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SAISC Steel Awards 2022

Oct 14, 2022 SAISC Steel Awards 2022, Southern African Institute for Steel Construction (SAISC), Amanuel Gebremeskel

SAISC Steel Awards 2022

Innovation, ingenuity and a sense of community within the steel construction industry were highlighted at the 2022 Steel Awards, presented by the Southern African Institute for Steel Construction (SAISC) in Gauteng.

Demonstrating excellence in the use of steel in construction and last held in 2019, the 2022 Awards very effectively highlighted how the local steel sector has triumphed over adversity in the past two years; as well as showcasing a typically South African ‘can-do’ approach to the challenges endured during this time.

The annual SAISC Steel Awards provide an opportunity for stakeholders across the industry - including engineers, fabricators, designers, architects, processors, merchants and fabricators - to present their work and be honoured for their outstanding achievements in gala-style with a growth-related theme this year of ‘green shoots’.

Local ingenuity and commendable perseverance

SAISC CEO Amanuel Gebremeskel explains: “Even before the global pandemic, South Africa’s steel industry had gone through a period of severe challenges. The ‘green shoots’ theme is an acknowledgement of the importance of continuing to navigate through troubled times. It is also a tribute to our much-loved former CEO, the late Paolo Trinchero, who did so much for South Africa’s steel industry. He was a passionate proponent of the concept of promoting growth throughout the steel sector - or ‘green shoots’ as he put it - and that one must keep on moving forward and pushing through, even when times are tough.”

Gebremeskel said, “A number of high-quality, truly excellent projects have been showcased at this year’s annual Steel Awards, and I believe this is a testimony to our character as a nation - as well as the value which the SAISC brings to the local steel construction industry. The SAISC is one of only 6 steel institutes around the world, and has a long history as a ‘steel sector sage’: a custodian of technical knowledge, an educational resource and a trusted authority.”

“While there is tremendous merit across all of our entrants, as well as all our category winners,” enthuses Gebremeskel, “the SAISC Annual Awards judges were unanimous in their praise of our overall winner - which was also the winner of the Mining category - the Benguela General Treatment Plant mining facility, aboard the ‘Benguela Gem’, the world’s most advanced diamond recovery vessel. The Benguela Gem is owned by Debmarine Namibia, a 50/50 joint venture between De Beers Group and the government of the Republic of Namibia.”

The Benguela Gem is the product of international collaboration: designed in Norway and Poland, built in Romania and fitted out by De Beers Marine South Africa. Diamond recovery by Debmarine Namibia takes place at 90 to 150 metres below sea level. The exceptional design, fabrication and installation of the 3000 ton diamond treatment plant on the vessel was carried out ahead of schedule by local engineers and fabricators in the midst of Covid-19 pandemic restrictions. Gebremeskel advises: “This project stood out in a number of different ways, it operates off-shore, and is floating rather than being stationary and anchored. As a sea-faring structure, it is furthermore subject to unusual engineering loads from a naval engineering perspective. From the vessel arriving at the end of September 2021 with an empty deck, it sailed again in December 2021 with a fully operational mine onboard. This project was an exceptional showcase of the use and applications of steel featuring South African design, fabrication and construction for an international client.”

This year’s awards introduced more categories, and consequently an increased number of winning entries, than in recent years. The Steel Awards Category winners are as follows:

Automotive • Ford Package E - as part of a R3-billion investment by vehicle manufacturer Ford, an automotive assembly plant was erected in Rosslyn, Pretoria as part of the company’s high-volume export programme. The project used extensive steel supplies and comprised a 12 400m² warehouse, 14,6m in height.

Agri-Industrial • Woodridge Packhouse - this project presents an interesting form, clever use of natural light and a design which allows for natural ventilation - therefore saving on energy cost.

Mining • Benguela Gem Treatment Plant – this project not only won the Mining category but the 2022 Steel Awards overall.

Residential • House Vingos - the innovative use of steel - combined with all the other elements of construction.

Sports Facilities and Metal Cladding and Roofing • KES Aquatic Centre - this project won both awards. While retaining the heritage component of the previous swimming pool complex, the roof structure is of particular interest: an apex running diagonally across the structure, requiring meticulous attention to ensure leakproof sealing.

Sculptural / Architectural • Eastgate Solar Trees - In addition to their aesthetically-pleasing design and how this cleverly reflects a renewable energy focus. Light Steel Frame (LSF) Building • Jubilee Hospital - the innovative use of light steel framing in this field hospital in Hammanskraal, allowed for the addition of a significant number of hospital beds to increase existing capacity.

Tubular Steel • Babanango Travellers Camp - A number of interesting technical details included reconciling complex issues regarding the use of different materials of construction and geometrical factors, to achieve the project’s architectural objective: roofing reflecting shapes used in traditional African shields.

Community Enrichment • Gary Kirsten Sports Centre Khayelitsha - Featuring ease of construction and sustainable materials, this structure also has the capacity to extend if need be.

Regional Awards

• Best Project Gauteng - House Vingos

• Best Project Western Cape - Benguela Gem Treatment Plant

• Best Project Eastern Cape - Woodridge Packhouse

• Best Project Limpopo - Freshmark Polokwane

• Best Project KwaZulu-Natal - Babanango Travellers Camp

• Best Export Project - New Biox Plant in Zimbabwe

• Best Project Limpopo - the Freshmark distribution centre