Architect and Builder Magazine South Africa November/December 2014 | Page 29

ADVERTISERS ON
THIS PROJECT:
Alania Building Systems
High-performance façade
cladding and related
building systems
Betts Townsend
Construction and
Project Management
CKR Consulting Engineers
Consulting Electrical Engineers
Dulux
Dulux is the flagship brand
from the world’s largest
paint company, AkzoNobel
GLH & Associates Architects
Architects
GLH Interiors
Interior Design

ATRIUM LEVEL

as supports. One of the many structural
challenges was to carefully model the future
building displacements to determine the
amount of movement expected at the end
of the raking columns as this is the critical
interface with the atrium façade steel work
and glazing.
Project Development
Betts Townsend was appointed at the
conceptual stage of the project and managed
all stages of the design development process
as well as the construction phases of the
demolition, earthworks, lateral support and
main contracts.
The project was managed in a collaborative
and team orientated environment. Credit must
go to a very enthusiastic and experienced
professional team and contractor all contributing to the success of the project. However,
the project was not short of challenges. The
progress of this project was often compared
to the progress of similar projects. One must

be cautious in making such comparisons
as there are always multiple extenuating
factors that differentiate project progress
and programmes.
This project comprised 21 storeys, five
underground. A building similar in bulk area
but with fewer floors can be constructed more
quickly. The basement construction covered
the site area completely which presented
challenges of its own. Site establishment,
materials storage etc, were an issue due to
the limited space available. Heavy rainfall
was experienced during the bulk earthworks
stages which impacted on project progress.
Notwithstanding this and other obstacles,
the entire team maintained a pro-active
line of communication amongst all key
stakeholders. Issues were tabled early and
every effort was implemen ted to mitigate
adverse effect therefrom. Two key ingredients
of effective project management are people
management skills and timely communication
amongst stakeholders.

MLC Quantity Surveyors
Quantity Surveyors
Sutherland
Consulting MultiDisciplinary Engineers
Tile Vision
The best designs and ranges
from over 7 countries as
well as involvement on
domestic and commercial
projects from conception
to design to installation
WBHO Construction
Main Contractors

OFFICE LEVEL

Redefine Properties’ R505
million redevelopment
of the 90 Grayston commercial office address
contributes to the vibrant
and constant upgrade of
Sandton, ensuring it keeps
pace with other advanced
cities around the world.

90 Grayston

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