Key projects

Lafarge supplies iconic Skills Academy

South Bristol Skills Academy has been commissioned by City of Bristol College to drive up educational standards and provide employment opportunities in South Bristol. One of Bristol's largest employers, Lafarge Plasterboard, has worked with main contractors Cowlin Construction and drylining subcontractors GHT plastering to deliver the iconic project on target for its launch in September.

The impressive four-storey building's design was inspired by an aircraft hangar and reflects the two halves of the brain. The two areas of the building are separated by a large, light atrium, and are linked by bridges at each level. At the hub of the Skills Academy is a winter garden and terrace, where students and staff can meet and socialise.

The expansive internal spaces and numerous curves of the Skills Academy combine to create an impressive visual experience, requiring special acoustic consideration.

Chris Norris, Senior Technical Manager for Lafarge Plasterboard worked closely with Cowlin and GHT to ensure that both acoustics and aesthetics were satisfied. Chris said: "With large open internal areas there is a danger that resonant sound can quickly get out of hand unless proper precautions are taken. GTEC Pregybel was specified to act as a ‘sound-soak', to limit reverberation times in the atriums, open stairwells and corridors of the building. Pregybel is a perforated gypsum-based board from Lafarge's GTEC specialist range of boards. The board fully complies with the recommendations of Building Bulletin 93 (BB93), a report document that provides guidance on acoustic treatments for schools and educational buildings."

Chris added: "It is available in multiple patterns offering aesthetic choice, while its sound absorption performance provides a superior acoustic absorption to class B/C with a value of 0.7."

The ambitious design of the Skills Academy curves in three dimensions, presenting a particular set of drylining challenges. Richard Jones, Director of subcontractors GHT said:

"This was a very testing project to build with all the problems that came as part of this very bespoke design. The flexibility of the Lafarge GTEC M/F Ceiling frame enabled us to front up all obstacles we encountered, especially the very complex multi radius ceilings and bulkheads, and overcome them, to achieve the final appearance that we all are very proud of." Pregybel is fitted to a GTEC Metal Furring (M/F) ceiling frame and is used in isolation as a standalone system. Because M/F ceiling frames can be easily bent into place, the various curves throughout the Skills Academy could be accommodated onsite with no need to customise each frame.

In addition to Pregybel, GTEC 15mm Megadeco was used throughout the development to provide 60 minutes fire resistance and good sound insulation as part of a system. GTEC Megadeco is categorised as severe duty impact resistance when tested to BS5234, making it ideally suited for commercial applications such as colleges and other high traffic buildings. The board has a decorative pre-sealed white face and colour matched joint cements, ensuring that linings and partitions have a consistent finish ready for final decoration. This eliminates the requirement for separate sealing of the board onsite, effectively saving one complete operation at finishing stage.

Jamie Harwood, Project Manager for Cowlin Construction said: "GHT's performance, under the management of Richard Jones, was a main factor in this project being completed on time. Richard's hands on approach meant that all operations that were asked of GHT were dealt with swiftly and effectively.

"The unique shape of this building offered daily challenges that GHT handled extremely well. They were fully aware of the Lafarge systems available to them and installed a quality product to the satisfaction of everyone."

Lafarge Plasterboard has supplied its new multipurpose gypsum board, GTEC LaDura for the partition walls of Nottingham University’s new humanities building – saving the sub-contractors time and money.

Despite not being specified for the project, GTEC LaDura was chosen by sub-contractors L Reynolds (Building Systems) Ltd as a superior alternative to the original specification.  3000m² of GTEC LaDura was supplied to L Reynolds for the partition walls throughout the building and is due to be fully installed by August 2011. 

Nick Watkins, Technical Specification Manager from Lafarge Plasterboard, explains: “University buildings are high traffic areas and as a result durable materials are a must.  GTEC LaDura is stronger, heavier and harder than standard plasterboards because of its high density and an 8% hard wood particles composition.  It’s ideal for this type of project.”

John Reynolds, Managing Director at L Reynolds, comments: “GTEC LaDura gave us a real commercial edge on this project.  A primary motivation for choosing it was its excellent duty rating which meant we used fewer boards, often only half as many as usual.  This saved a significant amount of installation time on the project and reduced our costs.

“We were very impressed with GTEC LaDura, so much so that we are now using it in another project, at Kettering District Hospital.”

In addition, the board does not require mechanical cutting but uses a ‘score and snap technique’ that makes it easy to cut – saving further installation time.

Stephen Carr, Commercial Manager at L Reynolds added: “The acoustic performance of the board was also an important factor.  In university buildings, it is vital that noise is contained as much as possible.  GTEC LaDura provides outstanding sound performance and we could be sure that excellent acoustic management would be the result.”

GTEC LaDura is capable of withstanding heavy point loads and can be used as a replacement for plywood pattresses, as was the case at Nottingham University.  In addition to excellent impact resistance and sound insulation, GTEC LaDura also provides outstanding fire resistance making it a comprehensive board for demanding technical requirements.

Lafarge Plasterboard has supplied its innovative and water resistant GTEC Aqua Board for the construction of Writhlington School’s Applied Learning Centre near Radstock, in Somerset. GTEC Aqua Board is the UK’s first wet area gypsum based board that can be used externally, in all weather conditions, allowing projects to progress quickly no matter what the weather.

Lafarge Plasterboard worked with David Kent Architects, Kier Western, the main contractor and Optimum Drywall Systems (ODS), the subcontractor, to supply 750m² of 12.5mm GTEC Aqua Board for the external sheathing to the steel frame behind the cladding of the new building.

Simon Scrase, Technical Specification Manager, Lafarge Plasterboard, explains: “GTEC Aqua Board is gypsum based making it lighter and easier to handle, weighing just 10.8kg/m2 compared to 15kg/m2 for a standard cement particle board. Unlike other sheathing boards it doesn’t require mechanical cutting and uses a ‘score and snap technique’ that significantly reduces time and cost.”

Lee Piper, Senior Project Manager, Kier Weston, comments: “We were very pleased with the overall performance of GTEC Aqua Board. Its reduced weight compared to traditional cement boards, made it easier to handle and the ease of cutting provided flexibility during the construction process.”

Mark Leach, Senior Surveying Manager, Optimum Drywall Systems, adds: “We had seen the benefits of using GTEC Aqua Board on other projects and we were pleased we used the product again. We estimate we were able to save 40-50% of the usual installation time involved in this type of project.

“In addition to saving time GTEC Aqua Board also reduced our plant hire costs. For example, because the product is so easy to use and install we did not need to hire scissor lifts for as long as we usually would. As a result the job was completed much faster and saved money.”

GTEC Aqua Board can be stored directly on site, exposed to all weather conditions for up to six months, allowing the board to be used when needed.  It also has BBA certification for single layer application as part of an External Insulation and Finishing System.

Lee Piper, concludes: “I would recommend the use of GTEC Aqua Board above any cement based material for any project from now on.”

The Applied Learning Centre is the second stage of development at Writhlington School and is due to be completed by the end of February 2011.

Lafarge Plasterboard's air tight solution saves 50% installation time at Academy development

The Hereford Academy, a learning community for 11 - 19 year olds in the south of the city of Hereford, required a fast and effective external sheathing solution as part of a £22 million pound new build project.

Lafarge Plasterboard, working with contractors Willmott Dixon Construction and subcontractors Manorcraft Interior Systems, supplied GTEC Aqua Board, the UK's first gypsum based board for wet and high humidity applications, to be installed as part of an external sheathing system to the steel frame behind the brickwork of the development.

Michael Chaney, Project Surveyor for Willmott Dixon Construction, said: "The Academy is being built on playing fields of the existing site. When it is completed the children will be moved to the new building whereupon the second phase will commence - demolishing the existing building to build new sports pitches."

Aqua Board is the latest innovation in high performance gypsum boards and goes against all the conventions of the traditional use of plasterboard. Its mould and water resistance means it can be installed internally as well as externally, where it is subject to all weather conditions. It can be recycled and has BBA certification for single layer application as part of an External Insulation and Finishing System. Lafarge has ISO140001 environmental accreditation and offers a waste plasterboard management service.

Simon Scrase, Technical Specification Manager for Lafarge Plasterboard, said: "To comply with Approved Document Part L (Conservation of Fuel and Power) of the Building Regulations, uncontrolled air leakage from a building envelope must be minimised, subject to an air leakage test. This is one of the major challenges for a contractor in maintaining the air tightness of any external construction. Usually, internal drylining is relied on to carry out this function by sealing the perimeter with an intumescent and acoustic sealant. However, if at a latter stage any penetration is made in the internal drylining, for example inserting an electrical socket, the air tightness is breached."

"Installing Aqua Board on the exterior of the steel frame provides an airtight and weather tight seal. Also, by providing the seal early in the construction, the internal drylining can commence ahead of programme, thus increasing the speed of the construction."

Michael Chaney, Project Surveyor for Willmott Dixon Construction, said: "Lafarge put forward GTEC Aqua Board as an alternative to cement particle board and we could see the benefits with regards to manual handling and speed of installation on site as there is no need for mechanical cutting."

Chris Moreton, Managing Director of Manorcraft Interior Systems Ltd, said: "It is difficult if not impossible to provide the same type of ‘seal' with a more traditional board like cement particle board. Because it is gypsum based, Aqua Board is lighter and therefore easier to handle, plus it is much easier to cut than other sheathing boards, using the ‘score and snap technique'. We estimated that using Aqua Board saved at least 50% installation time in comparison to cement particle board."

Chris added: "This is actually the second project where we have used Aqua Board externally. We have just completed a project at the University of Wales, Cardiff where we utilised Aqua Board as an insulated render substrate. The weather resisting qualities along with ‘ease of use' make Aqua Board a viable alternative to more traditional cement particle boards."

Aqua Board has many advantages over cement particle boards - safer, lighter and quicker . Cement particle boards pose a much higher health and safety risk as they must be cut using power saws and require a segregated area with dust extraction and fire extinguishers. Aqua Board is also much lighter, at 10.8kg/m2 versus 15kg/m2 for cement particle board. As a result of these factors, the sheathing at the Hereford Academy was installed well ahead of schedule. Aqua Board is available in 12.5mm and 15mm thicknesses and various lengths.

The Hereford Academy, a learning community for 11-19 year olds in the south of the city of Hereford, required a fast and effective external sheathing solution as part of a £22 million pound new build project.

Lafarge Plasterboard, working with contractors Willmott Dixon Construction and subcontractors Manorcraft Interior Systems, supplied GTEC Aqua Board, the UK’s first gypsum based board for wet and high humidity applications, to be installed as part of an external sheathing system to the steel frame behind the brickwork of the development.

Michael Chaney, Project Surveyor for Willmott Dixon Construction, said: “The Academy is being built on playing fields of the existing site. When it is completed the children will be moved to the new building whereupon the second phase will commence - demolishing the existing building to build new sports pitches.”

Aqua Board is the latest innovation in high performance gypsum boards and goes against all the conventions of the traditional use of plasterboard.  Its mould and water resistance means it can be installed internally as well as externally, where it is subject to all weather conditions. It can be recycled and has BBA certification for single layer application as part of an External Insulation and Finishing System.  Lafarge has ISO140001 environmental accreditation and offers a waste plasterboard management service.

Simon Scrase, Technical Specification Manager for Lafarge Plasterboard, said: “To comply with Approved Document Part L (Conservation of Fuel and Power) of the Building Regulations, uncontrolled air leakage from a building envelope must be minimised, subject to an air leakage test.  This is one of the major challenges for a contractor in maintaining the air tightness of any external construction.  Usually, internal drylining is relied on to carry out this function by sealing the perimeter with an intumescent and acoustic sealant. However, if at a latter stage any penetration is made in the internal drylining, for example inserting an electrical socket, the air tightness is breached.

“Installing Aqua Board on the exterior of the steel frame provides an airtight and weather tight seal.  Also, by providing the seal early in the construction, the internal drylining can commence ahead of programme, thus increasing the speed of the construction.”

To comply with Part L, air tightness should reach a target of 10m³/hour/m².  Willmott Dixon Construction more than exceeded this, achieving 5.83m³/hour/m².

Michael Chaney of Willmott Dixon Construction, said: “Lafarge put forward GTEC Aqua Board as an alternative to cement particle board and we could see the benefits with regards to manual handling and speed of installation on site as there is no need for mechanical cutting.”

Chris Moreton, Managing Director of Manorcraft Interior Systems Ltd, said: “It is difficult if not impossible to provide the same type of ‘seal’ with a more traditional board like cement particle board. Because it is gypsum based, Aqua Board is lighter and therefore easier to handle, plus it is much easier to cut than other sheathing boards, using the ‘score and snap technique’.  We estimated that using Aqua Board saved at least 50% installation time in comparison to cement particle board.”

Chris added: “This is actually the second project where we have used Aqua Board externally. We have just completed a project at the University of Wales, Cardiff where we utilised Aqua Board as an insulated render substrate. The weather resisting qualities along with ‘ease of use’ make Aqua Board a viable alternative to more traditional cement particle boards.”

Aqua Board has many advantages over cement particle boards – safer, lighter and quicker. Cement particle boards pose a much higher health and safety risk as they must be cut using power saws and require a segregated area with dust extraction and fire extinguishers. Aqua Board is also much lighter, at 10.8kg/m2 versus 15kg/m2 for cement particle board. As a result of these factors, the sheathing at the Hereford Academy was installed well ahead of schedule. Aqua Board is available in 12.5mm and 15mm thicknesses and various lengths.

Flagship NHS hospital supplied by Lafarge Plasterboard

Lafarge Plasterboard has supplied drylining systems to a flagship new hospital development. Working with main contractors BAM Construction and drylining subcontractors Richard Kemble Ceilings, Lafarge supplied GTEC Megadeco and Fire Board to the Ysbyty Aneurin Bevan hospital in Ebbw Vale, Blaenau Gwent, Wales.

The development, which is named after NHS creator Aneurin Bevan, is the first publicly-funded hospital to be built in England or Wales with 100% single room, ensuite facilities to help control infection and improve privacy. The 107-room, £53.7 million project is the first major build as part of the regeneration of the former Corus steelworks site in Ebbw Vale and is due for completion in October 2010.

Lafarge Plasterboard's GTEC Megadeco has been fitted throughout the hospital's corridors and rooms, which comprise a mixture of ground floor theatre areas, treatment rooms and offices and 96 first floor ensuite bedrooms.

GTEC Megadeco is one of Lafarge's high performance Specialist boards, ideally suited for commercial applications such as hospitals and other high traffic public buildings. More than 43,000m2 of Megadeco has been used, installed as an external layer on every interior facing wall.

Chris Norris, Senior Technical Manager for Lafarge Plasterboard, said: "GTEC Megadeco was specified because it combines superior impact resistance, sound insulation and fire resistance and is categorised as severe duty when tested to BS5234."

Chris added: "The board has a decorative pre-sealed white face and colour matched joint cements, ensuring that linings and partitions have a consistent finish ready for final decoration. This eliminates the requirement for separate sealing/priming of the board onsite, effectively saving one complete operation at finishing stage."

Lafarge's GTEC Metal Framing system was used to create the partitioning, with 90mm C Stud and Megadeco forming the basis of the rooms. A shaft wall system was employed throughout the corridors to accommodate the modular m/e services while still maintaining performance levels.

BAM Construction is managing the hospital's development for the Welsh Assembly Government, through its 'Designed for Life' programme. David Humphrey, who oversees the project as Design Manager for BAM Construction said: "Delivering the highest quality to patients and hospital staff is a core value for BAM.The tight timescales for construction have been crucial, as the local population eagerly await their new hospital. The materials we chooseneed to be able to withstand the heavy, sustained traffic of such a busy environment. As such, we've been very impressed with the level of technical service from Lafarge and our subcontractors, Richard Kemble Ceilings. Their efficient working relationship and expert knowledge, combined with the performance and durability of Megadeco, have ensured we are well on target to launch in October."

Richard Kemble, Managing Director of Richard Kemble Ceilings, said: "The success in being part of this prestigious development is duly down to our long standing working

relationship with BAM Construction, and being a category 1 Sub-Contractor within their main supply chain. Also, the success on this project has enabled us to be part of the ongoing build of new hospital "Ysbyty Ystrad Fawr" Ystrad Mynach and has presented us with the opportunity to tender on two further projects; Morriston Hospital Swansea and Musgrove Park Hospital, Taunton." 

Lafarge keeps sound under control in College extension

Work is nearing completion on a new sports hall and faculty for drama and performing arts at Cross Keys College, Newport. Lafarge Plasterboard has worked with main contractors, Leadbitter, and subcontractors B.C.D.L. Ltd., to specify and design the partitions and ceilings to meet exacting acoustic requirements.

Leadbitter consulted with Chris Norris, Senior Technical Manager for Lafarge Plasterboard throughout the project. Chris said: "I worked with architects Broadway Malyan from the original performance specifications. However, there were various modifications required to re-engineer the systems to accommodate structural element changes. The exposed concrete soffits to the rooms in the naturally ventilated faculty for drama and performing arts posed a particular challenge. Together with Leadbitter, we redesigned the ceilings using Lafarge GTEC Pregybel acoustic panel systems instead of the original mineral fibre tile systems, thus ensuring substantially reduced reverberation times."

GTEC Pregybel is a perforated gypsum-based board from Lafarge's GTEC range. A performance board with multiple patterns available for good aesthetics, it looks impressive on large ceiling and wall areas, as at Cross Keys College, while its sound absorption performance provides a superior acoustic ambience. Pregybel is fitted to a GTEC Metal Furring (M/F) ceiling frame and is used in isolation as a stand alone system. The board fully complies with the recommendations of Building Bulletin 93 (BB93), a report document that provides guidance on acoustic treatments for school building design.

Brian Wheeldon, Project Manager for Leadbitter, said: "The faculty for drama and performing arts had different acoustic challenges. The music and dance departments are on separate floors, with rehearsal and performance rooms adjacent to each other. The original design of the partition walls would not meet the acoustic requirements, so Lafarge redesigned the walls to ensure full compliance."

All the fire barrier walls and partitions in the development were fitted with GTEC Megadeco. More than 12,000m2 of board was installed, in 12.5mm and 15mm specifications (where extra durability and sound insulation were required). GTEC Megadeco was selected because it combines superior sound insulation, fire performance and is categorised as severe duty impact resistance when tested to BS5234. The board has a decorative pre-sealed white face and colour matched joint cements, which ensures that linings and partitions have a consistent finish ready for final decoration. This eliminates the requirement for separate sealing of the board onsite, effectively saving one complete operation at finishing stage.

GTEC Megadeco fully complies with BB93 and, when fitted as part of a system, achieves sound reduction performance in the range of 40-60 RwdB throughout the college.

To provide additional sound insulation, Lafarge's dB Board was used in the partitions throughout the development and on the Mass Barrier M/F ceilings above the lower Pregybel ceilings in the Drama Studio. Enhanced fire protection to service risers was achieved utilising Lafarge's shaft wall system utilising 25mm Firecheck Coreboard.

Brian added: "Leadbitter and Lafarge Plasterboard have a long-standing relationship on wall and ceiling design for acoustic performance and fire protection. Lafarge Plasterboard also recommends the most competent subcontractors for a particular type of work. Our partition and ceiling subcontractor B.C.D.L. Ltd. was involved in the design meetings and has delivered a high standard of workmanship for the internal finishes."

Gordon Bolton, Managing Director for B.C.D.L. Ltd. said: "This has been a particularly interesting, challenging and satisfying project for B.C.D.L. Ltd. to be involved in, from both a design and execution point of view, and the B.C.D.L. Ltd. site team can be proud of the finish achieved."

Lafarge Plasterboard saves 60% installation time in carbon-negative development

Lafarge Plasterboard, one of the UK's leading plasterboard and drylining systems

manufacturers, is introducing a new application of cutting edge technology to a sustainable development in Leeds. The Greenhouse Project is a £26 million urban regeneration scheme to create the UK's first carbon-negative housing development. The project is another demonstration of GTEC Aqua Board, a gypsum board solution for wet area applications, which has been used as an external sheathing board.

Lafarge Plasterboard is providing Aqua Board for the external lining of the steel framing system of the Greenhouse, which is being converted from the former Shaftesbury House hostel in Beeston by contractors Clegg Construction Ltd. The 172 apartment development is due for final completion in 2010.

Mark Prescott, Contracts Manager for subcontractors Rapide Drylining, commented on the ease of use of Aqua Board: "The lightweight, easy to cut board is the ideal material for The Greenhouse Project. Because of the amount of windows and openings we have saved approximately 60% on the installation time versus Cement Particle Board, but even on a typical project we would have saved approximately 30% on installation time. Due to the accelerated process, insulation and rendering will commence within the next two weeks."

Aqua Board has been designed to offer a water and mould resistant performance and is part of Lafarge's comprehensive GTEC range which includes: multi-specification boards, finishing products such as taping and jointing systems, fixing products such as screws and adhesives, and a complete range of metal frames to complement the boards.

Steve Maskill, Northern Technical Specifications Manager for Lafarge Plasterboard, explained the benefits of Aqua Board: "It's a great material to work with; in an external application it's ideal, because unlike cement particle boards it can be butted together without a gap. Aqua Board is also much lighter than cement particle boards, so easier to handle. The board can be cut using a knife whereas cement boards requires a saw. Also, cement boards needs a ventilated closed area to remove dust while cutting, but Aqua Board can be cut anywhere. All these features are in addition to its water resistant properties, which make it ideal for damp internal areas or external use."

Steve added: "We're thrilled to be working on this pioneering project. Lafarge is committed to sustainable development and is always finding ways to minimise environmental impact. We also offer a waste plasterboard management system."

Lafarge Plasterboard goes to great lengths for schools' swimming pool

Lafarge Plasterboard, one of the UK's leading plasterboard and drylining systems

manufacturers, is working with Laing O'Rourke on one of the largest schools complexes in Edinburgh, supplying its innovative GTEC Aqua Board.

The Forrester and St Augustine's schools are being redeveloped with a shared sports facility including a large swimming pool. The gypsum based GTEC Aqua Board is being used in the swimming pool complex due to its enhanced water and mould resistant properties.

In addition to GTEC Aqua Board, Lafarge Plasterboard is supplying a number of boards from its GTEC range. GTEC Megadeco has a decorative white face and superior acoustic, fire and impact performance, making it ideal for high traffic areas such as schools. GTEC dB Board was also requested for its sound insulation properties.

Lafarge Plasterboard has a systems approach to its products and supplies a comprehensive range that covers installation from start to finish, including: multi-specification boards, finishing products such as taping and jointing systems, fixing products such as screws and adhesives, and a complete range of metal frames to complement the boards.

Michael McLaughlin, Director of subcontractors Roskel, commented on the unique qualities of Aqua Board: "It's light and doesn't require a gap when fitting unlike cement based boards. This drastically cuts down on installation time. In a high traffic, high moisture environment, a product like Aqua Board is essential to avoid damp and mould damage.

"The board can be cut with a Stanley knife, whereas cement based boards need power tools and closed ventilated areas to remove dust. This means that fitting can be done quickly and efficiently."

Keith Steele, Technical Specifications Manager for Lafarge Plasterboard, said: "Contractors are now seeing past Aqua Board's gypsum based make up and realising the true potential of this unique product. Traditionally, contractors have turned to cement based products for areas of high moisture. Aqua Board has most of the beneficial properties of a cement based board while being much easier and safer to work with."

GTEC Aqua Board Installed In Crossway Eco-House

Lafarge Plasterboard's latest innovation in gypsum boards, "GTEC Aqua Board" is being installed in a new Zero Carbon Passive House to be featured on TV in the New Year.

The four bedroom house, named Crossway, hides within the rural landscape of Kent and uses a variety of recycled and locally sourced materials, from top to bottom.

Heating and energy supply comes from the UK's first use of a revolutionary Photo Voltaic Thermal (PV-T) system and the world's first salt Phase Change Material thermal store backed up by an 11kW biomass boiler.

The eco-house includes triple glazing and is insulated throughout using recycled newspaper.

GTEC Aqua Board from Lafarge is being used in vulnerable wet areas such as the outside car port, as well as the bathrooms and wet room. The high performance gypsum board was developed as an alternative to cement boards for wet and high humidity applications.

"This is why we developed GTEC Aqua Board," said Lafarge Plasterboard's Business Development Manager - Innovation Simon Scrase. "The board underlines our commitment to sustainability - one of our core values - and this is now being reflected in its use in pioneering pro-environmental projects such as Crossway."

GTEC Aqua Board offers superior water, mould and fire resistance, plus sound insulation and impact protection qualities. It is suitable for both internal and external environments, and can be left on site directly exposed to all weather conditions for up to six months.

Richard Hawkes, of Hawkes Architecture, is passionate about the Crossway project and its minimal impact on the surrounding environment.

"At Crossway, we are exploring the uniqueness of place, through the building's form and palette of local materials," he said. "We believe in an ethical, holistic, sustainable, one planet living approach to building design."

The project is due for completion in December 2008 and was broadcast on TV in March 2009.