Progress Photos - Sioc-CDT (Rammed Earth)

This project is unfolding in Kathu in the Northern Cape in South Africa.
InSynch is constructing the Sishan Iron Ore Companies (SIOC) new Head Office's Rammed Earth walls in partnership with the local community and affecting a skills transfer..

Here are some photographs of our progress on site:

Some of the local community Under-Training.

SiocCDT Project - 1st Rammed Earth Walls Appear

New InSynch Project Kicks-Off - SIOC-CDT

InSynch has just started on-site with a project that has been in the pipe-line for some time now.
It is the construction of a new Head Office for the Sishan Iron ore Company (SIOC) in partnership with the Community Development Trust (CDT) in Kathu.
Kathu is in the Northern Cape, South Africa.

InSynch's role is as specialist sub-contractor and on-site consultants for the Rammed Earth walls integrated into the building. The project is known as the SIOC-CDT project.

Here is the Architects (Cube Architects) colour impressions of the completed building with the beautiful and very prominent Rammed Earth walls in full view...

More pictures and progress posts on this project to follow...!

Spine Rammed Earth Wall - Monaghan Farm, JHB

This home uses a central spine wall made from Rammed Earth to regulate internal temperatures. The beauty of the wall is also visible from outside the house as the walls are parapet type walls, thus they extend beyond the roof line.

The borrow pit clearly visible, where the soil used for the walls was excavated from. Walls were stabilised with Portland Cement to NHBRC specification.

Wall Dimensions: 54m long x 5.5m high x .45m wide.

The construction of the Rammed Earth walls was done by InSynch Sustainable Technologies (Pty) Ltd.

The soil science on this project was challenging due to blinkered view by NHBRC on structural tolerances and crush tests expectancies for Rammed Earth.

Never the less the walls are compliant with the project engineering specification and with NHBRC regulations.

Albeit the cement content is way over what it could have been.

Project completed Feb 2011.

For more info on Rammed Earth or InSynch: info@insynch.co.za

Alastair

Finished Product - Rammed Earth Reception Desk

Here is the completed wall, in use at the Green Design Centre in Kyalami at Waterfall Estate.

Wall sealed, courtesy of B-Earth Paints (see: http://www.b-earth.co.za/).

B-earth Eco-Paints are 100% breathable, have zero VOC's, are extremely hardy and have been especially formulated for Rammed Earth.

InSynch worked with B-earth in designing a suitable sealer for Rammed Earth walls.

Contact: InSynch or B-earth for more details.

Outback FlexPOWER 2 Installation - Piet Retief

Off-Grid PV, SHW & Gas System, Design & Supply by AM Solar and InSynch:

• Inverter/Charger - Outback FlexPOWER 2 (2 x 3KW)
• Charge Controller - Outback FM80
• PV Panels - 8x SetSolar 200W
• Batteries - M-Solar 350AH (48V)
• Solar Hot Water - 200L Thermo-siphon System
• Backup - Generator and Gas Manifold

[Picture: The Outback FP2 installation]

Rammed Earth Reception Desk - Green Design Centre - Century Properties

(Thank you to David Christer, for some of the photos.)

A Quick post of some photos taken while de-rigging the formwork this morning.

This is at the Green Design Centre, at Waterfall Estates in Kyalami, by Century Properties, JHB, South Africa. (see: http://www.century.co.za/waterfallcountryestate/index.html )

All comments welcome!!

Yours 'In-Green'

Alastair