Universities
University estates encompass an exceptionally wide range of building types — Victorian lecture theatres, 1960s concrete teaching blocks, modern research laboratories, student accommodation towers, sports facilities and underground plant rooms. Each building category brings distinct waterproofing challenges. Forti Nova supplies specialist liquid coating systems that address the technical diversity of university estate maintenance.
Sector Pressures & Constraints
University estates teams manage significant building portfolios on constrained revenue budgets, with capital works typically funded through business cases and strategic maintenance programmes. Buildings are occupied year-round in many cases, with research laboratories and student accommodation presenting near-continuous occupancy. Programme delivery must be coordinated around academic calendars, examination periods and research continuity requirements. Listed buildings and campus conservation areas add heritage and planning constraints to many projects.
Refurbishment Context
University building stock spans multiple construction eras, each with specific waterproofing challenges. 1960s–1970s flat-roof concrete buildings have typically passed their original waterproofing service life. Metal-roof laboratory and teaching buildings are subject to corrosion and thermal movement. Below-ground structures — basements, archive rooms, plant rooms and service tunnels — require specialist waterproofing that accounts for groundwater conditions. Liquid rubber and spray-applied systems address all of these contexts, subject to individual building assessment.
How Forti Nova Works with Universities
Forti Nova provides technical specification and system supply for university estate refurbishment. We work with university estates managers, in-house building services teams, specialist roofing contractors and main contractors. We can support complex specifications across multiple building types within a single estate — providing differentiated system recommendations based on the specific substrate, exposure, performance requirement and budget for each building.
Recommended Systems
Systems typically specified for this sector. All recommendations subject to project assessment and substrate survey.
Technical Resources
Guides and reference documents relevant to Universities projects.
Frequently Asked Questions
Coverage Areas for this Sector
Working in Universities?
Submit your project for a technical assessment. Our team will confirm the right system pathway, programme and applicator availability.