Sika Sarnafil protects UK’s first dedicated centre for stroke and dementia research

Sika Sarnafil’s single ply roofing membrane has been installed on the UK’s first dedicated centre for stroke and dementia research at the University of Oxford, providing a long lasting waterproofing solution for this impressive building.

The Wolfson Building is situated on the University’s John Radcliffe Hospital site and provides purpose-built facilities for the Wolfson Centre for the Prevention of Stroke and Dementia (CPSD), as well as research space for the Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging (WIN).

Offering expansive views of the city and its surroundings, the new neuroscience research building’s H-shape floor plan was designed to symbolise the two departments’ collaborative relationship. When it came to the roof, the facility required a robust and fully integrated waterproofing system that would accommodate roof penetrations, walkway and PV requirements.

Sika Sarnafil, the UK’s leading single ply roofing manufacturer, was specifically requested for the project by the University of Oxford and came on board during the early design stages to help Oxford-based architect firm fjmt with the specification.

Sarnafil’s single ply membrane has been used across many of the University’s existing buildings, including the Department of Chemistry’s new Teaching Laboratories. Highly regarded by the educational establishment for its ease of use, robustness and straightforward maintenance, the client insisted it be used again.

Sarnafil G410 12 ELF in Lead Grey along with Sarnavap HD were chosen to weathertight the concrete slab room. Due to an uneven and rough surface, a system had to be specified that would overcome this problem. Roofing contractor Vertec liaised with Sika Sarnafil and opted to mechanically fix the single ply to overcome this.

Further challenges were found due to the multiple penetrations in the roof, numbering over 50, including cables, pipework and ducting. Opting to box them in, all penetrations were successfully sealed thanks to expert workmanship from Vertec’s Sika Sarnafil-trained installers.

With support from Sika Sarnafil, who oversaw the project and offered advice and knowledge throughout, Vertec was able to get the roof weatherproofed on schedule.

The new building now houses a number of research groups and work towards the Prevention of Stroke and Dementia has already led to major changes in clinical practice, such as promoting emergency treatment after minor warning events to improve stroke prevention. Thanks to the expansion of the centre, research such as this will continue to benefit patients.