Brayden Warhurst is the founder of Raw Surfaces - an installer of premium microcement and polished concrete surfaces based on the Mornington Peninsula. This highly specialised offering sits between construction and design, transforming everyday surfaces into something far more resolved.
The Local Files: Brayden Warhurst
Brayden’s family made the move to the Mornington Peninsula when he was eight years old. “My parents were splitting their time between the city and regional Victoria, and this felt like the right balance between the two.”
After school he worked within a family-run logistics business, before an unexpected opportunity introduced him to polished concrete. What began as a practical decision quickly evolved into a career defined by curiosity and craftsmanship. “I was offered subcontracting work doing what I do now - and that was it. It just clicked.”
Over the next decade Brayden honed his skills, learning the intricacies of materials, finishes, and processes. In 2020, he launched Raw Surfaces- bringing with it a clear intention: to do things differently. “I had to learn everything quickly - running a business, marketing, even building my own website. It forced me to understand every part of the process, which has been valuable.”
Raw Surfaces focus is on concrete and surface finishes - polishing, overlays, and protective coatings. “That can mean refining an existing slab to expose the aggregate and bring it to life, or applying finishes that replicate natural materials like stone or metal. It’s about improving what’s already there, or reimagining it entirely.”
Working across residential and commercial projects, Raw Surfaces collaborates with homeowners, builders, owner-builders, architects, and designers. Each project is approached with a bespoke mindset - tailored not only to the space, but to the ambition behind it.
Brayden operates as a single point of contact across every project. From initial conversation through to execution, the vision remains intact, resulting in a level of precision and alignment that is often lost in larger operations. “I manage everything myself, from the first conversation through to delivery. There’s no handover between sales, project management and trades, which means the original intent doesn’t get lost. Understanding what the client actually wants is the most important part. Once that’s clear, the execution is straightforward.”
With a deliberately low-volume model, the focus is firmly on quality over quantity. Projects are carefully selected, allowing for a high level of detail and craftsmanship. Lead times typically range from two to eight weeks, though many projects are secured well in advance - often evolving from early-stage builder engagements into fully realised spaces months later. “Most projects are collaborative. By the time I’m involved, there’s usually a broader vision in place, and my role is to help realise that through the material and finish”.
The work spans polished concrete, overlays, and specialty coatings - techniques that allow existing surfaces to be reimagined rather than replaced. Concrete can be refined to reveal its aggregate and depth. Walls can take on the appearance of natural stone, metal, or textured plaster. Spaces are not just finished, they are redefined.
There’s a strong sense of place embedded in both Brayden’s work and lifestyle. “At the end of the day, being on the Peninsula feels like an escape - it doesn’t feel like you’re in a work environment. That balance is important, and I think it carries through into the way I approach projects - more considered, less rushed.”
Weekends are spent exploring Red Hill and Flinders, immersed in the region’s food, wine, and natural beauty. That same appreciation for environment and experience translates directly into his projects, where materials are chosen not just for aesthetics, but for how they feel within a space.
Looking ahead, Brayden’s vision for Raw Surfaces is clear: more bespoke work, more collaboration, and a continued push beyond conventional expectations. “There’s so much flexibility in these materials, but people don’t always realise what’s possible. I want to show that.”
Future plans include developing his own projects - spaces that fully express the potential of his craft. These will serve not only as showcases, but as inspiration, challenging clients and collaborators to think differently about surfaces and design.
www.rawsurfaces.com.au
