SD Issue 48 Digital

ST ANNE’S IS A
PRIVATE ROMAN
CATHOLIC HEALTH
FACILITY LOCATED
IN AVONDALE,
HARARE. IT WAS
STARTED 1937 BY
THE CATHOLIC
SISTERS OF THE
LITTLE COMPANY
OF MARY. THE
HOSPITAL
HAS VARIOUS
DEPARTMENTS
WHICH INCLUDES
OPERATING
THEATRES (OTS),
INTENSIVE CARE
UNIT (ICU),
CORONARY CARE
UNIT (CCU), HIGH
DEPENDENCY
UNIT (HDU),
EXECUTIVE EN
SUITES, PRIVATE
SINGLE ROOMS,
GENERAL
WARDS AND
THE PAEDIATRIC
UNIT. THEIR
BED CARRYING
CAPACITY IS
ABOVE 100. THE
HOSPITAL IS A
THREE STOREY
STRUCTURE. ST
ANNE’S HOSPITAL
HAS BEEN
INSTRUMENTAL
IN THE
ESTABLISHMENT
OF SEVERAL
SISTER HOSPITALS
INCLUDING MT. ST
MARY’S HOSPITAL
IN WEDZA, ST
PETER’S MISSION
HOSPITAL IN
CHECHECHE
(CHIPINGE),
MURAMBINDA
MISSION HOSPITAL
IN BUHERA AND
MASHAMBANZOU
CARE TRUST IN
HARARE.

ISSUE 48 51

health profile

In 2021 St Anne’s commissioned local
company Distinct Design and Construction
(DDC) to design and build a brand new
helipad on the hospital grounds. Work on
the project started in September 2021 and
construction was mostly completed by the
end of November the same year.

Relevant authorities were engaged to ensure
compliance with regulatory requirements.
These include the Environmental Management
Agency (EMA) and the Civil Aviation Authority
of Zimbabwe (CAAZ).

After clearing and levelling the site Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe (CAAZ) and hospital. One side of the passageway leads to
approximately 1 metre of soil was removed. can support a load of up to 60 tonnes. There’s the paediatric hospital while the other side
Preparing the site for the concrete slab also a backup power supply so the landing gives direct access to the main hospital. There’s
involved installing four layers of sand pad can be used at night even when there’s also ambulance access to the site for accidents
and gravel which were each hydraulically no electricity. CAAZ has installed the radio and emergencies.
compacted and rigorously tested before the communication system for air traffic control
next layer could be added. The surface layer as well as a windsock to help guide the pilots’ Structure and Design spoke to Maria Ngwirima,
is 300mm to 500mm of grade 35 concrete, landing and take-off. General Manager P.A., at St Anne’s Hospital
usually used for pile foundations, with a lattice who kindly supplied more background about
work of 12mm deformed steel bars for extra DDC also designed and built 140m of covered the project.
reinforcement. The concrete premix was walkways so gurneys can access the landing
supplied by Scribante – about 40 loads of pad and transport patients to and from the 1. Why did St Anne’s decides to invest in a
6-8 tonnes each – and cast in 3.8m2 sections helipad and why now?
with expansion joints in between. The slab
took about 28 days to fully cure and had to be
periodically hosed down with water to ensure
it reached the correct strength and didn’t
harden too fast and crack which would have
compromised the final integrity and strength.

The helipad structure was designed in
accordance with specifications from the Civil

St Anne’s Hospital has always endeavoured to
achieve and maintain the highest standards of
healthcare service delivery in Zimbabwe. As
a hospital, we have a holistic approach to our
care, with a vision to make St Anne’s Hospital a
one-stop medical hub. As such, plans to build
a helipad as one of the essential services have
always been in place.

As well as this, operational experiences
of serving patients from the region also
supported/ augmented the decision.
Concretely, there are instances where time to
access services can be the difference between
life and death. For example, during the
covid-19 pandemic, there was a great need for
timely access to medical facilities.

The helipad for St Anne’s would help in
achieving quick access to services for patients
from any part of the country and the world.
In case of emergencies and outbreaks,
the facility will be availed for the purpose
of saving lives. All in all, this was a worthy
investment for the good of humanity and the
nation at large.

52 STRUCTURE & DESIGN

2. Is the construction of the helipad intended Terms guiding this will be put in place to avoid 7. I presume most flights would be bringing
to bring St Anne’s facilities up to international inconveniences in service delivery between patients in to the hospital. Would it also be
standards and also in line with the recent and among healthcare providers. used to take patients out from the hospital
renovations and updating of the hospital’s to the airport or to other facilities?
other facilities? 5. Are there only certain medical services like
ACE or MARS that are allowed to use your The facility will also benefit patients who
Yes, it is. The standards have to be international helipad or is it available for anyone? need to be ferried from the hospital to the
and the recent and ongoing renovations and airport or any other health facilities.
updating of the hospital facilities are part of the Currently, there are no ambulance service
plan. Everything has to match up. providers listed although some have shown 8. How did residents in the area respond to
interest in the use of the helipad. Engagements the building of the helipad?
3. I presume the helipad would be used to with those that have shown interest and those
bring accident and emergency patients to the who will come after will be dealt with as they The advertisement for the helipad was
hospital from remote areas. Is that correct? present themselves. flighted 4 times in our local newspapers and
no objections were received. This led up
This is correct. The helipad would be used to However, any registered ambulance service to the next step of the actual construction
bring patients from any point, near and far. provider who meets approved requirements of the helipad. Some residents were not
The need to treat and serve all with dignity and standards for such purposes will be happy to see some of the indigenous trees
and respect guides St Anne’s Hospital in allowed to use the facility. which were on the route of the helipad
service delivery. being cut down. There were some emotions
6. What else could the helipad be used for? attached.
4. Would other hospitals be able to make Emergency deliveries of drugs and medicines?
use of the helipad? If a patient needed to be 9. How are St Anne’s (and the patients)
transported from a remote area to a medical The helipad will be used for any medical- likely to benefit from the new helipad?
specialist in Milton Park could they make use related emergencies, guided by the SOPs and
of your facility? Guidelines. Any need for use of a helipad that An easy and timely movement to access
may arise will be authorised as long as it is health services that need airlifting.
Yes. Other hospitals will make use of the helipad. within the agreed terms.

We o er personalized, customized and expert solutions to
deliver exible, optimized and sustainable plant solutions
to new and existing clients

No 4. Douglas Road, Workington
Harare, Zimbabwe
+263 242 770223 | +263 242 770855
+263 (0) 772 272 091

ISSUE 48 53

“to leave clear footprints”

Services offered include:
Construction
Renovation
Design

Suite 122 Chester House 88 Speke Ave, Harare +263 773 407 193 [email protected]/[email protected]

ISSUE 48 55

renovation profile

HOWES AND HOMES

Completes Two More Renovation Projects

At Dandaro

text by Michael Nott
photos by Structure and Design
LIZ HOWES FROM HOWES AND HOMES
HAS SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED A
NUMBER OF RENOVATION PROJECTS
AT DANDARO VILLAGE OVER THE
YEARS FOR THE STANDARD TWO-
BEDROOM TOWNHOUSE UNITS.
(WE FIRST FEATURED A HOWES AND
HOMES DANDARO PROJECT IN ISSUE
10 IN 2018.) EACH PROJECT WHICH LIZ
HAS DONE AT DANDARO HAS BEEN
UNIQUELY TAILORED TO SUIT THE
OWNERS’ NEEDS – AND ALL OF THEM
HAVE A DIFFERENT AND DISTINCTIVE
STYLE.

56 STRUCTURE & DESIGN

Liz consults extensively with the owners and
together they work out the interior design plan
and the finishing details. The body corporate at
Dandaro discourages alterations to the exterior
style and the footprint of the homes although
the addition of verandah extensions and covered
porches is permitted. The policy is intended to
maintain the look and character of the Village
but owners are free to customise the interiors
– including the structural layout – to suit their
specific tastes and requirements.

Howes and Homes has recently finished
renovations for two more homes with very
different results. Over the years Liz has built
up a great team of subcontractors which she
frequently works with, including highly skilled
builders, carpenters, artisans and craftsmen.
Her personal supervision and attention to detail
ensures that every project is completed to a high
standard, on time and on budget.

The first home we looked at is a very clean
and modern, open plan design where a
number of the internal walls were moved, or
completely demolished, to totally transform
the internal plan and function of the spaces.
Probably the most significant change was to
the master suite. The wall between the main
bedroom and the smaller guest bedroom was
removed to create one generous and spacious
bedroom and the bedroom door was moved
so there is now direct access from the lounge.
The existing built in cupboards from both bedrooms were removed and
recycled and refitted in a more convenient layout creating an informal
dressing area and some relaxed seating space.

Part of what was originally a guest bathroom has now been incorporated
into the main en suite so there’s now space for a tub as well as a large
shower, and a new toilet and vanity were fitted. Because of the clever new
layout there’s still space for a separate guest toilet with access from the
lounge. New tiles and fittings were installed throughout and new plumbing
was fitted to accommodate the changes.

Despite making the two existing
bedrooms into one there’s still
a second guest suite. What was
originally a domestic helper’s
bedroom and bathroom have now
been incorporated in to the main living
space. The domestic worker’s rooms
were previously self- contained and
independent from the main house
with access only from the small
enclosed kitchen courtyard at the side
of the house. Large double cabinets in
the kitchen were removed so a door
could be fitted from the kitchen to
the guest suite which has an ample
bedroom and a separate shower room
with a toilet and vanity. The original
doorway from the courtyard was
bricked up and new windows were
installed.

ISSUE 48 57

renovation profile

Other structural changes included bricking up the Lazyman
garage door and demolishing the interior wall between the
storeroom and the study. A new window - matching the
existing windows – was installed alongside the main entrance
to the home. This effectively doubled the size of the study/
home office making it a bright, spacious space to work with a
view of the entrance and the small front garden.

The position and the layout of the open plan kitchen was not Provision was made for fresh, up to date appliances. The wall and floor tiles
dramatically changed although the existing cabinets were were replaced and new granite counter tops and splash backs were fitted.
updated with new doors and handles, new pot drawers were It’s now a neat, modern kitchen and feels like an integrated part of the main
fitted, as well as a new double sink and new taps. living area.

58 STRUCTURE & DESIGN

Howes and Home’s scope of work included
all the new electrical and plumbing work,
repairs to the ceilings, cornices and skirting,
new lighting, new floor and wall tile finishes
and a fresh coat of paint inside and out.
In the lounge the fireplace surround was
renovated and a new mantelpiece fitted as
well as built-in shelving and cabinets on one
side. The back verandah and the courtyard
were freshened up and even the front
door was repainted. It’s now an elegant and
functional home that’s perfectly suited to
the owner’s needs and incorporates her
style and taste.

The second home Liz renovated is quite old fibre cement one. The door to the staff bedroom and bathroom remains in its original position in
different in both the style and the interior the utility area so the staff accommodation is completely separate from the main house.
layout. The most distinct difference inside
this home is that rather than preserving In the lounge the fireplace has been refurbished with a new surround and mantelpiece, the door to
the open plan layout between the kitchen the guest toilet has been bricked up and new floors were installed. The existing glass and aluminium
and the lounge a new wall has been built to doors which led to the old verandah were moved outward a few metres to create a new dining room
completely separate the two rooms. The area incorporated into the main living space.
kitchen breakfast counter, which previously
demarcated the two spaces, had to be In contrast to the first home this home is filled with solid timber furniture and bookcases, original
moved back and refitted to accommodate artworks and ceramics which gives it a more traditional character as opposed to the modern feel of
the new partition wall and a moulded door the first home.
from the lounge to the kitchen was fitted. In
the kitchen the cabinets were refurbished Because the original verandah at the back has now been incorporated into the living area to
with provision made for deep pot drawers create the dining room Howes and Homes added a new verandah extension. A floor slab was cast
and new appliances. Granite tops and approximately three metres deep and extending part way across the back wall. A Chromadek roof
splashbacks were fitted and the floor and was fitted with Alububble insulation and a tongue and groove ceiling beneath and a partial wall built
wall tiles replaced. A generous pantry on one side for privacy.
cupboard was provided for extra storage.

The kitchen leads out to the side courtyard/
utility area where a new roof was supplied
and fitted made up of a combination of solid
Chromadek and translucent sheets. There’s
a small gap between the top of the wall and
the roof to allow for natural ventilation. A
new laundry tub was fitted to replace the

ISSUE 48 59

renovation profile

Within the house the two original bedrooms have remained the same size with the
smaller bedroom now used as a dressing room. The main en suite bathroom has
been made larger by incorporating space from the old guest bathroom and a new
toilet and shower have been installed. Fittings have been updated and new floor
and wall tiles fitted to create a more generous, functional and attractive bathroom.
A new guest room, with a small en suite, has been created at the front of the house.
The existing garage has been divided in half with a partition wall so one half becomes
the guest bedroom – with a new window - and the other half, at the front, is now used
as a workshop. Unlike the first house, the Lazyman door is still in place and functional.
A guest bathroom has been fashioned with space taken from the kitchen recessed
area and the staff accommodation and now has a shower, toilet and vanity.

60 STRUCTURE & DESIGN

Similarly to the first house
the scope of work covered
all the main construction as
well as the plumbing, tiling
and electrics – including
the installation of a solar
pressure geyser and moving
the DB board and change
over switch from the garage
to the kitchen. Ceilings,
cornices and skirting were
replaced or repaired where
necessary and the interior
and exterior were repainted.
All the floors were tiled or
fitted with new carpets and
even new curtain rods and
blinds were installed. New
door locks and handles
were fitted and a new stable
door was fitted at the front
entrance.

Comparing the end results
of the two renovations
shows Howes and Home’s
versatility and the wide
scope of their expertise.
Attention to detail and close
supervision ensured the
success of both projects.

ISSUE 48 61

ATRAK A BETTER
PAINTS FINISH

FOR YOUR
WALLS

ATRAK provides high quality premium paint to both residental & commercial clients

PLACES TO FIND ATRAK PAINTS

PAINT EXRESS :Cnr Orr Street & Robson Manyika

ATRAK SHOWROOM : 22 George Drive, Msasa

0788805929 0242-447897 [email protected] Atrak.Paints

62 STRUCTURE & DESIGN

ISSUE 48 63

64 STRUCTURE & DESIGN

Kaylite King Pvt Ltd, based in
Workington, Harare is the only
manufacturer of expanded
polystyrene (EPS)/ Kaylite in
Zimbabwe. They have recently
upgraded manufacturing facility
to include a paneling line that
manufactures insulated panels for
freezer and cold rooms.

Insulated panels are made of
expanded polystyrene or Kaylite
inner and chromodek outer panels.
They are used for a wide variety of
domestic, industrial, and commercial
applications as walls, ceiling and
roof panels for cold rooms, freezers
and food processing buildings. They
are also ideal for use in low-cost
housing, movable site offices, dry
goods warehousing, controlled
environment building such a chicken
house – where temperature control
and insulation values are important.

Kaylite King factory makes panels
to customers’ requirements, on
a per job basis, thus allowing for
bespoke finish that meets any
project requirements. Panels are
manufactured to any required
length or thickness. The factory
also produces are range of swing or
slide doors and supplies cold room
hardware such as latch and strikes,
aluminum channels and angles,
sliding door rails and stoppers, glass
doors and shelving systems.

Support local and enquire today:
[email protected]
Tel: 0242- 620089
Mob: 0786015396

ISSUE 48 65

It is true,

"NYIKA INOVAKWA NEVENE VAYO"
(A country is developed by its very own People)

Culvert Pipes Kerb Stones Prime Bricks t/a Prime
Concrete is proud to be
Zesa Poles Bricks and Pavers partaking in massive road

Concrete products supplier - Prime Bricks t/a Prime Concrete and housing
Project Timelines - Ongoing development projects
across the country by
partnering major Civil
Engineering Companies.
We supply various SAZ

certified concrete
products that include
culvert pipes, manhole
rings, kerb stones, ZESA

poles, valve boxes,
shelvert panels , cement

bricks and pavers etc

www.primebricks.co.zw

9967 IISSSSUUEE3548

80 HOMES & STYLE S MAG AZINE
80 HOMES & STYLE S MAG AZINE

30 George Avenue, Msasa, Harare | Bitumen World (Pvt) Ltd
Tel: +263 (24) 2447 231-3
Email: [email protected] | Civil Engineering Contractors
Website: www.bitumenworld.net

68 STRUCTURE & DESIGN