Betografie

Concrete pictures using the principles of the Terrazzo technique

There are several techniques for manufacturing photoconcrete. Now the German architect Rainer Kurka has developed a further method of depicting photographs and pictures in concrete surfaces – betografie. The technique thereby distinguishes itself from conventional photoconcrete methods both in the manufacture and in the optical and haptic perception. The so-called ‘betografie’ uses the principle of the Terrazzo technique, in which the aggregate of the concrete is exposed by means of grinding the surface.

As light and as delicate as ceramic

Concrete bowls made of Creacrete by the designer Alexa Lixfeld

Concrete bowls as light and as delicate as ceramic? Anyone who believes that this is impossible will be disabused by the young designer Alexa Lixfeld with her 'Creacrete' project. The designer from Hamburg has designed plates, bowls and cups in concrete, which convince with small wall thicknesses and extremely smooth surfaces

Concrete curtain

‘Concrete textile’ as a flexible windbreak, sight screen and sunshade

Functional and creative considerations regarding concrete as a building material for a special task for the innovative use of building materials led the Austrian company MeMux to the idea of a concrete curtain that is just as beautiful as it is original. Together with the building contractors Oberhauser Schedler from Vorarlberg, Austria, the innovative use of building materials for a special task was investigated. The development of a concrete curtain is based on functional and creative considerations regarding concrete itself as a building material.

Bodega Martin Berdugo Winery in Aranda de Duero, Spain
Abrupt, inaccessible and fascinating – the new warehouse and filling hall in North Spain defies all external climatic influences. Two young female architects designed it and compensated for the low budget with a great deal of dedication and appetite for experimentation. They created unicums from precast concrete parts – an impressive first work. [more in opus C 1|2008]... more

Community centre with white precast façade in Mannheim, Germany
The protestant St. Thomas Christian community in Mannheim-Neuhermsheim made do with a makeshift wooden church for over 60 years. Now they have got a new community centre in which the church services also take place. A building that, even without a church steeple, holds its ground in its scattered surroundings and proclaims openness. [more in opus C 1|2008]... more

Futuristic stations of the Hungerburg railway in Innsbruck
With the newly-built Hungerburg railway, Innsbruck in Austria has gained not only another powerful means of public transport but also a new tourist attraction. The 1.8 kilometre long funicular railway runs directly from the centre of Innsbruck to the Nordkette alpine recreation area. Responsible for the architectural design of the four futuristic station buildings and the cable-stayed bridge over the river Inn was the British architect Zaha Hadid, who has already realised one large project in In... more