6 Apr 2017

L2B Blog: What makes for great building design?

by | 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 It’s important to innovate, but you don’t want a design that looks outdated before that last coat of paint dries.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.

http://www.modative.com

https://en.wikipedia.org

 

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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. 🙂

5 Apr 2017

Featured Project: Thembelihle Village

by | posted in: Featured Project | 0

Description: Construction of 734 social housing units, including retail and offices. The scope of works includes two 3 storey walk up blocks, seven 4 storey walk up blocks, two 10 storey tower blocks and four 11 storey tower blocks. The site is located on Erf 3020, Pretoria Central, on the corner of Sophie De Bruyn and Struben Streets, Pretoria, Gauteng. Latitude : -25.7424, Longitude : 28.1827. The contract value is R200 Million

Status: Underway

Industry: Building

Region: Pretoria

Sector: Private

Value: R 100 million+

Timing: October 2015 to June 2017. (20 months)

Notes: Construction is ongoing with completion estimated June 2017. A Subcontractors List was requested and will not be released to a third party.

If you are a valued Projects subscriber, you can find more details click here Thembelihle Village

About Michelle Crosby

I started my journey at Leads 2 Business in the Directory Department in 2012. I was then promoted to the Private Projects Department in 2014 and was recently promoted to Projects HOD this year.

4 Apr 2017

Featured Tender: Periodic Maintenance of National Route R22 section 4 from Mseleni River (km 0.0) to Phelendaba Circle (km 31.2)

by | posted in: Featured Tender | 2

Contract Number: NRAR.022-040-2017/2 – SANRAL

Description: For the Periodic Maintenance of National Route R22 section 4 from Mseleni River (km 0.0) to Phelendaba Circle (km 31.2). The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) invites tenders for the Periodic Maintenance of National Route R22 Section 4 from Mseleni River (km 0.0) to Phelendaba Circle (km 31.2). This project is in the province of Kwa-Zulu Natal and in the district municipality of uMkhanyakude. The approximate duration is four (4) months.

Industry Sector: Road

Industry: Infrastructure

Region: KwaZulu-Natal

Site Inspection: A compulsory tender clarification meeting with representatives of SANRAL will take place at Mbazwana Inn, Mbazwana (behind Superspar) on 11 April 2017 starting at 11:00. Late arrivals will not be allowed to participate in the meeting and their submissions shall be declared non-responsive.

Closing Date: 27 April 2017 at 14:00

Restrictions: Tenderers are eligible to tender if they have access to a suitably qualified and experienced Contracts Manager, who shall be the single point of accountability and responsibility for the management of the construction works, and who is registered with SACPCMP as PrCM or with ECSA as PrEng or PrTechEng. Tenderers should have a CIDB contractor grading designation of 7 CE or higher. However, tenderers attention is drawn to sub-sub-clause 4.1.1 of the Tender Data when submitting their tender. Tenders from tenderers with a CIDB contractor grading designation of 6 CEPE or lower will not be accepted. The primary criterion in selection, apart from the qualification and experience of the Contracts Manager, CIDB grading and costs, will be the degree to which the tenderer can demonstrate appropriate knowledge and expertise. Only locally produced or locally manufactured products and components for construction with a stipulated minimum threshold for local content and production as stated in the Tender Data will be considered. Preferences are therefore offered to tenderers who comply with the criteria stated in the Tender Data. Telegraphic, telephonic, telex, email, facsimile, late tenders and submissions from tenderers who arrived late at the tender clarification meeting shall not be accepted. Tenders may only be submitted in the format as stated in the Tender Data. Requirements for sealing, addressing, delivery, opening and assessment of tenders are stated in the Tender Data.

If you are a valued Tender subscriber, Click to find more details about Periodic Maintenance of National Route R22 section 4 from Mseleni River (km 0.0) to Phelendaba Circle (km 31.2)  

About Claire Donaldson

I started working at Leads 2 Business in February 2005, and have served as Head of Department of Daily Tenders from 2007 until the present. I oversee both the Daily Tenders South Africa and Africa Departments.

3 Apr 2017

Did you Know #DYK – SASSDS Life Cycle Costing App

by | posted in: Did You Know | 0

SASSDS Life Cycle Costing App

SASSDA (Southern African Stainless Steel Development Association ) has a Life Cycle Costing App which can be downloaded free from the Google Playstore or the Apple App Store.

This useful app can be used by engineers, architects, quantity surveyors, end-users, specifiers and even members of the public, to determine the costs of using stainless steel in projects compared to alternatives based on realistic estimates of the total costs of products or structures across their full-service lives. The app requires minimal entry of key top-line data, before calculating a breakdown of the relevant costs and presenting the results in a convenient email format.

According to their website, http://sassda.co.za:

Stainless steels have traditionally been specified in applications where the primary requirement is corrosion resistance. However, since their invention over 100 years ago, stainless steels (of which there are more than 200 different types) have also been recognised for other attributes such as durability, versatility, quality, sustainability, hygiene, aesthetic appeal and, with the advent of Life Cycle Costing (LCC), economy!

LCC is a technique developed for identifying and quantifying all costs, initial and ongoing, associated with a project or installation over a given period. It uses the standard accounting principle of discounted cash flow, so that total costs incurred during a life cycle period are reduced to present day values. This allows a realistic comparison to be made of the available options. As far as material selection is concerned, LCC enables potential long-term benefits to be assessed against short-term expediency. Materials costs are assessed with their related implications, such as initial outlay, maintenance and its frequency, downtime effects and production losses, repair and replacement costs, and other operationally related costs such as manpower and energy consumption.

The total LCC can be broken down into components:

LCC      =          Acquisition Cost
+          Fabrication and Installation Cost
+          Maintenance Costs (periodic)
+          Replacement Costs (periodic)
+          Cost of Lost Production (periodic)
–           Residual (Scrap) Value.

Each of these terms must be known if a realistic result is to be calculated. The environment and scope of usage are, therefore, crucial in determining the LCC benefits when choosing materials.

A full Life Cycle Cost analysis thus enables the materials specifier to consider the implications of future cost in terms of both actual monetary value and inconvenience of future maintenance and replacements.

Stainless steels are 100% recyclable without any loss in quality no matter how many times the process is repeated. When products reach the end of their useful lives, over 80% of the stainless steel is collected and recycled. Stainless steels are durable and have low maintenance costs due to their corrosion resistance. There is no coating or painting requirement and normal maintenance would simply be occasional cleaning.
Stainless steel may not always be the cheapest candidate material for an application when considering upfront costs. However, its durability and ease of maintenance compensate for the sometimes higher initial purchasing costs and it is often the least expensive choice in a Life Cycle Cost comparison.

With the development of its own Life Cycle Costing programme in the 1990s, the Southern African Stainless Steel Development Association (SASSDA) was able to determine the costs of using stainless steel in projects compared to alternatives based on realistic estimates of the total costs of products or structures across their full-service lives.

Full details and links to download the App can be obtained on the SASSDA website at http://sassda.co.za/life-cycle-costing-campaign and for a full explanation of how Life Cycle Costing works, you can also view their latest SASSDA YouTube channel video.

Information sourced from http://sassda.co.za

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About Marlaine Andersen

Leads 2 Business Advertising Co-ordinator and Digital Designer

31 Mar 2017

Industry Events: Digital Construction Expo + African Construction and Totally Concrete Expo

by | posted in: Construction Events | 0

Event: Digital Construction Expo

Date: 23 May 2017 – 24 May 2017

Event location: Gallagher Convention Centre, Gallagher Estate, Midrand, Johannesburg

Event description: This event showcases products like built environment, construction design & architecture, software, engineering, technology, digital technology and much more etc in the Building Construction, IT & Technology industries.

Contact: 021 700 4300 / Programme: Soren.dupreez@hypenica.com / PR Inquiries: info@eclipsepr.co.za

Event Website: Digital Construction Expo

 

 

Event: African Construction and Totally Concrete Expo

Date: 23 May 2017 – 24 May 2017

Event location: Gallagher Convention Centre, Gallagher Estate, Midrand, Johannesburg

Event description: African Construction and Totally Concrete Expos caters for the entire African construction, cement and concrete industries. The audience includes architects, engineers, contractors, quantity surveyors, government representatives as well as suppliers of products and services to the industry

Contact: 021 700 4300 / Programme: Soren.dupreez@hypenica.com / PR Inquiries: info@eclipsepr.co.za

Event Website: African Construction and Totally Concrete Expo

About Eldary Carpenter

I have been with Leads 2 Business for 5 years and absolutely love working for such a dynamic company. I started off as a Content Researcher in the Tenders Department before being promoted to Customer Relations.

30 Mar 2017

L2B Blog: Ways that technology is helping to build the Construction Industry

by | posted in: Construction Chat | 0

Ways that technology is helping to build the Construction Industry

Ways that Technology is helping to build the Construction Industry:

As technology continues to progress, it is not hard to see how it spills over into the construction industry. From machinery to apps on your phone and the advances in materials, each has an integral role:

To name a few groundbreaking Construction Projects from all over the world: In 2015, a Chinese company built a 57 story building in 19 days. The Burj Khalifa, the current world’s tallest building at 828m, completed in 2010. In my opinion, one of the most awesome feats of technology: the underwater dining room of the Kihavah Maldives. A house being built by a 3D printer in a record breaking 24 hours. If it was not for technology evolving, these Projects would not be done quickly, or even be possible.

As people, it is in our DNA to be creative, which leads to people continuously developing technology to be bigger, better, smarter and faster. The same applies to the construction industry.

Pre-1904, if you were building a house you would be mixing your concrete by hand. In 1904 Richard Bodlaender patented what we know today as the portable cement mixer, which has since been modified with an engine attachment. 1917 saw the birth of the cement mixing truck, which only reached its full potential in 1957 with the invention of the cement pump, allowing us the capabilities to pour concrete at an incredible rate: this cement pump has micro-evolved since the 50’s. I suppose all methods of mixing concrete are still used today depending on the budget of the project, however, the most effective method would be the use of the truck with a cement pump.

In our lifetime, we have seen “new technology” turned into dinosaurs, like dial-up internet (thank goodness that is gone). We’ve got smartphones, that have come a long way since its brick size predecessor and at the rate we are going, tablets will completely eradicate the entire species of the laptop computer. We have access to apps and websites on our phone, as long as we have a positive credit in our data bundles. Thanks to apps we are able to carry around a set of building plans and specs in the palms of our hands. By adding in a few figures, apps can work out the costs of the project for us. The diary industry (classic quoting system) is slowly eroding as we have our whole world on our phones. Advertising has progressed from newspaper classifieds to flyers/banners to social media (The newspaper is online these days as the world calls for a more paperless society). If you are avoiding social media, you will be left in the dark ages as your online presence is vital to your survival. Which is easier? To Google a phone number from your device or to look for a number in your phone book when you get home later, real world people want real-time answers.

Where does that leave us as South Africans?

We need to move forward, to adapt: Which has more life in it, the river or a pond with no inlet or outlet? To change our marketing strategies, to buy or develop new technology, to be more effective with the little time we have in the day. If we are not developing or inventing our own technology we will always be behind those who do. I think there is plenty of money to be made for those who can think ahead, keep up with technology, invest in development or purchase machinery so we can keep it local and sow into our own economy. Let us not be stuck in our ways, but keep adapting. I’m not saying throw the baby out with the bathwater, but be willing to embrace technology. Most importantly build your online presence.

If you are interested in becoming one of our subscribers, please visit our website.

To view notes with screenshots on how to use our website, please visit our Wiki site.

To view more articles, please visit our blog.

About Eldary Carpenter

I have been with Leads 2 Business for 5 years and absolutely love working for such a dynamic company. I started off as a Content Researcher in the Tenders Department before being promoted to Customer Relations.

29 Mar 2017

Featured Project: Kimberley Mental Health Facility

by | posted in: Featured Project | 0

Description: Construction of a mental healthcare facility, Barkly Road, Kimberley in the Northern Cape. Estimated project value: R1.8 billion.

Status: Underway

Industry: Healthcare

Region: Kimberley  

Sector: Public

Value: R 100 million+

Timing: October 2005 – October 2007 (24 months) extended to November 2017.

Notes: The Department of Health is in the process of obtaining additional funds from National Treasury and the National Department of Health for the project. Some of the sub-contractors on site have received part payment. Payments from August until February are still outstanding. There is skeleton staff on site and minimal works is taking place.

If you are a valued Projects subscriber, you can find more details click here Kimberley Mental Health Facility

About Melanie Miles

One girl who would rather wear boots than high heels...

28 Mar 2017

Featured Tender: Soshanguve Magistrate Offices: Additional Accommodation and repair the parking and storm water

by | posted in: Featured Tender | 0

Contract Number: PT17/011 – Department of Public Works

Description: Tenders are invited for: Pretoria: Soshanguve Magistrate Offices: Additional Accommodation and repair the parking and storm water. Required at: Gauteng: Department of Public Works: Pretoria Regional Office.

Industry Sector: Road, Renovations, Water, Institutional

Industry: Infrastructure, Building

Region: Pretoria

Site Inspection: Compulsory briefing 31 March 2017 at 10:00. Pretoria: Soshanguve Magistrate in Soshanguve.

Closing Date: 18 April 2017 at 11:00

Restrictions: Late posted documents will not be considered. Tender include functionality. Total minimum qualifying score for functionality is 60%. Tenderers are required to have CIDB grading of 9 GB or higher or 8 GB PE or higher. All tenderers must be registered with CSD (central supplier database)

If you are a valued Tender subscriber, Click to find more details about Soshanguve Magistrate Offices: Additional Accommodation and repair the parking and storm water

About Roxanne Mustard

My Name is Roxanne Mustard and I started working at Leads 2 Business in September 2016. My role in the Leads 2 Business team is as a Regional Content researcher in the Projects Department.

27 Mar 2017

Did You Know #DYK: We have Architects on our Directory? (Guided Search)

by | posted in: Did You Know | 0

We have Architects on our Directory? (Guided Search)

The definition of an Architect:

1. A person who engages in the profession of architecture.

2. A person professionally engaged in the design of certain large constructions other than buildings and the like: landscape architect; naval architect.

3. The deviser, maker, or creator of anything: the architects of the Constitution of the United States, Verb (used with object)

4. To plan, organise, or structure as an architect: The house is well architected.

Reference: http://www.dictionary.com/browse/architect

 

So now that we know what an Architect is/does – let’s find them on Leads 2 Business’ Directory:

There are a few ways of finding Architects on our Directory, namely by keyword, then under Professional Type and also Trades. We are going to go through the different ways:

Firstly, we are going to search by keyword: this search looks in the description & name fields. So any company, division, branch, contact with the word Architect(s) in the name or description field will be found.

Login in with your username and password.

On your Dashboard – click on “All” and select Directory – in the Search box type “Architect/s” – click the magnifying glass.

 

The search results will show all the Architects on our Directory, you may filter your results by using the toolbar on the left of the screen. By clicking on Region, you are able to search for Architect/s in a specific Region, etc. You are able to view the details by clicking either the contact, Branch, Division or Company level.

Secondly, we are able to search for Architects on our Directory by searching with Professional Type (under the toolbar): Looks for all contacts with the contact type of Architect & companies/division/branches with one contact with the architect type.

On the Directory search page, the Toolbar on the left – select Professional Type – Scroll to and then click in the box next to Architects

Once again, to view the details of the Architect – click on the Contact, Branch, Division or Company level.

Then lastly, search for Architect/s by Trades (under Toolbar): This will search Branches with that trade selected as Architect/s. On the Directory search page, the Toolbar on the left – select Trades – scroll to and then click in the box next to “Consulting – Architect”:

You are able to view the details by clicking the contact, Branch, Division or Company level.

And that’s how easy it is.

For any assistance, never fear when L2B is near, we love hearing from you…. so contact us if you get stuck.

If you are interested in becoming one of our subscribers, please visit our website.
To view notes with screenshots on how to use our website, please visit our Wiki site.
To view more articles, please visit our blog.

About Kerrilyn Cochrane

24 Mar 2017

Industry Events: Power and Electricity World Africa + Tendering Workshops

by | posted in: Construction Events | 0

Events: 20th Power and Electricity World Africa 2017

Date: 28 March 2017 – 29 March 2017

Event location: Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg

Event description: This is Africa’s longest running and largest power and energy show – an exhibition with 7000 attendees and a mecca of solution providers spanning 3 halls and thousands of square meters.  

Entrance: Free to attend – pre-registration is essential

Contact: Cecilia Braxton (Terrapinn), Telephone: +27(0)11 516 4049, E-mail: Cecilia.braxton@terrapinn.com

Event Website: Power and Electricity World Africa 2017

 

Events: Tendering Workshop (Cape Town)

Date: 27 March 2017 (09.00 – 16.30)

Event description: Tendering Workshop: Government’s new Tendering Rules to become effective on 01 April 2017.

For more information, please e-mail Gerrit Davids or contact him on +27(0)11 026 4891 / +27(0)82 496 1657

Event Website: Taranis

 

Events: Tendering Workshop (Durban)

Date: 31 March 2017 (09.00 – 16.30)

Event description: Tendering Workshop: Government’s new Tendering Rules to become effective on 01 April 2017.

For more information, please e-mail Gerrit Davids or contact him on +27(0)11 026 4891 / +27(0)82 496 1657

Event Website: Taranis

 

About Eldary Carpenter

I have been with Leads 2 Business for 5 years and absolutely love working for such a dynamic company. I started off as a Content Researcher in the Tenders Department before being promoted to Customer Relations.

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