Construction Chat

One thing about construction projects like houses and buildings is that as they went up, someday they must come down. Nothing lasts forever, and that includes residential homes and buildings, as well as commercial structures.

 

When that day arrives and the building has become unsafe or just seen better days, it’s time to call in the building demolition experts. Every safe and successful demolition begins with the company you hire to carry it out. After you’ve hired a qualified and reputable company to do the job, the demolition process begins.

 

Here are a few things to consider before the actual Demolition:

 

Engineering Survey: The first step of this process is making an engineering survey. Make sure a competent person does this task, one who perfectly knows the condition of the building. This person must indicate in the survey, the condition of the floors, framing, walls and the possibility of unplanned collapse of any part of the structure.

 

Hazardous Material: It’s important to determine if any hazardous material like chemicals, gases or explosives have been used with any equipment in the structure. If such material is present, then testing and purging must be done first to eliminate this hazard.

 

Creating the Plan: Once your needs are determined, a plan is created. The plan will include how the demolition is to be carried out, as well as all of the equipment that will be used to do it. The ultimate goal is to get that building demolished in the safest and most efficient way possible while staying within budget. These decisions will depend on things like the size of the building, the building materials, the reason for the demolition and the location of the building.

 

Some of the demolition methods that might be considered include:
• Implosion
• Deconstruction
• Selective Demolition
• Traditional Excavator with grapple or “claw” and thumb

 

Once the plan is set, the demolition company will know the method, the equipment that’s necessary, the approximate cost, how much debris there will be, how it will be dispersed at the site and how long it will take to clean up. Backup plans and emergency plans will also be part of the overall demolition plan.

 

Getting Permits: Obviously, it isn’t possible to just stroll into any city or town and demolish a building without getting the proper permits. Removing any building from a site will alter the landscape and can even alter property values and property taxes in the area.

 

Surroundings: The site must be fenced or suitably barricaded to prevent public access during the demolition process. No part of any external wall on or within 6,000mm of the street alignment is to be pulled down except during times as specified by the building surveyor.

 

Move Your Property to Storage: Before any demolition project, you need to get your valuables out of there, of course. Usually, there’s at least something in your old building worth holding on to! Make sure your property is well out of harm’s way long before the demolition begins so you aren’t scrambling at the last second. Anything you find that you don’t need anymore can be sold for a profit or donated to charity.

 

Check Your Insurance: It’s always a good idea to check your insurance policy and notify your insurer before beginning a demolition project. If a water pipe bursts or someone is injured, you don’t want to be held liable.

 

Arrange Alternate Space: If you’re demolishing your home or an office building, you need to make sure alternate arrangements have been made well in advance. Where will you live, or where will your employees go? Don’t put yourself in a pickle by failing to address where the people will go to after their home or workplace has been demolished.

 

Arrange Alternative Accommodation: Before demolition begins, ensure you have arranged suitable alternative accommodation. You may have another property to reside in, or you may wish to rent, share or board with family or friends. Whatever you decide, make sure it’s all planned out well in advance of demo day.

 

Reuse Old Materials: Before you bring in the wrecking ball, consider whether any materials can be reused for your new property. For example, you may wish to retain the old pavers for an outdoor patio or keep some well-established garden plants. Indoors, you may want to keep some of the cornices or skirting boards for reuse, or even the internal and external doors – after all, it’s amazing what a coat of fresh paint can do. Remember, a saving here and there can add up to thousands of Rands in savings in total.

 

In a lot of ways, the building going down isn’t really an ending, but a new beginning for whatever structure is going to take its place.

 

Sources:

https://www.domain.com.au/advice/demolition-day/

http://www.delpretemasonry.com/blog/prepare-demolition-day/

http://ferrocanada.com/involved-building-demolition-process/

https://www.safetyservicescompany.com/topic/uncategorized/safety-rules-in-preparing-for-demolition-projects/

I was asked to write a blog on “sustainable construction with 3D modelling” WHAT?!! How do you even say that? Well lets just say my heart sank and I ran around like a chicken without a head, I had no idea as to how I was going to write this blog or even how to start as I have never written a blog in my life so this was going to be a challenge, but what is a world without challenges and growth? I had another look at the topic and looked at it in a more positive way “Well….. I tried to”.

 

Let’s start with breaking it down:
What is “sustainable construction”?
A frequently used term yet nobody really knows the true meaning. Sustainable construction is the ability to preserve our environment and makes use of cost effective resources. While doing this we need to ensure we do not compromise the ability of our future generations to meet their own needs.

 

Sustainable construction is more than often misjudged by misunderstanding. Yet the very few businesses that do understand the meaning of sustainable construction do their utmost to embrace and preserve the environment by using efficient resources and stable economic growth. This also brings into effect the use of 3D modelling with the sustainable construction which also leads to saving valuable time, money, economic impact and errors found if we did not have. This technology is known as (BIM) Building Information Modelling.
Now you can see that the 3D modelling has come in and you are now thinking… okay, now what is this? Well, let me tell you about 2D then you will understand how 3D modelling works and how far we have come in the construction industry.

So what is 2D modelling?

Source

 

When construction was implemented using 2D drawings, 2D drawings were not always as reliable as they would have liked, often they would find errors and faults throughout the building and sometimes only once the structure was complete. This would then cost a lot more to fix, if they could fix it. Take the leaning tower of Pisa, imagine how this building would look if they had 3D modelling back then.

Source

 

What is 3D modelling?

Source

 

3D drawings are a 3 dimensional drawing that brings your design to life. With today’s technology with BIM and 3D drawings, sustainable construction has taken a big leap forward with regards to building, laying, environment and economic growth. 3D printing/drawing has helped in the construction and development of buildings allowing them to last longer as there are fewer faults in the construction phase. BIM is a program that gathers data and allows you to make a 3D model of your vision.

 

Sources:

https://gbcsaconvention.org.za/?gclid=CjwKCAjwlrnNBRBMEiwApKU4PEnF2wtPu-8P8yiRLuWnQqZ5N21s6y8ydid61ppFm8VT67DutJe5pBoC8nUQAvD_BwE

I hope that my blog doesn’t bore you too much. I like to talk – to the point where I am consciously aware that I am bothering the people around me… and yet I continue. As a mitigating consideration, (fingers crossed) I don’t think I’m boring. The fact that I think I might have the gift of the gab is probably one of the main reasons why I shouldn’t run out of things to talk about. 😉

 

I will be discussing consultants, who are they and what do they do?

 

To be honest, the very first time I heard the word “consultants”, I immediately thought of doctors, I don’t know why… probably because I’m Afrikaans. I lie awake at night sometimes worrying that my words, phrases, and punctuation will end up in court. Why? To be sentenced, of course.

 

A consultant is a person who provides professional or expert advice in a particular field of business to either an organisation or individual. There are various different types of consultants. Consultants are professionals, typically appointed by the client to perform expert tasks on a project.

 

The members of the Consultant team that are likely to be required on most projects are:

*Architect
*Engineers
*Consultants
*Quantity surveyors

 

In this regard, I’m going to focus on Architects.

 

Giving people an exceptional experience, and turning what appears to be nothing, into a space of breathtaking beauty.

 

That is the art of being an Architect. #WeLoveOurArchitects

#SiyawathandaAmaArchitectsAseAfrica #OnsWaardeerArgitekte

 

 

What is an Architect?

 

An Architect is someone who plans, designs and reviews the construction of developments. The architect is acquainted with the tender procedures and building contracts.

 

It’s amazing how opportunities in Africa became extraordinary. With the rapid economic growth, masses migrated into the cities, (which is quite distressing) how would you plan for expansion of these cities which were built for only a limited few? Well, with the right political agency and the right construction environment you can transform an empty space into a breathtaking sight, Exciting right!! I like to think that Architects develop the world, after all they create the foundation which our shopping malls, hospitals, schools and so much more are built on.

 

Please click here to view a project in Swaziland on our site

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Image Source

 

 

Enough harping on about how much I love architects. If you think about it for a second, throughout Africa there is a great need for mixed use developments. It’s an important aspect and this is the reason why I feel that Architecture plays a big role just as much in Africa as everywhere else.

 

The continued population growth across Africa has resulted in increased demand for infrastructure development. This has in return driven a significant rise in the number of investors seeking opportunities. There are companies whose main goal it is to provide exceptional services from conceptual to completion in developing new structures for the prosperity of Africa.

 

A long time ago there was no such thing as big flashy buildings or proper roofing with foundations and pretty things for the eyes. It was simple, traditional architecture. You had a choice of a wooden or a mud house. On the southern coast of Benin in West Africa, for example, there is an entire city built on stilts. These range from churches to banks and even hospitals. I read something once that caught my eye: “I asked him why he wanted a metal roof, and he said, because then I would be somebody.”

 

Image Source

 

If you think about it, this way architects have the power to make developments in Africa a source of income for the majority of locals who happen to be young people and are most likely unemployed. If Architects build sturdy structures they are automatically creating employment. By pushing innovation in local materials with skills and craftsmanship based on African heritage, they can actually end up with a mix of development that can benefit the population. Yes, we value our Architects in Africa. If African countries keep growing, it’ll continue to be an exciting place to work as an architect. Just remember, whatever good things we build ends up building us. #ValueOurArchitects

 

I would just like to place emphasis on the importance of proper architecture in the construction industry, after all architecture is the art and science of designing and building large structures. I would like to let you in on a terrible incident that took place in Kenya due to poor consultancy service and planning. In this case Kenya’s lab got a D on their report for this “science project”.

 

In April this year a building collapsed in Nairobi, leaving at least 12 people dead and others injured. The underlying cause and I quote “is poor construction, a problem reflected across the city and many other parts of Kenya”. In Nairobi alone only 42% of the cities buildings are considered safe for inhabitants, according to the 2015 audit by Kenya’s National Construction Authority, the Daily Nation reported and I quote again “developers are bypassing construction rules and regulations in order to meet the demand” said architecture professor Alfred Omenya in an interview after two buildings collapsed last year.

 

So… Consultancy in Africa…..yes, we need you and we don’t want any more buildings collapsing in Africa.

 

Please click on the link to read more about the article of the collapsing buildings in Kenya.

 

Finishing off, I would like to encourage you to check our website at www.l2b.co.za for amazing leads and business opportunities on consultancy. You can also sign up for a free trial to see what we are all about.

 

Until we meet again:)

 

“The road to success is always under construction”

 

 

Sources:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Consultant

http://roodtarchitects.co.za/blog/post/5/What-is-an-architect

https://www.dezeen.com/architecture/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Architecture_of_Africa

http://www.upworthy.com/11-awe-inspiring-african-cities-that-are-changing-the-face-of-urban-living-in-the-future

http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Global-News/2016/0430/Why-are-buildings-in-Kenya-collapsing-video

https://www.britannica.com/art/African-architecture

http://kids.britannica.com/kids/assembly/view/183388

http://www.archdaily.com/603169/7-architects-designing-a-diverse-future-in-africa

http://www.southafrica.net/za/en/articles/entry/article-southafrica.net-traditional-african-architecture

https://www.slideshare.net/rachelletriste/architecture-of-africa

http://www.mckinsey.com/global-themes/middle-east-and-africa/whats-driving-africas-growth

http://www.oecd.org/sti/inno/39374789.pdf