The multi-award winning Library of Birmingham, the biggest public building of its kind in Europe, was treated with FILA protection and care systems. Thanks to FILACLEANER (pH neutral detergent) and FILAW68 (eco-friendly stain protector) over 1,800 m² of slate installed throughout the ground floor of the library and adjacent theatre were cleaned and protected.
This important prestigious building recently won the 2014 TTA AWARD “Best Use of Tile in a Commercial Contract”, thanks also to the perfect treatment system carried out using FILA products.
Designed by the Dutch architects Mecanoo, the Library of Birmingham is a postmodern hi-tech building covering 10 floors that houses one million books, including a copy of Shakespeare’s “First Folio”, the first publication of the works by the famous playwright. A project costing 189 million pounds (over 23 million euros) which has already had one and half million visitors since its inauguration in September 2013.
The Brazilian slate slabs were laid by W.B. Simpson & Sons in the Midlands. After installation, FILACLEANER concentrated neutral detergent was used for cleaning, specific for delicate natural stone like slate. The surface was then treated with FILAW68, a water-based, eco-friendly stain protector ideal for porous surfaces, which does not form any surface film and protects the material without altering its natural appearance.
FILACLEANER was then specified for everyday cleaning.
Both products are from the “FILA GREEN LINE”, the FILA eco-friendly products that respect the environment thanks to their very low level of VOC emissions. This line won the 2014 TTA AWARD for the “Best Environmental Initiative”.