Projects
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7/3/2025
A dip into sustainability
A complete system for waterproofing substrates and installing ceramic tiles in the pools of the Neufeld swimming centre
The Neufeld district in Bern is now home to a new aquatic centre designed with sustainability at its core. Featuring a variety of pools and a spectator grandstand, the facility meets Minergie-P Eco standards for energy efficiency and environmental responsibility. Mapei Suisse played a key role in the construction by supplying low-VOC, high-performance products for substrate waterproofing and ceramic tile installation. The complete system, including Mapelastic Turbo, Elastorapid, and Kerapoxy Easy Design, ensured fast application, safety and long-lasting durability.
A new water sports centre has recently been opened in the Neufeld district of Berne, offering the city's inhabitants new opportunities for swimming at all levels. It includes a 6,000 m² indoor pool with ten 50 m lanes, a smaller pool (20 m) for swim classes, a children's pool, a diving pool and a pool with hot water and whirlpools, as well as a grandstand for 400 spectators that can be specially put up for hosting competitions and events.
The building was designed by Armon Semadeni Architekten GmbH along sustainability lines with the aim of reducing its environmental impact, so, for this purpose, proper use was made of innovative methods, technologies and building materials with low emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). For example, the centre is equipped not only with a photovoltaic system, but also with a water management system that allows the swimming pool water to be reused for cleaning and irrigating the outdoor football pitch.
The large indoor swimming pool has been awarded Minergie-P Eco, a certification for energy efficiency in new or renovated buildings that meet the standards of Minergie, a Swiss certification system promoting energy efficiency, comfort and sustainability.
Mapei adhesives and grouts were used for the installation of ceramic tiles in various areas, including the largest swimming pool.
Professional waterproofing
Mapei Suisse, the Swiss subsidiary of the Mapei Group, also contributed to the construction of the reduced environmental impact sports complex in Neufeld by supplying products with low VOC emissions which help to ensure the durability of the facilities.
For example, a Mapei system was chosen to complete the swimming pool surfaces that included the use of specific products for treating and waterproofing the substrates as well as installing and grouting the ceramic tiles.
The surfaces of the basin were levelled off using Planitop Fast 330, a cementitious, fibre-reinforced mortar with very low emissions of VOCs (certified Emicode EC1 by Gev), which prepares substrates for waterproofing operations or the installation of tiles. In this case, Mapelastic Turbo, a two-component, elastic membrane reinforced with Mapenet 150 fibre glass mesh, was applied to the levelled surfaces. This product not only guaranteed perfect adhesion of the waterproofing layer to the substrates, which maintains its elasticity for a long period of time, it also notably reduced the time needed to complete the work.
The surfaces of the basin were waterproofed with Mapelastic Turbo, a two-component, elastic membrane reinforced with Mapenet 150 fibre glass mesh, before installing ceramic tiles with with Elastorapid quick-setting and drying adhesive.
The ceramic tiles could then be installed on the waterproofed surfaces with Elastorapid, a two-component, highly deformable, quick-setting and drying cementitious adhesive. In addition to its easiness of use and extended open time, this adhesive stands out for its high thixotropy, so it can be applied on vertical surfaces without sagging or causing any tiles slip. It also has the extra benefit of not requiring the use of spacers.
Elastorapid has high bonding strength just 2-3 hours, so the tiles could be installed extremely quickly.
Kerapoxy Easy Design was chosen for grouting the tile joints. This two-component epoxy grout is ideal for surfaces in damp environments since it is bacteriostatic and prevents the spread of bacteria and the formation of mould on the surface of the joints. It helps keep the installed surfaces hygienic, thanks to innovative BioBlock technology. Using this system allowed the work to be completed in a short space of time and ensured the durability and high mechanical strength of the surfaces.
As Adelmo Pizzoferrato of Hochbau Stadt Bern (Bern city council’s department in charge of planning, developing and carrying out public building projects) stated, “The indoor swimming pool in Neufeld in Bern is a real success story. It is a place for sportsmen and women, both amateurs and professionals alike, as well as people just looking to enjoy a bit of relaxation. Moreover, it meets the highest quality standards for swimming pool construction.”
The work on preparing the substrates and installing the ceramic tiles also involved other areas of the complex, such as the changing rooms and the corridors at the sides of the swimming pools, where other Mapei products (adhesives, grouts, sealants) were used to ensure the surfaces in these specific areas were of the highest standard.
Mapei products were also used to prepare the substrates and install ceramic tiles in other areas of the complex, such as the changing rooms and the corridors at the sides of the swimming pools.
Project information
Neufeld swimming centre, Bern (Switzerland)
Period of construction: 2020–2023
Owner: Hochbau Stadt Bern
Design: Armon Semadeni Architekten GmbH
Main contractor: Bauleitung GmbH
Subcontractors: Aeberhard AG and Münsingen & Kammermann GmbH (for the swimming pools and showers); Immoa AG and Biel & Omnia Bau GmbH (for the changing rooms).
Mapei coordinators: Mathias Donauer and Pirmin Nünlist, Mapei Suisse
Photos: Rolf Siegenthaler Fotografie
A new sports centre has recently been opened in the Neufeld district of Berne, offering the city's inhabitants new opportunities for swimming at all levels.
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