Furniture and Design in Concrete

Cement innovative material

Since it was introduced in the history of buildings,concrete has become the main material for constructions, although in alternate periods and in different places on the planet, sometimes you prefer other materials such as steel and wood, because more easily recyclable and tied to a series of eco-friendly building practices.

The research and development carried out by the industries of the sector, however, never stop, to be able to keep up with the demands of an industry that continuosly research buildings more green and less impact as possible, which is why in recent years we have seen a renewed interest of designers and builders to this material whose expressive and functional, are yet beyond being fully known.

Just think, in this regard, a number of interesting patents that Italcementi has realized in recent years, photocatalytic cement Tx Activ, the active ingredient of which cleans the surrounding air of impurities and the organic and inorganic pollutants, and which was opened with the realization of the amazing Dives in Misericordia church, designed and built by Richard Meier in Rome; as was the innovative transparent cement the-light, designed for the construction of the Italian Pavilion at the Shanghai Expo 2010, which can be implemented facade elements that allow the passage of light radiation, while maintaining their strength.

Concrete furniture and modern design

Transposing the use of cement-construction building furnishings, the first thought that comes to mind is related to the elements and products intended to equip outdoor public spaces: benches, tables, chairs and other objects, which must be very solid to withstand the elements to which they are constantly subjected, but also to an intensive use, and often little care and respect of so many people.

The first attempts to furnishing elements in concrete, in the past, were affected by the reduced possibilities of modeling, in relation to the size of the elements to be produced, of cements and cement mortars that are employed in the past. With the progress of cement quality on the market and a good dose of innovation applied to their use, over the years we have seen the birth of furnishings, exterior, more refined style of inquiry.

Here, then, that in addition to product lines that report the weight of the material and its material power, in recent times we are facing innovations that have questioned the concrete element as ill-suited to the design of solid objects and have exalted the objective qualities: a clear example is the line of outdoor furniture from the elements and urban called AR PURO and produced by Urban by AMOP.

The product range by AR PURO offers a full range of furnishings that combine strength and quality with modern design and that are visually appealing. The line includes all the necessary elements: traffic bollards by drinking fountains, by sitting at tables outside with planters of varying shapes and sizes, to finish at various models of benches and group seats.

The latter stands out for its beauty and quality of the sign design known as Individual Chair, just a seat for an individual, which is characterized by a sleek and solid shape, smooth and seamless, visually light as if it was a chair at home. Made with structure in steel and concrete filling, the individual Amop chair is made of water repellent finish in the colors pure white and gray cement and can be installed by simply locating it on the ground, thanks to its weight of around 200 kg.

Still in the wake of continuous innovation, once again, Italcementi has pulled out of the hat yet another product, the result of a recent patent, which will bring more news in the world of design and decor: we are talking about the new fiber-reinforced cement mortar called i.design Effix, which is known to combine, in the same product, the strength and durability of the concrete and the plasticity of synthetic materials.

The ability to create objects of any shape and size, significantly lighter objects of equal volume in conventional concrete, expands the possibilities of creative designers and architects because it can carry items and items of furniture such as for external to internal, as well as cladding, small art objects, sinks and much more. Easily workable, with the addition of water to the dry premix base, this product allows you to get details of all types and colors, with the simple use of additives pigmentary of mineral origin which, on request can also add the photocatalytic IActive to achieve self-cleaning elements.

A striking example of modern, lively, colorful and creative possibilities of this innovative cement mortar was made by designer Przemyslaw Mac Stopa with line of chairs and tables Parabola, successfully presented at the Milan Design Week 2013.