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Portside: raising the bar for sustainable architecture in South Africa

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At Steel Studio, we’re proud to announce our involvement in the impressive Portside building in Cape Town. The building is the first high rise office development in South Africa to achieve the prestigious title of a 5 Star “Design” Rating under the Green Building Council of South Africa’s (GBCSA) Green Star rating system for offices. This is a landmark moment in South African sustainable architecture and we’re very honoured to add our touches to the building. The stunning building was designed in a joint venture by DHK Architects and Louis Karol Architects and is being built by Murray & Roberts. The R1.6 billon project is a joint venture between Old Mutual and Firstrand Bank and is set to be a defining milestone in the up and coming financial district in the Foreshore area of Cape Town’s Central Business District. The building is located in the Central City Urban Conservation Area and the relationship between its historical context and urban ecology is fitting considering the building’s first of its kind “green” status. The striking building combines the legacy of the fast growing, world-class city of Cape Town with the environmental sustainability of the building’s progressive architectural design and the picturesque surrounds of the Western Cape. When initially proposed in 2008, the building was set to include a hotel and stand 147.6m above sea level. However the recent financial recession of the late 2000s and the challenges faced with securing a hotel management contact put the project on hold for nearly 3 years and the design was eventually altered.  The new design, which was greatly influenced by public participation, was reconfigured to remain below a certain height so that it would not obscure the world renowned view of Table Mountain.

The Portside building is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2014.

It will feature 32 floors, stand at a reduced 139m, have more than 52 000m2 of office space, 1 200m2 of retail and banking space, 1 382 parking bays and will be accessible from all sides on the ground level. In the ownership agreement which was concluded in 2011, half of the tower will house the provincial headquarters of First Rand Bank, namely its three divisions, FNB, RMB and Wesbank. There will also be a cutting-edge banking hall covering an entire floor. The remaining floors of the building will include 26 000m2 of AAA premium grade office space and 7 retail units available for leasing through Old Mutual Property. We’re confident that the building will achieve its vision to create a landmark greenstar-rated tall building with firm commitment to sustainable & responsible development when it is completed.

Timber versus stainless steel balustrades

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South African modern architecture incorporates a lot of balustrades in its designs. The popularity of balustrades is continually on the rise thanks to new manufacturing and design methods and state of the art technology continually entering the market. There are many different types of balustrades manufactured using a wide array of materials. The application of the balustrades needs to be considered when selecting the material from which to manufacture it. In South Africa in particular, with its warm climate presents very clear guidelines to stick to when deciding on which materials to incorporate in balustrade designs. This is especially true for balustrades that will be applied in exterior designs.

Timber Balustrades

Timber elements are a popular medium to work with in the design and manufacture of balustrades. It is also the most flexible material to use in the manufacture of simple and turned horizontal balustrades. Apart from creating the conventional balustrade using timber, you can also give the property a more modern look by using this material. Timber has remained a consistently popular material for the design of staircases and balustrades. These types of balustrades are skillfully crafted to maintain the perfect balance of the staircase. These are unique in both modern and antique styles, and allows for a lot of freedom in terms of design of the balustrade. Aside from the safety features and benefits that timber allows for, this type of balustrade adds a lot of classic features and style to the home. You will have your pick from different coloured timber that can be incorporated in the design. This makes it easier to decide on a design that will truly complement your building’s architecture. The use of timber, however, has been reduced in the manufacturing of staircases and balustrades. The reason for this is because homeowners and consumers in general have become more concerned about saving the environment. Therefore, timber has given way to other more environmentally friendly materials for the design and manufacturing of balustrades.

Stainless Steel Balustrades

The popularity of stainless steel as a medium for the design of balustrades is on the rise in South Africa. There are many reasons for this rising popularity, not least because of its environmentally friendly traits. While many other balustrades are still being manufactured, stainless steel is a great way to add an expressive decorative touch to the property while still investing in a balustrade that will offer the required support, and can be used both on the exterior and interior of properties. This type of balustrade is a beautiful alternative to timber balustrades for the design of a staircase. Since the stainless steel can be moulded to curve or have complex designs or be plain in design, its ultimate look is often quite outstanding. It adds another dimension of texture to the staircase. These balustrades are very resilient and robust, and will require a lot less maintenance and upkeep than their timber counterparts. Aside from the practical reasons for its use and its beautiful appearance, stainless steel balustrades are also oftentimes the more cost effective option for both indoor and outdoor use. In most cases stainless steel will cost far less than a similar timber design would, and will require less maintenance over the years. It is also rather easy to replace should the need arise and can accentuate a modern building’s design. At Steel Studio International we use both grades 304 and 316 in the design of our stainless steel balustrades. Another popular type of balustrade manufactured by Steel Studio includes glass, which is environmentally friendly and easy to maintain. Contact us to discuss your needs and to design your custom-made stainless steel or glass balustrade.

Get a quote on custom built steel, glass and timber balustrades

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More often people are looking to get a quote on custom built steel, glass and timber balustrades for their homes and corporate properties. The need for quality and sturdy balustrades has never been higher, with new technology making it possible to design and install intricately designed balustrades. At Steel Studio International our seasoned team of commercial and residential sales professionals are able to accurately interpret the architect, builder and property or homeowner’s brief. Our team of experts will also work with you to ensure your balustrades are customised to complement the property’s aesthetics to taste. We will do so by working in your budget and leave you with a quality installed and manufactured product at an affordable price. Through our extensive product range selection we are able to incorporate a vast choice of materials together with the stainless steel to give your home or commercial property a balustrade that fits in well with the building style. Popular systems can include glass, timber and stainless steel products, as well as laser cut outline posts or tubular stainless steel posts and tubular intermediate rails. It is also possible to incorporate elements of cable and timber into the designs of the design of the balustrades.

Detailed Drawings

Our clients are presented with detailed drawings for approval prior to the manufacture and installation process. This will ensure that the client remains entirely satisfied and completely up to date with the design to be installed at their property. Our sales professionals are fully qualified by years of industry experience to advise clients on the best grade of stainless steel for your balustrades. We deal in two grades of stainless steel utilised in our balustrades and staircases:

  • Grade 304: This grade of metal is the basic chromium nickel austenitic steel. It is suitable for most types of applications. Clients often opt for Grade 304 for its excellent resistance to corrosion that usually occurs due to prolonged exposure to the elements. This grade is most often used for both exterior and interior applications and environments.
  • Grade 316: People opt for grade 316 steel most often because of its exceptional corrosion resistance thanks to the presence of molybdenum. This high level of corrosion resistance is usually called for in instances where severe corrosion conditions exist, such as in coastal environments.

Going Green

As a higher emphasis is continually being placed on limiting our environmental footprint, architects, building contractors, developers and designers are continually looking into green architecture and construction. These industry professionals are selecting green architectural products to use in their building designs and it is to this need that our product design appeals. Stainless steel is completely recyclable and more than 65{19cc6dfde2095820d75378ef5ea2a7429af84c4e3caa3f1811d59515c3bb9677} of all new stainless steel products make use of recycled materials. In many regards the main objective of the stainless steel industry is to curb waste. These are only a few of the reasons why so many construction professionals are completely at ease recommending our “green” products to their clients. With over 60 years’ combined industry experience, you can look forward to hands-on professionalism throughout every stage of manufacturing and installation of your balustrades. When looking for a comprehensive quote on custom built steel, glass and timber balustrades, our sales professionals will provide you with all the information you’ll need to make a fully inclusive and informed decision. Contact us for affordable and tailored balustrades for your commercial or residential property in South Africa.

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