Restaurant walls glow with black core translucent polycarbonate panels
Translucent polycarbonate panels don’t usually steal the spotlight in a restaurant. But when the panels come with a deep, glossy black core, a unique honeycomb structure, and a subtle glow that responds to light, they become part of the atmosphere.
That’s exactly what happened in this elegant interior project, where black AIR-board® ECO PC clear panels were used throughout the restaurant as both flat and curved wall elements.
The panels were installed behind seating areas, along corridors, and even on cylindrical wall sections. Each surface interacts with the space around it, whether lit directly or indirectly. These black core translucent polycarbonate panels aren’t just functional but part of the dining experience.
A design built on contrast
The translucent polycarbonate panels used in this project feature a distinctive black core, which brings depth without darkness. The core doesn’t block the light entirely; it shapes it. Behind the transparent facings, the black honeycomb pattern casts soft shadows and catches highlights depending on where you’re standing.
The panels help balance luxury and restraint. Instead of reflecting harsh light or overpowering the textures around them, they support the color palette and soften the geometry. That’s part of the magic of working with translucent materials that have a structured, glossy black core: they adapt to their environment while still adding identity to a room.
Three core types, one standout effect
These particular black core translucent polycarbonate panels were manufactured using the Chaos core pattern, the most visually intricate option available. Unlike the Standard or Big core styles, which offer a consistent size throughout, the Chaos variant blends small, medium, and large honeycomb rings inside the core.
This variation creates a surface that is never static. It responds to different lighting angles with layered complexity. In a restaurant where mood and lighting are constantly shifting, from early afternoon natural light to dimmed evening ambiance, the Chaos core performs beautifully.
The other two options, Normal and Big, are also available for projects requiring a cleaner, more uniform appearance. But for those who want something bold and dynamic, Chaos is a design feature in itself.
A solution that bends with your space
One of the challenges with curved wall sections is material flexibility. Traditional rigid cladding options aren’t suitable for wrapping around columns or cylindrical surfaces without visible seams or structural compromises. That’s why these black core translucent polycarbonate panels are so effective – they offer the necessary structure without the weight or inflexibility of glass or traditional laminate.
In this project, you can see how the same panel system was used both on flat vertical surfaces and on curving walls, maintaining consistency in tone, finish, and lighting effect. This kind of design coherence matters in a restaurant. Guests may not consciously note the curve of the wall or the pattern inside the surface, but they’ll feel it in the atmosphere.
More than just a good look
black AIR-board® ECO PC clear panels aren’t simply chosen for their visual effect. They’re made from ECO polycarbonate, a sustainable variant that replaces fossil-based raw materials with bio-circular content. The transparent facing sheets are made with up to 83% renewable material, contributing to a lower carbon footprint and full recyclability at the end of the panel’s life cycle.
So when designers choose these black core translucent polycarbonate panels, they’re making a choice that supports sustainability, without compromising durability or visual appeal.
The panels are also lightweight, flame-resistant, and scratch-resistant, which is essential in high-traffic environments like restaurants. The strength-to-weight ratio makes them easy to transport, fabricate, and install, whether used in pre-cut flat sections or formed on-site for curved walls.
The play of light, the weight of detail
The real brilliance of this material is how it handles light. The black core doesn’t absorb it; it modulates it. You can light these translucent polycarbonate panels from behind or around the edges to create anything from a gentle ambient glow to a stronger backlit feature wall.
In the images featured in this article, you’ll notice how the Chaos honeycomb pattern catches highlights from spot lighting and indirect glow. Each segment reveals different details depending on proximity and viewing angle. This makes the panels ideal not only for fixed architectural walls, but also for feature zones, entryways, or even signage backgrounds in hospitality spaces.
Tailored to every detail
The panels used here are part of a fully customizable system. Sizes, edge finishes, and connection methods can all be adjusted depending on your space requirements. Whether you’re specifying panels for a boutique hotel lounge or a multi-room dining establishment, black core translucent polycarbonate panels adapt without design compromise.
For those looking to explore installation options, edge treatments, and joining systems, we invite you to browse our Installation Accessories and Hardware page, where you’ll find everything you need to plan a clean, functional layout.
Try it before you build it
If you’re considering using these black core translucent polycarbonate panels in your next hospitality or retail project, the next best step is to see a sample up close. You’ll immediately notice the texture of the honeycomb core, the quality of the light diffusion, and the lightweight feel of the panel itself.
Hold it under natural light. Shine a backlight through it. These tests give you insight into how it will perform and why it makes such a strong visual impression in real projects like the restaurant featured here.
Real performance, lasting appeal
Designing commercial interiors means choosing materials that can hold up while still delivering visual impact. These black core translucent polycarbonate panels strike that balance. They’re easy to install, surprisingly durable, and capable of transforming the tone of a room with nothing more than thoughtful lighting.
From the intricate geometry of the Chaos core to the sustainable makeup of the ECO PC facing layers, every detail contributes to a panel that feels just as refined as the space it inhabits.
So if you’re looking for something different, something that quietly reshapes a space while supporting the values of sustainable design, this might be the panel that does it.
Having a strong connection with you, our customers, is vital to our business, as it will help us with shaping our future products and services. Because of this, we encourage you to use our Contact page in order to share your thoughts on the samples you received, as well as whether or not you would utilise our panels in your future projects.
