Sassda champions use of stainless steel amongst architectural professionals

The issue of training and skills development is one of Sassda’s key pillars in line with government’s stated objective of harnessing the power of South Africa’s youth in the form of upskilling and employment creation initiatives. Against this backdrop, Sassda has just hosted a CPD workshop ‘Stainless Steel in Architecture’ focusing on the application of aesthetic and functional stainless steel for architects and design professionals in Durban.

SASSDA Executive Director John Tarboton says; “Developmental training is one of Sassda’s key focus areas and one which is forming the basis of a number of strategic partnerships with other associations and state entities, including enterprises such as Transnet and Eskom.  Through directed training seminars, Sassda is collaborating with end users of stainless steel products and thereby sharing our pool of knowledge.”

The half day seminar covered the in-depth technical specifications of stainless steel; its application in situ; the methodology of how, why and when to use stainless steel; a case study of a completed project; and its structural requirements from an engineering perspective. Delegates attending the workshop learnt the technical application of stainless steel and gained an understanding of its benefits in the long-term lifecycle of a building. A big benefit of attending the course was the provision of development scoring (CPD) points for architectural and design professionals.

One of the key speakers at the event, was Johannesburg-based Graytex Metals which supplies a comprehensive range of metal surface finishes that offer superior surface technology on metals for use in the built and design industry.

Graytex Director Jason Naude says; “Our purpose is to create conversations regarding the use and application of stainless steel and together with Sassda, I look forward to bringing a working knowledge of stainless steel into the architectural and design space in South Africa. By illuminating the benefits and purpose of its application in the build environment, it will form the bigger picture for ongoing specification and subsequently the increased consumption of stainless steel in southern and South Africa.”

Graytex Metals has a strong connection with South African architecture professionals, having previously been known as the Rimex Metal Group, a UK parent company in partnership in South Africa for the past 25 years. In February 2006, following a shareholder buy out, the company became a wholly owned South African entity which required the company change its name; and so Graytex Metals was born.

It currently services a range of clients with its top three projects for 2017 seeing it deliver custom applications to the new Time Square Casino recently opened in Pretoria, and both the Sasol and the Discovery head office, situated in Sandton, Johannesburg.

“Our challenge is not in the supply of the product but rather in the project’s timing. Any massive development has time constraints, and we have to be adaptable enough to fit in with ever-changing project completion dates. Looking ahead, we are anticipating even bigger projects to come onboard as we are seeing increasing development in external façade applications with a trend towards a higher demand for hi-tech building facades,” adds Naude.

For an exchange of ideas email Jason Naude on  jason@graytexmetals.co.za