WINNER: MOULDFORM KZN CC, DUT CITY CAMPUS - BELL TOWER
The original Bell Tower was removed and sections were re-assembled at the contractors Jacobs factory. Fibreglass moulds were then taken from the sections and silicone moulds from the more complex shapes i.e. the column heads. As the original copper was missing, a new pattern was made for the dome and base.
The laminate was composed of an external isopholic polyester gel coat and in place of exposed timber a brown pigmented gel coat was used. For the copper, a 75% fine copper powder to 25% gel coat mix applied at a rate of 1.2kg m² was utilised.
The structural laminate was a minimum of four layers of chopped strand mat sandwiching in flat surfaces, a 10mm end grain balsa and impregnated with fire retarded polyester resin.
To achieve the green copper patina, the gel coat was abraded to expose the copper particles and acid washed.
The Tower was factory assembled into various sections and delivered to site where they were hoisted by crane and attached to a steel structure by our fixing crew.
