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31 July 2018 Photo Leonie Bolleurs
Decor and building products showcased at BloemBuild Expo
Want to build your own home? On offer at this year’s BloemBuild Expo was something for everyone, from the prospective student who wants to study architecture, to property developers. Ilana Serfontein from Acorn Construction and Zack Wessels, one of the organisers of the event from the UFS Department of Architecture, contributed to the success of this annual event.
With the recent drought in many parts of South Africa, the theme for this year’s BloemBuild Expo was ‘How to survive the drought’, with much emphasis on energy-saving materials, grey-water systems and environmental-friendly products. Some presentations, supporting the theme, included talks on design for sustainability, nature-based solutions for drought conditions as well as the role of grey-water systems for food security.

The University of the Free State (UFS) was this year again the host of the Expo which provided a showcase for the latest décor trends and building products. The event that took place in the Callie Human Centre on the Bloemfontein Campus was presented by the South African Institute of Architects Free State Region in conjunction with University Estates and the Department of Architecture.

Students from the Department of Architecture exhibited their models and took first place in the Corobrik tower building challenge. Also from the Department of Architecture was a lecture by Kobus du Preez on the ‘Architectural Highlights of Bloemfontein’. Jan Ras from the same department delivered a lecture: ‘To architect or not to architect – how to choose your architect’. 

Ras said the relationship between homeowner and architect stretched over several months: from the first meeting until the key is put in the front door. He said he believed professional architects were there to make dreams come true. 

Visitors could enjoy, view and take part in the Expo which offered something for everyone including academics, members of the community, the industry and professionals. 

This year’s event also saw a big colouring-in competition in which members of the public took part in

News Archive

New Genetics building on Bloemfontein Campus spirals into new frontiers
2015-09-11

On Thursday 3 September 2015, the Department of Genetics hosted the official opening of its new offices on the Bloemfontein Campus of the University of the Free State (UFS).

Prof Jonathan Jansen, Vice-Chancellor and Rector of the UFS, Prof Neil Heideman, Dean of the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, and Prof Paul Grobler, Head of the Department of Genetics cut the ribbon, symbolising the opening of this building with its state-of-the-art facilities.

The new genetics building boasts a new administration block with a reception area, seven offices, a small committee room, and a seminar room for 50 people. Furthermore, the undergraduate laboratory block provides a laboratory for 150 students. The research block has facilities for 30 researchers.

This building also hosts a chemical waste sorting and storage facility. This is a first for the university.

Several sites were investigated for the new building, but due to its size and envisaged second phase, a “green fields” site was found on the western side of the campus. The main entrance caters for visitors from the north, students on foot, and those using the parking area in front of the library. The secondary south entrance is for those who use the dedicated parking area south of the building. The link between these two entrances is the spine of the building, a helix with services/buildings spaced on either side. The helix will be extended in the second phase to keep the circulation and linkage of buildings as simple as possible.

In his opening speech, Prof Grobler gave a breakdown of the history of the Department of Genetics. Today, this department, which opened its doors at the UFS in 1960, is proud of its 131 students and 46 honours students.

According to Major-General Edward Ngokha, Head of the Forensic Science Laboratory, students who graduate from the UFS in the field of genetics make excellent employees. The Forensic Science Laboratory has employed 25 honours students since the BSc Honours degree in Genetics was implemented in 2010.

“The UFS delivers education of high quality and high standards. Thank you for your contribution toward fighting crime by delivering well-prepared, committed employees,” said Major-General Ngokha.

The department presents programmes on population conservation genetics, plant molecular genetics, cytogenetics, forensic genetics, forensic science, human genetics, and behavioural genetics.

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