The building includes 16 sheer walls comprising Class 2 off-shutter concrete, completed to a high standard, he notes. New formwork is being utilised along with oils to prevent sticking, creating an attractive and durable finish. While the formwork was contracted out, Concor completes the columns and sheer walls in-house, placing concrete from a bucket conveyed by the tower crane.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cConcrete slabs have been constructed in partnership with a supplier who provides and fixes the rebar, and another who pumps the concrete to where it is required,\u201d he says. Concrete is moved from ground to Level 8 with a mobile boom pump, and from Level 8 to the roof with a static pump. The slab on each level \u2013 for both block 1 and 2 \u2013 consumes about 300 m3 <\/sup>of concrete. The whole project will use around 6,200 m3<\/sup> of concrete, with 2,300 m3<\/sup> being dedicated to the slabs and the bulk for the vertical elements. The mass of reinforced bar being used totals 160 t. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The face brick finish makes for an attractive surface while needing no plastering and minimising long-term maintenance. About 1,5 million bricks will be used during the project, including internal brickwork and the face brick fa\u00e7ade. Ngobese explains that steel frames have been used for the window apertures, as this speeds up the work of the window installers. Bricklayers build these frames into the brickwork, so that no measuring up of each frame is required later. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThis approach has allowed all the aluminium window frames to be manufactured in advance, to be ready for a rapid installation schedule of about 40 frames a day,\u201d he says. \u201cAll the necessary tolerances have been built into the measurements, so no time is lost.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n An interesting aspect of the project is the heritage value of the existing buildings, which are being preserved as part of the Apex Studios precinct, and repurposed as the common area space of the development. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe are working according to a comprehensive heritage report that specifies what aspects of the buildings need to be conserved,\u201d he says. \u201cFor the original slate roofing, for example, we have contracted a specialist to advise on the cleaning and restoration.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n As usual, says Ngobese, safety is always a priority \u2013 both for workers on site and for the public. This is particularly the case on this site, which is closely bounded on three sides by roads. The M1 highway, perhaps Johannesburg\u2019s busiest north-south route, is just 1,2 m from the building\u2019s western edge. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSafety measures are stringently applied while keeping deliveries streamlined within the limited available space around the buildings,\u201d he says. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Concor was able to secure wayleaves on Enoch Sontonga Avenue and De Korte Street for off-loading and laydown of materials. Managing the busy traffic is therefore vital, and four flagmen have been ensuring safety on this front. Cranes are also not permitted to slew any load above the roadways.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cScaffolding with shade netting is installed continuously behind the top level of the building, about a floor below the live deck,\u201d he said. \u201cThat is an important way of preventing the possibility of a falling object landing on a road or highway.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The priority of safe working is implemented through the constant reinforcement of an on-site safety culture, he says. This is driven home by three full-time safety officials, and multiple safety inspections each day. This has ensured that \u2013 even with 40 contractors and over 300 workers on site \u2013 there have been no lost time incidents on the project. By late-August, this meant over 500,000 LTI-free hours. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Alongside safety, the site has also implemented health strategies including dealing with dust. Among the typical causes of dust is the use of angle-grinders to chase into walls for services installation. Ngobese explains that this is minimised through the use of vacuum-bags on grinders, as well as pre-dampening of walls. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Concor will take the building through to fit out stage, which will include furniture and a fridge in each room. When completed, Apex Studios will offer 325 units, each comprising a combination of one, two, three or four bedrooms. The project is aiming for handover to the client in November 2022. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" In the busy and space-constrained urban context of Braamfontein, Johannesburg, Concor is making rapid progress on Apex Studios, soon to provide 899 rooms of much-needed student accommodation. Apex Studios, initially known as The Groove, is an ambitious 13-storey building comprising two adjoining blocks. Conveniently situated across the road from Wits University, the site presents various … Continue reading CONCOR FAST TRACKS APEX STUDIOS FOR NEW ACADEMIC YEAR<\/span> ![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.coralynne.co.za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/PIC-10.jpg\")
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