Helping the Porchester Centre's Georgian Baths Restoration.
Georgian Baths Case Study.
Awe inspiring in its authenticity, the elaborate swimming pool that sits within Bayswater’s historic Porchester Centre has been lovingly restored to its former glory.
During the challenging times and closures of the pandemic restrictions, Westminster Council undertook a comprehensive refurbishment of its 1925 constructed, elaborate swimming pool. This followed the award-winning refurbishment of the adjacent teaching pool conducted in 2018.
The revitalization of the heritage pool nestled within the Grade ll* Listed civic complex, was an extremely complicated and delicate process with sensitivity of design at the heart of its success. The works included six weeks of enabling works to strengthen the pool structural walls due to deflection and repairs to long term cracks in the structure.
New structural floors and internal reinforced wall structures and new in-situ entry steps were constructed and finished with waterproof tanking renders and bespoke tiling within the pool in accordance with the planning conditions for this Grade ll* Listed building.
The pool hall is approximately 36m long x 16m wide. The pool hall ceiling was last repainted in 2002 using a Chlorinated Rubber Paint which proved extremely durable with only a handful of localised areas of damage created by roof leaks. With the pool tank being re-tiled (and therefore drained), it was a perfect time to re-paint the ceiling with a new specification provided by Technical Paint Services.
Whilst the main pool was scheduled for closure to the public during the renovation works, the specification had to provide for the adjacent learner pool along with the changing rooms being in continued use, and therefore had to recognise the potential issues regarding solvents migrating into these public areas.
The quality and colour selection of the paints had also to complement the custom-made tiles produced by Solus Ceramics which offered a truly authentic effect, replicating the aesthetics of the original tiles in the historic baths. As stipulated by the conservation conditions, the bespoke tiles of off-white and the blue racing lines were created to emulate the colours of the pool’s original brickwork and also reflect its aged appearance.
Technical Paints specified and supplied our Chlorinated Rubber System, R10 Finish Coat and RP10 Primer. The RP10 Primer was used as a spot primer for the small areas of damaged ceiling, followed by the topcoat of R10 Chlorinated Rubber Finish.
Over time, indoor or enclosed swimming pools and plant rooms can create maintenance and appearance problems. High humidity is a factor and attack from chlorine or chemicals in the water can also cause problems. If the swimming pool hall is poorly ventilated, then mould and algae can develop in certain areas causing discolouration, staining on the walls, and ceiling. To help prevent these issues, we recommended the use of our Chlorinated Rubber Paint.
Chlorinated Rubber Paint is an air drying, single pack system resistant to a wide range of chemicals, including acids, alkalis, oxidising agents, inorganic salts, moist gases, sewage and mineral oil. Having excellent exterior durability and heat resistance up to 75°C, R10 is ideally suited for application to brickwork, steel, chemical storage tanks, bridges, marine equipment, swimming pool enclosures, pool structures, surrounding walls, floors and ceilings, and was the ideal coating for the Porchester Pool ceiling and walls.
To emulate the colours of the tiles, the recommendation of the colours RAL 1013 Oyster White for larger areas with RAL 8001 Ochre Brown being applied for detailing where required. See the RAL Colour Range here...
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