Lights, Camera and Action! ARBOFLEX^® Breathes New Life into the BFI Southbank Roofscape

// As we continue to spotlight the refurbishment revolution shaping the UK’s built environment, one project exemplifies how modern materials can support cultural legacy. On London’s iconic South Bank, the British Film Institute (BFI) is a national bastion of film heritage and education that has recently undergone a critical transformation, safeguarding its future without compromising its past.

The BFI’s Southbank home is more than a building. It’s a living archive, screening space, and public destination. Yet like many legacy structures, it faced the challenge of ageing infrastructure, particularly across its flat roof areas. Exposed to the rigours of urban weather and heavy footfall, the roofing had reached the end of its serviceable life.

A four-coat ARBOFLEX® PU Liquid Waterproofing system was specified to address the project’s technical and heritage demands, particularly for the GRP sections. This cold-applied system offered a seamless, flexible, and highly durable solution which was ideal for the intricate detailing and limitations posed by the building’s listed status. Complementing the waterproofing membrane was Arbomeric MP20, a high modulus modified polymer sealant from ARBO, which was used for the expansion joints, ensuring long-term flexibility and weather resistance in critical junctions.

Refurbishment of the gulley areas presented a unique challenge. Due to listed building restrictions, innovative approaches were required to preserve the fabric of the original structure. Existing fixings were retained wherever possible, while termination bars and metal flashings were carefully adapted to suit the original configuration. This demonstrated how the ARBOFLEX® PU system can flexibly meet heritage constraints without compromising performance.