Lure Apartments – Australia

The dream of a quiet, serene, luxury apartment within a brand new prestigious development in Nelson Bay, NSW is now a reality with a new, easily installed acoustic barrier from Ardex Australia.

Developers of the prestigious LURE apartments stressed the importance of creating an effective sound barrier between each apartment that would not impede on strict completion deadlines or create undue strain on projected costs, yet still provide a high quality finish.

The project comprised 900 square metres of tiling over both bathrooms and external balcony areas. Local tilers, Newcastle Tiles, utilised a system of compatible Ardex products for all aspects of the tiling and soundproofing which streamlined the process of specifying, ordering and seeking on-site technical advice during installation.

Ardex WPM 002, a fast-setting two-part waterproofing membrane, was applied first to both balconies and bathrooms to create a waterproof barrier. This was followed by the combination of Ardex X56, a highly flexible tile adhesive, and Ardex DS40, an impact sound reduction system, to form the soundproof barrier. Tiles were then fixed directly to DS40.

The DS40 impact sound reduction system was a pivotal product in the overall project due to the pre-cut mats being a consistent thickness of 4.5mm, meaning an overall lower build height was achieved. In addition to providing an excellent uniform acoustic barrier that is essential in helping prevent noise travel between apartments, it is also an extremely fast and easy product to install, using pre-cut mats compared to traditional, messier methods.

Field tests have shown that DS40 can reduce noise by 14dB and 18dB when used in conjunction with X56 flexible tile adhesive (as was the case in the Lure apartment project). Utilising the ease of application, Newcastle Tiles was able to have apprentices installing the pre-cut mats while its more experienced tilers laid the tiles – hence reducing installation time and costs.

LURE Apartments were completed on time and to great acclaim. Jim Haworth of Newcastle Tiles puts it this way: “Ardex constantly provide reliable, premium quality products and we were delighted with the installation of the Ardex sound reducing system which, with its many benefits, allowed us to complete the project on time and with cost savings”.

SKY Office – Germany

Installer:

Cetinel Innenausbau – Mainz, Germany GENERAL

Contractor:

ORCO erste Projektentwicklungs GmbH (ORCO Germany S.A.) – Düsseldorf, Germany ARCHITECTS:
Ingenhoven Architects – Düsseldorf, Germany

Product Featured:

PANDOMO® TerrazzoMicro

Challenges:

High quality
Economical
Fast-track installation
Durability
Raised flooring

Problem:

Gazing across the skyline in Düsseldorf, one can notice the modern change created by the Sky Office. This 89m tower was built in a transparent casing of floor to ceiling windows creating an interior that is just as modern as the style of the building, filling the offices with a high proportion of natural light. To finish off the contemporary style, the designers were looking for a pure white floor with a traditional terrazzo look that would be economical, unique and durable.

Solution:

To achieve the modern design, the PANDOMO TerrazzoMicro system was chosen. PANDOMO TerrazzoMicro allows smooth and finely sanded high quality floors to be created with a typical terrazzo look. The design and color can be individually chosen. The incorporated natural stone aggregate makes the floor appear more natural and organic. To keep the theme of the Sky Office, designers used a customized shade of white binder with light aggregate graining. The result was a terrazzo style floor with a monochromatic color scheme that created a modern, yet natural feel. To install the floor, the contractors started with PANDOMO ATS Rapid Hardening Cement for leveling screeds along with a layer of PANDOMO PR Primer, this created a substrate on the raised floor system that would be suitable to receive the PANDOMO TerrazzoMicro binder matrix and decorative graining. Once the floor was dry, after 24 hours, the floor was sanded and any defects were filled with PANDOMO TFW Filler White. The finished product was a homogenous floor with a terrazzo look that saved valuable time typically associated with traditional applications.

The Ordrupgaard Museum – Charlottenlund Denmark

Installer:

DBI Commercial Floors –Brønderslev, Denmark

Architects:

PLH Architects – Copenhagen, Denmark
Zana Hadid Architects – Copenhagen, Denmark

Products Featured:

ARDEX EP 2000™ Substrate Preparation Epoxy Primer
ARDEX K 15® Premium Self-leveling Underlayment

Challenges:

1,150 m2 (12,378 ft2 ) installation area
Durable, raw, concrete floor
Installation in galleries, a foyer, a café and an auditorium

Problem:

To prepare for upcoming exhibits, The Ordrupgaard Museum decided to renovate to give the museum a more modern look. Zana Hadid and PLH Architects, were asked to collaborate on selecting new interior finishes for the museum. Part of the new design required the removal of the old worn floor and replacement with a new concrete floor. The new concrete floor had to be chic but subtle to let the main focus remain on the art. The floor also needed to be durable to withstand the foot traffic and resist staining from food and beverages in the café area.

Solution:

ARDEX suggested using ARDEX K 15® Premium Self-Leveling Underlayment. To prove that ARDEX K 15 would be up to the challenge, ARDEX Technicians installed a 30 m2 (322 ft2 ) mockup section so the architects and client could see what the finished floor would look like. The test area was first mechanically prepared to a layer of clean, solid concrete and primed with ARDEX EP 2000™ Substrate Preparation Epoxy Primer. ARDEX EP 2000 was used because it offers superior resistance to cracking when used with ARDEX K 15 and it can be used to fill small cracks in the existing concrete. Once the ARDEX EP 2000 was applied, a sand broadcast was utilized to further strengthen the bond between the primer and topping. ARDEX EP 2000 takes approximately 16 hours to cure, so there was a minimal delay before ARDEX K 15 could be poured. ARDEX K 15 was suggested for this particular installation because it is easy to apply and it is designed for fast track applications. When mixed with water, ARDEX K 15 has a smooth fluid consistency that can be applied in a layer up to 35 mm. Once cured the ARDEX K 15 was treated with a soft soap application. The use of soft soap helps repel dirt and staining. Impressed with the results of the test application and the ARDEX Technical Service Department, the architects and client decided to use this application throughout the museum. Once completed, ARDEX K 15 flowed through the museum providing an almost seamless design. On sloping floor areas, installers mixed ARDEX K 15 with less water. This prevented ARDEX K 15 from settling at the base of the slope and allowed the use of one product throughout the museum for a monolithic floor.

Old Parliament House – Canberra Australia

Old Parliament House was opened in 1927 as the house of the Federal Parliament until 1988. Today, this significant historical building is home to a Museum depicting Australia’s rich political history. As a heritage building, constant conservation and sympathetic upgrading is required. Recent upgrading included installing a VIP disabled lift by excavating under the main entry stairs.

It was discovered during the excavation that the main entry stairs leaked severely causing minor flooding.

Eric Martin and Associates were commissioned to produce documentation and specifications for the rectification and upgrade of the main entry stairs.

In January 2011, Ardex products were specified and used throughout the project.

Following removal of the existing tiles and multiple applications of various membranes, Ardex LQ 92 was used to re-establish correct falls, followed by two applications of Ardex WPM 300 and two applications of Ardex WPM 002 waterproof membrane. Tiles were directly applied to the membrane with Ardex Optima tile adhesive and grouted with Ardex FG 8.

The installation was performed by Andrew Nott from S & A Sealant in Canberra.

Hamad International Airport – Doha, Qatar

Project Name:

Hamad International Airport, Doha, Qatar

Consultant:

Bechtel Engineering

Architect:

HOK Engineering:

Contractors:

Sky Oryx JV (Turkish TAV Construction and Japanese Taisei Corporation) – CP18 Main Terminal Building, Phase 1 & Phase 2 Butec – CP75 Terminal Operation Center & Qatar Airway Operation Control Center Zublin International Qatar LLC – Package CP20 Duty-Free Warehouse Facilities Gulf Contracting – NDIA Fuel System and NDIA Engineering Facilities

Featured Products:

ARDEX A 35 Rapid Setting and Ultra Rapid Drying Cement for Floor Screeds

ARDEX A 46 Rapid Hardening, Rapid Drying, Slump-Free Mortar for External Repairs

ARDEX ARDITEX NA

ARDEX CD Concrete Dressing

ARDEX E 25 Resilient Emulsion

ARDEX FL Rapid Set, Flexible, Sanded Grout

ARDEX – FLEX FS Flexible Tile Grout

ARDEX K 15 Premium Self-Leveling Underlayment

ARDEX P 51 Primer

ARDEX R 3 E Moisture Tolerant Epoxy Primer

ARDEX WPC Flexible Rapid Setting and Drying Waterproof Protection System

ARDEX X 7 G PLUS Flexible Tile Adhesive

ARDEX X 77 MICROTEC® Fiber Reinforced Thin Set Mortar (white)

Challenge:

Multiple contractors and trades
Internal and external installations
Wet areas
Various substrates
Suspension slab created leveling issues over large areas
Competitor’s products specified

Situation:

Qatar Airways links more than 100 international destinations across Africa, Central Asia, Europe, Far East, South Asia, Middle East, North America, South America and Oceania from its base in Doha, the capital of Qatar. A seven-year construction project that began in 2005 would involve a location approximately 36 square kilometers and require nearly 40,000 workers on a complex job site. At the New Doha International Airport, the passenger terminal alone is spread over an internal area of 600,000 m2.

Solution:

From substrate prep to waterproofing and tile installation, ARDEX was the solution for every challenge offering time savings, ease of application and onsite training from ARDEX professionals. A slab out of tolerance was leveled with more than 4,500 tons of ARDEX K 15 covering 144,000m2 at varied thicknesses from 5 to 40 mm. Using ARDEX K 15 for leveling instead of screed on the slab also provided levelness and flatness needed later for finished flooring and carpet. Jobsite coordination was flawless with up to 12 teams of 8 to 10 workers installing an average of 200 to 300 m2 daily. Nearly 30,000 units of ARDEX X 7 G Plus Flexible Tile Adhesive provided tremendous savings because its outstanding overage is generally 20 percent greater than similar products. ARDEX CD was used to resurface concrete paths and roadways that were damaged during constriction. ARDEX CD created a hard, durable and uniform finish in a fast and cost effective way. In total, more than one-quarter million units of 13 different ARDEX products are a permanent part of NDIA. The airport is scheduled to open in 2014 with a third and final phase scheduled for 2015.

Archiepiscopal Palace – Austria

Type of object:

Public / Sacral building

Segment:

Renovation

Product group:

PanDOMO® TerrazzoBasic

Since 2011, the Archiepiscopal Palace of the Archdiocese Salzburg shines in new splendour. In this project the facade was renovated and the windows were restored or exchanged. The interior floor also had to be renewed, too. Hlawna GmbH installed 400 m² of white and grey panDOMO® TerrazzoBasic.

Odeon Cinema – United Kingdom

Odeon Cinemas is one of the largest and best-known cinema groups in the UK and Ireland. Founded back in 1930, this British chain now has over 100 cinemas and over 850 screens throughout the UK, establishing its position as one the most popular and frequently visited UK cinema chains.

The Odeon cinema located in Port Solent, Hampshire, was recently selected to undergo a complete renovation of the entrance foyer and retail areas. In charge of handling this project was CAPS Ltd., a family run company that installs flooring and acoustic wall panels all over the UK and Europe, and chosen supplier for all Odeon Cinemas throughout the UK.

William Fox, MD of CAPS Ltd. explains: “The project was to be completed over three nights, with work commencing at 11pm each night after all customers had left as it was vital the cinema remained fully operational throughout the day while refurbishments were being carried out. ARDEX were able to offer me a solution which would ensure the project would not only be completed on time, but would also ease the application process and deliver the smooth finish necessary for luxury flooring tiles.”

ARDEX UK, is a system solution provider of high-performance speciality building materials, and the brand choice for installers and distributors throughout the construction industry. Glen Sell, Area Sales Manager at ARDEX UK, comments: “CAPS Ltd. had never previously worked with ARDEX products, however, when this particular Odeon cinema project arose I was confident that our latest product, the ARDEX K 39 would not only exceed the requirements of the job, but would cement in the CAPS team’s mind that it is ARDEX they should be using on site, so we agreed for the team to trial the product.”

Williams says: “We used ARDEX K 39 because of its unrivalled properties. It has a 40 minute workable wet edge with excellent flowing properties proving perfect for application with a pin rake, and it does not require workers to kneel down and smooth out with a trowel. Its excellent flow and self-levelling properties resulted in an application time which is 2-3 times faster than other liquid applied screeds available. We also knew ARDEX K 39 would give us a perfectly smooth surface which is imperative when using a luxury vinyl tile, as this type of flooring typically displays any imperfections which are present in the sub floor. “We also used ARDEX P 4 Primer on the job, applying it over existing ceramic tiles; we knew from experience that it had excellent adhesion properties to this particular type of tile. Having previously worked with other primers available on the market we knew we needed a robust product which would remain stuck to the floor even when walking over the area of application. The team had previously experienced primers which peeled off under their heels, preventing continuous work on the project. The primer created a grip to the floor and enabled us to start laying ARDEX K 39 in as little as one hour after primer application, ideal when working within strict time restraints.” Pleased with the finished results, William concluded: “It is now our intention to use ARDEX K 39 on future projects. Having received only positive feedback from our fitting team, and with the job finished to such a high standard under limiting time conditions, we feel that ARDEX is the provider that can offer us a premium and reliable service in every instance.”

Legoland Park – Malaysia

Installer/Applicator:

STAR’K – Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

General Contractor:

Sunway Construction Malaysia – Selangor Darul Ehsan,
Malaysia

Architect:

Alma Architects & Planner – Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia

Product Featured:

ARDEX WPM 265 Water Based Primer
ARDEX WPM 109 (formerly known as ABA 59M) Highly Flexible Cement-Based Waterproof Coating
ARDEX Abacrete Bonding Agent for Use with Sand/Cement Screeds and Renders
ARDEX WPM 256 (Hydrepoxy) Bonding Bridge
ARDEX Abalastic Liquid Polymer Additive for ARDEX Cement-Based Adhesives and Compounds
ARDEX FG 8 Flexible Coloured Grout
ARDEX Grout Booster Water-Based Polymer Grout Improver
ABA 282Y Flexible Cement-Based External Skim Coat
ABA 500T Tile Adhesive

Challenges:

5,850 square meter installation area
Four-months installation time frame
Construction taking place during rainy season (rain showers every afternoon)
Excessive humidity throughout installation substrate

Situation:

LEGOLAND® Water Park has more than 20 slides and water based attractions and boasts 70 LEGO models. The LEGOLAND Build-a-Raft allows guests to design and build a unique LEGO raft and set afloat on a voyage around the lazy river. The ivory cement-based skim coat on the walls of the lazy river had to withstand water immersion and pressure. From the time of proposal submission to the job completion, installers had four month to finish the installation.

Solution:

STAR’K worked with ARDEX Singapore Technical Services Department who recommended various ARDEX products for the LEGOLAND Water Park. ARDEX WPM 265 was used to prime new concrete surfaces. Next they applied ARDEX WPM 109 waterproofing membrane, a tough, ready to use product specifically designed for use under tiles. ARDEX WPM 109 is totally resistant to re-emulsification once cured and not affected by temperature extremes. Adding ARDEX Abacrete into the sand/cement screed improved water resistance and accommodates thermal movement. An ivory decorative cementitious skim coat of ABA 282Y mixed with ARDEX WPM 256 was applied as a final step. This provided excellent water resistance and superior adhesion to the substrates. ARDEX FG 8 and ARDEX Grout Booster were used to fill the mosaic tile joints to prevent mold growth on tiles in the Lazy River. ARDEX WPM 256 water-based epoxy enabled the high-humidity installation to continue with minimal down time. ARDEX Singapore Technical Services Department provided installation demonstrations and site inspections regularly during the installation to ensure correct application processes were being followed.

Dubai Mall – Middle East

Teams:

ARDEX Middle East
ARDEX Singapore

Installer:

ASCON Marble & Granite LLC (ETA ASCON Group) – Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Plus Painting Works LLC – Dubai, United Arab Emirates

General Contractors:

Dutco Balfour Beatty LLC (The Dutco Group of Companies) – Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Al Ghandi & Consolidated Contractors Company – Dubai, United Arab Emirates ARCHITECTS:
DP Architects PTE LTD – Singapore

Product Featured:

ARDEX A 35 Rapid Setting and Drying Cement for Floor Screeds
ARDEX S 16TM Natural Stone Adhesive
ARDEX MG Grout
ARDEX K 15® Self-Leveling Underlayment
ARDEX WPM 002 Rapid Drying Two-Component Waterproofing Membrane OTHER ARDEX PRODUCTS:
ARDEX P 51TM Primer
ARDEX R 3 E Moisture Tolerant Epoxy Primer
ARDEX EP 2000TM Substrate Preparation Epoxy Primer

Challenges:

Largest shopping mall in the world
Very heavy traffic requirements
Fast track project
Avoid cracking or staining of the 200,000 m2 (2,152,782 ft2) natural stone floor that was light in color
Work schedules of contractor
Below grade, on grade and above grade surfaces

Problem:

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. In areas that would possibly be exposed to water, ARDEX P 51 was substituted with ARDEX R 3 E Moisture Tolerant Epoxy Primer. ARDEX R 3 E is the preferred primer for use in damp areas. In areas where the existing substrate had cracked and was no longer moving, ARDEX EP 2000 Epoxy Primer was used to prime and fill cracks in preparation to receive the ARDEX K 15 SelfLeveling Underlayment. Because this was such a large floor installation, ARDEX K 15® Self-Leveling 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 vapor 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. ARDEX A 35 Screed was the next step in the Dubai Mall floor installation. ARDEX 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. ARDEX 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. ARDEX 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

Heathrow Terminal – United Kingdom

Contractor:

Loughton Contracts – Loughton, Essex, United Kingdom

Product Featured:

ARDEX ARDITEX NA Latex Sub-Floor Levelling & Smoothing Compound
ARDEX AF 2300 Rubber Flooring Adhesive

Challenges:

Fast turnaround with minimal down times
Large amount of traffic
40,000 m2 (430,570 ft2)
Rubber flooring system

Problem:

Hosting over 68 million passengers per year, Heathrow International Airport in London England is the busiest airport in Europe, and the fourth busiest airport in the world. Terminal 1 alone handles 12 million passengers, almost 18% of the passenger base, so completing the Terminal 1 refurbishment with minimal downtime was a priority to prevent passenger delays and loss of service. The refurbishment included the check-in, baggage system and the arrivals concourse to provide a faster and more comfortable experience for travelers. Solution:

Once the renovation was underway, the previous floor coverings were removed and the subfloors were mechanically prepared. To properly prepare the subfloor to receive rubber flooring, the ARDEX UK Team recommended ARDITEX NA Self-Smoothing Leveling Compound. ARDITEX NA is a protein free latex product and can be used on virtually any substrate. It has a compressive strength of 16.5 N/mm2 (approximately 2400psi) and can be applied from a feather edge to 12mm neat and up to 30mm with the addition of aggregate. Using ARDITEX NA allowed the contractors to move forward with the project to install the rubber flooring in only four hours. This provided the British Airport Authority peace of mind that their new flooring would be finished quickly and be strong enough to withstand the heavy traffic from people, equipment and heavy rolling loads typically found in airports. For the floor coverings, a combination of rubber floors manufactured by Nora Flooring Systems was selected, so ARDEX AF 2300 was used as the floor covering adhesive. ARDEX AF 2300 is a single part, water based, low-odor adhesive ideal for rubber floorings up to 4mm thick. Offering a very good early and long term adhesive strength, ARDEX AF 2300 is relatively easy to install compared to many competitors’ products. ARDEX AF 2300 is low-odor, fast drying and provides a high yield making it an ideal product for this project. London Heathrow Airport is one of the many accomplishments from the combined efforts of ARDEX UK and Loughton Contracts. Commenting on the project, John Collier, Sales Director of Loughton Contracts said, “This large installation required a proven, fast track solution that would ensure minimum disruption to the airport. By working with ARDEX we could deliver exceptional results, and the peace of mind that is synonymous with ARDEX’s advanced flooring products and it assured a rapid, perfect finish, completed on schedule