The Association of South African Quantity Surveyors (ASAQS) held their annual conference and gala dinner at Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand on 1 - 2 August 2017.  The focus of the gala dinner was to acknowledge outstanding academic achievements and contributions made to the construction industry.  Students and staff from the Department of Construction Economics were among those who received awards. 

The recently published “Standard System of Measuring Building Work Seventh Edition Illustrated and Explained” was a collaborative effort by academic staff of the Department of Construction Economics and the ASAQS.  The authors that contributed to the book were Prof Thys Sigle, Prof Tinus Maritz, Prof Hoffie Cruywagen, Inge Pieterse and Elzane van Eck.  The ASAQS awarded these individuals for their contribution to the Quantity Surveying body of knowledge in this regard.  The aim of the SSM7 Illustrated and Explained is to provide examples, pictures and illustrations liberally to explain terminology and rules that may be foreign to especially first time users of the Standard System.

Another contribution to the QS industry was the publication of the booklet “Green Building in South Africa. Guide to Cost and Trends”.  This booklet was produced as a result of the joint effort of the Department of Construction Economics, ASAQS and the Green Building Council South Africa (GBCSA).  Mr Danie Hoffman received an award from the ASAQS for his extensive work towards producing this booklet.  This booklet is envisaged to keep the built environment updated on green building costs and trends.