NEWSWATCH
THE LATEST NEWS AND PRODUCTS FROM THE BUILDING INDUSTRY
NEWSWORTHY
GROWTH MOVES SOUTH
Latest statistics released on the value of building plans passed for the private sector in South Africa may indicate an economic shift to the south of the country , says Bert van den Heever , past president of the Association of South African Quantity Surveyors . The value of recorded building plans passed for the private sector , at current prices , decreased by 2,4 % during January to August 2017 compared with the same period in 2016 . Non-residential buildings fell by 14,3 %, but additions and alterations rose by 7,4 %. Although Gauteng remains the biggest contributor to the total value of plans passed – with 37,5 % of compared to the Western Cape ’ s 25,1 % – it also showed the largest negative swing . The Western and Eastern Cape showed major increases in the value of projects at planning stage . The value of plans passed in the Western Cape rose by 9,7 % and the Eastern Cape ’ s figures increased by a staggering 53,5 %. Deon van Zyl of the Western Cape Property Development Forum , cautions : “ The reality is that our economic growth in the Western Cape is perhaps being driven more by semigration than by real new economic growth .” “ What is needed is investment that will lead to job creation . Property remains a bell weather industry reflecting the economy at a point in time . Investment is a direct response to confidence ,” says Van Zyl . “ Government ’ s attempts to practice and reflect clean governance do assist in generating confidence in the Western Cape . What we desperately need is confidence in the country .”
CONVERT 3D MODELS TO REALITY
Tenebris Lab has launched LUX Walker 1.3 - fully immersive , interactive virtual reality design software for architects , designers , and people who work with 3D data .
LUX Walker enables multiple people to join a virtual meeting , walk through and interact with each other in the same virtual design model , from anywhere in the world . Users can present and sell their design to clients , or use LUX Walker as a workflow tool to collaborate with team members , mark-up design improvements and export beautiful 3D renders .
LUX Walker 1.3 boasts smarter tools and refined graphics . For a more intuitive user experience , the Measure Tool is now equipped with orthogonal , horizontal and vertical snap modes and the Plan Tool has greater scale flexibility . Fog and Volumetric Lighting have been introduced to enhance the quality of graphics rendered in LUX Walker , resulting in crisp , high quality 3D stills for users to export and share . Importantly , version 1.3 will now feature auto updates , ensuring that customers always have the latest version of the software .
LUX Walker ’ s menu system is feature rich , with over 200 in-built materials . Furthermore , LUX Walker automatically converts and optimises materials from a user ’ s 3D modelling software , providing unlimited high-quality textured material imports . LUX Walker is compatible with . obj files and most 3D modelling programs : Revit , SketchUp , 3Ds Studio Max , Rhino , and Blender .
LUX Walker can be used in VR mode with a VR headset , at room scale or seated at a PC . VR mode requires an Oculus Rift or HTC Vive headset along with a PC that follows the recommended specs for the Rift and Vive . LUX Walker can also be used in PC mode , without a VR headset , for 360 º panoramic views . www . luxwalker . com
NOISE REDUCTION WITH DOUBLE GLAZED UPVC WINDOWS
New Look Window Sytems , a REHAU Authorised Partner based in Cape Town , has completed the second part of a large renovation for the Cape Milner Hotel in Tamboerskloof .
The Cape Milner Hotel is situated in a bustling part of Cape Town and approached New Look Window Systems to replace their old windows with modern , noise-reducing Tilt and Turn windows that are durable , low-maintenance and energy efficient .
The hotel initially asked NLWS to install uPVC windows in two rooms to test the noise reduction levels . The result was so convincing that they decided to replace all the existing aluminium windows for the entire hotel with double-glazed uPVC windows and doors . The double-glazed units consist of 6.76 acoustic laminate and 4mm toughened glass . www . rehau . com / za-en www . newlookwindows . co . za
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