News

Vela VKE wins ORTIA footbridge design competition

Posted on 26 June 2010

Vela VKE won the design competition for a new footbridge over the R21 highway, tipping the three architectural firms who were also invited to submit conceptual designs. The bridge connects Isando train station with the Johannesburg International Airport, and will be one of the most heavily used bridges as it carries in excess of 9000 pedestrian commuters per day.

VKE submitted three options, of which a cable stayed bridge dubbed “The Walking Wonder” took the honours. The two towers of the bridge are placed at an angle to the bridge deck and to each other, giving the appearance that these ‘legs’ of the footbridge are moving as one passes under the bridge.
 

Johannesburg's magnificent new art gallery

Posted on 27 June 2010

M2 Consulting Engineers, who merged with Vela VKE Consulting Engineers last year, were the structural engineers on a new art gallery known as Circa.The building is situated in Rosebank, Johannesburg and was opened in October 2009 to architectural and critical acclaim.

Described by the architect, Pierre Swanepoel of StudioMAS Architecture and Urban Design as "a small building with a big attitude", this building is unique in its spiral shape and innovative use of light and space. Its 500 tall aluminium slats soar up to 14 metres into the sky, totally encasing the three-storey building in a protective, fortress-like fashion.

A concrete spiral walkway leads into the building, with the multi-coloured slats or fins on one side, a concrete wall on the other. The ground floor provides some 106m2 of gallery space available for displays of craft curiosities. The first floor has slots in it where massive rotating screen walls slide through from ground to first floor to create different spaces for exhibitions. As the visitor arrives at the second floor, he or she enters the doublevolume, 177m2 gallery space where impressive artworks are on display. The top floor of the building, the Darwin Room, is a spacious, elegant room with adjoining deck offering views over Jan Smuts Avenue and the leafy surrounding suburbs. The fire escape from the top floor is a metal staircase divorced from the building, but reached via a walkway. It allows for creepers to be grown up its tall walls. "It emphasises the importance of encouraging conditions for nature to develop in harmony with man-made things," says Swanepoel.

The owners of the building are Mark and Christine Read, owners of the original Everard Read Gallery across the road, which traces its history back to 1912. In keeping with Mark Read’s ethos, the gallery is eco-friendly. Electricity is produced by means of solar voltaic panels and solar-heated water will be used for heating. Rainwater is harvested and used for everything except drinking water.

Announcing Vela VKE's new software product : VSMART Asset Management System

Posted on 23 November 2009

VSMART is an Asset Management System that facilitates cost effective, affordable levels of service to all end users and allows for more accurate input into National Budgets. In addition, it provides you with a better understanding of the financial needs of your assets and the factors that influence their condition.

Vela VKE draws from over 60 years of multidisciplinary engineering experience in South Africa, Africa and Internationally. This allows us to provide expert advice on getting the most from your assets and assisting in the implementation of Asset Management Strategies. Vela VKE can supply the software to manage infrastructure assets as well as IT support and custom development. In addition, Vela VKE’s widely spread and diversified offices are ideally positioned to assist with field data collection and verification, making use of high accuracy GPS devices.

Click here to view the VSMART Brochure  (use your browser's back button to return to this page)

Vela VKE plays integral role in South Africa's readiness for FIFA 2010

Posted on 27 August 2009

Using our vast engineering skills and experience, Vela VKE are actively involved in many projects in preparation for South Africa's hosting of the FIFA Soccer World Cup competition in 2010. Some of these projects are : 

• Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace Award Winning Upgrade
  Design of the upgrade of the Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace outside Rustenburg, for usage as a FIFA 2010 World Cup Stadium. This project won the South African Steel Institute 2009 Technical Excellence Award.

• Cape Town's Road Signage Upgrade
  Upgrading of Cape Towns road signage  to assist commuters travelling in Cape Town to get to Green Point Stadium and the FIFA Fan Park.

• Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality Integrated Transport Plan
  A modal integration strategy for better transport  for learners and special needs passengers as well as looking at the Strategic Public Transport Network and Public Transport for the 2010 FIFA World Cup

• Nasrec SARCC Infrastructure Intervention to Serve FNB Stadium
  Upgrading of The South African Rail Commuter Corporation rail infrastructure to enhance the rail based commuter capacity for the 2010 Soccer World Cup.
   
• Port Elizabeth - Extension of Forest Hill Drive
  The project was commissioned as part of the Traffic and Transportation Planning for the 2010 World Cup Football event in Port Elizabeth. It comprises a 215m long extension of Forest Hill Drive in Walmer.
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• Gautrain Rapid Rail Link
  Vela VKE were responsible for the detailed design of 7 railway viaducts totalling 4.3km in the southern section of the prestigious Gautrain project. While this project s is not a specific 2010 project it is hoped that it will be ready to transport the influx of tourists for the World Cup.
   
• Mangaung Intermodal Project and Markgraaff Pedestrian Bridge
  The Mangaung Intermodal project will provide Bloemfontein with a mutli-storey transportation centre including a series of dedicated pedestrian links to the cities transport centres. The Markgraff Pedestrian bridge will ensure safe access to the newly upgraded rugby/soccer stadium over Markgraaff Street in Bloemfontein.
   
• 2010 FIFA World Cup Inter-City Bus Operational Plan
  Development of an operational plan for inter-city buses to cater for the match day intercity travel needs of general spectators attending the 2010 FIFA World Cup tournament.
   
• Polokwane’s new Road Works and Markings

• Buitengracht and Waterkant Pedestrian Bridges
  Two new pedestrian bridges that will provide safe access from the CBD to the new 68,000 seater stadium being built on Green Point Common.

• N17 freeway link for 2010
  The 5,8 km freeway link will provide much needed access from the N1 to Soweto and the Soccer City and Orlando stadiums.