Project: Emirates Stadium, Arsenal Football Club, Islington, North London
Summary: Achieving “super fine” architectural finishes on concrete elements

The iconic Emirates Stadium is the new home for Arsenal Football Club in Islington, North London.

The total project cost is estimated at £390 million and over 1,300 workers were involved in the construction on site at peak. With sponsorship from Emirates Airlines, at £100 million, the biggest club sponsorship agreement in English football history, this is a pivotal time for the Club, which has ambitious plans for the future. This landmark development is intended to exemplify the highest possible standards in construction, including the quality of finish to the concrete surfaces.

Monorub, a Class R1 fine grade polymer modified mortar from Flexcrete was used as a surface finishing material to fill minor surface voids and blowholes formed during casting to ensure that visible concrete achieved the specified fine formed finish. A cement-based compound available in white and grey versions, Monorub can be blended to match the parent concrete and is rubbed onto the substrate to give an even, aesthetic finish. Good adhesion is assured through the inclusion of polymers, which improve durability and increase the waterproofing properties of the concrete.