Olympic Aquatic Centre, London

Project size:

25,000m²

Project information:

The architectural concept of the aquatics centre was inspired by the ‘fluidity of water in motion’ to match the surrounding river landscape of the Olympic Park. This Aquatics Centre was designed to have the flexibility to accommodate the size and capacity of the London 2012 Olympic Games, whilst also providing the capacity for use after the Olympic Games. The aquatics centre consists of two 50 metre swimming pools for both competition and training, with a third swimming pool used for diving.

This project required a proven tiling solution which could deliver fast track completion, as well as the ability to withstand the challenging environment within the aquatics centre during construction including rigorous hygiene demands. ARDEX X 77 was selected for fixing over 866,000 tiles specified for the Aquatic Centre. The product’s user-friendly workability, non-sag performance, and outstanding coverage allowed installers to work more quickly and efficiently to meet the project requirements.

Wai Ariki Hot Springs and Spa, Lake Rotorua, New Zealand

Project Information
Wai Ariki, meaning ‘chiefly waters’, is a luxury hot springs and spa situated on the captivating shores of Lake Rotorua, New Zealand. Grounded in Māori and Ngāti Whakaue healing practices, this hot springs and spa offers guests a relaxing journey they will never forget.

Unique elements:
As Wai Ariki sits on an active geothermal field, a solution was required to prevent the sulphur gas and water beneath from corroding the concrete. The waterproofing membrane needed to be proven and tested to provide 100% airtight installation and long term structural protection.

Solution:
Over 7,000m2 of ARDEX WeldtecTM WPM 1500 Membrane was specified to provide the protective and waterproofing solution needed. The ARDEX WPM 1500 has been specifically tested for New Zealand’s geothermal regions and has been widely used throughout projects within the Rotorua region – giving confidence to RCG Architects this ARDEX Waterproofing Solution met the project’s strict geothermal and waterproofing requirements.

ARDEX also provided the internal Waterproofing and Tiling solution throughout 3,000m2 of floors, floor channels, swimming pools and shower areas which consisted of the ARDEX WPM 002 waterproofing membrane, ARDEX X 10 and ARDEX X 18 tile adhesives, and the market leading ARDEX EG 15 epoxy grout.

ARDEX New Zealand collaborated closely with all parties across the various stages of this project to deliver tailored solutions and service when required.

Therme Lindau, Germany

Installer/Applicator: Reiser GmbH in Bad Saulgau
Architect: 4a Architekten GmbH from Stuttgart

On one of the most beautiful stretches of Lake Constance, the new Therme Lindau invites you to swim and relax. Spacious indoor and outdoor areas with over 20 pools – from the plunge pool and the 50-meter swimming pool to the brine pool – offer the greatest variety. Themed saunas and restaurants top off the beautiful offering.

As grand as the design of the spa and the view, so were the challenges the tile setters faced. “As with any swimming pool, first and foremost everything revolves around impermeability,” explains master tiler Christoph Reiser of Reiser GmbH in Bad Saulgau. “Then there are the many special features and details: the brine pool with its aggressive water, the stainless-steel sports pool, the water bars, the 30 x 60 cm tiles as well as the many mosaic tiles. We laid some of them in organic shapes.“

Challenges

Seemingly floating: If you look out over the large pool through the glass front, the water surface connects with Lake Constance. The effect is similar to that of an infinity pool. Before the elements come together in such a seemingly weightless way, the pool surround made of natural stone had to be precisely installed. “My employees measured it on site – and then had it manufactured so that the pieces interlocked like a puzzle,” Reiser continues.

The connection of the tile to the large stainless-steel basin came with its own challenges and ARDEX employees visited the construction site regularly. “We were there again and again with our specialists to discuss the requirements,” says Jochen Polonyi, Sales Representative of ARDEX Germany. “This allowed us to understand the situation and propose individual solutions in cooperation with our Technical Service and the research and development centre.“

Solution

The procedure they came up with was unique and perfect for the situation: The craftsmen first degreased the stainless-steel rim and bonded the sealing membrane with the heavy-duty sealing compound ARDEX S2-K PU. The adjacent screed edge was neatly filled with ARDEX A 46 stable exterior filler so that it was flush with the stainless-steel edge. Then the recesses were further sealed with epoxy resin and covered with sealing tape.

The brine pool is a special highlight of the spa – and at the same time another challenge for waterproofing with its minerals and salts. The tilers were able to work with the heavy-duty waterproofing ARDEX S2-K PU once again. “We are absolutely thrilled with the quality,” says master tiler Reiser. “Above all, not having to sand is a huge advantage. It saved us time and we didn’t have to dispose of any leftover sand.”

In the brine pool, as in all other wet areas, the epoxy adhesive ARDEX WA was used. It is particularly suitable for areas subject to high chemical or mechanical stresses, such as swimming pools and spas. The surge tanks were sealed with the flexible sealing slurry ARDEX S7 PLUS. The advantage: the consistency can be variably adjusted. This meant that the waterproofing could be sprayed by machine onto ceilings and walls in the surge water tanks.

In total, 12,000 square meters of tiles and mosaics had to be laid. And the delicate manual work takes time. ARDEX S8 FLOW was specifically developed to level and waterproof large areas fast and can be applied with a squeegee standing up. “My employees really want to work with ARDEX S8 FLOW and always ask for it,” says tile professional Reiser. “It’s just easy to work with, and it goes on faster.” To waterproof and level the substrate for the 30 x 60 cm tiles, ARDEX S8 FLOW was applied in two coats.

During the construction phase, there were always changes and additions. Like the bathhouse that was additionally built. “We fully trusted the architect’s vision. Any new idea he brought up, we made it happen,” says Reiser. All the enclosures around the sauna ovens were to be clad in porcelain stoneware tiles. “It was important that the tile adhesive was also heat-resistant.” That’s why ARDEX X 77 was used. The fibre reinforced MICROTEC flexible adhesive is ideal for bonding tiles made of stoneware and porcelain stoneware, concrete and natural stone slabs.

After 16 months of work with an average of 15 employees, Christoph Reiser is pleased with the result. “It was a great team effort on the construction site. Everyone did their part.” The spa has been open to visitors since the summer of 2021.

The Towers & Ritz Carlton, Elizabeth Quay

Head Builder: ProBuild

Contractor: Vercon

Architect(s)/Consultant(s): Cottee Parker Architects & Far East Consortium

Project details:

The Towers & The Ritz Carlton are located on the picturesque Swan River in Perth, Western Australia. These world class amenities are the centerpiece of the Elizabeth Quay development, and the most significant foreshore project ever embarked in Western Australia. The project included 379 residential apartments, 204 room 5-star luxury hotel with penthouses, 6 swimming pools, along with ground floor retail, dining, and event spaces all integrated into this resort-style development.

Challenge:

The sheer size of this project included 60,000m² of tiling products and 20,000m² of waterproofing products. ARDEX were specified for this showpiece development due to our SystemARDEX approach, proven product reliability and performance, and unmatched technical service and field support. The project was required to remain on schedule, and to ensure the specified products matched the project’s environmental demands and performance criteria.

Solution:

ARDEX provided complete tiling and waterproofing solutions for environments such as internal wet and dry areas, balconies, swimming pools, and façade.

Internal and external areas consisted of ARDEX WPM 300, ARDEX WPM 002, ARDEX X18, ARDEX FG8 and ARDEX SE Silicone. Swimming pools and spas included ARDEX WPM 300, ARDEX WPM 405, ARDEX WPM 002, ARDEX X18, ARDEX E90 Additive, ARDEX FG8 with ARDEX Grout Booster, and ARDEX ST Silicone. The entire building was coated in ARDEX WPM 310 prior to mechanically fixed cladding being installed.

The ARDEX specification provided a complete SystemARDEX tiling and waterproofing solution of high quality, totally compatible products supported by market leading technical service and field support.

Miami Aquatic Centre, Miami, Gold Coast

Primary Contractor: Hutchinson Builders
Tiling Contractor: Base Tiling
Commercial Pool Builder: Ozcrete Pools Pty Ltd

The Miami Aquatic Centre located in the Gold Coast has been the place of leisure and activity for many locals since 1976 and has been the launching pad for some of Australia’s greatest Olympian swimmers. At 350,000 annual visitors, it has the second highest number of aquatic centre visitors in the Gold Coast.

Challenges
The aquatic centre has remained the same with no real large-scale renovations taking place since construction in 1976. Due to this and the number of visitors every year, a redevelopment was proposed and accepted to update the facilities.

As part of this renovation, a new 10-lane, 50 metre exterior Olympic pool and a smaller inside pool was to be built. This totalled over 3,000 m² of tiling required to complete this project, within a period that would allow visitors to resume activities without too many disruptions.

The new pools needed to be built as per Australian standards (AS3958). An adhesive was required to cover at least 90% between the substrate and the back of each tile and movement joints were required at a minimum size of 6mm.

Solution
The tiling contractor approached ARDEX for a solution with a successful track record. ARDEX X 77 was specified because of its proven record of success in large international projects like the London Olympic Games pool.

ARDEX X 77 fibre-reinforced adhesive contains Microtec® technology which improves adhesive strength, reducing the effect of shear strain and stress on tiling systems. Base tiling was very impressed with the non-sag and long open times of the ARDEX X 77.

With the ARDEX X 77 they were able to commence tiling at the coping tile and work downwards, something they’ve never been able to do before with other tile adhesives without significant slumping.

The pool was grouted using ARDEX FG 8 flexible coloured grout. ARDEX FG 8 has a strong uniform colour that reduces efflorescence, is polymer modified which reduces the likelihood of cracking and is mould resistant and water repellent. ARDEX Grout Booster was also used and contains ARDEX Grout Shield to help combat mould growth.

ARDEX ST neutral cure and non-staining silicone was applied to the movement joints. ARDEX ST is UV, weather, and water resistant, and contains fungicides to combat any mould growth.

Springs Day Spa & Fitness Centre, Noosa

INSTALLER: Thorburn Tiling Pty Ltd M&M Waterproofing Contractors & Sales
BUILDER: Starco Developments Pty Ltd.
ARCHITECT: Alan Starkey & Associates

CHALLENGES:
High quality materials & finishes needed to match the expectations for the $400 million five-star resort (1,030,000 m² / 11,087,190 ft²)
Areas with large temperature fluctuations caused by infrared heating systems
Fear of erosion to specialized flooring materials from underwater jets
Use of high concentration chemicals with a history of destroying Portland cement structures
Areas with heavy gym equipment

PROBLEMS:
When Noosa Springs Resort decided to upgrade to a luxury five-star venue, only top performing materials would ensure the prevention of flooring failures in their state of the art facilities.

The fitness centre includes heavy exercise equipment & free weights. Therefore, the floor had to be durable to withstand the weight of the equipment. Onsite spa amenities include infrared saunas, steam rooms, blitz showers, a HydroMassage pool & large floating pools.

Each of these features created demanding challenges for the builders, as flexible & strong products were necessary to ensure a quality & long lasting installation.

SOLUTION:
To prepare the new concrete for tile and stone applications, installers used ARDEX WPM 265 Water Based Primer. ARDEX WPM 265 is an acrylic primer system that creates a positive bond between substrates & water- based coatings.

ARDEX WPM 300 Water Based Epoxy Membrane was used because it has superior water resistance & prevents efflorescence while withstanding hydrostatic pressure. It provides excellent adhesion to most substrates, including damp surfaces & freshly laid concrete, & it can be used as a one coat primer for other applied finishes like ARDEX waterproofing membranes & tiling adhesives. ARDEX WPM 300 is also safe for potable drinking water, removing risk of water contamination from materials in the many resort pool areas.

Next, ARDEX WPM 002 Two Component Undertile Waterproofing Membrane was applied. Recognized as one of the fastest drying acrylic membranes on the market, it can be tiled within 16 to 24 hours at ambient temperatures of 23˚C. Its advanced acrylic polymer technology makes it completely resistant to re emulsification.

ARDEX STS 8 Superior Tensile Strength Tile Adhesive was chosen because of its improved adhesion of heavy, large-format wall tiles otherwise prone to lipping and slumping. In a five-star resort, it was crucial that floor tile and wall treatments were not only functional but visually appealing. When necessary, ARDEX E 90 Mortar Admix was used to guarantee the adhesive was water repellent for resort showers and pools.

To finish the job, ARDEX ABAPOXY High Performance Epoxy Adhesive and Grout was selected for its strong resistance to harsh chemicals. This product was developed by ARDEX for applications requiring strict hygiene standards. It is completely solvent-free and suitable for walls and floors. Starco Developments Pty Ltd. selected ARDEX Australia to supply numerous products for the project that would perform well, provide longevity and expedite the installation process.

ARDEX products contributed to the successful completion of a world class standard in the Noosa Springs Golf & Spa Resort.

Water Playground – Elizabeth Quay, Perth

GENERAL CONTRACTOR: MRA (Metropolitan Redevelopment Authority)
WATERPROOFING/SCREED CONTRACTOR: Vercon
TILING CONTRACTOR: J Shed Art Studio (also the artist of the mosaic)
ARTIST: Jenny Dawson

The BHP Billiton Water Park is part of the Elizabeth Quay Development which is located on the North Foreshore of the Swan River and is part of a wider vision to connect Perth CBD with the river. The design is indigenous and represents the dreaming story of the creation of the Milky Way.

Elizabeth Quay opened to the public in 2016 after much debate, drama, dredging and dollars.

The development of the water feature playground faced various challenges, including:
Severe levelling issues (footings were 120mm instead of 50mm);
The project included 46sqm of an intricate tile mosaic where the tiles were hand-made and traditionally fired;
Being next to the river and below the water table – the site flooded after drains were blocked;
Being behind schedule.

Various ARDEX products were used during the construction of the water playground. ARDEX WPM 300 was used to control hydrostatic moisture that may have been below the slab followed by two layers of ARDEX WPM 002 waterproofing membrane to protect the slab and also increase the build thickness where needed.
The tiles were fixed using ARDEX X 18 with ARDEX E 90 additive which aided tile adhesion during high surface temperatures and also to repel water. The installation was completed with ARDEX EG 15 Epoxy Grout which controls efflorescence, has superior chemical resistance and is an easy clean-up making the installation much faster for the contractor.

To ensure the project ran seamlessly, a System Recommendation was sought from the ARDEX Technical Services Department and on-site support was provided by ARDEX Representatives with inspections at various stages.

Picture credit: Peter Zuvela

The Pool of Reflection, Sydney

LOCATION: Hyde Park, Sydney, Australia.
BUILDER: Structus Pty Ltd
WATERPROOFING: Soleace Waterproofing Pty Ltd
TILING: Nationwide Tiling

ARDEX Australia is proud to be involved in the restoration works surrounding the 1450sqm ‘Pool of Reflection’ Memorial which is located in Hyde Park in Sydney’s CBD. The upgrade of the physical pond was undertaken to repair leaks and improve water circulation and filtration. At each stage of the project, the Memorial was visited by dedicated ARDEX staff to provide support.

The Pool of Reflection is a peaceful space where passersby may pause for a moment of quiet contemplation. For manyveterans the still waters of the ‘Pool of Reflection’ evoked memories of the Somme River and its accompanying canals in France. The AIF (Australian Imperial Force) fought some of its bloodiest battles in the Somme Valley in 1916, 1917 and 1918.

CHALLENGE:
There were various challenges that ARDEX had to overcome in this project. One of the key challenges included containing water within the pool while at the same time keeping water out – the pool has expansion joints in the substrate and the concern was that the water coming up from the ground would push the moisture out.

SOLUTION:
ARDEX advised that an outlet was required before the pool was lined. This was done by running the ARDEX WPM 1000 Undertile Butynol Waterproofing Membrane parallel with the expansion joints, resulting in the membrane being turned into a joint with a stainless steel angle and then sealed off with ARDEX RA 88 Multipurpose Epoxy Repair Adhesive. A system of the ARDEX DS 60 Decoupling Mat was installed under a strip of ARDEX WPM 1000 to allow the gas and moisture build-up to escape. Also, ARDEX arranged for ARDEX WPM 1000 to be pre-cut to suit each of the joints, saving on time.

UNIQUE ELEMENTS:
The Pool of Reflection’s tiles could be bonded directly below the water line to the ARDEX WPM 1000 Undertile Butynol Waterproofing Membrane using ARDEX’ X 18 Fibre-Reinforced Flexible Non-Slump Wall and Floor Tile Adhesive, an adhesive that adds strength to a tiled area in addition to ARDEX E 90 Admix for Cement-Based Tile Adhesives. The installation was completed using ARDEX’ new ARDEX EG 15 Easy Clean High Performance Epoxy Grout providing contractors ease of use in addition to a complete system solution.

The installation of the main ARDEX WPM 1000 membrane was carried out by being fully glued with ARDEX WA 98 Butynol Adhesive. At the rear of the pool there is an overflow which the granite stone plinth has been fixed with ARDEX WA 100 Two Part Epoxy Adhesive for Natural Stone.

Box Hill Pool Refurbishment

ARCHITECT: A1 Office Fitouts
CONTRACTOR: Bravada Building Services

Challenges:
The size of the project coupled with the tight timeframe resulted in various challenges for the contractor, Bravada Building Services. Firstly, the contractor was given only seven weeks to complete the pool refurbishment project, which is located between Spotlight and Anaconda in the Spotlight Retail Centre. In all, nine different ARDEX products were used, including 570sqm of WPM 002 Waterproofing Membrane and 540sqm of X 17 tile adhesive, FG 8 grout on the pool surrounds, change rooms, foyer and mosaic walls. Also used was 285sqm of WPM 405, an ARDEX additive that enhanced the strength of the screed.

ARDEX products were selected as they are completely compatible, easy to use, as well as being supported by a dedicated Technical Support Team and manufacturer’s guarantee.

Problem:
Bravada Building Services were confronted with a significant challenge as the pool surround was quiet shallow for the screed (minimum thickness and achieving minimum fall requirements 1:100). Due to the thickness issues and the Scyon installation patterns, Bravada Building Services decided to use a self-supporting screed which included a slip sheet with expanded metal reinforcing. ARDEX WPM 405 additive was also used to increase the compressive strength, ultimately giving the contractor’s peace of mind.

The tiling also resulted in a challenge due to tile choices and the layout of patterns. However, the reliability and consistency of ARDEX X 17 tile adhesive provided the contractors with the confidence they needed. ARDEX X 17 was installed in multiple locations and environments such as the pool deck surround, change rooms, showers and foyer areas.

Solution
With a project of this magnitude and complexity it was crucial that all products and techniques selected were not only suitable for the environment but were also compatible. Given the confidence in the ARDEX range of products, Bravada Building Services had no hesitation in using an ARDEX System for this project.

Unique Elements:
Without doubt, ARDEX WPM 002 and WPM 405 were the two key products that made this project such a success. However, ARDEX does not believe that their responsibility ends with the manufacture of innovative and specialist solutions. ARDEX’ Sales Representative, Brett O’Loughlin, provided Bravada Building Services with technical support before, during and after the installation. The support provided from the ARDEX Team, including in-depth training on a huge variety of products and techniques all influenced the outcome of this installation.

Lightning Ridge Olympic Pool

Lightning Ridge, well known amongst Australians as the home of the black opal, is located nearly 800 kilometres from Sydney with an official population of around 3000 people. Earlier this year, the ARDEX NSW Sales Manager and NSW Key Account Manager made their way to the Lightning Ridge Olympic Pool Site. Both were excited about potentially being involved in this project and later worked with the tiling contractor to ensure the project ran seamlessly.

CHALLENGES:
There were various challenges that had to be overcome for this project to run to schedule. The indoor heated pool (25m by 33m) had a depth of 2.5 metres at the shallow end through to the middle and 5 metres at the deep end. The time frame was only two months, which in itself was a huge challenge. The pool had never been emptied since it was opened in 2011, so there were a lot of unknown factors, such as, how long would the pool take to empty, to dry out, how difficult would it be to get the old paint off, would anything happen to the overall structure of the pool when the water was drained and what tiles would be best for the project.

PROJECT REQUIREMENT:
To complete the project from beginning to end in two months – empty; repair; tile; refill; treat water; choose a tile that would look great but at the same time suit a commercial heated pool; and a tiler who could work within the two month timeframe.

UNIQUE ELEMENTS:
The complex’ staff were able to purchase Italian glass tiles for the project which look outstanding and give the pool a contemporary look. In addition, the tiler and his team who completed this project were town locals.

To date, a children’s 200 sqm pool and the diving pool spanning 1200 sqm have been tiled.

ARDEX provided a System for the project that included ARDEX X 18, a superior polymer tile adhesive for wall and floor because of its extended open time and non-slump benefits.

In addition, ARDEX E 90, a synthetic dispersion additive provided a water repellant mortar for the two pools.

The grout used was ARDEX FG 8, a flexible coloured grout for tile joints 1 – 8mm wide,in addition to ARDEX Grout Booster that provided improved adhesion, strength and flexibility.

Austin Apartment Pool Refurbishment, South Brisbane

PROJECT MANAGER: Hutchinson Builders
CONTRACTOR: Peter Johnson Tiling

Located in South Brisbane, Queensland, Austin Apartments is a 21-level premium residential building with a rooftop pool that overlooks the Brisbane River. The building is 5 years old and is in a prime area, being a 3-minute walk to the Brisbane CBD. The rooftop pool is considered the luxury area for residents, overlooking the CBD area and Brisbane River, but had begun showing signs of wear and tear and was due for renovation.

Unique Elements
The 8-metre-long pool had an infinity edge on two sides that sloped back into the pool. This design meant that the glass mosaic tiles were also installed down the external walls of the pool and into the catchment trough.

The original glass mosaic tiles began losing adhesion to the substrate and started breaking off. Some of these sections were visible above the water level. This was particularly evident from along the inside edge of the angle coping and along the higher outer edge of the pool. This detracted from the aesthetics of the luxury pool environment.

The wall render and bedding screed were also damaged. Portions of the bedding screed had lost adhesion to the concrete substrate and there were hollow and loose sections of render that needed to be removed.

Solution
The team at Peter Johnson Tiling began grinding back the pool to remove the old tile adhesive and any drummy or loose sections of render. Once substrate preparation was completed, repairs to the wall render and bedding screed commenced with render applied prior to waterproofing. This was to prevent the cracking that may occur if the render were applied over a flexible membrane.

Some pool walls were rendered with ARDEX WR 120 FR, a polymer modified render that is fibre-reinforced for extra strength. The pool interior and all wet walls were primed using ARDEX WPM 300 two-component, waster-based epoxy membrane/barrier coating.

The pool was waterproofed with ARDEX WPM 002 membrane. ARDEX WPM 002 includes an advanced acrylic that prevents the membrane from re-emulsifying, is rapid drying and specially designed for use under tiles.

The glass mosaic tiles were fixed using ARDEX X 18 Fibre-reinforced, non-slump tile adhesive and ARDEX E 90 Admixture. This was then grouted with ARDEX EG 15 Epoxy Grout – an easy clean high performance epoxy grout suitable for areas where strict hygiene standards, high chemical and physical resistance are required.

Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Adelaide

Project Name:

The QUEEN ELIZABETH HOSPITAL (QEH), Adelaide

Flooring Contractor:

Riga Floors

Architect:

Cheesman Architects

Builder:

Built Environs

ARDEX Product(s) Featured:

ARDEX K120

ARDEX K220

ARDEX K12 New

ARDEX K15

ARDEX WPM 300

ARDEX A 48

ARDEX WPM 155 Rapid Plus

ARDEX Feather Finish

Project Information

A new state-of-the-art clinical services building, named Kangkanthi, opened its doors in July, 2024. This modern facility boasts a larger emergency department, increased intensive care capacity, new operating theatres and dedicated rehabilitation services. The redevelopment aims to enhance healthcare delivery in Adelaide’s western suburbs, providing improved patient care and a better working environment for staff.

Unique elements:

The new Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Adelaide is a testament to modern healthcare architecture. Unique construction elements include its innovative design emphasizing natural light and patient wellbeing, incorporating green spaces and outdoor areas within the hospital environment. The building’s structure is designed to be highly adaptable, accommodating future technological advancements and healthcare needs. Additionally, sustainable building practices and materials have been prioritized to minimize the hospital’s environmental impact.

Solution:

The new QEH utilised the SystemARDEX Flooring & Waterproofing Solutions under 12,000m² of vinyl flooring for efficient and durable floor preparation, incorporating market leading ARDEX moisture barrier application, engineered screeds, and waterproofing to all wet areas. ARDEX K 120, ARDEX K 220, ARDEX K 12, and ARDEX K 15 were used for various leveling and smoothing requirements to create a uniform base and solid foundation. ARDEX WPM 300 provided full moisture barrier protection for all the ARDEX Floor Levellers & ARDEX A 48 engineered screed. The ARDEX WPM 155 Rapid Plus membrane and ARDEX Feather Finish solution were used to create a smooth under vinyl membrane solution in all wet areas. All prepared surfaces were ready to receive vinyl floor coverings, ensuring a hygienic and aesthetically pleasing environment for patients and staff for many years to come.

ARDEX Australia collaborated closely with Riga Floors and Built Evirons at various stages of the project to deliver tailored solutions and continuous onsite support.

Australian Bragg Centre SAHMRI 2, Adelaide

Project Name:

Australian Bragg Centre SAHMRI 2

Contractor:

Corporate Design Floors

Architects:

Woods Bagot

Head Builder:

Lendlease

ARDEX Products Specified

ARDEX K 120

ARDEX K 12 New

ARDEX WPM 300

ARDEX A 48

ARDEX K 900 BF

ARDEX WPM 155 Rapid Plus

ARDEX Feather Finish

Project Information

Adelaide’s skyline has transformed with the addition of SAHMRI 2, a state-of-the-art medical research facility. Officially named the Australian Bragg Centre, this $500 million building will house Australia’s first proton therapy unit, offering advanced cancer treatment without the harmful side effects of traditional radiation. Beyond cancer care, SAHMRI 2 will also be home to the SAiGEN Cancer Institute, dedicated to groundbreaking research in genomics and immunotherapy. This impressive 12-storey building, including three underground levels, will solidify Adelaide’s position as a leading hub for medical innovation and patient care.

Unique elements:

Australian Bragg Centre is a testament to innovative construction. Its distinctive facade, characterized by a rhythmic interplay of glass and concrete, not only enhances aesthetics but also optimizes natural light and energy efficiency. The building’s core, a complex network of interconnected laboratories and research spaces, was constructed with meticulous precision to accommodate cutting-edge medical equipment and sterile environments. Notably, the integration of sustainable elements such as rainwater harvesting and green roofs showcases a commitment to environmental responsibility, setting a new benchmark for sustainable healthcare infrastructure.

Solution:

The new Australian Bragg Centre utilised the SystemARDEX Flooring & Waterproofing Solutions for both durable and long term floor preparation. ARDEX A 48 Engineered Screed, ARDEX K 900 BF, and ARDEX WPM 155 Rapid Plus were utilised for all wet areas. ARDEX K 120 and ARDEX K 12 were used for leveling and smoothing the subfloors to create a strong uniform base. Where high moisture content was detected, ARDEX WPM 300 was used to ensure project remained on schedule and provided the moisture control for all the ARDEX floor levellers & screeds. ARDEX WPM 155 Rapid Plus and ARDEX Feather Finish were used to create a smooth under vinyl membrane solution in all wet areas. All prepared surfaces were ready to receive vinyl floor coverings, ensuring a hygienic and aesthetically pleasing environment for all staff and patients for many years to come..

ARDEX Australia collaborated closely with Corporate Design Floors and Lendlease at various stages of the project to deliver tailored solutions and continuous onsite support.

AURA, Sydney

Builder: Aqualand
Architect: Woods Bagot
Interiors: Richards Stanisich
Location: Sydney, NSW
Completion Date: 2024

ARDEX Products Specified:
ARDEX WeldtecTM WPM 750
ARDEX Tile Adhesive

Project Information
With over 371 apartments spanning across 29 storeys, the AURA embodies contemporary luxury apartment living, with generously-spaced interiors, lavish textures, and panoramic views of the city and harbour skyline.

The project is designed by Woods Bagot with interiors handled by Richards Stanisich. These world-class residences offer exclusive lifestyle and five-star amenities including sophisticated interior finishes, expansive pool and gym facilities, resident-only sky deck, and a 24/7 concierge. The glass façade is not only eye catching but has been designed to reflect the city’s skyline, and its most iconic landmarks and landscapes.

Unique Elements
The ARDEX Australia team has been involved since the project’s early design stages to provide solutions for application methods and detailing, which transitioned to our on-site support and training. In total, over 14,000m2 of ARDEX WeldtecTM WPM 750 and ARDEX Tile Adhesive have been applied for all internal waterproofing requirements.

Solution
The specified system consisting of ARDEX WeldtecTM WPM 750 Waterproofing Membrane and ARDEX Tile Adhesive provided the ideal trusted solution for this sort-after project due to the products long-standing trusted performance, accompanied by our industry leading service, support, and SystemARDEX Warranty guarantee.

The Bakery, Newtown, Sydney

Contractor:
Above & Beyond Waterproofing

Head Builder:
PAMMENT PROJECTS

ARDEX Products Specified:
ARDEX WPM 750
ARDEX WPM 1000
ARDEX WR 120 FR
ARDEX WPM 300
ARDEX CA 20 P PLUS
ARDEX CA 750 ADHESIVE
ARDEX WA 98 ADHESIVE

Project Information
This award winning project situated in Newtown, Sydney involved the complete reconfiguration, restoration and redesign of two separate buildings. The small corner shop constructed in 1909 and the much larger warehouse (formerly used as a local bakery) constructed in 1922. Led by the talented PAMMENT PROJECTS team, the design and construction ensured this project delivered the fine workmanship and high attention to detail required.

Unique elements:
With the surrounding heritage streetscape and strong community connection to both buildings, structural integrity was critical during the construction and to ensure the rejuvenated buildings stand proud for many more decades to come.

Solution:
The ARDEX Weldtec™ Membrane provided the ideal waterproofing system to meet the projects needs. With the products fast return to service and exceptional service life performance the ARDEX Weldtec™ Membrane was the ideal solution. ARDEX Weldtec™ WPM 750 was installed within all internal wet areas, and ARDEX Weldtec™ WPM 1000 being installed for all external waterproofing requirements.

The fibre reinforced modified render, ARDEX WR 120 FR, was used in various locations on the project due to the products ease of application and excellent non-slump performance, but also provided a final substrate to continue the rejuvenated heritage appearance.

Nan Tien Temple, NSW

Project Name:

Nan Tien Temple, New South Wales

Contractor:

JMB Waterproofing Solutions

Head Builder:

Urban Core Australia Pty Ltd

Consultant:

Waterproofing Integrity

ARDEX Product(s) Featured:

ARDEX WPM 1000

ARDEX WPM 300

ARDEX WPM 310

ARDEX RA 88 PLUS

Situated in Berkeley, New South Wales the Nan Tien Temple is the largest Buddhist temple in the southern hemisphere. Constructed in October 1995, this multi-award winning Temple has become a must visit venue for local and international tourists, and also acts as an important cultural centre bridging different cultures.

The public spaces below the main and front Temple showed signs of water ingress and moisture. Urgent waterproofing remediation was required for over 820m² of concrete walkways, plus an additional 900 lineal metres of threads and risers on the multiple staircases.

Unique elements:

Since the venue encounters high amounts of daily foot-traffic, the project comprised of two stages to ensure the Temples remained accessible.

As the only access to both the main and front Temples are via staircases, all stairs had to be split in two sections during rectification works to ensure public access remained. One of the biggest challenges was the precise membrane detailing required for these areas and to utilise a membrane solution that could provide a smooth transition between the differing stages to allow for direct stick tile adhesion on all staircases.

Solution:

The ARDEX Weldtec^TM WPM 1000 membrane provided the waterproofing solution to meet the projects many challenges. ARDEX Australia worked closely with JMB Waterproofing Solutions, who provided a high attention to detail and commitment to waterproofing excellence throughout the entire project. The ARDEX Weldtec^TM WPM 1000 was installed under direct screed and tile applications, but when the ARDEX Weldtec^TM membrane was to remain UV exposed in specific areas, the ARDEX WPM 300 and ARDEX WPM 310 protecting coating were able to be utilised to ensure the structure remains protected and waterproofed for many years to come.

“It was great to collaborate and work alongside ARDEX and Urban Core. Working seamlessly together on this project, we appreciated the support from ARDEX representatives and the technical department. The partnership highlights our dedication to accuracy in every aspect of our work.”

Joe Brady, Director at JMB Waterproofing Solutions.

Overall, the ARDEX specification provided a system of high quality and totally compatible products supported by market leading technical service and field support.

New Doha International Airport, Qatar

Project size:

144,000m²

Project information:

Formerly known as New Doha International Airport (NDIA), Hamad International Airport was opened in 2014. The new airport has been designed and built to accommodate 50 million passengers per year, with estimates suggesting up to 93 million per year. Annual aircraft movement is expected to exceed 320,000, with over 2 million tonnes of cargo passing through the airport, making it the second largest airport in the region. This seven-year construction project would involve a location approximately 36 square kilometres and require nearly 40,000 workers on a complex job site.

At varied thicknesses from featheredge up to 40 mm, more than 4,500 tonnes of ARDEX K 15 covering 144,000m² was used. This market leading sub-flooring product was installed throughout the entire project due to the products continuous proven history, superior product performance, with the ability to provide complete levelness and flatness needed later for various finished flooring and carpet. Jobsite coordination was imperative to ensure the project remained on schedule and with the products ease of application performance the 12 teams of 8 to 10 workers were able to flawlessly install an average of 200m² to 300m² daily.

Burj Khalifa – Middle East

Teams:

ARDEX Middle East
ARDEX UK Installer: Floortec Arabia Technical Services LLC – Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Contractor: Samsung C&T Engineering & Construction Group – Seocho-Gu Seoul, Korea
Architects: Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) – Chicago, IL (USA)
Holford Associates – Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Product Featured:

ARDEX ARDITEX NA Latex Sub-Floor Levelling & Smoothing Compound

Challenges:

Fast-track time line
Tallest building in the world – 828m (2,716.5 ft.)
Water not readily available for mixing on upper floors during construction
Concerns of water spillage during site mixing
Earlier attempts with competitors products caused wood floors to warp
Concerns of scarifying the concrete slabs in preparation for Self-Leveling Underlayments up to 186 floors

Problem:

Housing a hotel, residential units, corporate suites, restaurants and many leisure areas; the Burj Khalifa is not only the tallest building in the world, but also a state-of-the-art destination. So when problems arose during the construction, ARDEX Middle East was called upon to provide recommendations and implement a solution. Earlier attempts with competitors’ products left this landmark falling short of expectations with wood flooring failures caused by moisture in the concrete underlayment and water spillage during the mixing process.

Solution:

Offering a full guarantee, ARDEX Middle East worked with the ARDEX UK Technical Team to recommend ARDITEX NA Self-Smoothing Compound. This ammonia free formula product is used to level uneven internal sub-floors, creating a smooth surface, by using a pre-formulated additive and not requiring water. ARDITEX NA also saved time because it can be placed over strongly bonded existing adhesive residues and allows floor coverings to be placed after four hours. Time was also saved since the need for water to be transported from the ground up to each level was eliminated.

Susan Wakil Health Building, The University of Sydney

Installer/Applicator: Polyseal

General Contractor: Laing O’Rourke

Architect(s): Diller Scofidio + Renfro and Billard Leece Partnership

Project details:

The Susan Wakil Health Building is a world class medical and health education facility located at The University of Sydney, Camperdown Campus, in Sydney, NSW. This state-of-the-art newly constructed 8-storey building brings together multiple health disciplines allowing for professional learning programs and research opportunities. The 21,500m² building consists of seminar rooms, research facilities, rehabilitation gym, 350-seat lecture theatre, and outdoor collaboration spaces.

Challenge:

The shared outdoor landscaped spaces, such as the Upper Wakil Garden area, required a sub-floor product that could withstand an environment designed for students, staff, and members of the public for many years to come. The outdoor spaces included all podiums, terraces, rooftops, forecourt, and other external locations.

Solution:

Over 3,600m² of the ARDEX A38 Rapid Set Engineered Screed was specified for all outdoor spaces due to the products many key performance characteristics. These included ease of workability, guaranteed compressive strength, walkability timeframe, and suitability for external use. ARDEX were able to provide a high quality and trusted product to ensure the project remained on schedule and guaranteed the products performance characteristics met the project’s environmental requirements.

Holiday Inn Express Hotel – VIC

Head Builder: Hickory

POD Manufacturer: Sync

Architect(s)/Consultant(s): Reid Campbell

Project details:
The Holiday Inn Express Hotel at Southbank features an extensive mixed use development with ground floor retail, 3 levels of above ground parking and 3 levels of offices. The hotel consists of 312 thoughtfully designed guest rooms whilst retaining the original 1930s City Road façade and its glazed terracotta faïence tiles, one of the few remaining Melbourne buildings to feature this distinctive art deco façade treatment.

Challenge:

Sitting on a smaller than average sized site with fast turnaround times required for the bathroom pod construction process, a tiling system with excellent workability and ease of application was needed.

Solution:

ARDEX were able to offer the complete tiling solution consisting of ARDEX X 17 tile adhesive and ARDEX FSDD grout. The 312 bathroom pods were integrated throughout every guest room in the hotel, and simply installed and connected once they arrive on site ensuring project scheduling was met.

Unique Elements:

ARDEX provided the tiling solution, accompanied by market leading service and technical support throughout the entire project. The project remained on schedule and guaranteed the products performance characteristics met the projects requirements.

Iglu Student Accommodation – VIC

Head Builder: Hacer Group

POD Manufacturer: Sync

Architect(s)/Consultant(s): Bates Smart

Project details:
The Iglu Student Accommodation is a 594 bed student accommodation building opposite the iconic Queen Victoria market. The project involved the construction of two buildings, one being 10 levels and the other being 24 levels. The accommodation is located in the centre of Melbourne action where students can immense themselves within the arts and culture scene, or simply escape the city and enjoy nearby parklands.

Challenge:

The project scheduling program was important with fast turnaround times required for the 594 bathroom pod construction process, which included six different typologies for this project. A complete tiling system with excellent workability and ease of application was needed.

Solution:

ARDEX were able to offer the complete tiling solution consisting of ARDEX X 17 tile adhesive and ARDEX FSDD grout. The 594 bathroom pods were integrated throughout, and simply installed and connected once they arrive on site ensuring project scheduling was met.

Unique Elements:

Mercure Hotel – VIC

Head Builder: Buildcorp Commercial

POD Manufacturer: Sync

Architect(s)/Consultant(s): Clarke Hopkins Clarke (Architecture) Kreat Studio (Interiors)

Project details:
This new mixed-use building on Doncaster Hill will incorporate a flagship Mercure hotel along with a two-level, 11,000sqm Bunnings store. With stunning views over Melbourne CBD’s skyline, the Mercure hotel has a destination restaurant and bar, alfresco dining space, sundeck, fitness center, rooftop pool and function room and an outdoor terrace.

Challenge:

Sitting on a smaller than average sized site with fast turnaround times required for the 166 bathroom pod construction process, a tiling system with excellent workability and ease of application was needed.

Solution:

ARDEX were able to offer the complete tiling solution consisting of ARDEX X 17 tile adhesive and ARDEX FSDD grout. The 166 bathroom pods were integrated throughout every guest room in the hotel, and simply installed and connected once they arrive on site ensuring project scheduling was met.

Unique Elements:

Midland Hospital – Bellevue, WA

Head Builder: Brookfield Multiplex

POD Manufacturer: Brookfield Multiplex

Architect(s)/Consultant(s): Hickory Group – Sync

Project details:
The award winning state-of-the-art hospital is situated in one of Western Australia’s fastest-growing areas. Brookfield Multiplex engaged Sync to build 245 custom bathroom pods for the project, which had to meet all necessary DDA and National Construction Code regulations. Featuring 31 different typologies, the fit-for-purpose pods were delivered to site complete with coved wall to floor joins for ease of cleaning and optimal hygiene.

Challenge:

Fast turnaround times were required for the differing 245 bathroom pod construction process, with over 7,500m2 of levelling and waterproofing of bathroom suites required for this project.

Solution:

ARDEX provided the ARDEX Feather Finish, and ARDEX WPM 002 waterproofing membrane system used for the vinyl application within the prefabricated pods.

Unique Elements:

ARDEX provided the solution, accompanied by market leading service and technical support throughout the entire project. The project remained on schedule and guaranteed the products performance characteristics met the projects requirements.

Midnight Hotel – ACT

Head Builder: Geocon

POD Manufacturer: Sync

Architect(s)/Consultant(s): Fender Katsalidis

Project details:
Located in the inner-city suburb of Braddon, ACT, the Midnight Hotel is a 5-star luxury hotel offering 199 guest rooms, restaurant, bar, gym, sauna, indoor pool, meeting and events space. The 183 bathroom pods will feature matt black wall tiles and grey floor tiles, Polytec Ravine Wenge bench tops, LED strip lighting, and mirrored splashbacks.

Challenge:

Solution:

ARDEX were able to offer the complete tiling solution consisting of ARDEX X 17 tile adhesive and ARDEX FSDD grout. The 183 architecturally designed bathroom pods were integrated throughout every guest room in the hotel, and simply installed and connected once they arrive on site ensuring project scheduling was met.

Unique Elements:

Vibe Hotel – TAS

Head Builder: Vos Construction

POD Manufacturer: Sync

Architect(s)/Consultant(s): XSquared Architects

Project details:
The mixed use development consists of ground floor restaurants, entry foyer, and four level podium suitable for offices or medical consulting rooms, with a 114 room hotel and seven serviced apartments over nine floors. A range of prefabricated pod bathrooms were used throughout the construction, offering significant time and cost savings during construction. The architecturally designed bathroom pods feature dark vertical porcelain wall tiles, Caesarstone benchtops, oak laminate joinery and chrome sanitary fittings. The bathrooms include mirrors and ceilings with LED strip lighting.

Challenge:

The project required a streamlined construction schedule due to the location with fast turnaround times for the 132 individual pod construction process.

Solution:

ARDEX were able to offer the complete tiling solution consisting of ARDEX X 17 tile adhesive and ARDEX FSDD grout. The 132 bathroom pods were integrated throughout every guest room in the hotel, and simply installed and connected once they arrive on site ensuring project scheduling was met.

Unique Elements:

West Village – West End QLD

Head Builder: Hutchinson Builders

POD Manufacturer: Hutchinson Builders

Architect(s)/Consultant(s): Hayball, ACME & Co and Netteltontribe
Project details:
The major redevelopment of the Peters Ice Cream Factory in West End is bringing life to this iconic area. With office suites, apartments across multiple residential towers, heritage restoration, new Peters Lane retail precinct, and right through to the latest 5 Star Green Star Greenhouse office building.

Challenge:

With fast turnaround times required for the bathroom pod construction process, a trusted waterproofing and tiling system with excellent workability and ease of application was needed for the 473 bathroom pods spanning across 332 apartments.

Solution:

ARDEX were able to offer the complete waterproofing and tiling solution consisting of ARDEX WPM 155 Rapid Plus waterproofing membrane, ARDEX X 18 tile adhesive, and ARDEX FSDD grout and ARDEX SE Silicone. The 473 bathroom pods were integrated throughout every bathroom in the residential towers, and simply installed and connected once they arrive on site ensuring project scheduling was met.

Unique Elements:

DoubleTree by Hilton

Head Builder: SKS Group

POD Manufacturer: Pindan Modular

Architect(s)/Consultant(s): ThomsonAdsett

Project details:

The 17-storey Hilton hotel is now the suburb’s tallest and biggest building located in the vibrant precinct of Northbridge, Perth. The hotel’s contemporary and environmentally sustainable design is aimed at a multitude of travellers with features such as restaurants, bars, an executive lounge, and a business centre. The hotel is centrally located with panoramic views of the city skyline whilst incorporating the spirited nightlife.

Challenge:

Due to the bustling location of the site, the project scheduling was of utmost importance. Fast turnaround times were required to limit the disruptions within the area. Over 7,000m² of waterproofing and tiling were required which included the bathroom pods produced off-site.

Solution:

ARDEX were able to offer the complete waterproofing and tiling solution to ensure project scheduling was met. The ARDEX WPM 155 Rapid Plus waterproofing membrane, ARDEX X 10 tile adhesive and ARDEX FS-DD grout provided the complete waterproofing and tiling system for improved flexibility during the bathroom pods’ transportation to the construction site. Other tiled areas, such as the hotel lobby, also utilised the complete ARDEX tiling system.

Unique Elements:

ARDEX provided the waterproofing and tiling solution, accompanied by market leading service and technical support throughout the entire project. The product performance characteristics met and exceeded all requirements, and the project was completed on schedule.

Crystallbrook Bailey

Head Builder: Prime Constructions

POD Manufacturer: Sync

Architect(s)/Consultant(s): ThomsonAdsett

Project details:

In the heart of Cairns, the Crystalbrook Bailey offers a new five-star luxury tourism destination. The design allows soft light into units after taking inspiration from the curtain fig tree and gables of the Queenslander. The focus on modern lines and forms allows the experience of a lush rainforest canopy feel seamlessly throughout the towers. This mixed-use development features two 12-storey towers including 220 hotel rooms, 110 apartments with a variety of restaurants, cafes, retail outlets, and event facilities.

Challenge:

The spacious 132 bathroom pods were finished with chiselled brick wall tiles and grey floor tiles. Fast turnaround times were required as all bathroom pods were manufactured offsite in parallel with the construction works.

Solution:

ARDEX provided the complete tiling solution for improved system flexibility during the bathroom pods’ transportation to the construction site. The ARDEX X 17 tile adhesive and ARDEX FS-DD grout system was chosen for this project for their outstanding performance characteristics.

Unique Elements:

ARDEX provided the complete tiling solution, accompanied by market-leading service and technical support. The product performance characteristics met and exceeded all requirements, and the project was completed on schedule.

ADGE Hotel Refurbishment

Head Builder: Hutchinson Builders

POD Manufacturer: Hutchinson Builders

Architect(s)/Consultant(s): Tzannes

Project details:

Based in one of Sydney’s rapidly evolving inner-city suburbs, Surry Hills, the Cambridge Hotel refurbishment was an opportunity to deliver a distinct new upmarket hotel. Now renamed the ADGE Hotel, the 12-storey, 122-room design, and construction delivered an appealing, high-quality hotel that identifies with the large green landscaped character of the Surry Hills area. The features of this multi-award-winning hotel include the lush rooftop and façade plantations, maximisation of the natural light throughout the hotel, and the incorporation of sustainable development.

Challenge:

Efficient and effective turnaround times for the hotel’s wet areas were critical to ensure the project remained on schedule. ARDEX were able to offer the complete waterproofing and tiling solution to ensure these needs were met and exceeded. In total, 87 bathroom pods were constructed for this project.

Solution:

The ARDEX WPM 155 Rapid Plus waterproofing membrane and ARDEX STB Tape provided all 87 bathroom pods with a complete waterproofing system. ARDEX X 18 tile adhesive, ARDEX FG 8 grout, and ARDEX SE Silicone provided the complete tiling system for improved system flexibility during the bathroom pods’ transportation to the construction site.

Unique Elements:

ARDEX provided the complete waterproofing and tiling solution, accompanied by market-leading service and technical support. Beginning with the specification and throughout the entire project, all products were installed by an approved ARDEX applicator ensuring that the project remained on schedule.

SCEGGS – Redlands Senior Campus

Installer/Applicator: Danrae Waterproofing

General Contractor: Buildcorp

Architect(s): TKD Architects

Project details:

This multi-stage redevelopment involved a New Learning Hub at one of Australia’s leading grammar schools. The project consisted of a new five-storey building featuring new learning spaces, courtyards, outdoor learning environments, rooftop gardens, and a basement carpark. The design and layout provided this state-of-the-art educational facility with the flexibility to integrate the outdoor landscaped areas as part of the on-going educational program.

Challenge:

The multi-purpose outdoor areas required a membrane system with total membrane reliability as the construction was built over existing classrooms, the new carpark, and involved many integral waterproofing detailing requirements. The multi-purpose outdoor areas were then landscaped which included large garden beds, seating areas, granular backfill, along with paver-pad systems.

Solution:

ARDEX Weldtec Membrane and ARDEX Drainage System were specified for this 3,500m² project – a complete systemARDEX specification. The ARDEX Root Repell^TM waterproofing membrane was specified as the product offers heat-welded seams which guarantee a waterproof system with a consistent membrane thickness that allows for quick installation. The ARDEX Root Repell^TM is specially formulated for the use in planter boxes, retaining walls, and green roofs as it contains a premium root inhibitor designed to repel root growth without killing the roots. The ARDEX DRS 50 DC drainage cell and ARDEX DRS 1 GT geotextile fabric was specified due to its high compressive strength and high flow capacity to complete the project’s waterproofing and drainage system requirements.

Overall, the ARDEX specification provided a system of high quality and totally compatible products supported by market leading technical service and field support.

North Bondi Residential Apartments, Sydney

Installer/Applicator: Structural Building Management
Specifying Engineers: Cardno

North Bondi is in the eastern suburbs of Sydney; located on the coast of New South Wales and a short distance away from the world-famous Bondi Beach. Being a mostly residential area, a block of apartments was recently brought to the attention of the team at Structural Building Management as needing repairs to the structure of the building.

Challenges
As this building was situated extremely close to the Tasman Sea, this block of residential units was heavily affected by what is known as concrete spalling AKA “concrete cancer” – the rusting of steel reinforcement contained within a concrete slab. Balconies and columns throughout the building were affected and treatment was required to fix the issue.

This residential building still required access for residents to go about their daily lives and activities, so minimal disruption was required with a relatively quick turnaround. On top of that, a solution was required to slow the progression of any future concrete spalling / (cancer) in these rehabilitated areas.

Solution
In conjunction with the specifying engineers, Cardno, ARDEX Australia provided a concrete repair system to remediate the current issues as well as assisting in the prevention of the steel and concrete from becoming damaged so quickly again. The team at Structural Building Management were engaged to carry out rectification works to the unit block.

The affected areas for rectification were broken-out and removed, prior to being primed with ARDEX WR Prime (as this product enhances the performance of the following repair mortar and promotes tenacious adhesion to the host surface).
Approximately 2500 litres of ARDEX BR 340 Microtec® fibre-reinforced structural concrete patching and repair mortar was installed. The BR 340 repair mortar contains an active corrosion inhibitor (for ongoing protection of the reinforcement bar within the repair area).

To assist in retarding any future damage to the reinforcement within the concrete, ARDEX BRX 60 LO sacrificial anodes were installed. ARDEX BRX 60 LO are ‘sacrificial’ zinc anodes that provide control to limit corrosion rates of bars embedded in the concrete.

It took approximately 12 weeks for Structural Building Management to complete repairs and to rectify the issues caused by concrete cancer.

Little Lane Early Learning Centre, Manly

Little Lane Early Learning Centre is a purpose built, architecturally designed childcare facility located in Manly, NSW. The centre provides a premium service to the area, focusing on children’s early learning and childhood education from 0-5 years.

Unique Elements
The 3-storey building features a commercial kitchen, 14 classrooms, 3 large outdoor learning environments including a roof garden area, and below ground level car park. Specific project stages required a fast turnaround, hence why Systems Ardex was used on this project.

The outdoor learning and play area, and planter boxes are located over habitual spaces. These critical areas required a reliable and proven waterproofing system to ensure the entire area would remain waterproof for many years to come.

The below ground car park presented a different challenge as the building is situated near proximity to Manly beach. This area is susceptible to continuously changing underground water pressure and water ingress due to the ever-changing tides. A waterproofing system was required that could withstand those pressures while protecting the surrounding environment and structure from damage.

Solution
ARDEX was chosen because of our systems approach. A complete ARDEX waterproofing system was specified to not only provide a quick turnaround, but for reliability as well.

For the outdoor learning and play area, and planter boxes, 1200 sqm of a system comprising of ARDEX WPM 1000 and ARDEX Root Repell waterproofing membranes was installed. Both waterproofing membrane systems are specially designed for this type of external environment.

ARDEX WPM 1000 is a unique and extremely versatile heat weldable waterproofing membrane. ARDEX Root Repell is designed specifically for areas exposed to soil and plants, containing a root inhibitor that repels root growth without killing the actual root.

Approximately 2800 sqm of ARDEX WPM 1500 tanking membrane was installed in the below ground car park. ARDEX WPM 1500 is designed specifically for below ground tanking applications and has excellent flexibility, elongation and water migration resistance.

Overall, the ARDEX specification made it easier for the architect, builder, and applicators to purchase, install, and warrant the materials.

Hitch Property Constructions – Waterproofing Refurbishment

The team at Hitch Property Constructions were able to help out a customer with an urgent project.

By the time the team at Universal Tradesmen received the call, the client was already under pressure on the refurbishment, and for reasons beyond their control. Being a large job, they were desperate to complete this on time. Due to various delays, hold ups in one area started to affect the next, delaying the entire job.

The client was already behind when they began the bathroom refurbishment. They had pulled out the original fittings, fixtures and tiling, and they were ready to waterproof. Some liquid membranes take up to four days to dry after the second coat and they needed to make up for lost time. They gave the team at Universal Tradesman a call, who had the perfect solution.

Four days idle on a bathroom job is not only painful for the builder, but the client too. Liquid membranes can be easily damaged whilst drying, leading to further delays. ARDEX WPM 750 Undertile Butynol sheet membrane was specified as the solution to help overcome these challenges.

The highly skilled waterproofing team at Universal Tradesman had applied ARDEX WPM 750 and completed the bathroom within a two hours and informed the client they would be able to start work again only 60 mins after application. After only one hour after completion of waterproofing, the contractors were back to work tiling: allowing them to shave over 3 full days off the job.

With time saving and reliability of the waterproofing membrane to the entire job costing, the builder stated that by estimate the project worked out to be significantly cheaper. It was completed quicker, and saved costs on labour. Most importantly, the refurbishment was delivered on time, with a high level of customer satisfaction. The builder mentioned how impressed he was with the product, efficiency and knowledge of waterproofing.

If you’re interested in saving days on your next job, ARDEX WPM 750 could be the product that takes your refurbishments to the next level.

The Greek Orthodox Cathedral of Saint Sophia, Sydney

CONSULTANT: BellMont Façade Engineering
REMEDIAL BUILDER: ARA Building Services

The Greek Orthodox Cathedral of Saint Sophia is a heritage listed church located in Paddington, NSW. Having been consecrated in 1927, the church has a storied history as the first Greek Orthodox Cathedral in the Southern Hemisphere and playing an important role in the settlement of newly arrived Greek immigrants in Sydney.

Unique Elements
With the cathedral being 93 years old at the time and being exposed to multiple elements for a lengthy period, there was significant accumulated structural damage. Parts of the building were crumbling, and large cracks had appeared.

The front façade had suffered from reinforcement corrosion with large sections of the concrete mix completely saturated, resulting in corrosion of the steel reinforcement. The left and right corners of the upper level frieze shifted by up to 20mm. And the bedding of the top moulds/corbel had delaminated. The supporting walls which underpinned the entablature were supported off a base slab tied into the structure – forming an intricate gravity based system to support the main wall and entablature.

Saint Sophia was also heritage listed by the NSW Government in 2015, and as such, any work was required to be undertaken in accordance with the Burra Charter. This meant that no alterations to the façade of the building were allowed, other than to reinstate original features.

Solution
BellMont Façade Engineering diagnosed, designed and specified the materials and systems required for the project. As a NSW State Heritage listed item, the design of the solution absorbed extensive time and detailing to maximise the use of existing fabric. All materials that were required for this restoration were approved by BellMont Façade Engineering, ensuring that the Burra Charter was at the forefront of the restoration project. BellMont Façade Engineering designed and supervised installation of the support for the front façade – which was 8 metres above ground level – during the sequential repair of heavily corded reinforcing bars and spalled concrete of the front and rear face of the main entrance wall. This allowed for the front and rear faces of the wall to be repaired separately.

The wall was poured in two separate pours using ARDEX BR 460 FLOW, a high performance, flowable, structural repair micro-concrete. Approximately 9,000 litres of concrete repair was undertaken using the ARDEX BR 460 FLOW – structural grade, flowable repair mortar.

While the elevated wall was being repaired, a propping system was designed to support the entablature – 8 metres above the main entrance portico. The entablature was repaired with ARDEX BR 345, a Microtec® fibre-reinforced structural concrete patching and repair mortar which contains an active corrosion inhibitor.

Approximately 200 lineal metres of ARDEX WPM 1000 WeldTec External Waterproofing Membrane were applied to waterproof the corbels on the building, with the membrane made up of a synthetic rubber with properties which resist ageing from heat, sunlight and ozone. The system was then completed with a liquid membrane coating to match the remainder of the church façade.

800 square metres of ARDEX WPM 310 External Façade and Roof Membrane was applied to the façade of the cathedral. ARDEX WPM 310 is a tough, UV stable and flexible membrane that is designed specifically as a general-purpose membrane for exposed wall and roof waterproofing.

To help prevent further cracking in the structure, 30 lineal metres of Rhino Carbon Fibre Crack Stitching was installed with ARDEX RA 88 PLUS (Multi-Purpose Epoxy Repair Adhesive). Once installed, the Rhino Concrete Crack Lock permanently bonds both sides of the crack together.

74 Pirie Street, Adelaide

APPLICATOR: Mez Contracting
GENERAL CONTRACTOR: Maras

74 Pirie Street is the location of an 8-level office building situated in the heart of Adelaide, South Australia. Having been built in the 1980’s, this building was due for refurbishment which included the waterproofing of an exposed, fully self-contained rooftop terrace with facilities perfect for meetings and entertainment.

Challenge
Built in the 1980’s, the buildings exposed rooftop concrete substrate was subject to years of cumulative wear and tear. The concrete substrate also developed static cracking over the years. This exposed concrete required waterproofing as part of the refurbishment to turn the rooftop into an area suitable for entertaining.

As such, a waterproofing system was required to be suitable for the conditions of an exposed area, including a UV stable, trafficable membrane. Due to the required nature of the area, the system required a product that was to be non-slip with the ability to withstand high amounts of traffic.

Solution
The installer/applicator from Mez Contracting initially contacted ARDEX to discuss options for this project. Through site inspections and meetings with the contractor (Maras), a system consisting of ARDEX WPM 801 (Priming), ARDEX 812 (Waterproofing Membrane) and ARDEX WPM 822 (UV Stable Top Coat) was specified, and ultimately chosen.

ARDEX WPM 801 is a fast-drying primer suitable for polyurethane membranes that penetrates and seals concrete and is water resistant which protects the substrate in the event of interruption by wet weather.

ARDEX WPM 812, a single part, polyurethane membrane, is designed as trafficable and impact resistant – ideal for the intended use of the rooftop terrace. This membrane is highly receptive to the finish that ARDEX WPM 801 as a primer provides.

ARDEX WPM 822 was then used as a non-slip surface and top coat over ARDEX WPM 812 waterproofing membrane. It is UV resistant, foot trafficable and provides a chemically resistant finish.

A total of 120 sqm was waterproofed, with the area sand seeded as well. 200 sqm of cold joints were also treated with ARDEX RA 040 – a one component, polyurethane based joint sealant – to ensure complete protection of these joints.

The client was impressed not only with the quality of the finish, but also the technical support provided before, during and after the duration of the project.

Mercedes Benz Autohaus, Newstead

Project Name: Mercedes Benz Autohaus, Breakfast Creek Road, Newstead, QLD, 4006
Applicator: MTS Tiling
Architect: Cottee Parker Architects
General Contractor: John Holland Pty Ltd

As an Australian first for the automotive powerhouse, Mercedes Benz opened a new flagship store in Newstead, QLD. The five-storey, 32,000 sqm Mercedes Benz Autohaus dealership includes a 539 sqm museum, garden pavilion, staff training centre, 45 vehicle maintenance bays, a rooftop restaurant and a function area and is the car dealer’s largest development of its kind in the southern hemisphere.

Challenges
The sheer size of the project posed challenges for the general contractor. The five-storey building required 15,000sqm of wall and floor tiling of various sizes and areas ranging from showrooms, workshops and amenities.

The tiles themselves were chosen specifically by principal and as such, a system was required that could work in conjunction with what was provided.
The project also required a fast turnaround, so a product system was needed that could allow the builders and contractors to proceed at a faster than normal rate to meet the expectations of everyone involved.

Solution
ARDEX tiling products were specified and chosen for this large project. The tiling contractor – MTS Tiling – was also an approved and trained installer of ARDEX products, helping to ensure that the ARDEX system was installed to the recommended specifications and eliminating the risk of product failure.

ARDEX K 15 Microtec self-levelling compound is rapid-drying and contains Microfibre reinforcement. Being rapid-dry the compound achieves high early strength and is walkable after 2 hours with most floor coverings able to be installed 16 hours later, allowing a fast turnaround of work.

ARDEX X 18 Non-Slump wall and floor tile adhesive is fibre-reinforced which provides added strength to the tiled areas – ideal for the intended use of the Autohaus. Being non-slump, the adhesive is also ideal for large format and heavy tiles.

Beyond the performance of the specified ARDEX products, the level of Customer Service and Technical Support provided also proved to be a determining factor in the success of the job.

The Mercedes Benz Autohaus became one of the biggest tiling jobs outside of retail shops completed in Brisbane in modern times.

Cairns Corporate Tower, Cairns

INSTALLER: Touchstone Tiling Services

The Cairns Corporate Tower is a modern 16 storey commercial office tower located in the heart of Cairns’ Central Business District, close to Cairns Esplanade and Waterfront. The building consists of 14 levels of office space and 2 levels for car parking and has served the area for over 30 years.

Unique Elements
Having been built over 30 years ago, the original 300mm x 300mm granite tiles that had been installed in the foyer had become crummy and hollow. The entire installation also had to be completed in small sectioned off areas as the building was still in use by all tenants. This created a challenge as the sections could not be tiled in straight lines as the tiles were all staggered.

As part of the renovation, 3000mm x 1000mm large format tiles were specified into the main foyer area and hallways of this commercial building as well as for the first floor and bathrooms. One section of the main foyer had 1480 pieces of tile that were 90mm x 1000mm and each had to be cut form the full sheets and bevelled to look original.

The bathrooms were designed to have true and flat walls at all junctions, with all grout lines lining up to each fixture. The cubicle doors in the bathrooms were a unique glass composite which were not able to be adjusted or trimmed down to fit, so tiling had to be exact with completely square openings.

The unique layout of the floor also meant that of the 900m² of tiles on the floor, only 9 tiles were installed as full tiles without a cut. The floor areas are laid on a 45-degree angle and with the unique curves of the walls as well as columns throughout, almost every cut was unique.

Solution
Touchstone Tiling Services had a team check every tile on the floor and mark the tiles that needed to be removed. The drummy granite tiles were then removed, with the existing granite tiles ground then primed with ARDEX P 9 Primer. Once the old tiles were removed, the remaining area was ground to remove any surface contamination. All removed areas were prepared and filled using ARDEX K 250 and ARDEX K 220 Floor Levelling compounds and the entire floor (as well as on all other porous substrates) was then primed using the easy to apply ARDEX Multiprime.

The work was carried out utilising a full system approach utilising both ARDEX and ABA products. The contractor had experience with the chosen products as they had used them on several projects previously.

ABA Choicestik tile adhesive was chosen as it has an extended open time and is non-slump. It was also softer when applied, making it easier to push the large format floor tiles into. ARDEX FG 8 polymer fortified grout was then used as it reduced the likelihood of cracking, and ARDEX SE Silicone was applied to finish the area.

The installation required the team at Touchstone Tiling Services to be split into teams with each team assigned a set role in the project. This included preparation of the existing tiled floor, measuring and marking of tiles, cutting the tiles, and installation of the tiles. Doing this ensured that each part of the installation was consistent and completed to the high standard expected.

Creative Quarter Cycle Hub, Curtin University, Perth

ARCHITECT: Coniglio Ainsworth Architects
PROJECT MANAGER: National Projects WA

The Creative Quarter Cycle Hub is a brand-new storage area located within Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia. It can house approximately 200 bikes, has over 100 lockers and includes the university’s first universal access self-contained shower and change rooms. The new area also includes an open rooftop deck above the cycle hub that contains a communal seating area and an all-weather canopy on a lawn area.

Unique Elements
To provide enough storage for 200 bikes and amenities (showers and lockers), the Cycle Hub was designed using a two-tier bicycle stacking system.

Above the amenities and bike storage area is an accessible green space that students and staff can access by the sloping grass roof or through a purpose-built lift to make the area available to all.

To maximize the height of the ceiling within the amenities and bike storage area, the beams for the roof were constructed on top of the structure which presented several challenges when it came to drainage and waterproofing for the green roof above.

Solution
ARDEX were asked to provide a waterproofing and drainage system with a minimum 20-year warranty that would work with the design elements of the structure.
The best option for this type of application was a sheet membrane system incorporating a drainage cell with a geofabric matting over the membrane for the green roof system.

ARDEX WPM 612 TPO waterproofing membrane was recommended as this would provide a fully welded sheet system that could be detailed over the building structure to form a continuous membrane.

To provide drainage and a base for the green roof application ARDEX DRS 18 GC drainage cell with built in geofabric was selected and installed over the membrane. The dimple structure of ARDEX DRS 18 GC effectively captures and transports high water volumes.

The roof beams were also waterproofed with ARDEX WPM 612 TPO membrane and drainage was maintained by installing a series of overflow pipes through the concrete beams, by detailing the membrane into the pipes and over-flashing with a pipe flange.

The project included the application of ARDEX WPM 300 as a moisture barrier for the retaining and perimeter walls around the structure including the lift shaft. The moisture barrier was applied and allowed to dry before the walls were back filled and any sections of wall left exposed to the elements were overcoated using ARDEX WPM 908 UV-stable membrane.

The Curtin Bike Hub was entered in the 2019 Bicycle Architecture Biennale held in Amsterdam and was successfully selected to be part of the exhibition which opened in June.

Garden Island Naval Base, Sydney

APPLICATOR: Protective Waterproofing
GENERAL CONTRACTOR: Duratec Australia

The Garden Island Naval Base is location North-East of the Sydney Central Business District and forms a major part of the Royal Australian Navy’s fleet with approximately half of the major fleet units using its wharves as their home ports.

Challenges
The location of the base and scope of the project meant that work was to be completed approximately 1.5m below the Sydney Harbour waterline. An installer experienced in below ground works was required for this project as the structure had to remain completely dry due to the area being an electrical substation.

The pile caps on this project were found to be extremely poor, and there were raised mounds within the floor area that needed to be detailed. These were discovered on site during work and not detailed into the site drawings or highlighted during discussions.

Being a government project, a tight turnaround was also required. Speed of application was of primary importance for the selection of a system as the project also had a very short window for installation.

Solution
ARDEX was able to provide a solution for below ground works by specifying ARDEX WeldTec WPM 1500 – a pre-applied, fleece-lined, weldable tanking membrane designed for below ground tanking. 300 square metres of membrane was subsequently applied for this project.

ARDEX WeldTec WPM 1500 was detailed around pile caps and a “pitch pocket” was created using off-cuts of WPM 1500. This was then filled with ARDEX EG 800 F flowable commercial epoxy grout system and 5/2 aggregate.

Due to the nature of the project, the ARDEX WeldTec WPM 1500 membrane was installed by an experienced below-ground membrane installer with extensive knowledge on the ARDEX WeldTec range of waterproofing membranes. An experienced ARDEX rep with knowledge on below-ground works was also on site to offer support.

Perth Children’s Hospital

APPLICATOR: Vercon
BUILDER: John Holland
ARCHITECT(S): The Architects Alliance

Perth Children’s Hospital, located in Nedlands, is Western Australia’s new specialist paediatric hospital and trauma centre which provides treatment for serious medical cases, in-patient, out-patient and day-stay care. Having replaced the now-closed Princess Margaret Hospital, the 298-bed state-of-the-art hospital incorporates 270-degree panoramic views and includes outdoor spaces and private courtyards.

Unique Elements
Being a Government health project, not only was quality of the finished product crucial, speed and turnaround was another important factor in the selection of products as 30,000 square metres of tiling and waterproofing needed to be completed on a tight deadline.

Heavy stone (20mm thick) was specified by the architects for the internal lobby, so a strong tile adhesive that could withstand larger, heavier tiles was required. The builders also needed to waterproof internal wet areas, again, with a fast turnaround in mind.

Solution
An ARDEX specification was chosen as it provided a solution that could help contractors meet the tight deadline as well adhesives that could fix the heavier tiles specified for the internal lobby.

For the larger tiles, ARDEX specified ARDEX X 18 wall and floor tile adhesive. ARDEX X 18 contains specially developed fibres that add strength to the tiled area and is non-slump, making this ideal for heavy tiles on both floors and walls.

As the internal wet areas required a fast turnaround, ARDEX specified ARDEX WPM 155 Rapid water-based waterproofing membrane in conjunction with ARDEX STB Tape (an uncured butyl tape with a fleece layer) for rapid installation. ARDEX WPM 155 Rapid has been developed for high performance under-tile waterproofing and has excellent adhesion with ARDEX Tile Adhesives.

The ARDEX STB Tape prevents an otherwise thicker application of ARDEX WPM 155 Rapid in corners and wall-floor-junctions, reducing drying time compared two liquid coats in these areas which allows for tiling work to commence a lot quicker.

As this was a Government health project, a comprehensive ARDEX warranty was also provided for peace of mind.

Optus Stadium, Perth

APPLICATOR: Vercon
BUILDER: Brookfield Multiplex

A high-profile Government project located in Perth, Western Australia, the new Optus Stadium is a 60,000-seat venue that hosts a variety of sports (Australian Rules, Rugby League and Soccer, through to international and domestic cricket) and entertainment/concerts.

Unique Elements
With such a large stadium, 30,000 square metres of tiling was to be completed on a strict deadline. There were multiple areas that needed to be tiled and/or waterproofed, ranging from wet area floors and walls, training and recovery facilities, kitchens and food prep, bars in executive lounges/boxes, lift lobbies and main foyer areas. Being a Government backed project, the finished product also needed to reflect a high standard.

Solution
With indoor and outdoor, and wet and dry areas to be tiled and waterproofed, the builders required a specification in which products could perform in a variety of conditions and uses as well as speed up and ease the process of installation in order to meet that deadline.

ARDEX X 10 and X 18 wall and floor tile adhesive were chosen due to their flexible and non-slump properties. ARDEX X 18 was ideal for the larger and heavier tiles. ARDEX X 10, suitable for wet areas, contains specially developed fibres that add strength to the tiled area, ensuring a strong and consistent finish.

ARDEX WPM 002 two-part undertile waterproofing membrane was specified due to its rapid drying time. Tiling could commence 16-24 hours after application which helped ensure a quick turnaround to meet the strict deadline.

Harbour Town Eats, Gold Coast

APPLICATOR: Vercon
GENERAL CONTRACTOR: Saba Bros Tiling Contractors
ARCHITECT: The Buchan Group Gold Coast – Stephen Jarvis

Harbour Town Eats is a multimillion-dollar dining space and food court in Australia’s largest outlet shopping centre. Based in the Gold Coast, Harbour Town Shopping Centre, Harbour Town Eats has an iconic outdoor open-air design. As one of the prime locations in Australia, it was important that the food court had excellent floor tiling solutions in line with the modern design of the surrounds.

The project involved renovating the food court from the cinema complex at one end to the decorative fountain at the other, which is a total of 4000m2 plus an extra 1000m2 of tile adhesive fixed direct to the new concrete.

Challenges
The primary challenge was that the substrate was formed in many small separate panels of concrete and/or brick paving with a central dividing walkway of pebblecrete and broken mosaics. One section of asphalt had to be removed and new concrete cast for the new tiles near the fountain.

Work had to be completed between 9pm and 6am every day as the cinemas and retail food outlets had to remain operating throughout the period.
Additionally, the tiles in the al fresco dining areas had to be laid in a French bond pattern using a mix of square and rectangular tile shapes up to 600 x 600mm in size. Whilst a similar style was laid in the central walkway.

There were some moisture concerns as the ARDEX system had not been used externally prior to this project. Finally, the thresholds of each retail food outlet had to be finished with minimal slope.

Solution
A specific ARDEX system was recommended to ensure a consistent and high-quality look. This system included ARDEX Flexbone UI 740 which is a high load-bearing, bonded, uncoupling membrane which is ideal for use with tiles and stone in high traffic areas. The system helps neutralise underlying substrate movement and supports and distributes heavy loads from above. It also helps prevent grout joint and tile damage from movement and deflection.

ARDEX Quickbond and ARDEX E 90 admix was the adhesive used which provided a quick-dry solution so no retail outlet was affected and could continue trade as normal. ARDEX FG 8 cement-based grout provided excellent workability and ensured a smooth finish.

The builder decided on using the recommended ARDEX Flexbone system as a result of moisture concerns. As the tiling contractor was not a familiar with ARDEX products, ARDEX provided resources onsite demonstrating the correct installation techniques.

Heirloom Apartments, Fremantle

APPLICATOR: Vercon
GENERAL CONTRACTOR: BUILT(Builder)
DEVELOPER: Match

Located in the heart of Fremantle, the Heirloom apartments is situated a short walk from the South Terrace café strip, popular swimming beaches and the Fremantle Town Centre. The building itself was originally Fremantle’s Dalgety Wool Stores – a heritage listed building. This project helped demonstrate the versatility of converted industrial spaces.

Unique Elements
The building itself was an old heritage listed wool store with old timber structure floors. The floors were also sheeted with JH Scyon, so special materials were needed to suit the system.

As part of the aesthetic, the architect had designed an open courtyard on the roof, which meant the roof had to be removed. This then exposed the Scyon flooring to external elements, which could cause liquid applied membranes to crack on the sheet joints.

With ARDEX WPM 002 Liquid applied membranes originally specified over the Scyon walkways which were covered by the roof, the original specification had to be rethought.

Solution
Sheet applied membrane systems was specified due to concerns about movement. If movement were to occur underneath a sheet membrane, it would then decouple from the substrate, thus eliminating issues of cracking with liquid membranes.

As ARDEX were the only manufacturer of fleeced and tileable sheet waterproofing membranes, ARDEX were able to provide the perfect solution. The contractors decided to proceed with ARDEX WPM 750 WeldTec Undertile Butynol as it resists tearing, flex cracking, bubbling and abrasion.

As an adhesive for the ARDEX WPM 750 sheet membrane, ARDEX WA 98 adhesive – specially formulated for Butynol applications – was used. ARDEX X 18, a strong fibre reinforced, flexible tile adhesive suitable for external applications, was then applied to fix the tiles down.

As opposed to liquid membranes, ARDEX WPM 750 sheet membrane gives a thin and consistent waterproofing gauge with tile installation able to commence 60 minutes after the membrane is installed. It is a sheet membrane designed for waterproofing tiled areas.

Marina Square, Wentworth Point

APPLICATOR: Team Members’ Project
GENERAL CONTRACTOR: Billbergia

The Marina Square Shopping Centre is a popular retail precinct located at Wentworth Point, one of the most prime spots in New South Wales. With many specialty and brand name stores, it was important that they had excellent grouting and tiling solutions in-line with the stunning design of the area.
The client required durable tiling, adhesive and epoxy grout solutions for the shopping centre main floor that didn’t compromise on aesthetics. The contractor opted for the distinctive and popular look of terrazzo tiles (400 x 400 x 20mm with 3mm joints) for this project as they could be put down quickly and provide a consistent, hard wearing flush finish once ground and polished. ARDEX provided a solution consisting of ARDEX X 18 tile adhesive and ARDEX EG 800 F commercial epoxy system. Combining these products ensured a high quality finish.

Challenge
As a high traffic area, the shopping centre needed to have its flooring and construction done quickly with minimal disruption to leasees and patrons.
The sheer size of the area (3400 square metres) meant that the project required a solution that could be laid quickly, in a short timeframe and in a way that didn’t take excessive manpower.

Solution
ARDEX was specified for the tiling throughout for its rapid drying and non-slump properties.
The adhesion used for this project comprised of ARDEX EG 800 F Flowable epoxy grout and ARDEX X 18, a fibre reinforced flexible non-slump wall and floor tile adhesive. This was the ultimate solution because it contains specially developed fibres that add to the high compressive strength required for such a high traffic area.

Unique Elements
Often, grout needs to be applied individually into each tile joint. However, for such a large area and quick turnaround time needed, the ARDEX EG 800 F was ideal for this application method because it meant that the entire area could be flooded and ground back afterwards, ensuring an impressive amount of surface area was covered in a short amount of time.

Another aspect that made this a favourable choice is the broad coverage. Each kit is estimated to cover approximately sixteen square metres.

It is also extremely durable, stain proof and waterproof making it the best choice for the busy levels of traffic in the shopping centre.

The Elan, Sydney

CONSULTANT: Diagnostech
BUILDER: Biltbeta

At 136 meters, 40 stories, The Elan is one of the tallest residential apartment blocks in Sydney. The building is also situated in the highest part of Kings Cross, 45 meters above sea level. Built in 1997, there are 18,200 cubic meters of concrete and 2,550 tonnes of reinforcing steel in The Elan.

Challenge
20 years after it was built, The Elan required a complete façade overhaul that included crack and joint repairs, she-blot repairs, spalling concrete, render repair, concrete crack injection, balustrade post repairs and façade coating systems. Furthermore, several balconies required re-waterproofing. ARDEX Australia in conjunction with the consultant specified a wholistic solution that included a complete, fully warrantable SystemARDEX approach. Works commenced in May 2016 and are expected to be completed early 2018. The size of the building makes it one of the largest façade restoration projects currently in Sydney.

Solution
Before work on the façade coating could start, concrete repairs were essential on parts of the building. Spalling concrete and she-bolt hole repairs were rectified with ARDEX BR 345 MICROTEC® Fibre-Reinforced, High Resistivity, Polymer-Modified, Structural Concrete Patching and Repair Mortar and ARDEX BR 120 FC Polymer-Modified, Fibre-Reinforced Fairing Coat.

Areas that were affected by cracks in concrete were reinstated by using ARDEX RA 88 Multi-Purpose Epoxy Repair Adhesive to adhere ARDEX T-Ports, a unique pressure injection port system, before injecting ARDEX RA 142 Super Low Viscosity Structural Concrete Crack Injection Epoxy for hairline cracks and ARDEX RA 144 Low Viscosity Structural Concrete Crack Injection Epoxy for cracks that were wider than 1mm. For render repairs, ARDEX WR Prime Performance Enhancing Polymer Primer & Additive was used in conjunction with ARDEX WR 100 General Purpose Acrylic Render.
There was a large number of joints that needed to be repaired and re-sealed. Throughout the project, a range of ARDEX sealants were used including ARDEX CA 20 P Multipurpose Construction Adhesive and Sealant, ARDEX RA 030 One Component, Moisture-Curing Expansion Joint Sealant and ARDEX RA 040 Polyurethane Joint Sealant.

The specified façade coating system included the use of two coats of ARDEX WPM 300, a two-component water based epoxy polyamide membrane/barrier coating, followed by two coats of ARDEX WPM 330 External Anti-Carbonation Façade Membrane.

Unique Elements
Due to the size of the structure, there was a significant amount of product required to coat the façade. In total, there are approximately 35,000 litres of WPM 300 and an additional 35,000 litres of WPM 330 that were used for the façade coating system.

Dennis Stephenson, Managing Director of Diagnostech Pty Ltd provided the following comment: “We selected ARDEX at the design stage because ARDEX were really the only supplier who offered the full system warranty. The project required compatibility between all products including sealants, render repairs, concrete repairs and coatings. This ultimately provided a level of comfort to the client, knowing that this full system compatibility had been considered and agreed between Consultant, Supplier and Contractor.

We also appreciated the fact that ARDEX were willing to assist Diagnostech with ongoing quality control inspections as the works progressed. This has certainly contributed to what has been a very successful façade refurbishment project.”

MYER Shopping Centre, Cairns

The specification of 10,000m of timber flooring at Myer Cairns, a market leader in Australian retailing, required a guaranteed system to overcome the high moisture levels in the concrete slab.

ARDEX WPM 300, ARDEX K 15 and ARDEX E 25 provided the system.

A tight construction schedule, as is often the case with new shopping centres, did not allow for the natural drying of the concrete slab. In addition the air-conditioning could not be operational at the time of installation of the timber flooring (a recommendation of both Australian Standards and the flooring manufacturers).

Recognising that the concrete moisture content was over the allowable limit, the specification was written to install ARDEX WPM 300, topped with a 4mm layer of ARDEX K 15. The former, as the name suggests, prevents moisture in the slab from travelling to the floor covering and causing it to warp or delaminate. ARDEX K 15 provides a smooth flat porous surface for the conventional laying of floor-coverings and also protects the moisture barrier against damage.

A number of years and millions of footsteps later the timber flooring continues to look great, testimony that the system works.

Dubai Mall, Dubai

INSTALLER: ASCON Marble & Granite LLC Plus Painting Works LLC
BUILDER: Dutco Balfour Beatty LLC Al Ghandi & Consolidated Contractors Company
ARCHITECT: DP Architects PTE LTD

CHALLENGES:

Largest shopping mall in the world
Very heavy traffic requirements
Fast track project
Avoid cracking or staining of the 200,000 m² natural stone floor that was light in colour
Work schedules of contractors

PROBLEMS:
Stretching over 1,114,800m² (12 million ft²) with a floor area of 548,110m2 (5.9 million ft²), the Dubai Mall is one of the largest retail shopping malls in the world. Containing a mixture of urban design principles, this amazing structure contains more than 1000 stores and offers leisure area attractions including a shark tank, an Olympic size skating rink and theme park. To date, the mall contains more steel than the total amount used in the Eiffel Tower and 193,000m² of stone has been placed. Originally scheduled completion in 2006, the Dubai Mall opened in 2008.

SOLUTION:
Working with the ARDEX Singapore Representative, the specification written by DP Architects listed specific ARDEX products by name, recommended ARDEX qualified contractors for installation and all recommended testing to be completed for the project.

For this flooring installation the existing concrete was primed with ARDEX P 51 Primer, this would seal the substrate and help ensure a strong bond. ARDEX EP 2000 Epoxy Primer was used to prime and fill cracks in preparation to receive the ARDEX K 15 Self- Levelling Underlayment.

Because this was such a large floor installation, ARDEX K 15 Self-Levelling Underlayment was specified. ARDEX K 15 is ideal for large installations, because it can be pumped or poured into place making it easy to use. ARDEX K 15 is formulated with a special blend of polymers to prevent shrinkage and create a smooth, flat surface.

To ensure there would be no tile staining from moisture caused by vapour diffusion a layer of ARDEX WPM 002 Waterproofing Membrane was used. WPM 002 is a strong, fast drying two-component waterproof membrane that is formulated with synthetic microfibers to increase strength and eliminate the need for a separate reinforcement mat. WPM 002 has been designed to use with ARDEX tile adhesives. It does not re-emulsify and accommodates normal building movement which eliminates steps that would be needed with competitors’ products. WPM 002 is fast drying and controls excess construction moisture in the subfloor, so it helped the crew move forward on the project at a steady pace.

ARDEX A 35 Screed was the next step in the Dubai Mall floor installation. A 35 is a rapid setting and drying cement for floor screeds with a compressive strength of 40 N/mm2 (5,800 psi) and can be applied bonded, unbonded or floating. It was developed with ARDEX RapiDry Technology which allowed
the installers to move onto the next step of the installation.

The final part of the installation included placing the natural stone tiles. ARDEX S 16 Natural Stone Adhesive was used to place the stones and then grout with ARDEX MG Grout. S 16 is the preferred adhesive when placing natural stone tiles in areas that are intermittently damp. This would further help prevent the staining of tiles in areas that can get wet, since staining is often associated with moisture issues. MG Grout was selected because of its ARDEX RapiDry formulation, which allows it to dry internally preventing moisture from staining the natural stone. It is also suitable for areas that are intermittently wet, so it would not be affected by potential water spills from one of the many fountains in the mall.

The Dubai Mall had the largest single day retail mall opening with nearly 600 stores present on November 4th, 2008. To ensure there would be no tile staining from moisture caused by vapour diffusion a layer of ARDEX WPM 002 Waterproofing Membrane was used. ARDEX WPM 002 is a strong, fast drying two-component waterproof membrane that is formulated with synthetic microfibers to increase strength and eliminate the need for a separate reinforcement mat. ARDEX WPM 002 has been designed to use with ARDEX tile adhesives. It does not re-emulsify and accommodates normal building movement which eliminates steps that would be needed with competitors’ products. ARDEX WPM 002 is fast drying and controls excess construction moisture in the subfloor, so it helped the crew move forward on the project at a steady pace.

The Dubai Mall had the largest single day retail mall opening with nearly 600 stores present on November 4th, 2008.

The Hub Apartments, Richmond

CONTRACTORS: Waterproofing – Better Waterproofing Pty Ltd; Tiling – Becca’s Tiling Services

The Hub Apartments provide residents with the heart and soul of Richmond’s inner urban lifestyle.

The complex consisting of one and two bedroom apartments features balconies with spectacular views in addition to a unique central garden courtyard that provides natural light and a private environment from the outside world.

ARDEX Australia was nominated as the preferred supplier as a company that could provide holistic solutions that catered for the needs of the project. The waterproofing and tiling contractors worked seamlessly to deliver the project on time and in a smooth, efficient manner.

The Hub was completed using a full System ARDEX solution, from waterproofing through to the finished tiled surfaces.

A number of ARDEX products were used in construction of The Hub Apartments including ARDEX WPM 155 Rapid. 5000 square metres of ARDEX WPM 155 Rapid was used due to the quick turnaround times and ease of substrate preparation. In addition to ARDEX WPM 155 Rapid, the ARDEX system included ARDEX Grout for internal wet areas and the tiled balconies. ARDEX WPM 179 was used in conjunction with a catalyst to waterproof over 200 square metres of planter boxes. The catalyst was used so that the membrane formed an immediate skin, so that rain threatening rain wouldn’t wash off the membrane. Also, over 300 square metres of ARDEX WPM 002 was used to waterproof external terraces over basements. Finally, ARDEX WPM 150 and ARDEX WPM 185 torch applied membranes were used to waterproof 2000 square metres of roof and terraces.

Sandgate Apartments, 51 Ashburner St, Manly

INSTALLER/APPLICATOR/GENERAL CONTRACTOR: Tecorp Constructions

CHALLENGE:
The 8 storey building “Sandgate Apartments” is approximately 45 years old and located in what has been described as a “severe marine environment” within 100 metres of the South Steyne Beach, Manly NSW. The existing clay brick façade has deteriorated due to salt penetration and crystallisation over the years that have resulted in fretting/spalling of the exposed brick faces.

PROBLEM/SITUATION:
Bricks needed to be high-pressure water blasted to remove surface salts in order to get a good bond of the render system. Due to the location of the building in a severe marine environment, the façade needed adequate protection from salt ingress and sea spray. Also, in combination with the ARDEX Render System, the application of ARDEX WPM 310 would provide a weather-proof barrier and a contemporary look of the façade.

SOLUTION:

Remove and replace defective bricks and cut out any sections where the brick mortar is deteriorated to expose sound solid mortar and re-point with new mortar as necessary to achieve a flat surface. Allow to harden before proceeding.
All existing painted surfaces to have a 2-3 mm scratch coat of ARDEX WR 60 and WR Prime.
On all existing masonry brickwork to install ARDEX WR 100 and WR Prime applied as base coat.
One coat of ARDEX WPM 270 as the prime coat prior to the application of the façade coating.
Apply the ARDEX WPM 310 Façade Coating over the dry primed surface in two coats at a minimum 300 microns per coat.

ARDEX was able to provide a complete compatible system for the rectification of the façade of this prime water-front apartment block along Manly beach, adding value for the owner’s investment for the years to come.

Oracle Apartments, Broadbeach

INSTALLER: BAT Tiling
BUILDER: Niecon Developments Pty Ltd
ARCHITECT: Niecon Developments Pty Ltd.

CHALLENGES:
– One 40 level and one 50 level tower
– Mixed use development
– Multiple tile applications

PROBLEMS:
As part of a redevelopment plan to turn Broadbeach into a high-end ‘live-work-play’ destination, an $850 million investment was provided to build two modern towers, the Oracle Broadbeach Apartments. Niecon Development specified ARDEX products as the solution to this challenge. In doing so, they received complete peace of mind knowing ARDEX tile adhesives are high quality products compatible with marble, vitrified and ceramic tile.

SOLUTION:
BAT Tiling worked with ARDEX Australia to offer a SYSTEMARDEX solution. SYSTEMARDEX is a complete regiment of high quality, compatible tiling, flooring and waterproofing products matched with unparalleled technical and field support. Each product is engineered through meticulous research and developed with feedback from contractors, specifiers, manufacturers and clients.

Starting with one of the markets fastest drying acrylic membranes, installers applied ARDEX WPM 002 Superflex Bathroom and Balcony Two Part Waterproofing Membrane where needed. WPM 002 specifically addresses internal moisture issues under tiles. Because WPM 002 is microfiber reinforced, a reinforcing mat is not needed In non-exposed permanent immersion areas.

Once the waterproofing membrane was sufficiently dry, screeds were placed throughout the building. To ensure the screeds would have strong bonds, high shears and tensile strengths ARDEX Abacrete Bonding Agent was addedAbacrete is a non-toxic liquid polymer additive designed specifically for use with screeds and renders. This additive also improves water resistance in the flooring.

To ensure the tile adhesives would bond appropriately to the substrates, ARDEX Multiprime Water-Based Primer was recommended. Multiprime is easy to apply using a sponge, brush or roller. This process saves time and creates a strong bond between the screed and adhesive. Where necessary, ARDEX Abaflex Premium Polymer Modified Flexible Tile Adhesive was applied, and ARDEX DS 40 Impact Sound Reduction and Decoupling system was placed. Abaflexs’ eight-hour cure time allows contractors to quickly move forward with the project. Abaflex is a good choice because of its flexibility in accommodating cracks (up to .9mm) created by building movement. DS 40 enhanced the luxury of the multipurpose building by reducing impact noise transfer from tenants above. DS 40 acoustic mats are pre-cut for easy application and can be placed over various substrates. DS 40 can also be directly tiled over using an ARDEX tile adhesive.

To accommodate the variety of tiles used in the building, ARDEX X 10 Flexible Non Slump Wall and Floor Tile Adhesive was recommended. X 10 is a polymer modified, cement-based wall and floor tile adhesive created with mastic properties ideal for all tile types. The mastic properties prevent sagging and movement in flooring and wall tile installation, maintaining the level of quality required by general contractors.

Once tiles were placed, ARDEX grouts were used as the final step. Where pigmented grout was required, ARDEX FG 8 Flexible Coloured Grout for Tile Joints 1 to 8 mm wide was used. FG 8 may be used on floors and walls and is easy to apply using a rubber trowel. Because it contains anti-mould agents and water repellents, the appearance and overall cleanliness of the rooms is easily maintained. FG 8 also cures to a smooth finish reducing the amount of trapped dirt and airborne contaminants.

Wherever a wider joint width occurred, ARDEX Wide Joint Sanded Cement-Based Grout was applied. This grout is shrink-resistant, and is especially suited for wider joints ranging from 5 to 15 mm. It can be used for floor or wall applications, around swimming pools and showers, and is available in a range of colours. For all carpeted areas, ARDEX AF 266 Outdoor Carpet Adhesive was recommended. This water-based adhesive has a low odor, so it is ideal for indoor use. ARDEX recommended this product, because it is resistant to the frequent, commercial grade cleaning expected in a luxury multi-purpose high rise.

Each of the products used for this project are part of the SYSTEMARDEX solution.

Ocean Marina Pointe Apartments, Mandurah

ARCHITECT: Eames and Associates

Nothing says sophistication like the seamless, mirrorlike quality of polished porcelain. Fixing porcelain requires skill and the right materials as the slightest uneveness (lip) will stand out a mile away.

The vision for Ocean Marina Pointe Apartments was to provide a seaside lifestyle with a touch of sophistication – catamarans, cafes and campari. Not surprisingly the architects of Eames and Associates & Dibstone Group chose Granitogres’ Casalgrande Padana, a 400 x 400mm honed porcelain.

When it comes to the tolerance of the tile itself, with quality porcelain there should be no lippage. The next requirement is that of an even surface – the larger the tile the more critical it is. Therefore, often a sand/cement screed or levelling compound is used to patch up any unevenness in the floor or to ramp up the slab, prior to fixing the porcelain with a suitable tile adhesive.

Due to time limitations, the specification by Project Manager, Steve Maru, called for an adhesive which could be patched up in places without the requirement of a screed.

After careful consideration, ARDEX STS 8 was selected. ARDEX STS 8 unique non-sink, non-slump formulation allows the use of heavy tiles without the risk of the adhesive bed giving way. On balconies and other external areas, ARDEX STS 8 was mixed with Ardion 90 to accommodate movement.

The tiling contractors were delighted to return the next day and find the porcelain exactly the way they had left it – no lip. What’s more, the tilers liked the workability of the product, with Kevin Byron going as far as claiming “STS 8 is the best adhesive on the market to use to lay porcelain.”

University Hospital, Gold Coast

INSTALLER: Master Floor Preparers
CONTRACTOR: Bovis Lend Lease

The new Gold Coast University Hospital is one of the largest public health infrastructure project.

Bovis Lend Lease worked in partnership with Queensland Health as the Stage One Managing Contractor on the new A$1.76 billion hospital. The 750 overnight-bed tertiary level hospital provides a greater range of specialised care to patients, including new and expanded services such as cancer radiotherapy services, neurosciences, neonatal intensive care, trauma response services and cardiac surgery.

ARDEX products have been used extensively throughout the Gold Coast University Hospital with over 100,000 square metres of ARDEX K 12 being used in areas subject to vinyl installation.

Courtney Dunn from Master Floor Preparers in Queensland confirmed that they were also using ARDEX WPM 300 moisture barrier due to moisture being retained in the substrates across the entire project.

Courtney Dunn said that “ARDEX products gives me peace of mind when undertaking large projects” and “ARDEX offers premium products that my staff like working with”.

Paediatric Hospital, Melbourne

GENERAL CONTRACTORS: Bovis Lend Lease
CONTRACTORS: Omni Flooring / Floor 91

The world-class, billion dollar paediatric hospital went under construction in Melbourne by Bovis Lend Lease and was built to meet the current and future health care needs of children and young people.

It was developed on the existing hospital site which was originally built in 1963; however the new hospital will combine new facilities, innovative models of care, leading edge research and education to provide the best health care and environment for patients, families and staff. The new hospital will be able to treat 35,000 additional patients per year and there will be more single rooms for the children.

ARDEX Australia are pleased to be involved in the construction of this state-of-the-art hospital and have supplied several products. The products were installed by two contractors specialising in ARDEX – Omni Flooring and Floor 91 in Victoria. Both contractors commenced work at the hospital early 2010.

ARDEX was successful in being specified on this project by offering a full product system from substrate to surface.

The Royal Children’s Hospital is Australia’s first five-star green hospital with a 45 per cent reduction in greenhouse gases and 20 per cent reduction in water demands. It features attractions from the Melbourne Zoo, Scienceworks, a cinema and an aquarium.

International Airport, Canberra

ARCHITECT: Guida Moseley Brown Architects
CONTRACTOR: PDA Marble and Granite

Canberra’s Airport is located on the eastern edge of North Canberra and is the eighth busiest airport in Australia. The new terminal features duty free shopping, free Wi-Fi and a café bar.

Luxurious furnishings and striking sculptures compliment stone floors and floor to ceiling windows that provide natural light and a clear view to the runways. The vision for the airport was to provide a stimulating point of difference for passengers resulting in a variety of sculptures being commissioned by renowned artists.

The system used for this project comprised of ARDEX DS 60 Decoupling Mat which is ideal for large areas where crack isolation is imperative. The unique floating system isolated base movement while only being 0.4mm thick.
ARDEX A 38 screed was laid because of the high compressive strength required for the high traffic area. Finally ARDEX X 18, a Fibre Reinforced Flexible Non Slump Wall and Floor Tile Adhesive was used to adhere the Terrazzo Tiles. ARDEX X 18 contains specially developed fibres that add strength to the tiled area.

CHALLENGES:
ARDEX A 38 screed was incorporated into the system because it provided high compressive strength and could manage the high levels of traffic that were expected in the terminal. It also provided rapid drying properties which allowed tiling to commence earlier, which greatly assisted in meeting deadlines for the new terminal to open and receive flights.

Airport, Newcastle

A major $80 million expansion of Newcastle Airport has recently been completed to transform the existing airport and create a second international airport for NSW. The expansion saw the terminal size double and facilities improved to cater for international ights. ARDEX was specified for the tiling throughout.

ARDEX S 16 (with ARDEX E 90) was used to lay 1600 sqm of natural stone throughout the arrivals and departure lounges of the airport. ARDEX S 16 locks in moisture and reduced the risk of eflorescence and water marks on the natural stone tiles that were laid. Recently, ARDEX S 16 has been replaced with the superior ARDEX S 28 Neu, an Ardurapid, Microtec stone and tile adhesive.

ARDEX X 10 was ideal for use over the membranes and provides excellent slump resistance for both wall and floor tiles. ARDEX X 10 provides mastic type properties.

In addition to the Natural Stone, a further 1000m² of bathroom tiling that included both walls and floors was also laid and waterproofed using the ARDEX WPM 155 Rapid Waterproong System with ARDEX STB Tape. This system allowed the wet areas to be tiled in as little as four hours after the application of the membrane, an added benet particularly for projects with a tight timeline.

CHALLENGES:
A sample of the Natural Stone was supplied by Newcastle Tile Company to the ARDEX Technical Team and a specication was issued for the complete tiling system catering for this type of natural stone. The natural stone was thermally sensitive (susceptible to the effect of heat and light) so a speciality tile adhesive ARDEX S 16 along with ARDEX E 90 was specied and used. In addition, the floor was also levelled where necessary to x undulations between old and new slabs.

“The development of Newcastle Airport to accommodate international flights is a huge step forward for both tourism and the growing population in the area,” explained ARDEX Account Manager, Jeff Anderson.
“It is exciting to witness investment in infrastructure and ARDEX is proud to be involved in such an iconic project.”

Opera House Western Foyer, Sydney

INSTALLER: Better Tiles
BUILDER: John Holland
ARCHITECT: Original Architect: Jørn Utzon & son Jan Utzon
COLLABORATOR: Johnson Pilton Walker

CHALLENGES:
Reproducing Jørn Utzon’s original vision
Irregular shaped glass reinforced concrete tile was produced specifically for the project the first of its kind in Australia, as Jan Utzon wanted a seamless floor finish construction while building was being used
Floor movement from stages & loading docks underneath foyer
Silicone used in perimeter & expansion joints needed to match the floor to create a seamless look

PROBLEMS:
Design improvements included irregular tile shapes & glass reinforced concrete tiles with clear silicone expansion joints to create a seamless floor. Frequent floor movement was expected because of the stage & loading docks below the foyer, which could potentially cause the tiles to crack.

SOLUTION:
To prepare the original substrate for the new tile installation, ARDEX recommended ARDEX Multiprime Water Based Primer which is designed to improve adhesion of ARDEX products to various porous substrates. This primer dries fast allowing subsequent products to be installed quickly.

When applying the screed, ARDEX Abacrete Bonding Agent was specified. It is a liquid polymer additive that greatly improves the shear & tensile bond strength of the screed.

To place the specialty tiles, ARDEX X 77 high performance, fibre reinforced polymer modified adhesive was used in addition to ARDEX E 90 Admix for Cement Based Tile Adhesives. ARDEX X 77 is reinforced with ARDEX Microtec ® Technology. The combination of these two products enhances bond strength for use in high volume foot traffic areas. When mixed with the ARDEX E 90 additive, it has water repellent qualities & improved sag resistance. By using the combination of the two products together, the specialty tiles were less likely to move while the adhesive was drying, maintaining an even surface.

ARDEX SE Coloured Silicone for Sanitary Installations was used to fill perimeter, expansion joints and ARDEX Abapoxy High Performance Epoxy Grout was sprinkled over the silicone for a matt finish. This enhanced the seamless look of the tile installation. To grout the rest of the area, ARDEX Abapoxy was selected for its permanent colour capabilities. It also has a high resistance to chemicals, so commercial cleaning required for a high traffic area would not have an adverse effect on the grout.

Each of the ARDEX products used were low in VOC, allowing the Sydney Opera House to remain open during the installation.

The Canberra Centre, Canberra

CONTRACTOR: PDA Marble & Granite

CHALLENGE:
The challenge posed to ARDEX was that the 6000m² of walkways at The Canberra Centre needed an upgrade; however, minimal disruption to the walkways was of key importance to allow shoppers to move freely around the centre.

This meant that the new screed and tile adhesive would be subject to heavy foot traffic in a matter of hours.

As some of the work conducted was to outside areas in the middle of winter, the temperature also provided a challenge to ARDEX as the temperature would get down to as low as 2 degrees.

SOLUTION:
Working with Marble and Granite specialist PDA, ARDEX specified the ARDEX A 38 Rapid Set Screed to be used to re-screed the walkways after existing tiles and screed were removed. Large areas of the project could all be done in the one night as the ARDEX A 38 screed has a walkability time of 8 hours and achieves 20MPa compressive strength after 1 day and 35MPa after 28 days. The shopping centre walkway could then be covered to allow foot traffic in the morning and throughout the day.

Areas which had a smaller depth to level before tiling were levelled with ARDEX LQ 92 Under Tile Levelling Compound, which can be accessed in 4 hours after installation in suitable conditions, to a thickness of up to 25mm.

The ARDEX S 16 Rapid Drying and Hardening Tile and Natural Stone Adhesive, mixed with ARDEX E 90 Admix was then used in order to allow the tiling to be completed on the second night. With it being trafficable after 2-3 hours in suitable conditions, ARDEX S 16 allowed the tiling component of the project to be performed efficiently to allow the walkways to be open and ready for foot traffic at the start of the day.

A special batch of the ARDEX A 38 Rapid Set Screed was produced for the 500m2 external areas, which experienced single digit temperatures throughout the winter installation.

In addition to the high performing system components, ARDEX’ Key Account Manager for Tiling NSW, ensured that the products were on site when the project required; and installation guidance combined with advice was always available to ensure the project ran smoothly.

Using a complete system by ARDEX ensured that all components were working together to provide an efficient, robust base and floor at The Canberra Centre which was backed by an ARDEX System Warranty. A special batch of the ARDEX A 38 Rapid Set Screed was produced for the 500m2 external areas, which experienced single digit temperatures throughout the winter installation.

Using a complete system by ARDEX ensured that all components were working together to provide an efficient, robust base and floor at The Canberra Centre which was backed by an ARDEX System Warranty.

Westfield Miranda, Sydney

BUILDER: Westfield Design & Construct
CONTRACTOR: Terrazzo (Aust), Marble Pty Ltd (Existing areas), Saba Tiling (New areas)

CHALLENGE:
In consultation with Westfield Design & Construct, Terrazzo (Aust) Marble Pty Ltd engaged ARDEX to investigate different options for the re-tiling of the existing centre of the Westfield Shopping Centre at Miranda, in Sydney’s south.

The main criteria when looking at the different options were speed of curing for the screed and tiling adhesive as work had to be completed at night and the centre to be ready in the morning for minimal disruption to walkways.

A traditional sand and cement screed was compared against the ARDEX A 38 Rapid Set Screed to view what the best solution for the project.

SOLUTION:
The ARDEX A 38 Rapid set screed was chosen to rescreed the walkways following removal of existing tiles and screed. Having the ability to accept heavy foot traffic within 8 hours of installation, the ARDEX A 38 screed system ensured that strict timeframes were met during the installation of this critical part of the project.

Achieving a compressive strength of 35 MPa and being dimensionally stable, the ARDEX A 38 ensures the base of the tiling system contains the perfect mix of strength and flexibility.

With its high compressive strength, scissor lifts can be employed directly on the screeded floor, something that is difficult to do with traditional sand and cement screed. The ARDEX A 38 and ARDEX S 16 system meets the low VOC emission requirements of the Green Building Council of Australia Green Star IEQ-13, which were also a consideration for this project.

As ARDEX are committed to ensuring contractors are exposed to high quality training in the installation of their products, ARDEX conducted on site training of the ARDEX A 38 rapid set screed at Terrazzo (Aust) Marble’s head office, with representatives from Terrazzo (Aust) Marble and Westfield attending.

The following night the areas containing the A 38 screed were cleaned and prepared for the ARDEX S 16 Rapid Hardening and Rapid Drying Tile and Natural Stone Adhesive to install the terrazzo tiles and natural stone.

Besides being ideal for installing natural stone Susceptible to moisture sensitivity, the main benefit of using this adhesive on the project is the curing time and the ability for traffic to walk on the flooring, 2-3 hours after installation in suitable conditions. This allowed large areas to be tiled overnight and ready for trading each morning with no disruption to shoppers.

Although the system was originally specified on the existing shopping centre flooring, Westfield were so happy with the performance of the products and the response from ARDEX to ensure the project ran smoothly, they specified the system on the new areas of the shopping centre being installed by Saba Brothers Tiling. In all, the project totalled approximately 12000m².

Warnbro Shopping Centre, Warnbro

ARCHITECT: Hames Sharley
CONTRACTORS: Marble & Cement Works

When Marble & Cement Works were approached to retile the Warnbro Shopping Centre, there were some stringent expectations placed on them.

Work had to be completed at night with the flooring sections needing to be reopened and trafficable by the public by the morning.

Coupled with this were weight & moisture concerns with a 25mm x 600mm x 300mm Chinese Granite weighing approximately 70kg m2.

Working in close conjunction with the ARDEX team in Western Australia, and ARDEX technical services the
recommendation was for ARDEX S 16 white natural stone adhesive which is a rapid hardening & fast setting adhesive for natural stone.

The unique ARDEX Rapidry Formula Technology locks in moisture, thereby reducing the risk of efflorescence and water marks on certain natural stone tiles.

The ARDEX S 16 natural stone adhesive also allowed the newly tiled floor to be trafficable after 2 – 3 hours, which meant night work did not disrupt the ability of the shopping centre to be functional in its opening times.

The original plan was to utilise the ARDEX S 16 adhesive in a grey but were changed to the white at last minute to assist with cleaning up due to the tight time frame.

Although this was on the Western side of the country, ARDEX head office in Sydney responded quickly to ensure material was available in a short period of time.

To ensure things were installed to ARDEX’s recommendations an ARDEX trained applicator was used on the project. This gives peace of mind as the high quality training ARDEX invest in is beneficial to the contractors undertaking courses.

The Emporium, Melbourne

CONTRACTOR: De Fazio Commercial Tiling

De Fazio Commercial Tiling has recently completed the tiling of all common areas at The Emporium, a premium retail space in the heart of Melbourne CBD. The overall project took three years to complete with the tiling component taking twelve months.

ARDEX Australia supplied a complete system for the tiling installation including waterproofing, tile adhesive and grouts to all public areas. The tiling covered an enormous area of more than 21,000m².

ARDEX S 16 Rapid Hardening and Rapid Drying Tile and Natural Stone Adhesive, the main tiling adhesive used, was chosen for its rapid drying and reduced risk of water-staining. Early access to the tiled area was viable which helped to fast track the installation.

ARDEX A 38 Rapid Set Cement Screed was also installed. It is a screed that improves on-site efficiencies by allowing traffic shortly after application and the laying of the floor covering on the same day.

The project presented a number of challenges with much time spent on-site assessing and supporting the various areas of the project and undertaking quality assurance for the ARDEX system. Tiling was specified above 2.7 metres which required particular attention and utilised the ARDEX WA 100 Epoxy.

The central CBD location made deliveries more challenging with ARDEX having to adhere to very exact delivery times. The centre contains 225 stores over five levels so product had to be distributed throughout the entire centre.

“ARDEX Australia was thrilled to be involved with the overhaul of such an iconic building,” explained Robert Cameron, National Sales Manager, ARDEX Australia. “The project demonstrated the scope of ARDEX tiling products and combined with quality and skilled workmanship, has achieved an outstanding result.”

Olympic Aquatic Centre, London

Wai Ariki Hot Springs and Spa, Lake Rotorua, New Zealand

Therme Lindau, Germany

The Towers & Ritz Carlton, Elizabeth Quay

Miami Aquatic Centre, Miami, Gold Coast

Springs Day Spa & Fitness Centre, Noosa

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Water Playground – Elizabeth Quay, Perth

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The Pool of Reflection, Sydney

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Box Hill Pool Refurbishment

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Lightning Ridge Olympic Pool

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Austin Apartment Pool Refurbishment, South Brisbane

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Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Adelaide

Australian Bragg Centre SAHMRI 2, Adelaide

AURA, Sydney

The Bakery, Newtown, Sydney

Nan Tien Temple, NSW

New Doha International Airport, Qatar

Burj Khalifa – Middle East

Susan Wakil Health Building, The University of Sydney

Holiday Inn Express Hotel – VIC

Iglu Student Accommodation – VIC

Mercure Hotel – VIC

Midland Hospital – Bellevue, WA

Midnight Hotel – ACT

Vibe Hotel – TAS

West Village – West End QLD

DoubleTree by Hilton

Crystallbrook Bailey

ADGE Hotel Refurbishment

SCEGGS – Redlands Senior Campus

North Bondi Residential Apartments, Sydney

Little Lane Early Learning Centre, Manly

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Hitch Property Constructions – Waterproofing Refurbishment

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The Greek Orthodox Cathedral of Saint Sophia, Sydney

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74 Pirie Street, Adelaide

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Mercedes Benz Autohaus, Newstead

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Cairns Corporate Tower, Cairns

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Creative Quarter Cycle Hub, Curtin University, Perth

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Garden Island Naval Base, Sydney

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Perth Children’s Hospital

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Optus Stadium, Perth

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Harbour Town Eats, Gold Coast

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Heirloom Apartments, Fremantle

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Marina Square, Wentworth Point

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The Elan, Sydney

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MYER Shopping Centre, Cairns

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Dubai Mall, Dubai

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The Hub Apartments, Richmond

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Sandgate Apartments, 51 Ashburner St, Manly

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Oracle Apartments, Broadbeach

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Ocean Marina Pointe Apartments, Mandurah

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University Hospital, Gold Coast

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Paediatric Hospital, Melbourne