Renée Minnaar from the University of Pretoria wins the 31st Corobrik Architectural Awards
eventsRenée Minnaar from the University of Pretoria wins the 31st Corobrik Architectural Awards
Renée Minnaar from the University of Pretoria wins the 31st Corobrik Architectural Awards
Corobrik partners with local retailers to increase delivery to outlying areas
A superb line up of finalists for Corobrik ’s thirty-first year of sponsorship of the Corobrik Architectural Student of the Year Award
Westbury Clinic’s healthy design nets international award
Fire-resistant Landscape Architecture dissertation earns UCT student top Corobrik Award
Corobrik Conference rewards top employees for driving sales and production
Margeaux Adams puts her name on the architectural map
Sustainability in building design has won Renée Minnaar of the University of Pretoria a place at 31st Corobrik Architectural Student of the Year Awards
Corobrik’s Graphite pavers add to the modern Menlyn Learning Hub
Innovation and an appreciation of South Africa’s cultural diversity stand out in The University of the Free State, Corobrik Architectural Student of the Year Awards
Corobrik’s clay face brick chosen for superior thermal efficiency
Sustainable building is the focus at 31st Corobrik Architectural Student of the Year Awards
Corobrik’s latest product range at the KZN Construction Expo 2018
Sustainable construction is integral to superior design at 31st Corobrik Architectural Student of the Year Awards
Double curving face brick wall in newly-constructed Constantia school hall is a first for South Africa
Tshwane University of Technology student maps the way into the architectural future
COROBRIK SPONSOR THEIR 31st ARCHITECTURAL STUDENT OF THE YEAR COMPETITION
Award winning young architects pave the way to the future
31st Corobrik Architectural Student of the Year Award steps into the future
Corobrik’s face bricks add complexity and appeal to captivating Pretoria home
The Devland Social Housing Development used durable clay face bricks manufactured by Corobrik
Corobrik donates face bricks for construction of school kitchen
Corobrik opens modern Nelspruit Centre
Corobrik’s clay pavers create inspired walkways in Kliptown Public Environment Upgrade
COROBRIK ADDS VALUE TO THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING MARKET
Striking red Corobrik face brick creates inspired design in new Century City development
Corobrik’s bricklayer training programme empowers youth
Facebrick makes for healthy living at the University of Zululand
Corobrik chairman, Peter du Trevou, joined performers at 2017 BHCA 1820s amateur orchestra.
Western Cape Government’s newest office building constructed with Corobrik face brick on track for 5-Star Green Star SA as-built rating
Corobrik wins ‘Large Manufacturing’ category at KZN Top Business Awards
SANparks employees upskilled with paving training
Corobrik’s face brick meets sustainable needs of modern development
Corobrik products enhance Nelspruit’s Riverside Office Park development
Inspirational learning centre constructed using Corobrik’s face brick.
Corobrik welcomes new deputy managing director as part of growth plan
Urban greenery initiative takes top prize in Corobrik’s Most Innovative Final Year Landscape Architecture Award
Swellendam community upskilled through Corobrik bricklaying programme
Clay brick construction – supporting the green building imperative
Brick supplier Corobrik win Diamond Arrow Award
Jean-Pierre Desvaux De Marigny from the University of KwaZulu-Natal wins the 30th Corobrik Architectural Awards
Corobrik face brick creates inspirational 01 on Mutual inner city building
Katherine Dewar’s focus on innovation and an appreciation of South Africa’s cultural diversity has won her a place in the 30th Corobrik Architectural Student of the Year Awards
BRUTALLY BRILLIANT!
Innovation blends with sustainability, social awareness and technical excellence in 30th Corobrik Architectural Student of the Year Awards
Learnership programme enriches the life of disabled people
Corobrik contributes to Inner City rejuvenation
Corobrik face brick creates homely Centurion retirement village
Creative use of Corobrik’s product enhances Vredenburg high school
Darren Sampson’s innovation and technical skill resulted in his award at the University of Johannesburg regional event
Corobrik face bricks combine to create attractive housing development
A heritage portal created on the ruins of Westfort, a fort originally protecting the west of Pretoria, wins the University of Pretoria regional Corobrik Architectural Student of the Year award.
Lana Bramley wins the University of the Free State regional Corobrik Architectural Student of the Year Awards
A community food production facility in Alexandra wins the Corobrik Architectural Student of the Year Regional Award.
Corobrik’s face brick creates neat, uncomplicated look for 01 on Lunar development
Mario van Wyk to represent Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University at the 30th Corobrik Architectural Student of the Year event
Corobrik’s face bricks and pavers enhance the green aspects of Menlyn Maine Central Square
Corobrik’s face bricks and pavers assimilate Sol Plaatje University with city of Kimberley
Ethekwini Municipality and Corobrik host a graduation ceremony
Corobrik’s quality product used for Pietermaritzburg social housing project
Corobrik helps cycling team.
Ubuntu Community Chest and Corobrik have a twenty-year relationship.
Corobrik train landscape technology students.
Face bricks laid upright represent the members of the Affies choir at the new music centre.
Exceptional architectural design recognised by the SA Institute for Architecture.
“What do you want, brick?” ….this is a question which has gained legendary status within architectural circles
Corobrik help people obtain bricklaying skills.
The youth in KwaZulu-Natal enjoy educational facilities at the new Majuba FET college in Dundee.
Corobrik receive commendation for support to architects
Corobrik 3D Visualiser to assist architects and specifiers
Social housing project in Pretoria uses maintenance free Corobrik Montana Light face bricks.
The new Royal School Alberton defined by brick
Corobrik’s facebrick gives Century City Square a modern, natural look
Vedhant Maharaj from The University of the Witwatersrand became the 29th architectural student to take first prize at the Corobrik Architectural Awards in Johannesburg last night.
Firelight satin facebricks enhance iconic Tshwane building.
Corobrik train landscape students in the process of hard landscaping.
A million Corobrik Champagne PA clay pavers have been arranged in a Herringbone pattern along Tembisa’s sidewalks.
Robotics installed at the Corobrik Lawley factory will allow flexibility in production as it can run out of Eskom peak tariff hours.
Architectural student proposes Delft in the Western Cape the site for FET college to reinforce town high street and facility diversity.
Firelight satin facebricks enhance iconic Tshwane building.
A board game that shows just how various measures that fall within “tactical urbanism” can address spatial inequality
A biological water treatment and research facility is proposed to revitalise decay.
A new use for the Johannesburg Observatory site.
An environmental research facility in KwaZulu-Natal to address threatened natural resources
An environmental research facility for the Karoo’s fossil heritage.
Freedom of expression is Nilene van Niekerk’s passion.
A reforestation and timber mill project to rejuvenate the Nasrec Precinct.
A water purification infrastructure for the hazardously polluted River Ganga in India
A thesis that addresses social, economic and environmental issues that exist within the industrial landscape.
Investments in social infrastructure are key to positive prospects
Top architectural students to compete for prestigious award.
Corobrik has once again proved itself as a leader in quality assurance and sustainable environmental practices with the further attainment of a number of world-class operating standards at several...
Musa Shangase believes in the soundness of bricks and mortar.
New Swellendam primary school is set to excite
Corobrik’s Lansdowne Centre moves to new premises
Corobrik House Donation in Polokwane
Corobrik’s face brick layer improves sustainability and quality of traditional rondavels
Johannesburg Youth Orchestra Company completes refurbishment after donation of top-quality Corobrik pavers
At the Afrikaans Boys' High School in Pretoria, a public high school for boys situated in the city affably known as Affies, a new ground level canteen and upstairs computer room were required....
Prudent sourcing and selection of building materials and fittings and fixtures has delivered Lakehaven Phase 11- a ground breaking social housing project that will definitely raise the bar in this...
After joining Corobrik as National Commercial Manager in July 2013, Musa Shangase has been appointed Commercial Director from 1 January 2014.He joined Corobrik bringing with him his considerable...
Platinum Manor, a new Central Development Projects, affordable housing scheme recently completed in Chantelle Pretoria, features 2.37 million Corobrik Moroccan Red Travertine face bricks.
Pupils at Inkululeko Yesizwe Primary School in Vlakfontein near Lawley, Gauteng, are relishing using the school's first brick and mortar classroom block and ablution facilities which were...
Sitting aside Kings Park Stadium and near the iconic Moses Mabhida
University of Johannesburg student, Harold Johnson, is Corobrik’s 28th Architectural Student of the Year.
Clay brick wall construction is long proven as the common denominator when providing truly sustainable, superior performing infrastructure across South Africa at the lowest lifetime cost.
PMR.africa presented the Diamond Arrow Award to Corobrik for the fourth year running for achieving the highest score in its annual national survey on brick suppliers to the South African construction...
Follow this simple video guide to building your own pizza oven by Corobrik, South Africa's leading brick manufacturer, and go from D.I.Y. to delicious in no time at all.
Corobrik and the architectural team from Revel Fox & Partners Architects and Planners who designed the Bongolethu Primary School in Philippi in Cape Town agree on one thing using the simplest means...
More than 222 000 Bergendal Satin Blend face bricks from Corobrik's Witbank factory were used to build the new R40 million lecture theatre block at the University of Zululand (Unizulu) which students...
Consistent teamwork by employees dedicated to selling a quality product to satisfied customers. This was revealed as the winning formula at this year’s Corobrik Conference where a number of...
Many homeowners have questions about clay bricks. Some of the experts at Corobrik provide answers.
A blend of 100 000 nutmeg piazza and onyx pavers used to create an iconic public square that forms part of the first phase of the new Sol Plaatjie University development in Kimberley, has seen...
Tasked with designing the paving of Mpumalanga's new Secunda Mall development, Insite Landscape Architects in Centurion, opted for a 'simplistic but not simple' look. They immediately...
His comprehensive understanding of building products; keen eye for detail and quality customer service are just some of the reasons Corobrik's Indren Munsamy will be heading up the team at...
In the past, Woodstock used to be a conveniently forgotten area between two bustling highways leading out of Cape Town. Once a vibrant business district, it was caught in a steady downward spiral...
The annual Corobrik Architectural Student of the Year Award is the country's premier event to highlight the creative and technical talent of the cream of South Africa's architectural...
The eThekwini municipality leads by example when it comes to state-of-the-art green building as demonstrated by the eThekwini Water and Sanitation (EWS) Customer Service centre in KE Masinga Avenue,...
Quality building materials and good design should not be restricted to high profile buildings. Even greater thought needs to be put into facilities that serve those that need them most - in this case...
600 Corobrik pavers, 300 clay bricks, ornamental gravel and a selection of planting materials were all that was needed for 80 Landscape Technology students at the Cape University of Technology (CPUT)...
Research findings in the USA, Australia and South Africa continue to compound endorsing clay brick constructions pre-eminent status for sustainable house construction in South Africa.
Conceptualised and developed to provide a quality lifestyle in a secure and natural environment, Dainfern Valley Estate is one of the most sought-after areas to own a home in the entire...
South Africans love braaing. And thanks to Corobrik's easy step-by-step D.I.Y. video guide to building your own braai, you won't have to be a master builder to be a braai master.
Corobrik has secured the specification of double skin brickwork for 500 RDP houses at the Lindelani Youth Build Project in Kimberley and commenced supplies for first phase of 153 houses under...
"We are Europe," an elder in an informal settlement told University of Cape Town (UCT) architectural student, Amy Thompson, during her extensive research for a thesis that won this...
Umhlanga College a state-of-the-art learning facility - is a perfect example of a blend of old and new and testament to the fact that Corobrik products are timeless. The school, opened its doors in...
In the early 2013 and following an assessment of the lifecycle performance of low cost housing projects in Bergville, Glencoe and Ladysmith built of Corobrik's Coro Maxi 140 face bricks some 20 years...
Corobrik's Western Cape region scooped six awards at the company's national business conference which was held in the Drakensberg from 25 to 27 July. Dawid Norris won the award for sales manager of...
A panel of broad vivid yellow, orange, green and white stripes at the front entrance is the only clue that Heideveld Primary School in Heideveld, Western Cape is not your average government learning...
The cream of South Africa's architectural talent was acknowledged for their talent and skill at the 2013/14 Corobrik-SAIA Awards of Excellence and Merit at a gala dinner at the ICC Durban on 1...
Established in 1920, the University of Pretoria's Faculty of Veterinary Science is the second-oldest in Africa, and is still the only faculty of its kind in South Africa. Situated in...
Anyone looking to build, whether it be a home, warehouses, offices or plan an extension or renovate will soon have access to hands-on building expertise and a range of quality bricks and paving as...
The heart of Warwick Junction is beating with new life in the form of the recently constructed community building, Denis Hurley Centre. Replacing the demolished 106-year-old parish centre which sits...
Corobrik has supplied 2,4 million Moroccan Red travertine face bricks for construction of the award winning Little Manhattan apartment complex. Ockert van Heerden, Corobrik Director of Sales said...
A firewall constructed of Corobrik's clay face bricks protected a warehouse from being consumed by a devastating industrial fire. In the early hours of 26 March, a fire broke out at the Sun Oil...
More than 400 million people in Africa live in urban areas and because of high rural to urban migration rates the number of people living in urban areas will increase from 62% to 70% by the year...
As government's belief in the benefits of clay brick construction for affordable housing becomes increasingly evident, Corobrik's support for this new direction was cemented with the donation of two...
Four women have been honoured in the 2013/14 Corobrik-SAIA Awards of Excellence presented by Corobrik and the South African Institute for Architects (SAIA) at a gala dinner in Durban on 1 August....
The University of Pretoria student received first prize with her thesis entitled Machinarium: Architecture as a living machine at the prestigious annual event held on 9 April 2014.
While the solid all round performance and life-time value that clay brick brings to infrastructure buildings remains unparalleled; local and international comparative research continues to compound...
Corobrik’s face brick layer improves sustainability and quality of traditional rondavels
Traditional mud brick rondavels can be easily and affordably upgraded to increase thermal efficiency and aesthetics with the addition of a face brick “skin”.
Architect and lecturer, Mthembeni Mkhize, has been researching methods to improve on the traditional Nguni housing structure for the past few decades.
“I visited Okhahlambeni area, Maphumulo, as a baby and then later in life,” explained Mkhize, recalling the area that ignited his architectural passion and initial introduction to rondavels. “I wanted to contribute to improving the quality of life of the people living there.”
Mkhize spent the next few years of his life researching various traditional housing structures across the globe, visiting places such as Egypt and the United States of America.
“In 1994 I visited Arcosanti in Arizona, USA, where there is an urban design experimental project in the mountains done by architect, Paolo Soleri,” said Mkhize. “I focused on the innovation of the design and environmental accountability,” he said, explaining that improved thermal designs decrease the need for electricity, particularly pertinent in modern South Africa.
Mkhize also found time to write research documents during this time including ‘Pre-Colonial Nguni Settlement’ which looks at the movement of people to high concentration areas such as the cities.
“What I want to do is create a design that attracts people to where they are living.”
This prompted the development of Mkhize’s latest project, The Meseni Zulu Homestead Laboratory Lessons for Cities, which seeks to improve the longevity of the mud rondavel by adding a brick “jacket” to the outer side.
The project involved the construction of seven “show” rondavels in the mountain area of Maphumulo, with the outer brick layer of 2 000 of Corobrik’s clay face bricks added to each rondavel of the homestead.
Corobrik contributed further by providing training in basic bricklaying for 12 candidates selected by the local community, providing them with an invaluable skill which will allow them to build in the area they reside.
The weeklong course, which was headed by Corobrik Building Training Co-ordinator, Derek Dimba, was done on site, with each trainee being educated in basic bricklaying and then moving on to build a complete rondavel. Every trainee also received a certificate and complimentary set of bricklaying tools consisting of a trowel, spirit level, builder’s line and tape measure.
Mkhize said this training was providing lifelong skills that could only benefit the greater community.
Commenting on the brick choice, Mkhize said: “I opted to use Corobrik’s range of Burnt Apricot face brick for the single layer of ‘skin’ to cover the mud brick construction.”
Corobrik’s Allin Dangers said Mkhize had made the right selection in Corobrik’s face brick range.
“We are really proud to be a part of this exciting initiative. The outer layer of clay face brick is an innovative yet complementary application in the context of a traditional building concept.”
“The skin of face brick is set to further enhance thermal comfort, safety and security, also contributing to that important sense of status that comes with owning a clay face brick home.”
He said the Burnt Apricot face brick fitted the project in terms of affordability, colour and texture and the required durability to ensure a long lifecycle.
“It so happens this clay brickwork offers all the fire resistance qualities that are particularly important in rural landscape settings and rondavel dwellings where open fires are often used for warmth and cooking,” said Dangers.
Mkhize said one of problems with the traditional mud bricks was that they lacked sustainability.
“After the rainy season, the lower layer of the wall gets very muddy and each year, usually in December before Christmas when family is arriving, the community paints the rondavel again. This becomes very expensive.”
He said the face brick skin would protect the rondavel from the constant weathering and also negated the need for cement plastering and paint which was not only costly, but lacked longevity.
“The clay bricks were selected because they are affordable and the high thermal mass helps keep the inside of these homes cool in summer and warm in winter.
“This has particular value in the rural areas, similar to Maphumulo, which have extreme fluctuations in temperature through the seasons.”
This house construction type will contribute to the lowering of energy demands on the national grid and boost power generation, helping the government to meet its electricity needs for future housing programmes.
The addition of a wood and coal stove in the centre of the rondavel added to the thermal efficiency, allowing for the cooking of food, heating of the home in winter and promoting a central focal point for the family.
“The stove has a chimney taking the fumes out the rondavel which means no chance of suffocation. It also lowers the risk of fire.”
Another important benefit of this construction method is sense of pride that comes with living in a traditional building that has been enhanced with a face brick finish.
“The homes are set to meet the aspirations of the prospective homeowners to live in aesthetically pleasing houses which are built using quality materials that lend dignity and provide a sense of home,” he said.
The face brick layer is easily constructed and attached to the mud bricks using a wire mesh bond.
The show rondavels will be on display for educational and research initiatives or for government or private enterprises to visit for potential investment opportunities. There is also the possibility of the project becoming a tourist attraction in line with the Western Cape’s Babylonstoren which showcases the original Huguenot dwellings.
However, Mkhize said at the heart of the project is his true passion as an architect, which is to provide people with something of which they can be proud.
“As architects we look to create a product that will influence society at large, that can be used by millions of people and that improve the quality of life.”