Terakon Architects and Engineers
What does your company do?
Terakon (Pty) Ltd is a 100% black woman owned built environment Turnkey Construction and Consulting services firm. Our services range from Architecture, Land Surveying, Property Development, Electrical and Mechanical Engineering Solutions. Our Turnkey business is structured to offer the convenience of an uncommon “one stop shop” to our clients. We are committed to not just making business profits, but to Social and Climate resilience. We conceptualise people’s ideas, design, then build. All that is required is an approved brief then we Plan, Design and Implement the projects in consultation with, but on behalf of Clients. We are currently working on a project in the Squatter Camp of Soul City in Mogale City where we are collaborating with the community and exploring Climate-resilient building methods using recycled 2ltr bottles and plastics. Terakon consists of Professionally Registered Architects and Engineers who form an experienced, creative and demographically diverse team.
What is your biggest success?
Our greatest achievement to date is being appointed to provide Turnkey construction services for designing and building the new Red Ants Security Control Rooms and Firearms Safe. This is the first of its kind in Africa. This building is Climate-resilient and can withstand an earthquake within a 5m radius without moving. This building is green! This has been an amazing opportunity for me as a woman to lead a team of more than 100 construction workers and complete the project successfully. However, our greatest achievement is the community work that we do by spreading awareness and adaptation of Climate-resilient building methods.
What has been your biggest hurdle?
We are now trying to test an eco-brick made out of recycled plastics and glass for commercial use. We are aiming to start producing bricks to be sold at large hardware shops like Builders Warehouse, Leroy Merlin etc. This brick manufacturing can be taught and done to various communities; providing job and business opportunities to anyone willing to learn. We have two challenges namely: Our biggest huddle is buying brick machines to the total value of R260 000. The next one is founding a reliable, but affordable website and Digital Markerter. We could use the marketing exposure to reach influential people who can help us grow more.
