Projects / 10/29/2025

Cover-worthy roofs

A journey through time and space to discover iconic projects where Mapei has helped build or renovate roofs that combine aesthetics with long-lasting performance

Five iconic roofing projects around the world where Mapei contributed to combining aesthetics, technology, and durability. From historic landmarks like Barcelona’s Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau and Naples’ Castel Nuovo to contemporary structures such as the New Ethnographic Museum in Budapest, Sharjah Planetarium, and Istanbul Airport, each project reflects Mapei’s expertise. The company’s solutions ensured waterproofing, sustainability, and long-term performance.

HOSPITAL DE LA SANTA CREU I SANT PAU - Barcelona (Spain)

A masterpiece of Catalan modernism designed by Lluís Domènech i Montaner, the Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau was one of Europe’s most iconic hospital complexes and was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997. It functioned as a hospital until 2009 and reopened as a museum and cultural centre in 2014 following extensive restoration work. Mapei contributed to the structural strengthening of the domes on several of the historic pavilions, supplying innovative solutions to ensure long-term durability and safety while preserving the original architecture.

At Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, the domes of several historic pavilions were renovated by using Mapei structural strengthening solutions.

NEW ETHNOGRAPHIC MUSEUM - Budapest (Hungary)

Designed by Hungarian firm Napur Architects, this striking building stands out for its iconic form and curved roof, home to a 7,000 m² rooftop garden that blends seamlessly with the surrounding park and urban landscape.

Inside, the museum houses around 250,000 artefacts originating from the Carpathian Basin and from every corner of the globe. A distinctive feature of the building, the green roof was waterproofed using membranes from Polyglass, a Mapei Group subsidiary, ensuring sustainable design and durability in line with the project’s innovative vision.

The green roof of the new Museum of Ethnographyin Budapest was waterproofed using membranes supplied by Polyglass.

SHARJAH PLANETARIUM - Sharjah (United Arab Emirates)

Part of the Sharjah Center for Astronomy and Space Sciences (SAASST), the Sharjah Planetarium is a point of reference for scientific education in the United Arab Emirates. Its most distinctive feature is the iconic golden dome symbolising the Sun, the surface of which was covered with mosaic tiles installed using Mapei products. The work helped to enhance the aesthetics and durability of one of the planetarium’s defining architectural features.

Mapei solutions were ued to bond mosaic tiles on the dome of the Sharjah Center for Astronomy and Space Sciences (SAASST).

ISTANBUL AIRPORT (IST) - Istanbul (Turkey)

Strategically positioned between Europe, North Africa, the Middle East and Western Asia, Istanbul Airport has an annual capacity of 150 million passengers. Mapei worked with the project’s contractors to supply solutions for several areas inside and outside Terminal 1, including waterproofing of the green terraces in front of the departures area (an area of approximately 75,000 m²) and the control tower in the shape of a giant tulip, a symbol of Istanbul and Turkey. This strategic infrastructure hub serves as a point of connection between continents, cultures and people.

Mapei supplied solutions for waterproofing several areas inside and outside Terminal 1.

CASTEL NUOVO - Naples (Italy)

Overlooking the Gulf of Naples, Castel Nuovo – also known as the Maschio Angioino – is one of Italy’s most important medieval castles and a symbol of the city. In the recent restoration project, Mapei supplied waterproofing solutions for the roofs of the Sala dei Baroni and the Torre San Giorgio, which had suffered extensive water damage. Covering a total area of around 2,500 m², the work combined innovation with respect for history and ensured renewed protection for one of Naples’ most cherished landmarks.

Mapei supplied waterproofing solutions for the roofs of the Sala dei Baroni and the Torre San Giorgio at Castel Nuovo in Naples.

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