Century City Hotel Trellis

November 9, 2017

The Century City Hotel opened in early 2016 adjacent to the Century City Conference Centre as part of the mixed use Century City Square development by the Rabie Property Group. The development has been awarded a 4-Star Green Star – Custom Mixed Use Design rating by the Green Building Association of South Africa. Flanking the hotel entrance are two of Tensile Cables’ green wall trellises already boasting greenery soon to completely surround the signage for the hotel.

Trellises not only protect the wall on which they grow but are beneficial for temperature control and boosting the air quality surrounding them. Made from Marine Grade 316 Stainless Steel they boast an extended lifespan even in coastal environments such as the Western Cape, and are a sustainable structure easily maintained and cleaned along with the watering of the plants which grow on them.

Suspended Floor at Leopard’s Leap Tasting Room

November 9, 2017

Situated in South Africa’s famous Franschhoek Valley, Leopard’s Leap winery boasts a gorgeous converted wine shed for their tasting room. Architects on the project Makeka Design Lab wanted to “create a fresh and lightweight architectural response to the existing shed and environs, employing “cascading space”, where spaces lead and flow unto each visually and physically.”

As well as the tasting area and a private tasting lounge, the shed also needed to house a demonstration kitchen and culinary studio for world renowned chef Liam Tomlin, a boardroom, offices and other associated functional spaces. Tensile Cables supplied 2 x 10mm cables which were used to suspend the floor of the mezzanine level. The cables were secured with machined forks into both the floor, and ceiling above.

These lightweight stainless steel cables of the suspended floor opposed the heaviness of the existing structure and added to the airiness that pervades the space. Triomf Staalwerke and JJ Dempers Master Builders were contractors on the project.

Suspended cycle bridge in Luxembourg City

November 9, 2017

In September 2017, a new suspended cycle bridge was inaugurated in Luxembourg City. The cycle path is suspended underneath the famous Pont Adolphe which too only recently reopened after 3 years of renovations – as long as it took to build the bridge in the early 1900s. The new suspension bridge is also open to pedestrians.

The bridge is suspended with tie rods and stainless steel cables mesh provides security while retaining unobstructed and spectacular views when crossing over the Pétrusse valley in this unique way.

Take a video bike ride across the new Pont Adolphe walkway.

Image source: www.wort.lu

“It is the first footbridge in the world that is suspended in this way under an existing bridge and under a historic bridge! It was a challenge to achieve this by respecting the historical character of Pont Adolphe and by giving it a very spectacular new element,” said François Bausch, Minister of Sustainable Development and Infrastructure.

The Pont Adolphe was designed by Paul Séjourné, a Frenchman, and Albert Rodange, a Luxembourger. The first stone block was laid in 1900 and the roadway was constructed of reinforced concrete, a material that had then only recently come into use. At 84.65 m, the central arch span was to be the largest stone arch in existence.

Image source: www.wort.lu

Sources:

https://www.wort.lu/en/luxembourg/september-17-luxembourg-city-to-open-cycle-bridge-in-world-first-596dd457a5e74263e13c44a3?variant=B&utm_expid=83959466-12.SpI6vqyGSSyCfbAQ6TzOyQ.2

https://www.wort.lu/en/luxembourg/luxembourg-s-newest-attraction-take-a-video-bike-ride-across-the-new-pont-adolphe-walkway-59bfb6dd56202b51b13c3735?variant=B&utm_expid=83959466-12.SpI6vqyGSSyCfbAQ6TzOyQ.2

https://www.wort.lu/en/luxembourg/under-pont-adolphe-luxembourg-city-s-new-pedestrian-walkway-opens-59bf6a8a56202b51b13c36d8?variant=B&utm_expid=83959466-12.SpI6vqyGSSyCfbAQ6TzOyQ.2&utm_referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.wort.lu%2Fen%2Fluxembourg%2Fluxembourg-s-newest-attraction-take-a-video-bike-ride-across-the-new-pont-adolphe-walkway-59bfb6dd56202b51b13c3735%3Fvariant%3DB

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adolphe_Bridge

New Website for Tensile Cables

October 5, 2017

A long time in coming has been a relaunch of the Tensile Cables website under our new brand identity including stylish new layout and added functionality.

Now it’s possible to request a quote with selected product directly from our website for even quicker turnaround time on order processing.

How does it work?

Simply select the products & quantities you require and ‘Add to quote request’. You will then be directed to your Quote Request List where you can either browse further products to add, or fill out a brief form with your details which will be submitted directly to Tensile Cables. We will then be in touch with further information and your quote.

If you’re unsure of the products you have added the your quote request, you can simply ask for further technical assistance in the ‘message’ field of the form and our team will assist you with which product is best suited for your requirements.

More products coming soon!

Better news & projects

Our website still hosts your regular news and some of Tensile Cables most prestigious projects, but now in a more outstanding and sleek layout. Browse products by category, and see latest news with bigger images for better attention to detail.

We hope you enjoy the experience of the new website. We look forward to seeing your quote requests coming in and welcome your feedback.

Zeitz MOCAA Grand Opening

October 4, 2017

The Zeitz MOCAA (‘Zights Mocka’) or the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary African Art is an impressive refurbishment of a 1920s grain silo now transformed into a gallery filled with African art by British architect Thomas Heatherwick. Towering over the V&A Waterfront, most pieces form part of Puma’s former CEO Jochen Zeitz’s personal collection, and the museum’s namesake.

Since it’s grand opening at the end of September 2017, thousands have flocked to the impressive building. The interior of the building proves as spectacular as its exterior, with clear evidence of the inside of the grain silos still visible – reminiscent of fly like eyes which in fact form part of the luxury hotel on top of the museum.

There have been mixed reviews about the commercial and cultural juxtaposition of the project with some criticising the accessibility for local visitors and artists alike. However, visit the museum on a Wednesday and African passport holders receive free entry. The project is without a doubt a marvel to behold and will surely attract both South African and foreign visitors as Cape Town braces for the influx of tourist season.

Courtesy www.facebook.com/ZeitzMOCAA/ Liza Lou’s beaded panel installation, ‘The Waves’ which is part of the show, ‘All Things Being Equal..’

Feature image courtesy zeitzmocaa.museum

Roof Truss Minimalism

October 4, 2017

The project at House Bakoven was initiated by Indigo Architects who were looking for an elegant solution to finishing off the roof space. This was without having to use cumbersome beams or cover the roof in with a low ceiling in the living room and kitchen space of an opulent and immaculately finished home in Bakoven, Cape Town.

Structural roof truss cables perform the duty usually reserved for beams with a minimalist stainless steel tensioned cable which carries the load to prevent the roof supports from caving in. This allows for a higher volume ceiling as the room transcends into the ceiling space above, and the cables all but disappear.

A similar solution was used in Tensile Cables’ project at a home in Noordhoek for a pool room in a forest. The architect wanted to install clear roof panels, and needed a substitute for beams which would ordinarily have obstructed the view into the canopy above. Read more here.

The loads carried by the cables are structurally impressive, and offer sound alternatives to bracing and stay requirements in architecture to allow for more open plan designs.

Roof Truss Bakoven

KWV Sensorium

October 4, 2017

Tensile Cables supplied the cables to a wine display shelving system at KWV’s Sensorium, a unique pairing of art gallery and wine tasting under one roof.

At the centre of the gallery space is a glass-encased wine display. The cable shelving allows the wine to be viewed through the glass from all around, as there are no sides or backs to the shelves. The cables allow that the shelving be suspended from floor to ceiling and need not be fixed to a backing, or the glass walls.

This is a noninvasive solution for spaces requiring minimalist designs, or for rental spaces where it isn’t possible to fix fittings to the walls.

The Sensorium gallery displays a curation of South African art and visitors can browse the works while tasting a selection of KWV’s finest wines. The tastings also include a Brandy & Chocolate pairing, a Tea & Chocolate pairing, as well as a Sweet Wine/Liqueur and Cake pairing. Or visitors can simply browser the gallery at no charge. See more here.

Images courtesy kwv.co.za

Feature image courtesy kwv.co.za

Rod Systems – The Benefits

July 25, 2017

Trellises of Bougainvillea in an Exotic Garden

Rod systems are a logical inclusion in Tensile Cables’s service offerings. They can be a cost effective, efficient solution in projects under strict deadlines. Load requirements can be quickly and effectively measured for exact lengths required reducing design and manufacture time.

At the University of Botswana’s Academic Hospital, Tensile Cables in conjunction with its sister company Tension Structures was approached to manufacture and supply high strength rods for wind bracing for a steel structure at Block G and a canopy structure at the North Entrance to the hospital as well as for a canopy structure at the Trauma Unit.

Due to a strict deadline, solid steel tie rods were used on site with rods and end forks to resist loads of 90kN at two sites, and 165kN at the other.

Usually cables would be used instead of rods to allow for tensioning and variety in length. However, allowance for the specific load requirements would have demanded a longer lead time. Tensile Cables was able to design and manufacture the rod system in a matter of weeks to the clients’ desired length, to allow for tensioning and to meet the deadline.

Mendel Welding, Botswana and Botsasia Engineering installed the steel and canopy structures and Bothakga Burrow Botswana Limited were the consulting engineers on the project.

The below structure is supported by three vertical posts up front and the five horizontal arches above form the shape of the roof. The purlins, overlaid in a grid, are used to secure the roof sheeting. The tie rods assemblies are fitted at the juncture of the arches and purlins for wind bracing. Once the sheeting has been installed the entrance way will be protected from sun and rain.

A Tower House to the Treetops

July 25, 2017

A Tower House to the Treetops

Tower House is a nest in the tree tops, a family vacation home used predominantly in the winter months. Gluck+, the architects on the project wanted to capitalise on view above the treeline and design a house that not only admired its surroundings, but was also a soft footprint on it.

Three levels of bedrooms with en suite are stacked one on top of each other with a cantilevered living space on the top most floor. Running up the south-side of the house is the stairwell accessing the bedrooms. This towering stairwell is fitted with a vertical cable balustrade to allow maximum light and warmth to filter through the glass façade in winter. In the summer, the warm air rises and is exhausted out the roof while cool air is sucked in from the cooler north facing side of the house leaving no need for air conditioning.

At night, light fixtures on the cables give the appearance of fireflies floating up the stairwell after dark.

Photographs by Paul Warchol

Sources:

https://www.dezeen.com/2013/05/13/tower-house-by-gluck/

http://www.archdaily.com/401816/the-tower-house-gluck

Trellises of Bougainvillea in an Exotic Garden

July 25, 2017

Trellises of Bougainvillea in an Exotic Garden

African Landscape Design with Otten & Partners Architects collaborated on the refurbishment of House Schotte and the result was an elegant home in Tamboerskloof with the most beautiful top quality finishes.

An outdoor living area looks from the porch to an elevated pool and its landscaped surrounds. While minimalist, attention to detail has been paid to each corner of the garden. A huge Middle Eastern wooden door is a feature on the pool deck. Mark Boulle at African Landscape Design was tasked with covering the wall behind the pool with bougainvillea and framing the door.

Tensile Cables supplied four large green wall cable trellises to cover each section of wall, and extend over and above the feature door in order for the bougainvillea to grow to completely surround it. Bougainvillea grows to be heavy and it was necessary to install a solution that wouldn’t sag with its weight or pull the fixtures out of the wall.

Marine grade stainless steel trellises are not only durable but a sustainable solution even in coastal climates as they boast an extended lifespan. They can also be cleaned to enhance their longevity along with the watering of their garden surrounds.

In the not so distant future, as the foliage grows up and along the trellis, House Schotte’s pool deck will be flanked by a wall of pink flowers surrounding the ornately carved door perfectly completing the exotic outdoor space.