PPG Coatings provide durable solution for Commonwealth Games
The Client:
Birmingham City Council
The Decorator:
Dunningham Decorators Ltd
The Architect:
Arup
The Location:
Birmingham
Home to the Commonwealth Games
Alexander Stadium, a 41-acre athletics venue located in Birmingham and home to the 22nd Commonwealth Games was redeveloped to create a world-class venue for diverse sporting, leisure, community, and cultural events. The 72 million-pound redevelopment of the stadium, modernised with a permanent capacity of 20,000 (up from the current 12,700) also hosts world-famous events such as the Diamond League series and British Championships and aims to create a world-class dynamic venue that contributes to the long-term regeneration of the area.
Its location in the heart of the country – an ideal home for the UK’s Premier Athletics Club, Birchfield Harriers.
Creating a durable sporting legacy
Understanding the need for a durable coatings system that could stand high traffic and circulation areas, as well as protection for internal and external exposed steel work, Dunningham Decorators turned to PPG’s JOHNSTONE’S® Trade brand. When it came to specifying paint, it was important to provide a coatings system that could be easily maintained and protected the steel structures while producing an attractive finish to complement the stadium’s visual appeal. The decoration project took 10 months to complete with teams between 8 and 20 working on the project at any one time.
A PPG solution
PPG’s technical department recommended a combination of Johnstone’s Trade Single Pack Primer and Steel & Cladding Semi-Gloss Topcoat, were applied to the internal and external exposed steel structures to provide a high level of anticorrosive protection. Johnstone’s Trade Durable Acrylic Matt was used throughout the stadium’s different walking and circulation areas including the concourse areas. Johnstone’s Trade Durable Acrylic Matt achieves a class 1 scrub rating and provides a tough and durable topcoat that is washable, meaning the coatings can be easily maintained, extending the maintenance cycle. For the doors, skirting and trim areas, a combination of Johnstones’ Trade Aqua Undercoat and Johnstone’s Trade Aqua Guard was applied. The innovative surface protection technology provides a defence against scratches, wear and tear and hand grease for a long-lasting finish.
The results
Arup architects, working closely with Birmingham City Council expanded the uses of the international-standard athletics venue beyond sporting events to include community and cultural needs. While renovation of the wider site will continue to evolve in phases, the modernised stadium sits alongside neighbouring buildings to create a new symbol of pride for the city of Birmingham. PPG’s coatings solutions proved to be the best solution for the redevelopment of such an important landmark of sport infrastructure.
