Cement mixers have greatly contributed to the construction world over the years. Have you ever thought about the idea of living in a household made completely out of cement? This idea may not sound particularly attractive because this material can certainly feel rather plain and dull.

 

Concrete is certainly a hard material similar to wood; this aspect gives it a bad reputation when it comes to architectural design.

 

However, what most individuals do not take into account is the incredible versatility of concrete and cement as a material, as well as how this attribute can contribute to beautifully-crafted creations. The following article will cover some of the beautiful creations designers and architects have constructed using cement mixers and concrete. Read on if you want to learn more about the beauty of concrete as well as a step-by-step guide on how to build your own home using concrete and how to take care of it.

 

 

Beginning A Concrete Construction Project

 

To build a home made from concrete using cement mixers, you will need to have patience and precision. The process itself can take up to weeks or even months to complete. The duration of the project depends largely on the type of concrete you decide to use.

 

Using concrete to build your house can come with many benefits, including; low maintenance, durability, and energy efficiency. Homes that are built from concrete can offer a comfortable, safe enclosure whilst positively contributing to the environment. Two main forms of concrete one can choose from include:

 

Insulated Concrete vs. Concrete Forms

 

Both of these forms are typical wall systems which are used to build concrete houses, both of which have proved beneficial for the home. Nevertheless, concrete blocks require insulation, whereas concrete forms already have insulation and tend to be quick to construct. Hence, insulated concrete types tend to be a preference for many individuals. Both of these forms of concrete can be used within cement mixers.

 

Construct A Concrete House: 10 Basic Steps

 

While it’s best to leave the construction to the professionals, you might want to have a clearer understanding of how concrete constructions work. We’ve created a quick breakdown of the 10 simple steps that builders follow when crafting with concrete.

 

• Firstly, clear and prepare the site.
• Shape and fortify the footing with the guidance of an engineer.
• Position the concrete footing shapes, then end off and even out the concrete to pile the ICF blocks.
• Start to pile the block forms.
• Followed by installing the vertical alignment brace to ensure that the walls keep the table straight.
• You will then examine all of the reinforcements and bracing before you add the concrete to the blocks.
• Use a line pump or a boom to pour the concrete mixture into the blocks.
• You will then need to remove any air pockets in the wall by vibrating the wall using a mechanical vibrator.
• Even out the concrete by using a block top and placing the anchor bolts.
• Remove and clean the bracing.

 

 

How To Build A Concrete House Foundation

 

Constructing the foundation for a home is a job that requires professionals. It is important to make sure that the correct environment is established so that the foundation remains where it is meant to be. To construct a concrete foundation, your construction workers will follow these steps:

 

• First, you will need to get all the permits you need for you to build a foundation.
• Mark the perimeter and lay out the exact area you will need for the foundation.
• Make sure that there are no current underground utilities.
• The next step will be to follow the safety and building codes to unearth the soil for the slabs and footings.
• Following, construct the forms for the footings and slabs then install the rebar.
• Next, you will need to pour the concrete footings.
• Lastly, pour the concrete mixture into the prepared locations for the slab. The concrete needed for these steps can be mixed using a cement mixer.

 

How Much Concrete Do You Need?

 

Firstly, you need to establish the surface area of the space. After that has been determined you will need to get the dimensions of the area, you can utilise an online concrete calculator for this part. Alternatively, you can do the maths yourself, by measuring the length, height, and width and then multiplying them together. Finally, you will divide the end resulting number by 27 to get the cubic yards.

 

Affordable Concrete Housing

 

Low-cost concrete houses have gained increasing interest over the past years. This attention has come from homeowners looking for resistance to natural disasters, sustainability, safety, and energy conservation. These homes are cost-friendly due to their inexpensive materials which include:

 

• Concrete sheets
• Pre-made panels
• Cladding made from stone
• Insulated types of concrete
• Precast concrete

 

Various materials and methods utilised for low-cost concrete homes are environmentally friendly, safe, provide low-impact construction, and are high-quality.

 

Popular Concrete Homes

 

Contractors and architects utilise concrete to build homes all across the globe. In addition to concrete being a well-known material, it is durable and can withstand numerous conditions. Concrete can be used in creative ways to construct a sustainable and diverse home. Here is a list of 8 creatively constructed homes:

 

1 – Konieczny’s Ark

 

You would think a concrete house would look out of a forest, yet one look at Konieczny’s Ark would change any assumption you had about that. This project was developed by KWK Promes in Krakow, Poland.

 

 

This is a beautiful home shaped by the location on which it stands. Security however was a problem, because of the remoteness of the site. To resolve this the architects constructed the house in such a way that one corner of the house touches the grounds, whilst the rest of the structure hangs over the edge of the hill.

 

Using this solution also reduces the risk of a landslide happening as a result of rainwater following underneath the house. As such, even this concrete structure does not seem to camouflage at first, it is however very well adapted to its location.

 

2 – Anako Architecture Concrete House in Switzerland

 

The mere thought of living in a fortress sounds pretty amazing. Security and privacy would never be a problem, as you would have plenty of it. But how would a structure like this appear if it would have to fit into a rural or urban setting? Anako Architecture has designed a home to answer this very question built alongside the Rhone in Switzerland.

 

Concrete and concrete mixers were utilised in this project as the main materials. And it is safe to say that this home appears a lot like what you would expect a stylised and modern version of a fortress to be. It does have an unusual shape that resembles the Alps’ silhouettes seen in the distance. The façade is defined by walls made from raw concrete, which create a border between the surroundings and interior spaces.

 

3 – Modern Concrete House in Mexico City

 

However, not all concrete-based homes look like a fortress or compact boxes. In Mexico City, there is a house that proves concrete homes can be open to their surroundings. This project was named JJRR/Arquitectura.

 

The architects who built this house made sure that the house took advantage of its location. The house was elevated 1.3 metres above the ground so that all the views could be taken in. A green roof terrace and full-height windows ensure that the house blends in and opens up to the vast outdoors.

 

4 – Concrete and Glass Home in Argentina

 

This home attempts to shut itself off as much as it can from neighbours and the street. However, this home, which is suitable for families, shockingly has open facades and spaces. Moarqs and Ottolenghi combine glass and concrete so that this stunning contrasting combination can be achieved.

 

The strategy used in the design was utilised so that the ground floor could be more open and the first floor a bit more closely to ensure privacy. The only difference is that there is a concrete shell which wraps around the top floor. This essentially frames the spaces and at the same time, it blocks the views whilst allowing them to be open towards the courtyard.

 

5 – The Jellyfish House

 

The Jellyfish House was built by Wiel Arets Architects in Malaga, Spain. The house is undeniably stunning and is hands down attractive for numerous reasons. Firstly, it has become an inspiration for other projects due to the way it subdues the neighbours blocking the view of the ocean.

 

The house was designed on four levels which contain a rooftop pool which cantilevers nine metres to the South-West. It was designed this way so that individuals could admire the views of the ocean whilst swimming in the pool, which has a glass bottom, or relaxing on the terrace.

 

6 – The U Retreat in South Korea

 

One would assume that a concrete house would not have a lot in common with nature, but think again. Just taking one look at this beautiful retreat in Korea you will realise that is not the case. It has a unique design; the trees and cliff formations were used as inspiration for the layouts and forms of this concrete structure, which was assisted by cement mixers throughout the construction process.

 

7 – Concrete Home for Trees

 

Greenery and concrete are an amazing combo. And there is no better way to demonstrate this to you than by showing a project called House for Trees. Vo Trong Nghia Architects created a series in Ho Chi Minh City. The dominant idea behind this project was to reconnect nature and the city by attempting to bring more greenery into the area. Introducing the Binh House, just one of many in the series. It contains numerous terraces that serve as small gardens. Additionally, you can view how the vegetation made its way inside the house.

 

8 – Concrete Home Inspired by Belgian

 

When people deal with concrete it has been mentioned how nice it is to balance out its cold elements with some warmer wood elements. This has been achieved by studios Clauwers & Simon by designing this house in Belgium. They were able to structure the whole house around a courtyard.

 

Additionally, they created this house as a tribute to Juliann Lampens, a Belgian architect. Juliann is known for her extensive use of concrete outside and inside of structures like buildings, similar to the buildings which were designed back in the 1960s. The views of the huge garden and the timber help soften the blow of the concrete in this specific case.

 

 

About BS Power

 

Concrete can be viewed as one of the most crucial components of numerous construction projects incorporated in the projects is the use of cement mixers. However, this is not new information for many people, it is known that to be able to construct a beautiful flawless building or structure that quality cement and mixers are needed.

 

BS Power not only has that but all the quality construction materials you will ever require. So, if you are interested in beginning your concrete project today with reliable products contact BS Power for quality cement, cement mixers, and other construction materials.