Aotea Center

ARDEX was specified to create a trafficable, entrance ramp and monolithic floor design encapsulating and reusing the previous uplifted floor.

Aotea Center

Architect: Stevenson and Turner
Engineer: Aurecon Group
Construction Company: NZ Strong
Installer: Giacon Terrazzo ltd
Scope: Level 2 entry Stairs and Ramp

The Aotea Centre is a performing arts and events centre / theatre in the Auckland CBD. Located in the heart of New Zealand’s most populated city, the Centre provides a cultural and entertainment venue space for a vast range of comedic, dance & drama and musical performances year-round.

ARDEX was specified to create a trafficable, entrance ramp and monolithic floor design encapsulating and reusing the uplifted Italian marble floor that was originally installed in 1990. The crushed Italian marble was introduced into the ARDEX PC-T white leveling compound to create the desired aggregate finish. The completed floor also needed to be strong and durable enough to withstand constant pedestrian and moderate pneumatic vehicle traffic across the finished ramp.

Although a trafficable ramp may seem like a straight forward job, the ramp was constructed using timber plywood structure over the existing concrete surface; meaning it was susceptible to differential movement. ARDEX was able to overcome this limitation with Aurecon Group to create a robust timber support with three layers of structural plywood followed by the installation of a customized ARDEX System. The specified ARDEX System was as follows:

ARDEX WPM 1000 slip layer
ARDEX A 38 Rapid set Engineered screed cement at 50 mm
ARDEX MC Rapid one coat moisture control system
ARDEX PC-T with the approved aggregate at 10 mm
ARDEX PC 10 Lithium Hardener
ARDEX PC Finish

Lastly, the flight of stairs shown in the photos were pre cast off site and installed using an approved ARDEX Adhesive system directly to the new timber structure. The stair profiles were also fitted with an approved non-skid nosing, which was inserted into the pre-cast mould.

The Aotea centre is now looking better than ever and welcomes guests to check out and view their new, grand ARDEX flooring system.