You’re used to seeing concrete. We all are. It’s one of those materials, like vinyl or cotton, that we encounter on a daily basis – use on a daily basis – and end up taking for granted. True, concrete’s most common use cases mean that it isn’t primed to spark inspiration in us. Unless you’re an engineer or architect, a lot of concrete’s most common uses in modern life are somewhat bland or commonplace: car parking structures, or at the boundaries of industrial properties where earth is banked up behind them.
But concrete, like a lot of commonplace materials, has its own loyal fan club. Whether you call them the brutalists or just, simply, the whimsical people among us, there’s a real and growing appeal for celebrating the most everyday materials available to us.
Just as stone tiles on traditional cottages have gone from ‘necessity’ to ‘thing of beauty’, so too can concrete.
It’s Minimalism Incarnate
Raw concrete is instantly recognisable, but also incredibly simple – smooth, grey, slightly pitted on the surface depending on how it cured. It’s been featured in all sorts of interior designs that seek to highlight the beauty of basic shapes and forms rather than cluttering the view with textiles and colours and curios.
Even stone, tile, and wood introduce more of a sense of texture and dimension into a space than concrete. For some people, this is an immediate deal-breaker but, for others, it’s the key to creating spaces that aren’t overburdened by their own character.
Concrete is quiet and unobtrusive, which can be just as powerful as the boldest textile or the most luxurious mahogany.
It’s Unexpected
Concrete doesn’t necessarily command attention. Put it alongside an array of flowers or surround it with a sweeping green lawn, and you’ll doubtless find your eye being drawn to the colour rather than the drab background.
Or is that really the case?
Concrete shrinks into the background in car parking structures and industrial spaces, but in an unexpected environment like a home or garden, it suddenly takes on new life. It’s got its own morose character, which contrasts quite pleasingly with an otherwise colourful ecosystem if that’s where it happens to be placed. The use of a modular cantilever retaining wall system to bank earth and create a calm, smooth space in which plants can grow is quite compelling, provided you’re happy to take a little risk.
Contrast and juxtaposition are excellent tools for interior design and garden landscaping, which is why concrete certainly has a hat to throw into the ring here.
It’s Strong and Durable
Even if you’re not entirely sold on the understated beauty of concrete, there’s plenty to be said for its other qualities. Its ability to stand for many, many years under high pressure, against all weather conditions and traffic, means that it’s a clear winner for certain projects.
It’s also very versatile and can be moulded to unique shapes, which is another reason why some architects love it so much.