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OR Tambo Domestic and International Arrival Project

O R Tambo Airport Project Interior 2009

OR Tambo Domestic and International Arrival Project Shopfitting done by Falcon Shopfitters.

 

Falcon Shopfitters, noted for a range of high profile installations, salient amongst those O R Tambo International. Falcon was commissioned as turnkey contractor to have total oversight of the project.

The commission included Falcon acting as main contractor with ancillary trades required to complete the installation such as tiling, steelwork, granite, glass, stainless steel and Vitrex crews, subcontracted by Falcon, to assist with the completion of the installation.

The project included cladding that went onto columns, walls and bulkheads in both the domestic and international arrival areas plus the multi-tiered hyphen section that connect both areas (wings) with one another, including the dependencies or services now housed there - the aeronautical theme apparent throughout.


OR Tambo Domestic and International Arrival Project Shopfitting done by Falcon Shopfitters.

In total, some 150 columns were clad, with column design and configurations varying across four levels. The majority of columns, apart from its structural requirement, also house all services required for the functioning of the building, electricals, computer network cabling, plumbing, air conditioning (ducting and outlets recessed into column sides), lighting and servicing access and stairwells.

A range of materials were utilised as cladding on the columns to primarily achieve a balance between aesthetics (colours, shapes, textures) and wear resistant surfaces. Materials utilised ranged from stainless steel bumprails (prevents trolley damage

Some columns bisect various levels, the challenge there self-explanatory as cladding transitioning between levels, required huge precision to achieve the standards set by the architects.

Some columns split or branch from the main column with lighting, comprised of glazed artic white laminated safety glass that hide the services running in them, recessed into the space above the branched section. Given Falcon's oversight as main contractor, that again necessitated huge emphasis on co-ordination between trades to ensure the quality sought.

Wood-based panelling going onto columns, other than the Acoustic Solutions supplied panelling also used, include veneer detailing running vertically up columns, the end result being a subtle interplay between mahogany and complementary coloured veneers.

Falcon sourced the veneer-upgraded panels from Mitre Veneering, the boards there-after sized to specification on Falcon's Holzma Optimat HPP 380 beamsaw and then edged on its Brandt KDN 340 edgebander.

Acoustic panelling is permeable to allow for sound penetration, the permeability provided by a plunge-saw cut pattern that is then exposed on the reverse side by grooving.

Falcon's Holzma Optimat HPP 380 beamsaw was the primary platform used to size panels and provide for grooving that allowed for varied aesthetics (to walls), granite, Vitrex and timber cladding to bakkie liner normally used to spraypaint the backs of commercial vehicles to render the loading areas impervious to damage.