Tbilisi’s MEAMA Coffee Factory Waterproofed by Penetron

This month, Tbilisi, the capital city of Georgia, welcomed a new attraction: the MEAMA Coffee Factory. The striking geometric concrete façade and the roof hidden under greenery were waterproofed with PENETRON ADMIX-treated concrete.

Founded in 2016, MEAMA is the largest coffee producer in Georgia. The company imports coffee beans and produces several types of coffee capsules, roasted beans & ultra-fine ground coffee – all under the MEAMA brand.

MEAMA’s new $25 million headquarters and coffee production facility in Tbilisi, the MEAMA Coffee Factory, features a futuristic, eye-catching concrete façade covered by an undulating green roof completely concealed with natural vegetation – a first for Georgia. Inside, the facility has over 9,000 m² of floor space to accommodate production areas, offices and a coffee tasting room.

The striking geometric contours and bold green roof of the MEAMA Coffee Factory were designed by Georgi Khmaladze, a young Georgian architect. The project recently won the Archdaily & Strelka Award, an international competition which recognizes emerging architects and transformative urban design concepts.
 

Great Coffee & Edgy Architecture

“Without a doubt, the combination of a coffee tasting venue and the amazing architecture will attract many tourists who enjoy a good cup of coffee and appreciate cutting-edge modern architecture,” enthuses Jimsher Shengelia, Director of Penetron Georgia.

For the engineers at Unix Development, the project builder, a crucial goal for the MEAMA project was to protect the extensive reinforced concrete structures, both below-grade foundation slabs and the concrete roof (covered with soil). The technical experts at Penetron Georgia recommended a concrete mix treated with PENETRON ADMIX to provide the much-needed waterproofing and corrosion protection.
 

Impermeable and Self-Healing

Once added to the concrete mix, the active ingredients in PENETRON ADMIX generate a non-soluble crystalline formation throughout the pores and capillary tracts of the concrete. This network prevents the penetration of water or liquids from any direction and protects reinforced concrete from corrosion.

“Once PENETRON ADMIX is in the mix, the concrete acquires a self-healing capability that seals all cracks, pores and capillaries (up to 0.5 mm/1/51” wide) for the lifetime of the concrete,” adds Jimsher Shengelia. “This means the MEAMA Coffee Factory is a permanently waterproofed and durable structure.”