An Incredible Feat: Wooden Structure in the Maldives
Updated: Oct 12, 2022
An incredible feat indeed! A team of South African professionals with the help of local artisans constructed this stunning new timber tennis court and decking structure at an island resort in the Maldives. Our rubber crumb InstaCradles were used in the surrounding raised decking and it came out beautifully.
We spoke to Luke Hindmarch from HoldFast Access about the job. Jump to see some of the questions we asked him:
What is the building being used for?
The tennis court serves as an additional venue on the island for hosting large functions. The roof itself will be fitted with a solar array to help the resort's power needs. The tennis court also has an elevated view deck with seating for spectators. Below the view deck called the gallery there will be a museum showcasing tennis memorabilia and a bar for sideline refreshments. The tennis court is specked on Australian open parameters.
What are the challenges you have faced, and how did you overcome them?
The project has been filled with challenges. The biggest challenges were in the design and planning stages. During the design phase we had to ensure that all the components could fit inside standard shipping containers when pre-assembled. Planning also requires a lot more attention when you are shipping a complete building. I think the key to any successful project like this lies in the planning. Having reliable suppliers and specialists on your team can also go a long way in minimising mistakes.
What role do our InstaCradles play, and what problems do they solve?
We are always looking for new and innovative ways to help our clients with their projects. For the tennis court view deck, we needed to have a waterproof deck and we decided to use the InstaCradle system for a number of reasons. Firstly, the InstaCradle system allows us to have a floating deck without fixing through the waterproofing below.
Secondly, we needed a product that would still allow the decking to expand and contract seasonally. With the InstaCradle system, the deck is completely independent of the structure below and is able to move freely without creating leaks. [This was important because] a 50x225 mm Pine decking plank can shrink down to 48x217 in the space of a few months.
Lastly, we needed a system that would allow for easy replacement of decking without interfering with the waterproofing below. In terms of the building's longevity the InstaCradle was the way to go.
One of the biggest problems our clients face on tropical islands is waste. Waste and trash has to be segregated, loaded onto barges and shipped to recycling plants and landfills. WASTE on an island costs a fortune to remove. Because of this, we place a lot of pressure on our suppliers to minimise single use plastics. We also prefer to use products that have been made from recycled materials. The InstaCradles ticked all of these boxes for us and our clients.
Who was involved in the project?
- Rogan Hindmarch from CR Projects (Project Manager and Exporter)
- Clifford Toop from Candlewood Projects (Supplied experienced carpenters)
- Pierre Dreyer from Plett Roofing (Design and Prefabrication)
- Deon Botes from Poise (Engineer)
- Luke Hindmarch from HoldFast Access (Rigging, Construction supervisor)
- Rothoblaas (Fixing Supplier)
The InstaCradle system allows us to have a floating deck without fixing through the waterproofing below...
The deck is completely independent of the structure below and is able to move freely without creating leaks.
We also prefer to use products that have been made from recycled materials. The InstaCradles ticked all of these boxes for us and our clients.
Check out the brochure here:
Genius Product Sheet - InstaCradle
.pdf
Download PDF • 262KB
#construction #raiseddeck #deck #decking #tenniscourt #sportsflooring #circulareconomy #sustainability