PROJECT
Work is well underway on the refurbishment of Union Square , a 19-storey block at 80 Plein Street in the heart of Johannesburg ’ s original central business district . The project , scheduled for completion in the last quarter of 2020 , is being undertaken for the Johannesburg Social Housing Company ( JOSHCO ), under principal agent and architect , Heather Dodd from Savage and Dodd Architects . According to Juan Jardim , Raubex Building ’ s senior site manager on this contract , the project involves a number of important innovations – and more than a few challenges .
“ The building was previously an office block , and is being repurposed for residential use ,” says Jardim . “ This means the installation of considerably more walling and other infrastructure than the building was initially designed for .”
While the ground floor at street level will be used as retail space , the first floor to the 19 th floor each accommodates 18 residential units . The range of apartments includes bachelor flats of 19m 2 in size , one-bedroom units of 35m 2 , two-bedroom units measuring 43m 2 and four-room communal cluster units of 94m 2 . The building is served by two passenger lifts , a service lift and a goods lift , as well as three fire staircases . There are three basements for parking .
“ Load-bearing considerations led to the selection of the lightweight Imison walling system , achieving a significant weight reduction when compared to bricks and mortar ,” he says .
The Imison system is applied as a series of interlocking wall panels made from the high quality Neopor insulating material .
A view inside one of the apartments .
Netting was also installed to eliminate the risk of any falling materials .
www . saaffordablehousing . co . za NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2020 15