LOCAL CHURCH BUILDING, SAMOA
Located in the beautiful island of Samoa, Ardex Butynol roofing was coloured specifically to meet the look and feel of the local community. This 1000m2 church was designed with aesthetics and durability in mind and Ardex Butynol was specified due to the excellent performance and because the colour could be customised.
ARDEX Butynol was the ideal choice as it has been a popular option in the Pacific Islands over the years due to its high heat and humidity resistance and outstanding results in long lasting water tightness. The synthetic rubber membranes properties resist ageing and breakdown due to heat, sunlight and ozone. It is extremely durable and remains flexible at all temperatures, making it ideal for the Pacific Island climate and conditions of Samoa.
Ardex Butynol is CodeMark Certified for use on roofs (and decks) on slopes with pitches to 1:100. The roof was installed by experienced Ardex trained installers, AH Ben Construction, who installed this customised Butynol to a very high standard. This project was overseen by an Ardex representative, who travelled from New Zealand to ensure the project went smoothly.
In addition, the membrane would need to blend with the building and the local surroundings therefore a terracotta colour tint was customised for this project.
Another key factor in the decision to use an Ardex membrane was the market-leading warranty cover offered by Ardex. Ardex reflect the confidence they have in their system by offering a warranty that provides for complete system replacement — a massive shift over standard market warranties, and another reason why Ardex leads the way in membrane roofing.
Today, the unmissable terracotta roof of this Samoan church is a great visual piece for locals to enjoy and the membrane will ensure the building performs well to service the people and looks good for the many years to come.
ARDEX offer a bespoke, Butynol Made-to-Order service that can be used almost anywhere. We can make essentially any size, shape or colour such as liners for ponds, water and gas storage, surge tanks, erosion control or custom length rolls. Talk to Ardex today about made to order Butynol and how we can assist you with your next project.
Credits:
Membrane installation: AH Ben Construction
COASTAL RESIDENTIAL HOME, OMAHA
Located in the beachside town of Omaha, this 400m2 home was designed with durability and low maintenance in mind. For the roofing, the ARDEX Weldtec Roofing System was specified to ensure trusted weathertightness and high performance in the coastal location.
The architectural designer wanted a flexible, heat weldable membrane roof that would provide a high level of UV stability and would handle the thermal movement expected in timber framed buildings. In addition, the membrane would need to be suitable for use in the home’s beachside environment.
The ARDEX Weldtec Roofing System, which was designed in New Zealand for New Zealand conditions, met this brief and was specified for the home’s extensive roof. The ARDEX Weldtec Roofing System features ARDEX WPM 715 — a BRANZ appraised heat welded waterproofing membrane designed for use in exposed areas. The membrane offers excellent resistance to aging from heat, UV and atmospheric agents, and displays flexibility at all temperatures, making it ideal for the coastal property.
The ARDEX Weldtec 715 membrane was specified as a fully adhered complete roofing system using the Ardex range of adhesives and accessories. The roof was installed by experienced ARDEX approved installers, Mohan Waterproofing Services, who found installation straightforward with the welded join membrane and simple detailing making it easy to install the roof to a very high standard.
In addition to speeding up installation, the heat-welded installation of the Ardex Weldtec 715 system brings the added security of a strong, continuous membrane with welded laps and seams. And once installed, the membrane is warranted for domestic foot traffic, making home maintenance access easy, and also providing the option to use it on exposed decks.
Another key factor in the decision to use an ARDEX membrane was the market-leading warranty cover offered by ARDEX. ARDEX reflect the confidence they have in their system by offering a warranty that provides for complete system replacement — a massive shift over standard market warranties, and another reason why ARDEX leads the way in membrane roofing. Combine this with ARDEX’s history of over 50 years in New Zealand, and homeowners are given real peace of mind security.
Now finished, the roof of this Omaha home will look good and perform for many years to come, with the excellent weathertightness, UV resistance and temperature flexibility of the ARDEX Weldtec 715 membrane providing year-round high performance.
Historic Farmers Department Store Grand Tearoom
Located in the Heritage Hotel in Auckland, the space has been transformed into a New York-style loft penthouse. Featured in a recent episode of Grand Designs NZ, the design incorporated heritage features with modern urban industrial design, resulting in a stunning renovation of the 539m² heritage-listed space.
The bathrooms, with their amazing views across the Hauraki Gulf, used ARDEX WPM 750 Undertile Sheet Membrane for the undertile waterproofing. Made in Christchurch New Zealand, WPM 750 is the only internal wet area sheet membrane available in the NZ market that is weldable. The WPM 750 membrane speeds up project completion times. Unlike liquid waterproofing membranes, ARDEX WPM 750 gives a thin and consistent 0.5mm waterproofing gauge with no need to wait for liquids to dry. Solvent-free adhesive is first applied, followed by the membrane — rather like hanging wallpaper — and tiling can commence just one hour after the membrane is installed. A fleece on both sides of the fabric helps with tile application, while still excelling in durability and waterproofing capabilities. The laps of the membrane can be heat-welded using a Leister Hot Air Gun to ensure a standard thickness, limited application error and that all laps are securely joined, creating a fail-safe waterproofed area. WPM 750 also comes with a 15-year material guarantee. ARDEX WPM 1000 WeldTec membrane was also used for the external balcony areas.
On-site, the installer was able to utilise technical support from ARDEX who came to site to confirm the intended system application and assist with detailing to ensure the system was 100% waterproof. The systems included primers, adhesives and sealants all supplied by ARDEX to provide a full system warranty with all products compatible with each other from one supplier. The ARDEX recommended applicator, Best Skills Limited, used their knowledge and experience with ARDEX systems to confidently meet the tight time frame of the project.
For fail-safe waterproofing and fast-tracked project timing, the ARDEX WPM range offers superior benefits for all wet area projects.
Heathrow Airport
ARDEX teamed up with one of the UK’s leading flooring contractors, Loughton Contracts, to deliver a 40,000m2flooring refurbishment at Heathrow Airports Terminal 1. Boasting an excellent portfolio of successful large-scale commercial installations, the proven duo specified the perfect ARDEX system, which enabled final floorcoverings to be laid at the earliest opportunity.
The recent refurbishment of Terminal 1, which handles around 12 million passengers every year, encompassed the check-in, and baggage system and arrivals concourse, and resulted in passengers experiencing a faster and more comfortable journey from check-in to take off. Once the existing floorcoverings had been uplifted and the subfloors mechanically prepared, ARDITEX NA was applied.
ARDITEX NA has been developed for use on virtually all substrates and it can be laid from a feather edge up to at least 12mm in a single application. Offering excellent properties of adhesion and flexibility, ARDITEX NA is perfect for levelling concrete, cement/sand screeds, flooring grade asphalt, quarry tiles and even internal steel decks without priming. The ammonia free formulation proved an added bonus, making it perfect for use in such a high trafficked public area.
A combination of floorcoverings from Nora Flooring Systems UK Limited, namely Nora Ultra Grip rubber safety flooring, and Norament 925 Grano rubber floorcovering were fixed with ARDEX AF 2300 a rubber floorcovering adhesive.
Commenting on the project, John Collier, Sales Director of Loughton Contracts said “This large installation required a proven, fast track solution that would ensure minimum disruption to the airport. By working with ARDEX we could deliver exceptional results, and the peace of mind that is synonymous with ARDEX products, assured a rapid and perfect finish, completed on schedule”.
LITTLE LANE EARLY LEARNING CENTRE, MANLY
Our friends over at ARDEX Australia have just completed a fantastic early learning project in Manly Beach. Little Lane 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, 1200m² 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 2800m² 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.
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.”
Aotea Center
Architect: Stevenson and Turner
Engineer: Aurecon Group
Construction Company: NZ Strong
Installer: Giacon Terrazzo ltd
Scope: Level 2 entry Stairs and Ramp
The Aotea Centre is a performing arts and events centre / theatre in the Auckland CBD. Located in the heart of New Zealand’s most populated city, the Centre provides a cultural and entertainment venue space for a vast range of comedic, dance & drama and musical performances year-round.
ARDEX was specified to create a trafficable, entrance ramp and monolithic floor design encapsulating and reusing the uplifted Italian marble floor that was originally installed in 1990. The crushed Italian marble was introduced into the ARDEX PC-T white leveling compound to create the desired aggregate finish. The completed floor also needed to be strong and durable enough to withstand constant pedestrian and moderate pneumatic vehicle traffic across the finished ramp.
Although a trafficable ramp may seem like a straight forward job, the ramp was constructed using timber plywood structure over the existing concrete surface; meaning it was susceptible to differential movement. ARDEX was able to overcome this limitation with Aurecon Group to create a robust timber support with three layers of structural plywood followed by the installation of a customized ARDEX System. The specified ARDEX System was as follows:
ARDEX WPM 1000 slip layer
ARDEX A 38 Rapid set Engineered screed cement at 50 mm
ARDEX MC Rapid one coat moisture control system
ARDEX PC-T with the approved aggregate at 10 mm
ARDEX PC 10 Lithium Hardener
ARDEX PC Finish
Lastly, the flight of stairs shown in the photos were pre cast off site and installed using an approved ARDEX Adhesive system directly to the new timber structure. The stair profiles were also fitted with an approved non-skid nosing, which was inserted into the pre-cast mould.
The Aotea centre is now looking better than ever and welcomes guests to check out and view their new, grand ARDEX flooring system.
Halsey Street Apartments – Auckland Marina
Architect: Athfield Architects
Applicator: MPM Waterproofing
Project Size: 3600m2 (Balconies 2700m2 | Roof 900m2)
The Halsey Street Apartments are a great addition to the Wynyard Quarter. A perfect contrast of a waterfront location and an inner-city vibe, these apartments have fantastic contemporary designs making for both interior and exterior luxury. 132 Halsey Street offers a limited number of premium apartments with spectacular views of Auckland’s skyline and marina.
A full ARDEX System was specified for all the apartment balconies and the roof, reaching just over 3600m2 of installed product in total. The ARDEX Warm Roof system comprised of two areas, one over plywood and the 2nd over concrete. For the concrete area WPM 300 was utilised as a moisture barrier/vapor barrier to prevent rising damp. On top of this, our 101mm Polyiso insulation board was adhered down using our Polyiso adhesive. Because roof substrate was concrete and the project was in a high wind zone, it was a huge cost saving of labour to use adhesive rather than pre drilling holes through the vapor barrier and using a tremendous amount of screw fixings. This method allowed for the Polyiso board to be fixed at 300mm ribbons ensuring that the board will be able to withstand up to 6kPa wind loads. Lastly, the base sheet WPM 117- and top membrane ARDEX WPM 189 – black was installed for the final finish. For the timber areas of the roof, WPM 3000X was used as a vapor barrier due to its ability to self-seal around the mechanical fasteners.
This warm roof system was specified because of our 101mm Firestone Polyiso Insulation Board and close working relationship with the waterproofing applicator- MPM roofing. Our insulation board has a high Long-Term Thermal Resistance (LTTR) rating and carries the internationally recognized PIMA quality mark certification. Even though this is a torch-applied roofing system, the application system has decreased the risks associated by installing the WPM 117 base sheet overtop of the primed insulation board. WPM 117 also allows for a faster installation, as this first layer of waterproofing doesn’t involve heat so can be applied instantaneously – resulting in roof areas being made watertight extremely fast!
With over 7 ARDEX products being used to comply with a full SystemARDEX warm roof installation and a 20/20 Warranty, the Halsey apartments are waterproof! Next time your strolling through the Viaduct, make sure to gaze upon the Halsey Street Apartments – a great addition to Auckland’s Wynyard Quarter.
Air New Zealand Head Office
Builder: Q Projects
Architect: Context Architects
Developer: Air New Zealand
Installer: Sansom
An award-winning company like Air New Zealand requires a high-end, efficient office complex to run all the behind the scenes work. The Air New Zealand Headquarters is a sizable 15,600m2, six-story building located in Auckland’s waterfront precinct. With the build being completed in 2005 it has since needed vast remedial repairs including waterproofing issues on the ground level. Due to the offices being built on reclaimed land and being several story’s deep the project requires quality products and quality installation.
This was the second attempt at remediating the tiled outdoor podium area which was leaking through onto the underground car-parking below. ARDEX was specified for the remedial work after working closely with the specifier to provide a comprehensive and unique product system tailored to the specific requirements of the project. With over 10 ARDEX products used throughout the project, ARDEX can ensure the durability and high quality of the new waterproofing system.
ARDEX WPM 114 vented base sheet was specified atop of the ARDEX A 38 rapid set cement screed across the outdoor areas. ARDEX WPM 114 allows any residual moisture from the leak to dissipate out, and not cause any detriment to the membrane system; reducing any requirement for additional moisture barriers. ARDEX A 38 allowed for a quick curing time to minimize the wait on the important walkway and has great work-ability to ensure that rainfall can be channeled to outlets rather than being able to pool. ARDEX’s on-site technical support helped along the way offering solutions to difficult factors such as the high surface temperatures experienced in the peak of summer at 56 degrees Celsius on some surfaces.
In addition to the podium, the Air New Zealand entrance ramp needed to be remedied so that it could withstand high volumes of foot traffic in an exposed area. The ramp required a solution that allowed a tile finish but would be suitable for the gradient necessary. A floating tile system would not suffice, nor would attempting to adhere to a bituminous membrane. ARDEX provided the unique, New Zealand-made solution of the WeldTec membrane ARDEX WPM 1000. The membrane is lined with a fleece specifically designed for the direct adhesions of tiling systems internally or externally. As the original remedial work involved a floating tiling system, this membrane was the most sensible solution offering the security of adhered tiles on the incline and being fully compatible with ARDEX tiling systems.
Air New Zealand can now get back to focusing on flying planes and be confident that the installed ARDEX products will stand the test of time.
Rydges Hotel Wellington Airport
Architect: Archaus
Installers: Warmup & Pololitos
Tile Supplier: Tile Warehouse
The Rydges Hotel Wellington is in a prime location right above the international terminal at the Wellington airport. A perfect spot for travellers seeking a convenient location to experience New Zealand’s cosy capital city. With a strong focus on great design this 4-star hotel complex offers 134 stylish and comfortable rooms ideal for either business or leisure purposes.
Because the architects valued quality and durability, they specified ARDEX tiling and waterproofing products to be a part of this $36 million-dollar project. The size of this build was significant, with a combined total area of over 2100m2 of installed ARDEX DS70, ARDEX X 52 tile adhesive, ARDEX Quickbond adhesive, ARDITEX NA floor leveller and ARDEX undertile WeldTec membrane ARDEX WPM 750 .
ARDEX WPM 750 was specified in 130 bathrooms and showers as well as all corridors including the main lobby. ARDEX WPM 750 was the selected membrane of choice for its ability to be heat-welded which adds security and its fleece-lined formulation which allows for the direct adhesion of tiled surfaces. ARDEX WPM 750 has excellent flexibility, durability, and superior resistance to tearing, cracking, bubbling and absorption – perfect for a hotel situation. To ensure full quality of the tiling systems, ARDEX representatives worked very closely with the waterproofing installers Warmup and the tiling installers Pololitos with frequent site visits and regular communication to guarantee the workmanship matched the project requirements.
Now that this fantastic hotel complex is finished and open to the public. Make sure you book yourself a night’s stay and see for yourself that the luxury and premium quality you feel begins at the roots of the hotel’s structure – ARDEX; the quality leader for an entire industry.