RadX Construction Group has recently completed a new showroom for Halsted Builders Express in Mutare. The showroom is located in the Paulington Industrial Sites, where the hardware distributor already had a Timber and Bulk Centre.

RadX Construction, a multi-discipline construction firm formed from the merger of Fenix and Berry Juice in 2022, has quickly made a name for itself in the industry. With a strong presence in Zimbabwe, Mozambique, South Africa, and Botswana, RadX serves a wide range of sectors, including mining, industrial, commercial, residential, hospitality, oil and gas and infrastructure. RadX leverages its experience and expertise in remote areas, complete control over its supply chains, and exceptional project management to deliver on its clients’ construction needs.

RadX Construction Group has recently completed a new showroom for Halsted Builders Express in Mutare. The showroom is located in the Paulington Industrial Sites, where the hardware distributor already had a Timber and Bulk Centre.

RadX Construction, a multi-discipline construction firm formed from the merger of Fenix and Berry Juice in 2022, has quickly made a name for itself in the industry. With a strong presence in Zimbabwe, Mozambique, South Africa, and Botswana, RadX serves a wide range of sectors, including mining, industrial, commercial, residential, hospitality, oil and gas and infrastructure. RadX leverages its experience and expertise in remote areas, complete control over its supply chains, and exceptional project management to deliver on its clients’ construction needs.

At the core of RadX’s success are its focused project management capabilities. The company’s dedicated team of professionals worked closely with Halsted, from project inception to completion, to understand their unique requirements and provide tailored solutions.

Initial site preparation for the project began in March 2023, and the full project, including additional works, was completed at the end of September. The project was completed on time and within budget.

Mark Sanderson from Draftworx, a local architectural drafting and design studio, envisioned and brought to life the new building. The new retail outlet is designed in a minimalist industrial style. It blends in with the existing site infrastructure, but there are a few extra items that have been included to improve the flow of traffic and safety for the public.

As visitors pass through the main entrance of the clear-view fenced complex installed by Berrycon, a division of RadX, they are greeted by a wide and spacious car park. The fencing was installed to allow for better visibility of the new outlet from the Bvumba and Newcastle roads.

The entry and exit lanes are clearly demarcated by removable bollards, making it easy for vehicles to navigate the parking area. Another set of bollards separates the visitors’ parking from the contractors’ and receiving bays on the side of the building.

The parking lot is paved with interlocking pavers and bordered by kerbing. At night, it is well-lit by eight solar-powered lights that are strategically placed throughout the lot. The lights have 2-, 3-, and 4-way facing beams to ensure that the entire lot is evenly illuminated.

RadX notes that “the ground conditions allowed for a conventional foundation approach and the overall structure is about build cost efficiency”. The efficiency for this build comes from the steel structure which creates an envelope to house all the trades required by Halsted. The steel structure was expertly supplied and installed by The Steel Building Company.

The building’s steel skeleton is clad with chromadek, a durable and corrosion-resistant metal. Chromadek is coated with a special paint system that is designed to protect the metal from the elements, even in harsh conditions. The paint is also flexible and elastic, making it easy to work with and resistant to damage.

The open-plan interior measures 1,800 square meters, providing ample space to display the different product ranges and allow customers to move around freely. The right rear side of the building contains ablution facilities and a small staff kitchenette. RadX’s client-centric approach prioritises value engineering, ensuring that projects are optimised for cost-effectiveness and efficiency without sacrificing quality. This is evident in the construction of the upper floor offices, which were built with light steel framing and rhino boards, a cost-effective and durable construction method.
Nestled at the back, on the left-hand side of the building, is a cozy eatery called Café du Monde. Customers and visitors alike can enjoy a snack at the counter, which overlooks the surrounding area through a large bay window.

Café customers also have the option to sit outside on the expansive wooden deck, which is accessed through a five-fold glass door secured by a Trellidor burglar bar. The deck can also be accessed from the outside by wheelchair users via a ramp.

Above, the translucent roof panels allow natural light to filter in, while the electrical lights suspended from the steel trusses provide additional illumination when needed. The insulated IBR roof sheets help to regulate the temperature inside the showroom, creating a comfortable environment for customers and staff.

Fire safety protocols have been implemented throughout the building. Firefighting equipment is strategically placed on all floors, and fire escape doors are located on the ground and top floors. This ensures that occupants can quickly and safely evacuate the building in the event of a fire. Additionally, two 5,000-litre tanks ensure that a reliable supply of borehole water is always available.

Stormwater drainage was a prime consideration, as the lie of the land meant that there was a risk of ground runoff flowing into the showroom through the two large entrance/exit doors at the front. This was mitigated by installing drainage channels with ramp access topped with iron grates, as well as gutters on the chromadek roofed awning above as well as the kerbs in the parking area. This ensures that rainwater is efficiently diverted away from the building, protecting the showroom from flooding and damage.

Café customers also have the option to sit outside on the expansive wooden deck, which is accessed through a five-fold glass door secured by a Trellidor burglar bar. The deck can also be accessed from the outside by wheelchair users via a ramp.

Above, the translucent roof panels allow natural light to filter in, while the electrical lights suspended from the steel trusses provide additional illumination when needed. The insulated IBR roof sheets help to regulate the temperature inside the showroom, creating a comfortable environment for customers and staff.

Fire safety protocols have been implemented throughout the building. Firefighting equipment is strategically placed on all floors, and fire escape doors are located on the ground and top floors. This ensures that occupants can quickly and safely evacuate the building in the event of a fire. Additionally, two 5,000-litre tanks ensure that a reliable supply of borehole water is always available.

Stormwater drainage was a prime consideration, as the lie of the land meant that there was a risk of ground runoff flowing into the showroom through the two large entrance/exit doors at the front. This was mitigated by installing drainage channels with ramp access topped with iron grates, as well as gutters on the chromadek roofed awning above as well as the kerbs in the parking area. This ensures that rainwater is efficiently diverted away from the building, protecting the showroom from flooding and damage.

Halsted Builders Express is a family-run hardware store chain in Zimbabwe, founded in 1949. The company has 11 branches nationwide and is known for its wide range of products and its commitment to quality.

Text by Perry Kaande

From: S&D ISSUE 60