Architect and Builder Dec 2017 / Jan 2018 | Page 57

Drywall vs
Traditional
Build
The environmental
benefit of using
Gyproc drywall systems
reduction in global
warming potential
(kg CO 2 equiv/FU)
was to make sure we used expertly
manufactured materials.”
The answer was drywall construction.
Saint-Gobain Gyproc was contracted to
specify 17,000m 2 of Gyproc plasterboard
solutions for the walls and ceilings inside
Zeitz MOCAA.
“This development was a significant
project and presented certain challenges.
It meant that we needed to consider a
distinct set of factors such as the safety
of the museum’s visitors and artworks,
structural capabilities and general
comfort- enriching properties,” says
Janet Thomson.
The first step in Thomson’s approach
was to enhance the museum’s safety
by installing Gyproc Firestop RhinoBoard
throughout. This allows people up to 120
minutes to evacuate in the event of a fire.
Gyproc Moisture Resistant plasterboard
was also used to help control moisture
levels in the museum, which not only
safeguards its collection from any potential
water damage but has practical benefits in
rooms like kitchens and bathrooms where
moisture levels are higher.
Next she considered the weight to
strength ratio of the walls required. “When
it comes to material selection, weight is a
limiting factor in heritage site projects and
it’s particularly important to keep structural
load to a minimum,” explains Thomson,
who used a drywall that is ten times lighter
than traditional walls, assembled with
noggins, load-bearing studs and tracks to
reinforce additional stren gth.
The results are interior walls which
reach up to 23 metres in places, yet which
are also strong enough to hold artworks
of unknown weights while being light
enough to comply with heritage building
regulations and to be easily reconfigured.
For aesthetic appeal, Gyproc RhinoLite
Cretestone skim was used to plaster
drywalls and ceilings throughout, creating
a smooth, luxurious finish. Lastly acoustic
Advertorial
reduction in
primary energy
use (MJ/FU)
and thermal properties were prioritised to
ensure a restful, quiet and comfortable
environment. A Rigitone Acoustic Ceiling
was selected to create a buffer against
excessive noise and help minimize
sound transmission.
“Installing the right
materials contributed hugely
towards the final outcome
of transforming the old silo
building into a sustainable
architectural and artistic
glory that now hosts some
of the continent’s best
artworks,” said Mark Noble.
No 6 Silo/Radisson Red
No 6 Silo, which houses
the Radisson Red Hotel,
was specified with Saint-
Gobain’s Gyproc and Isover
products. The success of this project
was underpinned by various elements
from specifying the project, project
pack compilation, in house quantity
surveyor cost analysis assistance and
bill descriptions, to main contractor
pull through and most importantly, by
forwarding preferred Saint-gobain Gyproc
installers to the design team upfront.
The value added by the technical design
department, on-site presence, the training
of the main contractor as to correct
installation and Saint-Gobain Gyproc’s
SpecSure Warrantee, offered the design
team peace of mind .
The project went through many
variations and value engineering
processes, however the key was to ensure
that maximum space was achieved in the
hotel rooms. Due to the nominal wall width
savings with drywall, extra room space
was achieved. It was recommended
that a fully skimmed wall would be more
aesthetically pleasing to the eye than a
jointed wall where critical light plays an
important role.
reduction in
wall system
weight (kg/FU)
reduction in
fresh water
usage (L/FU)
The ceilings throughout this hotel were
Gyproc Rhinoboard 9.5mm full skimmed.
In the restaurant area, due to potential high
noise levels 15mm Firestop Board and
Gyptone Big Line six was recommended
by the acoustician, offering superior sound
absorption to this area. Throughout the
250 hotel rooms, eight varieties of Saint-
Gobain Gyproc drywalling types were
specified and installed achieving either a
Gyproc 60 minute or 120 minute fire rating.
Predominantly Gyproc 15mm Firestop
Board, Gyproc 15mm Moisture Resistant
board in Bathroom areas and Isover’s
CavityBatt were specified. A twin Stud
system between demising walls ensured
occupant privacy is maintained whilst
achieving a 63dB rating opposed to that of
a 43-48dB brick wall. Careful consideration
was made when choosing the width of the
Ultra Steel Donn Stud and Track ensuring
that acoustic bridging was not prevalent
at wall abutments.
www.saint-gobain-africa.com
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