Concrete Architecture

Detail in Contemporary Concrete Architecture provides analysis of both the technical and the aesthetic importance of details in modern concrete architecture. Featuring the work of renowned architects from around the world, this book presents 49 of the most recently completed and influential concrete designs for both residential and commercial architecture. The projects are presented in clear and concise layouts over four pages. All of the drawings are styled consistently and presented at standard architectural scales to allow for easy comparison. Each project is presented with colour photographs, site plans and sections and elevations, as well as numerous construction details. There is also descriptive text, detailed captions and in-depth information for each project.

Collins provides a thorough history of the new nineteenth century material and goes on to examine the theories on its architectural expression, focussing on determining role of the reinforced concrete frame. He argues that Perret provides the first rational and effective expression of classical principles in modern construction. Published in 1959 and out of print since 1975, this new edition of Concrete includes a foreword by Kenneth Frampton, a scholarly introduction by Réjean Legault, and several additional essays on Perret by Peter Collins. From the Foreword by Kenneth Frampton: "Concrete remains a valuable historical text that in many respects has never been given its due. It is an unmatched pioneering history of the development of reinforced concrete up to 1914. It records and analyses the densely articulated, if provincial, English debate with respect to the aesthetic challenge posed by the increasing popularity of concrete from around 1870 onwards. Finally, until very recently it was the only readily available monograph on Auguste Perret in English. In this regard it is particularly valuable as a thorough and perceptive assessment of Perret's life and career, one that still stands as a point of departure for all current attempts to situate this seminal architect within the wider trajectory of twentieth-century culture."

Inspiration for architects and urban planners, this text presents a re-evaluation of a material finally coming into its own in the 21st century - concrete. The text is illustrated with projects from some of the biggest-name architects around.

In the sixties, architecture fell in love with concrete. Architecture has since shifted its fondness to glass and steel, and concrete buildings have fallen out of favor and into disrepair. But they represent an exciting era of faith in architecture and technical innovation that has yet to be documented.Concrete Torontoacts as a guidebook to the city's extensive concrete heritage. Architects, journalists, professors, concrete experts, and even the original architects use a wealth of new and archival photos, drawings, interviews, articles, and case studies to celebrate Toronto's concrete past.

"Sustainable Concrete Architecture provides designers with a tool to help calculate the total embodied CO2 in their building designs. Highly illustrated and detailed in scope, the book combines comprehensive technical analyses of concrete materials with useful case studies demonstrating the value of the material in low-energy, green building. Part 1 (Technology) takes a detailed technical look at embodied CO2 in different forms of concrete including cement, cement replacements, formwork, precast, reinforcements, aggregates and concrete blocks. The manufacturing and distribution processes of each material product are described and embodied CO2 figures are given. CO2 audit figures are also included for materials which have been subject to an audit. Embodied CO2 tables, construction industry CO2 audit figures and DEFRA conversion tables are included in the Appendix to Part 1. The book then goes on to cover the heating and cooling of buildings, and how to use concrete’s thermal mass to reduce long-term energy consumption. Part 2 (Case Studies) contains 24 superbly illustrated, detailed case studies which show the materials covered in Part 1 being used to create visually exciting, efficient new buildings. Building types covered include residential buildings, offices, education buildings and visitor centres. Each case study includes a statement on the building’s energy efficiency, how it was specified and designed, and an environmental impact study which details the SAP ratings where applicable."--Publisher's description.

"A lively journey around the world's brutalist buildings" Frieze.com "A dazzlingly shot whistle-stop of the much-maligned style's greatest hits ... the book showcases confidence, clarity and the historical importance of the movement." Monocle No modern architectural movement has aroused so much awe and so much ire as Brutalism. This is architecture at its most assertive: compelling, distinctive, sometimes terrifying. But, as Concrete Concept shows, Brutalism can be about love as well as hate. This inspiring and informative photographic survey profiles 50 brutalist buildings from around the world. Travelling the globe – from Le Corbusier's Unite d’Habitation (Marseille, France), to the Former Whitney Museum (New York City, USA) to Preston Bus Station (Preston, UK) – this book covers concrete architecture in its most extraordinary forms, demonstrating how Brutalism has changed our landscapes and infected popular culture. Now in a stylish mini format, this is the perfect tour of Brutalism's biggest hits.

Many contemporary building projects use pliant and economical concrete as their main structural material yet its use requires technical expertise, knowledge and experience. This book analyses 12 projects which cover both the practical and aesthetic aspects of the subject.

Hardly any other material unites such contradictory associations, stigmatized on the one hand, celebrated on the other - concrete is still in the spotlight. Its almost inexhaustible potential and ever new applications and possibilities make it a most valuable building material. Especially in combination with other building ware it displays an astonishing flexibility of utilization. Recent developments leading to new possibilities have inspired architects and designers to innovative and exciting solutions. The contemporary projects presented in this volume provide impressive testimony to the many faces of concrete and how much design potential it possesses. The publication shows with impressive images and distinct texts the ongoing relevance and inimitable fascination of concrete.