2019 FULTON AWARDS WINNERS AND COMMENDATIONS

CATEGORY: BUILDINGS UP TO 3-STOREY

Commendation – 37
Commerce Crescent

An adaption of an existing
but insignificant industrial building, has transformed the original building
into an unusual retail/showroom development. A new floor was added, the
existing roof re-used, and a new concrete façade was wrapped around the
building, transforming it into a new landmark which contributes positively to
the upgrade of the local precinct. The use of simple volumetric forms and
in-situ timber shuttered concrete enhances the appeal of the building. Working
with a tight budget and short construction period resulted in simplified
details, and the rough concrete finishes allow for a poetic play of light onto
the building surfaces.

WINNER – 90a Bellamont

The form and siting of the four
residential buildings are generated from the sloped site’s sectional
development, the prevailing coastal climate, and to maximise views of the
Indian Ocean.  The large 3,5 metre
cantilever roof overhangs providing shading and rain protection, as well as
unfettered interior /exterior spatial connections necessitating long clear
spans of nearly 10 m, maximised the potential of off-shutter concrete as both a
primary finish and a structural material. This resulted in elegant and
contemporary, architecturally- sculpted concrete forms.  Well crafted, the concrete consistently
displays highly refined off-steel architectural concrete surface finishes,
whether as structural elements, walls, thin roof elements or as polished floor
surfaces.  

CATEGORY: BUILDINGS > 3-STOREY

Commendation –
236 Buitengracht Street

Bounded by heritage buildings
on three sides, the five storey in-situ concrete building negotiates its
small-scale context through clever proportioning, forms, openings and
architectural lines. It was conceived as a three-dimensional structural
concrete sculpture which required various structural solutions. A complex
multi-functional brief required tightly planned spaces incorporating open
volumes and considered circulations whilst maximising the feel of open-plan
spaciousness.

Smooth fair-face concrete was
achieved with mostly single casts and continuous vertical shuttering, thus
limiting cold joints and differential shrinkage. Materials selected allow for a
warm-toned concrete which resonates with the patina surfaces of the historical
context

Commendation –
Water City – New HO for Water & Sanitation, CTCC

Situated in Bellville, Cape
Town, the building integrates the various departments of Cape Town Water &
Sanitation into one facility, with ancillary facilities such as an auditorium,
canteen, post office and library. The choice of concrete for the building was
obvious in terms of the brief, providing the needed space flexibility. The
concrete finish is a Grade 2 off-shutter, together with a cementitious coating
to create a smooth, durable and economical finish. The sustainability aspects
of the building were also notable, with the overall clinker content of the
concrete being approximately 62%, and complete on-site water re-use. This
building represents a notable and welcome departure from traditional municipal
buildings and will become an iconic structure in this Bellville Precinct.

WINNER – Battery Park

Battery Park, at the entrance
way to the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town incorporates a park and piazza, a concealed
multi-level parking facility, as well as new pedestrian routes. The site is
also archaeologically important, as it contains the remnants of one of the
city’s oldest structures, the Amsterdam Battery.

The inventive use of
different concrete elements is notable, including the interpretation pavilionthat
features a total of 123 precast panels, concrete treads, seats and park
benches, and the skate park which was constructed by hand-packing 90 m³
of concrete. The concrete elements are all of very high quality. This project
displays the amazing versatility of concrete and shows off exceptionally
detailed and finished concrete elements.

CATEGORY: INNOVATION IN CONCRETE
PROJECTS

Commendation – N17-1
Regent’s Park Pedestrian Bridge

The Regents Park site where the bridge is located, was especially
dangerous for pedestrians crossing the N17. The most economical solution proved
to be a 58-metre long main span, self-anchored suspension bridge, with an
in-situ concrete deck slab cast on staging.

The project demonstrates excellence in the use of
concrete in the following areas:

WINNER – Sal & Caldeira

An innovative “top down”
construction method was used for the construction of a new seven-storey
building along a very popular avenue in Maputo. The site had a steep incline
and was surrounded by high-end buildings. 
One of the restrictive land laws of Maputo is that no anchors may
protrude into adjacent properties.  The
planned building has three storeys below ground level. Conventional sheet pile
walls that can support a three-storey excavation would firstly have been very
expensive and secondly, would have extended the construction programme
significantly.

Construction costs and time
were significantly reduced by using this innovative and successful construction
technique, which has had a significant impact on the building construction
sector in Maputo.

CATEGORY: INNOVATION IN CONCRETE

WINNER – Norval Foundation

This project showcases a
world-class art and cultural centre in an exceptional natural location. It is
an impressive blend of concrete, glass, steel and timber, with concrete being
the primary element in both the structure and the façade finishes.

The primary internal and
external elements are precast smooth and textured concrete panels. The quality
and consistency of these panels is exceptional. The innovation relates to the
development of the panels, using a rigorous process of testing and sampling to
achieve the desired finish, as well as to the sensitive and successful blend of
in-situ and precast concrete. The overall impression is a stunningly beautiful
building, with excellent use and quality of concrete.

CATEGORY: ARCHITECTURAL CONCRETE

Commendation – Origins
Rock Art Gallery

The collection of petroglyphs, known for
their magical and sacred significance, needed a place of preservation and
protection. Situated tightly on a busy urban intersection, the Origin Centre:
Rock Art Gallery on the Wits University West Campus has immediately become a
landmark engaging both pedestrian and motorist. Called ‘liquid stone’, concrete
not only references the rock art but allows for cave-like spaces to be cast.

The off-shutter timber finish adds
textured tactility to the bold external geometric forms. This is extended
internally to dramatically sculpted interiors supported by structural
gymnastics and illuminated in shafts of natural light. 

WINNER – House La Lucia

The house is a traditional
open veranda ‘concrete structure’, facing only the sea to ensure privacy.  

Founding the structure on a
primary dune required continuous-flight auger reinforced concrete grout piles.
The structural system comprises a reinforced concrete framework with precise in-situ
cast roof slabs, walls and floors, with close attention being paid to surface
details to ensure concrete finishes of an extremely high standard.

The external finish was
conceived as a ‘distress concrete’ finish, purposely displaying a honeycombed,
pitted travertine–like concrete skin. 
This 70-mm in-situ cast skin required a special concrete mix and complex
shuttering applied onto the structural concrete wall behind, over insulated
bond breaking layers and with stainless steel mesh reinforcement. 

The end result and high
standard and consistency of concrete achieved allows this project to be a
worthy Fulton Award winner in the ‘Architectural Concrete’ category.     

CATEGORY: INFRASTRUCTURE UP TO
R100M

Commendation –
eThekwini Municipality M25-C9 Underpass

The
M25-C9 Underpass carefully negotiates space and level constraints to provide an
essential connection between Bridge City and Phoenix Industrial Park in Durban.
The chosen solution consisting of a fully integral bridge, with one curved
abutment coupled with an extremely skew deck, presented several design
challenges.

The
underpass was designed ‘in-house’ by the eThekwini Municipality’s structural
engineering branch which also takes ownership and responsibility for its
long-term maintenance. The underpass is an important showcase for the
simplicity and accessibility of reinforced concrete construction in a
developing country, where the state authorities have a responsibility to
support emerging contractors and enable the creation of employment
opportunities.

WINNER
– New Arch
Bridge over the Olifants River

The new Olifants River bridge is part of the works for
the upgrading of the N7 from a single carriageway to a dual carriageway, in the
vicinity of the Olifants River, about 280 km north of Cape Town.  The new bridge is approximately 166 metres
long, including a 93-metre long arch.

The Olifants River bridge uses the
ancient structural form of arch in an innovative way, giving an aesthetically
pleasing modern version of the arch form. The deck profile is constant along
the full length of the bridge, and the twin columns and arch result in a less
bulky and more open structure. It has some unique design features and
construction techniques which make this bridge a testament to excellence in the
use of concrete.

CATEGORY: INFRASTRUCTURE > R100M

Commendation –
Kathu Solar Park

Kathu Solar Park in the Northern Cape is
one of South Africa’s largest concentrated solar plants and contributes 100 MW
of electricity to the national grid. Its scale is reflected by the cost of R12 billion,
and the considerable volume of concrete – almost 65,000 m³ – in the
various structures, which included piling and bases of support structures for
the thousands of parabolic reflectors, where accurate alignment was absolutely
critical.

Major challenges were posed by the
extreme climatic conditions between day and night, and summer and winter, with
high ambient temperatures being a particular constraint, and the strict slump
requirements specified. With 19 different concrete mixes, concrete was the only
material that could fulfil the stringent project requirements. 

Commendation –
Grayston Pedestrian Bridge

More than 10 000 people
per day make their way across the busy M1 highway in Johannesburg from
Alexandra Township to the business hub of Sandton. This 5.2 km journey was
previously difficult and hazardous for pedestrians. The City of Johannesburg
took a decision to commission a new walking route that would make it safer and
more convenient for pedestrians.

The Grayston Pedestrian
Bridge forms part of the Great Walk project and provides an unobstructed 6-metre
wide walkway and bicycle lane along a 298-metre long cable-stayed pedestrian
bridge over the M1 Motorway at the Grayston Interchange.

Concrete was chosen as the
construction material to achieve an aesthetic-constant smooth deck profile
along the entire length of the curved bridge. 
Grayston Pedestrian Bridge has immediately become a landmark structure
for area.

WINNER
– Maputo-Katembe
Bridge

The Bay of Maputo has always
separated the city of Maputo from the south bank village of Katembe, and the
development of the entire area south of Maputo has consequently been severely
retarded. The solution was to construct a 680-metre long suspension bridge over
the bay, as well as all the approach roads and interlinking bridges.

Concrete, all site-batched,
of the highest quality was used. In total, 340 000 m³ of highly durable
concrete was cast and the stringent quality control system required testing of over
51,000 compression cubes, with durability indexes being tested in South Africa.

Many aspects of the bridge
pushed design and concrete capabilities to the limit, notably the pylons and
bases, the cable anchors, and the balanced cantilever spans that were curved in
plan.

More
information at www.concretesociety.co.za