The project began on bare concrete. Before any cutting happened, the crew laid out the entire floor design using blue tape, drawing long, sweeping curves directly onto the slab. These lines defined the path of the river and allowed adjustments to happen at full scale before any permanent work started.
Once the layout felt right, the tape became the guide for every step that followed.
Cutting Into the Concrete
Next, the team cut shallow channels into the slab along the marked paths. Rather than removing large sections, they worked with controlled depth to preserve the structural integrity of the floor. Afterward, they cleaned the channels thoroughly and sealed them to prepare for the materials that would sit inside.
At this stage, the room still felt raw, but the foundation of the design was already locked in.
Placing the Wood
With the channels prepared, reclaimed wood slabs were shaped and dry-fit into position. Each piece followed the curves of the floor, leaving intentional gaps between boards. These spaces weren’t mistakes—they defined where the river would flow.
Because the wood varied naturally in grain and tone, no two sections looked the same. As a result, the floor gained movement before any resin was even poured.
Building the Water Layers
After securing the wood, the team masked off the surrounding concrete and began mixing the resin. Instead of pouring everything at once, they worked in stages. The first layers sealed the base and locked everything in place. Then, subsequent pours added depth, color variation, and subtle motion.
Meanwhile, low-profile LED channels were installed along the river edges. The installers recessed them carefully so the light would feel embedded rather than added later.
Polishing and Finishing
Once the resin fully cured, the entire surface went through multiple polishing passes. Each stage smoothed transitions between concrete, wood, and resin until the floor became seamless. At this point, the river stopped looking like an insert and started reading as part of the room itself.
Finally, the LEDs were powered on. The light traveled through the resin softly, giving the impression that the floor itself was glowing from within.
Bringing the Room Together
Furniture came in last. The layout intentionally kept sightlines open so the river remained visible and uninterrupted. During the day, natural light reflects across the surface. At night, the illuminated channels become the room’s focal point.
In the end, the floor does more than support the space. It shapes how the room feels, how light moves, and how the living area comes together as a whole.
