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Sculpted microcement wall and ceiling planes catching light in the grand hall of the King Fahad Cultural Centre, Riyadh
Microcement

Decorative microcement

Where the surface itself is the design intent: texture, movement and metallic effect worked into the finish, not applied over it.

What to expect

Most microcement is specified to disappear - an even, quiet plane that lets the room do the talking. Decorative microcement is the opposite instruction: the trowel work, the layering and the colour movement are the point, and the surface is meant to be looked at.

That covers a wide range. A close, softly clouded finish that reveals itself only in raking light. An openly trowelled surface with visible movement. Metallic and pearlescent effects worked into the body. Colour laid in bands so a wall reads as strata.

None of it can be specified from a photograph. Decorative work is agreed on a sample panel, at size and in the light of the actual space, and signed off before the first wall is started - because the same product in the same colour reads differently under a wash of daylight than under a spotlight.

In practice

Textured, clouded, banded and openly trowelled finishes Metallic and pearlescent effects worked into the body of the material Colour laid in bands so a wall reads as strata Agreed on a full-size approved sample panel in the actual lighting Applied to walls, soffits, columns and curved work as one continuous surface

Specify it

Sample panel Full size, in the actual space and lighting, signed off before production
Lighting Raking and spot lighting change the read substantially - confirm at panel stage
Repeatability Hand-applied work varies by design; the panel sets the accepted range
Sealer Selected to preserve the intended sheen as well as to protect
Applicator Delivered by our own artisans, not subcontracted

Microcement is a durable, low-VOC cement-based finish. It is not a natural or vapour-open material — for that, see clay plaster or lime plaster. Emission and content testing is published by the manufacturer.

View evidence — Cemher VOC emissions certificate (PDF, 0.8 MB)

Decorative in place

Delivered work, photographed on site. Photography: Conmarble.

Sculptural microcement staircase balustrade lit from within at the King Fahad Cultural Centre, Riyadh
King Fahad Cultural Centre - the finish following a sculpted form.
Banded decorative plaster gallery wall reading as horizontal strata at the Calligraphy Museum, Madinah
Colour laid in bands so the wall reads as strata.
Vaulted lounge ceiling and walls in a continuous decorative microcement finish, Riyadh
Vault and wall as one decorative plane.
Corner detail showing hand-worked plaster texture meeting at an internal angle, Calligraphy Museum, Madinah
An internal corner - where hand-applied work is judged.

Featured projects

Built with this material, by our own artisans. Open the project for the full set of photographs and the story of the installation.

Sand Microtadelakt arches in the grand atrium of the Calligraphy Museum, Madinah
Calligraphy Museum, Madinah Microtadelakt lime plaster across the atrium and halls View the project →
Microdur Plus microcement floor in the Biennale restaurant, Western Hajj Terminal, Jeddah
Islamic Arts Biennale, Jeddah Microdur Plus — restaurant, lounges and majlis View the project →
Continue
Decorative finishes Technical data, coverage and the full system build-up. Cemher Microtadelakt Technical data, coverage and the full system build-up. The microcement family Technical data, coverage and the full system build-up. All applications Floors, walls, bathrooms, kitchens, pools, exteriors and decorative. Delivered projects Where this material is already on site. Request a sample panel Send a finishes schedule and we will reply within one working day.

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.

Send your finishes schedule Visit the showroom