Project Overview

Picnicka, a busy bistro within the Elizabeth Towers development in Tauranga, features a large wraparound outdoor dining terrace constructed over a waterproofing membrane. In addition to serving restaurant patrons, the terrace functions as a public pedestrian thoroughfare between the car park and the street. Originally finished using a floated tile system, the terrace began experiencing problems within months of opening. Tiles started moving underfoot, creating maintenance issues and raising safety concerns.

"We constantly had to fix, maintain and replace tiles... it just kept giving up," says Rob Hill, General Manager of Picnicka.

Challenge

As foot traffic increased, the original pedestal-supported tile system became unstable. Tiles began to wobble, shift and, in some cases, crack or flip. Repairs became routine, and concerns escalated when a customer was injured after a tile became dislodged.

A key requirement for any replacement system was maintaining access to the waterproofing membrane below while minimising disruption to restaurant operations. The venue needed a durable solution that could withstand the demands of a busy outdoor dining environment without requiring ongoing maintenance.

Solution

The existing terrace system was removed and replaced with Nurajack adjustable pedestals and Nuragrid panels. Together, they create a raised platform that provides continuous support beneath the tiles, helping improve stability and reduce movement under foot traffic.

Installation was completed in stages during overnight shifts, allowing the venue to remain open throughout the works. Existing 20mm porcelain tiles were retained and reinstalled, reducing waste and replacement costs. The entire upgrade was completed within a week.

Installed above the waterproofing membrane, the raised system maintains access to drainage outlets and underlying services. In critical areas, tiles were adhered directly to the Nuragrid to improve perimeter stability, secure smaller cut sections and manage complex tile edge restraint conditions.

While this project utilised 20mm porcelain paving, Nuragrid provides continuous support for a range of surface finishes, including loose-laid and adhered tiles, natural stone, pavers, ballast and artificial turf. The system can also be incorporated into extensive green roof designs. This versatility makes it suitable for podium decks, roof terraces, balconies and other elevated outdoor spaces across a range of residential and commercial applications.

Outcome

Since installation, the upgraded terrace has remained stable, with no breakages or ongoing maintenance issues.

"It's been great... just a simple thing like walking on a solid floor," says Hill.

The result is a safer, more stable outdoor dining terrace that continues to provide access to the waterproofing membrane and drainage infrastructure below, while meeting the performance demands of a high-traffic hospitality environment. 

Watch the project webinar filmed on location at Elizabeth Towers, The Smarter Way to Support Pavers with Nuragrid