Feature:
HVAC+R
About Graeme Page
Consulting Engineers
Buildings will technically become less
traditional and more practically based.
Radically opposite, the 1980’s saw the
construction of buildings that chose to
expel the outside and focus on interior
control. With small entrances, and limited
access to open air, these developments
mirrored social normality for that time.
The 2020’s, 30’s and 40’s will do the same.
Future cities will mirror the demands of
Generation Y and beyond. Future Building
materials will challenge the fundamentals
of HVAC+R, the use of natural paper, wood
pulp and wool for walling, through to
carbon fibre pre-cast, plastic bricking and
synthetic “flexible steel” for construction.
Local Demand heats up
On the continent, drought coupled with
harsh wind and unreliable intermediate
rain, will become proficient and the
demand for HVAC+R will increase. As
communities grow and development
continues (average at 5%) the industry
will see a continental boom. Local
HVAC+R Engineers, predominately from
South Africa will open offices across the
continent, expanding a local industry into
Africa. Customised HVAC+R units will
increase, and international companies will
start to manufacture on the continent for
the continent.
The rise of Housed Farming
Housed farms will be built, spanning over
many acres. Like Arcs, these enclosed areas
will be managed climates to house, mainly
crops, livestock, harvesting centres and
From Left: Graeme Page, Steven
Barrett, George Arnold
Graeme Page Consulting Engineers CC
(GPCE) is a Johannesburg based firm of
specialist heating, ventilation and airconditioning (HVAC) Consulting Design
Engineers, servicing the built environment.
The firm was founded in 2002 and
specialises in retail, commercial, hotel,
leisure, entertainment and residential
projects with a special emphasis on
personal client focused delivery.
GPCE was formed on the backbone of the
requirements of the industry and client
bodies for a more focused deliverable
and a more client focused arrangement.
Corporate business nowadays tends to be
too systems driven and this can greatly
delay deliverables. The GPCE staff are
all flexible in their approach to change,
ensuring the fastest turnaround of project
deliverables.
The business makes use of the latest
design, CAD and thermal modelling
software to ensure each project is delivered
a solution of the very highest quality with
leading technical innovation. GPCE staff
has between them more than 50 years’
experience in the design and supervision
of mechanical services for buildings in the
private and public sectors.
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