London School of Economics
21 September 2020
Overview
In April 2016, the world-renowned London School of Economics announced that Grafton Architects were to design their next major project. Built by Mace Group, the Marshall Building at 44 Lincoln’s Inn Fields includes an extensive two-storey, mixed-use basement that will house squash courts, a sports hall, changing facilities and plant areas, covering a total of over 2,250m2 of floorspace and presenting quite the project for Newton Specialist Contractor Cast Contracting Ltd (CCL).
CCL were appointed to design and install the waterproofing by principal contractor Mace Group in late 2019. As a Newton Specialist Contractor, CCL recommended the Newton CDM System to provide a completely dry, guaranteed solution on such a high-profile project.
Otherwise referred to as Type C waterproofing, the Newton CDM System is the safest and most reliable form of waterproofing.
Prior to installation, CCL applied Newton 906 Lime Inhibitor to the new slab to prevent free lime from the concrete from affecting the drainage membranes. The Type A liquid waterproofing membrane Newton 103-S was also applied internally to many of the concrete surfaces as a barrier to water.
With preparations complete, over 2,250m2 of Newton 520 eco membrane was installed to the floor and over 570m2 of Newton 508 membrane installed to the walls to create the Newton CDM System. Newton Basedrain channels formed a drainage system to direct any water captured by the membranes to the point of discharge, and the whole system was sealed with Newton OverTape.
Despite requiring dedicated delivery slots, and working to an extremely tight program of work, CCL were praised for the quality and speed of their installation, which was completed well within the time limit.
The Newton recycling service was also a great success, recycling 115 kg of HDPE waste and therefore preventing over 132 kg of CO2 emissions.