100 Liverpool Street
Location:
London
Country:
United Kingdom
Project Type:
Commercial
Project Scale:
0 – 5,000 m²
Adding Life to Concrete – How MARKHAM applied a waterborne hydrophobic silicate treatment to the Stair Core walls at 100 Liverpool Street, London, England.
OBJECTIVE
MARKHAM were tasked with providing a water repellent protection treatment for the fair-faced concrete walls of one of the Stair Cores at 100 Liverpool Street. With the concrete being the final finish in this area, the designers wanted a water repellent coating that did not alter the visual appearance of the concrete in any way. Another requirement was that the coating should provide some stain protection to the concrete, given that the areas a subject to a high level of traffic / occupation.
SOLUTION
The MARKHAM system put forward to achieve these goals was the spray application of AQURON 1200. This retro spray application provides a tough breathable water repellent coating, beneath and to the surface of concrete, brick, slate, natural stone, stucco and other masonry surfaces. AQURON 1200 helps keep surfaces clean while preserving the natural appearance of the substrate.
RESULTS
As a VOC Free, Non-Hazardous, waterborne product, AQURON 1200 is suitable for use in both internal and external locations. AQURON 1200 was a very rapid and cost-effective solution for providing the desired concrete protection without changing the visual appearance of the treated areas.
As AQURON 1200 is UV stable, there is no risk of it “yellowing” the substrate if it is under direct sunlight.
As AQURON 1200 is a product that penetrates into the concrete matrix, it is not just a “surface” coating. As such, the product remains present in the concrete throughout the lifespan of the structure. This means there are no ongoing maintenance requirements or operation costs making this solution a very attractive proposition in terms of the maintenance cycle requirement of this busy area of the building.
This treatment played an important role in supporting the long-term performance requirements of the building’s exposed concrete areas. By providing deep protection without altering the surface appearance, it ensured the architectural finish could be maintained while still meeting durability expectations.
For more background on the project itself, you can view the main summary here: 100 Liverpool Street
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Project Details – 100 Liverpool Street | |
Description | Water repellent sealant treatment to new fair-faced concrete walls of a Stair Core area. |
Area Treated | 910m² |
Age of Structure | < 1 year old (2020) |
Requirements | Water repellent External and Internal locations – VOC free Zero maintenance Stain resistant |
Operation Downtime / Interruptions | All AQURON application works were completed in two days and, as AQURON 1200 is VOC free and non-toxic, all other trades continued to work in the same areas while the AQURON 1200 was being applied. Within 2 hours of the treatment being completed, the areas could be put back into normal use. |
Application Method | Low-pressure spray applied |
Proposed Further Works | No further works required |
OHS Requirements | AQURON is nil VOC. Minimal PPE required. |
The completed works at 100 Liverpool Street highlight the importance of choosing durable and low‑maintenance protection for exposed concrete in busy commercial environments. Projects of this scale often involve complex access requirements, tight programming, and strict performance expectations, meaning the selected treatment must continue performing long after installation. By integrating a penetrating system into the concrete, the asset gains long‑term resilience against moisture, contaminants, and day‑to‑day wear. This approach supports both the structural integrity and visual consistency of the building, providing assurance for owners and facility managers. The methodology used here is increasingly adopted across similar high‑profile developments where long-term durability is a priority.
