Penetron Goes to College: UTS Unveils State-of-the-Art Science and Health Facility

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Nov 19, 2015

Opening in time for the fall semester 2015, the new Science and Graduate School of Health Building is a new architectural landmark for the University of Technology, Sydney (UTS), in Australia. PENETRON crystalline materials were used in the extensive below-grade, at-grade and above-grade structures to ensure impermeability of the concrete.

Part of the Australian Technology Network of universities, UTS is located in downtown Sydney and is ranked among the top 100 universities in the world. UTS grew out of the Sydney Mechanics' School of Arts, which was established in 1833. Today, almost 40,000 students are registered across all three campuses.

A cornerstone of the $1 billion UTS Campus Master Plan, the new Building 7 was designed by Durbach Block Jaggers, together with BVN Architecture. It is the heart of the Broadway campus and the new home of the Faculty of Science and Graduate School of Health. The project featured five above-ground and three below-ground floors. The facility provides state-of-the-art wet, semi-wet, and dry laboratories with specialist research support areas. The Alumni Green was completely renewed and landscaped to provide an attractive green space and revitalize the center of the Broadway campus.

“With its curved concrete exterior and roof garden, the new Science & Graduate School of Health facility at UTS is visually very striking,” says Jozef Van Beeck, Director, PENETRON International Sales & Marketing. “The below-ground structures were protected by our crystalline waterproofing solution, providing enhanced durability for the whole structure.”

For the below-ground and ground floor podium slab and the building’s roof slab structures, the concrete (over 1,500 m3) was prepared by Holcim and treated with PENETRON ADMIX. It was used to eliminate water penetration at the saturated construction site to protect the below-grade facilities. PENESEAL FH, a clear, penetrating sealer that permanently seals and protects concrete surfaces, was used to strengthen concrete floors in high traffic areas (over 1,000 m2).

“Recent studies and field trials have confirmed that PENETRON ADMIX can add up to 60 years or more to concrete through its ability to substantially decrease permeability and enhance overall durability,” explains Jozef Van Beeck. “These results point to a remarkable increase in the life cycle of concrete treated with PENETRON - and has far-reaching consequences for all concrete structures like the new UTS facility."

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