SITUATION
The Royal Albert Hall is one of the UK’s most treasured and distinctive buildings, recognisable the world over. Since its opening by Queen Victoria in 1871, the world’s leading artists from every kind of performance genre have appeared on its stage. This shared experience of the very best of live performance is now enjoyed by well over a million people each year.
The main ground floor atrium area required a flat, durable and smooth floor, which would receive final floorcoverings at the earliest possible opportunity. Boasting a superb portfolio of successful commercial installations, ARDEX specified the perfect system solution for this prestigious project.
SOLUTION
ARDEX teamed up with East West Flooring to deliver the ideal flooring solution for a refurbishment project at the Royal Albert Hall.
Once the existing floor had been removed, ARDITEX NA (in some countries known as ARDEX K 60), an ultra-rapid setting latex sub floor levelling compound was applied to the 400m² area. ARDITEX NA’s rapid setting properties mean that floorcoverings can be applied after just 4 hours, and its adhesion and flexibility make it perfect for levelling concrete, cement/sand screeds, and many other substrates. The ammonia free formulation proved an added bonus, making it perfect for use in such a high trafficked public area.
To complete the system, the Freudenberg rubber floor tiles were fixed with ARDEX AF 2300. Ideal for use with rubber floorcoverings, ARDEX AF 2300 is a single part, water-based, low odour and solvent free adhesive. It offers excellent early and long-term adhesive strength, and allows the installation of rubber floorcoverings up to 4mm thick without the need for the adhesive to develop tack.
Commenting on the project, Terry Nevill-Jones of East West Flooring said, “We were delighted to work on this project, and it was of course essential that we assured our client of a totally proven solution. By working with ARDEX things are never ‘left to chance’ – the job is always delivered on time, on budget, and with outstanding results”.
SITUATION
Residing alongside the River Thames in Reading is the site of the King’s Meadow swimming pool. It originally opened in 1902 as the Ladies Swimming Baths and is the oldest outdoor public pool from the early Edwardian era in existence. 40 years after its closing in 1974, ARDEX products were used to modernise the pool facilities, while retaining its original character.
SOLUTION
A thorough process was followed from start to finish. In an initial site visit, the ARDEX UK team determined the requirements of the works, including any product performance attributes that would assist the contractors. From this, a detailed product and application specification, recommending a specialist swimming pool tiling system with fast drying properties to assist with the exterior working conditions, was produced:
- ARDEX A 38 Ultra Rapid Drying Internal and External Screed Cement
- ARDEX AM 100 Rapid Hardening One Coat Tiling Render
- ARDEX S 7 PLUS Flexible Waterproof Coating for Swimming Pools
- ARDEX MICROTEC X 77 Flexible Wall and Floor Tile Adhesive, ARDEX S 21 Rapid Hardening Floor Tile Bedding Mortar
- ARDEX-FLEX FL Rapid Setting Flexible Tile Grout
Following any ARDEX specification, training and demonstrations are available to fixers to ensure they are familiarised with the products before starting the works. And throughout the project, and after its completion, regular site visits ensure the application went as planned and any queries are addressed.
For the client, the quality of finish was their most important priority, and the combination of the products specified, support provided at all stages of the project and technical capabilities of the contractors, meant the swimming pool was finished to their high standards. In addition, although speed wasn’t a leading factor for the contractors, the fast-drying properties of the tiling system not only meant the works weren’t as susceptible to the adverse effects of weather in the exterior working conditions, but also kept the entire project moving along at a pace acceptable to the customer.
The new site opened in 2017 as the Thames Lido, and incorporates a new swimming pool, spa, restaurant, bar and event space; and importantly, whilst the facilities have been completely modernised, the design itself has retained the appearance and theme of the old building. The main attraction of the site its 25m outdoor heated swimming pool, which was built inside the existing pool shell to carry the original shape and features through to the new design; this method also prevented damage to the building’s foundations, which could have been destroyed if the existing pool was removed.
SITUATION:
Renowned manufacturer of quality flooring systems, ARDEX UK, teamed up with the UK’s leading flooring contractor, Loughton Contracts, to deliver a 40,000m2 flooring refurbishment at Heathrow Airports Terminal 1. Boasting an excellent portfolio of successful large-scale commercial installations, the proven duo specified the perfect ARDEX System Solution, which enabled final floorcoverings to be laid at the earliest opportunity.
The recent refurbishment of Terminal 1, which handles around 12 million passengers yearly, encompassed the check-in, baggage system and arrivals concourse, resulting in passengers experiencing a faster and more comfortable journey from check-in to take off.
CHALLENGES:
- A 40,000m2 large-scale commercial installations
- The frefurbishment handles around 12 million passengers yearly encompassed the check-in, baggage system and arrivals concourse.
SOLUTION:
Once the existing floorcoverings had been uplifted and the subfloors mechanically prepared, ARDEX’s most revered low odour latex smoothing compound, ARDITEX NA was applied. A self-smoothing, protein free latex levelling compound, ARDITEX NA has been developed for use on virtually all substrates and it can be laid from a feather edge up to at least 12mm in a single application. In addition, thicknesses up to 30mm are possible when ARDEX Aggregate is incorporated into the mix. Offering excellent properties of adhesion and flexibility, ARDITEX NA is perfect for levelling concrete, cement/sand screeds, flooring grade asphalt, quarry tiles and even internal steel decks without priming. The ammonia free formulation proved an added bonus, making it perfect for use in such a high trafficked public area.
A combination of floorcoverings from Nora Flooring Systems UK Limited, namely Nora Ultra Grip rubber safety flooring with increased slip resistance, and Norament 925 Grano rubber floor covering for extra high traffic areas, were fixed with ARDEX AF 2300 advanced adhesive. Ideal for use with rubber floorcoverings, ARDEX AF 2300 is a single part, water-based, low odour and solvent free adhesive. The adhesive offers very good early and long term adhesive strength, and allows the installation of rubber floorcoverings up to 4mm thick without the need for the adhesive to develop tack. In addition, ARDEX AF 2300 is easy to apply and due to its high yield has a very competitive cost per m².
Commenting on the project, John Collier, Sales Director of Loughton Contracts said, “This large installation required a proven, fast track solution that would ensure minimum disruption to the airport. By working with ARDEX we could deliver exceptional results, and the peace of mind that is synonymous with ARDEX’s advanced flooring products, assured a rapid and perfect finish, completed on schedule”.
PARTICIPANTS:
Loughton Contracts
SITUATION:
Tottenham Court Road London Underground Station opened as part of the Central London Railway on 30th July 1900. Today, due to its location in the capital, it connects over 150,000 passengers daily around London, and this is expected to increase to over 200,000 when Cross Rail serves the station in 2018. The design required DMC Contracts Ltd to complete a full wall and floor tiling installation including bespoke made precast skirtings and treads for stairs and walkways.
CHALLENGES:
- High bond strength was required to cope with the passing train vibrations and heavy foot traffic
- Underground location made moisture-resistant materials key
SOLUTION:
The installation process comprised of breaking back to the existing substrate, making repairs where required using ARDEX repair mortars and screeds and installing Expamet Riblath. London Underground Limited recommends the use of EXPAMET 267 Stainless Steel Riblath. The metal sheets are ideal for use in refurbishments of damaged, deteriorated walls. They also provide a secure sound background for the underground environment. ARDEX AM 100 was applied to the Riblath, which were all profiled to suit the natural curve of the wall. ARDEX AM 100 provided a smooth surface, to required levels, ready for tiling in just two hours. ARDEX X 78 MICROTEC was used because of its extremely high bond strength and semi-pourable properties, which help the tile fixers achieve solid bed fixing tile while also speeding up the installation process for the floor tiles. ARDEX X 77 MICROTEC was used on the walls because of it is resistant to moisture ingress and has high bond strength to cope with the vibrations from passing trains and heavy trafficking of the passages and platforms.
Dave McCartney, Chief Executive of DMC Contracts Ltd. commented, “We have a long standing relationship with ARDEX UK and have worked for many years with their team in developing designs and completing a number of major projects across the UK to the satisfaction of our clients.” Paul Forrester, ARDEX Business Development Manager said, “Since the opening of the Underground Station it has seen many modifications over the years and this project has been the biggest yet. The main benefits for DMC using ARDEX products were not only the rapid drying times and strength of the finished product, but also the technical onsite support we can offer at every stage of the project.”
PARTICIPANTS:
Contractors:
- DMC Contracts Ltd.
- Taylor Woodrow BAM Nuttall
SITUATION:
Westminster Cathedral is one of the busiest churches in the United Kingdom. Located in the heart of London, it is the Catholic mother-church of England & Wales. To mark the centenary of the Battle of the Somme, the barrel vault ceiling and main arches of the Chapel of St George and the English Martyrs underwent a complete redesign.
The new design was commissioned to renowned artist Tom Phillips CBE RA and was made of hand cut Venetian glass and gold-faced tesserae. Over 500,000 pieces covered the 120 m2 area.
CHALLENGES:
- Active church, minimal disruption allowed
- Centuries of candle soot on the ceiling
- Over 500,000 pieces of glass and gold-faced tesserae
SOLUTION:
TMRC was awarded the renovation project, headed up by one of the UK’s leading specialists, Gary Bricknell. Bricknell worked with Adam Willmott, ARDEX Business Development Manager, to create a system for rendering the concrete ceiling and the brick side walls with decades of soot contamination. ARDEX AM 100 Rapid Hardening Tiling Render was chosen for application to a mechanically fixed expanding metal lathe. ARDEX AM 100 is pre-blended, meaning it can be easily mixed with an electric paddle mixer at the workface, as use of a cement mixer in the busy church was not an option. ARDEX AM 100 allowed the tiles to be fixed after only 2 hours, minimising the overall installation time.
ARDEX X 7 Flexible Tile Adhesive provided a good working time window for the intricate mosaic with an impressive 5 hour pot life. ARDEX-FLEX FS Flexible Tile Grout, a water and dirt repellent tile grout, is tested to ensure a uniform colour distribution which eliminates streaking during mixing.
PARTICIPANTS:
Specialist: Gary Bricknell
General Contractor: The Mosaic Restoration Company (TMRC)
Artist: Tom Phillips CBE RA
SITUATION:
At 40 years old, the Stratford Park Leisure Centre was in need of refurbishment. In 2015, Stratford District Council and Sports and Leisure Management Ltd invested £5 million to improve the centre’s facilities and create a first class building for the town.
CHALLENGES:
- Area of renovation included a 33 metre swimming pool and 1000 m2 of tiling in a shallow teaching pool
- Pool tank was rough and uneven, needed a system for rendering, waterproofing and tiling
- Tight time constraints required a fast track solution
SOLUTION:
In conjunction with Cheshire Wellness, specialist tiling contractor WB Simpson & Sons Ltd were appointed to carry out the renovation; and opted to use an extensive range of ARDEX products throughout the installation. Adam Willmott, Business Development Manager at ARDEX UK, specified the system of ARDEX products and said, “When we conducted our first site visit to assess the work required, we saw the pool tank…needed a system for rendering, waterproofing and tiling. In addition, due to the time constraints the contractors were under, a fast track solution was required, so our specification included products which minimised drying times and allowed the subsequent stages to commence as quickly as possible.”
Willmott added,“We also needed a separate system for installing the Bamberg Channels, which involved screeding the base of the channels and backfilling them. Using ARDEX S 21, the contractors were able to screed in shallow depths and quickly move on to fixing the channel blocks.”
Anthony Parrott, Director at WB Simpson & Sons Ltd, commented: “We have been using ARDEX products for 25 years, and have worked with them on a number of swimming pool projects. We have always had a good experience with both their products and their technical support and, as a result, we decided to choose them again for this project. In addition, the client requested a fast turnaround, so they could re-open the pool to the public as soon as possible – so we were under pressure to finish quickly. ARDEX fasttrack products helped us to do that.”
ARDEX UK is a system solution provider of high-performance speciality building materials, and the brand choice for installers and distributors throughout the construction industry.
SITUATION:
David Lloyd is a leading brand in the health and fitness industry with 86 centres servicing approximately 475,000 members across the UK. After being acquired by TDR Capital in 2013, £50m is now being invested into the group to expand its club network and grow membership.
The Colchester site is currently Colchester’s only club with both an indoor and outdoor swimming pool, and boasts spa facilities, a state-of-the-art gym, exercise studios and indoor and outdoor tennis courts.
CHALLENGES:
The site totals 4,845m2, and required approximately 3,500m2 of tiling to cover the swimming pools, changing rooms, walkways and reception areas. The swimming areas included three pools, as well as spas facilities and changing rooms.
SOLUTION:
For the swimming areas Greg Paclawski of Profix Tiling Ltd contacted Adam Willmott, Business Development Manager for ARDEX, for advice on the tiling specification. Paclawski commented, “The ARDEX specification gave the client confidence in the system, and their fast track products meant we could deliver the project within the tight deadline.”
Commenting on the project, Willmott said, “My role was to liaise with all the contractors involved, from Pellikaan through to Profix, to produce a suitable specification and then ensure the subsequent installation went as planned.”
“The system met the contractors’ rigorous standards, passing independent product and application tests commissioned by Pellikaan.” Willmott continued. “Large, varied areas of different types of tiles were fixed throughout the site with a comprehensive system of ARDEX products. The overall result is a stunning leisure facility that will service its members for years to come.”
PARTICIPANTS:
Installers:
Buckingham Pools
Profix Tiling Ltd.
The Hurst Group
General Contractor:
Pellikaan Construction
