Projects
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11/10/2023
Marina tower
Mapei systems were used to waterproof wet areas and bond ceramic tiles in the tallest residential complex in Austria
Mapei systems were used to waterproof wet areas and bond ceramic tiles in the tallest residential complex in Austria
This is the tallest residential complex in Austria and since January 2022 it has changed the Vienna skyline.
Marina Tower consists of two inter-connected towers of different heights with 511 apartments, a nursery school, a fitness area and dedicated areas with shops and restaurants. The smaller tower has 10 floors while the taller one has 41 floors with magnificent views of the Danube and a large part of the Austrian capital.
24,000 m2 of ceramic coverings were installed on the floors and walls in the taller of the two towers using 30 Mapei products from specific systems for this type of application and, in certain cases, products that were specifically developed to meet the requirements of this megaproject.
A contribution for which Mapei Austria GmbH, the Austrian subsidiary of the Group, can be rightly proud of. “We are proud to have provided support for the execution of this project with our professionalism and know-how, as well as by supplying a large variety of chemical building products”, declared Stefan Schallerbauer, Product Manager of Mapei Austria GmbH products for installing ceramic tile and stone.
24,000 m2 of ceramic coverings were installed on the floors and walls in the taller of the two towers using many specific Mapei products
Substrates as a starting point
Before bonding the enamelled ceramic and porcelain tiles on the floors of the apartments, stairs, corridors, around the pools and in the fitness centre, the substrates were treated with PRIMER G synthetic resin-based primer in water dispersion with very low emission of volatile organic compounds (VOC), which is used to provide uniform absorption in cementitious or gypsum surfaces, or with ECO PRIM GRIP bonding promoter, specific for non-absorbent internal and external substrates. Going into detail, this product is a low odour, solvent-free primer with a very low content of VOC.
After treating the surfaces, the ceramic tiles were installed using three different types of cementitious adhesive: KERAFLEX MAXI S1, particularly suitable for installing large format tiles, KERAQUICK MAXI S1, which enable surfaces to be opened to intense traffic after only 24 hours, and ADESILEX P9, an “historic” Mapei adhesive that has been used for more than 60 years to install all types of ceramic tiles, mosaics and stone, thanks also to its excellent quality/cost relationship.
Ceramic tiles were installed in many interiors using three cementitious adhesives: KERAFLEX MAXI S1, KERAQUICK MAXI S1, ADESILEX P9
Innovation in waterproofing
Mapei solutions also played an important role in waterproofing work carried out in the 511 apartments. In 391 of the apartments on the lower 28 floors of the tower, MAPEGUM WPS liquid membrane was used on 6,900 m2 of substrates in potentially damp areas. This product was chosen because of its quick-drying properties, which means ceramic tiles can be installed after only 12 hours, as well as for its excellent elongation and very low emission of VOC (certified EMICODE EC1Plus by GEV). The corners between adjacent walls and between the walls and floors were sealed with MAPEBAND PE 120 PVC tape for liquid membrane waterproofing systems.
For the substrates in 120 of the 511 apartments between the 29th and the 41st floors, on the other hand, Mapei Austria GmbH proposed a bespoke solution developed together with experts from the sector, such as those from the association of Austrian tile and screed manufacturers. The substrates in the bathrooms in these areas have pump-applied anhydrite screeds and their surfaces were classified as W4 regarding their exposure to damp according to the Austrian Standard ÖNORM B3407.This circumstance required a special waterproofing, called "Verbundabdichtung plus" (waterproofing plus) according to a guideline, created by the Austrian tile and screed association in collaboration with Mapei Austria based on this construction project
After preparing the substrates, 680 m² of surfaces were waterproofed with a complete Mapei system consisting of MAPELASTIC TURBO rapid-drying, elastic cementitious mortar, which may be applied on substrates that are not perfectly dry, MAPEGUARD WP 200 alkali-resistant anti-fracture membrane and MAPEBAND EASY rubber tape to seal the control joints and corners between the walls and floors. In the showers and swimming pools, on the other hand, the substrates were waterproofed with MAPELASTIC TURBO and MAPEBAND EASY, for a total surface area of 380 m2.
To waterproof the substrates in the apartments Mapei proposed two different systems, one of which was developed together with the association of Austrian tile and screed manufacturers
Gold-rating sustainability
In April 2020, while the project was still at the executive stage, Marina Tower was awarded “Gold” certification by ÖGNI, the Austrian association for sustainable real-estate management which, when evaluating the complex, took into account the energy resources and hydric management practices, but also the quality of the construction materials for their low impact on the environment and their guaranteed durability.
Sustainable, high performance products, such as those supplied by Mapei, undoubtedly played an important part in being awarded this certification. As Andreas Wolf, General Manager of Mapei Austria GmbH, declared, “We pay a lot of attention to the sustainability of the production process of our materials and to the development of formulations that are safe for both those who apply them and for the end user. It is part of our commitment to meet the needs of construction companies”.
Marina Tower was awarded “Gold” certification by ÖGNI, the Austrian association for sustainable real-estate management
Problems & Solutions
One of the main challenges of this project was finding a proper waterproofing solution for the wet areas in the apartments of the upper floors. The substrates had anhydrite screeds and their surfaces were classified as W4 regarding their exposure to damp according to the Austrian standard ÖNORM B3407. Mapei GmbH proposed a bespoke solution developed together with experts from the sector, such as those from the association of Austrian tile and screed manufacturers. This enclosed the use of MAPELASTIC TURBO elastic mortar, MAPEGUARD WP 200 anti-fracture membrane and MAPEBAND EASY rubber tape.
