Architect and Builder Magazine South Africa March/April 2014 | Page 31

Putting it to the test - The CELL C Building Ohlhorst Africa was appointed as the External Thermal Composite Systems (ETICS) contractor for the innovative Cell C building. The developer Atterbury Properties having seen the previous success of the recently completed projects opted for this option. Building began in March 2013 and was completed by the beginning of November of the same year. “Design and detail sessions were required with Bentel Associates International and Group 5 in order to better understand the capabilities and options of this product,” says Ryan Hesketh (Operations Manager LBS). “The project was completed in a very short 8 month time span and considering the size, aesthetics and challenges with the project, this would have been a capacity challenge with conventional building systems.” Design Features Aesthetically, the ETICS products allow for three dimensional design features in the walls, a combination of boxes and recesses that would have been challenging when using conventional building methods. A curved feature wall, divided into blocks and additional windows recessed by 1.5m with the walls angled at a 45 degree angle is the ETICS showcase of the build - a design which would have been very difficult using traditional build materials. Further detailing is that of the warehouse walls doubling as feature facades in the customer care warehouse – spanning an impressive 50 x 9 meters high. A smooth final finish on the facades was the specification posing a challenge at critical light. This created an added challenge requiring immediate product development. Ohlhorst together with St Gobain improved on plaster technology and introduced a render system to achieve specified plaster finish aesthetics over large uninterrupted areas. Lightweight Building Solutions is a division of Ohlhorst Africa, one of the largest tiling and plastering contractors in South Africa. All products meet international certifications and all solutions are installed to meet the ETICS Warranty requirements. For more information please visit www.ohlhorst.com.