Mitchells Plain Electricity Depot Cape Town

Mitchells Plain Electricity Depot Cape Town

This project involved demolition, rebuilding, building, and refurbishment as well as civil works including relocation of services, drainage works, interlocking concrete block paving, and access control system installation.

Client: City of Cape Town, Electricity Department
Contract value: R 35 million
Duration: 12 months
Completed: 2017

Overview of the Project

This project involved demolition, rebuilding, building and refurbishment as well as civil works including relocation of services, drainage works, interlocking concrete block paving and access control system installation.

Scope of Work

Office Building
Total refurbishment of the existing building including mechanical ventilate to the ablution blocks, conversion of the existing waiting room into a new fibre connection room, replacement of floors, new aluminium windows and doors, new main entrance with aluminium doors, new entrance lobby and reception area, installation of new aluminium louvres at the north and west sides, new balcony to the south side, total interior refurbishment and construction of an outdoor entertainment area on the northern side of the main building.

Truck Ports
Included demolition of an existing building and construction of portal framed structures with infill brickwork panels and vertical cladding in a De Hoop Red face brick.

New Guard House
Replacement of the existing timber shed with a new brick guardhouse complete and with electrical services linking to the main building.

Civil Works included construction of 2 new covered parking areas, carports, repairs to the existing property boundary walls, access boom control system, pedestrian security gate, heavy-duty interlocking
Paving, stormwater drainage repairs & improvements.

Challenges & Successes

One of the biggest challenges was that the Depot remained operational, so all work had to be coordinated to avoid disruption to the staff while they continued to work.
Underground services were an obstacle with little as-built information available. Great care was exercised during excavation work and no services were unnecessarily affected.
A minor issue was the De Hoop red face brick as it is easily stained and difficult to clean. Careful building methods were employed to avoid contamination but it reduced productivity initially. However, the work methods were soon adopted fully and output increased to ensure no delays. The Electrical Depot management was very pleased with their new offices and a successful project was delivered.

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