Why Coloured Concrete is here to stay
Coloured concrete is back in sight and we've selected 5 projects that have made us fall head over heels for the wildest architectural possibilities it offers.
1. Bodega Antión by Jesús Marino Pascual
Bodega Antión, La Rioja, Spain
Jesús Marino Pascual conceptualised a structure that would not only play its functional role of Bodega but that would also convey the story of Rioja winery, their high-quality wines, memorable brand and offer a unique "walk-in-wine" experience. This all in a spectacular work of art and architecture. The ocher tone of the concrete flows throughout the structure and echoes the approach of integrating differing levels and spaces into the overall concept.
2. Ice-cream counter by Studio Twocan
Scroll ice-cream counter by Studio Twocan and One Design, Melbourne.
Love at first sight! These icy and fruit flavours can be tasted with customers' eyes too - for Scroll ice-cream flagship shop in a Melborune shopping centre, One Design Office joined hands with Studio Twocan to create a technicolour, pigmented concrete bar.
3. Shades of red concrete for a skatepark by B-ILD and Constructo
Public space is fun and this square in Blankenberge, Belgium, doubles up as a skatepark that is impossible to ignore! Conceived by Brussels studio B-ILD as a "sculpture in its environment," the park was created in collaboration with Marseille-based skatepark specialists Constructo - the concrete surface is slightly elevated to form a stage, strengthening its sculptural qualities and its connection to the larger square. Skate ramps rise from all four corners, marking the edges of the square, which has a submerged bowl in grey concrete at its centre.
4. A dreamy Portuguese villa by decorator John Stefanidis
John Stefanidis designed a colourful heaven for Noemi Marone Cinzano's new residence behind the dunes of an mesmerizing beach on Portugal’s Tróia Peninsula. The palette reflects the owner's delight for colour: as reported in the AD August issue, the kitchen floor is raspberry cement, a guest room is accented with geranium, the veranda’s dining chairs are flamingo, the dining tabletop is painted grass green, and the entrance hall is inlaid with shimmering Brazilian emerald dust.
5. Barragán's "emotional architecture" and Casa Gillardi
"Are you sure you can handle pink walls?" Martin Luque and his advertising agency partner Pancho Gilardi were asked by Modernist genius Luis Barragán, once he accepted to come out out of retirement to "do all the things that were still in his head". In this movie by Nowness, Martin Luque tells about his personal connection to the house known as Casa Gillardi in Mexico City. The last structure designed by Barragán is a testament to his love and attention to light, which inspired the expressionist use of bold hues and colours, based on the paintings of Mexican artist Chucho Reyes Ferreira.
