Utropolis Marketplace, Malaysia

Utropolis Marketplace is an integrated metropolis concept that is within the Paramount Utropolis development connected to KDU University’s flagship campus. Located in the Glenmarie area of Shah Alam, Malaysia, the new development is a unique project that provides the large local student population with a fusion of shops, restaurants and leisure facilities.

A contemporary urban design was chosen for this youthful and energetic location, and to convey this image a natural concrete aesthetic was initially proposed for the floor finish. While this is a popular choice of flooring for modern buildings, the designer knew that concrete finishes can be porous and are prone to cracking if not installed and maintained correctly - therefore they looked for a suitable alternative.

To achieve a finish that combined the desired appearance with the necessary functionality and longevity, Flowcrete’s Urban Expressions was specified for the site’s ground floor. The exceptional wear resistance and seamless, easy to clean nature of this polyurethane system made it ideal for this project as, with over 1,000 residents onsite, the floor would be exposed to high levels of foot traffic on a daily basis.

Almost 900 m² of Urban Expressions (Dual Tone) in Dusty Grey was installed across the building’s entrance and lift lobby. Large blocks of flooring were marked out with metal strips to separate complementary colour shades, subtly increasing the floor’s visual appeal.

Urban Expressions is a smooth, satin polyurethane floor finish that is available in either a single or dual tone colour. A dual tone finish is achieved by marbling together two colours in the system and then pouring onto the surface as normal. This technique creates a two-tone finish that emulates the aesthetic of a concrete floor. The polyurethane make up of this system means that it provides a very robust finish, avoiding the cracking and porosity issues of concrete finishes.

The project was completed in less than one month by Flowcrete’s approved applicators.