Concept Store Amsterdam

The Challenge

The look of a polished concrete floor, but without the heavy buildup and demolition. 110 m2 in a concept store that demands a seamless, monolithic appearance.

Our Approach

Microcement with polished lacquer for a subtle, light sheen. Not high-gloss, not matte. Exactly the look of a polished concrete floor, in just 3 mm buildup over the existing floor.

Want the look of a polished concrete floor, but without the heavy buildup? With microcement, that is possible. In this project we installed 110 m2 of microcement with exactly that appearance in a concept store in the heart of Amsterdam. A real polished concrete floor requires a full concrete pour of at least 80 mm thick, including reinforcement and weeks of curing time. Microcement achieves the same look with a buildup of just 3 mm. Applicable over existing floors, without demolition work and with a turnaround of approximately five working days. The finish determines the final result. In this project the lacquer was polished to give the floor a subtle, light sheen. Not high-gloss, not matte. Exactly the look of a polished concrete floor. That choice was made in consultation with the interior designer: the store combines raw elements like exposed roof beams and steel window frames with a refined lighting plan, and the floor needed to enhance that contrast. The colour palette is neutral light grey, a shade that reflects the daylight falling through the large skylights and visually enlarges the space. At the back of the store there is an indoor garden that becomes even more connected to the retail space through the seamless floor. The transition from inside to green is fluid, without thresholds or tile lines. The floor needs to withstand heavy daily use: customers with bags, clothing racks being moved around and cleaning rounds at the end of the day. The Forcrete system provides the scratch resistance that a commercial space demands. The finishing sealer protects against stains from coffee, perfume or shoe soles. This project was realised in collaboration with Floors In Style. They connected us with the client, and we carried out the complete microcement application. A great example of how we are also engaged as an executing party on larger projects, with the same attention to detail as in every private home project.