The British Museum, UK

The British Museum opened its doors to the public in 1759 as the first national public museum in the world. Now home to some 8 million works from a number of different cultures, the museum stands as an iconic London attraction.

After a particularly successful 2013 The British Museum reached a record-breaking total of 6.7 million visitors, up 20% from 2012. However, as the museum’s popularity has continued to grow, so has the demand to accommodate its millions of visitor’s year on year.

The Great Court restaurant is one such place which offers the museum’s visitors a chance to relax and enjoy a refined dining experience away from the hubbub of activity in the museum. In order to maintain this experience, The British Museum made the decision in November 2013 to replace the restaurant’s old flooring, as it could no longer handle the vast number of visitors coming through the restaurant every day. W B Simpson Ltd, was the chosen tiling contractor to complete the new installation, and Marc Poland, Director at W B Simpson Ltd said “We could provide and lay the desired style of tiles, however, we needed the correct products which would enable us to do this within the tight time frame given, and to the high standard expected by the museum.”

“The architect consulting on this project specified the use ARDEX a company I have worked with over the last 10 years, most notably on the London Olympic Aquatics Centre.”

Andrew Reid, National Business Development Manager at ARDEX UK, explained, “After carrying out a site visit I compiled a bespoke specification which would meet the requirements of The British Museum. ARDITEX NA and ARDEX MICROTEC X 77 were ideal for this particular project, with the rapid setting properties of ARDITEX NA, and extended open time of ARDEX MICROTEC X 77 ensuring the museum’s tight time constraints were adhered to. ARDEX-FLEX FL Tile Grout finished of the system, and is resilient against the day to day wear of a busy restaurant floor.”

Marc Poland explained, “Working with ARDEX makes our job a whole lot easier, not only are their products reliable and of premium quality, but the company is established within the industry meaning that when an unanticipated crisis arose, ARDEX had the knowledge, experience and portfolio of products to swiftly resolve it.”

“When taking up the old flooring we quickly realised that the existing screed was too weak to lay the new flooring. ARDEX was called back on to the site to evaluate the problem, and within the same day they had recommended and supplied ARDEX PSRS, a Penetrating Screed Renovation System, designed to strengthen and restore poorly compacted and low strength screeds that do not meet the required in-situ crushing resistance.” Andrew concludes “That is the advantage of using ARDEX; we not only recommend and supply high quality adhesives for the entire project, but are also equipped to deal with any unexpected problems which may arise during a project, without compromising the project’s deadline. As a result of using ARDEX The British Museum has a completely refurbished restaurant floor built to withstand its ever increasing popularity for decades to come.”