Completed Project: ECE Eastern Cape: Built Environment Professional Services for a Science Centre in Cofimvaba - Civil; Electrical & Structural Engineering Services
Client: Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)
A science centre building of about 2 000 m² established comprising the following: Educational spaces (700 m²), Exhibition spaces (950 m²), Administration spaces (137 m²), Support spaces (201 m²). The site is located adjacent to District Road (DR08041) in Cofimvaba.
The services required from the multi-disciplinary engineering services team focused on the design of the following:
Mr Silulami Liwani, civil engineering technologist, Element Consulting Engineers, Infrastructure, Durbanville has been working under the leadership of Mr Brent Vivier, Pr Eng, Durbanville for the past few years.
He is leaving ECE for Dublin, Ireland and plans to further his studies by applying for Honours and Masters in the future.
We are excited for him to further expand his horizons and while wishing him the best in his new endeavours we will have fond memories of his friendly disposition and good work ethics.
Safe travels Silulami!
ECE EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT & STAFF
The Chairman and Shareholders of Element Consulting Engineers (Pty) Ltd (ECE) are pleased to announce the appointment of Gwyneth Cameron as our new Executive Director.
Her selection was made after a national search by the Executives and ECE Board of all deserving ECE candidates. She will begin her appointment on 1 October 2021. This brings the number of Board Members to 10; 5 executive and 5 non-executive directors.
Mrs Gwyneth Cameron is a candidate Civil Engineer with 5 years' experience. She is based at ECE Tshwane since mid-2021 and employed as Structural Engineer. Before joining ECE she was employed as Civil Engineer, Leomat Construction – Richards Bay, KZN.
Her application for registration as Professional Engineer has been submitted and confirmation is imminent.
Expertise & Specialized Skills:
Gwyneth's experience is in both consulting and construction with projects ranging from residential buildings to energy supply. While working in construction she has taken on design responsibilities of temporary works, quality control and construction management for clients like Mondi, Bidvest, Rio Tinto and Grindrod. These projects consisted of Civil Works, Buildings and Storage facilities. In consulting Gwyneth worked in a design office for 3 years and has knowledge of Structural Timber, Steel and Concrete design.
We welcome Mrs Cameron as new member to the Board of Directors and wish her the best in her new role.
On behalf of JA Turner - Chairman Of The Board Of Element Consulting Engineers (PTY) LTD
Rhenius Street Foot Bridge, Project Value R1,345,895 - July 2012
Swellengrebel Bridge, Project Value R1,919,143 - July 2012
Fairbain Mynier and Rothmanstreet Bridges, Project Value R9,020,167 - Nov 2012
Upgrade of low water bridge in Suurbraak, Project Value R2,241,259,67 - March 2013
Project Leader: Pieter Rossouw PrTechEng
The improvement to stormwater pipes below Main Road in the Hermanus Business District has been completed, and the project as a whole is on track to be completed in April 2021.
Project Engineer Uli du Toit says Element Consulting Engineers was appointed to compile a stormwater management plan for the entire Hermanus CBD as well as the Hermanus Industrial Area in 2013. This enabled Dennis Hendriks, Senior Manager for Engineering Services, to apply for funding. Funds for the most critical problem areas were subsequently approved. Du Toit says a new stormwater drainage network with numerous catch pits has been installed to discharge stormwater from the two trapped low points in High Street and Main Road, where no stormwater overland escape route exists. “The pipe’s route is along High Street, down Dirkie Uys Street, Main Road and through the Hamewith building toward Marine Drive towards the ocean,” says Du Toit. “The newly installed stormwater network consists of pipes ranging from ø450 mm up to ø900 mm to increase the capacity of the original ø300 mm stormwater pipe installed during the establishment of the old town. Flooding of buildings due to high intensity downpours should be a thing of the past.”
Du Toit explains that premix in High Street, from Woolworths to Dirkie Uys, was removed two weeks ago, and the contractor plans to have a newly paved roadway with half round dish stormwater channels completed by mid-December. Paving of sidewalks and installation of benches, trees and planter boxes will commence in January 2021. “We are extremely satisfied with the quality of work from MeyerBeton Siviele en Boukontrakteurs. I must praise them on their housekeeping to keep the construction areas neat and clean, and their transparent communication and accommodating approach to the businesses and residents.”
Du Toit says construction is progressing extremely well, considering the extremely hard rock and amount of existing services the contractor must deal with and the project is expected to be completed in April 2021.
“I would like to thank all Hermanus residents and business owners for their patience, understanding and sacrifices during the construction period. We are grateful that Overstrand Municipality’s supply chain management managed to appoint the contractor during lockdown and that construction could commence in May this year while the tourism industry was quiet. We are grateful that the much-needed influx of international tourists is allowed and wish businesses all the best on their road to financial recovery during the upcoming festive season.”
The Overstrand is pulling out all the stops to make the coming summer season a success for local businesses, while at the same time ensuring that lockdown restrictions are adhered to.
“In a bid to afford restaurants the ability to welcome more guests while adhering to social distancing protocols, we are launching the Seats on the Streets campaign,” said Mayor Dudley Coetzee. The campaign will allow restaurants to apply for permission to seat customers on pavements and other public areas, thereby creating more space and seating while ensuring the safety of customers. This arrangement will be applicable to all towns in the Overstrand.
“It is expected that the campaign will be approved at the next council meeting on 25 November. It will be proposed that for the period 16 December to 17 January restaurants will not be charged rental by the municipality for the extra space. It will also be proposed that should it be successful the Seats on the Streets campaign will be extended to 5 April (Easter Monday) next year,” Coetzee said.
“From the council’s side, this campaign is aimed at assisting businesses to cope with the burden that the Covid-19 pandemic has heaped upon them. In addition, the council has agreed that no rent will be collected from restaurants that make use of property belonging to the municipality for the period that they could not trade due to lockdown restrictions,” he said.
Frieda Lloyd, Tourism Manager for the Cape Whale Coast, said the campaign would contribute to an even more festive and relaxed atmosphere during the holiday season. “All businesses in the area are under severe financial strain and the time has come for us to think of new and innovative ways in which to attract customers while keeping them safe.
“The Seats on the Streets campaign ties in with our bigger #weareopen campaign launched earlier this year to draw visitors back to our shores. The campaign has been highly successful, and the Whale Coast can look forward to being a hive of activity during the season, with only a few options for holiday accommodation still available.
“To give you an example, one booking received by the owner of a holiday home, exceeded R500 000 in total and has already been paid. In addition to several sizable bookings for accommodation, there have also been enquiries about opportunities for film shoots in our region during the summer. The extended holiday season running from 16 December to 26 January is bound to boost our local economy,” Lloyd said.
Cllr Kari Brice said close attention would be paid to not impeding the flow of pedestrian traffic on pavements and providing enough parking for cars. “The message of the campaign is that our restaurants are open for business; we miss our patrons, and we are inviting people back to visit. But top of mind is that safety protocols – such as the wearing of masks, use of sanitiser, social distancing, and responsible behaviour – are adhered to.”
Brice said the campaign was one way to offer practical options in support of businesses and residents. “This will hopefully become the blueprint from which other campaigns can be launched in future. We have a collective responsibility to ensure that our businesses can keep their doors open.”
Restaurants pledge to adhere to restrictions
Cllr Brice said a perfect example of creating a pedestrian-friendly environment would be High Street in Hermanus Old Town. “Work has begun on the upgrading and pedestrianisation of the street as envisaged in the Old Town revitalisation project.”
The area from the Dirkie Uys/High Street intersection to Woolworths is currently closed to vehicular traffic, but open to pedestrians. The existing kerbs and road asphalt have been removed and paving of the street will commence at the end of the week. The road will not be re-tarred but will be paved to create more walkway space for people, while at the same time allowing businesses to spill out onto the street.
According to the revitalisation project, High Street will be transformed into a vibrant, pedestrian-friendly retail street that connects the current ‘anchors’ of Station Square and Woolworths with the proposed Mitchell Square Development. “High Street will be landscaped to create a high-quality pedestrian-priority mall. Traffic circulation within the CBD does not allow for the exclusion of all vehicular traffic from High Street, however there is a lot of scope for transforming the street into a pedestrian-dominated space, while still allowing traffic to pass through,” states the project description.
Brice said she was excited about the impetus this initiative would give to the broader economic recovery plans for the CBD. “As we head into the warmer weather with the annual summer break about a month away, this will help our eateries to start recovering from the challenges of lockdown.”
The construction work for the installation of an upgraded stormwater system in Main Road and Dirkie Uys Street is close to completion. The resurfacing should be done by the end of the week and the parking area has been reopened.
In addition to the Seats on the Streets campaign, the Overstrand is also expected to launch a Safe Eat Pledge that all participating restaurants will display. The aim of the pledge is to remind customers of the threat of Covid-19 and to offer reassurance that safety protocols are adhered to in these establishments.
Lloyd said compliance with lockdown restrictions and a strict adherence to safety protocols have become a selling point for restaurants across the globe. “Diners want the peace of mind to know that the establishments they visit are safe. Non-compliance has become a hot topic, especially on social media, and we have decided in conjunction with restaurant owners to be proactive. According to the provisions of the pledge, restaurants will adhere to social distancing regulations, the health of staff will be closely monitored and diners are requested to wear masks while not seated at a table. Customers’ details will also be taken to ensure ease of contact tracing should this be necessary.
“Pledge posters will also be developed for the accommodation and retail sectors and all businesses are welcome to take part,” added Lloyd. “The Whale Coast has a responsibility towards its businesses, residents and visitors to be a safe place. We must be proactive if we want to have a busy summer season and avoid any sudden outbreaks of the Coronavirus.”
Parow North Athletics Track: Rehabilitation of Existing Athletics Track
The Evergreen Sitari Retirement Village compromises the construction of residential houses, apartments, clubhouse, care centre and associated Civils & Electrical infrastructure.
The Retirement Village is situated in The Sitari Country Estate Development which received 2 international awards (Nov 2015): Best Developer Website South Africa and Highly Commended: Residential Development South Africa
Evergreen Sitari will be home to 500 units, ranging from luxury free standing houses to apartments, with professional healthcare provided on-site, from home-based care to frail care.
Evergreen Sitari will have its own dedicated entrance, facilities and amenities, including a fully-equipped Lifestyle and Care Centre; residents will also benefit from and have access to all that the estate has to offer.
Project: 8Ml Courtrai Reservoir and Bulk Water Pipeline, Phase 2, Paarl forms an integral part of the upgrading of the Drakenstein Municipalities Bulk Water Supply System.
Element Consulting Engineers was appointed by City of Cape Town under Contract 145C/2015/16 Provision of Professional Consultant Services for Community Services Construction Projects for the upgrading of the Parow North Athletics Track. Herewith a few photos of the newly resurfaced Parow Athletics Track.
Our project Electrical Engineering Services for the Construction of the New Regional Office at Karl Bremer Hospital in Bellville (R152 million project value) has received the following awards:
- 5-Star Green Star Certified SA Rating for design of a public or education building.
- 5-Star Green Star SA Office v1 As-Built Certification
- GBCSA Socio-Economic Category Pilot Award
- Socio Economic Category (SEC) Pilot As-Built Certification (the first project to achieve SEC As-Built Certification)
Electrical Credits achieved for the following:
• IEQ-6: High frequency ballasts
• ENE-2: Sub-metering for loads greater than 100kVA
• ENE-3: Lighting power density
• ENE-4: Lighting zoning
• EMI-7: Minimising lighting pollution
• EMI-9: Tier 3 generator emission
Other sustainable building features includes:
• All fixtures and fittings discharge into a blackwater treatment plant
• Treated blackwater is used for supply to the HVAC cooling plant
• HVAC bleed-off is harvested for re-use in the flushing of toilets and urinals
• Rainwater is harvested for the flushing of toilets and urinals
• Stormwater for a 1-in-100 year storm is attenuated and infiltrated in the site (i.e. no stormwater leaves the site in municipal infrastructure)
Ie the building received the award for both the design and the “As-Builts”
Element is happy and proud to announce that Charmonix (Maree) Wessels (on the attached photograph, front row, seated fourth from left to right), employed as a Structural Engineer, was selected as team member as well as captain of the Western Province Ladies Open Team 2018.
8 provincial teams respectively from North, East, South, West and Central Gauteng, KZN and Free State competed in the following tournaments:
a 6-a-side (19 – 21 March) - Western Province obtained silver
a 7 a side (22 – 24 March) – Western Province obtained fourth place
On 21 March 2018 Charmonix was selected to take part in the trials for SA Action Netball Team where she was unlucky not to make the final cut of 10.
Sitari Country Estate was awarded the Best Residential Development in Africa 2016/2017 at the International Property Awards. The development offers 3150 residential luxury and premium apartments, village homes and country homes.
Bio-diversity, sustainability and energy efficiency were key features in the development of this estate. New roads and a level platform created for the construction of farm buildings left cut slopes which had to be safely retained.
Specified retaining walls to be built with Rock Face precast concrete blocks for their stable, low-maintenance attributes and their sandstone colouring which matched the surrounding soil. Over time the retaining walls were covered in indigenous shrubs while the adjacent areas were shielded with trees, perenials and ground cover.
In addition, permeable hard Lawn layers were installed on some of the roads to handle stormwater run-off and to add a green element to the roads which would otherwise have been hard paved or tarred.
The paving blocks were laid on a 150mm layer of sub-base material included core drainage. Voids in the pavers encourage stormwater infiltration and the replenishment of ground water, and contain top soil for growing grass and other vegetation.
Discipline: Civil, Structural, Electrical, Mechanical Engineering
Location: Stellenbosh,off the R44, Stellenbosch, Western Cape
Description: Construction of civil engineering services for Cavalli, Stud Farm, Stellenbosch
Client: Studfarm II Trust
Value: R70 million
Key Features: Design and Supervision of the Civil Engineering Services. Extensive landscaping including a pond feature at the restaurant. Sewers are treated on site with no expulsion into the existing municipal reticulation with treated water being used to irrigate the gardens.
Duration: 2011 – 2014.
Element Consulting Engineers has been proudly supplying Civil Engineering Services for the Sitari Lifestyle Estate Project since its inception by UVEST Property Group in 2011.
This new property development in Somerset West, Cape Town, offers 3150 residential luxury apartments, turn-key village homes and country homes complete with an exclusive Curro School and shopping centre a short distance away... A residential opportunity where technology works in perfect partnership with nature, allowing residents to experience the true meaning of intelligent and connected living.
Construction started in April 2014 and looks to be completed in 2020.
