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How it all began – The story of Graphic Concrete The idea of graphic concrete was born in 1996 as Samuli Naamanka was studying at the Helsinki University of Art and Design. He enrolled in a course on concrete applications to learn more about concrete as a building material. The aim of the course was to examine new look of concrete, and the outcome was a design for the Pikku Huopalahti Concrete Park in Helsinki, Finland. Naamanka studied aesthetic values of concrete as a façade material and how to treat the concrete surface in an industrially viable way. This resulted in a new method of creating patterned concrete surfaces, graphic concrete, which was patented in February 1999. The real challenge was to apply the invented technology to precast concrete production. In 2000 a product development project was launched together with leading Finnish concrete factories, paper manufacturers and printing laboratories. The project was financed by companies affiliated with Finnish concrete industry and the Finnish Funding Agency for Technology and Innovation (Tekes). The R&D project was a success, and in 2002 company called Graphic Concrete Ltd was founded. Today, the technology has been used around the world by numerous architectural offices and element factories. Learn more about Graphic Concrete: www.graphicconcrete.com.
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Making a concrete impression Graphic Concrete is a proprietary technology that enables the reproduction of attractive and durable patterns and images on prefabricated concrete surfaces, such as façades, partitions, walls, floors, and pavement slabs. It provides both timeless and aesthetic details that enhance the architectural appearance of the building. From the beginning, graphic concrete was developed as a tool for architects and designers. With this tool they could integrate their visual creativity into construction projects and design large-scale concrete surfaces. All building parts prefabricated by means of horizontal casting are suitable applications.
Since 2002, when Graphic Concrete Ltd was founded, the graphic concrete has been used in over 600 projects in 25 countries around the world. The extensive list of references demonstrates the vast range of designs in which architects can use graphic concrete: public, residential, industrial and infra.
Services
Solution
Architect Consulting
Prefabrication Training
After years of development, graphic concrete has grown into a business offering a broad range of services. At the heart of our business is our essential product: the graphic concrete membrane. The membrane enables manufacturing of attractive and durable patterns and images on prefabricated concrete surfaces. Our solution is a tool for architects and designers to integrate visual creativity into construction projects, while also serving the builders, investors and developers with a highly visual and everlasting result. We serve with solid expertise and know-how, and offer consultation and training for all our partners from architects and prefabrication companies to builders, investors and developers.
Designing a pattern for a graphic concrete surface is relatively simple. A well-functioning pattern however requires some knowledge regarding repetition, contrast and e.g. the use of rasters. Our graphic specialists are able to guide you through the design process and help with the design services. You can also take advantage of our expertise and outsource the pattern design to us, releasing your time to focus on the big picture.
Prefabricating elements with graphic concrete is not more difficult than the regular prefabrication process, but it still requires a bunch variety of details to be aknowledged before the actual casting can be started. We provide materials and training sessions for and during testing purposes for all prefabrication clients. We also offer general consultation regarding the use of graphic concrete in the prefabrication process, as well as the world between architecture and concrete.
Advantages
Enabling solution to realize architects vision and to create unique industrial and architectural designs. Care free facades and surfaces; the surface is ready and needs no special maintenance.
A fast and safe casting and construction process; no cladding or surface treatments are needed.
Cost-efficient solution that provides a possibility to create sustainable buildings and infrastructure that add value to thethe whole built environment and, interact with the surroundings. and reflect the values of the society.
Personal service by graphic and architectural professionals through out the entire construction chain.
Outstanding results and differentiation through easy and industrial casting process.
Textilia negative
Scaled 200 %
Photography Cover photo Graphic Concrete Sample Slab Pattern: Mosaic Ellipse Photography: Kuvatoimisto Kuvio Page 1 Graphic Concrete Headquarters, Helsinki, Finland Photography: Graphic Concrete Page 2 Skanska Headquarters, Stockholm, Sweden, 2013 Architecture: Strategisk Arkitektur Photography: Graphic Concrete Église Saint-Vincent-de-Paul Chapel, Rezé, France, 2015 Architecture: Magnum Architectes & Urbanistes Photography: S. Chalmeau Hämeenlinna Provincial Archive, Hämeenlinna, Finland, 2009 Architecture: Heikkinen-Komonen Architects Photography: Jussi Tiainen Kehärata Sound Barrier, Vantaa, Finland, 2014 Architecture, design/graphics: WSP-Group Photography: Graphic Concrete Crevin Upper Secondary School, Crevi, France, 2014 Architecture: Jean-Francois Golhen Architecte Photography: Graphic Concrete General Electric Office, Milan, Italy, 2015 Architecture: GaS Studio Photography: GaS Studio Page 3 Viborg Provincial Archive, Viborg, Denmark, 2015 Architecture: Schmidt Hammer Lassen Architects Photography: Helene Høyer Mikkelsen Page 4 Samuli Naamanka Portrait Photography: Markus Pentikäinen
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Graphic Concrete Ltd
Head office post address: Porkkalankatu 11 H 11 FI-00180 Helsinki
Head office street address: Tallberginkatu 9 FI-00180 Helsinki
Tel. +358 9 6842 0092 info@graphicconcrete.com www.graphicconcrete.com