Construction News - Construction Pages

Saturday 23 February 2019

Featured Article Unregistered HVAC practitioners still a threat to industry Saracca

Engineering News Despite improvement in the number of people who are obtaining training and qualifications to become registered refrigeration gas practitioners, the number of air conditioner installers without an authorised refrigeration gas...

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Habitat Magazine CREMA, Tom Dixon & Friends – After Dark. CREMA is thrilled to announce an immersive design experience that takes the pop-up display over to the dark side. Thursday 7 March 2019 will see the official launch of...

Engineering News BBE Group air-cooling consulting crucial to African mining prospects Consulting and engineering services business Bluhm Burton Engineering (BBE) Group’s air-cooling consulting and services are crucial to its involvement in several mining projects, with construction and delivery...

Engineering News Promising growth in construction sector brings hope for 2019 Despite the contribution of the construction sector to local economic activity being inconsistent, and having decreased significantly over the years, Constructional Engineering Association (CEA) executive director Anthony Boy is hopeful...

Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors Valuation of development land: have your say We invite comments on a new draft guidance note Valuation of development land. The aim of this guidance note is to assist the valuer in their approach to development property...

Engineering News Labour broking not a dying breed Although the temporary employment sector has been under pressure over some years, it has now reached a level they are regarded as legitimate for sectors in an open economy. The...

Biz Community ITC-SA now recognised as a voluntary association In line with the newly gazetted Voluntary Associations Recognition Framework which came into effect in 2018, the Institute for Timber Construction South Africa (ITC-SA) has been recognised as a...

Habitat Magazine Introducing Irish Drumshanbo Gunpowder Gin In the province of Connacht in the West of Ireland, on the shores of Lough Allen, at the foothills of Sliabh an Iarainn, lies the tiny rural village of Drumshanbo....

Engineering News More trade-focused lighting solutions for the construction industry With lighting being a critical factor on any job site as workers need to be able to see properly to carry out their work safely and correctly, heavy-duty, portable...

Engineering News R100bn to be injected into infrastructure fund over ten years National Treasury will be reprioritising resources towards President Cyril Ramaphosa’s infrastructure fund and away from the wage bill, Finance Minister Tito Mboweni said on Wednesday, with government committing...

Business Insider Discovery is paying R23 million a month to rent its shiny new head office, which has a roof-top running track The Discovery-group will pay roughly R280 million a year - or R23 million a month - to rent its new offices in Sandton, Netwerk24 reported. Discovery has entered into a 15-...

Engineering News AfDB optimistic about Eskoms turnaround prospects The African Development Bank (AfDB), which has extended billions of rands in loans to Eskom, says it is optimistic the actions being taken to turn around the embattled South African...

Biz Community SCAPE helps Boston trade sea wall for parks to deal with climate change Instead of building sea walls, Boston is now opting for waterfront parks that welcome the tides in and pose less of a threat to local marine life. Inspired by the...

Biz Community ITC-SA develops inspectorate process to assist in enforcing building regulations The Institute for Timber Construction South Africa (ITC-SA) has developed an inspectorate process to assist local authorities in the enforcement of compliance with the National Building Regulations (NBR). A...

Habitat Magazine British Airways – Freedom Flying The British Airways Executive Club is uncomplicated and free to join on ba.com. Join, and there are immediate benefits from exclusive privileges and rewards (upgrades, hotel stays and car...

Engineering News Transport projects in Africa provide fillip for infrastructure development Transport infrastructure projects comprise 40% of the 482 infrastructure development projects surveyed in Africa, and represent a critical element for supporting further infrastructure development, says Deloitte Infrastructure & Capital Projects East...

Habitat Magazine Neolith goes back to the future Neolith, a market leading brand of Sintered Stone, was recently specified for two very special projects as part of the latestUK primetime TVseries, George Clarkes Old House,...

Engineering News M2 motorway to be closed until Oct to allow for bridge rehabilitation The Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) will be closing the M2 motorway between the Crown interchange and Martizburg street to allow for bridge rehabilitation to resume. The road closure will be...

Engineering News Rubber company to focus on automotive sector Premium rubber products manufacturer Hudson Rubber plans to focus on the localisation of rubber products for the automotive sector this year. Following its merger with rubber retail and wholesale specialists...

Engineering News Hostile construction environment to persist until infrastructure spend recovers Construction is a depressing place to be at the moment, says Hogan Lovells partner and construction head Clive Rumsey, citing the lack of large infrastructure projects, resulting from lacklustre economic...

Engineering News Open day highlights new offerings from Upat Last month, construction material and fastener distributor Upat hosted an open day at its head office in New Doornfontein, Gauteng, where customers were given a foretaste of the latest innovations...

Biz Community Cyber security is key to smart metering deployment As adoption of advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) becomes more widespread, its appeal to cyber attackers will undoubtedly increase, and addressing security vulnerabilities across layers - and by different stakeholders - must be...

Engineering News SA company receives multibillion-dollar contract Construction and engineering company Clough, a wholly owned subsidiary of South African engineering company Murray & Roberts – and part of the Clough Salini Impregilo Joint Venture (JV) – has been...

Engineering News Concrete paver launched at Las Vegas Expo At the World of Concrete 2019 Expo held in Las Vegas last month, construction solutions provider Wirtgen Group introduced the new AutoPilot 2.0 – a pour in place concrete...

Engineering News Operations to be ramped up at edible-oil plant Civil and structural engineering firm ADA Consulting is set to complete the upgrade of edible-oil supplier CEOCO’s Boksburg plant, in Gauteng, by September. ADA Consulting MD Paul...

Engineering News Green solution used for retaining walls Geotextiles manufacturer Fibertex SA is working on a project that entails the supply of more than 12 000 geosynthetic sand container (GSC) bags that are being used as a green...

Biz Community TNPA allocates R98m for floating caisson at Sturrock Dry Dock Following discussions among the Department of Economic Development and Tourism (DEDAT), Wesgro, industry and strategic partners with Transnet National Port Authority (TNPA), a R98m floating caisson will be constructed for...

Habitat Magazine Kohler’s Components Collection KOHLER is putting the freedom of choice into the hands of South African consumers and specifiers with their latest Components line of interchangeable tap elements. This collection offers a wide...

Biz Community Greater awareness needed of risks posed by working at height, says MBA North According to the Federated Employers' Mutual Assurance Company, accidents involving falling account for over 15% of all incidents recorded by its members. This points to a need for greater awareness...

Biz Community Department set to improve War on Leaks programme The Portfolio on Water and Sanitation has welcomed the department's commitment to reconsider the model of the War on Leaks programme, following challenges experienced in the last year. This,...

Habitat Magazine SAA and Nedbank launch world first with the SAA Voyager Cheque Card South African Airways (SAA) Voyager and Nedbank today launched a first in the world – a cheque card which guarantees users to earn air miles per transactional swipe. The SAA...

Engineering News Sanral, Nafbi sign MoU to develop small contractors, accelerate BEE implementation State-owned South African National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral) and nongovernmental organisation, the National African Federated Building Industry (Nafbi), on Thursday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) aimed at developing...

Habitat Magazine Deepest Darkest by Suzaan Heyns & Krisjan Rossouw Opening just ahead of the 2019 Cape Town Art Fair, Deepest Darkest is a boutique contemporary Art Gallery in the historical heritage village of De Waterkant, within the Cape Town...

Biz Community Dams can mimic the free flow of rivers, but risks must be managed In recent decades, humans have built many dams. These are designed to regulate flow for irrigation, hydropower and water supply. Most major rivers in the world are dammed. Felix Lipov ...

Habitat Magazine Design Indaba Nightscape Design your February diary around Nightscape, an open-hearted public festival of design, creativity and performance that takes place after working hours to make it easier for everyone to attend....

Habitat Magazine IKEA launches VERALLT collection during Design Indaba Festival Two years ago IKEA teamed up with a group of designers, architects, artists and creatives from five African countries to collaborate around modern urban rituals and the importance they play...

Biz Community SAWEA welcomes investor clarity on SA energy sector Brenda Martin, CEO of the South African Wind Energy Association (SAWEA), has welcomed the investor clarity for the SA energy sector provided by President Cyril Ramaphosa in his recent State...

Engineering News OR Tambo Western Precinct construction to start before end-Feb Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) on Tuesday announced the first phase of its Western Precinct development at the OR Tambo International Airport, east of Johannesburg, would start this month and...

Habitat Magazine Caesarstone – Kramerville Design Studio Now Open Perfectly located in the heart of Joburgs design district, the Caesarstone Design Studio provides consumers with an inspirational and experiential space with expert advice and one-on-one service,...

Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors Stepping up global regulation for AML, Bribery and Corruption Today we've published the global professional statement: \"Countering bribery and corruption, money laundering and terrorist financing\" to further tackle the known problems within the property industry. RICS have been...

Biz Community City fails to publish water quality tests for two years Cape Town's scenic beaches, which are a draw card for tourists, are occasionally contaminated by bacteria from faeces, at levels which pose a risk to human health. The city...

Biz Community First phase of R4.5bn OR Tambo mixed-use precinct development unveiled OR Tambo International Airport has unveiled the first phase of a multi-billion-rand development plan for its Western Precinct which will feature new offices, retail space, hotel and conference...

Habitat Magazine Dulux introduces the new LOVE palette Global leader of premium quality paint, Dulux , has curated an earthy, rich palette of stimulating tones called LOVE in its trend forecast for 2019. Every year, the colour specialists at...

Habitat Magazine Investec – Zero Jeopardy With Investec Life Investecs long-term insurance business Investec Private Banking clients now have exclusive access to the appropriate level of cover for themselves and their families, depending on...

Biz Community Can waste-to-energy offer an OPEX reprieve for mines? Despite the large impact mines have on the environment, mining is a significant contributor to the local economy from both a financial and employment perspective - with an estimated worth of...

Engineering News EAAB to drive transformation of the South African estate agency sector Estate agents in the property sector have long been bound by “dinosaur” legislation and the profession has remained untransformed since the advent of democracy in 1994, Estate Agency...

Biz Community Oppenheim Architecture completes water purification plant in Swiss forest Miami, New York and Basel-based practice Oppenheim Architecture has completed a water purification plant in a protected Swiss forest in Muttenz. Commissioned by OAD Europe to design the city'...

Habitat Magazine Plewman Architects – Game Lodge to Cityscape Nicholas Plewman Architects, based in Johannesburg and having recently opened an office in Stellenbosch, was founded and is directed by Nick Plewman. This architect has combined his life-long passion...

Habitat Magazine Casarredo – Design Distinction Since 1956 Giorgio Collection has been creating a distinguished level of furniture intended for luxury lovers. Currently present in 52 countries, it has become a landmark in the world of...

Biz Community SAPPMA issues call for papers ahead of PIPES XII Conference The Southern African Plastic Pipes Manufacturers Association (SAPPMA) has issued an invitation to professionals interested in presenting at its PIPES XII Conference, to submit their abstracts as soon as possible....

Engineering News What needs to be done to make SAs buildings fire safe In the wake of a deadly fire at the Bank of Lisbon building, in Johannesburg, last year, along with a spate of fires at other buildings, questions have been raised...

Biz Community SONA 2019: Road closures To accommodate the State of the Nation Address (SONA) and the opening of Parliament on Thursday, 7 February 2019, several roads will be closed in and around the Cape Town...

Biz Community Henning Larsen Architects to transform Opra Bastille in Paris Danish architecture firm Henning Larsen Architects has unveiled its designs for the expansion and transformation of the French Opra Bastille, the largest opera house in Paris. All images courtesy...

Biz Community Green buildings must do more to fix our climate emergency After more than three decades of talk about the potential of building green, we've still failed to change the way we design and construct buildings so that the built...

Engineering News Aveng Strabag JV terminates Mtentu contract, citing protests; Sanral unconvinced The Aveng Strabag joint venture (ASJV) has decided to terminate the Mtentu bridge contract, in the Eastern Cape. The 1.1 km, R1.65-billion bridge forms part of the...

Habitat Magazine Enza Home – Art Deco Renaissance Enza Home, a concept brand whose products have the strength of Yata Groups years of expertise, meets all expectations of comfort and quality, durability and elegance, affordability and good...

Habitat Magazine California Modern location: Healdsburg, California, USA | architecture: Feldman Architecture | interior design: by clients | photography: Joe Fletcher Forty acres of undeveloped rolling countryside was the site for this modest yet distinctly different build,...

Biz Community Wits regional Corobrik Architectural Student of the Year Award winner announced Jason Ngibuini from the University of Witwatersrand is a regional winner in the 32nd Corobrik Architectural Student of the Year Award, taking the top prize of R10,000. Second place...

Biz Community Steinbuild is now The Building Company Steinhoff Doors and Building Materials (SteinBuild) has changed its name to The Building Company, effective as from 28 January 2019. The name change was approved by its board and parent...

Biz Community OMA completes first phase of Beijing museum with "wrinkled geometry" OMA has completed the first phase of the refurbishment of UCCA Center for Contemporary Art, one of China's oldest private museums, re-positioning the centre in the 798 Art...

Architectural Digest This New Consumer-Goods System Could Solve Recyclings Failures At the World Economic Forum in Davos last week, the pioneering recycling company TerraCyle announced the launch of Loop, a new system of product packaging and delivery that focuses on...

Habitat Magazine Willowlamp – The Love Clovers Part of Adam Hoets most recent range of pendants and chandeliers, the Love Clover collection is a whimsical take on the striking similarity between the silhouette of a clover and...

Biz Community UNU report compares technologies that remove arsenic from groundwater Recently released by United Nations University's Canadian-based Institute for Water, Environment and Health, a new study compares for the first time the effectiveness and costs of many different...

Habitat Magazine Blancpain celebrates Chinese New Year Blancpain’s Traditional Chinese Calendar is a watchmaking masterpiece combining the fundamental principles of the age-old lunisolar calendar stemming from Chinese tradition with the date according to the...

Habitat Magazine Design Indaba 2019 – design activism and creativity takes center stage Design Indaba, the internationally acclaimed creative conference, will take place in Cape Town from Wednesday 27 February to Friday 01 March 2019 and will once again set the standard for...

Habitat Magazine Chris Soal – Sticks and stones create a master piece Chris Soal is an award-winning artist living and practicing in Johannesburg, South Africa. Using found materials as the departure point for his works, Soals sculptural and spatial approach...

Habitat Magazine Miele – Dishwasher Buyers’ Guide We speak to Liam Gawne from leading appliance manufacturer, Miele, on his top tips on what to look for when investing in a dishwasher. There is no denying that a...

Habitat Magazine Poltrona Frau – Auspicious Decades A hundred years after Achilles birth anniversary and 50 years after Pier Giacomos death anniversary, Poltrona Frau wanted to celebrate Castiglioni brothers with the launch of a Limited...

Habitat Magazine Duravit – Oodi Central Library The new Oode (English: ode) central library in downtown Helsinki opened on December 5, 2018, the day before the 101st anniversary of Finlands independence. The parliament building, concert hall,...

Habitat Magazine L’Abysse – Perfect Synchronicity LAbysse in Paris has been awarded with its first prestigious Michelin star. Designed by gallerist and artist Laurence Bonnel, the decor echoes the delicate Japanese-inspired cuisine of Michelin...

Habitat Magazine Radisson Blu – Celebrating Summer Finding cool solace from summers consuming heat is a favourite South African pastime and summer is all about chilled days spent outdoors and even more chilled beverages. When mirages...

Habitat Magazine Design Indaba – Most Beautiful Object in SA This February, the Most Beautiful Object in South Africa will be decided by public vote. The polls officially opened on Friday 25 January 2019 and members of the public can...

Habitat Magazine Lay of the Land This vacant plot on an estate in Stellenbosch in the Cape Winelands measures 910 square metres. Architect Hugo Hamity was tasked with designing a contemporary family home that would meld...

Habitat Magazine Stiles – Super Surfaces This contemporary home in George is an exercise in coastal practicality, in synch with aesthetically considered architecture and interior design. As is often the case, in such environs, finishes are...

Habitat Magazine Design Joburg, featuring Rooms on View announces CoLab designers for 2019. For its third instalment, Media 10s Design Joburg, featuring Rooms on View, is thrilled to announce the 9 designers set to transform the Sandton Convention Centre into the nucleus...

Habitat Magazine Woodbender introduces the Cala Last year Woodbender was inspired to bring you the Malmo after noticing that low backrest seating was becoming increasingly popular. In 2018 theyve adapted the Malmo and are now...

Habitat Magazine Gorgeous George on St Georges Mall Gorgeous George, a new cool downtown hotel in the heart of Cape Town, will officially open in March this year. Created out of two beautifully restored heritage buildings, its...

Biz Community SA's dam levels continue to drop The Department of Water and Sanitation has called on water consumers to intensify their water conservation efforts to save the country from a dry winter. The department said that South...

Engineering News Cesa president calls for increased transparency Presenting his 2019 presidential address on Wednesday, Consulting Engineers South Africa (Cesa) president Neresh Pather called for increased transparency for the betterment of the sector and its future. With the...

Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors What if all new homes had a car-charging point? All new homes having a car-charging point would be a step in the right direction, says Ashley Osborne, but, in the short term, it could create more problems than...

Architectural Digest Tod Williams Billie Tsien Architects Reinvent a Charles Moore–Designed Art Museum at Dartmouth Satisfying a client request to increase gallery spaces by 42 percent and offices by 400 percent, invent an art study center, and design a new public face for a college...

Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors The call of the wild Protecting wildlife for the future will also benefit developers and homeowners, argues Rachel Hackett of The Wildlife Trusts. The government has an ambition to build one million new homes in...

Architectural Digest Santiago Calatravas Design for Chicagos OHare Airport Bridges the Past and Future Chicago is a city steeped in rich architecture. Sure, it's often referred to as the Second City. But let's not forget that it did have the first skyscraper,...

Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors Agricultural break point With UK agriculture facing many disruptions, including Brexit, Estate Director at Clinton Devon Estates John Varley, considers how emerging trends may shape land-based rural businesses over the next few...

Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors The workplace experience revolution: the real drivers of employee sentiment This summer, Leesman undertook a comprehensive analysis of its workplace experience data. The primary objective was to gain a better understanding of the complex web of factors that impact, shape...

Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors Greater expectations In times gone by, business strategies would focus solely on revenue generation and cost-saving initiatives. Expenditure was reserved for purchasing stock that would yield a financial return and labourers...

Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors Drones have transformed my business With drone use becoming increasingly prevalent across the surveying profession, we asked three drone-flying professionals to share their experiences. John Cusack: technical operations director, Qubic Aerial systems, UK and...

Biz Community How VR, AR tech in architecture allows for a better understanding of design proposals As virtual reality (VR) technology in architecture evolves to the point where multiple people can partake in the same VR session, either in the design process itself, or when used...

Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors Surveying on autopilot At present, most UAV regulations stipulate that operators must keep their UAVs in a visual line of sight (VLOS) at all times. But, in some regions regulations are evolving to...

Architectural Digest An L.A. Abode as Creatively Alluring as Its Occupants On the Los Angeles design and art scene, few couples cut such a dashing figure as Valerj Pobega and Mattia Biagi. They look as if they came straight out of...

Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors Proptech: positivity or pessimism? Invest in proptech before you need to use it advises Anthony Walker, as he looks at surveyors attitudes to adoption. Property technology, more commonly referred to as proptech, is defined...

Engineering News Stellenbosch University starts construction on R1bn research institute Stellenbosch University (SU) has started construction on a Biomedical Research Institute (BMRI), to be based at the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (FMHS). The university believes the R1-billion...

Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors Come fly with me Unmanned aerial vehicles are fast becoming a common part of the surveyor's tool kit. So what does it take to be able to use one? We sent novice pilot...

Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors Africa: continent of opportunity Africas population is predicted to double by 2050, putting pressure on cities that are already busting at the seams. One answer is to build new smart cities from scratch,...

Biz Community dhk completes 12,000m2 Battery Park in Cape Town Architecture and urban design firm dhk has completed Battery Park, a 12,000m2 urban park situated at a key entranceway to the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town. Developed as...

Engineering News KfW, IDC sign $80m loan facility for green economy development German development bank KfW and the Industrial Development Corporation of South Africa (IDC) on Thursday signed a “milestone agreement” for an $80-million loan facility. KfW executive board...

Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors Anticipating predictive workplaces There are two key reasons that some of the world's leading companies are moving to predictive workplaces, says Christina Tubb of EMS Software: talent retention and return on investment....

Biz Community NMU's Riaan Huiskens takes regional Corobrik Architectural Student of the Year Award As a regional winner of the 32nd Corobrik Architectural Student of the Year Award, Riaan Huiskens will represent Nelson Mandela University at the final competition to be held on the...

Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors The rise and fall and rise(?) of the post-industrial city There are few images of urban decay as striking as that of Detroit. At one time the midwestern city defined American mass market capitalism as the centre of the auto...

Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors Fitter cities With health and well-being an increasingly important consideration in towns and cities, Yvonne Rydin and Helen Pineo discuss how surveyors can contribute to healthier lives. While high-income and...

Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors What we can learn from giving way to cyclists The UK should look to a near neighbour if it wants to get cycle-friendly infrastructure right, says Carlton Reid. Ask most people what the phrase going Dutch means, and...

Architectural Digest Why Peru May Be the Worlds Most Sustainable Destination When Chilean architect Jos Cruz Ovalle set out to design the South American hotel group Exploras first property outside of Chile, Explora Valle Sagrado in Perus Sacred Valley,...

Architectural Digest The Bauhauss Untold Impact on Everyday Design in America This year marks the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Bauhaus design school in Weimar, Germany, and tributes are being held globally. In Cambridge, Massachusetts, the Harvard Art Museums...

Biz Community Moriyuki Ochiai Architects creates red latticework on ceiling of Japan restaurant Tokyo-based architecture studio Moriyuki Ochiai Architects has completed the interior of a Japan restaurant by hanging red sticks and wooden planes from the ceiling of the building that create...

Biz Community Construction starts on SU's Biomedical Research Institute Construction of a R1bn new state-of-the-art research facility based at Stellenbosch University's Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (FMHS) commenced with a sod-turning ceremony on...

Architectural Digest Beautiful Drawings by the Worlds Most Famous Architects Here at Architectural Digest, we, of course, think that all architects are artists, working in a three-dimensional medium on a grand scale. But their artistry actually goes beyond their...

Architectural Digest The Restoration of King Tut's 3,000-Year-Old Tomb Is Finally Complete When British archaeologist and Egyptologist Howard Carter discovered King Tutankhamen's tomb in 1922, the world erupted into frenzied excitement. For the first time in history, a burial chamber...

Engineering News Aveng Strabag JV halts work at Mtentu bridge site, declares force majeure The Aveng Strabag joint venture (JV), responsible for building the R1.65-billion Mtentu bridge, in the Eastern Cape, has not returned to site following a three-month break as...

Biz Community AECOM names Adriaan Vorster as new director for architecture in Africa Adriaan Vorster has been appointed AECOM's director for architecture in Africa. Vorster is a professional architect with 19 years' experience, including a decade at a strategic, managerial, and business...

Architectural Digest L.A.s Burgeoning Breed of Domestic Explorers David Silverman was a lawyer at Sony for 19 years before he decided to ditch the day gig and devote himself to documenting Los Angeles homes. Now the Los Angeles...

Architectural Digest Diller Scofidio + Renfro Unveils a Beautiful Design for the London Center for Music Few people would debate London's cultural primacyalong with Paris and New York, London contains some of the best art museums, most dynamic skyscrapers, and trendiest fashion of...

Engineering News Motor Scan beneficial for various sectors With leveraging digital technology said to be key to participation in the next wave of economic growth, the launch of the WEG Motor Scan has become a reality for South...

Engineering News Acquisition of German company confirmed The acquisition of Germany-based planetary drives producer O&K Antriebstechnik by Italian gear motors, drive systems and planetary gearboxes producer Bonfiglioli and Italian transmission systems producer Carraro has made...

Engineering News Operation Phakisa for water expected by March The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) is preparing to launch its own series of mini-Phakisa's to attempt to resolve the most pressing matters facing South Africa&#...

Architectural Digest Rio de Janeiro Receives the First-Ever Title of UNESCO World Capital of Architecture Rio de Janeiro, known for world-class samba, caipirinhas, and breathtaking beaches, recently added another accolade: The city was just chosen by UNESCO as the worlds first capital of...

Architectural Digest Cutting-Edge Communities That Have Changed the World A home is not an island. Not isolated, not floating through space with a self-contained universe behind closed doors. We often consider the majority of design taking place within...

Engineering News Modules finalisation nearing completion The South African Renewable Energy Technology Centre (Saretec) has taken on the custodian role as the national renewable-energy-sector educator and hopes to have finalised all five occupational certificates...

Architectural Digest The Sartorialists Downtown Digs Are a Case Study in High Style Scott Schuman and Jenny Walton approached the interior design of their downtown New York apartment much in the same way they approach fashion: a tightly edited mix of vintage and...

Biz Community Plastics pipes bodies warn against substandard pipe use in important applications The Southern African Plastic Pipe Manufacturers Association (SAPPMA) has added its voice to the Plastics Pipe Institute's (PPI) warning about substandard high-density polyethylene (HDPE) pipes that do not...

Engineering News Company focused on agriculture The agriculture sector is set to become a significant focal point for leading bearings and power transmission product distributor Bearings International (BI) in 2019, as it expands its portfolio of...

Engineering News Major upgrades to start at six airports South African airport management company Airports Company of South Africa (ACSA) announced that upgrades and improvements over the next three to eight years at six of the country’s...

Architectural Digest This Architecture Firm Wants to Build a Wall Around Trump's Mar-a-Lago Since the current government shutdown (which remains in place at the time of publication of this article) began on December 22, hundreds of thousands of federal employees have been forced...

Engineering News Expanded products portfolio leads to new opportunities New markets and opportunities have arisen after technical solutions provider BMG expanded its products portfolio with the addition of Fenner conveyor belting products last year. “BMG decided to sign...

Architectural Digest Americas Most Expensive Home Was Just Sold to Billionaire Ken Griffin for $238 Million At this point, it's safe to say that billionaire Ken Griffin likes to set records. Early in the new year, Griffin completed one of the priciest deals in...

Biz Community Western Cape construction industry outlook for 2019 As we head into a new year, there are a number of factors which are likely to impact the amount of work on offer in our region and the resultant...

Engineering News AMSA extends water treatment contract with Veolia Water Technologies Veolia Water Technologies South Africa has been re-awarded the operational and chemical water treatment contract for ArcelorMittal South Africa’s (AMSA’s) Vanderbijlpark Works operation. Veolia has...

Biz Community Design-focused hotel Gorgeous George to open in Cape Town Gorgeous George on St George's Mall will officially open in March 2020. Created out of two restored heritage buildings, it's the first hotel in Cape Town to join...

Architectural Digest What Would a "Green New Deal" Look Like for Architecture? Newly elected Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez got tongues wagging this month when she championed a plan for a Green New Deal, and drafted a proposal to kickstart the committee that...

Architectural Digest This Tiny Home Runs on Used Coffee Beans from Dunkin' Donuts Coffee helps energize millions of Americans each day. In fact, according to the U.K.-based marketing firm Euromonitor, the average American guzzles nearly 90 gallons of coffee each year....

Architectural Digest Serenity Reigns in This Spacious North Carolina Waterfront Getaway When Manhattan resident Ferebee Taube, who grew up in relatively rural Rocky Mount, North Carolina, went looking for a vacation home for her husband and young children, she set her...

Architectural Digest Snhetta Designs Innovative Outdoor Retreats for Hospitals Think of a hospital, and youre likely conjuring an image of stark white halls with bright fluorescent lighting. Aesthetically, hospitals often leave a lot to be desired. But firm...

Engineering News DTPW provides update on Great Brak River roadworks The Western Cape Department of Transport and Public Works (DTPW) on Wednesday said its R182-million project to upgrade the R102 between Hartenbos and the Great Brak River, as well...

Biz Community Ruan Jansen van Rensburg named regional winner in Corobrik architecture awards Ruan Jansen van Rensburg from the Tshwane University of Technology has been announced a regional winner in this year's Corobrik Architectural Student of the Year Award. In addition to...

Architectural Digest The 11 Biggest Scandals in Architecture History While scandal doesnt hit architects quite as often as, say, politicians, the architecture profession is not immune from controversy, fraud, and even cold-blooded murder. The distinguished field has...

Biz Community Morphosis designs multi-bridged form building in Sejong City Pritzker prize-winning architect Thom Mayne's firm Morphosis has released the design for a multi-bridged form commercial building in Sejong City, a new metropolitan centre designated as a...

Biz Community Trends transforming the traditional face of property ownership High property prices and building costs, rising consumer inflation and a subdued economy are driving the development of innovative alternatives, with a number of emergent trends transforming the traditional face...

Engineering News New construction process proposed for Gautrain expansion project More than halfway through the 15-year Gautrain concession period, Gautrain Management Agency (GMA) CEO Jack van der Merwe says he is pleased with the operation of the 80-km...

Engineering News South Africa may double power purchases from Congo hydro plant South Africa is mulling committing to doubling the amount of electricity it will buy from a proposed multibillion-dollar hydro power plant in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Increasing the...

Architectural Digest Ryan Korban Infuses a Classic Manhattan Apartment with Warm Minimalism In the world of New York real estate, prewar apartments are like double-edged swords. On one hand, they have the kind of classical details and structure that make interior...

Biz Community Investing in the future of building and architecture The first regional finalist of the 32nd Corobrik Architectural Student of the Year Awards has been named, while the company gears up for a year of investment and expansion. Ruan...

Biz Community Urban rooms: where people get to design their city's future Despite the strong Utopian traditions of urban planning, there has often been a reluctance to think beyond the short term. Long-term planning is complex; electoral cycles are short and...

Engineering News Aveng sells noncore Aveng Water business JSE-listed Aveng will sell Aveng Water and the Aveng Namibia Water business to Cambrose 735, a special purpose vehicle incorporated as a private company, Infinity Partners, for the purpose...

Architectural Digest This New Coastal Village Was Designed to Be Picture-Perfect Twelve years ago, developer Rick Caruso began envisioning a center of town for a town that had no center: Pacific Palisades, a seaside Los Angeles community nestled between Malibu and...

Biz Community 5 things utilities must consider in their quest to become smarter Driven by the requirement to improve operational efficiencies and revenues, cut down on wastage, and enhance customer service, water utilities around the world are turning to advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) -...

Architectural Digest An Inspired Gut Renovation Where Light and Flow Rule the Day You could say an interior designer always remembers his first gut renovation, especially when it starts out as a small decoration job that took on new life. The ultimate combination...

Architectural Digest Ruined by Hurricane Irma, a Resort Reopens on Princess Dianas Favorite Island Barbuda, the sister island of Antigua, is a private oasis of pink- and white-sand beaches thats known for being one of Princess Dianas favorite destinations. But the...

Engineering News Location a key discussion point as Saudi Aramco mulls South African refinery investment ...

Architectural Digest 10 Modern Marvels That Changed America Forever Humans, by nature, are problem solvers, and during the U.S.s brief history, some of the greatest engineering minds have dreamed up solutions that at one point seemed impossible....

Biz Community How water treatment in South Africa can eradicate water-related diseases Understanding the nature of waterborne diseases is the first step to comprehending why water treatment is critical in South Africa. Waterborne diseases are a global phenomenon and in an effort...

Architectural Digest 5 Architectural-Heritage Sites at Risk from Sea-Level Rise Last week, NOAA released its annual Arctic report, which revealed that rapid warming over the past three decades has led to a 95 percent decline of the region's...

Architectural Digest An Ode to California Calm in the Heart of Downtown Manhattan Most people would be horrified to learn that the Manhattan apartment theyd just occupiedupon a friend evacuating his film editing company officeshad no closets, zero bookshelves, and...

Architectural Digest A Pink Country Retreat Near Paris with Charm to Spare When Boston native and fashion insider Jason Basmajian was looking for a country retreat outside Paris, he fell in love with Le Couvent, a pink house built in the late...

Engineering News Inside one of Joburgs flagship urban renewal projects Urban property fund Divercity is helping City of Johannesburg mayor Herman Mashaba to realise his concept of restoring the Johannesburg central business district (CBD) to some degree of its former...

Architectural Digest How Government Shutdowns Affect Housing and Design Now into its third full week, the U.S. federal government shutdownour countrys longest evermeans that museums such as the Smithsonian and National Parks are closed, 380,...

Architectural Digest 5 Smart Designs Combating Homelessness On any given night during 2018, some 552,830 Americans nationwide experienced homelessness, according to a recent report by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. That'...

Architectural Digest An Otherworldly Cultural Complex Grows Out of the Jungle in Mexico Azulik Uh May, a new cultural complex that opened in the jungle outside Tulum at the beginning of December, is full of holes. Under the 52-foot-tall dome of...

Architectural Digest San Francisco's Older BART Trains Might Be Turned Into Housing Units Last year, roughly 126 million people rode in trains operated by San Francisco's Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART). The system has been in continual operation since 1972, with...

Architectural Digest A New London Design Exhibit Celebrates David Adjaye In this star-studded age of architects, Sir David Adjaye has long claimed center stage, and now the London Design Museum is set to debut David Adjaye: Making Memory, devoted...

Architectural Digest A Breezy Indoor-Outdoor Beach House Built Around Art and Family When the high-powered art lawyer Thaddeus Stauber and his wife, Tracy OBrien, teamed up to realize their dream house at the beach, the result was an art-filled...

Architectural Digest Every Inch of This Polished Philadelphia Townhouse Is Highly Customized When a young couple tapped interior designer Mona Ross Berman to bring character to their lackluster corner office, neither party expected to dive headfirst into a multiyear overhaul of the...

Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors Rural conference report 2018 Change and opportunity were strong themes running through the 2018 rural conference. Brexit Many aspects of surveying are facing up to changes but the rural sector has the added direct...

Engineering News First Oxford Parks building completed Construction of the Oxford Parks development, in Rosebank, has progressed, with the first building, built by Concor Buildings to serve as the new head office of oil company BP South...

Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors Building inclusivity: laying the foundations for the future ...

Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors Fire safety: Why it's key to our global urbanisation response Dubai is known for its mega skyscrapers, its mixed use buildings and perhaps best known for having the worlds tallest building, The Burj Khalifa. The city has come...

Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors Team reenacts surveyor’s journey in Arctic Canada As a boy, David Reid was an avid collector of stories by famous explorers. He would listen to them recount their tales of adventure upon their return from faraway lands....

Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors Cities for our Future regional shortlists announced After almost 1,200 entries and over two weeks of deliberation, our regional judging panels of experts, RICS professionals and partners have narrowed the list down to a total of...

Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors Cities for our Future global shortlist announced The Cities for our Future judges have assessed the regional shortlists to decide the winners, and the two best runners-up from around the world. The shortlisted projects will now...

Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors Global organisations unite to solve fire safety in buildings RICS has joined more than 30 organisations from around the world to develop landmark industry standards to address fire safety in buildings. The group, known as the International Fire Safety...

Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors Ecosystem needs to change to fight bribery and corruption in India Bribery and corruption remain problems in India, in part due to an ecosystem that makes professionals vulnerable to financial crimes. India was ranked 81st out of 180 countries in Transparency...

Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors Our first thematic review: conflicts of interest RICS regulation is undertaking its first thematic review, taking a close look at conflicts of interest. It is the first piece of research, with the help of Research by Design,...

Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors Infrastructure suffers as Brazilian institutions are marred by scandal Recent political scandals have impacted public trust in Brazils public institutions. Political corruption has resulted in mismanaged infrastructure projects impacting viability of public transportation, waste, water, energy and other...

Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors EU sustainable finance: the state of play The European Commission has published the state of play of the Technical Expert Group on Sustainable Finance. On 5 July 2018, the members of the newly-created Technical Expert Group...

Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors Ease of doing business puts Australia and NZ at risk from money laundering Around the world, governments, organisations and professionals are faced with the challenge of identifying and mitigating the risks posed by corruption, bribery, money laundering and terrorist financing. Even with strict...

Biz Community Elao Martin wins UJ Corobrik regional architecture award The University of Johannesburg's Elao Martin is the regional winner of this year's Corobrik Architectural Student of the Year Award. Martin received an award of R10,000 while...

Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors Credit controls to bite China’s real estate industry Official data shows that tighter credit conditions are beginning to act as a drag on the Chinese economy, but what impact is this having on real estate companies? Since 2016,...

Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors Our first thematic review: phase 1 completed In July and August, RICS and our partner Research by Design, an independent research company, concluded the initial phase of our first thematic review. We collected information on the profession...

Engineering News Transnet to pursue just and equitable settlements with rail OEMs awarded unlawful contracts Having determined the procurement of 1 064 diesel and electric locomotives to be “irregular and unlawful”, Transnet has communicated its intention to review contacts awarded to four original...

Engineering News EPP dominates listed property market with 21% return for 2018 JSE-listed retail property fund EPP has delivered a total return of 21% in 2018. The JSE’s benchmark property index SAPY recorded a total return of minus 25%...

Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors The Future of the Profession Fundamental disruption to long-established status-quos within the built and natural environments is changing the industry at a rate faster than ever before. As a professional body, we have...

Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors Determining the value of unregistered land: Examples from around the world There is a widely-discussed notion that title registration and formalisation are essential prerequisites for valuing unregistered land. In a report published by RICS, we examine, for the first time,...

Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors Why ICMS is a global game changer Its been a year since a global coalition of organisations working in the construction sector launched the International Construction Measurement Standards (ICMS) in Canada last July. ICMS is a...

Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors Driving sustainable growth through smarter urbanisation Africa is going to take up a bigger and bigger share of the planning and development agenda in the coming decades, with its phenomenal projected population growth, rapid urbanisation and...

Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors IPMS: How is it measuring up? Peter Folwell MRICS, Director at Plowman Craven, recently delivered a series of IPMS breakfast briefings in Birmingham, Manchester and London where he discussed his experience of using IPMS, the benefits...

Biz Community What is aeration in sewage treatment? Aeration is a fundamental component of conventional sewage treatment, because without it the biodegradation of many pollutants wouldn't take place as it should. You might still be wondering exactly...

Business Insider 19 of the most outrageous-looking skyscrapers of all time Skyscrapers have got taller, more expensive, and a lot more elaborate over the past few decades. Some of the most recent designs incorporate wild twists, thousands of plants, and even...

Biz Community Stadiums aren't fated to disrepair and disuse - history shows they can change with the city Stadiums are among the oldest forms of urban architecture: from Olympia to Rome, stadiums were at the centre of the Western city, well before the great medieval cathedrals and the...

Biz Community Rising number of desalination plants creating a salty dilemma - UN report Now with almost 16,000 desalination plants worldwide quenching a growing thirst for freshwater, the technology is also creating a salty dilemma: how to deal with all the chemical-laden...

Biz Community V&A Clock Tower refurbishment complete Commissioned to refurbish the Clock Tower at the V&A Waterfront, building refurbishment company Indawo completed its work on the historic building in time to see in 2019. V&A...

Biz Community ElasticoSPA reinterprets traditional Italian houses With new construction techniques Italian architecture firm ElasticoSPA has renovated two traditional houses by using new masonry techniques, combining traditional concrete and stone in a different way. Image © Elisabetta CrovatoCalled Stoned, the...

Biz Community How to negotiate infrastructure deals with China: four things African governments need to get right There is a widespread view in Africa that you accept whatever terms are offered, for fear that the money might go somewhere else instead. Image source: FacebookChina is the...

Biz Community Much of the same expected for 2019 With pressure on costs, increased fuel prices, the water shortage in Cape Town in 2018, and an economy that is struggling at best, the remedial construction industry can prepare for...

Business Insider One of the world's largest artificial waterfalls is a 100m manmade structure on the side of a Chinese skyscraper. Take a look. Guizhou province in China has the country's largest waterfall and one of the biggest in Asia. The region now also features one of the world's tallest man-made...

Biz Community Great cities are built on great collaborations Urbanisation continues to be one of the most powerful megatrends reshaping our world. It is a shift that is creating countless problems, but even more opportunities. Elaine Jack, city improvement...

Business Insider The most impressive skyscraper of 2018 has the fastest elevator in the world. Take a look. The world is witnessing a massive boom in skyscraper construction, led by nations like China, Saudi Arabia, and the United States. This year alone, China built more skyscrapers than any...

Business Insider This is what the R2 billion Jewel City development on the seedier side of Joburgs CBD will look like Jewel City's Block 1 on the corner of Joe Slovo Driver and Fox Street in the Johannesburg CBD (supplied)Property developers Divercity will spend R2 billion to redevelop six...

Engineering News Mashaba seeks to reignite entrepreneurship, address infrastructure challenges Johannesburg Mayor Herman Mashaba on Monday said the mayoral committee has approved another 100 buildings to be released for private sector development, as part of the metro’s inner...

Biz Community Excavator sales to recover from 2018 industry slump The excavator market is estimated to improve its volume by 3.2% year-on-year in 2019 over 2018 - the result of the heavy construction equipment industry recovering from a...

Engineering News Textons shareholders vote against share repurchase Shareholders of Texton Property Fund have voted against the repurchase of shares in terms of the put option related to Texton’s 2014 broad-based black economic empowerment (BBBEE)...

Business Insider Durban just launched a R1.14 billion highway interchange with 4 levels and Africas longest flyover bridge Durban just added an impressive architectural and engineering marvel to its portfolio of landmarks. The Mount Edgecombe highway interchange was officially opened by transport minister Blade Nzimande and the South...

Biz Community KPF unveils design for its spiraling Tel Aviv tower Global architecture firm Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates (KPF) has unveiled the design for its spiraling tower, which will be the tallest building of Tel Aviv upon its completion. All images &...

Engineering News Cornubia bridge opened to traffic The new Cornubia bridge that crosses over the N2 to uMhlanga, in KwaZulu-Natal, has been partially opened to traffic, says construction design and engineering services provider Royal HaskoningDHV project...

Business Insider 8 of the most envy-inducing tiny homes of the year including a house that can be printed for less than R60,000 Around the world, many envy-inducing tiny homes were built in 2018. The list of this year's best includes a cabin on a mountainous ledge in New Hampshire in...

Engineering News Bigen awarded Level 1 BBBEE rating Solutions-focused infrastructure development group Bigen has been rated a Level 1-compliant company in terms of the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (BBBEE) Act Codes of Good Practice. Rated...

Biz Community Co-working trend has the potential to change office space landscape in SA The international trend towards co-working, defined essentially as shared office space, equipment, and services, is set to change the office space landscape in South Africa, as it is currently...

Engineering News Nelson Mandela replica statue unveiled for the visually impaired From Creamer Media in Johannesburg, this is the Real Economy Report. Sashnee Moodley: Exarro Resources and the Rotary District 9400 in November unveiled a 1m-tall replica of the famous...

Engineering News An improved focus on governance will drive confidence in South Africas Reits this year The South African real estate investment trust (Reit) sector’s focus on improved corporate governance is expected to support positive sentiment for investment in listed property this year, says...

Biz Community The exciting fast-growing trend of TOD Transit-oriented development is the exciting fast-growing trend in creating vibrant, livable, sustainable communities. Also known as TOD, it's the creation of compact, walkable, pedestrian-oriented, mixed-...

Business Insider Apartments are now available inside the world's skinniest skyscraper take a look The world's skinniest skyscraper will soon open up in New York City. Rising more than 1,400 feet above the ground, 111 W. 57th Street features a facade made...

Biz Community Struggling construction sector must develop a new talent perspective South Africa's declining infrastructure remains an area of concern for the country's future, yet despite the current environment, opportunities exist for construction companies. Government's...

Business Insider These ultra-luxury villas near the Kruger will cost R90,000 a night but you get your own butler, spa therapist, and field tracker Cheetah Plains, a private game reserve adjacent to the Kruger National Park in Mpumalanga, is currently constructing three designer bush villas that will be more than a little luxurious. Here'...

Business Insider This South African super-strong brick is made from human urine - a world first The world’s first ‘bio-brick’ made from human urine was unveiled by University of Cape Town (UCT) civil engineering masters student Suzanne Lambert on Wednesday. ...

Engineering News MAS acquires Atrium mall in Arad, Romania MAS has, through a subsidiary of PKM Investments, acquired the Atrium shopping centre in Arad, Romania, from Cosmovia Holdings. The acquisition forms part of the company’s acquisition pipeline...

Business Insider These are the tallest buildings in every province of South Africa The tallest building in each SA province isn't always even a skyscraper. The average number of floors for the tallest buildings in non-metro provinces (Northern Cape, Limpopo,...

Engineering News Mashaba seeks Treasury's intervention in R180m housing funding dispute with province Joburg Mayor Herman Mashaba said on Thursday said that the City manager will be writing to the director-general of National Treasury, Dondo Mogajane, to seek their urgent...

Biz Community Alternative building methods continue to change the face of construction in Africa Beyond brick and mortar, South Africans are increasingly considering new and alternative building methods and techniques. This is largely due to the increase in urbanisation, population growth, ever-increasing utility...

Business Insider 10 massive projects the Chinese are funding in Africa - including railways and a brand-new city China is Africa’s biggest and strongest ally and in recent years has pumped millions of dollars into the continent, funding one mega project after another. At the close...

Business Insider BMW designed these tiny luxury cabins for city life take a look inside As cities across the world contend with massive housing shortages, architects have developed new ways to build in miniature. Recent years have ushered in a wave of tiny homes, backyard...

Business Insider The tallest skyscrapers of 2018 include a helipad, sky gardens, and an indoor skating rink The year's tallest skyscrapers include a number of luxury towers around the world. The structures feature notable design elements like helipads, sky gardens, and an indoor skating rink. 2018'...

Business Insider This abandoned Disney water park has been rotting for over 15 years now it's turning into a resort Seph Lawless When Disney River Country opened in 1976, visitors flocked to Orange County, Florida, to ride the winding slides and traverse the wooden bridges. The park closed down 25...

Engineering News Growthpoint prepares for Cape Towns planned ban on wet waste at landfills JSE-listed real estate investment trust (Reit) Growthpoint Properties has partnered with Waste Transformers – an organisation based in Netherlands – to leverage end-of-pipeline food waste from the...

Business Insider For R40 you can drive across Africas longest bridge and get to Mozambique four hours faster This past weekend, the president of Mozambique opened the three-kilometre long Maputo-Katembe bridge, officially the longest in Africa. Costing a massive R11.3 billion at current exchange rates ($...

Biz Community An exponential shift in many areas of SA real estate awaits 2019 will usher in a quarter of a century since South Africa has been addressing post-apartheid challenges. Many of the current challenges within the real estate domain continue to...

Engineering News Fourways office park goes solar To convert Willow Wood Office Park, in Fourways, Gauteng, to using solar energy, Heartwood Properties has partnered with SolarSaver, which offers a rent-to-own model that does not require...

Engineering News No more 'grand plans', fix what you have, Ramaphosa tells municipal delegates President Cyril Ramaphosa on Tuesday told representatives of local government to stop producing “grand plans for new projects” when existing infrastructure was lying in disrepair. Addressing the South...

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