The New Vision / Pro Plan Partners Project
The factory is located on Plot 19-21, 1st Street and Plot No. 4, 3rd Street. The building stretches into a junction on these two streets, at the epicenter of Kampala’s main industrial hub, where not only strategic visibility is enjoyed but is also a significant neighbourhood for other corporate company homes.
The conclusion of this project blends in with what the New Vision Printing and Publishing Company Limited stands for, as a modern multi media enterprise and for what it is worth, catering for the rapid growth that the company has gone through and continues to anticipate. This phased construction which was undertaken by Pro Plan Partners started in October 2008 and was concluded by March 2010. It comprises of the printing section, television, Bukedde Studio and parking space.
The New Vision has finally launched the final/ 3rd Phase of its factory.
Design Concept
The undertaking of the project in phases reduced inconvenience to office users. The first phase of the project catered for the main printing facility and was completed in 2001. The 2nd phase was completed in 2004 and both phases were successfully completed within their slated short time of 6 months.
The buildings design offers space with large spans of public areas. It covers a total area of more than 4,350m2 located on 2 levels, with 2 floors – that is the basement and 1st floor. Therefore, the design plan consists of robust walls that are purely cement concrete blocks and sleek steelwork. The ground floor hosts the material storage room, the pre- press room, a workshop for maintenance, the spare room and toilet facilities. The upper floor makes up the mail room, offices, the finished material store, and the power substation switch room offices. True to its design for modern convenience, there is also a ramp for the handicapped
Studio Finishes
The building’s floor is tastefully yet conveniently furnished with singular floor plans to cater for the different uses. The ground floor is fitted with carpet tiles, the top floor, with ceramic tiles and the porcelain tiles which appropriately fit the reception area. All windows are aluminum and are sealed with steel casements. There is double light for acoustic purposes and it is also fully air conditioned. The plaster board for the studio is modishly painted black. The walls are fortified with cement concrete blocks and painted with vinyl silk and are in sync with an impressionable Armstrong ceiling. The building has 2 standby MANTRAC generators and 3 extra air conditioning systems.
Factory Finishes
The factory is well finished with panels at the main front elevation on 3rd Street. The exterior of the rest of the building is all painted with weather guard paint, which was suitably employed to withstand the vagaries of weather. To counter the characteristic heat, due to various activities in such a setting, the roof and floor are insulated to reduce the heat. The floor is power floated with ceramic tiles on the top floor and for wet areas like toilets. Sufficient parking is provided, with room for 27 parking spaces for visitors. The factory has a cyclone roof for efficient ventilation.
Challenges
The project had limited space compelling the desing to efficiently utilize the area. There also had to be diversion of the drainage systems for sewage and water, without which the project would have been more smoothly executed. Due to the heavy machinery that had to be used, there was need for special reinforcement for steel columns, floors, beams, steel sections, spec frames and even the concrete. Despite all these shortcomings, the project is still a laudable landmark on the infrastructural figures in Uganda’s construction Industry.
Achievements
Pro Plan Partners have achieved the time set for this project, with work well done. The roof was finished with synchrony extractors which are enough to cater for ventilation to the roof. The project design incorporated a gantry crane inside one side of the factory, for heavy loads and provision of tracks through the factory.
This project has been efficiently undertaken by Pro Plan Partners Uganda, as the Project Architects. The firm is committed to delivering comprehensive architectural services of high quality for a wide range of projects varying from repetitive prototypes in remote locations to unique edifices in cosmopolitan centers, by focusing on expertise, creativity, and innovativeness in all projects.
Project Team
Project Architects- Pro Plan PartnersProject Manager-BBL
Quantity Surveyor – BBL
Electrical an Mechanical Engineers – Multi Konsults
Structural and Civil Engineer –Seka and Associates
Main Contractors – Cementers
Subcontractors – Patronics Services
Air Conditions – Airmac
