KES Aquatic Centre , Houghton , Johannesburg
SPORTS FACILITIES | METAL CLADDING & ROOFING
The new KES Aquatic centre involved the redevelopment of the uncovered existing swimming pool into a world class aquatic centre . The 2,750m 2 covered yet naturally ventilated centre includes two pools for swimming and waterpolo plus a learn-to-swim facility . Surrounding the pools is seating including the original retained 1927 entrance , plus a new double storey block with changing areas , upper viewing platform and plant rooms . The design envisaged a feature roof that would span 38m over the pools and connect the new eastern double storey block to the original northern entrance and seating area . The concept called for the stepped apex of consistent height above the pools , to slide on plan by 20m over the 56m length of the roof , or 360mm shift per metre length . The architectural intent of the space required a slim neat structural solution to enhance the
arena . Through several conceptual iterations , the design for the feature roof was chosen as a complementary combination of structural steelwork and reinforced concrete elements .
The long-span steel rafters required a high strength-toweight ratio and fabrication versatility due to the stepping apex line . The roof was to be a focal point and the desire was for a sleek elegant solution that did not resemble a trussed roofscape . To provide this , portalised structural steel plate girders ( 720 × 300 × 137 kg / m I-sections ) were chosen for the non-identical rafters .
To create a unique and contrasting feature to the lighter and slimmer long span roof , a feature “ diving ” architecturally exposed RC column and cantilevering beam was proposed for the internal support of the roof rafters . Behind these , and over the eastern block , standard high quality RC beams and external columns completed the eastern portalised support frames . These frame elements were repeated along the length of the building on a grid at a typical spacing of 6m .
Client : King Edward VII School ( KES ) Architect : Shed Architecture + Design Project Manager & Principal Agent : Shed Architecture + Design Quantity Surveyor : Jan Pienaar & Associates Structural Engineer : Webber Consulting Structural Engineers Steel Contractor : Tass Engineering Steel Detailing : 3D Struct Steel Merchant : CFLC - Allied Steelrode SHS / RHS : Macsteel / Tubecon Plate Girder Webs & Flanges : Fast Flame Profiling Roof Sheeting : GRS Roofing Roofing Contractor : Lowveld Roofing Solutions Main Contractor : Akhane Construction Electrical Contractor : SDS Electrcial Façade Contractor / Cladding : Burger Emoyeni
98 Steel Awards