Circolo Popolare

At the heart of the space lies 250m² of richly pigmented Red polished concrete, anchoring the restaurant’s vibrant interior, transforms a former retail unit into a warm, spirited dining hall inspired by the generosity and theatre of classic Italian dining. A soft matt seal enhances its tactile quality, while fine 3mm brass trims trace the perimeter — a refined transition to the timber flooring beyond.

The bespoke red colour was created to match a specific RAL number provided by the client. We created a variety of samples through different concrete mixes for the clients to select the specific tone they were looking for. Once they had selected the sample, the specific colour and quantity was added to the concrete mix to achieve the desired look.

Installed over just two pours within a single week, the floor provides a confident, cohesive backdrop to the restaurant’s sensory interior — a canopy of wisteria and eucalyptus, stacked shelves, and theatrical lighting that evokes long Italian evenings and the unhurried joy of shared meals.

The floor works in harmony with the architecture, flowing through communal tables, intimate booths, and sculptural seating zones. To continue the concrete seamlessly beneath the booth tables, our craftsmen built precise recessed formwork, allowing the benches to sit perfectly over a 20mm concrete platform. Four electrical outlets were cast into the slab, maintaining continuity without interrupting the rhythm of the surface.

A polished concrete floor designed not only for durability, but to elevate an environment defined by warmth, energy, and togetherness. A celebration of colour, craft, and conviviality.