Through its sponsorship of the
Architectural Student of the Year event, now in its 24
th year, Corobrik continues to provide a platform for a wider discourse by students of architecture, on design concepts, materials and combinations of materials relevant for addressing the growing environmental challenges of the day. The thesis works on display all reflect a response to the sustainability issues some based on a holistic perspective. Corobrik is encouraged by such student responses.
According to Chris Dickinson of Corobrik, sustainability requires to be tackled at a variety of levels. Not only should the design consider passive solar design principles to optimize the benefits of good orientation, window placement, and shading to take full advantage of the suns energy, but so must the materials specified and used have behavioral characteristics that work in sympathy with the climate to optimise thermal comfort throughout the year and contribute to sustainable outcomes.
To design and use enduring products, products with longevity, is a must. To have enduring products made by companies committed to and working towards sustainable outcomes is a plus.
To this end, at operational level, Corobrik manages it’s quarrying and manufacturing processes strictly within the sustainable development framework. This includes social and labour plans in line with the new order mining rights, approved environmental management plans for each quarry manufacturing process, and the concurrent rehabilitation of all quarries during annual quarrying operations with the final rehabilitation and reuse of the worked out quarries done in such a way as to provide for future use whether it be recreational areas, landfill sites and/or the restoration of the land for commercial and residential developments.
Embodied energy of materials incurred at time of manufacture and delivery and the impact of such materials on operational energy usage is another key factor. Notably energy consumed over the entire lifecycle – that combines operational energy with embodied energy defines 'relative sustainability' - and for Corobrik, containing and reducing the embodied energy resultant of the firing process is a key objective. Cleaner burning fuels, in spite of their higher production costs are used whenever possible and making use of technology innovations able to achieve incremental reductions in Corobrik’s carbon footprint at time of manufacture and during delivery are areas where significant advancements have been made and continue to be worked on. To cite an example, the investment in new extrusion technology at Corobrik’s 14 factories has contributed to the reduction in energy usage for firing of some 20%.
Being the first company in South Africa and Sub Saharan Africa to be awarded Certificates of Emissions Reductions (CERs) by the United Nations Clean Development Mechanism for the Lawley factory fuel switch project, is a further demonstration of Corobrik’s environmental intent. This has since been backed up by the high successful fuel switch project at Corobrik’s Driefontein factory, and today Corobrik has six major factories being fired on natural gas with two further factory conversions being explored.
Dickinson pointed out that Corobrik bricks themselves are an eminently sustainable and an environmentally relevant building material. “As evident in built environments over the centuries, from an aesthetic perspective no other walling material has yet been able to demonstrate the same ability as clay brick to add warmth, character and human scale to an equally broad spectrum of architecture over an equal period of time as clay brick has been able to do. While sustainability equates to durability and longevity, clay brick has, because of its flexibility and low lifecycle impacts, reinvented itself in today’s environmental paradigm. The thermal performance properties of clay bricks have been proven through significant research to contribute to optimal thermal comfort in South Africa’s unique climates and with that lowest energy usage for artificial heating and cooling of houses. The maintenance free clay face bricks eliminates future carbon debt and the fact that clay bricks do not release any volatile organic compounds or CFCs associated with other materials and finishes, are reusable and recyclable, defines the environmental value of clay brick and why Corobrik clay bricks are so relevant for supporting long term sustainability.
During the regional finals at the Tshwane University of Technology, first place was awarded to Petrus (Klippie) du Toit for his thesis titled 'The design of an Interpretation Centre at Tswaing crater'.
Du Toit says, “The opportunity that this unique site of natural and cultural heritage presents, for establishing a new ecological paradigm of connectivity and interdependence, is utilised by this design through spherical geometry and a cyclical narrative. The crater, if properly understood, reminds us of our common origin and place in the universe as well as the essential unity of all existence. The thesis maintains that the building will be a heuristic or didactic device that reinforces this connection. The narrative, an elliptical walkway referencing the cycle of eternal return and metaphor for the timeline of the universe and earth, explains the evolution of the universe through various interpretation venues, each creating an experience analogous as well as symbolic of the event that occurred at that point in the history of creation.”
Second place was awarded to Heleen du Toit for her thesis, 'The design of a Refugee Reception and Awareness Centre, Marabastad, Pretoria'.
This was a design of a '1-stop shop' governmental building for the reception and orientation of those seeking asylum. The building strives to regenerate the fragmented Marabastad, west of Pretoria. It attempts to streamline the documentation process pertaining to seeking asylum in a safe and dignified manner and educate the public on asylum seekers and foreigners to deal with the serious issue of xenophobia.
Third place was awarded to Etienne Crauwcamp for an Aviation museum at O.R. Tambo International Airport. The objective is to provide a backdrop and space for the display of the history of South African aviation, current trends in aviation and the future of aviation technology. It incorporates simulator facilities for the ongoing training of commercial pilots, and forms part of the greater plan for the regeneration of the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Area.
Hannes Smit took the prize for the best use of clay masonry for the design of a healthcare centre for Hoedspruit, Limpopo Province. Smith says all facilities proposed are accommodated within a sustainable building that promotes a healing environment through harmony between building and nature. Sustainable design principles are incorporated in the proposal which makes use of different types of renewable systems that reduce the demand on municipal infrastructure in daily use.
Natural materials that are available locally will reduce the cost of transport and more importantly make carbon emissions savings that reduces the environmental impact. Bricks, sand, stone and labour will be sourced within the Maruleng municipal area, thereby contributing to community job creation. Sourcing the materials locally also ensures that the building will match the direct natural environment. By incorporating these principles the proposal attempts to be familiar rather than foreign in this small community.
Photo caption:
Allin Dangers, Corobrik Director of Sales – Inland Region presented the first prize for the Corobrik Architectural Regional Finals to Tshwane University of Technology winner Petrus (Klippie) du Toit for his thesis entitled The design of an Interpretation Centre at Tswaing crater.