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Fresh Produce Market
Springs, Gauteng
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Click to view large map Coordinates: | MODERN NEW MARKET BUILDING for SPRINGS A Structure of Significance Introducing New Type of Self-Supporting Roof. The latest addition to Springs' rapidly increasing public facilities is a new Municipal market, which, if it is not the largest on the Reef, is certainly the most up-to-date from a constructional point of view. No stereotyped style has been followed in the design of this building, with the result that the Springs authorities have achieved something unusual and distinctly attractive in this field of architecture.Its most significant feature, however, is a new type of roof construction used for the first time in this country. It is known as the “Lamella” roof, a self-supporting structure comprising light prefabricated steel components bolted together as segments to an arc. Constructional details of this roof will follow the description of the market building design. This procedure will enable the reader to appreciate more fully the main features of the roof. ~==~ Construction and Plan: The market building is erected on a raised stylobate approximately 301 ft. 6 in [104,5m]. by 191 ft. [33,0m], and occupies most of this area. The market hall constitutes the main part of the building and is expressed as such. Its internal dimensions are 240 ft. [72,0m]. by 118 ft. [35,4m]. Construction is very simple. It consists of strongly buttressed concrete stanchions 12 ft. [3,6m] high, set at 18 ft. [5,4m] centres along the length of the hall. These stanchions are linked by a continuous reinforced concrete beam. There are no tie-beams whatever across the width of the hall, the only structural connection being at each end of the hall, where a semi-circular tied concrete arch, conforming to the curvature of the roof, has been introduced as an architectural finish to the roof and end facades. The arched roof, which springs from the 12 ft. [3,6m] concrete stanchions, has a radius of 78 ft. [23,4m]. This carries the apex to an approximate height of 40 ft. [12,0m]. Wall construction between stanchions and elsewhere is carried out in face-brick. Simplicity is the key-note of the plan, of which the main feature is that the market hall is kept free from structural or other obstructions, enabling the entire floor space to be used. In conformity with this principle, the shops or permanent stalls are confined, in a limited number, to an adjoining arcade accommodated in an adjunct to the north side of the hall. The main entrance loggia and the rest room and convenience blocks are also accommodated in an adjunct to the east end of the hall. Although the administrative offices, requiring two floors, are accommodated within the hall, they are carried over the hall floor on circular reinforced concrete columns. This block is in reality a separate reinforced concrete-frame construction, integrated to the market hall at its western end. It is gained by twin diverging stairways situated within the hall. Besides their function, these stairs have been treated as an architectural feature which, in conjunction with a continuous observation window to the first floor of the administrative offices and a dominating clock dial of modern design, create a focal interest when the otherwise unrelieved expanse of the emporium is viewed from the entrance loggia on the east. Other details of the lay-out are obvious from the plan, which is reproduced here. The following points, however, are worthy of mention. The shop arcade, which has been left open at both ends, may be extended ultimately to the full length of the market building. Each shop has its display window on the arcade. This is a useful facility during inclement weather. Moreover, each shop has two opposing entrances, one leading off the arcade and one off the stylobate outside. These entrance or exit points allow through-circulation, thereby avoiding jostling among patrons. It should be noted also that the rest-room and convenience blocks may be gained either directly from the hall or through an outside entrance. Elevations: The building is designed on modern lines as an integral unit, its main feature being the full free ·expression of the market hall, which, from single-storey height, rises expansively in a gentle arch to the apex height of 40 ft. [12,0m]. Appearance is strengthened by the "buttressing" of the north and east facades by single -storey protections or adjuncts under a flat slab concrete roof. The north adjunct accommodates the shop arcade. This adjunct has been given architectural definition. by the ·expression of the store-rooms, which flank the entrance, in tower-like pylons rising above the single-storey elevation. The east adjunct contains the main entrance loggia flanked by rest-room and convenience blocks. This entrance is protected by a large concrete cantilever canopy dressed in cream cullamix, the Municipal coat-of-arms being moulded on the frieze. Further definition to this elevation is obtained by large glass-brick panels on either side of the entrance, their purpose being to illuminate the male and female rest-rooms. The adjuncts, together with the, walls of the market hall, are carried out in golden brown face-brick above a dark face-brick plinth. Architraves to door and window openings are in cream cullamix, this dressing being repeated on the tower-like pylons flanking the north entrance, and on the parapet frieze formed by the beam linking the concrete stanchions. The buttressed stanchions add definition to the market hall walls. As a connecting element between the east adjunct and the market hall, the internal stanchions to the loggia are carried through the slab roof to appear as deep terra cotta-faced pylons to the east facade of the hall. Against a background of cream cullamix, these pylons rise to the level of the clerestory lights which fill the top segment of the roof arch. A similar purpose is achieved by the tower-like pylons on the north adjunct. These are carried back the full width of the shop block to add an impression of height and depth. The west elevation is essentially simple. It is defined by a continuous steel-frame window, with steel mullions, above a reinforced concrete slab canopy supported on steel columns. A subsidiary continuous window of the same design illuminates the top floor of the administrative block. Internal Treatment: Internal treatment of the hall is on restrained lines, echoing in colour some of the materials used in general construction. The north and south walls are in golden brown face-brick with no added embellishments, as they are sufficiently relieved by the concrete stanchions and the entrance points fitted with collapsible wrought-iron gates. The west wall, which closes off the administration offices, is faced with terra cotta coloured acoustic board in 4-ft. [1,2m] squares with 1/4-in. [6mm] spacing between the sheets. The expanse of wall is broken by the continuous observation window extended along most of its width. This window is a steel frame with steel mullions. It is glazed with 1/4-[in. [6mm] plate glass, and has a 4-in. [100mm] by 3-in. [75mm] projecting surround. The reinforced concrete columns of the structure are carried through behind the window. In a central position above the observation window, the wall is dominated by a clock dial of modern design. The numerals are denoted by raised discs of acoustic board, both discs and pointers being painted Prussian blue. The clock movement is hidden. The twin diverging stairways, previously described as providing focal interest to the emporium when viewed from the east entrance loggia, have terra cotta coloured balustrade walls with a prussian blue handrail. The soffit to the stairs is painted cream. The east wall is also faced with terra cotta coloured acoustic board up to the clerestory lighting. Other finishes include a concrete floor to the market hall and shop arcade. The shops have terrazzo tile floors. Flooring in the rest-room and convenience blocks is in terra cotta tiles. The galvanized "Lamella" roof is left unpainted, and the underside of the roof covering has been sprayed with an aluminium paint. Roof Construction: As indicated in the introduction, the new Springs market derives considerable significance from its roof construction, here used for the first time in South Africa. "Lamella " roofing is a British patent, the chief structural feature of which is its ability to span considerable widths without intermediate supports, trusses or tie-rods. It comprises light, pre-fabricated components made in pressed galvanized steel to a standard design and size. Construction is effected merely by bolting the parts together to form diamond-shaped units which are both laterally and vertically rigid. The roof is entirely self-supporting, and the rigidity of its component members is such that erection is carried out in cantilever fashion without centreing. Light trestles are required only when the apex is reached. The structural elements are essentially simple. They comprise the "Lamella" bars, which are really struts of a specialised design, top and bottom purlins and a pair of cover plates for each point of intersection. The roof covering, glazed roof lights and ventilation fixtures are attached to the top purlins. The length and span of the Springs market roof is 240 ft. [72,0m] and 120 ft. [36,0m] respectively. The roof takes the form of a buttressed arch of approximately 78 ft. [23,4m] radius with an apex height of nearly 40 ft. [24,0m]. The arch springs from the 12-ft. [3,6m] concrete stanchions and linking beams, outward thrust being opposed by the stanchion buttresses. It should be mentioned that the buttressed arch is only one of the four types in which this roof may be manufactured. The other three types are as follows: Illumination of the hall is achieved by a double row of glazed roof-lights at roof apex, supplemented by an additional single row half way down the arch on either side. "Lamella" roofing is provided with a specialised type of roof light comprising wired glazing bars, 10 ft. [3,0m] long by 2 ft. [0,6m] wide, set in a continuous row: in this instance 144 ft. [22,2m] long. The metal astragals are also a specialised waterproof type, which do not require the use of putty, and yet permit the expansion and contraction of the glass. The weight of the Springs market-hall roof is 100 tons [~100 tonnes]. There are a number of additional advantages inherent in this type of roof which should be of interest. Its constructional features, affording uninterrupted floor space and head-room up to the utmost maximum, have already been noted. Another advantage is its transportability, and the fact that, although of a permanent nature, the roof may be dismantled easily for erection on a different site. Future extensions require only the addition of more units ; and in the event of a fire in one portion of a building. only the affected members of the roof frame need be replaced. The destruction of a section does not destroy or jeopardise the whole roof. The cardinal feature of the "Lamella" roof, however, is its ability to span considerable widths without intermediate or other support such as tie-rods, tiebeams or trusses. This feature, in conjunction with its light construction and ease of erection, makes it very economical. The roof covering adopted for this building is also of interest. It is "Robertson's Protected Metal" corrugated sheets, each of which has been curved to the radius of the roof. The sheets are secured by means of hook bolts to the top purlins and sealed into position. This roofing is composed of an annealed steel core, coated with successive layers of refined asphalt and asphalt-impregnated asbestos felt. It possesses considerable advantages over ordinary sheet roofing, having a high heat-insulating capacity combined with great tensile strength and a permanent resistance to corrosion and weathering. Because of its covering it also has an insulating capacity against sound, and it does not require painting, a fact of great importance in a roof of this area. Another advantage of this roofing material is that the strength of the steel core, combined with the plastic nature of its covering, enable it to yield to movement set up by wind or other causes without cracking or fracture. Site: The site on which the new market has been built was formerly the property of the South African Railways and Harbours. It is on the west side of the railway line immediately to the south of the present railway station. At the time it was acquired by the Springs Municipality it was swampy ground, reclaimed later by deposits of soil excavated from the recently completed subway adjacent. Construction of the market has completely changed the site from an abandoned waste to an area occupied by a handsome building, surrounded by tar-macadamised roads and parking areas, and fronted on the east by an extensive lawn with flower-beds. Across a road serving the loading platform on the south of the market building is the market yard with teff and poultry shed. This yard is flanked on the east by the main parking area, and on the west by the market outbuildings. The outbuildings are contained in a single unit comprising three store-rooms and accommodation for the Native [sic] staff. Access is off a concrete-floored yard enclosed by a face-brick wall. Within this unit is another unit closed off from the rest by a wall forming an inner yard. This is the condemned-food and refuse block. Behind the outbuildings is a convenience block for Native [sic] and Asiatic [sic] males. All these buildings are carried out in face-brick to match the market building. The new Springs market was designed and erected departmentally with the exception of the roof and supporting stanchions, the design and erection of which were carried out by Messrs. Fraser & Chalmers (S.A.), Limited. The roof covering was supplied by Messrs. G. H. Langler & Co., Ltd. [PWSA October 1940 Vol IV No 24:9-12]. "This market building was designed by Carl Lotter, the city engineer of Springs. Later a small street in Nuffield carried his name." (Comment by Thinus Coetzee on FB). |
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