For two decades the once popular tidal pool in Margate on the KwaZulu-Natal South Coast was non-functional but, thanks to the Margate Urban Renewal Project, it has now been restored to its former glory.

Thermguard, the original cellulose fibre insulation manufacturer, has been busy insulating 300 houses in the suburb of Panorama, in Pietermaritzburg. These houses were originally built without insulation but with the introduction of ‘SANS 10 400XA - Energy Usage in Buildings’, insulation in all new buildings has become compulsory.

Starlite Insulation, from D & D Roof Insulations, consists of flexible rolls of insulation manufactured from high quality, non-combustible, glass mineral fibre using an inert thermosetting binder to form a lightweight, strong, resilient, safe and highly thermally efficient product.

Midvaal Water Company in Stilfontein supplies potable water in bulk to an area of some 900km2 in the North West Province.When specialised joint sealing was required at one of the company’s filter units, Sika’s Sikadur-Combiflex SG system proved its worth.

The development of sophisticated computer modelling systems has elevated roof design and construction far beyond the most basic functional purpose of shelter and into the realm of architectural sculptural showpieces.

Sika RainTite 1L, recently launched into the DIY waterproofing market, is ideal to treat very small areas or for minor repair work. It is used in conjunction with a Sika RainTite membrane to form a durable and flexible waterproofing system to waterproof flashings, parapet walls and sealing joints, laps and roofing screws on corrugated roofs.

Recently launched by a.b.e. Construction Chemicals, Armodillo is a new and unique bitumen heat-fused waterproofing membrane produced by Italian company, Index, with which a.b.e has an exclusive SA product distribution agreement.

BASF launched a new calculation tool for architects during the Green Building Conference and Exhibition 2013, which formed part of the larger Sustainability Week, held recently in the Sandton Convention Centre.

Positive client comments from geographically diverse locations, in both the domestic retrofit market and the housing development market, have been filling Eco-Insulation’s in-box and appearing on consumer activist sites such as Hello Peter.

Maize seed developers Pioneer Hi Bred recently contacted Sika to assess the state of box guttering at its manufacturing plants in Rosslyn, Pretoria North.

Kaytech provided its heaviest grade geotextile to protect the linings on newly constructed raw water dams at Eskom’s Kusile Power Station in Mpumalanga.

Award-winning cellulose fibre ceiling insulation, Eco-Insulationwas recently installed at the Durbanville Preparatory School, covering a large portion of the ceiling area of the classrooms.

The Kansai Plascon Supplier of the Year Awards is an annual event recognizing those suppliers who rise above and go beyond, in their partnership with Kansai Plascon.

Football for Hope is a FIFA™ outreach initiative that began with the FIFA World Cup™ 2010 in South Africa. It aims to create 20 Football for Hope Centres to promote education, public health and football in disadvantaged communities across Africa. The programme is supported by Architecture for Humanity, an international non-profit architectural organisation working in underprivileged communities and concerned with creating a more sustainable future through design. Worldwide, local architects associated with Architecture for Humanity provide pro-bono services to projects identified in their regions by the organisation. They partner with local suppliers to provide services and material support, also on a pro bono basis.

Waterproofing contractor M-Proofing Roofing & Waterproofing recently used a Mapei product, Mapelastic Foundation, to waterproof about 180m² of new roofing, as well as a holding tank and pool, at the Mikvah at the Great Park Synagogue in Houghton, Johannesburg.

Hot on the heels of the latest 16% increase in the average electricity tariff for Eskom follows another announcement: that Eskom will be allowed to escalate its base tariff by a further 16% next year, 2013. 

Magnet, specialist in the supply, implementation and support of electrical equipment and industrial instrumentation, last year completed a lighting upgrade project for Dulux, to reduce energy consumption, load and associated costs at the company’s Umbogintwini plant in KwaZulu-Natal.  Brian Howarth, managing director of Magnet says, “Phase 1 of the project involved the design and installation of a new energy-efficient lighting system to deliver electrical performance and energy savings within 10% of calculated predictions. In some cases, the calculated savings have been exceeded. 

Plascon will be showcasing its 2012 Colour Forecast ‘Endless Possibility’ at Decorex Durban, the popular décor, design and home living event that will take place 21 to 25 March at the Durban Exhibition Centre. Four of South Africa’s top decorators and designers – Michele Throssell from Ballito, Koop Design and the Shaw Sisters from Durban, Ruth Duke from Durban, and Laurence Brick from Cape Town – will each be interpreting a different one of the four Plascon colour palettes from its 2012 Forecast in a concept stand at the exhibition.  Plascon’s 2012 colour trends, defined as: Memory, Expression, Mystery and Origins, are a reflection of our current social climate, echoing the mood of society and highlighting contemporary needs and aspirations. Developed under the overarching theme of Endless Possibility, Plascon’s 2012 Colour Forecast presents an inspiring collection of colours.

Advances in silicone sealant technology have opened up new possibilities in architecture and when it comes to specifying sealants for structural glazing, insulating glazing, weather-sealing or fire protection in building projects, performance and reliability are critical.

Alububble radiant barrier insulation, manufactured by Africa Thermal Insulations (ATI) has been used for many years mainly in industrial applications. Over recent years it has gained popularity in domestic applications as well. Although it is clear that the product works, there have been no recognised test methods that measure the difference radiant barriers make to internal temperatures when installed. ATI therefore decided to conduct a test case study using thermal imaging.  First, in an uninsulated house, it recorded thermal images and temperatures at different points outside and inside the building. These temperatures showed the heat flow into the house. A retrofit installation of Alububble was then completed in the house and thermal images and temperatures were recorded again.  The outside temperature on both days was recorded at 30°C but the difference in the internal temperature, once the Alububble radiant barrier had been installed, was notable. The diagram illustrates the temperature readings on both the insulated and uninsulated house. 

 Mapei South Africa, part of the global Mapei Group and a leading supplier of chemical and adhesive products for the construction industry, recently supplied a turnkey solution to RCL Holdings, the Mapei authorised applicator in Botswana, for the waterproofing and finishing of a large pool and the surrounding deck area at a new luxury hotel in Gaborone, Botswana.

Its reputation for high-quality construction chemicals and service saw Mapei win the contract from road and bridge civil construction specialist, Penny Farthing Engineering, for the provision of waterproofing products to repair the 24km Jacobsdal canal in the Free State. The canal system supplies water to farmlands in the Jacobsdal region. It was Aurecon – an international provider of engineering, management and specialist technical services to government and private sector clients – that recommended Mapei to Penny Farthing Engineering for this project.

It's a good thing when a leading global figure asserts himself (or herself) on the subject of global warming and climate change. Charles, Prince of Wales, recently stated that people who do not accept the reality of climate change are "playing a reckless game of roulette". He went on to ask, "How are these people going to face their grandchildren and admit to them that they failed their future?"

Following a devastating fire in April 2009, Novo Pack House in Paarl, Western Cape, had to be completely rebuilt. With Murray & Roberts as the main contractor and Lance Dickson Construction (Light Frame Homes) appointed to erect the infill walls, the project was completed last year. Systems supplied by Sika SA were the first choice for the contractors when it came to sealing the joints of the walls and providing a protective water repellent.