F1 Management Building
HTR Group partnered with WestWood to refurbish a 7,500 sq. m metal roof and recreate the red Formula 1 (F1) logo and trademark symbol across the roof space.
Key Statistics
Building remained operational
This state-of-the-art media and technology centre at Biggin Hill Aerodrome is where F1 broadcasts its races to millions of viewers globally. Its 7,500 sq. m metal roof had reached the end of its serviceable life. Several sheets had become loose and corroded, and the gutters required repair.
The roof required a full refurbishment while the building remained operational. To create a visual statement, the project also saw contractors recreate the red F1 logo and registered trademark symbol across the roof space.
Minimise Waste
Corroded areas were ground back to bare metal and repaired before coating. Wecryl 407, a PMMA formulation with enhanced flexibility and crack-bridging capability, was specified to accommodate thermal movement in the metal substrate.
The various substrates, including aluminium powder-coated panels and plastisol-coated steel, were each assessed individually. Through a series of on-site adhesion tests, the team identified the optimal primer and coating combinations. Side laps and end laps were sealed with Wecryl 815 putty.
The double-lined gutter system was removed and reinstated without affecting the roof’s ability to drain water, and the team re-sequenced the works to control water flow and dispersion.
To recreate the FI logo, Wecryl 407 was colour matched to the brand’s distinctive red colour. Because the roof’s significant undulations made traditional marking methods impossible, the team used drones to project a three-dimensional grid in the air, which surveyors then used to mark exact lines for the coating and logo. A bespoke stencil was produced for the ‘R’ trademark symbol.
The resin was applied within the marked areas, working carefully around extensive air-conditioning plant. Where plant components fell within the logo footprint, they were individually adhesion tested and coated in red to ensure alignment.
To minimise waste, all materials were supplied in reusable one-tonne containers and the resin decanted into smaller reusable buckets on site. This eliminated hundreds of disposable tins, aligning with the client’s sustainability objectives.
What We Delivered
Initial surveys, including adhesion tests and condition assessments, required cherry picker access. The facility remained fully operational throughout, housing critical broadcast infrastructure for live Grand Prix events. During race weekends, no work was permitted above the soundproofed media suite, requiring a carefully phased programme.
The entire refurbishment had to be completed within 10 weeks to meet a fixed deadline ahead of a visit from F1’s senior management.
Aesthetics
Recreation of F1 logo and registered trademark
Minimal Disruption
Full roof refurbishment without impacting occupiers
Innovation
Drone technology used for perfect alignment of F1 logo
Sustainability
All materials supplied in reusable containers
The works were delivered safely, on time, and to a high technical standard. The seamless Wecryl 407 coating improves light reflectivity and thermal performance, while the F1 logo has transformed a functional roof into a striking branded landmark.
