Zugló's new jewel is already shining

The Zenit By Bayer large-scale property development project, eight separate buildings will be constructed on a 6.7-hectare site next to Bosnyák Market, which has been underutilised for years, with approximately 153,000 m²sup>of office space, 14,000 m² of residential space (168 apartments) and 11,000 m² of retail space will be created in eight separate buildings.

The aim of the project was to integrate the modern forms of the building into the Zugló environment, while the playgrounds, community garden and green space will create a family atmosphere for those who will find a new home here.

Innovative solutions, record speed

Construction of the Zenit Residence residential building started in May 2022, so the project was completed in just over a year and a half. This record speed is also due to the construction of a temporary concrete plant on site to produce the raw materials for the construction on site, and the use of precast concrete elements prefabricated by the Bayer Group, a pioneering solution that significantly reduces the required operational time.

To join the prefabricated elements, the specialists at Bayer Construct use Mapefill expanding grout, which is ideal for rigidly filling gaps between concrete elements.

The project also represents the future of energy efficiency. The building will be heated using geothermal energy, which is achieved by drilling down to a depth of 1,150 metres in the area, where a reservoir containing thermal water was found.

This is complemented by a state-of-the-art heat pump system, which also provides summer air conditioning. This will enable the apartments to operate at lower energy costs than the conventional energy buildings that have recently been delivered.

Mapei façade system design

To construct the 11 250 m² external façade of the residential building, the professionals used Mapei mineral wool insulation, the only natural material thermal insulation board that meets fire safety regulations.

The facade was covered with Mapetherm Klinker System on 2 650 m² of the facade and Mapetherm Mineral System on 8 600 m² of the facade.

1. MAPETHERM CLINKER SYSTEM

One of the types of cladding used in the design of the façade was a clinker brick cladding, for which the experts Mapetherm Clinker System on a surface area of 2,650 m², the components of which are:

• Mapetherm AR1 GG adhesive patch
• Thermal insulation boards (in this case rock wool and XPS board for the plinth)
• Mapetherm AR1 GG adhesive patch
• Mapetherm Net glass fibre mesh
• System needles
• Keraflex Maxi S1 Zero cold applied adhesive foam
• Clinker bricks (not part of Mapei system)
• Keracolor GG grouting mortar
• Mapesil LM gap sealer

2. MAPETHERM MINERAL SYSTEM

The other type is a facade plaster, for which experts recommend Mapetherm Mineral – Mineral thermal insulation system on an area of 8,600 m².

As a first step, they stuck it onto the wall using Mapetherm adhesive patch to the masonry and XPS thermal insulation boards to the plinth. After installing the Mapetherm dowels, smooth the surface by applying a layer of Mapetherm Net glass fibre mesh was embedded in the applied layer, Mapetherm adhesive tape was used again to smooth the surface.

Subsequently, the masonry was covered with Quarzolite Tonachino Pro S facade plaster was applied to the masonry, after first priming the surface with Universal Base Coat primer was used to prime the surface.

Quarzolite Tonachino Pro S contains synthetic fibres for good crack resistance and quartz-based additives, which make the mixture highly compact and resistant, making it particularly suitable for use in façade thermal insulation systems. It also contains a silicone binder and an ingredient specifically developed to control mould and algae growth.

On certain parts of the façade, Quarzolite Pittura acrylic dispersion paint was used, which is resistant to all climatic conditions and the destructive effects of smog, salt and solar radiation, thus providing lasting protection for the substrate. The Universal Base Coat primer was also used to prime the surface.

Cold coating jobs with Mapei products over 7 500 square metres

During the construction works, BESÉP Kft. carried out the interior tiling works for the apartments of staircases B and C on an area of 3 500 m² and the exterior cold tiling works for the entire 168 apartments in the building on an area of 4 000 m² and used Mapei products for the construction works.

Interior tiling

The contractor used Mapei products for the complete cold cladding of buildings B and C BESÉP Kft. This work consisted of several parts:

• the bathrooms in the apartments and in some apartments the separate toilets are covered with 60×30 cm and 60×60 cm tiles. The first step in laying the electric heating-resistant tiles was to Primer G product was used to prime the substrate.
• Then, to prepare the substrate Novoplan Maxi levelling mortar which is an ideal choice for heated floor systems
• For this, a kent insulation was used, for which the Mapei Mapegum WPS waterproofing and Mapeband SA's bending reinforcement tape were used.
• Then Keraflex Extra S1 Zero for glue bed the ceramic tiles were fixed, in the end Ultracolor Plus product was used for grouting and the gaps were filled with Mapesil AC with silicone have been filled in.

The corridors and lobbies were covered with the same layer system, but the difference was that waterproofing was not required under the covering.

Raised decking terraces

The 168 flats in the condominium have terraces of various sizes, covering a total area of 4,000 m². All of the terraces were constructed using a new technology known as a raised floor system. To implement this, the specialist contractor BESÉP Kft. used Profilpas brand PP Level Duo self-levelling bases and the accompanying accessories.

Electrical or mechanical wiring can be hidden and routed between the subfloor and the floor. The system also has the advantage of draining water away from the pavement quickly, and freezing between the layers is guaranteed to be no problem.

It is always a pleasure for Mapei to use its products on such a large-scale project. The Zenit Residence By Bayer project is much more than that, we are especially proud to have been able to contribute our products and expertise to such a high quality, innovative and sustainable construction project.

See also the video taken on the spot: