Restoring a Heritage Landmark — The Modern School Dome, New Delhi

Makphalt Team
December 22, 2025

Overview:

The Shankar Lal Auditorium dome at Modern School, Barakhamba Road — a 50-year-old concrete structure spanning 21,500 sq.ft. — had long been an architectural symbol of the school. By 2021, the dome suffered from serious cracks, water seepage, and concrete degradation, threatening its structural safety and aesthetic legacy. The school management entrusted Makphalt to deliver a solution that restored the dome’s integrity, waterproofing, and heritage appearance without disrupting daily school operations.

The Problem:

The project presented unique technical and operational challenges:
• Severe cracking and water leakage across multiple points of the RCC dome.
• Compromised drainage system, accelerating water ingress and concrete decay.
• Fragile surface prone to chipping and damage from previous repair attempts.
• Restricted working hours (only after school hours) and strict pollution control norms limiting work windows.
• Unpredictable rainfall causing reapplication delays and surface failures.
• The need to retain the heritage terracotta appearance while delivering long-term waterproofing and structural safety.

The Solution:

Makphalt executed a multi-layered restoration and waterproofing system, combining advanced repair materials and high-performance coatings:

Structural Repairs

• Damaged sections rebuilt using Mak Microcon (high-strength microconcrete, >40
MPa) and Mak SBR Latexfor flexibility and adhesion.
• Mak Plast ShotCrete 401 accelerator enabled fast-setting guniting even in winter,
reducing early curing time to 15–30 minutes.

Waterproofing Base & Reinforcement:

• A 20–40 mm shotcrete layer with Mak Crete MWP polymer provided structural
flexibility and crack resistance.
• Surface finished with Mak Polytop PMM polymer-modified mortar to smooth
contours and enhance durability.

Final Coating System:

• Application of Mak Elastothane EMB (black PU base coat) with Mak Polyscrim
Cloth reinforcement for crack bridging up to 2 mm.
• Top finish with Mak Elastothane EMW-WB (UV-resistant, water-based PU coating)
in terracotta color, restoring heritage aesthetics.

The Impact:

• Structural Integrity Restored: Verified by the consulting structural engineer, confirming long-term safety and strength.
• Comprehensive Waterproofing: Leak tests confirmed 100% watertightness post-application.
• Aesthetic Revival: The dome’s original terracotta look was preserved and enhanced.
• Sustainable Maintenance: A long-term maintenance contract was established to ensure easy future touch-ups and inspection.
• Client Satisfaction: The Modern School Board appreciated Makphalt’s technical expertise, site discipline, and respect for heritage conservation.

Products We have used

Mak Crack-O-Fill

MAK CRACK-O-FILL is a single component modified cement based filler material to be used for filling of cracks/ Voids and making covings before waterproofing treatments.

To seal crack up to 5-10 mm wide.
To make coving on all junctions.

Mak Blown Bitumen

Mak Blown bitumen is manufactured from bitumen 60/70 by blowning asphalt. We are providing Blown Asphalt in various grades including BITUMEN 150/5 115/15 105/35 95/25 90/40 90/10 90/15 85/25 85/40 85/25 75/25 hard bitumen or hot liquid in bulk.

Oxidized bitumen can also be used in industrial applications like roofing, flooring, mastics, pipe coatings, electrical applications.

Mak Geotex

MAK GEOTEX is a nonwoven, staple, needle punched, geotextile fabric offering a strong, yet lightweight protection, which will stand up to the rigors of construction activities.

Protection of waterproofing membranes during backfilling.
Protection of waterproofing membrane from damage by other trades, during construction.
Acting as a drainage fabric to shed water from the waterproofing membrane.
Acting as a slip sheet (isolation layer) between the waterproofing membranes and concrete topping.

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