Q1 Surfers Paradise, Brisbane
Developed by the Sunland Group, the tower boasts 526 ultra smart apartments. The Q1 project required a Comprehensive range of technologically advanced and integrated products.
ARDEX was selected as exclusive suppliers of all Q1’s tile adhesives, soundproofing requirements, and grouts to be installed by Klaus Tiling. For critical high traffic areas requiring a heavy duty leveling product ARDEX K 15 was used.
One of the major tiling hurdles was the potential lipping of the 600 x 600mm, 20mm thick limestone floor tiles with conventional flexible adhesives. (Lipping or uneven tile heights is aesthetically unappealing and a trip hazard). The rheology of ARDEX X 56 – a new generation, highly flexible adhesive – overcame problems with ‘lipping’. Used over the company’s Soundproof Underlay, it also helps improve impact sound resistance. For areas requiring an adhesive with high tensile strength (and superior non slump), ARDEX STS 8 was used.
Grouts and silicones colour matched to blend in with the tiles provided the final touches. Walls and floors were grouted with Flexgrout Ultrasmooth. For tile joints subject to the stresses of differential movement, ARDEX SE silicone provided a waterproof, permanently elastic, UV and mould-resistant seal.
ARDEX K 15 – a globally recognised leader in floor levelling product category – was specified for critical areas e.g. foyers, lift lobbies. With its unique Ardurapid effect, ARDEX K 15 allows impervious vinyl coverings to be laid after only 16 hours, regardless of bed thickness.
The comprehensive and integrated nature of the ARDEX portfolio of products, plus the company’s wealth of locally-based technical expertise, has been acknowledged as a factor in the successful, on-time completion of the world’s tallest residential tower.
The Vibe Hotel, Canberra
CONTRACTOR: Tiling – PDA Marble & Granite
The Vibe Hotel is situated only 150 metres from the new Canberra Airport terminal. The 181 room property will be centred around a full height atrium and features a large ground floor intermingle zone with reception, bar, restaurant and conferencing facilities.
The contemporary property will offer sweeping views over Lake Burley Griffin to Parliament House and across the airport runway to the east. The Vibe Hotel will house 12 suites, five 1 bedroom apartments and four 2 bedroom apartments and 170 guest rooms, all of which feature balconies.
Approximately 5000m2 of ARDEX X 18 was used to tile The Vibe Hotel. This product is a superior, fortified cement-based wall and floor tile adhesive that has excellent properties of strength and versatility. The benefits to PDA Marble were extended open time, as well as important non slump and flexible capabilities. It was used in both internal and external areas and also used in the swimming pools.
An additional 1000 square metres of travertine will be used to tile downstairs in the near future using either ARDEX X 18 or ARDEX S 16.
ARDEX Multiprime provided improved adhesion to various porous substrates.
ARDEX ST Silicone provided a neutral curing, nonstaining silicone for use on the stone benchtops that were installed. It’s smooth, easy application and superior bond strength, coupled with the anti-fungal inhibitors, made it an ideal choice for PDA Marble and Granite.
ARDEX FG 8 Grout was used because of its excellent workability and its ease of use on both walls and floors.
Te Wharewaka O Poneke, Wellington
Te Wharewaka o Poneke is a ‘canoe house’ located beside the lagoon on the Wellington waterfront. The building accomodates and displays two historical Waka (canoe) which will be accessible for the public but will also occasionally be used out on the water.
Wharewaka is a significant arts venue as well as being the centrepiece for Wellington’s Rugby World Cup 2011 celebrations.
Architecture + of Wellington designed this $12 million facility which has recently been recognised at the 2011 Wellington Civic Trust Awards, winning the award for ‘Enhancement or Protection of the City’s Built Environment.’
ARDEX waterproofing products were chosen as part of the roofing system to ensure the absolute watertightness of this complex roofing profile. VM Zinc was used as the main roofing material.
Approximately 1000m2 of ARDEX Shelterseal was used underneath this as a vapour/separation barrier.
1000m2 of 1.5mm Dark Grey Butynol® was used in the hidden and exposed gutters of this complex roofline.
The area around the Wharewaka development will be transformed with marquees, bars and big screens for Rugby World Cup celebrations later this year. Within walking distance of the stadium, this architecturally designed building will form the backdrop for Wellington’s ‘Party Central’.
The building has a public cafe and will also be used for functions and art exhibitions..
The University of New South Wales, Sydney
INSTALLER: Danrae Building Services Pty. Ltd
BUILDER: Campus Living Villages Pty Ltd
ARCHITECT: WATPAC Design & Construct
CHALLENGES:
A waterproof membrane for a 1500 m2 (16,146 ft2) roof that was to support more than 20,000m2 (706,293 ft2) of soil and extensive planting.
Structure spanned the car park of new student accommodation complex and was a significant element in making this predominantly concrete area environmentally green.
PROBLEMS:
A new sustainable roof was being built over the UNSW Student Accommodation Car park Rooftop. A major part of the installation required the use of a roofing membrane that would be completely impervious to water and root penetration. The integrity of the product was critical, as any leaks would prove extremely costly and labour intensive to repair.
ARDEX Australia worked with WATPAC Design & Construct to find a product solution.
SOLUTION:
ARDEX recommended ARDEX WPM 615 TPO be specified as a flexible Thermoplastic PolyOlefin roofing membrane made from ethylene propylene rubber and polypropylene matrix, reinforced with a polyester weft. TPO was designed to be hot-air welded at the seams ensuring a fast installation. The product is safe and easy to use, since there is no open flame.
These properties and assurances from ARDEX Australia were key factors in WATPAC’s specification of the product for the UNSW project.
TPO was the perfect product to build the sustainable roof because of its own sustainable properties.
When manufactured, TPO uses a lower carbon footprint than most similar systems and can easily be recycled. TPO is also chlorine-free, and because of its formulation and installation design, the product yields no emissions harmful to the environment. WATPAC has expressed its satisfaction with ARDEX. TPO and their desire to use it again. UNSW won awards in sustainability and multi-unit housing at the Randwick City Council Urban Design Awards andHigh Density Development at the UDIA NSW Excellence Awards for this project.
Science Centre, Brisbane
INSTALLER: River City Floors, M&M Waterproofing, Tilecorp
ARCHITECT: Robin Gibson & Partners
The new Sciencentre is designed to capture the imagination and spread the message about science and technology. It also illustrates ARDEX’s range of compatible technologies.
This $9.5 billion redevelopment, which opened on 17 September 2004, is the first major facelift for the Queensland Museum in almost 20 years.
ARDEX products were used for various applications, from waterproofing, to floor levelling and tiling.
For a striking looking floor, 750 x 750 x 20mm travertine was chosen. Being larger than conventional floor tiles, these required an adhesive that would provide a solid base and stand up to the weight of the tile. Owing to the unique “non lip” characteristic, Robin Gibson & Partners specified ARDEX STS 8 (with Ardion 90).
In the rooms that were to be covered with vinyl, the floors were made smooth and level using ARDEX K 15 and Feather Finish. The RapidDry technology in ARDEX K 15 allowed the installation of vinyl after a mere 16 to 18 hours.
ARDEX WPM 002 was used in internal wet areas, and ARDEX WPM 3000X in basements to help resist water ingress.
