When renowned chef Eric Bost began designing the new Auburn restaurant in Los Angeles, his goal was to create a unique and inviting space where diners could experience a rare culinary treat. Bost’s goal for the restaurant, to earn a Michelin rating, required uncompromising quality in every phase of the project. Mark Beamish Waterproofing (MBW) is proud to have partnered with primary contactor Howard CDM to deliver a polished concrete floor that is durable, functional, and meets the exacting standards set by Bost and his team.
From the start, the restaurant’s design centered around exquisite craftsmanship and natural textures. The floor would serve as a unifying presence, gathering together the restaurant’s organic elements into a welcoming whole. The restaurant’s buildout was completed within a decades-old space. At the project’s outset, the existing floor was a mix of severely damaged concrete and plywood substrate. MBW poured a ¾-inch thick topping over the existing concrete. MBW applied its expertise in exterior deck coating applications to prepare the plywood areas, creating a structurally sound substrate with caulked and taped seams and stapled lath.
The concrete was finished with a mix of 3/8-inch pea gravel at random intervals to provide an uneven aggregate exposure and create the look of a true concrete slab. The floor’s finishing work presented unique challenges. The swing and fit of the restaurant’s custom pivot doors required the entire 2,600-square-foot dining area to be leveled. MBW’s team innovated to create a seamless transition to the concrete topping by pouring into the lids that control the pivot doors’ hinges, allowing the doors to be removed without affecting the floor.
The design also called for a distinctive 3/4-inch reveal along the edges of the floor and ceiling, requiring precise installation to achieve the same reveal height throughout the space. Finally, MBW installed divider strips that are functional – helping to mitigate cracking while also flowing beautifully into the rest of the design. MBW also worked with Howard CDM to install bronzed perimeter strips in Auburn’s distinctive restrooms. Due to the way the strips were made, MBW’s team had to meticulously work around them while hand-grinding their edges to avoid compromising their finish.
