Concrete
It would be all too easy to write off concrete’s potential in the design world, relegating it purely to its function-centric use as sidewalk, foundation, and other ignored or unseen places. But doing so would be a serious crime, a sin. In proper application, concrete has an elegance born from its simplicity. Concrete is more than pavement. Concrete is more than function; it is also form.
For instance, we made ample use of concrete in our GALLATIN RIVER RESIDENCE. On the interior, board form concrete is used to make up some of the interior walls and decorative elements. Decorative and space dividing exterior walls and barriers were also constructed from board form concrete.
This isn’t to write off concrete’s use in pavement. Even sidewalks can be aesthetically pleasing and interesting. Simple design decisions, such as breaking the “sidewalk” up and spreading it out ever so slightly, as we did at the YELLOWSTONE RIVER RESIDENCE You’ll see design choices similar to this one all over, if you pay attention. Our aforementioned GALLATIN RIVER RESIDENCE’s outdoor deck and hangout space is also made of concrete, as opposed to the wood deck’s you might be more used to seeing.
There is also a history of using concrete for its form factor and beauty. The late Frank Llloyd Wright is well known for his ample use of the material. Taliesin West, Falling Water, and the Guggenheim Museum are all key examples of this. For a more contemporary example, look to Tadao Ando for a master class in the use of concrete forms and the interactions between light and shadow. His Elemental Church Trilogy (Church of Light, Church of Water, Church of Wind) are especially notable in this regard. These master’s of the craft highlight concrete and bring it to the forefront.
Even outside of architecture and buildings, concrete is rife with opportunity. There is a unique space being made in the furniture design world for concrete with pieces such as tables, lamps, etc. Neal Aronowitz, for instance, has a furniture series made out of Concrete Canvas, a material by soaking a porous cloth material in canvas, which activates and hardens upon hydration. Despite being made of concrete, a material known for its sturdy and unmoving presence, his pieces look free flowing and anti-gravity.
There is, of course, the sustainability question in regards to concrete. Cement, a key ingredient in concrete, is one the world’s top producers of CO₂. But there is progress being made everyday in the search for more sustainable versions of/alternatives to concrete and cement. Green Concrete, for instance, made from waste and residual materials, requires less energy, is more affordable, and as an added bonus, is considered more durable. This is just one of many ways concrete can be made to better function and serve in our world and environment. Further, although concrete presents ecological problems, it also offers some solutions as well. Read all about concrete’s role in sustainability efforts on Specify Concrete’s blog and website.
>>>https://yourlivingplaces.com/gallatin-river/
>>>>https://yourlivingplaces.com/yellowstone-river/
>>>>https://yourlivingplaces.com/the-outside-room/
