Profiled as a cover and editorial piece in Trends Magazine, Spice Paragon restaurant and its new-look building – complete with exposed aggregate concrete from Muros – demonstrate how contemporary commercial buildings are taking on a new expression in the post-earthquake rebuild of Christchurch.

Spice Paragon was housed in the well-known architecturally designed triangular site at 76-78 Victoria Street. The restaurant and Khao-San Road bar followed a design in keeping with the building’s wall façade of timber and steel.

Red beech wood and black steel were key components selected in the design by Callum Pankhurst of Crafted. Having been commissioned on the renovation of their first restaurant, key branding motifs and colour themes were kept consistent. In addition, a more semi-industrial aesthetic was incorporated as requested by the client.

The European wall panels were utilised on the prominent wall separating the bar and restaurant. Following the installation of Muros Roughcast Concrete wall panelling the wall was painted a specified charcoal colour. A selection criteria for wall covering was the thin and lightweight construction of exposed aggregate concrete panels by Muros. It was perfect for installation onto a cavity-sliding door, and the result was a full and seamless wall of charcoal concrete texture when the slider was closed.

The ‘raw’ exposed aggregate concrete style was cleverly rotated 90° and installed vertically (something unusual, however perfectly achievable). After all, a design goal was to accentuate the concrete aggregate in the floor to ceiling lines. The weathered textural grooves in the concrete wall panels fitted the brief. They provided the perfect backdrop to showcase authentic Thai recipes with a modern twist.

What’s more signage was neatly fixed to the wall by screwing through the panel – no cracking or breaking – to achieve a secure fixing in the substrate behind.

Lightweight exposed aggregate concrete wall panels are in stock and available directly from Muros. Please contact us to discuss your project.