At DCM Surfaces, we thrive on projects that require creative problem-solving and technical innovation. We recently collaborated with Morgan Sindall—who named us their “Subcontractor of the Year” in 2024—to deliver a comprehensive surfacing package for the new £15.1 million Renton Campus for West Dunbartonshire Council.
The Challenge: High-Level Logistics on a Confined Site
The Renton Campus was designed as a three-story facility on a highly confined site, necessitating the use of roof terraces to maximise outdoor learning and play space. Rooftop installations present significant logistical hurdles, particularly regarding the weight and transport of traditional materials. Installing standard tarmac on upper storeys is often impractical; furthermore, the design called for dynamic play elements, including custom mounds and connectivity features like an outdoor slide linking the terraces.
The Solution: A Creative Engineering Approach
To bypass the difficulties of traditional tarmac on the upper levels, DCM utilised a specialised rubber gravel mix as the base layer. This innovative approach provided several key benefits:
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Logistical Efficiency: Significantly easier to transport and install on Levels 1 and 2 compared to the heavy machinery required for tarmac.
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Structural Versatility: The mix allowed our team to seamlessly build and shape the integrated play mounds seen throughout the site.
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Lightweight Durability: Provided a stable, long-lasting foundation without compromising the building’s structural load requirements.
Technical Specifications & Finish
The final installation across the campus and its multi-use games activity (MUGA) pitch features a vibrant, high-performance mix of surfaces:
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Wetpour Safety Surfacing: Applied in a striking multi-color palette to define play zones and provide critical fall protection for the terrace playgrounds.
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Resin Bound Gravel: Used for high-traffic transition areas to ensure a seamless, permeable, and durable finish.
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Artificial Grass with 25mm Shockpad: Installed to provide a soft, natural-look environment while maintaining a consistent safety rating across the rooftop levels.
The Result: A Stunning Elevated Play Environment
The collaboration between DCM and Morgan Sindall resulted in a visually spectacular and highly functional outdoor space that maximises every square metre of the campus. By thinking outside the box with our material selection, we delivered a complex, multi-level project that provides a safe and engaging foundation for the pupils at Renton.