How to Improve Architectural Education

Steady demand for rentals, but sales tend to take time

Construction sector charter ‘has failed to take BEE forward’

Landscape Architecture Spotlight: Parklets

Volume 3 - November 13th, 2012

ContentsON THE COVER

3 HowtoImproveArchitecturalEducation

12 Constructionsectorcharter‘hasfailedtotakeBEEforward’

18 Steadydemandforrentals,butsalestendtotaketime

20 LandscapeArchitectureSpotlight:Parklets

ARCHITECTURE

6 LEEDPlatinumHomeAdditioninVenice

7 DesignDilemma:HowtoDesignaHousethatisEasytoClean

8 OttawaRiverHouse//ChristopherSimmondsArchitect

BUILDING

12 Consultingagencyintroducesnewcourseinconstructionadjudicationfor2013

13 Moscow’sMercuryCityTowerclaimshighestskyscrapertitle

14 Cleanenergycoststohitconsumers

16 VelabuildingsolutionsleadsrolloutofSA-grownalternativebuildingtechnologies

PROPERTY

17 Government-building-focusedpropertygrouptolistonJSE

LANDSCAPING

19 FirstCommercialVerticalFarmopensinSingapore

21 UrbanGardensontheStreet

DECOR

22 Cocoon1byMicasaLabisaTransparentPieceofBubbleFurnitureYouCanLiveIn

Vol. 3 - November 13th, 2012

Page 3 |

How to Improve Architectural Education

SPECIAL FEATURE

You could argue that architectural educa-tion is pretty good the way it is. In fact, it is most likely the best that it has ever been. But it’s not good enough. Just as architects and designers need to deliver more value in the future, the education that supports and gives birth to the future of the profession needs to prove its rel-evance.

Thereisachangingnatureintheworkofdesign.Inthiscontextmanyeducatorsacknowl-edgethathighereducationhasnotkeptupwiththebigchangestakingplaceinthedesignprofessions.

Ihaveaproposal.Atthebase,Ibelievethatthereshouldbeafreshapproachandthatweshouldquestionourcurrenthabitpatterns.Weshoulddothingsdifferently.Callthisanext-lev-elapproachorstrategicalignment.Tomeasurethepulseofthepotentialofthis,oneonlyneedstolookatwhatweseeintoday’sbest-of-classprofessionalfirms.Innovationlivesinthesefirms.Thefascinatingthingisthatinspiteofthenaysayers,thedesignprofessionispioneer-ingintonewsatisfyingrealitiesthatincludeunexpectedupsidescenariosincareersatisfac-tionandmonetaryremuneration.

Here’saproposaltobringdesigneducationforwardintoapositionforincreasinglyindis-pensablevalue.

| Page 4

SPECIAL FEATURE

1.Obsesswithkeepingcurrent:Provideacampusprogramforfacultiesandstaffthatupdatesthelateststatisticsandmetricsaboutthedesignprofession.Forinstance,compensationmetricsandthebusinessmetricsofsuccess.Bringstudents,faculty,andadministrationtogethertoshareknowledgeonthecurrentrealitiesintheprofessions.Today’sgraduatesshouldcometounderstandtherealopportunitiesandsetgoalsaccordingly.Getridofthestalemythologyofaprofessionthatdoesn’texistanymore

2.Teachleadershipinadditiontodesigneducation:Yes,businessleadershipandcommunicationskillsshouldbetaughttoeverystudentbeforegraduating.Studentsshouldlearnthatinreality,designersareinthecommunicationsbusiness.Withoutthis,theThereisachangingnatureintheworkofdesign.Inthiscontextmanyeducatorsacknowledgethathighereducationhasnotkeptupwiththebigchangestakingplaceinthedesignprofessions.

3.Learningbydoing:Handsonprograms,cooperativeeducationandthelikemaybedifficult,butitsvaluecannotbedenied.Forwhenitcomestoareaslikebuildingon-sitesupervisoryexperience,costanalysis,feeandbusinessadjustmentstoscopechanges,andday-to-dayprojectmanagement,thebestwaytoacquirethenecessaryunderstandingofhowbuildingsaremadeisbypracticingtheartandscienceratherthanstudyingit.Becomingasuccessfularchitectorrunningadesignenterpriseisnotanendeavorthattranslatewellintolecturesandacademicanalysis.

4.Maximizethedesignenterprise/continuing-educationofferings:Bybringpractitionersintoschoolbothdigitallyandtocampusyoucancreatesocialandintellectualprogramsthatbuildbridgesbetweentheprofessionandeducation.Asurprisinglysmallnumberofsuccessfulpractitionersactivelyteach.Itneednotbealostresource.

How to Improve Architectural Education

Page 5 |

5.Veteranandtenuredfacultyareinneedofrenewal:Someschoolsadmittoapercentageofdeadwoodfaculties.Itdoesn’thavetobethisway.Anexchangeprogrambetweenschoolscouldbeestablishedforveteranandtenuredfacultyneedingsomeregenerationandnewsurroundings.Everyschoolcanparticipateinthisprogram,whichcouldhaveatwelvemonthtotwenty-fourmonthschedule.

6.Teachthecurrentmetricsinfinance,marketing,professionalservicesandoperations:ThisistheDesign+Enterprisemodel.Makeitapartofeveryprojectinthestudioenvironment.Imbeddedintoeverystudioshouldbelessonsthatrevealprojectmanagementinformationthatfirmsusenowtostayaccountable.Thisincludescosts,constructiontime,designefficiency,square-footmetricsandthelikelymarketingoverheadtheprojectbroughtwithit.

ReadtherestofthearticleandconclusioninvolumefourofDesignmindcomingNovemberthe20th.

http://www.archdaily.com/289789/how-to-improve-architectural-education-in-12-steps/

| Page 6

ARCHITECTURE

LEED Platinum Home Addition in Venice This is the Brooks Residence, and it’s one of the 10 highest LEED-rated homes in California. Located in Venice, California, the craftsman-style home received 109 points and is one of about 20 local homes certified under the LEED for Homes program. It was built by Rick Arreola and designed by Duvivier Architects for principle Isabelle Duvivier, who wanted to modernize the existing home with more space, light, and sustainability.

Thefirstfloorwasopenedandexpandedtocre-atealargerlivingandkitchen,asshowninthepictures.Atthesametime,Duviviersoughttoincreasenaturallightandventilationthroughcarefullyplacedwindows,solartubes,andsky-lights.

Toconserveenergy,there’s2×6wallframing,insulationperQIIguidelines,high-efficiencyappliances,andEnergyStarlighting(95%LEDlights),resultinginahomethat’s52%moreefficientthananaveragenewCaliforniahome.There’salsoa4kWsolararraythatproducespowerforthehome.

Thestairsandbookshelveswerebuiltwith2x4sreclaimedfromexistingwallsthatwereremoved,andDuvivierselectedhighrecycled-contentproductsfortheexteriorsiding,bathroomtiles,concretecountertops,insulation,andfounda-tion.Tosavewater,BrooksResidencehastwocisternsthatcollect800gallonsofrainwater.

Onecisternisusedtowaterafruitorchard,whiletheotherisopenandusedasafishhabi-tat,aswellasawatersourceforthecut-flowergarden.Thehome’sgraywaterrecyclingsystempumpswatertoripariantreesandabananacres-cent.Additionally,Brookshasnativedrought-tolerantplants,mostlypermeablesurfaces,avegetablegardeninthefrontyard,andaveg-etatedswale.

http://www.jetsongreen.com/2012/07/craftsman-addition-leed-platinum-brooks-venice.html

Page 7 |

ARCHITECTURE

Design Dilemma: How to Design a House that is Easy to Clean Are you lucky enough to design a home from the ground up? Here’s something to keep in mind: how easy will that house be to clean?

It’ssomethingthatfewofusbearinmindintheexcitementofdesigning,renovatingorbuildinganewhome,andyetit’safactorthatwilldeterminethelivabilityandqualityofourdayslikenoother.Yes,stainlesssteeliswon-derful,untilyoufindyourselfobsessedwithwipingawayfingerprintseverytwohours.Darkebonyfloorsareelegant,untilthey’recoveredwithdust,dirtandpethair.Thentheyjustlookgrungy.

Sohereareafewthingstobearinmindifyou’rerenovatingorrebuildingahome.

• Lighttomid-rangewoodfloorsistheeasiesttokeepclean.Woodfloorshavemany,manyadvantagesoverothermaterials.Unlikecarpet,whichcangetrattyfast,woodfloorsonlyseemtogetbetterlookingwithage.Unliketile,thereisnogrouttogetencrustedwithdirt.Theycleanupfast,withabroomandadampmop.Theyalsodon’teasilyshowdirtanddust,unlessyoumakethemistakeofgoingverylightorverydark.Sowevoteforwoodenfloorsinalightoakfinishfortheireaseincleaningonadailybasis.Theotheradvantageofwoodisthatitcanlastfordecades(ifnotcenturies)andberestoredrelativelyeasilybyrefinishing.

• Storagechangeseverything.Considerinstallingfarmorestoragethanyouthinkyou’llneed.Lookforunder-utilizedopportunitiestocreatestoragebehindstairways,underneathseats,andunderneathwindowsanddoors.Createmultiplesmallerstoragespacesaroundyourhouseinsteadofonelargehallclosetthatisfarfromwherethematerialsinstoragewillbeused.

• Choosefurniturewithstorage.Thewholestorageissuedoesn’tpertainjusttothefixedelementsofourhome.Chooseacouchthatincorporatesaplaceforblanketsorremotecontrols,acoffeetablewithgenerousstor-ageformagazines,books,remotesandboardgames,aswellastableswithstorageforsilverwareandtablelinens.

• Investineasy-to-cleanpaintsandfurniturecoverings.Naturally,youwillwantwashablepaintsurfaces.Ifyouoptforwallpaper,lookforeasy-to-cleanproductsthatdonotfadeeasily.Whenitcomestochoosingfurniture,youmayfindleatherindarkercolorsliketaupe,gray,choco-late,charcoalorblack,easiesttokeepclean,especiallyifyouhavekidsanddogs.

• Buildasmallerhome.Here’ssomeradicaladvice:Gosmall!Smallerhomes,particularlywhentheyarewellplanned,arefareasiertokeepclean.Theytakelesstimetoorganize,thereislesssquarefootagetoscrub,andtherearefewerobjectsrequiredtofillthesehomes.Asimplesolutiontoacomplexproblem.Happycleaning!

http://www.homedesignfind.com/how-to-tips-advice/design-dilemma-how-to-design-a-house-that-is-easy-to-clean/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Homedesignfind+%28Home+Design+Find%29

| Page 8

Architects:ChristopherSimmondsArchitectLocation:Ottawa,Ontario,CanadaPhotographs:DoubleSpacePhotographyYear:2012

ARCHITECTURE

Ottawa River House // Christopher Simmonds Architect

Page 9 |

To move through this home on the Ottawa River is to enjoy a carefully orchestrated sequence of encoun-ters with its picturesque natural setting. Views and light penetrate the spatial composition throughout its interlocking interior volumes.

ThestartingpointfortheplanningofthishousewastoidentifyaplaceonthesitewhichaffordedaviewofParliamentHill,andtolocatetheprincipallivingspacesthere.Anelongatedentrywithanaturalcedarplankedceilingbringsvisitorsbywayofthesoutherlycourtyardtotheverycoreofthesiteandthehome.Theresultisahomewithstunningviews,andwhichenjoysbothanintimateconnectionwiththecourtyardandamoreexpansiveconnectionwiththeriver.Flooringisacombinationofwhiteporcelaintileanddarkstained,quarter-sawnoak.Cabinetsindarkstainedashcontrastsimilarlywiththewhitequartzcountertops

http://www.archdaily.com/290873/ottawa-river-house-christopher-simmonds-architect/

| Page 10

ARCHITECTURE

Ottawa River House // Christopher Simmonds Architect

Page 11 |

| Page 12

Construction sector charter ‘has failed to take BEE forward’THE Construction Industry Charter was not doing enough to promote black economic empowerment (BEE), Department of Trade and Industry deputy director-general Sipho Zikode said.

Thoughthecharterwasgazettedin2009,black-ownedbusinessesandprofessionalsinthesectorcontinuedtofacemanyproblems,hesaid.Theseincludedlackofaccesstofinanceandbigprivatesectorandgovernmentcontracts.

Otherchallengesincludedfronting,andlatepaymentsfrombigcompaniesandthegovernment.Latepaymenthadcausedthedemiseofmanysmallcompanies.

Further,professionalindustrybodiesweremainlyrunbywhites.

MrZikodesaidacouncilthathadinitiallybeenproposedtomonitorthecharterdidnotmeetanddidnothavetheresourcestoexecuteitswork.Itwastheresponsibilityoftheindustrytoensurethatitfunctionedproperly,hesaid.

MrZikodesaidhedidnotexpectthechartertobereplacedwhenthenewblackeconomicempowermentcodesofgoodpractice,whichwouldbeconsideredinParliamentsoon,weremadeintolaw.

TheimmediatepastpresidentoftheEngineeringCouncilofSouthAfrica,ChrisCampbell,acknowledgedthatcon-structionindustryorganisationswererunmainlybywhitepeople.Thishesaidwasbecauseolderwhiteprofessionalshadthetimeandfinancialresourcestospendtimeaway

fromtheircompaniesandworkinindustryinstitutions.

Youngblackprofessionalsinthebuiltenvironmenttendedtoneedtoworkonkeepingtheirrelativelysmallercompa-niesviable.

MrCampbellsaidprofessionalsintheengineeringprofes-sioncouldnotbefast-tracked,astheirworkaffectedthehealthandsafetyofthepublic.Ittookanengineerabout8-10yearstogainenoughexperiencetobeconsideredaprofessional.

TherewasashortageofengineeringskillsinSouthAfrica—therewasoneengineerortechnicalspecialistper700-720peopleversusoneper300intheBriccountries(Brazil,Russia,IndiaandChina).Municipalengineers,manufac-turingengineersandartisanswereinshortsupply.

http://www.bdlive.co.za/business/industrials/2012/11/06/con-struction-sector-charter-has-failed-to-take-bee-forwardAbsa:fewerbuildingplansapproved

Consulting agency introduces new course in construction adjudication for 2013Independent, multidisciplinary legal consult-ing firm MDA Consulting has introduced its Programme in Construction Adjudication, to be launched in February 2013 by the University of Pretoria, in reaction to industry challenges, says as-sociate Niel Coertse.

“Theconstructionlawfieldisadynamicfield,withmanyaspects,suchaslegal,financialandinsurancepresentinanycontract.ItisalsoanunderdevelopedfieldinSouthAfrica,comparedwiththatoftheUK.“WiththisnewcoursewehopetoenrichtheSouthAfricanbodyofknowledge,”heexplains.

Coertsenotesthat,withregardtocontracts,thereisoftenagapbetweenthepersonneldealingwiththetechnicalaspectsofaconstructionprojectandthosedealingwiththecommercialaspects.“Theyoftendonothaveanunder-standingofwhattheothersaredoinganditisimportanttobridgethisgap,”hesays.

BUILDING

Page 13 |

“Weareseeingsomecontractorsbecomingmorecommer-ciallyastuteandresortingtoemployinglawyersandlegaladvisorstoreviewthecontractsandtermsbeforegoingtotender.

“Itisimportantforthemtoknowwhotheyarecontractingwithandbesurethattheywillbepaid,whileitisalsoim-portantfortheemployerstoknowwhowillbecontractingforthemandwhetherthecontractorsareabletodeliver,”hesays.

Headdsthatcontractorsneedtoeducatethemselves,notonlyonthetechnicalaspectsoftheproject,butalsoonwhattheyarewarrantingandundertakingthroughthecontractstheysign.

Withconstructionadjudicationprogressivelybecomingmoreentrenchedasaprocedureforresolvingconstructiondisputesacrosstheindustry,aneedhasnowarisenforlegalprofessionalswhoadviseand/orassistand/orrepresentpartiesinadjudications,orwhopractiseasadjudicatorsthemselvestobeformallytrainedinthepractice.

“Adjudicationisnotgovernedbylegislationlikearbitrationis.Thecourtsareleaningtowardslettingthepartiesin-volvedchoosetheirdisputeresolutionprocedures,andhaverecentlyenforcedadjudicator’sdecisions,”saysCoertse.

Theeight-monthprogrammeisaimedatconstructionandlegalprofessionalswhohaveexperienceintheconstructionindustryandwhocurrentlyadvise,assistorrepresentpartiesinconstructionadjudications,whomaywishtopractiseasadjudicatorsorhaveaninterestinconstructionlaw,claimsandcontracts.

http://www.engineeringnews.co.za/article/consulting-agen-cy-introduces-new-course-in-construction-adjudication-for-2013-2012-11-02

BUILDING

Moscow’s Mercury City Tower claims highest skyscraper title FThe 339 meters (1,112 feet) tall Mercury City Tower, primarily owned by billionaire Igor Kesaev, is one of the buildings forming the Moscow Inter-national Business Center also known as “Mosk-va-City”. The tower, which is still under going construction, reached its full height making it at present, the tallest skyscraper in Europe, according to organizers of the ceremony and local media.

Thetowerhastoppedoutat338metres,29metreshigherthantheShard,inLondon,whichhasheldtherecordjustsinceJuly.

“Itshowsthat,inRussia,wecankeeppacewithmodernarchitectureaccordingtoEuropeanstandards,”MercurybossIgorKesayevsaid.

Thefirst40storeysaretohouseoffices,whilethetopsto-reyswillcontainluxuryapartments.

“TheRussianswillprobablykeeptherecordforawhilesincethey’rebuildingmoreskyscrapers,”addedMatthewKeutenisofthebuildingdataanalysiscompanyEmporis,whichconfirmedthetower’srecord.

http://www.timeslive.co.za/lifestyle/2012/11/02/moscow-s-mer-cury-city-tower-claims-highest-skyscraper-title

NielCoertse.

| Page 14

BUILDING

Clean energy costs to hit consumersElectricity consumers will have to dig even deeper into their pockets for the clean energy that Eskom will be buying from independent power producers (IPPs).

ThetariffsIPPswillreceivearenearlyfivetimesthe61c/kWhthatEskomisnowchargingitscustomers.

OneIPP,whichdidnotwishtobenamed,mentioneditwouldbepaidR2,81/kWhofpowersoldtothenationalgrid.

Initsapplicationfora16%tariffincreaseforeachofthenextfiveyearsfromApril2013,Eskomsaysitwilluse3%ofthattofunditspurchaseofelectricityfromtheIPPs.Ifapproved,itwilldoublethepriceofelectricityconsumersnowpaytoR1,28/kWhby2018.

ThecontractedtariffsforrenewableenergyinthenewbuildprogrammearealreadydoubleEskom’sprojectedpricefiveyearsfromnow.InOctober,thecompanysaiditpaidexistingIPPsanaverage77c/kWh,includingimportsfromMozambique’sCahoraBassahydroelectricstation.

“Therenewableenergyindustryneedstobesubsidisedforthenext10yearsinSAbeforeitcanstandfirmlyonitsown,”saysNicolasRolland,apartnerattheDarlingWindFarmintheWesternCape.Begunasapilotproject,thefarmhasbeensellingwind-generatedpowertotheCityofCapeTownsince2008.

ContractedatrateslowerthanEskom’scurrent61c/kWh,theDarlingwindturbinesarenotgeneratingenoughrev-enuetosustaintheproject.RollandsaysthecompanywillbenegotiatingwiththecitytogetapriceinlinewiththeIPPprice.

Thefinancialcloseforthefirstphaseoftheenergydepart-ment’sintegratedresourceplan,signedbyministerDipuoPeterslastweek,meansthe28preferredIPPshavebeengiventhego-aheadtostartbuildingtheinfrastructurefor1470MWofenergyfromrenewablesourceslikesunandwindatanestimatedcostofR47bn.

Theprojectsarethefirstofthreephases-totalling3725MW,whichtheenergydepartmentplanstosourcefromIPPsby2016.Whencomplete,itwilltakethetotalamountofrenewableenergyto8735MWby2025.Atthatlevelthesectorwillcontributetheequivalentof30%ofthenation’senergymix,loweringEskom’sgenerationcontribu-tionto65%ofSA’stotalpowercapacityfromthecurrent95%.

Industryplayershavewelcomedthefinancialclose,sayingitallowsthemtobeginbuildingtheirpowerplantstobeabletodeliverwithinthefive-yeardeadline.

BuildingEnergy,acompanydomiciledinItaly,willstartconstructiononitsR3,5bnphotovoltaic(solarpanels)plantwithinamonthofthefinancialclose,saysthecompany’sAfricaCEO,MatteoBrambilla.“Theplantwillbeunderconstructionforthenext21months,afterwhichthepowerwillstartflowing,”saysBrambilla.

Whencomplete,itwillprovide81MWforthenext20years.IfpaidR2,81/kWh,BuildingEnergywillproduceannualrevenuesofmorethanR500m.

Employing350peopleduringconstruction,theKathu,NorthernCape,facilityisoneofmanythatwillcreateanestimated50000jobsduringtheconstructionphaseoftherenewablepowerplants.Brambillasays63peoplewillberequiredtooperatethestationafteritisfinished.

http://www.fm.co.za/economy/local/2012/11/09/clean-energy-costs-to-hit-consumers

Page 15 |

N Korea ‘Hotel of Doom’ to open after delaysAn enormous pyramid-shaped hotel which has stood half-built for decades in North Korea’s capi-tal is on track to open its doors next year, a luxury international hotel chain said according to reports.

Pyongyang’s105-storeyRyugyongHotel,amonolithiccon-creteshelldubbedthe“HotelofDoom”byinternationalmedia,hasbeenrepeatedlydelayedandstandsasasym-boloftheeconomicproblemsplaguingtheimpoverishedcountry.

Despitedoubtsthatitwouldeverbecompleted,theheadofGeneva-basedhotelgroupKempinskhassaiditplansapartiallaunchnextyear,SouthKoreanmediasaid.

Seoul’sKoreaJoongAngDailyquotedKempinskichiefexecutiveRetoWittwerassayingthegroupwouldopenthehotelinJulyorAugust2013,offering150roomsonthetopfloorsofthebuilding.

“Itwillbecomeamultipurposecomplex,withthethreelowestfloorsusedforthelobby,restaurantsandashopping

centre,andtherestoftheupperfloorswillbemostlyusedforoffices,”hesaid.

SouthKoreandailyChosunIlboalsoquotedWittwerassayingtheKempinskigroupplannedtoopenthehotelinthefirsthalfofnextyear.

FormerNorthKoreanleaderKimJong-Il,whodiedlastDecember,reportedlyorderedconstructionofthehotelin1987,withskillsandcapitalfromaFrenchcompany.In2008theprojectwasnamedthe‘WorstBuildingintheHistoryofMankind’.

InSeptemberthisyear,Beijing-basedcompanyKoryoTours,whichorganisestripstoNorthKorea,wasgrantedarareglimpseinsidethehotel.PhotostakenbythecompanyandprovidedtoAFPshowavastglass-coveredlobbyandatriumwithtiersofbareconcreteatitsbase,resemblingamulti-storeycarpark.Thevisitalsorevealedthatthebuild-ingfeaturesaninety-fifth-floorviewingplatformandplansforabanquetinghall

http://www.iol.co.za/travel/n-korea-hotel-of-doom-to-open-after-delays-1.1417607#.UJvJq2lrYsw

BUILDING

| Page 16

Vela building solutions leads rollout of SA-grown alternative building technologiesSouth African exports of home grown alternative building technologies (ABTs) into Southern Africa are gathering pace across an increasingly wider footprint as the region continues to ride a wave of economic growth and infrastructural development.

AttheforefrontofthisprocessisGauteng-basedVelaBuildingSolutionswhich,aspartofitsstrategicAfricanexpansionplan,hasjustestablishedlocaloperationsinMo-zambique(whereannualeconomicgrowthistrackingabove7%)andNamibia,saysCEOBrentHarris.

VelaBuildingSolutionsistheregion’sleadingproviderofinnovative,quality,rapidandsustainableModular,andother,buildingsolutions(asanalternativetobricksandmortar)intheconstructionoflow-costandaffordablehousingandassociatedcommunityinfrastructure.

“ThereisnoquestionthatABTsarenowastrong,andpo-tentiallylong-lasting,linkinSouthAfrica’sgrowingexportchainintoSouthernAfrica–andevenfurtherafieldonthecontinent.Theirpotentialseemsvirtuallyunlimited,”saysBrent.

Examplesofcurrentmajorprojectsthatwillrequirelarge-scaleworkerandcommunityinfrastructure,saysBrent,revolvearoundMozambique’sTetecoalfieldsandPembaoffshorenaturalgasdeposits;theexpansionofthecobaltandcopperminingindustryintheDemocraticRepublicofCongo(DRC);exploitationofnewlydiscoveredcopperreservesinZambia;growthofAngola’soilindustry;andmoreintensivecoalproductioninBotswana.

OneofthebiggestcurrentVelaBuildingSolutionsprojectsinSouthernAfricainvolvesthedeliveryandconstructionof1600VelaModularhomesforaGovernmenthousingprojectintheSouthofAngola.

Theflat-packedinsulated,interlockingModularpanelsandothercomponentsforthecontractarebeingdeliveredbyroadfromSouthAfricaandassembledonsite.

InadifferentarenaofABTs,Velalastyearsuppliedvastquantitiesofthecoldrolledsteelusedinthefast-trackcon-structioninMaputo,Mozambique,ofavillagethathousedthe6500athletes(from48countries)whocompetedinthe10thAllAfricaGames.

AftertheGames,thevillagewasconvertedtomeetitsoriginalpurpose–affordablehousingforthecommunityinthearea.

TocopewithexistingstrongdemandforABTsinSouthAfrica,aswellasthegrowthofitsmarketsintherestofSouthernAfrica,Velarecentlydoubleditsproductioncapacitybymovingtoa7500sqmnewmanufacturingcomplexinAlrode,Gauteng.

http://www.eprop.co.za/news/item/14473-vela-building-solutions-leads-rollout-of-sa-grown-alternative-building-technologies.html

Government-building-focused property group to list on JSEThe R2.1-billion property group and predominant-ly government-tenanted black economic-empower-ment company, Delta Property Fund, is to list on the JSE.

Thelisting,scheduledforearlyNovember,willfollowaNedbankCapital-ledcapital-raisingexerciseofR980-mil-lionandisaimedatreducinggearinglevelsandfundingfu-tureacquisitions.ThecompanyhassetitselftheambitiousobjectiveofowningapropertyportfoliovaluedinexcessofR7-billionby2017.

NedbankCorporatePropertyFinanceisprovidingthebulkofthefundingandisworkingincollaborationwithNed-bankCapital–thesponsorofandadvisertoDeltaforthelisting–tobringthefundtomarket.

BUILDING

Page 17 |

PROPERTY

“Weconsiderthisahigh-qualitylistingandareconfidentitwillbepositivelyreceivedbyinvestorsseekingablue-chipinvestmentintheJSE’spropertysector,”saysNedbankCor-poratePropertyFinanceregionalexecutiveKenReynolds.“DeltawillmakeitsJSEdebutatR8.20ashare.

ThefundwasestablishedbythefoundingshareholdersofMotsengInvestmentHoldings,whichwasestablishedin1998asaproviderofsupportservicestolandlords,propertyfundsandpropertymanagingagents.In2002,itexpandedintothepropertysectorthroughajointventurewithprop-ertygroupMariottPropertyServices.

DeltawillbemanagedbyinvestmentmanagerMPIAssetManagement,whilethecompany’spropertymanage-mentwillbeundertakenbyMotsengPropertyServices–asubsidiaryofMotsengInvestmentHoldings–whichhasmanagedDelta’sexistingpropertiestodate.

DeltaCEOSandileNomveteassertsthatthecompany’sstrategicadvantageisitsabilitytoidentifyandsecuregov-ernment-leasedandSouthAfricanRevenueService-leasedpropertiesandtocollecttherentalstimeously,andaddsthatDeltahassuccessfullyredevel-opedandrefurbishedseveralbuildingstotenantrequirements,therebyenhancingthepropertyvalueandyield.

“Wehaveachievedlong-termleaserenewalsandmarket-comparativeescalationratesastenantrequirementsanddemandsarepro-activelymetandexceeded,”hesays.

http://www.engineeringnews.co.za/article/r21-billion-black-economic-empowerment-property-group-poised-to-list-on-johannesburg-stock-exchange-2012-10-24

Steady demand for rentals, but sales tend to take timeAnyone running a commercial franchise (or a con-ventional brokerage), primarily handling industrial property in the greater Durban area, has to accept, firstly that there is a serious shortage of land zoned for commercial use; secondly, that, having estab-lished connections with those companies that are looking for new premises, it can take time to meet all their criteria; and thirdly, that the rezoning of land in areas identified as suitable can, again, be time-consuming.

Nevertheless,themarketisnow“ideal”forbuyerslookingtogetin‘onthegroundfloor’whilepricesarestilllowandpurchasesofun-zonedpropertieswillbeworthsubstantiallymoreoncetherightsareinplace.

ThisisaccordingtoDavidHitch,oneoftheRawsonProp-ertyGroup’smoresuccessfulcommercialfranchisees,whoisalsoactiveintheresidentialfield.Hisbroker,WinstonSjouerman,wasRawsonCommercial’stopperformerin2012.

“Rightnow,”saidHitch,“therearerelativelyfewcompanieslookingtobuylargeindustrialspacesortoestablishthem-selvesinbignewpremises.However,weareintouchwithseveralandareworkingsteadilytomeettheirspecifications.Wehaveseveralagentsexperiencedinhandlingturnkeyandpackageoperations,theadvantagesofthesearethatthefinalpriceisknownrightattheoutsetandourselvessortoutallthedetails.

Hitchsaidthatingeneral,pricesarenowwellofftheir2007peaksandinvestorslookingforbargainopportunitiesshouldbeinvestigatingthemanygoodopportunitiesopentothemnow,particularlyinareassuchasCornubia(anewcommercialtradezoneneartheKingShakaAirport)andCatoRidge.Thechallenge,howeveristofindstabletenantswhowillcommittolongleases.

Rentaldemand,saidHitch,isparticularlystrongforpremisesinthe400m2to2000m2bracket-andhere,hesays,thereisnowaseriousshortageofsuitablespace.Thisshortagehascausedrentstostabilizeoverthelasttwoyearsandannualincreasesofupto5%arenowgenerallyac-cepted.InRiverHorseandBriardene,saidHitch,today’srentsarepitchedataroundR55per/m2,inPinetowntheyarefromR30-R40per/m2andinJacobsandMobenifromR30-R38per/m2.

“LookinggenerallyatcommercialpropertyinDurban”,Hitchrepeated,“itisquiteclearthatnowistherighttimetobuy.Withprimeat8,5%,itispossibletofindgoodindustriallandinupcomingareas,atanythingfromR500-R2500per/m2.Withinthenextfivetotenyearsthesepriceswill,Iamconfident,seemludicrouslylow-becausethecurrentbigdipintheeconomy,althoughthemostseriouswehaveexperiencedsincethe1930’s,willnot,Iamconvinced,lastforever.”

http://www.bizcommunity.com/Article/196/567/84745.html

| Page 18

LANDSCAPING

It is projected that by the year 2050, nearly 80% of the earth’s population will reside in urban centers. With fears of overcrowding and land scarcity, the need to evolve our agriculture is one of the primary challenges we face in the 21st century.

Asolution?Verticalfarming.Theinnovativeconcept,whichwasfirstpioneeredbyColumbiaUniversityprofessorDicksonDespommier,isapromisingsolutionthatmanyoftheworld’smostpopulatedcitiesarestartingtoconsider.Asofnow,theland-scarceRepublicofSingaporeisleadingthewaywiththeopeningoftheworld’sfirstcommercialverticalfarm,featuring3.65-hectaresofstackedvegetablesinthenorthwesterndistrictofLimChuKang.

AsChannelNewsAsiareports,thefarmisorganizedbya

seriesofnine-metertallaluminumtowers,suitableofgrow-inguptoahalftonofvegetablesperyear.Thisisjustthebeginning,asthefarmisexpectedtodoubleinsizebytheendof2013.

Theprojectisahugewinforthecountry,whichupuntilnowimported93%ofitsvegetables,duetolackoffarmingspace.

“Thechallengewillbetogetinvestorsinterested.Thistypeoffarmneeds(relatively)highercapital,”saidDrNgiamTongTau,thechairmanofSkyGreens.“Thisisanewsys-tem,sopeopleneedtobetrained(and)weneedtoattractpeopletocomeheretowork.”

http://www.archdaily.com/291403/first-commercial-vertical-farm-opens-in-singapore/

First Commercial Vertical Farm opens in Singapore

Page 19 |

LANDSCAPING

A growing trend is the concept of “parklets,” small urban micro parks installed off of sidewalks that en-hance the streetscape, allow passersby to relax and enjoy the environment around them, and activate the pedestrian scene. Originated in (where else?) San Francisco, these cozy little public green spaces have since spread to other cities such as Philadel-phia, Vancouver, and New York. They’ve been ap-proved in pedestrian friendly cities such as Chicago as well as traditionally less walking-enthused cities like Los Angeles, which approved a six-month pilot program in August, not to mention smaller cities in between.

Aparkletistypicallycreatedbyblockingoffseveralunusedparallelparkingspacesonastreetandextendingaplatformoffthesidewalk.Theplatformusuallyfeaturesaseatingareaandcanalsoincorporateplanters,asmalllawn,sculptures,fountains,orotherurbanfurnishingsthatinvitepeopletolingerorrest.Typicallylocatedinfrontofarestaurantorboutique,itservesasawaytoactivatestreetlightandengageagreaterpedestrianpresenceinanareathatmightotherwisebelackinginone.Aparkletmakesforagreatoutdoordiningextensionofacafe,oraminiaturepark.Andtheresultsfromearlystudieshavebeenpromising—areaswhereparkletshavesprungupdoseemtohaveseen

increasedactivity,satisfaction,andcharacter.Parkletsarearelativelyinexpensiveandsimplewayofcreatingpocketsofgreenspaceorcommunalinteractionwithinthecity.

Parkletsarenottheend-allsolutiontocarvingoutgreenurbanspaces,ofcourse,buttheycanserveascatalysts.Ifthesesmallgesturesaresuccessful,theycanleadlargerpack-etsoflandbeingturnedtosmallparksorgardens.Imagineanabandonedparkinglotrebornasaplaceforfamiliestostopandrelaxforawhile.Orperhapstheroofofamid-risebuildingbeingconvertedintoacommunalgardenforlocalresidents.Evenuniqueurbanfeaturescanbetransformedintowonderfulecologicalfacilities,asevidencedbyprojectsliketheHighLineinNewYork.

Thehostofbenefitsofhavingactivatedurbangreenspaceshasbeenlongdocumented—reducedheatislandeffect,improvedstormwatermanagement,enhancedlocalairquality,andincreasedphysicalandpsychologicalcomfortarebutafew.Soperhapsthiscurrenttrendofparkletscanhelpignitegreaterappreciationforandefforttowardcreat-ingmoresuchspaces.Alittlecouldverywellgoquitealongway.

http://blog.lpainc.com/lpa-blog/bid/90437/Landscape-Architec-ture-Spotlight-Parklets-small-spots-of-green-lots

Landscape Architecture Spotlight: Parklets, small spots of green lots

| Page 20

We often point out the value of planting and main-taining the city-owned parkways in front of their homes when clients redesign their residential land-scape. Aside from the obvious improvement to the curb appeal of your property, it extends the pleasure of your garden space as you look out the window and gives a little something back to your neighbor-hood as well. Everyone likes an ‘ooh, aaah.’

Therearepracticalconsiderations,though,andthissummerwehadaquestionfromablogreaderaboutherstruggleswithsummerbloomingplantsinherparkway.Inresponse,herearefourtipsforparkwayplantingsfromourhorticul-turegurus,JohnEvansandSteveGierke:

Successfulparkwayplantersneedaraisedcurboratmini-mum,arail,tokeeppeopleanddogsout.Bloomingplantswon’tthriveiftheyaregettingsteppedonor‘dog-watered’(asmy5-year-oldputsit).

Shadecanbeahugeissueinparkways.Thoughboxwoodandfernswilldofinewithlowlight,plantslikeGeraniumandHydrangeasneedlotsofsuntoflowersignificantly.Ifitisveryshady,consideracanopyreductionofupto15%toallowinmorelight.Also,considerplantswhichperforminlowlight:Begonia,Impatiens,Euphorbia‘DiamondFrost’.And,asmostannualspreferfullsunconsiderusingfoliageplantslikePerillaandColeustobrightenupthespace.

LANDSCAPING

Urban Gardens on the StreetMoistureandsoilfertility:Thesearealsochallengingvari-ables.Thetreesinparkwaysarestarvedforbothmoistureandnutrientsduetothetreesrootsthatexistwithinthespace.Tryincorporating1”pinebarkfinesand1”ofgardencompostintothesoil.Regularwateringisalsoamustandifthatwateringcanbedonealongwithawater-solublefertilizer1x/weekallthebetter.BothMiracleGroandPetersBlossomBoosteraregreatproducts.

http://hoerrschaudt.com/blog/?p=1986

Page 21 |

DECOR

Cocoon 1 by Micasa Lab is a Transparent Piece of Bubble Furniture You Can Live InAs the planet becomes increasingly crowded, sometimes all we want is a small space to call our own - and the Cocoon 1 by Mi-casa Lab is just that. It’s not designed for full-time living, but this tiny bubble dwelling is comfortable enough for hours of reading, cooking or even working. The transparent bubble comes with a variety of modules that give the space a great deal of flexibility.

Cocoon1measures180cmindiameterandcomeswiththreebasic(andcolorful)modules,includingthe360foundationthatkeepstheballfromrollingawaywithyouinitandtwopillow90modulesthatallowforeithersleepingorstorage.Avarietyofothermodulesareavailabletoo,aswellassomethatmakeitpossibletocookmealsandpowerWi-Fi.

Bigenoughforapersontoenjoycomfortablybutsmallenoughtofititaroom,theCocoon1canbeelevatedorevenhungfromatreeinanet.TherecanevenbeavillageofCocoonsthatcarryupto200kginthenet.Onthegrounditcanhandleloadsofupto250kg.DesignedinSwitzer-land,theCocoon1isexpectedtobeavailableforpurchaseinthefallof2013witharetailpriceof$2990.It’snotcheap,butitisdefinitelyfun.

http://inhabitat.com/cocoon-1-by-micasa-lab-is-a-transparent-piece-of-bubble-furniture-you-can-live-in/

| Page 22