Decorative concrete encompasses everything from overlays, inlays, mosaics, stamped concrete, and cast-in-place concrete amongst others. It can be used for swimming pool decks, as highly durable polished floors, and in a variety of vertical applications. Board-formed cast-in-place concrete can function both structurally and aesthetically, and masters such as Ando, Calatrava, and Kahn have mastered its use.
By understanding and analyzing the form and function of decorative concrete, as well as its benefits, limitations, and legacy, architects and other specifiers, will be better equipped to make innovative design decisions.
Learning Objectives
- Review the history of decorative concrete.
- Examine current key concrete applications and finishes, including cast-in-place decorative concrete, stained and dyed concrete, decorative overlays, and precast concrete and furniture amongst others.
- Analyze the benefits, attributes, and limitations of various concrete applications and finishes.
- Explore the legacy of exposed concrete through the work of Calatrava, Ando, and Kahn.
Pre-Requisite: Basic knowledge of concrete.