Construction World March 2015

PROJECT PROFILE – STEEL CONSTRUCTION

The Steel Award judges concluded that the determination of the of the whole team, especially the site team, the quality of their work, the fact that when you visit the site the roof is not visible from just a few metres away, that the construction team has left the site virtually as they found it, (except for the struc- ture) there is no doubt that this project represents excellence in the use of steel for every possible reason and was deserving Overall Winner of Steel Awards 2014.

Many ‘camouflage techniques’ were employed by the architect: non- linear design which creates moving light and shade patterns; using ‘site colours’ (such as tree bark colour); asymmetrical design; use of leaf-like overall design; and insect or spider-like design.

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two other elements are suspended: the visi- tors’ viewing platform and the manual crane hoist with capacity 1 metric ton. “The incorporation of the hoist into the structure makes the structure part building part machine,” adds Nel. In terms of environmental sensitivity, client and architect agreed that achieving ‘an invisible building’ from the outside with ‘maximum impact on the interior’ would be desirable. Many ‘camouflage techniques’ were then employed by the architect such as: non-linear design, creating moving light and shade patterns; using ‘site colours’ (such as tree bark colour); asymmetrical design, use of leaf-like overall design, and insect or spider-like design. Toboth reducemaintenance andprevent elements leaching into the site (which could contaminate samples) non-corrosive mate- rials such as aluminium and fiber cement panels had to be used. The apex of the roof is lifted off the rest of the roof, ensuring escape of the hot air at the highest point and increasing ventilation – this prevents head build-up in the dome. The site is remote and with no provided services. Natural light is enhanced and stormwater is harvested for use in excava- tion activities.

The design is inspired by natural site forms: leaves, insects and spiders and particularly by the Sediba fossils first discovered i.e. the clavicle and scapula.

CONSTRUCTION WORLD MARCH 2015 I