In November 2015 the Heavitree Brewery wanted an extensive new paved beer garden as part of the brewery’s refurbishment and redevelopment of the George & Dragon Pub in Dartmouth to a destination venue.
The GS Architects design for this area of was created using 25mm calibrated, random-sized, black limestone paving, with a central millboard walkway and 100mm granite sett paving for the main entrance and drop kerb to the road.
Following complex structural issues, the project was somewhat delayed, but the brewery and their tenants still wanted to aim for the original VIP opening in November, ahead of the busy Christmas period.
As a result, the building contractor needed to finish pointing and complete the paving, ready to open within just two days, or the date would have to be postponed. Their research led them to NCC Streetscape, and the decision to use GftK vdw 850plus was primarily made for two important reasons.
Firstly, the contractor needed to install the jointing and complete the paving, in just two days, despite the cold, wet November weather –GftK vdw 850plus was the only solution able to meet this onerous requirement, as it can be applied quickly and easily in wet weather.
Secondly, the brewery and their tenants needed a paving jointing material that was tough and fully able to resist exposure to frequent pedestrian traffic, including high heels, plus frequent accidental spillages of food and drinks, as well as being fully resistant to de-icing salts in winter and the necessary frequent cleaning to maintain hygiene for alfresco dining by high pressure jet-washing.
The use of GftK vdw 850plus also allowed all of the paving jointing works to be prepared, applied, cleaned off, and completed, in less than three to four hours in the rain.
Additionally, the main street entrance and drop-kerb to the pub is paved in 100 mm granite setts with 25 mm wide joints. Not ideal, but the GftK vdw 850 in these wide joints still performed brilliantly.
After being fully exposed for 10 years to high pedestrian and regular vehicle traffic for access, the paving jointing is good to continue for many more years –a true sustainable choice.
