BOSJES CHAPEL
A MASTERPIECE OF DESIGN AND PRECISION

The Bosjes Chapel’s roof is more than just an architectural marvel—it’s a masterpiece of design and precision, and a true testament to our commitment of building a legacy that will last a lifetime. When the original finish didn’t quite meet the standards, Sika MonoTop®-620 stepped in to ensure a smooth, flawless result. Expertly applied, this polymer-modified solution transformed over 420m² of undulating concrete into a seamless surface. The result? Pure architectural perfection.

The striking cast-concrete roof of the Bosjes Chapel, located at the scenic Bosjes Resort in the Witzenberg district of the Western Cape, required a high-performance fairing coat to smooth its lumpy finish. To meet this challenge, Sika MonoTop®-620, a versatile cementitious fairing coat, was applied, transforming the roof’s surface into a flawless architectural masterpiece.

The Bosjes Chapel, known for its distinctive undulating roof that sweeps low over reflecting pools before rising into wing-like structures, presented unique technical challenges. Dissatisfied with the roof's initial texture, the project’s associate architect reached out to Anthony Webster, a representative from Sika, in search of a solution. After trialling various options, Sika MonoTop®-620 was selected as the optimal product to deliver the desired smooth and seamless finish.

Sika MonoTop®-620 is a one-component, polymer-modified fairing coat mortar and pore sealer. It’s specially formulated to provide excellent adhesion to concrete and offers high mechanical strength, freeze/thaw resistance, and protection against water and chloride penetration. Easily mixed with water, the product can be hand-applied or sprayed, making it both versatile and user-friendly.

Despite the product's ease of use, the intricate shape and steep slopes of the chapel’s roof required the expertise of Willy Bodenham from specialist contractor Able Sealing. To facilitate application on the roof’s many hard-to-reach areas, scaffolding was carefully erected to 'float' above the structure. This innovative setup allowed Bodenham and his team to apply the product in thicknesses ranging from 1.5mm to 5mm, ensuring a flawless finish across the entire surface.

In total, 350 bags (25kg each) of Sika MonoTop®-620 were used to achieve the transformation of what has become affectionately known as the 'Bosjes Worcester egg crate roof'. This impressive result was made possible through the collaboration between Sika, the architect, and the skilled contractor.

After completing the smoothing process, the roof was pressure cleaned and waterproofed using Sikalastic®-560, a cold-applied, one-component, waterborne liquid waterproofing membrane. Known for its high elasticity and UV resistance, Sikalastic®-560 was seamlessly roller-applied across the entire roof surface reinforced with the Sika® Reemat Premium a glass fibre reinforcement mat which further improves crack-bridging and mechanical properties of the system.

Polyester fleece reinforcement for Sikalastic® Liquid Applied Membrane systems, further protecting the structure. Seven years later, the roof remains in pristine condition—a testament to the durability of premium Sika products and the professional application by Able Sealing.

Elevated on a plinth and surrounded by majestic mountains, the Bosjes Chapel with its breathtakingly curved roof pays homage to the traditional Cape Dutch gables of the region. As a landmark structure, it is set to provide an unforgettable backdrop for weddings and special occasions for years to come. When you use premium Sika products, professionally executed by experts like Able Sealing, you're building something to last.