Aegean Indoor Pool Refurbishment

“Something that is minimalistic, simply beautiful, and won’t date” is what the client requested when the initial design concepts were considered with the refurbishment of the Indoor Pool Area at Aegean Apartments in Surfers Paradise Gold Coast, and at BRS we aim to deliver quality finishes exceeding all expectations.

There were also other criteria’s that where to be met. Maintaining the existing Greek theme of the building and not straying too far from the building’s vernacular.

Completing this and transforming this area from its original, as build state, to something simply beautiful would require its bare skeleton to be exposed and a fresh start would begin. This vision was put to life through early communication between the buildings committee members and their designers, whom could then create the concept and proposed Scope of Works provided by BRS which could then be passed onto the buildings engaged Project Manager ‘Integrity Project Management’ for fine-tuning and then the tender process could begin which BRS was fortunate to be accepted for.

With the tender process complete and site requirements established, demolition was underway. With manpower inflated to minimize the duration of the noisy work, the area of works was gutted and stripped back to its bare substrate. Wall and floor tiles to the amenities and pool surround removed, Waterline mosaics and a rendered substrate disposed of these areas could now be mechanically ground back in preparation for the application of Waterproofing Membrane Systems. To open the basement entrance to the building and allow access with ease and provide a stunning first impression of Aegean to owners and holidaymakers, the difficult task of redirecting the basements ventilation ducting system commenced. With removing the existing ducting, which was later established within a location nearby, this allowed the masonry wall to be saw cut, creating a larger entrance where luggage could easily be carried to the nearby lifts through an automatic glass sliding door.

In preparation for the suspended ceiling which would later be installed, it was imperative all concrete spalling to the area was identified and rectified. This would require a low-level scaffold to be set up over the emptied pool to inspect the entire concrete ceiling for any drummy and delaminated sections caused by the corroded reinforcing steel. Over time and with the surrounding salt environment, and the indoor air high in chloride, this led to numerous pockets needing full excavating to expose all corroded reinforcing bar sections back to sound steel. This then would enable mechanical grinding to take place to remove all corrosion and expose bare steel. Steel is then coated using a Zinc rich treatment to prevent the reoccurrence of further corrosion, followed by a Mapei Repair Mortar fill blended with Hydraulic binders and synthetic fibres enabling the product to become high in compressive and flexural strength. With a final coat of Two-Part Epoxy Moisture Barrier to prevent water absorption, the surface was then ready for paint coatings.

With the wall and floor substrates exposed, indoor area concrete ceiling prepared, and all redundant services decommissioned, the installation of Architecturally selected finishes could then begin.

For the pool surrounds tiling this would firstly require the application of an Ardex Cementitious Waterproofing Membrane System be applied over a Two-Part Epoxy Primer, followed by a Sand and Cement Bedding Screed laid with falls to the existing drainage, the tiling could then proceed. Using one full system supplied by one manufacturer, from waterproofing substrate through to adhesives and grout assure materials are compatible and interact as they should throughout the installation process. Silver Travertine finish on a porcelain tile was the approved selection, and with a non-slip rating to suit a commercial pool area, this would meet the Greek-Roman theme requested. With bright blue pool mosaics to the waterline and shallow wading area, along with pearl white mosaic columns, this would mirror any Mediterranean day spa. These glass mosaics are also found within the dual shower recesses, delineating these areas, and creating a focal point as you walk in the room. Textured tiles were used on the square columns, backing to feature arches in the seating area and in the amenities to separate the washbasin area from the remainder of the shower and toilet.