ADVERTORIAL - COVER STORY
What makes this project even more impressive is the effort made to create patterns and different textures with the bricks . The Plum Satin is manufactured to have a smooth texture on the front of the brick yet architects from both Trencon and Norse let the creativity flow and used the back side of the brick too , which has grooves with sides lighter in colour to form mosaic-like patterns . None of the buildings feature the very same pattern as the next .
Previously featured in SA Affordable Housing and an award winning development , The Gayles Estate in Evander , Mpumalanga is a project where Federale Stene ’ s Semiface Travetine ( FBA ) clay bricks were used . The main features of this product are the rough texture , dark spots and the plain darker golden-brown hued clay bricks which form a beautiful pattern well suited for a homeowner that requires a cost-effective , low maintenance home .
The area tends to be slightly colder therefore the clay bricks are well suited to provide sufficient insulation for many years to come . Clay brick remains the best option for this community to establish a sustainable way of living so that future generations can benefit from this great initiative too .
The Terra Nova Retirement Village forms part of a major project being built by Stellor which includes six other estates in Trichardt , Secunda in Mpumalanga . This first-class retirement estate has already some completed units and will eventually provide a carefree retirement to the more active elderly , independent individuals and the elderly in need of assistance .
For such a fine establishment only the best facebrick will do , therefore an all-time Federale Stene favourite facebrick was selected for the project – the Rooibos Travetine ( FBS ). Not only does this product feature a beautiful collection of reddish hues , it allows for the creative combination between other materials too such as natural stone , wood and metal to form a completed stylish finish to each unit .
In conclusion , clay bricks are not only appealing to the eye , they are also unmatched in the building industry . This statement is comfortably supported by history . A quick Google search will show results of clay brick buildings and structures that were built thousands of years ago , still stand tall to this day .
“ How would you as the consumer benefit from clay bricks ?” you may ask . The answer is simple .
Clay bricks provide natural insulation so that the building ’ s inhabitants eventually save on electricity costs due to temperatures being almost evenly balanced indoors . Consumers are also protected from our unpredictable weather conditions in South Africa by being a durable building material . Clay bricks remain an affordable choice of building material as well as an environmentally friendly product with a low carbon footprint .
You , the consumer , can comfortably start your construction project with clay bricks knowing that the end result and your legacy will be appreciated by many future generations to come .
Above and below : Federale Stene ’ s clay bricks are used for buildings at the University of Mpumalanga .
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SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 2018