Flowcrete on Track at Derby Roundhouse

Specialist flooring company Flowcrete has delivered a high-performance floor that delivers an industrial look with ease of maintenance to the Roundhouse, part of Derby College’s new flagship site based in renovated railway buildings in the city.

The new college campus has been built by construction company, Bowmer and Kirkland in Grade II* listed 19th century buildings, as part of a major regeneration project celebrating Derby’s heritage as a centre for railway engineering.

The Roundhouse building, located in Pride Park, provides a hub to the new campus which is a base for vocational courses, including hair and beauty and catering and hospitality.

Built in 1839 as a steam-engine repair shed, the iconic building now contains a state-of-the-art dining facility for the 2,500 students attending the college, so needed a hard-wearing hygienic floor that would remain sympathetic to its industrial history.

800 sq m of Flowcrete Flowtex, in Mid-Grey, were installed by Flowcrete approved contractor Phoenix Specialist Flooring, between the restored rail tracks which radiate from the original turntable within the building.

Ian Gibson, Project Manager for Bowmer and Kirkland said: “Flowcrete and their approved contractor, Phoenix Flooring were outstanding. Their determination to achieve excellence has to be admired and their work ethic excellent.

“Phoenix Flooring worked day and night to achieve the programme and at all times quality was maintained.”

The seamless resin flooring creates a concrete-style finish and was chosen to keep with the functional design of the building, while providing an easy to clean surface suitable for use in a dining area.

Flowcrete also provided a protective coat of Flowseal PU Matt, which was applied to the restored steel tracks.

Ian Harris, Director of Maber Architects with responsibility for the Roundhouse project, said: “The floor went down phenomenally well, we were really impressed with the installation.

“We were faced with a very worn concrete slab with pockets and holes in it – but this was patched up and the new surface went over the top, maintaining the industrial feel to the building and providing a real depth of surface.”