Concrete, 21th century innovative material
Concrete changes its long time reputation of poor material and is now considered number one by big names of modern architecture.
Both strong and reliable, the new generation of concrete allowed the construction of buildings beyond imagination thus far, such as the last unaccomplished undertaking by Le Corbusier, Saint-Pierre de Firminy's Church, opened in 2006. Multiple innovations now enable the conception of new architectural masterpieces with a complex and unrivalled beauty.
Representative achievements
The Seonyu footbridge
Designed by Rudy Ricciotti, the Seonyu footbridge in Seoul, South Korea, has a sleek arch of 120m range which lies on a 3cm-thick Ductal® stand. This fiber concrete, provided by Lafarge, allows to obtain the same solidity, using far less material than ordinary concrete. It is an unprecedented architectural and technological achievement.
Designed by Rudy Ricciotti, the Seonyu footbridge in Seoul, South Korea, has a sleek arch of 120m range which lies on a 3cm-thick Ductal® stand. This fiber concrete, provided by Lafarge, allows to obtain the same solidity, using far less material than ordinary concrete. It is an unprecedented architectural and technological achievement.
Pierresvives
In Montpellier, the glass and concrete masterpiece created by Zaha Hadid brings together the regional archives, the multimedia library and the sports agency. Its futuristic front was built through joining a multitude of prefab concrete pieces together.
In Montpellier, the glass and concrete masterpiece created by Zaha Hadid brings together the regional archives, the multimedia library and the sports agency. Its futuristic front was built through joining a multitude of prefab concrete pieces together.
Teatrino of Palazzo Grassi
On the Naoshima island, known for its many contemporary art museums, between 1992 and 2010, Tadao Ando built a series of buildings using concrete, his favourite material, and giving priority to a simplicity in volumes and forms. In 2013, he built the amazing Teatrino of Palazzo Grassi-Punta della Dogana in Venice, with a very smooth and shiny concrete variety.
On the Naoshima island, known for its many contemporary art museums, between 1992 and 2010, Tadao Ando built a series of buildings using concrete, his favourite material, and giving priority to a simplicity in volumes and forms. In 2013, he built the amazing Teatrino of Palazzo Grassi-Punta della Dogana in Venice, with a very smooth and shiny concrete variety.
MuCEM
With this museum dedicated to the cultures of the Mediterranean in Marseilles, Rudy Ricciotti built a spectacular masterpiece, choosing the same innovative concrete that was used for the construction of the Seoul footbridge or the Pont du Diable on the Hérault River.
With this museum dedicated to the cultures of the Mediterranean in Marseilles, Rudy Ricciotti built a spectacular masterpiece, choosing the same innovative concrete that was used for the construction of the Seoul footbridge or the Pont du Diable on the Hérault River.
Also read
Vintage 1945 Le Corbusier, from conception to creation
Stefano Macaluso explains how Le Corbusier's ideas inspired him in designing the Vintage 1945 watch, a tribute to the famous architect.
Art and material
Both native of la Chaux-de-Fonds, Le Corbusier and Girard-Perregaux have had a destiny in common.
Volume and contrast
With a powerful use of light contrasts, The Vintage 1945 Le Corbusier watch by Girard-Perregaux is made sublime by photograph Benjamin Hénon.
Building time
The Vintage 1945 watch, created by Girard-Perregaux, pays tribute to Le Corbusier, bringing two artistic domains together: fine watchmaking and architecture.
Concrete, 21th century innovative material
Concrete changes its long time reputation of poor material and is now considered number one by big names of modern architecture.