SD Issue 15 Digital

ISSUE 15 | 2018

1

2 structure & design | ISSUE 15

PUBLISHER FIFTEENTH ISSUE

Structure And Design Media CONTENT

MARKETING SPACE OF THE MONTH
08 | Simbisa Brands In Msasa
Clive Mapfumo MAIN PROFILE
Newton Musara 22 | Smatsatsa Office Park, Borrowdale
Simbarashe Zvidza INTERIOR DESIGN
+263 779 141 137 42 | Classic Living Lands In Mount Pleasant
+263 772 233 086 COMMERCIAL PROFILE
+263 8644 224 569/70 45 | Zimoco Service Centre, Borrowdale
DRIVE DESIGN
DESIGN & LAYOUT 53 | Renault Stepway and Logan

Tami Zizhou Case Construction
Tichakunda Majena CONSTRUCTION NEWS
58 | Harare Bmx Project
CONTRIBUTORS MATERIAL FOCUS
67 | Union Hardware’s Tips On Planning
Michael Nott A Successful Building Project
Tariro Ndoro
3
PHOTOGRAPHY

Michele Fortmann
Structure & Design

SUBSCRIPTIONS

+263 8644 224 570

EMAIL

[email protected]
[email protected]

WEBSITE

www.structureanddesign.co.zw

FIND US AT

31 Alexander Rd, Highlands, Harare

While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy
of its content, neither editor nor publisher can be held
responsible for any omissions or errors: or for an y

misfortune, injury , or damages which may arise there-from.
All rights reserved. Cop

Structure and Design M agazine:
No Part of this magazine may be reproduced or transmitted
in any form or by any means electric or mechanical, including

photocopying or recording.

4 structure & design | ISSUE 15

5

Structure & Design Team

[email protected]

S&D PARTNERSS&D PARTNERS

PUBLISHER’S MEMO

Spring is finally upon us and, in keeping Because of the increased traffic and congestion In Construction News, Harare BMX (bicycle
with the times, the 15th installation of in Harare’s central business district, commercial motocross) is currently restructuring their track.
Structure and Design is a celebration business are moving out of town and Smatsatsa Inspired by the UK track in Manchester, Harare BMX
of new things. This month’s featured projects are Office Park is the new place to rent. Located plans on making their course more challenging by
all about aesthetics but don’t let the bright colours in Borrowdale, to the west of Borrowdale Race refurbishing their Pump Track (page 58).
and sleek designs fool you, the featured spaces Course, this new office park was carefully designed
are also highly functional. to suit Zimbabwe’s climate. The innovative Cello Our design spotlight for the month is Classic Living
Screen regulates sunlight, making blinds and (page 46) and lastly, Anne Higuera of Union Hardware
To kick us off, Msasa Food Court along Mutare curtains a thing of the past. Thembi Mahachi returns with building tips for the beginners (page 67).
Road has recently been revamped. The various also contributed in landscaping with water wise All structure and design content and much more is
food courts located in Msasa (Pizza Inn, Chicken plants that make Smatsatsa a pleasant working available online at...issuu.com/ structuredesign or
Inn and others) were acquired by Simbisa environment (page 22). SDMagzim. Head there now to use our extensive
Brands after the disbanding of Innscor Foods. resource of top local projects and products
Simbisa Brands engaged Rio Douro as the main ZIMOCO Service Centre for specialised cars has
contractors to revamp their outlets according also revamped their workspace. The service All structure and design content and much
to new specifications and the results are centre, located behind their showroom at Sam more is available online at...issuu.com/
stunning. The Msasa outlet can now comfortably Levy’s Village, can now accommodate ten vehicles structuredesign or SDMagzim
accommodate 200 diners and the kitchens are at a time. Designed by Isaac Levy, the centre is
now more efficient. The overall design is eco- spacious and immaculate, with a high roof and Head there now to use our extensive resource of
friendly with an outstanding décor (page 8). sleek tiling (page 45). top local projects and products.

Structure & Design Team

[email protected]

S&D PARTNERS

7

SPACE OF THE MONTH

MSASA FOOD COURT
has a major facelift

text by Michael Nott
photography by Michele Fortmann

THE REDECORATED and revamped Msasa Food Court ‘Simbisa’ is a Shona word meaning ‘to strengthen’ or ‘to empower’
opened on 21st August this year. The entire makeover and represents what the business and its people stand for; the
took around 8 weeks to complete and also included endeavour to create and sustain a strong and empowered brand
setting up a new Nando’s outlet to replace the old Steers across all the regions of Africa. Simbisa has an environmentally
Restaurant. The food court now includes Chicken Inn, Pizza sound operating procedure in terms of sourcing locally produced
Inn, Creamy Inn, Baker’s Inn, and of course Nando’s, so there’s and sustainable ingredients and eco-friendly waste management.
definitely something to suit everyone’s tastes. The Food Court, They also support a number of initiatives providing financial
situated along the Mutare Road, has long been a favourite for sponsorship for sporting endeavours, the underprivileged and the
people living and working in Msasa and the surrounding areas. It World Peace Games. They help stimulate the economy by providing
was also a convenient stop over for long distance truck drivers to great employment opportunities and they have on-going training for
stock up before or after their journeys. The Food Court was in need their staff to upgrade their skills.
of up-dating and restructuring to meet Simbisa’s new specs for all
their outlets.

The Simbisa Brands Limited Group was formed in October 2015
after unbundling from Innscor Africa’s Quick Service Restaurants
(QSR). Their history and experience in the QSR business goes
back over 30 years to 1987 when the very first Chicken Inn outlet
opened in Harare. Since then the QSR business has expanded
phenomenally to own and franchise outlets all across Africa
including Zimbabwe, Zambia, Kenya, DRC, Ghana, Mauritius, and
licensed markets in Swaziland, Malawi and DRC. Simbisa’s brands
include Chicken Inn, Creamy Inn, Baker’s Inn, Fish Inn, Steers,
Nando’s, Ocean Basket, RocoMamas, and Dial a Delivery.

8 structure & design | ISSUE 15

9

10 structure & design | ISSUE 15

11

SPACE OF THE MONTH

PROJECT TIMELINE

week 1

week 2
week 5
week 6
week 8

opening week

12 structure & design | ISSUE 15

13

SPACE OF THE MONTH

The new Food Court is bigger, brighter and
much more colourful and cheerful. The
kitchens have been re-organised to operate
more efficiently with all new updated
equipment and they have been slightly
reduced in size to accommodate more seating
in the front open plan area. The seating
capacity can now comfortably accommodate
over 200 diners in a variety of seating options
that include square tables with brightly
coloured chairs, padded benches and outdoor
seating. Despite the increased seating
capacity it feels spacious and fresh.

The floors have ceramic tiles laid out in light the colours of the Italian flag – red, green and white. The Pizza Inn
cream and pale grey colours to demarcate kitchen is completely open so customers can watch their food being
different walking and seating spaces. The prepared. Creamy Inn is a feast of ice cream colours in pale pink and
ceilings have also been redone and raised a light minty green. The star of the Food Court is, of course, Chicken
slightly to add to the airy and open feeling. Inn which has yellow tiles with a black edging on the counter front. If
Coloured bulkheads in shades of red and all this sounds like a bit too much colour it has been carefully thought
yellow help to break up the expanse of the out and controlled so that the colours are more like details against a
ceiling. Lighting has been vastly improved with mostly plain white background.
LED downlighters set in the ceilings and bulkheads, as well as some trendy
disc-shaped hanging pendants over some of the seating areas.

Although the Food Court incorporates a number of different outlets each
has its own individual identity. Baker’s Inn faces directly on to the verandah,
and in keeping with their logo there are plain white tiles at the back and
deep blue coloured tiles on the front of the counter. Pizza Inn is defined by
a huge painted logo and the tiled counter and back wall includes hints of

14 structure & design | ISSUE 15

SPACE OF THE MONTH
15

There are lit up neon menu boards for each outlet with colourful
and tempting photos of the delicious food options. Because the
Food Court is a family friendly affair there are murals designed
to appeal to children and there is a video games room to keep
the kids amused while their parents are waiting for their orders
or sitting down and enjoying their meals. There’s even a black
granite wash basin where diners can clean up themselves – and
the kids – before or after eating. There’s also a party room which
can be booked for small kids’ groups for special occasions. In
addition there will be an outside children’s’ playground although
not all the equipment has been installed just yet.

Nando’s is set off to the side in a completely separate space – a
requirement of Nando’s design specs.

16 structure & design | ISSUE 15

SPACE OF THE MONTH

No.32 Seke Road,
PROSPECT
04 573735
263 772 253305

17

The renovations and the decor for the new looks were carried out If you haven’t been there yet do yourself – and your family – a
entirely by local service providers and suppliers including: Rio favour and drop in for a meal or a takeaway to enjoy at home.
Douro (main contractors), McWood Shopfitters, Global Shopfitters,
Architectural Aluminium, Creative Systems, Kingson Engineering, They’re conveniently situated and open 7 days a week from 08.00
Chaptron Plumbers and others. The wall branding and shop signs to 20.00, however, Baker’s Inn opens as early as 7am.
were all done by a local company called Jewel signs.

CHAPTRON
PLUMBERS & SERVICES

Tel: 0773571996/0772744127 I Email: [email protected]

Address: IHK Building, 31 South Ave, Harare, Zimbabwe

Our Core Servises

l. New Plumbing Installations
2. Civil Engineering works - Sewer & Water Reticulation
3. Sewerage Works Sanitation
4. Building and Construction
5. Extensive Plumbing and solar Installations (ESKOM)
6. Extensive Seamless Glitter Installations

' Kitchen \ ..-
\ \
[J
·®
RevC 'TY'-\
/ I/
Double socket to
island unit for fridge l

5305 -·

-�

19

SUPPLIERS AND SIMBISA BRANDS
CONSULTANTS IN MSASA

Rio Douro
McWood Shopfitters
Global Shopfitters
Chaptron Plumbers
Barriertech Services

Rocha Granite
Kingson Engineering
Post Corcp Glass & Aluminium
Architectual Aluminium

Creative Systems
Tanoward Colours

PABANG
Seflex Trading
City Roofing

Beta Bricks
Homestyle

Your seafood
destination

OCEAN BASKET BORROWDALE
04 852 189
Store no 7, Entertainment Centre,
Sam Levy’s Village, Borrowdale, Harare

20 structure & design | ISSUE 15

21

MAIN PROFILE

SMATSATSA

OFFICE PARK, BORROWDALE

text by Michael Nott
photography by Michele Fortmann
additional pictures by Kenneth Famba and Nantong International

22 structure & design | ISSUE 15

23

MAIN PROFILE
ORE and more companies are choosing to move
their offices out of the Harare CBD which is
becoming increasingly overcrowded and rundown.

MThe city centre is no longer an attractive place to

conduct business with a myriad of seemingly insurmountable
problems – there’s the congestion caused by the largely
unchecked spread of vendors across the city, decaying
services, a shortage of secure parking and the disorderly and
unruly traffic to contend with. Retailers are moving to suburban
shopping malls and commercial businesses are opting to
relocate to office parks on the outer edges of the city centre.

Some of the newer office parks are sadly quite dull in terms of
their architectural design with the main priority being to simply
compress as much lettable office space into the smallest
possible area, with little concern for aesthetics or comfort.
Smatsatsa Office Park is a welcome exception.

The project has been developed by local company Mutay
Properties (Pvt) Ltd., and Troika Design Workshop, with
Mahachi Gwaze and Partners as Project Managers and
Quantity Surveyors. It’s situated along the Borrowdale Road
just to the west of the Borrowdale Race Course. In fact some
of the offices have a great view over the race course so they
can watch the races from their windows. It’s set slightly back
from the Borrowdale Road just behind some of the other
office complexes, so sadly the very attractive design can’t be
seen from the road. The whole area opposite the Celebration
Centre is fast becoming one of the most desirable locations
for business-related office space. In fact, the brief from the
developers was, in part, to design a building that was fresh
and appealing and that would help trigger more development
in the area.

The Office park is set on 1,4 hectares and is made up of
four three storey blocks with ample parking and landscaped
gardens. Each block has Gross Floor Area (GFA) of 2,740 sq/m
with 465 sq/m being given over to foyers, staircases and
services. This means the office park has over 9,000 sq/m of
Gross Lettable Area (GLA).

24 structure & design | ISSUE 15

PROJECT FOUNDATION LEVEL
25

OUR
PRODUCTS

MANHOLE RINGS
CULVERT PIPES
HOLLOW MOUNTABLE KERB-
STONE
MUNICIPAL KERBSTONE
NEW JERSEY BARRIER KERBS
PAVING SLABS
DRIPSTONE

OOUVPURAORLRPVPOERRUBOOSOEDDXPUUEIPSCCETTSSS

MCHMNHNMCMOUEUAWEOULAUNLNGLVWLLNLNHIVJEICLOEHINOEJECORIWOEEPRRILTTWPRALTSEAEMPSEBLMEPLREILORIYPLKOYPKISINEUOENEUBEBSGSRNGRNAAACBBTSTSRRNAKASSRRBBTTDSIIEOLEOLRERENBNKEKKEKEEEEEARRRRBBMBBSSSSTSTOONNE E
PAPVAIVBNINRGGISCSLLKAABSBSS

DDRRIPIPSSTTOONNEE

POPORSROHOUUESSELEVPPIEIPPREESSTS

VAVLAVLVEEBBOOXXEESS

LGIGLENIEENTTEETBRELBLLSALOSOANCACNKSNKDSDSMBBIESEAASMMISOS N POLES
WTSBRHRSBTWAARHREIASCWANEILSHCKVNLSHKAVSESTMSETRMUSRIUTSBIHTSBSSSSITIOOUNNBPPOOLLEESS

CCOONNTTAACCTT UUSS

259 McCarathy Road, Willowvale, Harare,
25Z9imMbcaCbawraethy Road, Willowvale, Harare
+20643621412468131,468152/ 098056/0484,264161845805/ +263 773 330 299/300
+2in6f3o@77a3cs2e8n8d4co7n1c/ r+e2te6.3co7.7zw3 288 456
infsoa@[email protected].,[email protected]
saalecss@[email protected]

26 structure & design | ISSUE 15

PROJECT BUILDING LEVEL

The buildings have been designed to function
efficiently in our Zimbabwean climate with little or
no need for energy consuming air conditioning. On
the top floor deep eaves overhang the glass walls
providing shelter from the most direct sun light
and heat. On the ground floor and the first floor the
windows are protected by perforated aluminium
screens – Cello Screen – to help control sunlight
and do away with the need for blinds or curtains.
The screens are opaque from the outside while
they are almost transparent from the interiors. The
screens are an attractive silvery grey colour with a
corrugated profile; they’re durable, non-corrosive
and add an extra element of security and privacy.

Sections of the exterior walls are clad in a
combination of signal red and dark grey Hulabond
aluminium composite panels. These panels are low
maintenance as well as being fire retardant and
non-corrosive. The wall sections with no cladding
are painted a crisp white. The front facades of the
office blocks are made up square and rectangular
geometric shapes which could appear quite
harsh and almost brutal, but the blockishness is
successfully broken up by the playful use of colour
and texture. The sides of the buildings are broken
up by balconies and walkways with slick stainless
steel balustrades while each block of offices has a
delightful curved corner at the back. The entrance
to the blocks is through double height glass doors
sheltered by an overhanging portico, which forms a
kind of exterior foyer, as well as contributing a bit of
a grand and imposing ambiance.

27

MAIN PROFILE
28 structure & design | ISSUE 15

PROJECT FINISHING
29

30 structure & design | ISSUE 15

31

MAIN PROFILE

C
M
Y
CM
MY
CY
CMY
K

Inside the foyer a double staircase
leads from the ground floor up to the
first floor. It not only looks impressive it
also functions well for easy pedestrian
circulation. The stairs are clad with
non-slip tiles that look like a pale earthy
granite and the staircase has detailed
stainless steel banisters that echo the
balustrades on the exterior balconies. The
office spaces have 3,0m high ceilings,
rather than the standard 2,4m or 2,6m
height. This not only helps to keep the
offices cooler it also makes the spaces
feel more generous and airy.

32 structure & design | ISSUE 15

33

MAIN PROFILE

The office blocks are set in gardens designed by Thembi Mahachi which are waterwise and low maintenance
and help to soften the look of the structures, and the driveways and parking areas. Although the gardens are
still very new it’s obvious that they will look wonderful when they’re more developed and create a pleasant
working environment – so different from the congested city centre.

Hopefully Smatsatsa will help inspire other developers, architects and designers to create more interesting,
more efficient and more pleasant working environments.

SMATSATSA PROJECT
SUPPPLIERS AND CONSULTANTS

Sino Cement
Pomona Quarries
Acsend Concrete
Hunter Douglas (SA)
Geze (SA)
Vitrex (SA)
Amolas Agencies
ISS
CAAPS
NATIONAL CARPERTS
NANTONG
RED KITCHENS
TALCOURT CONSTRUCTION

34 structure & design | ISSUE 15

35

08 CreatingaroadmapforinvestmentsructringandfundigAABBOOUUTT
DDRRIVIVININGGZIZMIMBBAABWBWE’ES’SRREAEAL LESETSATATETESESCETCOTORRFOFORRWWAARRDD

cuot

modelsinlocalrealestaeOOBBJJEECCTTIVIVEESSem
TheThZeIMZRIMERAELAPLroPpreorpteyrItnyvIensvtemstemntenFtorFuomruims aiscaoncfoenrfeenrceencceencternetdreadroaurnoduntdhethZeimZbimabwabewanearnearleeasl teastteasteecsteocrt.oTrh. iTshis

C Contactsoneo-ndea-ydafyorfuomrumis aisuaniuqnuiequpelaptflaotrfmormforfosrensieonriolorclaolcanl danrdegrieogniaolnianlviensvteosrtso, rdse, vdeelvoepleorpserasndanpdrapcrtaitciotintieornsertsogteotgheetrher

witwhithetihrepiur bpluicblsicecsteocrtcoor ucnotuenrtpearrptasrtos dtoevdeelvoeploapsatrastreagtiecgriocardomadampatop stotimstuimlautelaetecoencomnoicmgicrogwrothwthrtohurgohugphroppreorpteyrty
rinuviensvOtemstemntenatndanddevdeelvoeplmopemnte.nFte. aFteuartinuOgruinrkgteeykanemoytnveoatlauededasrdpedasrrseteiscssip,eaisnt,itoeinrtafecrrotaimvcetivpeanpealndelisdciusscsuisosnisonasndancdasceassetusdtiuedsiefsrofmrom
i loeclaolhcanl tdanrdegrieogniaolneaxl peexrptes,rttsh,isthhisighhi-gchtah-lciebairlneibdreuevsteernivetesnpwtroepvrsiodeverivsdeet.shethperepmreiemrieprlaptflaotrfmormforfonretnweotwrkoinrkgi,ndge, adlemalamkiankginagndand

insiingshitgshftosrftohrethloeclaolcparloppreorpteyrmtyamrkaertk. et.

p oT To participate in one of our industry

ifed defining conferences, please get in

touch with one of our team
members today.

rifK Kfir Rusin
Managing Director
naM
ReRsetsotroinrignginivnevsetksorutrsoicnr@ocanopfienivdfeiendtnse.ccnoemceininZiZmimbabbawbew’se’rseraelaelsetsattaetesescetcotror
surk
Chad Angel
0101 Commercial Manager

ahC ReRdeudcuincigngthtehecoccsohtasdot@foadpfieodvieonntigsn.cgroemraelaelsetsattaetebubsuisniensessisninZiZmimbabbawbewe

moC

ah020c2

azei0lH3E03 PrPorvoidvidnignglgolboablEaalilznaabdenthdreHragesikgoinisnoanlablebsetsptrparcatcicteicesosloultuiotinosntsotocrceraetaetea a
mmoroeresospohpihsitsictaicHetaleeizataddebeodatfhMn@aadanrpkdiieentvinievngnetv&ss.eOctopsmmetrmaetinoentsnrteraedaydmy marakrektet
azile
DofeDoficfcefiiepccihempehmareirnakrigrenktgtesettnseHManeunaardrtnaoystfuACsnopudmeppmrslupyonnli-cayOantgaiolednnsdedmemanadndacarcorsosstshtehererteatial ailnadnd
ruM0404
IdIednetniftyifiynigngkekyeiymnuivnrreavyse@tsmaptimeevneentntso.tcpoomppoproturtnuintiietisews iwthitihninthtehelolcoaclaplrporpoepretyrty
aeH mmarakrektet
rum Leanne Chilvers

0505 Event Coordinator

aeL DeDveevleolpoipnigngananinleidannundesu@tsarpytirewyvenwidtsi.ecdoefmrafrmameweworokrktotoadaddrdersesstshtehelalcakckofof
evE dadtaat,atr, atrnasnpsapraernecnycaynadndstsatnadnadradrsd.s.

na0e606l Thabang Maekana

ahT DeDteetremrmininigngthtehFiesnatsnactteaeEtneoqufoirtifehstehelolcoaclaplrporpoepretyrtmy marakrektebtybdyrdarwaiwnigngonon
rergeigoinoanlaml [email protected]
baan0hi7F0t7

nirP CmrCmoerdaoeetdailnestiglnisngainlaroolcroaoacdalardmMPplerrieirnmnaadeccilepaeaasseEsslpf@nsToeqlatfuorspaoiuritieiternaveseivtnneetsv.sceotsmmtmenetnsttsrutrcutcutruinrignganadndfufnudnidnigng

deM0808

nirp

231 Oxford Road, Corner Hurlingham & Oxford Road, Illovo, 2196, Johannesburg, South Africa.
2 2ZimZbimabbwaebwPreoPpreorptyeFrtoyrFuomru-mww- ww.zwim.zriemalr.ecaolm.com
www.apievents.com

36 structure & design | ISSUE 15 [email protected]

Clean streets ahead

Kennan Properties in conjunction with Team” who will empty the bins on a regular basis Commenting on their relationship with
Miracle Missions and the City of Harare, and then sort the contents for re-cycling. Kennans, Sharon Hook of Miracle Missions
are proud to be part of the “Clean Team” and says that “ it is wonderful when we get
are gearing up for the “Clean up the World During September, members of staff will commitment and help from Zimbabwean
campaign” of September 2018. join the clean team for specific clean ups companies who have a social conscience and
organised by Miracle Missions to clean up share our vision”
Since 2012 Kennan Properties have been areas near our 3 branches in Harare.
actively involved in working towards preserving
Harare as the Sunshine City, cleaning our In addition to the bins and the clean ups,
streets and shopping centres of rubbish. Kennans have joined the worldwide fight
against plastic and in this regard, are producing
Kennan’s latest effort is the placing of bins in jute bags as giveaways for the consumer to re-
strategic places around Harare. These bins will use and reduce the use of plastic bags in which
be maintained by the Kennan Properties “Clean to take your shopping home.

37

38 structure & design | ISSUE 15

39

KITCHEN - LINK

(PVT) LTD

The Home of Expert Décor

For all your contemporary Kitchen, Vanity, Office, BIC & Granite Counter Fittings

CALL US ON +263 4 779 757 36 FEREDAY DRIVE, EASTLEA, HARARE
+263 774 461 353 CAROL 34 GEORGE AVENUE, MSASA, HARARE
+263 775 325 223 RUMBI [email protected]
+263 772 750 941 RICHARD
+263 773 391 612 PATRONELLA www.kitchenlink.co.zw

40 structure & design | ISSUE 15 73

149 The Chase, Mt Pleasant,
Harare, Zimbabwe
0777 888 274, 0719 888 275,

0732 888 274

[email protected]

CLASSIC HOME DECO & FURNITURE

41

INTERIOR DESIGN

Classic Living

We are a homeware store. Our aim is to bring class into
your home selling top of the range quality products at very
affordable prices. We guarantee exclusivity! Try us! We
hope to hear from you soonest.

OUTSTANDING HARDWOOD FLOORS

www.prideofafricazw.com
+263 773 157 975 | +263 772 261 997 | +263 772 264 556

ZIMOCO
Service Centre

NOW OPEN AT

SAM LEVY’S VILLAGE, BORROWDALE

Same day drop off and collection!
Bookings are essential

Located behind the ZIMOCO Showroom
Phone: 0242 885 345; 0242 885 359;
or 0242 885 368
[email protected]

44 structure & design | ISSUE 15

ZIMOCO

Specialised Service
for Special Brands

text by Michael Nott
photography by Michele Fortmann

ZIMOCO opened their brand and up-market setting. ZIMOCO’s head consisting of 324 sq/m of workshop space,
new specialised Service Centre office and main workshop remain situated in spares store, oil store, and reception, in what
on 20th August this year. It’s Workington, an area which many customers was once the Romeo Kitchens showroom.
conveniently situated just behind their found inconvenient to access, particularly as The workshop area has a high roof – 7.5
Borrowdale showroom at Sam Levy’s Village. the traffic jungle in the CBD and the industrial metres at the edge – with skylights cut in to
(See Structure and Design issue #10 which sites continues to become unpleasant to provide good natural light, further augmented
featured the opening of their showroom in negotiate. Their commercial vehicles sales by a new row of high windows. There is
November, 2017.) The showroom and Service still operate from the Harare Showgrounds. additional electrical lighting provided by a
Centre in Borrowdale signal a move to offer series of high bay LEDs, although the natural
customers more convenience in a relaxed The Service Centre is set up in a structure light is normally more than adequate.

45

COMMERCIAL PROFILE
46 structure & design | ISSUE 15

The workshop has a light grey floor that’s durable and
immaculate – no old grease stains or oil spills, no tools
or parts lying around. Yellow stripes demarcate the 9
separate work bays. The floor is a 200 mm thick slab
specified by a structural engineer to be strong enough
to support four 4 post lifts or jacks and two 2 post lifts,
making it easier for the specialist mechanics to get access
underneath the vehicles.

The workshop was designed by Isaac Levy in consultation
with Rudi Botha (ZIMOCO’s Project Manager and Business
Development Manager), Nick Leondis (Workshop Manager
for the Borrowdale Service Centre) and the rest of their
specialist team. Vehicle access to the workshop is through
a large roller shutter door. There’s an oil storeroom where
their supply of high quality Motul oil is kept, a compressor
room and the parts storeroom all laid out to be easily
accessible. The result is a light, bright, airy workshop
that’s super efficient and tailor made to meet their needs.
And there’s a dedicated wash bay just outside the main
entrance so vehicles are returned in the spotless condition
which they deserve.

The workshop reception is suitably elegant for their upmarket
and discerning customers with a granite topped desk set
in front of a dark grey feature wall with the trademark silver
Mercedes-Benz logo. Seating is provided by black leather and
chrome sofas and chairs and a complimentary refreshment
tray for tea, coffee, water and juice.

47

The workshop caters for luxury brands Mercedes-Benz, Jeep, Chrysler,
Mitsubishi and GWM. The workshop uses state of the art equipment
including the Star Diagnostic System specifically developed for
Mercedes-Benz and the WITECH Diagnostic System developed for
Jeep and Chrysler. This sophisticated diagnostic equipment not only
links worldwide with the manufacturers, but it also has the ability to
communicate with your car in identifying fault codes and performance
history. Their highly skilled technicians have been trained by Daimler
AG as well as by Jeep and Chrysler and are completely up to date with
most modern information. And, of course, only genuine guaranteed
parts are used.
The Service Centre is specifically intended to be a drop off and
collection point for light services with a same day turn around,
although they can provide overnight storage if necessary. At the
moment they can cater for up to 10 vehicles per day. More serious
repairs are referred to the larger workshop in Workington.

48 structure & design | ISSUE 15

COMMERCIAL PROFILE

A typical minor service consists of:
• Engine oil Change

• Engine filter change
• Air filter inspection
• A/C filter inspection
• Brake inspection
• Interior lights inspection
• Exterior lights inspection
• Windshield wiper inspection
• Battery inspection (including remote key)
• Shock absorbers inspection
• All bushes inspection
• Tyre inspection (wear and pressure)
• Belt inspection
• All oil level checks (engine, gearbox, diff, transfer)
• All fluid level check (p/steering, brake, coolant, washer)
• Operation of electrical components
• Component checks of steering parts
• Component check of ball joints
• Component check of suspension parts
• Wheel bearing play and noise
• Reset service internal on cluster
• Fit correct reflectors where necessary
• Fit new service sticker
• Report on all leaks
• Estimate and report on all repairs needed

Booking is essential:
Call: 885345, 885359, 85368 or
email: [email protected]

Book now to take advantage of their Spring special offering 15%
discount on labour and parts.

49

COMMERCIAL PROFILE
50 structure & design | ISSUE 15