• Architects: Paragon Architects
• Contractor: Aveng Grinaker LTA
• Area: 130 000 m²
• Developer: Alchemy Properties/ Sasol Pension Fund
• Structural Engineers: Sotiralis Consulting Engineers
• Mechanical Engineers: Adaptive Resources
• Façade Engineers: Pure Consulting
• Products Supplied: Milwaukee – Kango 540 S Combi Hammer, PLHXE Rotary Hammer, Kango 900 S Breaker, CS 85 SB Circular Saw
• fischer – FIS EM 390 Chemical Mortar, FIS VL410 C Chemical Mortar
• SPIT – Spit Pulsa 800 Nail Gun

In 2017 production of Sasol’s new Head Office in Johannesburg began and Upat SA worked closely with the main contractor Aveng Grinaker LTA to help realise the massive 130 000m² building project. The goal was to construct a building large enough to accommodate over 3000 Johannesburg-based Sasol employees that had previously been dispersed across 14 different office spaces. During the design phases it was decided that the new Sasol building would be more than just a structure, but also needed to reflect the company values, corporate culture and adopt a sustainable design approach.

• Architects: Boogertman + Partners Architects
• Area: 62 000 m²
• Developer: Eris Property Group
• Structural Engineers: Aurecon Group
• Mechanical Engineers: Spoormaker and Partners
• Products Supplied: STABILA – Type 196 Electronic Spirit Level
• fischer – FIS EM 585, FIS VL 410 C & FIS V360 Injection Chemical Mortars, Duopower Plugs & Coach Screws, FH-SK Anchors, FBS Concrete Screws, Express Anchors, SDS Max Drill Bits

Developed by the Eris Property Group, the MARC building was built as a mixed-use space comprising of two high-rise towers, the jewel’ – an 18-storey office tower and ‘jewellery box’- a 13-storey office tower based in Sandton. This massive project equalled a combined floor area of 62 000 m2.

During the build Upat worked in collaboration with the main fenestration contractor Geustyn & Horak (G&H) Aluminium which took on the momentous task of installing the iconic black and gold jewel-like façade. All dowelling work on-site was carried out with fischer’s FIS EM 585 and FIS VL 410 injection mortars, while the tie-in of the brickwork was completed with our SPIT nail gun.

G&H Project Manager Gere Sardie notes that fischer’s EXA HDG Express Anchors were used to safely install the main façade brackets. These panels weighed between 150kg and 310kg respectively, which meant G&H required high-strength fixings that would remain fixed.

In areas where hollow blocks were present, fischer’s universal Duopower plugs were used, in conjunction with coach screws and performed optimally in this difficult building substrate. Furthermore, the installation was offset due to the uneven concrete, which is why fischer FIS V360  injection mortar with FIS studs proved ideal. For the heavy and oversized stabilising and fixings, fischer’s FH-SK anchors were deployed.

Gere Sadie, who has been with G&H for 15 years, comments that he has only made use of fischer products and systems in all that time, due to its trusted high-quality anchors and fixing systems.

Cladding on-site was carried out by Façade Solutions, yet another Upat client. For bracket installations onsite our fischer FBS II Ultracut concrete screws were used. Some other fischer products used to install the façades included perforated sleeves and hot dipped galvanised Express anchors.

In addition, the STABILA Type 196 electronic spirit level  was used in affixing the façades. This digital tool allowed for easy measurement, setting, and duplication of any slopes or angles on-site. The Type 196 spirit level can convert measurements to any scale instantly for added flexibility making it a versatile and easy tool to use on projects.

fischer’s broad product range means there’s a fixing solution for all types of surfaces and applications and Upat team of technical experts are key to ensuring Upat customers get the most innovative and suited product and tool solutions needed for the job.