Mastic asphalt used to restore historic Glasgow landmark to its former glory

Camphill Gate is a five-storey tenement building, designed in an art nouveau style and located on the edge of Queens Park, in the Southside of Glasgow. The category B listed building houses 24 residential apartments and is home to 12 businesses.

Built in 1906 by the prolific architect John Nisbet and builder John McTaggart, Camphill Gate has a unique communal roof garden. It featured in a special edition of the Builder’s Journal in 1906 entitled ‘New Buildings in Glasgow’, in which it was asserted that the building was ‘the first of its kind to be erected in Glasgow’.

The building is architecturally distinctive and remains an important part of the Shawlands Cross Conservation Area, being one of 10 listed buildings in the area and built on the site of the historically significant Crossmyloof Bakery.

The building was in need of £1.2m of repair work and the Camphillgate Residents Association hosted a series of events and pop ups to raise awareness of the unique B-listed tenement and raise funds for the renovation work in order to restore the building to its former glory.

Secret gigs featuring the likes of RM Hubbert, Kathryn Joseph, Martha Ffion and Heir Of The Cursed were hosted on the rooftop, and during the Glasgow Open House Arts Festival, three of the apartments were transformed into gallery spaces to host exhibitions. First Minister and local MSP Nicola Sturgeon has also visited.

Camphill Gate has a flat rectangular roof which is 550m2 and is regarded as a unique space in the city. The roof has become a popular communal space for the residents, who use it for recreational purposes and to keep plants.

Mastic asphalt was first applied to the roof over 100 years ago and it performed so well over that time that it was specified once again for the renovation work. The residents wanted to maintain the roof’s original appearance and type of waterproofing for this heritage application.

Specialist roofing contractor Greenroof UK, which specialises in the installation and maintenance of roofing systems in Scotland, was appointed to carry out the roof refurbishment work. Greenroof UK has been a contractor member of the Mastic Asphalt Council (MAC) since 2006.

The first stage of the roofing project involved the removal of the original mastic asphalt. Logistically, the project had its challenges as access to the building is restricted to the front elevation between a busy footpath and one of the most heavily trafficked roads in Glasgow.

Scott Deans, Director of Greenroof UK said: “A complicated arrangement of hoists and mixer loading bays had to be arranged to protect the public and allow the works to proceed. Getting the asphalt to the roof area at the correct temperature from the mixer at ground level, up five storeys and to roof level was a challenge. Four squad stations were needed, plus constant uninterrupted use of the hoist.

“Mastic asphalt was applied to the whole flat roof area over the tenement and it will be applied to all the back court areas, comprising an additional 500m2, in the next phase being carried out in February 2022,” he continued.

Greenroof UK installed IKO’s polymer modified mastic asphalt roofing system Permaphalt. Providing completely seamless waterproofing, it can be installed in cold weather conditions and is virtually incombustible. Suitable for roofs exposed to foot traffic, it is also environmentally non-polluting with zero carbon properties.

The first coat of IKO Permaphalt was installed at a nominal thickness of 25mm on sheathing felt. A second coat was applied at a thickness of 15mm thick incorporating 10-15% by weight of 3mm size coarse aggregate.

The mastic asphalt will provide a waterproof trafficable surface for years to come and maintain the aesthetic appearance of the original construction. Deflections in the concrete substrate were able to be rectified with IKO’s Permascreed product.

Greenroof UK were on site for a period of eight weeks for phase one of the works, and will be recommencing work on the back courts in February 2022 for a further eight weeks.

Simon Downey, Area Sales Manager of IKO PLC said: “A challenging project from the beginning, Greenroof UK Ltd have delivered exceptional levels of service and workmanship installing IKO Permascreed and IKO Permaphalt in the refurbishment of this tenement block. Permascreed was chosen for its zero moisture content, enabling works to continue on programme and to the high standards required.”

For further information visit masticasphaltcouncil.co.uk