As Mapei celebrates its 75th anniversary this year, they can look back in retrospect at their contribution to many of the world’s most prestigious projects. This includes the Grade II listed Royal Shakespeare Theatre (RST) in Stratford where Mapei played a considerable part in its £112.8m refurbishment. The award winning RST, which was designed by Bennetts Associates Architects, has been transformed to create a magnificent, interactive experience for the 1,000 seat audience.

A full system of Mapei products were utilised; from mortar repair and priming through to the adhesive. Mapei supplied products used to prepare the refurbished flooring for the heavy weight bearing and high footfall conditions characteristic of a tourist attraction.

Mapei had to take into consideration the four differing substrates throughout the building; plywood, chipboard, sand cement +75% r.h. & sand cement -75% r.h., which resulted in four systems of product being specified.

Fireclad carried out the installation of the final floor finishes throughout the dressing rooms using Ultrabond Eco VS90 adhesive to install vinyl flooring and impact rubber matting. While Loughton Contracts Plc. installed the soft flooring to the remainder of the building, including impact rubber, vinyl and carpet flooring. Impact rubber flooring was installed backstage of the theatre on an upper level ensuring noise is limited while back stage scenery is moved up and down into place. Ultrabond Eco Tack was utilised to install new carpet tiles throughout the central core areas over five floors, back of house, auditorium and seating areas. Mapei products and final flooring in these areas were all professionally installed by SDP Floor Screeds.

Ultrabond Eco VS90 and Ultrabond Eco Tack are part of Mapei’s popular Ultrabond Eco adhesive range. The range is solvent-free, water-dispersed, non-flammable and can cater for Linoleum, carpet tiles, carpet, PVC, vinyl and rubber floor coverings without any compromise to the high quality performance of the system and its constituents.

As is the case with all Ultrabond Eco range products, it is non-staining and carries the EC1 GEV Emicode labelling for ultra-low emissions of volatile organic compounds. This accreditation ensures that installers who work in close proximity to the products aren’t subjected to any harmful gasses emanating from adhesives.

The GEV Emicode EC1 labelling also confirms that not only the installers, but the occupiers and in the instance of the RST, the audiences and visitors will not be affected by any harmful emissions when the building is in use.

With the application of Mapei’s quality products, the RST has been transformed, realising the Royal Shakespeare Company’s vision. Since opening, the theatre has attracted enormous interest and audiences have been wowed by both the buildings transformation and the plays themselves.