Makers makes the LRWA Finals in Liverpool
The Titanic again played host to the LRWA Awards in Liverpool. The Liquid Roofing & Waterproofing Awards showcase the great and the good of projects executed since the previous year. Each year the entries increase but only 20 Finalists can make them across the 4 categories, projects under 1000m2, over 1000m2, in a buried application and Project of the Year with a Highly Commended and a Winner being awarded in each category.
The Association continues to recognise the importance of training and with an award for student of the year as well as trainer of the year. Now in its 8th year the finals grow form strength to strength with the ever increasing sponsors for the event and each category.
We would like to express out thanks to Triflex UK for their generous invitation this year together with Westwood Technologies for their support for the finalist projects in their respective categories. Makers had been successful in qualifying in 3 out of the 4 classifications which in itself has been a fantastic achievement with 3 different manufacturers, but after last year’s resounding success it would be difficult to replicate.
Proceedings opened with Liquid project of the Year under 1000m2. Maker’s entry was Solihull Preparatory School with Polyroof. The school was completely re-roofed in the 6 weeks summer holiday, which added a key time pressure but this was further tested as original surveys did not uncover the substandard ply deck which had to be reinforced before works could be undertaken. The roof received a cut to falls installation scheme together with a flexible polyester system manufactured by Polyroof.
Additional drainage together with 14 new roof lights left the school with a classroom fit for purpose for the beginning of the new term. The school was so impressed by the works that Makers were subsequently awarded a complete fit out of the classroom to take place over the Easter and summer holidays branching the Company into new areas of opportunity. The category winner was the Hilton Hyde Central Dome carried out by Building Transformation in Remmers products. The dome was part of London’s architectural Heritage undergoing a system of lead repairs before the polyurethane system was applied.
Makers were successful in making the finals with the Metquarter performing Arts & retail centre with Westwood Technologies using PMMA chemistry. Located in the heart of Liverpool the Metquarter plays hosts to the performing arts with a Robbie Williams interest. The removal of 100 tonnes of ballast using an innovative vacuum application ensured the 1200m2 area could be accessed quickly.
The roof structure had a complex demand with large amounts of mechanical equipment and gas supplies which had to be raised and lowered to execute the waterproofing. Internal gullies and inverted roof posed a significant challenge during wet weather and a warm roof installation was installed with mushroom vents to aiding the evacuation of any trapped moisture and mitigate any outgassing risks. The Westwood PMMA liquid membrane was specified to provide a durable waterproofing solution.
The winner was the West Suffolk Hospital project using polyurethane system by Cambridge Flat Roofing as part of the refurbishment of West Suffolk nurses’ accommodation.
The buried category was won by Volker laser and Alumasc for the Prospect Place Battersea Power Station using a hot melt system the application was approximately 12000m2.
Makers were successful in reaching the finals with the Podium multi storey car park using a combination of epoxy and PMMA technology, the adhesion results were so poor that current available systems would not be possible to apply. Pioneering work between Makers and Triflex developed a priming system that both enhanced the poor concrete substrate and allowed for a new full waterproofing system. The 20,000m2 project was in the heart of a UNESCO site and was awarded Best Refurbishment Project of the Year in 2024 by the British Parking Association but was unable to replicate the success when the winning entry was the Wedding Cake presented by EMC Roofing & Cladding and Westwood Technologies.
A 12m tall monument located at Waddesdon Manor Estate saw this ceramic monument coated to each stairway on 3 levels as well as the walkways and terrace areas around perimeter of the cake. The coating was used to provide a waterproof solution with slip resistance in a seamless application to porcelain tiles.
380 attendees enjoyed the welcome drinks insight into current industry trends before a recap of all the entries with highly commended and winners invited to the stage to collect their awards. An after party was sponsored by KIWA giving the chance for those winners to accept congratulations and an opportunity to network and reflect on this year’s winners and submissions.
“We had an exceptional year last year with 2 highly commended and winner of liquid project of the year, so it was always going to be difficult to top that, but we successfully made the finals in 3 categories with 3 different manufacturers demonstrating our ability, consistency across a myriad of projects… we were the only contractor to do that and we see that as our success being able to showcase our ability, quality and delivery.”
Simon lamb Managing Director
“We entered some great projects across the divisions we operate, you cannot always win, but we are happy that we made the finals…”
Willly McCrimmon Regional Director
Makers offer their congratulations to all the entrants and winners of each category and again thank the LRWA for continuing to promote the benefit of liquid technology. The awards showcase the excellent work being done within this sector of roofing and as the Association grows from strength to strength with contractor numbers increasing, we would like to express our thanks to Sarah Spink CEO and her team for the continued hard work in moving our technologies forward.
Here’s to next year and another visit to the Iconic Titanic Hotel and the city of Liverpool.