The recently inaugurated India International Convention Centre (IICC) in Dwarka stands as a testament to modern architectural excellence. Designed by IDOM of Spain and executed by Larsen & Toubro (L&T), this state-of-the-art facility, with a total project area of over 8.9 lakh square meters, is set to become one of the world’s largest Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) facilities.
‘Yashobhoomi’ as it will be called features a spectacular convention center, multiple exhibition halls, and other top-notch facilities. Spread across more than 73,000 square meters, the convention center includes 15 convention rooms, the main auditorium, the grand ballroom, and 13 meeting rooms with a combined capacity to accommodate 11,000 delegates.
Its unique feature is an innovative use of Glass Reinforced Concrete (GRC), over 90,000 square meters, including the facade, ceiling, and core walls. The GRC elements comprise a mix of 2D panels, 3D panels, grill designs, showcasing the versatility of this material. To ensure the longevity and aesthetic appeal of the GRC elements, Guard Speciality Products Limited was entrusted with the application of Protectguard Colour, a cutting-edge protective solution. The process also includes the use of Guard Remover Eco Efflorescence for cleaning before the application of Protectguard Colour in the Desert White shade (85% opacity).
Project Challenges
Exposure to Environmental Elements: Site is exposed to diverse environmental elements, including dust, pollutants, and weather variations. Protecting the GRC elements from these factors was a primary concern.
Aesthetic Preservation: The intricate GRC designs required a solution that could protect them while preserving their original aesthetic appeal. Any discoloration or damage to the GRC would have been highly undesirable
Long Term Durability: Given the scale and importance of the IICC project, the GRC elements needed to maintain their integrity and appearance over the long term. This necessitated a robust protective solution.
Solution
To address these challenges, the project team opted for Protectguard Colour in the Desert White shade (85% opacity). Protectguard Colour is a premium protective sealer designed to safeguard concrete and GRC surfaces from a variety of threats, including UV radiation, pollution, and moisture. It offers excellent weather resistance and colour retention properties, making it ideal for the demanding conditions at the IICC, Dwarka site.
Application Process
The application of Protectguard Colour involved a meticulous process to ensure optimal protection and visual appeal
Cleaning: Our authorised applicator Deepak Enterprise initiated the project by cleaning the GRC surfaces with Guard Remover Eco Efflorescence wherever possible. In areas where wet cleaning was not possible the GRC surface was sanded to remove all dust and make it suitable for further application.
Application: Protectguard Colour in the selected Desert White shade was applied using a brush and roller striking a balance between protection and the desired visual effect. Guard Sealer Primer was applied on all repaired panels to enhance bonding.
Results and Benefits
Application of Protectguard Colour at the IICC, Dwarka site has yielded several significant benefits.
Enhanced Protection: Protectguard Colour has provided robust protection to the GRC elements against UV radiation, pollution, and moisture, preserving their structural integrity and appearance.
Aesthetic Appeal: GRC designs have retained their original aesthetic appeal, with the Desert White shade enhancing the visual impact of the elements.
Long Term Durability: Project team can be confident that the GRC elements will continue to maintain their quality and aesthetics over the long term, ensuring the enduring beauty of the IICC.
Cleaning and Maintenance: Use of Protectguard Colour will make the facade cleaning easier.
Sustainability: Protectguard Colour is a preferred choice for green building and sustainable construction projects seeking certification under programs like LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) due to its eco-friendly, water-based and low VOC attributes.