Hugo Boss, London

Client: Cadogan Estates
Architect: Paul Davis + Partners
Specialist contractor: Cemplas Waterproofing & Concrete Repairs Ltd
Type of works: supply of Sika 1 waterproofing system.

Sika’s revolutionary waterproofing system has provided the perfect seal for over 30 vaults situated around the basement of a new Hugo Boss flagship store in London, enabling the creation of an extra useable floor.

The 10,000sq ft building in Sloane Square was formerly a major WH Smith premises with the basement being used for storage. Following the acquisition by Hugo Boss, architects Paul Davis + Partners were tasked with converting part of the basement into retail space with the remainder being kept as storage, as part of a complete renovation of the building.

To ensure the vaults, located directly under the pavement and running round the perimeter of the building, were completely protected from possible water ingress, Paul Davis + Partners specified Sika 1, a well-proven waterproofing system developed by Sika.

The project was one of several carried out in the Sloane Square area as part of a major renovation by Cadogan Estates working with Paul Davis and Partners. In each case, Sika 1 was specified and installed by specialist contractor Cemplas Waterproofing and Concrete Repairs to ensure complete waterproofing to the building’s basements. Cemplas installed the Sika 1 system to the pavement vaults floors, all walls and soffitts, ensuring the entire area is safe-guarded from potential moisture damage.

Sika 1 is a complete pre-bagged waterproofing system of mortar, screeds and specially developed admixtures. A colloidal liquid, the Sika 1 admixture is mixed into the mortar and render and provides the vital ingredient to block water ingress. It does this by reacting to water by turning into a jelly-like substance, blocking all gaps and capillaries, and providing an impregnable and invisible seal. Bonding monolithically with the basements substrates, it provided the ideal product for the project. Once applied to the walls, it essentially becomes one with the structure.

To complete the waterproofing solution, Sika's advanced jointing system, SikaDur Combiflex, was also specified. A high-performance joint sealing system, it provides proven protection from water ingress to all gaps between cracks, joints, panels and walls.

Certified by the British Board of Agrément (BBA), Sika 1 meets the requirements of BS 8102 Grades 2, 3 and 4, with Grade 3 used to seal the Hugo Boss store.

With work now complete, the new Hugo Boss flagship store can open its doors safe in the knowledge that its new basement level is protected by Sika 1, guaranteeing water ingress will not be a threat.

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