Interest Group:
Building Construction Professionals
Beautiful clay brick:
Commercial Project
Through the clever use of materials, including Corobrik’s range of low-maintenance face bricks, the immaculate 01 on Lunar building on the uMhlanga Ridge emanates a clean, neat façade welcoming workers and visitors to the stunning office space.
“The popularity of Corobrik’s clay face brick range is evident across the newly developed uMhlanga Ridge because of its numerous beneficial qualities,” explained Corobrik Director of Sales, KZN and Border, Allin Dangers. “Besides the notable aesthetics the product brings to any building, its long-term cost-saving aspects ensure that no further maintenance expenses are incurred with regards to plastering and painting. In the warm, coastal climate, the clay face brick’s inherent thermal properties also mitigate costs by reducing the need for artificial cooling on those hot, summer days.”
Dangers added that, with the increasing number of developments on the highly sought-after ridge area, the sound insulation properties that accompany Corobrik’s face brick range make for a pleasant working and learning environment.
01 on Lunar Project Architect, Matt Salvesen of TC DESIGN GROUP, reiterated that the 75 000 Bergendal Blend Satin face bricks were chosen for their low maintenance and thermal insulation properties as well as the ‘uncomplicated’ look inherent in the design.
“We wanted a brick that would stand out from the norm,” explained Salvesen. “We needed something that is different from the standard Roan Satin colour brick which has been used predominantly in the precinct. Corobrik’s face brick allowed for a clean, low maintenance façade which we feel will date very well.”
He said the use of flush joints also added to the clean, simple nature of the façade. This was a key driving factor in the design of the 4 800m2 building which will be used for a tertiary institution and call centre.
“The Bergendal Blend Satin face bricks formed a major part of the building’s façade,” said Salvesen. “The brickwork is supported at first-floor level simply by a concealed, galvanised metal plate, portraying the feeling of a ‘floating’ façade. This creates a great, light juxtaposition to the heavy nature of the material itself.”
Construction of the development – contracted by WBHO and developed by Kantey and Templar Consulting Engineers and Namandla Investments Proprietary Limited – began in December 2014. The building consists of a series of lecture and seminar rooms as well as offices on the ground, first and second floors with a canteen on the ground floor level and office space on the third floor. There are also two levels of basement parking.