NEWSWATCH
THE LATEST NEWS AND PRODUCTS FROM THE BUILDING INDUSTRY
THE NELSON MANDELA
MUSEUM, MTHATHA
NEWSWORTHY
FULTON AWARDS 2017:
CELEBRATING EXCELLENCE
AND INNOVATION
The Concrete Society of Southern Africa NPC is calling for
nominations
for
the
biennial
Fulton Awards which recognise
and
honour
excellence
and
innovation in the design and use
of concrete.
The awards continue to celebrate
the
legacy
of
scientific
and
technological advances in concrete
within the built environment, and
the late Dr. ‘Sandy’ Fulton’s life
and achievements in the industry.
The 2017 awards take on a new
look with brand new categories,
and a new approach to judging,
and
the
Society
is
proud
to
announce that PPC are, once
again, the anchor sponsor.
According to John Sheath, CEO
and
Director
of
the
Concrete
The dignified neo-classical Bhunga
Building in Mthatha has been renovated
to house a fitting tribute to the late Nelson
Mandela. Built on an elevated site in Owen
Street and part of a cluster of civic buildings
that included the Town Hall and Magistrate’s
Court, the Bhunga Building has been a
well-known landmark in Mthatha since its
construction in 1927.
The building has had two major renovations over the decades. The third and latest
restoration was done in line with SA Heritage Resources Agency guidelines and designed
by Johann Schoeman of Impendulo Design Architects.
“Being a heritage building, we worked within the prescribed parameters. Internally,
we converted some of the rear space into offices and modernised services such as the
electrics. We also designed an addition for the rear of the building and replaced the cork
screed floors with solid Zimbabwean teak to reflect the warmth of the teak sash windows
as well as the era of the building.”
Externally, a textured wall coating that completely obscured the clarity of the finer
mouldings and edges had to be removed; fencing was replaced with a more appropriate
design; landscaping was redone; and the inner courtyards made more user-friendly.
As the displays in the public areas exhibit unique and valuable artefacts that would be
easy to pilfer and pass through an open window, physical security that was sensitive to the
historic environment had to be taken into consideration. After a lengthy consultation process,
Trellidor Clear Guard security screens were approved and custom-designed for the project.
“They ticked a number of boxes. They physically prevent the passing of artefacts through
the windows, screen out UV rays that would be harmful to the items on display, block out
wind when the windows are open, stop pigeons from getting inside the building and open
up for easy window cleaning,” said Schoeman.
“The barriers are installed inside the window reveals on the outside of the building.
They consist of a stainless steel woven mesh screen and aluminium frame. They’re hardly
noticeable so don’t detract from the building and also
provide clear views of the exterior from inside,” said
Paul van Blerk, Trellidor regional manager.
www.trellidor.co.za
Society, after more than 30 years
of the Awards’ existence, some
serious updating was required
in terms of both the criteria for
adjudication of the entries and the
entry categories themselves.
The
deadline
for
nominations
is 31st August 2016, while the
completed entry packs must be
submitted by the end of November
2016. The Award winners will be
announced at a gala weekend to
be held in the Drakensberg from
2nd to 4th June 2017.
Full details of the awards are available at www.concretesociety.co.za
6
News Watch