A Mapei tile installation system has been used to complete an extensive project at The Hangar, within the Dick Lovett Group’s Bristol campus. The installation, completed by SHC Tiling for Beard Construction, spanned handover and reception spaces, showrooms, bar and causeway floors and toilet facilities. All Mapei products were supplied by Bristol Tile and included Mapei primer, anti-fracture and waterproof membrane, adhesives and grouts featuring EMICODE® EC1PLUS formulations, with very low VOCs.
Designed by Pier Architects, The Hangar is a bespoke, unbranded space that includes a showroom, offices and workshop, including a specialised battery repair unit. Spanning 2,750m2, the facility will provide space for surrounding dealerships to utilise whilst refurbishments take place – including Porsche Centre Bristol, during construction of its new state-of-the-art Destination Centre. It will also function as an overflow showroom and workshop space during periods of high-demand.
The Hangar features a contemporary design, whilst incorporating traditional service elements. Facilities include a handover bay, 10-bay workshop and office spaces, luxury customer lounge and coffee bar and EV charging points. The Solus Ceramics’ porcelain tile specification included 1200x600mm floor tiles throughout the vehicle showroom and causeway, 1200x200mm floor tiles in the showroom bar area, 600x600mm floor tiles and 200x200mm wall tiles in the ground floor customer toilet facilities and 600x300mm wall tiles and 200x200mm floor tiles in the first floor toilet facilities. A variety of tile designs were specified, including Porcelain Flare Obelia.
During the project’s preparation phase, two Mapei products were installed prior to tiling. They included very low VOC Mapei Eco Prim T Plus universal acrylic primer and Mapeguard UM35 waterproofing, uncoupling and anti-fracture membrane.
Within the showroom and toilet facilities, porcelain wall and floor tiles were installed with Keraquick XL Fibrelite – a fibre-reinforced cement-based rapid-set adhesive; Keraflex Maxi S1 – a low dust, deformable standard-set cementitious adhesive; and, from the Zero Line*, Ultracolor Plus – an anti-efflorescence, quick-setting and drying polymer-modified grout. All three installation products feature EMICODE® EC1PLUS formulations, with very low VOCs. Within the washdown bays, the adhesive and grout specification included Keraquick S1 quick-setting, deformable adhesive and Kerapoxy Easy Design epoxy grout, chosen for its high abrasion and chemical resistance, with each product featuring a very low VOC formulation.
The project is now a finalist in the Best Commercial Project – Large (over 250m2) – Retail & Car Showrooms category at TTA Awards 2025, which takes place on Friday 16th May at Hilton Birmingham Metropole.
For more information, please contact: info@mapei.co.uk or visit www.mapei.co.uk
