Architect and Builder June/July 2019 | Page 11

FULTON AWARDS 2019 The winners of the prestigious, biennial Fulton Awards were recently announced. These awards, in seven different categories, honour excellence in the concrete construction industry. Through the Fulton Awards, the Concrete Society recognises and rewards excellence and innovation in the use of concrete. The Award is made symbolically to the structure and is presented to the entire team responsible for its construction, including the owner/developer, all professionals, and the contractors. BUILDINGS UP TO THREE STOREYS Winner: 90a Bellamont The form and siting of the four residential buildings are generated from the sloped site’s sectional development, the prevailing coastal climate, and to maximise views of the Indian Ocean. The large 3,5m cantilever roof overhangs providing shading and rain protection, as well as unfettered interior/ exterior spatial connections necessitating long clear spans of nearly 10m, maximised the potential of off-shutter concrete as both a primary finish and a structural material. This resulted in elegant and contemporary, architecturally sculpted concrete forms. Well crafted, the concrete consistently displays highly refined off-steel architectural concrete surface finishes, whether as structural elements, walls, thin roof elements or as polished floor surfaces. Commendation: 37 Commerce Crescent BUILDINGS > 3-STOREY Winner: Battery Park Battery Park, at the entrance way to the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town incorporates a park and piazza, a concealed multi-level parking News Watch facility, as well as new pedestrian routes. The site is also archaeologically important, as it contains the remnants of one of the city’s oldest structures, the Amsterdam Battery. The inventive use of different concrete elements is notable, including the interpretation pavilion that features a total of 123 precast panels, concrete treads, seats and park benches, and the skate park which was constructed by hand-packing 90m 3 of concrete. The concrete elements are all of very high quality. This project displays the amazing versatility of concrete and shows off exceptionally detailed and finished concrete elements. Commendation: 236 Buitengracht Street Commendation: Water City - New HO for Water & Sanitation, CTCC INNOVATION IN CONCRETE PROJECTS Winner: Sal & Caldeira An innovative ‘top down’ construction method was used for the construction of a new seven-storey building along a very popular avenue in Maputo. The site had a steep incline and was surrounded by high- end buildings. One of the restrictive land laws of Maputo is that no anchors may protrude into adjacent properties. The planned building has three storeys below ground level. Conventional sheet pile walls that can support a three-storey excavation would firstly have been very expensive and secondly, would have extended the construction programme significantly. Construction costs and time were significantly reduced by using this innovative and successful construction technique, which has had a significant impact on the building construction sector in Maputo. Commendation: N17-1 Regent’s Park Pedestrian Bridge INNOVATION IN CONCRETE Winner: Norval Foundation This project showcases a world-class art and cultural centre in an exceptional natural location. It is an impressive blend of concrete, glass, steel and timber, with concrete being the primary element in both the structure and the façade finishes. The primary internal and external elements are precast smooth and textured concrete panels. The quality and consistency of these panels is exceptional. The innovation relates to the development of the panels, using a rigorous process of testing and sampling to achieve the desired finish, as well as to the sensitive and successful blend of in-situ and precast concrete. The overall impression is a stunningly beautiful building, with excellent use and quality of concrete. ARCHITECTURAL CONCRETE Winner: House La Lucia The house is a traditional open veranda ‘concrete structure’, facing only the sea to ensure privacy. Founding the structure on a primary dune required continuous-flight auger reinforced concrete grout piles. The structural system comprises a reinforced concrete framework with precise in-situ cast roof slabs, walls and floors, with close attention being paid to surface details to ensure concrete finishes of an extremely high standard. The external finish was conceived as a ‘distress concrete’ finish, purposely displaying a honeycombed, pitted travertine–like concrete skin. This 70mm in-situ cast skin required a special concrete mix and complex shuttering applied onto the structural concrete wall behind, over insulated bond breaking layers and with stainless steel mesh reinforcement. The end result and high standard and consistency of concrete achieved allows this project to be a worthy Fulton Award winner in this category. Commendation: Origins Rock Art Gallery INFRASTRUCTURE LESS THAN R100-MILLION Winner: New Arch Bridge over the Olifant’s River Commendation: eThekwini Municipality M25-C9 Underpass INFRASTRUCTURE > R100-MILLION Winner: Maputo-Katembe Bridge Commendation: Kathu Solar Park Commendation: Grayston Pedestrian Bridge 11