Ardex fixes it for Aquatics Centre specification

Ardex UK was “delighted” to work in partnership with specialist tiling contractor, W B Simpson & Sons, to supply the “ideal tile fixing system” for the Aquatics Centre, by architect Zaha Hadid, at the Olympic Park.

The 17,500 seat Aquatics Centre houses a 50 m competition pool, as well as a 50 m warm up pool, and a 25 m competition diving pool, plus a ‘dry’ warm-up area for divers. The project required a proven tiling solution which could deliver fast track completion, as well as the ability to withstand the challenging environment within the centre, and rigorous hygiene demands.

It was Ardex’s proven performance, including previous high profile projects such as Heathrow Airport, Kings Cross St Pancras Station, Harrods and London Zoo, that won favour with the contractor, says the manufacturer.   In addition, the firm’s “on-going support at every stage of the process, from rapid response to specification writing, to installation visits and on-site testing” was a key factor. Ardex’s purpose-built training facility enabled it to bring together all parties involved in the specification, from the client through to the main contractor, “ensuring total confidence in the specification, and on-site application.”

Once the main construction of the Aquatics Centre had been completed, the different depth ‘falls’ of the pool surround were levelled with Ardex’s S 21 rapid-drying floor tile bedding mortar, which allowed further work to commence after only three hours. Before fixing the pool surround tiles, Ardex S 7 was applied to provide a waterproof coating, and to eliminate the risk of leaks, or water damage to the mechanical and electrical equipment under the pool surround.

One of the key influences in Ardex winning the job was the fact that X 77 Microtec flexible floor and wall tile adhesive was suitable for fixing all tiles in the Aquatic Centre, meaning savings in cost and application time. The tiling installation covered 866,000 ceramic tiles installed in the pools, poolside and changing rooms, (180,000 lining the pools themselves).  The main pool tiles were supplied by Spectile of Crewe.

Web  www.ardex.co.uk