The material
At the core of Exposed Plus is the pairing of green cement with GGBS — ground granulated blast-furnace slag, an industrial by-product with latent hydraulic properties. The combination reduces the carbon associated with conventional cement production and increases the durability and strength of the concrete itself.
GGBS reacts with the calcium hydroxide produced during cement hydration to form additional calcium silicate hydrate gel — the binder that gives concrete its strength — producing a denser matrix that is less prone to cracking. Shrinkage-reducing admixtures work alongside it, minimising cracking through the cure and reducing maintenance over the life of the surface.
The finish itself is architectural: once the concrete has taken its initial set, the top layer of cement paste is removed to expose the embedded aggregate. The blend of stone is chosen per project, so the surface can be tuned from a quiet sand-and-grey to a strongly figured decorative deck — and motifs, colour bands and inlays can be worked into it, as the themed walkways at Meryal Waterpark show.
The exposed finish reveals the natural stone within the mix. Aggregate blend, colour and exposure depth are all selectable, and inlaid motifs or contrasting bands can be cast into the same pour.
The GGBS reaction produces a denser, less permeable concrete with higher long-term strength — a surface that stands up to heavy foot and vehicular traffic and resists cracking and surface damage.
GGBS is a by-product of iron-making with a far lower carbon footprint than Portland cement. Using it displaces energy-intensive cement, diverts an industrial by-product from landfill, and contributes to green building targets.
The finish in place
All photography below is Exposed Plus at Meryal Waterpark, Qetaifan Island — one material, tuned blend by blend across decks, walkways and themed courts. Photography: Conmarble.
Where it is used
Performance
How it goes down
Six stages, in order. The exposure stage is where the finish is made — the depth and evenness of the reveal is agreed on the sample panel before the first pour.
Sustainability
Exposed Plus contributes to sustainable building practice in three concrete ways — and they compound over the area of a large external works package.
Decorative concrete: Conmarble Exposed Plus exposed aggregate concrete, incorporating GGBS and shrinkage-reducing admixtures, laid to the areas scheduled at the thickness detailed. Aggregate blend, colour and exposure depth to the approved sample panel. Surface exposed by [washing / brushing / abrasive blasting] once set, cured to best practice, and sealed with the approved sealant. Substrate movement and construction joints carried through the surface. Supply and installation by Earth Layers by Conmarble.
Square brackets mark the choices that belong to the project. Send us the finishes schedule and we will return the clause completed, with the sample and mock-up programme against it.
Featured project
Built with this material, by our own artisans. Open the project for the full set of photographs and the story of the installation.
Technical support for the design team
We supply the material and we apply it, so the specification and the workmanship sit with one party. Send a finishes schedule, an elevation or a mood board and we will come back with the system, the build-up, the sample programme and a completed clause.