Concrete is one of the most polemic human-made materials in the construction industry.
Some love it, some do not.
Reaching notoriety during the ’60-’70s with the proliferation of buildings made of this material which expressed in a shameless way its extraordinary flexibility up to that extent that an adjective was given for defining this kind of architecture: Brutalism.
Since then many buildings, some of them tragically, have been demolished due to the strong feelings they awoke among citizens.
We cannot forget the strong emotional connections felt about this material during that period as its post-war use with its dryness, severity, austerity and harshness was a reminder of tough times, times of hardship, sadness and struggle.
But concrete has proved trough time that it is much more than that, it is a malleable material which can be graceful, elegant and discretely happy on the hands of the right designer.
It is a material that due its colour and durability we associate with natural stones and that for me has had a not small influence in its long-lasting collective appeal.
In the last there years, approximately, its use has grown substantially in interiors not just in those buildings where its presence is part of the architectural language but in a period, modern and contemporary ones where its presence announces determination, confidence and a sense of aesthetics.
Its severity and roughness have been associated more with masculinity being as such specified for looks where that feeling is desired.
In the most recent Surface show in London dedicated to the presentation of all sort of materials for covering surfaces: Cladding, painting, wrapping, hanging, etc concrete finishes had an important presence; an indicator that there is a vibrant market for this product.
I saw from the real thing in panels up to products that replicate its looks like paints, plastic laminates and wallpaper. A beautiful and softer application was the presentation of wall tiles where concrete was tinted and patterned so to add a softer feel and look without losing its nature.
Please see the images attached so you can see for yourselves.
One beautiful thing about concrete: It is able to tame with its presence the powerful influence of other materials or finishes; for instance:
_Concrete and wood: The outcome is restrained warmth.
_Concrete and Glass: it looks edgy without looking so cold as just glass alone can inspire.
_Concrete and Brick: A classic, the concrete acts as a frame for this earthy material making it look even greater.
–Concrete and Fabrics: When combined nicely the level of sophistication is very high showing that the beauty of concrete is not in its showing off qualities but in its self-aware stability and weight. It is it.
