Be it a cement block or a concrete mixer, there are many innovative ways in which construction tools can be used beyond building basic infrastructure. Concrete can be used to make uniquely shaped buildings, monuments or even be used to make household furniture. In this quick read, we’ll be covering some of the most notable concrete buildings around the world (many that were not even made with a concrete mixer) and why you should consider using concrete as your building material of choice.
What Is Concrete?
If you’re working on any construction site, you’ll most likely be working with concrete. Concrete is a composite material made up of aggregate, water, and cement. It is versatile in nature as it can be easily manipulated into different shapes once it is mixed with water in its powder form. A concrete mixer is used to combine the materials together. Once the mixture forms into a paste, it sets through a chemical reaction called hydration, which eventually hardens into a rock-like mass. Concrete is an important material to use for most if not all forms of constructions as it adds durability, versatility, and strength to any structure it helps to create. Because of the importance of concrete in construction today, it is very rare especially in the developed world to see a construction site without a concrete mixer.
Why Is Concrete Important?
Concrete has many different properties, making it one of the most important construction materials. When infrastructures are being built, they need to be made with the right tools and materials that withstand different environments, have strength and are durable. It is for this reason that making strong batches of concrete using a concrete mixer is so important. Here are 4 key properties that make concrete as it important as it is:
Versatility: Concrete can be easily molded and manipulated into different shapes, making it an incredibly versatile material. It can also be altered according to the specific requirements of the construction project in the concrete mixer on the go. In a practical sense, this makes it perfect for building pavements, buildings, roads and many more. In a creative way, concrete’s versatile form is great for creating unique shapes and designs in buildings or structures.
Strength: The robust nature of concrete is one of its most important properties. Construction companies have been using concrete for many years as it can withstand harsh conditions without the material, or overall structure, being affected. This is because it is a solid material and is made even stronger if constructed from a well-graded mixture. The strength of concrete can also be modified according to the construction project. When you’re creating the concrete blend in a concrete mixer, you make changes to the ratio of ingredients which alter its strength levels.
Environmental Importance: Concrete is a great material to use as it has several environmental benefits. Its lifespan is increased due to it being reusable and recyclable. Additionally, its ability to withstand different weather conditions makes it useful for constructing buildings that are resistant to natural disasters, like floods. Concrete is usually made from local sources, so you won’t have to travel far to retrieve its raw materials and only requires a concrete mixer to save time and labour.
Durability: As mentioned, concrete can survive different weather conditions, making it incredibly durable. Its robustness also makes it impervious to abrasion, erosion, fire, chemical reactions and rusting. This property makes it long-lasting, which is a key factor when constructing a building or infrastructure. Today there are concrete structures that date back to as far as 500 BC, proving that this material has continued to successfully stand the test of time.
Using Concrete To Make Remarkable Buildings
When thinking of concrete, it is widely known to be associated with common, practical construction projects such as roads, hospitals or schools. Despite its traditional uses, concrete can be used to create striking architectural designs because of its versatility and durability. In its wet form, concrete can be molded into nearly any shape, making it the perfect material for creating uniquely shaped buildings and structures. Here are some of the most famous and innovative concrete buildings from across the world:
The Pantheon: Arguably one of the oldest and most well-known concrete buildings in history is the Pantheon located in Rome, Italy by Apollodorus of Damascus. The Pantheon is a testament to the incredible durability of concrete as the building was constructed in approximately 27 AD. Despite its massive domed rotunda and intricate interior, this building has stood the test of time of roughly 2000 years.
Tenerife Auditorium: Located in the Canary Islands stands the Tenerife auditorium, designed by architect Santiago Calatrava . Constructed for the purpose of establishing a cultural hotspot in Spain as well as a venue for the Tenerife Symphony Orchestra, this impressive concrete structure is shaped to resemble that of a crashing wave nestled against the Atlantic Ocean.
Cidade das Artes: The Cidade das Artes is a huge concrete theatre building situated between 2 highways in Rio de Janeiro and was designed by architect Christian de Portzampac. Sheets of concrete have been used to resemble sail shapes to form the exterior of the building which is built on a massive terrace standing 10 meters above the ground. It has grown to become a new landmark in Rio de Janeiro and has no other urban attractions, public symbols or streets.
Villa Saitan: Built to house 11 units collectively, the Villa Saitan in Kyoto, Japan was designed to resemble 1 large house. The exterior of this housing structure has undulating holes cut out of it to look like roots, leaves or tree trunks. These organic shaped gaps in the buildings design help to create pockets of natural light as well as give the structure a more organic, uniform feel.
Jubilee Church: Designed by Richard Meier and constructed in 2003, the Jubliee Church, known also as Chiesa di Dio Padre Misericordioso, was created in an effort reestablish community activity in the city following Pope John Paul II’s 1993 initiative. The church is made up of pre-cast concrete and is meant to resemble that of a ship with 3 large, curved walls sheltering the exterior of the building. The curved walls evoke the image of sails on a ship and are supported by a square pine.
Unique Ways To Use Concrete For Interior Design
There are many reasons as to why concrete is found in most buildings and infrastructures. Its impressive qualities make it the perfect building material for withstanding different weather conditions, being cost efficient and standing the test of time. Because of this, concrete can be used in many unique ways around the house, especially when it comes to interior design. Below are a few alternative ways to use concrete in your home:
Utensil Holders: If you’re looking to add a more rustic, modern feel to your kitchen, concrete is a great material to experiment with. For a more subtle use of concrete in your home, try using concrete utensil holders to display your cooking spoons and whisks. Additionally, this can also be used as a wine chiller.
Stool Tops: Making a stool with concrete requires few materials and doesn’t take much time to construct. For smaller DIY products such as this, you don’t need a concrete mixer and can create the mixture by hand. The construction is as simple as preparing the concrete mixture, sticking your measured wooden legs in and removing once hardened.
Counters: One concrete trend that has been picking up steam is concrete countertops. There are endless opportunities for the construction of your concrete counter as there is the option of putting designs and inlaying objects into the concrete. If you’re wanting to make your kitchen sleeker or more unique looking, you might want to consider this affordable addition.
Shelves: Concrete shelving is versatile as it can be placed in most rooms of a house. Whether you’re adding it to the bathroom, kitchen, or an office space, a concrete shelve can enhance any space. The form of a shelf is easy to make, and it is recommended to try using a sheet of melamine, caulk and wax to help with removing the concrete once it has been set.
Book Ends: Have some leftover concrete mix and melamine from a DIY project? Try making some book ends. Book ends are a great use of recycling leftover concrete as they don’t need much concrete mixture to make. If you want to make multiple sets of book ends, create a form that can be taken apart and put together without difficulty.
How Is Concrete Made?
If you’re looking to start your own DIY concrete ventures, it is important to understand how concrete is made. Whilst concrete can be modified in many ways to suit the construction projects it is being used in, most types of concrete have a basic formula. To make concrete, you need to follow these steps:
Prepare The Concrete Mix: Once you have acquired your concrete premix, follow the instructions on the bag for the correct ratio of water to premix. Make sure to be precise with your water amounts prior to mixing as too little or too much could affect the consistency and sturdiness of the concrete.
Combine The Premix And Water: If you’re using a concrete mixer to make your concrete, pour around 3 quarters of your measured amount of water in the mixer. Once your water has been added, tip the concrete premix bag on the edge of concrete mixer drum and begin pouring. Make sure you’re wearing gloves and the necessary respiratory protection.
Switch The Mixer On/Begin Mixing: You can switch the concrete mixer on once all the components of your concrete have been added into the drum. Let the materials mix for 3 minutes whilst slowly adding the rest of your water. This will help to make the mixture more thorough and easier to combine. If you’re mixing a small batch by hand, blend your ingredients until it becomes a paste.
Let The Mixture Sit: Hydration is a necessary chemical reaction for making concrete and begins to happen once all the ingredients have been added and properly combined. Let this sit for 1 minute before checking if you’ve achieved the desired consistency.
Remove Concrete Mixture: When you’ve reached the correct consistency for your mixture, transfer your concrete from the mixer into a wheelbarrow. This will then be transported to the site of the construction project. If you’re making your concrete at home, begin using your concrete mix for the necessary project before it begins hardening.