| Project/Product Description | Intent: The architecture and interior design of “The Concrete Shop” have been carefully crafted to create a dynamic and engaging Design Studio, retail space and experience center. An environment that showcases the beauty, potential and versatility of concrete in various forms, textures, and finishes. The HERO material is FRC (Fiber reinforced concrete).
FRC can help reduce carbon footprints in construction when produced with lower CO2 emissions, incorporating recycled materials, and incorporating technologies like carbon capture and utilization. Concrete is also durable, long-lasting, and energy-efficient, which can reduce the environmental impact over its lifespan.
The project
To create an experience cum design studio centred on concrete as a material. The compact space, spread over two levels would also serve as a retail outlet for product/applications crafted from concrete
Being the first impression of the retail cum design studio, the facade was bestowed with considerable design attention. The approach was to script a visually striking elevation by juxtaposing different textures and finishes of concrete. Thus, it uses the hero material in two different renditions, signaling two internal functions: the retail space on the ground floor and the experience Centre cum design studio on the first level. This shift in material formalisation is dramatic. The Architectural Façade at the lower level sees concrete being interpreted as a delicately meandering, folded enclosure, emerging from a gravelled bed of natural stone. This affords privacy to the enclosed space. The entry to the retail section and the pathway that leads upstairs to the experience Centre punctuate the pleats. More drama is created by the presence of concrete orbs—light fixtures—perched on long metal legs, and metallic spheres secreted within the pleats of the concrete compound wall. The delicate grey ruffles on the lower-level contrast beautifully with a more rigid interpretation of the material—this time as a slatted sheath of concrete louvres, coloured a burnt sienna, over the second level. On this rhythmic, ribbed skin, the cast-concrete signage, intricately detailed and wonderfully delicate, declares the name of the store.
While the facade is high in stylistic and aesthetic treatment, it is also driven by earth-sensitive technical expertise and precision. The slats have been designed and positioned after an in-depth study of the SUN PATH to engender a comfortable internal environment that minimizes the need for active cooling.
The concrete elements illustrate the versatility and the varied applications of the material, reinforcing its visual potential, functional strengths and efficiency.
The immersive environment is built upon an orchestration of four materials: concrete (in various forms, including terrazzo), wood, mild steel and natural stone. This contemporary and stylish materiality births a warm ambience that tempers the industrial aesthetic projected by concrete. The main material itself is interpreted and envisioned as a series of visually striking surfaces, sculptural panels, patterns and objects, both functional and decorative.
The design response
The fiscal and spatial limitations of The Concrete Shop made tailoring the design response an interesting and challenging exercise. The protagonist of the narrative itself showed the way to creating an experience that would be both visually striking and cost-effective. The cogent design solution the team presented was a hybrid one, born out of the objective of a creating a retail space and a desire for product exploration, depicting, in the process, the strength, the durability and the versatility of concrete. At a more functional level, in order to extract every possible inch out of the compact footprint, the space was designed to be flexible, with movable displays and workstations that could be easily reconfigured to suit different uses and events, as well as with storage and display elements into the walls and other architectural features.
The design of The Concrete Shop prioritises both form and function, laying emphasis on sustainability and biophilia, to create a dynamic and engaging environment that visitors will remember long after they leave. The technically advanced space showcases the beauty and versatility of concrete through the use of different textures, finishes and as 3D objects, ensuring that customers will return time and time again to experience the space and learn more about the material. Equally important, the final design of the concrete experience cum design studio is a testament to the creativity, resourcefulness and ingenuity of the material itself
Completion date: 2023 cost : 25 lakhs / 24638.15 £ / 30053.13$
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| Materials Used | The architecture and interior design of “The Concrete Shop” have been carefully crafted to create a dynamic and engaging Design Studio, retail space and experience center. An environment that showcases the potential and versatility of concrete in various forms, textures, and finishes. The HERO material is FRC (Fiber reinforced concrete).
FRC can help reduce carbon footprints in construction when produced with lower CO2 emissions, incorporating recycled materials, and incorporating technologies like carbon capture and utilization. Concrete is also durable, long-lasting, and energy-efficient, which can reduce the environmental impact over its lifespan.
The fiscal and spatial limitations of The Concrete Shop made tailoring the design response an interesting and challenging exercise. The protagonist of the narrative itself showed the way to creating an experience that would be both visually striking and cost-effective.
The lower-level architectural facade features gracefully meandering concrete folds emerging from a natural stone base, ensuring privacy. This space is punctuated by the entrance to the retail section and the pathway leading to the experience center. Concrete orbs on long metal legs and concealed metallic spheres within the compound wall pleats enhance the design.
Contrasting the lower level's delicate grey ripples is the second level's more rigid burnt sienna-colored slatted concrete louvre sheath. Adorning this rhythmic surface are intricately detailed cast-concrete signs, demonstrating a commitment to EARTH-SENSITIVE technical precision. The slats' placement, guided by a comprehensive SUN PATH STUDY, fosters a comfortable internal environment that minimizes the need for active cooling.
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| Sustainability | The architecture and interior design of “The Concrete Shop” have been carefully crafted to create a dynamic and engaging Design Studio, retail space and experience center. An environment that showcases the potential and versatility of concrete in various forms, textures, and finishes. The HERO material is FRC (Fiber reinforced concrete).
FRC can help reduce carbon footprints in construction when produced with lower CO2 emissions, incorporating recycled materials, and incorporating technologies like carbon capture and utilization. Concrete is also durable, long-lasting, and energy-efficient, which can reduce the environmental impact over its lifespan.
Sustainable and green points and advantages of Fiber Reinforced Concrete [FRC]
1. Low VOC: FRC's Low VOC materials result in low emissions, making it a safe and healthy option for indoor and outdoor use, without negatively impacting IAQ (indoor air quality)
2. Sustainable: FRC’s composition of natural renewable materials like sand, cement, water, and recycled glass fibers reduces its carbon footprint and environmental impact. The use of natural earth oxides makes it an eco-friendly choice. FRC can also be produced with recycled content, reducing waste, and can be recycled or repurposed.
3. Durability: FRC is a long-lasting and low-maintenance material that is highly resistant to weathering, UV radiation, and fire. It is formulated to provide additional protection and can withstand corrosion, weather, sound, chemicals, and impact. It is durable and non-combustible.
4. Lightweight: FRC is much lighter than traditional concrete, making it easier to handle, transport and install.
5. Versatility: FRC’s versatility allows it to be molded into various shapes, textures, and finishes, making it a highly adaptable material suitable for diverse architectural applications.
6. Strength: The unique chemical composition and high dose of glass fibers makes for a high impact material with an impressive strength-to-weight ratio. FRC has a tensile strength that is three to four times greater than steel-reinforced concrete. It can support heavy loads without being as heavy as traditional concrete. Reduces volumetric weight, reduce dead weight.
7. Usage: FRC's versatility makes it suitable for various projects. It is often used in commercial building façades as a lightweight, flexible architectural concrete with a range of finishes & surface details available. FRC is also sustainable and energy-efficient.
Fibre Reinforced Concrete (FRC) has a wide range of applications in construction, including:
Structural elements, earthquake resistant structures, Façade panels, Cladding, Precast elements, Infrastructure projects, Marine applications, flooring, tunnel lining, retaining wall, shotcrete, paving etc.
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| Issues Faced | The lower-level architectural façade creatively interprets concrete as folded enclosure emerging from a bed of natural stone gravel. Constructing this self-standing wall off-site and installing it with a crane posed the challenge of safeguarding a nearby tree, a challenge that was successfully met.
The design incorporated concrete orbs serving as light fixtures on extended metal legs and concealed metallic spheres within the folds of the concrete compound wall, adding complexity to the design.
On the upper floor, a striking contrast emerges as the delicate grey ruffles of the lower-level give way to a more structured interpretation. Here, concrete manifests as burnt sienna-coloured slatted louvres. These design elements collectively contribute to the character of the architectural façade.
The concrete shop encountered a unique challenge when tasked with crafting custom interior panels, each meticulously designed by various experts in architecture, interior design, lighting, and product design. Meeting the diverse design criteria, encompassing elements such as form, texture, sharpness, and roundness, proved to be a challenge met. Additionally, time constraints added pressure to the endeavour. The preparation of molds required creative problem-solving to ensure precise realization of each distinct design, culminating in successfully overcoming the multifaceted challenges faced during this project.
The entirety of the products available within the store is exclusively comprised of original designs. Each item has been meticulously crafted and developed from scratch, bearing its distinct and innovative characteristics. These designs are the result of creative and artistic endeavours, embodying the vision and craftsmanship of talented individuals or teams.
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| Additional Comments | The task at hand was to create a concrete-focused experiential design studio within a limited space and budget. Despite these constraints, we embraced FRC - concrete as the primary material, steel (MS), wood, concrete terrazzo, and natural stone pebbles. We undertook various creative explorations to bring our vision to life.
FRC, with reduced CO2 emissions, recycled materials, and carbon capture technologies, helps lower construction-related carbon footprints. Concrete's durability, longevity, and energy efficiency reduce its environmental impact over time. Our goal extended beyond retailing FRC; we aimed to showcase its design adaptability while effectively managing budget constraints with its cost-effective properties.
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