Project Data
Value: £25m
Architect: Faulkner Browns
Main Contractor: Buckingham Group
Subcontractor: Miles Industries
Products used: Knauf AQUAPANEL® Cement Board Indoor, Knauf AQUAPANEL® Cement Board SkyLite, Knauf AQUAPANEL® Joint Adhesive (PU), Knauf AQUAPANEL® Maxi Screws (SN)
Project Details
Buckingham Group has specified Knauf AQUAPANEL® Cement Board Indoor on the lively, fun interior of The Wave, a new £25m indoor waterpark in Coventry.
Knauf AQUAPANEL® Cement Board Indoor is a weight-optimised, flexible cement board which is highly resistant to water and mould, and ideal for challenging wet and humid interior conditions. Installed on the waterpark walls, along with Knauf AQUAPANEL® Joint Adhesive and AQUAPANEL® Maxi Screws, the system solution provides a secure moisture barrier and robust substrate for tiling.
Knauf offers fully tested and certified interior and exterior systems which offer a single source of supply and complete peace of mind for clients, specifiers and contractors. The systems have been developed as complete drywall construction in accordance with recognised standards and ensure complete system performance when installed according to Knauf guidelines and these standards.
Beyond the impact and water-resistant characteristics, a key reason for specifying AQUAPANEL® in this project is its flexibility. The boards are malleable and can be curved to a radius of 1 metre, which enabled the flowing curves required in the interior design of the waterpark. Furthermore, it is quick and easy to install, and it can be cut by scoring with a knife and then simply snapping, as with plasterboard.
As The Wave is a main attraction for kids, creating a fun and captivating space was essential whilst ensuring durability of the design.
Mark Lee, Director of Miles Industries, said “This project presented some technical challenges, particularly regarding the interface with steelwork and other waterproofing details. It was apparent that a traditional interior board system would not work in all areas. We were asked to look at putting forward a system that would provide a suitable substrate for the tiling finish.
We looked at AQUAPANEL® as a solution to perform in the pool environment and provide a process enabling us to complete areas within the very tight timescale.
In some cases, we were installing the products on curved surfaces 3 lifts high. Again, the time saved in installing in these areas proved very useful.”
The Wave, Coventry is the UK’s newest indoor waterpark, consisting of three floors filled with exciting state-of-the-art attractions. The first floor is The Wave itself, including six exhilarating slides, a wave pool, the lazy river and a toddler splash zone. The second and third floors, Lifestyles area and Mana Spa respectively, are more orientated for adult’s leisure time, including a health & fitness centre, a 25m pool and a spa with an aromatic room, herbal steam room and a sauna.