59 Construction & Engineering Awards 2020 BUILD Best Bespoke Tile & Surface Design Company 2020 - South Africa & BUILD Eco Award for Sustainable Design 2020 ounded in 2015, as a young team of designers and creatives with keen and trained eyes for design and engineering, Wolkberg Casting are collaborators who constantly think outside of the box. To start, Ramielle gives us a brief overview of the firm and offers more insight into the client base it serves. “As a company, we offer industrial design, product design, interior design and manufacturing services. With a standard range of surfaces used for counter tops, furniture, restaurants, and bars, our products have a very aesthetic look, which we call Dimensions and we have become well known for this. “Typically, our products are used by some of the most prestigious interior designers and architectural firms, and in particular they feature in the Gorgeous George Hotel in Cape Town. Shipping our products was a scary thought initially, however we are really glad that we took this step as some of our products can be seen in Nandos stores and Google head offices globally.” Prior to undertaking any new project, the team focus on collaboration with the specifier who is so often the architect or interior designer. Moreover, as Ramielle goes on to explain, implementing this kind of approach has resulted in the completion of many successful projects. “Through collaboration, we take a brief and turn it into products. Naturally, we always use images and references as inspiration, and we design a brand new Wolkberg product every time. When it comes to new product design, we take the time to pay attention to the details, usability, fit, form, function, price, sustainability, and longevity. By following our design process that usually starts with the initial client meeting, everyone should be reading from the same page. From there, we then go into incubation and brainstorm the ideas internally as a team so we can meet the client again and narrow it down before proceeding to the cost of the project itself. Once the order is confirmed by paying a deposit, the product development starts which is a six to eight-week period for a tile and can be longer depending on what product it is and at what volumes.” The industry of tile and surface design can be an extremely competitive one to operate in, however as Ramielle explains further, innovation has been a key factor behind Wolkberg Casting remaining at the forefront of the industry. “Innovation Limesite is a high-performing concrete, which spent three years in R&D. Originally, we set out to create a pre-cast concrete countertop that was above all other concrete countertops in the market. Through the R&D phase we realised that we could and should push the limits beyond what we originally planned on doing. Of course, this was exciting, however we were fully aware that taking an innovation to the market is no easy task. With a strategic marketing approach, targeting the early adopters in our case, we knew they would be our tribe and if we could get them excited and see the potential in this innovation it will then diffuse to the large markets as we progress. Limesite is so versatile and easily mouldable, allowing us to cast various different shapes and in different colours. “Offering a bespoke design and manufacturing service, we believe our strong brand identity is also another reason why people want to work with us. Interior designers and architects want to offer the very best products and services and according to our clients, we play our part in that by making dreams come true.” Bringing the interview to a close, Ramielle signs off by revealing the future prospects of the business and shares one or two plans moving forward. “COVID-19 has hit this sector hard, however we are all hopeful things will turnaround and we truly believe everything happens for a reason. In spite of the pandemic, we were still able to focus on the larger corporates who still had money to spend. “In 2021, we aim to become water positive and we will be applying for our green building ratings as we work towards our net zero goals. Currently, we have an 81% recycled material and 100% South African product range, and we want to expand on our green product offerings in the future. From the outset, we wanted to create a legacy that we can be proud of and that our people can be proud to call a South African product. Looking back, I think we have achieved our goal.” Company: Wolkberg Casting Studios Contact: Ramielle de Jager Web Address: www.wolkberg.com F Wolkberg Casting Studios is an innovative Industrial Design and manufacturing company based in Ruimsig, South Africa. Following their success in the Construction & Engineering Awards 2020, we got in touch with Ramielle de Jager to find out more. Sep20651
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