Dulux Trade
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New London hospital building benefits from Dulux Trade Diamond Matt
Diamond Matt paint from Dulux Trade has been used extensively in a major PFI hospital development in London to provide an aesthetically pleasing environment and, uniquely for a matt, an extremely durable finish. Around 75,000 sq metres of the first phase of the new University College London Hospital (UCLH) has been painted in Dulux Trade Diamond Matt, following rigorous tests carried out by the UCLH team to confirm the suitability and durability of the paint.
Mark Ailles, Director of Brooks Decorations, the company selected to carry out the painting contract said, "There was a desire to provide a finish that had a less clinical feel than the shinier Acrylic Eggshell, but normal matt paints are not as durable, so this posed a problem. We chose the Dulux Trade product because Diamond Matt actually matches the performance of Acrylic Eggshell, in terms of maintenance cycles, and provides exceptional durability for a matt paint."
The effective performance of Diamond Matt relies on two critical ingredients: a special latex component for durability and stain resistance and a hard pigment for exceptional scrub and polishing resistance.
Main contractor BCJV, the company charged with maintaining the building for the next 32 years was more than delighted to hear this news. Dave Clarke, Construction Finishes Manager of BCJV, said, "We are very impressed with the Diamond Matt because it's extremely durable, less shiny, which in our opinion makes it more attractive and effective on the walls of the hospital, and is very easy to clean and maintain. These factors are very important since we'll be looking after the building for the next 32 years, so it's better for us in the long run."
The 250M development located at Euston Road, in Central London, consists of a seventeen-storey tower block and five-storey podium block with three basements that house an A&E department, an Acute Admissions Unit, imaging and therapy facilities below ground level as well as an array of specialist facilities situated throughout the upper floors. With this notable project now complete, Dulux Trade Diamond Matt is setting the standard by which other hospital developments, whether new build or refurbishment, are already following.
Rachel Basha, an Interior Designer with Llewelyn Davies Architects, who formed part of the UCLH project design team, said that she believed the knowledge and assistance provided by Dulux Trade played a key role in helping deliver a successful project, adding, "They were very supportive in such things as product specification, colour samples and new innovative solutions, during the entire process."
