At the Populous Hotel at 14th & Court, the design team, led by Studio Gang and built by Beck, and dreamed up by Urban Villages, set out to create a space deeply rooted in Colorado’s natural beauty. From the aspen-inspired facade to the use of natural wood materials and earthy tones, every element of the hotel reflects the organic textures and landscapes of the Rocky Mountain region. The concrete floors were no exception. Studio Gang, teamed up with Wildman Chalmers Design, envisioned a surface that felt as untamed and organic as a forest floor, a stark departure from the sleek, uniform look of traditional polished concrete. Urban Villages embraced the vision and collaborated with the team to help make it a reality.

A Floor Inspired by the Forest

Rather than aiming for perfectly even aggregate exposure and a high-gloss finish, Studio Gang’s design embraced natural variation, intentional irregularity, and organic movement much like the uneven, textured terrain of a woodland path. The goal was to create a floor that was both imperfect and beautiful, capturing the essence of Colorado’s rugged landscapes while maintaining the durability and strength of polished concrete.

Crafting the Unconventional

As experts in decorative concrete, The Art of Concrete collaborated with Beck to translate this vision into reality. Our scope of work included:

• Assisting in the concrete pour to establish the foundation for the intended finish.

• Polishing and staining the surface to enhance depth and bring out the natural character of the concrete.

• Intentionally exposing aggregate and embracing natural cracking, simulating the organic randomness of the forest floor.

• Applying a matte finish that softened the appearance while preserving the strength and longevity of polished concrete.

A Testament to Collaboration

The success of this project was due to the seamless collaboration between Studio Gang’s visionary design, Beck’s expert execution, Urban Village’s leadership and our specialized craftsmanship. Together, we transformed a standard concrete slab into an integral part of the hotel’s immersive, nature-inspired aesthetic.

Concrete That Tells a Story

At The Art of Concrete, we believe that concrete is more than just a building material. It is a medium for storytelling. The Populous Hotel floors don’t just serve a function; they evoke the textures, movement, and raw beauty of Colorado’s natural landscape. It was an honor to contribute to this project, proving that even in the most unexpected ways, concrete can be a bridge between architecture and nature.