyrightable. The owner has the exclusive right to use, sell or license the copyrighted work.

Most IP rights are extremely territorial, which have to be dealt with in each territory where you intend to trade. If you have a patent, trademark or design granted in South Africa, it will only be valid in South Africa.

Contractors have a very intricate job that consists of a lot more than physical labour; the construction work that we see is the last step. In the early stages of a project, partnerships are formed with specialists, suppliers, subcontractors, and therefore proper protection is a must. Architectural copyrights is a perfect example as these copyrights can cover blueprints, technical design documents and more, these rights are usually attributed to the architect or engineer. From initial designs to all the calculations and specifications required, there are many forms of IP in any kind of construction project. IP protection is something that should concern anyone involved in the construction industry.

When it comes to the construction industry, you won’t just be protecting your designs and ideas, but also protecting methods of building, machinery used and materials. It is important to know how to protect your IP so that others won’t profit from your hard work.

Sources
CIPC
BDC Magazine

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About Nadine Vermeulen

I started working at Leads 2 Business in October 2014 in the Leads 2 Quotes Department. I managed all the Daily Tender Bill Requests and followed up on BoQ's for our Daily Tender Subscribers. In 2017, I was promoted to L2Q Assistant and now work with Bill of Quantities for Contractors. 🙂

19 Apr 2022

Staff Spotlight: Nadine Vermeulen

by Nadine Vermeulen | posted in: Staff Spotlight | 0

Nadine Vermeulen STAFF SPOTLIGHT - doc

About Nadine Vermeulen

6 Jul 2021

Buildings that took the Longest to Build

by Nadine Vermeulen | posted in: General | 0

Each and every building and structure can be anything from spectacular creations with stunning sculptures on the outside and gorgeous murals on the inside to geometrical marvels with much accuracy and design, to eye-catching architecture that is a standing work of art and one can just stare and behold their magnificence. There are many such buildings and structures around the world; however, some of these buildings are as follows:

The Taj Mahal:

The construction of this spectacular palace began in 1632 and took 21 years to construct. The Mughal emperor, Shan Jahan, had the palace built-in memory of his wife, Mumtaz Mahal, who died that year while giving birth to their 14^th child. The interior and exterior are absolutely marvelous and are among the finest in Mughal architecture.

Angkor Wat:

The temple of Angkor Wat is made up of many buildings constructed in one place, which is interconnected by gardens and paths. Angkor Wat means “City of Temples” and is thought to have been constructed between AD 802 and AD 1220 with 300 000 laborers and 6000 elephants, it is also said that five million tons of sandstone were used.

The Leaning Tower of Pisa:

The tower was built as a freestanding bell tower for the cathedral situated nearby and is one of the famous monuments of today. The tower was meant to be straight; however 5 years into the construction when builders reached the 3^rd floor, the foundation began to sink on the one side, which caused the tower to lean. The tower is hollow inside with a spiral staircase, which consists of 257 steps. The construction started in 1173 and took 200 years in total to complete as construction halted for a period of 100 years.

The Great Wall of China:

The Great Wall of China is one of the structures that is the most recognizable in the world and also one that took the longest to build. There are several Great Walls that were built and altogether the wall took over 2000 years to complete. All the walls were built by the different dynasties and kingdoms of China over a period of 22 centuries.

The Sagrada Familia:

The construction of this beautiful masterpiece began over 150 years ago and believe it or not, is still under construction. Construction started in 1882 and by 1926 the church was only 25% completed when architect Antoni Gaudi passed away. Over the years since then, 9 architects have taken on the project, however ended up walking away due to the many obstacles of this project. Architect, Jordi Fauli, has taken on the challenge of completing this iconic building. It was anticipated that the construction would be completed by 2026, however, this has now been delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

“It is not the beauty of the building you should look at: it’s the construction of the foundation that will stand the test of time.” – David Allen Coe

“You can dream, create, design, and build the most wonderful place in the world. But it requires people to make the dream a reality.” – Walt Disney

“We shape our buildings; thereafter, they shape us.” – Winston Churchill

Sources:
Leaning Tower Pisa
Great Performers Academy
China Highlights
Wikipedia
BDC Network
Construction Blog

About Nadine Vermeulen

15 Oct 2020

Interesting Facts about North West

by Nadine Vermeulen | posted in: General | 2

General:

North West which was created in 1994, and takes up 9% of the total land in South Africa. North West is divided into 4 district municipalities, which in turn are divided into 18 local municipalities. North West consists of 24 cities and towns. Agriculture and mining production plays an essential role in boosting the economy in South Africa, providing main products such as diamonds, gold, platinum, sunflower seeds, maize and beef.

Mining:

North West is known as the Platinum Province as most of the world’s platinum comes from its Merensky Reef, which is a layer of igneous rock. The mining in North West is the pillar of its economy and generates more than half of the province’s gross domestic product. The primary minerals are gold, uranium, platinum, and diamonds. Interesting enough in Licthenburg, a town in the North West, was the richest public diggings in the world from 1925 – 1935, where the biggest pure red flawless diamond was found in 1927.

Tallest building:

The tallest building in the North West Province is the Rustenburg City Council building, which is 8 floors above ground and that is excluding the basement

Largest Mall:

The largest mall in the North West is situated in Klerksdorp. The Matlosana Mall is a first-super regional shopping centre at 65,000sqm.

What to do in North West:

North West offers breathtaking scenes of rolling fields and African bushveld and has a big selection of activities to do, especially if you have an adventurous spirit. With a selection of wildlife destinations, visiting World Heritage Sites and enjoying adventure activities, there is definitely something to do for everyone. The most famous place to be in North West is definitely Sun City, offering anything and everything from golfing to safari and wildlife, from Zip lining to Drift Trikes, from lazing in the sun to enjoying the Valley of the Waves to an extravagant nightlife filled with entertainment and that is not even the tip of the iceberg. There is so much more to do at Sun City. History was absolutely made when Sun City opened in 1979. It has become the best holiday resort in South Africa. North West also offers a paradise for any hiker or climber at the Magaliesburg mountain range, offering deep ravines and waterfalls.

North West has so much more to offer to anyone who visits this beautiful province.

Sources:
Britannica
Wikipedia
Business Insider

About Nadine Vermeulen

27 Feb 2020

Recycling in SA

by Nadine Vermeulen | posted in: Construction Chat, General | 0

When one hears about recycling, the Do’s and Don’ts, that you should recycle and the damage it is causing to our planet, it sometimes falls onto ears that do not care or that are tired of hearing the same thing over and over again “Save our Planet, recycle” Blah Blah Blah.

But what if I told you that recycling has become very fascinating? Don’t believe me? Let us see if I can change your view just a little bit.

As we all know, we should recycle the following: Cans, Paper, Glass and Plastic, however today I will be focusing on one specific material that is recyclable and indeed becoming a very important recycling material in South Africa: Plastic. Yes, plastic!

South Africa has some of the highest recycling rates and recycles more plastic than most countries and has a well-supported and dynamic recycling industry which is steadily improving year by year.

We all know that plastic waste is one of the world’s biggest problems, however, advanced technology and healthy clever brains have found a perfect solution to some of South Africa’s biggest problem areas, Plastic Pollution and Damaged Roads. Combine those two problems and Voila!, some smart people have decided to fix our roads with plastic. Say What!? Um, well okay??

Shisalanga Construction has successfully completed a plastic road in Cliffdale, KZN. The company used a binding agent with unique properties to blend the recycled plastic compounds into the asphalt formula for the road. A recycling plant turns recycled plastic into pellets, which are then heated until dissolved to be mixed with additives. 6% of the asphalt’s bitumen binder is then replaced, the result: for every ton of asphalt roughly 118 to 128 bottles are being used. The repaved road in Cliffdale which is more than 400 meters long, used asphalt made with the equivalent of nearly 40 000 recycled 2-litre milk bottles. Wow! Now that is pretty awesome to me.

Another plastic road was completed in Jeffreys Bay, Eastern Cape. Roughly 1.5 tons of recycled plastic was used to pave just 1km of road. The 1.5-ton plastic is comparable to 1.8 million plastic bags being used. By the end of the project, roughly 3 million plastic bags would have been used.

The results of this new plastic road make the road stronger and more durable, so that water, which is one of the main causes for creating our lovely potholes, will not be able to penetrate it so easy compared to the more traditional asphalt mixes. These plastic roads will also be more heat resistant.

With this new innovation of using recycled plastic for roads in our beautiful country gives us new hope to tackle our country with its waste problem as well as improve the quality of our roads. Can’t wait to see what else our clever South Africans come up with next.

Sources:
Averda
Plastics Info
Waste Advantage Mag

About Nadine Vermeulen

12 Mar 2019

Simple Tips that will improve Vendor Responses

by Nadine Vermeulen | posted in: Construction Chat, General, How To | 0

As the main contractor, your daily schedule involves plenty of organizing, planning, and meticulous work. In a busy world with a busy schedule, it is very easy to lose track of time and lose your objective for the day, even if it is just slight details or information that you need to obtain.
When you tender on a project (or a few), the stressful work can get a bit much, but never fear, as Leads 2 Business is here with a solution.

By using our L2Q Pricing Platform, life has become a little simpler in obtaining prices from various Vendors in just a few clicks.

Once a Bill of Quantities has been added onto your pricing platform profile, you can send Request for Quotes (RFQ’s) to various vendors to obtain prices for specific trades that you require.

Our dedicated Control List team will meticulously follow up on these RFQ’s to assist in obtaining the necessary responses.

By using the following tips, the responses you receive from vendors could be improved:

Provide vendors with drawings and/or specifications of the project.
Should a vendor contact you with regards to the quotation, assist as much as you are able to at the time.
Confirm that you are sending the RFQ to the correct vendor i.e read the description of the company, which will give you the necessary insight on their scope of works.
Keep an open line of communication, as good communication will assist with dealing with the same vendor in the future. For example; if the tender has been awarded, notify the vendor if you have been awarded the tender or not. This will let the vendor know that he/she is not pricing in vain.
Give the vendors sufficient time to respond to the RFQ (at least 5 – 7 days).

Hopefully, using these few tips, it will assist in an even smoother process to obtain your responses from various vendors, without being bombarded by unnecessary responses that you don’t need.

Feel free to give us a call if you require more information about our Leads 2 Quotes package on +27(0)860 836 337.

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To view notes with screenshots on how to use our website, please visit the Leads 2 Business Wiki.

About Nadine Vermeulen

6 Sep 2018

The World’s Biggest Diamonds

by Nadine Vermeulen | posted in: General | 0

The world’s biggest diamonds.

Diamonds dates back billions of years, and tells a tale of beauty, wealth and spirit. The word ‘Diamond’ originated from the Greek word ‘adamas’, which means unconquerable or unbreakable. For thousands of years diamonds have stood for far more than just a beautiful sparkly gem.

The Pharaohs believed that diamonds represented the sun (a symbol of power, courage and truth). In Ancient India it symbolized clarity and invincibility. Ancient Greeks believed diamonds to be the tears of the gods. In the middle ages it was believed that the diamond was a miracle stone, having exceptional healing abilities. In Europe, 322BC, diamonds were reserved only for Kings as it stood for strength, courage and invincibility and by the 1600 – 1750 diamonds symbolised ultimate prosperity and wealth among woman and men.

The tale of the modern diamond market really begins with the discovery of diamonds in Kimberly round about 1866. South Africa plays one of the most important roles in the history of diamonds as 65% of all diamonds were mined in SA and some of the world’s most famous diamonds have been discovered in SA.

Here are 8 of the world’s biggest diamonds ever to be discovered:

Sergio (3,167 carats)

The Sergio is the largest carbonado (black) diamond ever found. It is also the largest rough diamond ever found. This very rare diamond was discovered in the state of Bahia in Brazil in 1895. Carbonado is the toughest form of natural diamond which is an impure form of polycrystalline diamond consisting of diamond, graphite, and amorphous carbon. Like many other carbonado diamonds, it’s believed to be of a meteoritic origin. The diamond was discovered by Sérgio Borges de Carvalho. The diamond was broken up into smaller 3-6 carat pieces as industrial diamond drills.

Cullinan Diamond (3,106.75 carats)

The Cullinan Diamond was discovered by Sir Thomas Cullinan in 1905. This largest gem quality rough diamond which was ever found was discovered in the Premier No. 2 mine in Cullinan, South Africa. The Cullinan was placed on sale in London in April 1905 and despite a large amount of interest stayed unsold after 2 years. The Transvaal Colony government bought the Cullinan in 1907 and presented the diamond to King Edward VII on his 66^th Birthday. The Cullinan was cut into various sizes such as Cullinan I (also known as the Great Star of Africa) and is the largest clear cut diamond in the world and is mounted in the head of the Sovereign’s Sceptre with Cross. Cullinan II is the second-largest (also known as the Second Star of Africa) and is mounted in the Imperial State Crown. Both these diamonds form part of the Crown Jewels of the United Kingdom. Queen Elizabeth II privately owns 7 other major diamonds which was cut from the Cullinan. These diamonds she inherited from her grandmother, Queen Mary in 1953.

Excelsior Diamond (955.20 carats)

This diamond was known as the largest gem-quality diamond in the world from the time it was discovered on 30 June 1893 until 1905 when the Cullinan Diamond was discovered. The Excelsior diamond was discovered at Jagersfontein Mine, South Africa, in a shovelful of gravel that was being loaded into a truck by a worker. The diamond was unsold for many years before the owners of the diamond made the decision to cut the stone in the several smaller stones, which meant that it would never be a single large spectacular stone. The diamond was of a blue-white tint colour.

Star of Sierra Leone (968.9 carats)

With the discovery of this Diamond in the Diminco alluvial mines in the Koidu area of Sierra Leone on 14 February 1972, it was ranked the fourth largest diamond found. This diamond was also ranked as the largest Alluvial diamond ever to be discovered, which is the term used to describe diamonds which has been removed from the primary source (the kimberlite pipe) by natural erosive action over an extended period of time and finally deposited into a new environment such as a river bed. The diamond was cut into an emerald shaped stone, but was re-cut at a later stage due to an internal flaw. This resulted in 17 separate diamonds of which 13 were deemed to be flawless.

The Incomparable Diamond (890 carats)

Discovery of this Diamond was near MIBA Diamond Mine, Democratic Republic of the Congo and was found in a pile of rubble from mine dumps by a young girl in 1984. The rubble was considered to be too bulky to contain any diamonds and therefor had been discarded. The young girl gave the diamond to her uncle, who then sold it to a diamond dealer. Once the diamond was transported to Belgian, it took years of master craftsmen to cut this diamond into a gorgeous yellow-brown diamond.

Millennium Star (777 carats)

This near to perfect diamond was discovered in the Mbuji-Mayi district of Zaire in 1990 and is currently owned by De Beers Company. This pear-shaped stone is stunningly flawless internally and externally and is known to be the second largest top-colour rating diamond in the world. This diamond is one of the most beautiful diamonds in the world, and experts have declared it to be priceless.

The Woyie River Diamond (770 carats)

This beautiful diamond was discovered in Koidu, Sierra Leone in 1945 and at the time was the largest alluvial diamond ever to be found. The rough diamond was brought to London in 1947 where it was viewed by Queen Mary and later exhibited in 1949 at the British Industries Fair.

The Golden Jubilee (755 Carats)

This gorgeous yellow-brown coloured gem was discovered in South Africa in 1985 and was first known as the “Unnamed Brown” due to its colour. The diamond remained unknown to the outside world until 1990 and required 2 years work to bring this beauty to its current state. The diamond was purchased by a group of Thai business people led by Henry Ho in 1995. It was arranged for the diamond to be given as a gift from the people to King Bhumibol to celebrate the 50^th anniversary of the King’s accent to the throne. It was received on his behalf in 2000 by his daughter, Princess Matia Chari Sirindhom and is now on display in the Royal Museum at Pimammek Golden Temple Throne Hall in Bangkok as part of the crown jewels.

As one of the world’s most precious substances, diamonds have been greatly desired across the globe for countless ages. They are changeless and astonishingly durable. The powerful symbolism they embody only adds to their tremendous worth.
Diamonds don’t get old, they only become more valuable.

That’s why they perfectly represent love, power, and the majesty & mystery of the universe.

Sources:
Wikipedia
Flickr
Pixabay

About Nadine Vermeulen

2 Apr 2018

10 Myths about Green

by Nadine Vermeulen | posted in: Did You Know | 0

10 Myths about Green

Most people want to do their part in saving Mother Earth and preventing global warming, make some sort of difference in the world, even if it is by doing something small. Sometimes, however, the small things that you do, doesn’t always seem to be the right thing. There are so many do’s and don’ts floating around that you seem to feel like a small kid with his mother telling you with a pointed finger “don’t do this”, don’t do that” and “ do this and do that”, that you feel you should just crawl into a little corner and remain there for the remainder of your life.

However, never fear, Mythbusters is here (well, almost)

Here are a few Myths about ‘Going Green’ that have been, as they say, busted…

Myth: The cost of going green is too much.

Fact: Truth is that some are costly, however in the long haul, developing some ‘green habits’ will save money. In the long run, you will be saving more than what you realize.

Myth: All paper can be recycled.

Fact: Most paper can be recycled; however, used napkins, paper plates and pizza boxes cannot be recycled

Myth: Foods that are organic are more earth friendly

Fact: This is not always the case. It all depends on where it has been grown, for example, local fruits and vegetables grown a few kilometres from your house is better than those that are imported. Buying organic is all about weighing the pro’s and con’s

Myth: Always turn off the lights when leaving a room

Fact: Turn off your incandescent lights if you plan to leave the room for more than 5 seconds. Turn off your CFL (Compact fluorescent lamp) if you plan to leave the room for more than 15 minutes. The typical incandescent bulb lasts about 1,000 hours, while a 15-watt CFL bulb lasts 10,000 hours and a 12-watt LED bulb lasts 25,000

Myth: It is better to wash dishes by hand.

Fact: Believe it or not, but using a dishwasher is more ‘greener’ than washing by hand. Run your dishwasher only when it is full. By waiting till it’s full, you make the best use of the water and energy needed to wash your dishes.

Myth: Paper Bags vs Plastic Bags

Fact: In actual fact, neither of these is the greener option, it is better to shop with reusable canvas bags

Myth: Holding on to your great-great granny’s washing machine is a way to recycle.

Fact: Older machines and household appliances uses much more power than the newer generation. Machines have evolved with mankind.

Myth: Switching your geyser off saves energy

Fact: Switching your geyser off and back on again actually uses more electricity, think of your geyser as a giant kettle, it has an element that heats your water up. When using some of the hot water, it will be ‘topped up’ with cold water causing the temperature to drop a bit. The element will kick in and re-heat the water to the set temperature. When you switch your geyser off the hot water will slowly go cold. Switching the geyser back on will cause the element to heat up all the water in the geyser, which uses more electricity than needed. If you go away on holiday then it will be plausible to switch your geyser off as to not use electricity. Alternatively, you can switch to a solar water heating system.

Myth: Small electronic devices don’t need to be unplugged

Fact: Any device that is not in use can draw some sort of current, such as a cell phone charger. If your mobile phone is not charging then unplug the charger. Even when they are “off”, TVs, electronic equipment, WIFI routers, and computers continue to draw electricity all day. Put them all on a power strip and shut them totally off at night or when you leave the house to reduce energy use and save money.

Myth: Doing your washing in cold water won’t get your washing clean.

Fact: Washing your clothes in cold water will get rid of any dirt, except for the worst dirt or oily stains (this can be washed in hot water), leaving your clothes looking and smelling clean, but without the energy spent on heating the water.

There are many simple ways you “can do” to help. Take the leap, take the small step, plant a tree and always remember the 3 RE ’s: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.

Together we can help to save Mother Earth and look toward a better future.

Sources:

https://www.rd.com/home/cleaning-organizing/13-ways-to-go-green-simple-ways-to-save-the-environment/
http://www.isotherm.co.za/switching-off-geyser-really-save-energy/

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About Nadine Vermeulen

29 Jun 2017

L2B Blog: Visions of the future from the architectural past

by Nadine Vermeulen | posted in: Construction Chat | 0

Visions of the future from the architectural past

When you look at a building, what do you see? I see bricks, some windows, a door or two, oh, and we can’t forget the roof. I am sure that is pretty much what everyone else sees. But when I was given the task of writing this blog, I couldn’t find anything on visions of the future from Architectures past besides the thoughts and visions of what the future might look like with flying cars and buildings in the air floating around (Ok, maybe not to that extent, but you get the idea). With a pounding headache and the confusion lingering, I was forced to take a deeper look into what was handed to me.

A light bulb appeared and low and behold, bam! The idea popped into my mind. I started to think a little out of the box. As the searching started I was amazed at what I discovered, who knew that there is more to a building than just bricks, windows, doors and a roof. Confused? Let me shed some light…

When you look at a building there is more than what the eye can see. There is a past, a story to be told. If I had to write about each and every building, we might be dealing with the longest blog known. Instead I have isolated 3 buildings to tell their story…

1. The Dresden Fraunkirche ( Church of the Lady)

The Dresden Fraunkirche is a Lutheran church in Dresden, capital state of Saxony, Germany, first built in the 11th century in a Romanesque style. The first Frauenkirche was torn down in 1727 and replaced by a new and larger church. The church’s most distinctive feature was its unconventional 96m high dome, called ‘die Steinerne Glocke’ or “Stone Bell”

(Frauenkirche, between 1860 and 1890)

The destruction of the Frauenkirche took place on 13 February 1945, when Anglo-American allied forces began the bombing of Dresden. The church withstood these attacks for two days and nights and held long enough for the evacuation of 300 people who had sought shelter in the church. The dome finally collapsed on 15 February. The pillars exploded and the outer walls shattered and nearly 6 000 tons of stone plunged to earth.

During the last months of World War II, residents expressed the desire to rebuild the church, however reconstruction came to a halt due to political circumstances in East Germany. Due to the continuing decay of the ruins, Dresden leaders decided in 1985 to rebuild the Church of Our Lady. The project gathered momentum as hundreds of architects, art historians and engineers sorted through the thousands of stones, identifying and labelling each for reuse in the new structure.

Reconstruction proceeded in February 1992 and a rubble-sorting ceremony started the event in January 1993 under the direction of architect and engineer Eberhard Burger. The foundation stone was laid in 1995 and stabilised in 1995. In 1996 the crypt was completed followed by the inner cupola in 2000. The exterior was completed by 2004 and the exterior painted in 2005. The intensive efforts to rebuild this landmark were completed in 2005, one year earlier as planned and in time for the 800-year anniversary in 2006.

(Frauenkirche at night)

2. The Reichstag Building

The Reichstag building is a historic edifice in Berlin, Germany which was constructed in 1871 to house the Imperial Diet of the General Empire.

(Reichstag Building, August 1932)

The building was opened in 1894 and housed the Diet until 1933, when it was severely damaged after it was set on fire. The building fell into disuse after the World War II.

(Reichstag, postwar. June 1945)

The ruined building was made safe against the elements and partially refurbished in the 1960s. Only after the German reunification on 3 October 1990, did the Reichstag undergo reconstruction led by Architect Norman Foster

During reconstruction, the building was almost completely stripped, taking out everything except the outer walls. Respect to the historic aspects was one of the conditions stipulated to the architects so that traces of historical events were to be retained in visible state.

Reconstruction was completed in 1999 and is the second most visited attraction in Germany. The building houses a huge glass dome that was erected on the roof as a gesture to the original 1894 cupola.

3. Last but not least, the demise of the next buildings, shattered America and brought the world to a standstill… the World Trade Centre (The Twin Towers)

At the time of their completion the Twin Towers were the tallest buildings in the world. On 20 September 1962, the Port Authority announced the selection of Minoru Yamasaki as lead architect and Emery Roth & Sons as associate architects. The original plan was for the towers to only be 80 stories tall, however, to meet the requirements of the Port Authority to have 10 000 000 square feet of office space, towers were eventually 110 stories tall. Demolition work began on 21 March 1966 to clear thirteen square blocks of low rise buildings. Groundbreaking took place on 5 August 1966. On 4 April 1973 the Twin Towers opened.

About 50 000 people worked in the towers with approximately 200 000 additional visitors passing through on a typical weekday. On 11 September 2001, the world came to a standstill when terrorists hijacked American Airlines and deliberately crashed into both the towers. It was estimated that approximately 17 400 occupants were in the towers at the time of the attacks and 2 977 people died as a result.

During the following years, plans were created for the reconstruction of the World Trade Centre which is now known as the World Trade Centre Memorial and Museum. They commemorate all the victims that were killed on 11 September 2011, including the names of 6 people who were killed in the World Trade Centre bombings in 1993. Construction began in August 2006 and despite many delays, the opening of the memorial took place on 12 September 2011, one day after the 10th anniversary of the terrorist attacks. The names of the victims are inscribed on 76 bronze plates attached to the walls of the memorial pools. Below is the transcript of ‘The Memorial Mission’:

‘The Memorial Mission’

‘Remember and honour the thousands of innocent men, women, and children murdered by terrorists in the horrific attacks of February 26, 1993 and September 11, 2001.

Respect this place made sacred through tragic loss.

Recognise the endurance of those who survived, the courage of those who risked their lives to save others, and the compassion of all who supported us in our darkest hours.

May the lives remembered, the deeds recognised, and the spirit reawakened be eternal beacons, which reaffirm respect for life, strengthen our resolve to preserve freedom, and inspire an end to hatred, ignorance and intolerance.’

With a new outlook on buildings, always remember that just like each and every one of us, we all have a story to tell. A past, a present and a future.

“THE SIGNIFICANCE OF ANY BUILDING LIES IN ITS ABILITY TO BOTH EVOKE HISTORY AND MOVE FORWARD.”— RYUKO SOLOMON

Sources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dresden_Frauenkirche
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reichstag_building
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reichstag_dome
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Trade_Center_(1973%E2%80%932001)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_September_11_Memorial_%26_Museum

Did you Know #DYK: Project Life Cycle Explained

About Nadine Vermeulen

6 Apr 2017

L2B Blog: What makes for great building design?

by Nadine Vermeulen | posted in: Frequently Asked Questions, General | 2

What makes for great building design?

What makes for great building design… There is a unique mind inside the head of an architect that is magically able to juggle numbers, lines and angles, along with creative possibilities that most of us cannot fathom. Architects have a strong understanding of all building disciplines, including structural, electrical and mechanical.

This takes Smarts. And while simply being smart does not make you a good architect, it does give you a good foundation. You must be able to determine the necessary calculations to make buildings work, understand the properties of the materials you are working with, and create safe and sound structures from start to finish.

A good design should consist of the following characteristics:

1. Sustainable

Sustainable construction considers the complete lifecycle of a building, from the choice of initial materials to demolition and recycling and refers to the use of environmentally preferable practices and solutions in each of the phases.

2. Accessible

What is a good design if it’s only available to some? The concept focuses on enabling people with disabilities, or special needs, or enabling access through the use of assistive technology.

3. Functional

This should be the simplest attribute of good design, but it is often the hardest to achieve.

4. Well Made

Architects don’t make anything. The architects say how well a building is built is limited to a set of instructions they provide. In the end, people that actually build it have little to no actual interaction with the architect. This means the instructions better be good, and just as important, easy to understand.

5. Emotionally Resonant

Every design should be an attempt to stir the senses.

6. Enduring

Buildings need both structural and aesthetic longevity. It’s important to innovate, but you don’t want a design that looks outdated before that last coat of paint dries. The time frame for enduring is uncertain.

7. Socially Beneficial

Whether you like it or not, all architecture is public architecture. Architects have a responsibility to look both within and beyond the walls of buildings to see what they can do to help.

8. Beautiful

Beauty is subjective, right?

9. Ergonomic

Buildings must relate to the scale of the people that inhabit them. Often this idea is lost in the array of 3D computer modelling technologies that architects use these days. Stop and take a step back. Put a person in that model. Even if they’re digital.

10. Affordable

Creating affordable architecture is more difficult. It involves entrepreneurship on the part of the architect. An upfront investment to invent an affordable solution that the masses can afford.

Being an architect is more than just drawing and building. It involves social skills, a knowledge of engineering, math, science, physics and several related topics; dedication and drive; and, most important, the ability to design.

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About Nadine Vermeulen

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General:

Mining:

Tallest building:

Largest Mall:

What to do in North West:

About Nadine Vermeulen

About Nadine Vermeulen

About Nadine Vermeulen

About Nadine Vermeulen

About Nadine Vermeulen

1. The Dresden Fraunkirche ( Church of the Lady)

2. The Reichstag Building

3. Last but not least, the demise of the next buildings, shattered America and brought the world to a standstill… the World Trade Centre (The Twin Towers)

‘The Memorial Mission’

“THE SIGNIFICANCE OF ANY BUILDING LIES IN ITS ABILITY TO BOTH EVOKE HISTORY AND MOVE FORWARD.”— RYUKO SOLOMON

About Nadine Vermeulen

About Nadine Vermeulen