When Volkswagen unveiled its new Audi TT model in Beijing it put on a dazzling and immersive display, surrounding the audience with bright lights and dramatic visuals that were projected onto the walls around them – walls on which the cars themselves raced in time to the graphics and soundtrack.
This race track was a cleverly designed, 984-foot (300 meter) 360-degree circular surface that could be placed within the Beijing Crab Island International Convention Center and used as both a backdrop for the show’s visuals as well as a platform on which the 2015 Audi TT vehicles could drive around the audience at speeds of 37 milers per hour (60km/h).
The global resin flooring manufacturer Flowcrete worked closely with the high-profile car brand to create a surface for the track that could meet these dual demands. More than sixteen thousand square feet (1,500 square meters) of the flooring specialist’s epoxy system Rustik in a light grey colour was used for the project, as the robust nature of this system would be able to withstand the movement of the multiple vehicles driving across it.
A Rustik floor incorporates colourful natural stones in clear epoxy resin to deliver an attractive, durable and slip resistant finish. It has been ergonomically designed to reflect a natural aesthetic with the functionality to withstand conditions within busy commercial locations.
However the design and creation of this backdrop threw up several complex challenges, which required a large team of experts to overcome. Flowcrete’s specialists had to ensure that its natural stone carpet system could be applied onto a surface with an average gradient of 60 ° and which at points is practically vertical. Getting the aggregate mix right and laying from the bottom up was the key to solving this issue.
Francis Tan, managing director of Flowcrete China, said: “The seamless, durable and consistent colour of our Rustik flooring system made it the ideal solution for Audi’s various, novel requirements. “These core properties meant that the video, graphics and light show could be combined with the cars themselves in a captivating display that showcased the identity and ethos of the Audi TT range while allowing the audience to experience the cars in motion from the comfort of a conference centre.”
The installation work itself threw up several problems that Flowcrete’s approved applicator team had to overcome. This included cross construction on site, working in an enclosed space, poor ventilation and the need to work 12 hour days in hot weather to meet the strict deadline.
Mr Tan added: “We were committed to creating a high-quality finish as, like Audi, we recognise how important it is that every element looks and performs exceptionally – especially during events such as this when the eyes of the world are focusing on you! The project itself was very challenging and we had to solve a series of technical issues, but when we saw the cars speeding by we knew that we had been part of something special and that the time, effort and dedication had been more than worth it.”
It took 10 days to lay the Rustik floor and, to ensure that the finish met Volkswagen’s exacting standards, inspectors from Audi made regular checks on the track’s progress and quality.
Flowcrete Americas is part of Flowcrete Group Ltd and has offices based in Spring, Texas. Flowcrete Group has manufacturing facilities across the Americas, Asia, Europe and Africa. Flowcrete supplies world-class seamless flooring solutions to transform environments across the globe, including decorative seamless resins, waterproof park deck coating systems, seamless resin terrazzo, durable antimicrobial flooring, corrosion protection and cementitious self-levelling underlayments.
