A Mapei tile installation system has been used to complete an extensive project at The Hangar, within the Dick Lovett Group’s Bristol campus. The installation, completed by SHC Tiling for Beard Construction, spanned handover and reception spaces, showrooms, bar and causeway floors and WC’s. All Mapei products were supplied by Bristol Tile and included Mapei primer, anti-fracture and waterproof membrane, adhesives and grouts featuring EMICODE: EC1 Plus formulations, with very low VOC’s.
Designed by Pier Architects, The Hangar is a bespoke, unbranded space that includes a showroom, offices and workshop, including a specialised battery repair unit. Spanning 2750m2, the facility will provide space for surrounding dealerships to utilise whilst refurbishments take place - including Porsche Centre Bristol, during construction of its new state-of-the-art Destination Centre which will open in 2025. It will also function as an overflow showroom and workshop space during periods of high-demand.
The Hangar features a contemporary design, whilst incorporating traditional service elements. Facilities include a handover bay, 10-bay workshop and office spaces, luxury customer lounge and coffee bar and EV charging points. The Solus Ceramics’ porcelain tile specification included 1200 x 600mm floor tiles throughout the vehicle showroom and causeway, 1200 x 200mm floor tiles in the showroom bar area, 600 x 600mm floor tiles and 200 x 200mm wall tiles in the ground floor customer WC’s and 600 x 300mm wall tiles and 200 x 200mm floor tiles in the first floor WC’s. A variety of tile designs were specified, including Porcelain Flare Obelia.
During the project’s preparation phase, two Mapei products were installed prior to tiling. They included very low VOC Mapei Eco Prim T Plus universal acrylic primer and Mapeguard UM35 waterproofing, uncoupling and anti-fracture membrane.
Within the showroom and WC’s, porcelain wall and floor tiles were installed with
Keraquick XL Fibrelite – a fibre-reinforced cement-based rapid-set adhesive, Keraflex Maxi S1 – a low dust, deformable standard-set cementitious adhesive and, from the Zero Line*, Ultracolor Plus – an anti-efflorescence, quick-setting and drying polymer-modified grout. All three installation products feature EMICODE: EC1 Plus formulations, with very low VOC’s. Within the washdown bays, the adhesive and grout specification included Keraquick S1 quick-setting, deformable adhesive and Kerapoxy Easy Design epoxy grout, chosen for its high abrasion and chemical resistance, with each product featuring a very low VOC formulation.