Project · hospitality in Leuven
For D’Hoogeschool, the Leuven restaurant from Mijn Restaurant op VTM, Glansbeton installed a smooth polished concrete floor. A distinctive detail: the floor was cut into large squares of 2,5 by 2,5 metres.
A concrete floor for D’Hoogeschool
The first series of the VTM programme focused on couples who wanted to build and run their own restaurant. In Leuven, the building was located on the corner of Hogeschoolplein and Standonckstraat. Glansbeton assisted the operators with the execution of the concrete floor.
The project is part of the launch of D’Hoogeschool on 2008. Jelle and his mother Micheline won the first edition of the programme, as also Later described by VTMThis project page is about our floor execution from back then.
Smooth polished concrete with large squares
The floor was smoothly polished and then cut into a pattern of large squares. With sections of 2,5 by 2,5 metres, the scale remains spacious. The interplay of lines visually divides the floor surface, while the material itself remains a cast concrete floor.
This is a different principle than installing loose tiles. The lines are created by cutting the concrete. The exact execution of joints must always be coordinated with the floor construction, edges and geometry. A beautiful pattern and a technically responsible joint layout must be considered together.
Why a concrete floor in a restaurant?
In a restaurant, the floor partly determines the feel of the dining room. A large concrete surface can bring calm between tables, chairs and the rest of the interior. With colour, polished finish and a well-considered line layout, the same material type takes on a different character each time.
In addition, a hospitality space requires a practical floor. Shoes bring in dirt and sand, chairs are moved around and spills are part of daily use. The finish and protection must be adapted accordingly. Polished concrete is not a maintenance-free material; a clear maintenance approach remains necessary.
The dining area and kitchen have different requirements
A floor that visually fits in a restaurant dining area is not automatically the right finish for a professional kitchen. Water, fats, cleaning products and grip requirements call for a separate assessment there.
Cutting work as part of the design
In this Leuven project, the size of the squares is a concrete characteristic of the execution. For another building, we would not simply adopt that size. Columns, door openings, recessed corners and the proportions of the room all influence the layout.
Therefore, discuss the desired lines before pouring. This way, execution details can be aligned with the interior plan. More explanation can be found on our page about cutting a concrete floor.
More inspiration for a hospitality floor
A hospitality project becomes stronger when the floor matches both the use and the atmosphere of the establishment. Compare this execution with our concrete floor at Sanseveria in DiepenbeekThis shows how concrete is applied in another hospitality context.
For material selection and finishing options, read further about polished concrete floorsThose who have an existing floor in use will find practical guidelines at maintenance and cleaning of concrete.
Concrete Floor for Mijn Restaurant on VTM in Leuven