BriggsAmasco Rises to Challenge of Complex University Waterproofing Project

A MULTIPLE roof installation has been carried out by BriggsAmasco to put a watertight seal on a ‘landmark’ teaching building. The project involved waterproofing a 2,000m² area spanning nine roofs at Kingston University in Surrey. The mix of green, single-ply and hot-melt finishes covered the new building.

With facilities including a learning resources centre, courtyard and cafés, it’s hoped the new ‘Town House’ building will transform students’ learning experience.

Having been selected as the project’s waterproofing specialists by main contractor Willmott Dixon, BriggsAmasco worked alongside award-winning and Stirling Prize-nominated design team, Graton Architects.

The multiplex flat-roof installation began in March 2018. It involved BriggsAmasco applying a range of waterproofing systems across differing heights and levels. These included an IKO hot-melt waterproofing membrane within a system comprising XPS rigid foam insulation, as well as paving and ballast finishes to the main roof areas.

A built-up, reinforced felt waterproofing solution with tapered insulation was also installed to a green roof in order to conform with a height restriction. Additionally, IKO Armourplan PSG single-ply waterproofing, along with PIR insulation, was affixed to colonnade areas of the roof.

Additional Challenges

The new building’s main road location next to the university presented an additional challenge to Briggs’ on-site team. The area was in constant use by students, therefore in order to minimise disruption material delivery times had to be scheduled to coincide with the start of each roofing phase.

It left little room for delay for Briggs’ installers if the operation was run to smoothly. Fortunately, their experience ensured this and other challenges were overcome. It meant the complex project was completed in September 2019 in line with the client’s deadline.

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