More Than Weather Protection

2023 Author : Hannah Pearcy | [email protected] . Last modified: 2023-08-25 03:36

Concrete can be refined with a colored glaze and its effect increased. With such a refined surface, concrete, the artificial stone, becomes modern marble. Glazes are neither a technical surface sealing nor the renovation of concrete using coatings that are intended to bridge cracks, joints or holes. Glazes offer correction options for uneven surface effects of concrete, but the creative opportunities are greater, which are offered by a thin-layered, transparent application of paint and which considerably expand the spectrum of the material. Concrete has different inherent colors - from light to dark in mouse gray, blue gray, gray green. Depending on the addition, it appears almost white or rather yellowish, but also red or brown. Even the water cement value influences the tint. Aggregates and formwork define the surface structure and thus the surface for the glaze. The glazed application creates a spatial effect, a depth of the cast mass that is difficult to grasp is created, and the experience of the facade or the room is intensified. This effect can be increased by applying nuances several times. There is also the option of choosing glazes with a particularly matt finish - in correspondence with the surface properties of the concrete itself. Color creates identity Color is available in the design process for a long time, since it only takes effect late in the construction process. Color is an element of order and can facilitate orientation. Color influences scale and shape. Color is the thinnest layer on the architecture package and at the same time an independent material. It can increase the expression of natural building materials such as concrete, because color draws attention to the component and its surface. It can emphasize individual parts and increase their individuality. They come to the fore, while others are pushed back. Valuations can thus be carried out in a simple and inexpensive manner. Color creates identity. Color is communication between the building and the user. It should remain in the visitor's memory. It must be used sensitively. A glaze is therefore ideal. Examples of applications Glazes form on concrete surfaces in a variety of ways. In the second Goetheaneum in Dornach, Switzerland (Rudolf Steiner, 1930), the incident light models the surfaces with its own color,the raw as well as the glazed. The Martin Luther King School in Cambridge, Massachusetts (Paul Rudolph, 1964) enhances the incoming afternoon sun with the yellow glaze of its facade. The hard surface suddenly appears soft. In the entrance hall of the Albert Schweitzer School in Bad Rappenau (Behnisch & Partner, 1991), a blue wiping structure applied with a coarse brush welcomes the visitor. In the administration building of the wholesale and storage professional association in Gera (Grebner, 1997), the dominant concrete wall of the main staircase was colorlessly painted by young artists with a repetitive graphic pattern. This varnish with its glazing effect is only present at a second glance due to its shine, for example when climbing stairs in perspective. In various subway stations in Frankfurt am Main, colored glazes spread the closed space of the concrete tube (AC Walter; color design: Friedrich Ernst von Garnier, 1986). In the “Konstablerwache” subway station, for example, freely applied, large-format lettering with non-geometric “scraps of color” is overlaid. You can shorten the waiting time and read the text or simply enjoy the artistic image with its depth effect. The technical functional space becomes a cheerful color space. Also in Frankfurt, the monochrome glaze at the Museum for Post and Communication (Behnisch & Partner, 1990) demonstrates its special independence. Parts of the facade were only provided with extracts, mass and gravity are partially removed here in the beautiful glow. Harmonious interplay The rhythm of time changes the colors, not just during the day. A concrete glaze - especially outside - is subject to the seasonal interplay. The shades appear in ever new combinations - with the flowers in spring, the colorful leaves in autumn. And the weathering process in the outside area - which is also subject to glazes - can even be desired as a delicate patina. This is how nature and architecture come together through the harmonious interplay of materials: glazed concrete with wood or steel - in the interior with floor coverings, cleaned wall surfaces or fabrics. Pieces of furniture are placed in the right light in front of a glazed wall, a bouquet of flowers blooms against a suitable background. The colored glaze becomes a wrapping paper, and concrete - now artificial stone - becomes an art piece. Wilhelm MichelWilhelm MichelWilhelm MichelA concrete glaze - especially outside - is subject to the seasonal interplay. The shades appear in ever new combinations - with the flowers in spring, the colorful leaves in autumn. And the weathering process in the outside area - which is also subject to glazes - can even be desired as a delicate patina. This is how nature and architecture come together through the harmonious interplay of materials: glazed concrete with wood or steel - in the interior with floor coverings, cleaned wall surfaces or fabrics. Pieces of furniture are placed in the right light in front of a glazed wall, a bouquet of flowers blooms against a suitable background. The colored glaze becomes a wrapping paper, and concrete - now artificial stone - becomes an art piece. Wilhelm MichelA concrete glaze - especially outside - is subject to the seasonal interplay. The shades appear in ever new combinations - with the flowers in spring, the colorful leaves in autumn. And the weathering process in the outside area - which is also subject to glazes - can even be desired as a delicate patina. This is how nature and architecture come together through the harmonious interplay of materials: glazed concrete with wood or steel - in the interior with floor coverings, cleaned wall surfaces or fabrics. Pieces of furniture are placed in the right light in front of a glazed wall, a bouquet of flowers blooms against a suitable background. The colored glaze becomes a wrapping paper, and concrete - now artificial stone - becomes an art piece. Wilhelm MichelThe shades appear in ever new combinations - with the flowers in spring, the colorful leaves in autumn. And the weathering process in the outside area - which is also subject to glazes - can even be desired as a delicate patina. This is how nature and architecture come together through the harmonious interplay of materials: glazed concrete with wood or steel - in the interior with floor coverings, cleaned wall surfaces or fabrics. Pieces of furniture are placed in the right light in front of a glazed wall, a bouquet of flowers blooms against a suitable background. The colored glaze becomes a wrapping paper, and concrete - now artificial stone - becomes an art piece. Wilhelm MichelThe shades appear in ever new combinations - with the flowers in spring, the colorful leaves in autumn. And the weathering process in the outside area - which is also subject to glazes - can even be desired as a delicate patina. This is how nature and architecture come together through the harmonious interplay of materials: glazed concrete with wood or steel - in the interior with floor coverings, cleaned wall surfaces or fabrics. Pieces of furniture are placed in the right light in front of a glazed wall, a bouquet of flowers blooms against a suitable background. The colored glaze becomes a wrapping paper, and concrete - now artificial stone - becomes an art piece. Wilhelm MichelAnd the weathering process in the outside area - which is also subject to glazes - can even be desired as a delicate patina. This is how nature and architecture come together through the harmonious interplay of materials: glazed concrete with wood or steel - in the interior with floor coverings, cleaned wall surfaces or fabrics. Pieces of furniture are placed in the right light in front of a glazed wall, a bouquet of flowers blooms against a suitable background. The colored glaze becomes a wrapping paper, and concrete - now artificial stone - becomes an art piece. Wilhelm MichelAnd the weathering process in the outside area - which is also subject to glazes - can even be desired as a delicate patina. This is how nature and architecture come together through the harmonious interplay of materials: glazed concrete with wood or steel - in the interior with floor coverings, cleaned wall surfaces or fabrics. Pieces of furniture are placed in the right light in front of a glazed wall, a bouquet of flowers blooms against a suitable background. The colored glaze becomes a wrapping paper, and concrete - now artificial stone - becomes an art piece. Wilhelm Michela bouquet of flowers blooms against a suitable background. The colored glaze becomes a wrapping paper, and concrete - now artificial stone - becomes an art piece. Wilhelm Michela bouquet of flowers blooms against a suitable background. The colored glaze becomes a wrapping paper, and concrete - now artificial stone - becomes an art piece. Wilhelm Michel

This is how concrete is glazed

A transparent, cleanable protective coating (for example Disbocret 536 wash concrete protection LF from Caparol) can be used to produce a concrete glaze. Here, a solid and tinting color is added to the material. For a uniform visual appearance, it is necessary to prime the surface after appropriate cleaning (blasting with solid blasting media). To do this, the material is diluted with 20 percent water. Larger breakouts, cavities, cracks and the like should be closed in advance so that the protective effect against the penetration of pollutants with the glaze is given. These repairs may later become apparent optically. The tensile strength of the substrate should be 1.0 N / mm² after preparation of the substrate. Marcus Kopp, Caparol technique