MP75 wins praise from top mosque architect

Machine-applied MP75 projection plaster from Knauf Drywall makes lasting impression at new Sheffield Islamic Centre.

Knauf Drywall has has won high praise from the centre's design consultant, one of the UK's top mosque designers.

MP75 is a fast, one-coat plaster producing a firm, smooth surface ideal for all types of decoration - even elaborate Islamic designs.

The Madina Mosque is the centrepiece of the GBP3.64 million Sheffield Islamic Centre, built over the past two years on the site of an old commercial building that served as a place of worship for South Sheffield Muslims for more than 20 years.

The new three-storey centre has a total floor area of 3,520m2 which includes a 1,340m2 prayer area with capacity for 2,250 people, 10 classrooms, a library, an IT suite, a daycare centre for the elderly, and full Islamic funeral facilities.

Built for the Sheffield Islamic Centre Trust by Pullan's Construction, the centre was designed by A.

Al Samarraie of Archi-Structure , of Baildon, West Yorkshire.

Mr Al Samarraie, who has also designed more than 40 mosques in the UK, including Bradford, Leeds, Birmingham, Brierfield (Lancashire), Glasgow and Reading, says: "This is the first time I have used MP75".

"I am most impressed with the result and will certainly use it on future projects".

Specialist plastering subcontractors Lord and Downing used Knauf MP75 Projection Plaster throughout the Wolesley Road centre.

It took one three-man team just eight weeks to apply 45 tons of plaster to about 4,000m2 of wall - and the job also included complicated forming around circular windows.

Partner Les Lord says: "Conventional two-coat plastering would have taken twice as long, with considerably greater cost." The productivity and cost-saving benefits of MP75 were enhanced through use of a silo system to store and pump dry MP75 powder to the mixing and projection pump.

"This avoided the need for a fourth man to carry bagged MP75 to the mixer - and potential Health and Safety issues as a result," says Les Lord.

MP75 is a fast-drying projection plaster specially formulated for one-coat machine application on most interior walling surfaces.

It is particularly suitable for surfaces such as brickwork, blockwork and concrete.

MP75 is machine-applied to a wall in horizontal bands, then simply ruled and floated manually for a durable, smooth white finish.

With MP75, a three-man team can complete 15m2 per hour, making it one of the most productive building materials on the market.

MP75 is nailable, abrasive proof and fire retarding - and it is ideal for decorating or tiling.

It is available at builders' merchants in 25kg bags, which yield about 28 litres of wet plaster to cover approximately 3m2 at an average thickness of 1cm.

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