All articles tagged with #concrete
MIT researchers have developed an advanced form of conductive concrete called ec3 that can store and release electrical energy, potentially transforming everyday structures into giant batteries with significantly increased capacity, enabling sustainable energy solutions integrated into infrastructure.
Researchers at the University of Saskatchewan are exploring the use of biochar, made from crop waste, as a substitute for part of the cement in concrete, resulting in a stronger, more durable, and environmentally friendly material that could reduce greenhouse gas emissions and utilize agricultural waste.
Researchers at USC have developed Allegro-FM, an AI model capable of simulating over 4 billion atoms simultaneously, enabling the design of new concrete that can capture carbon dioxide, last for centuries, and potentially reduce global CO2 emissions from construction.
Hanoi, Vietnam's rapidly growing capital, has become the world's most polluted city due to intense urbanization, industrial activity, and construction, with air quality often reaching hazardous levels, primarily caused by vehicle emissions, cement production, and dust from construction zones, despite government efforts to implement stricter environmental policies.
Over 150 schools in the UK are being forced to close their buildings due to the risk of collapsing concrete. The buildings contain Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC), a material prone to crumbling. While most schools can continue with face-to-face learning as the problematic concrete is only found in a small part of the buildings, some schools will have to be temporarily closed. The timing of the closures has been criticized by education officials and unions, who argue that the government should have addressed the issue sooner. Education Secretary Gillian Keegan has outlined a plan to minimize the impact on learning and provide support to schools.
Researchers from RMIT University in Australia have discovered that used coffee grounds can be used as a substitute for sand in concrete production, resulting in a 30% increase in strength. By pyrolyzing the coffee grounds at 350 degrees Celsius, the organic waste can be transformed into a material that forms a stronger chemical bond with other concrete ingredients. This innovation not only reduces greenhouse gas emissions from coffee waste but also helps alleviate the global sand shortage caused by concrete production. The findings offer a promising way to recycle organic waste and reduce landfill contributions.
Casa Calm, designed by architect Mateus Monteiro, is a contemporary and minimalist summer house that may become a permanent residence in the future. The client's request for concrete as a central material was fulfilled, along with a focus on landscaping and a kitchen surrounded by plants. The personalized and emotional project incorporates curated pieces referencing the couple's favorite city, Ouro Preto. The house features soapstone elements, including a sculpted bathtub in the master suite, and a pool covered in soapstone. The design aims to create a complete experience that meets the family's desires and routine.
Concrete and asphalt surfaces in urban areas can reach temperatures as high as 82°C (180°F) on the hottest days, posing a risk of burns to individuals. These surfaces absorb and radiate up to 95% of the sun's energy, contributing to the formation of urban heat islands, where temperatures can be 1 to 3°C (1.8 to 5.4°F) warmer than surrounding rural areas. The lack of green spaces and vegetation exacerbates this effect, trapping heat at night. Creating more green spaces in cities can help mitigate high temperatures and improve quality of life.
Kim Kardashian's latest line of concrete bathroom products has sparked a discussion about the potential for concrete to promote wellness and self-care, despite its negative environmental impact. As the world grapples with the consequences of industrial modernity, the idea of transforming and digesting the toxic elements of our built environment is gaining traction. Metabolic metaphors and processes, such as composting and biohacking, are emerging as solutions to crises and ways to reimagine growth and transformation. The metabolic era represents a shift towards submission and transformative annihilation, as we seek new ways of being in a world that is running out of resources.
The Swiss House, designed by Dan & Hila Israelevitz Architects, is a 300 m² residence located in central Israel. The concept of the house is to hide more than it reveals, creating a sense of curiosity and inspiration. The dominant architectural characteristic is the rounded spans, which appear throughout the house and create a powerful appearance. The abundance of inner yards and gardens surrounding the building brings nature into the house's spaces, providing a feeling of openness. The entire house, including the spans, is made of white concrete, emphasizing the concept and architecture.
Ogawa Architect Design has completed a sculptural concrete volume hosting an atelier and residence in Kawasaki, Japan. The four-level design responds to the site's limiting conditions, with a 10-meter-deep atrium emerging at the center of the house-atelier, dividing the long volume from east to west. The sloping outlines and wide atrium offer rich and diverse visual impressions from different angles, resembling the entrance to a small valley. The concrete volume is spread upward into four floors, connected vertically by a spiraling staircase, and the atelier space brings a much-needed sense of tension to the living area.
House PF, designed by AE Arquitectos, is a private residence constructed above a basement of concrete walls, with simple volumes and materiality that contrast beautifully with the surrounding trees and gardens. The central patio connects all spaces, and vegetation plays a central role in the project, with every space accompanied by a garden. The warm wood and cold concrete colors are present throughout the house, and the main room opens up to the central space, where the garden connects exterior spaces with the interior ones. The upper floor includes bedrooms protected from sunlight by a flared wooden sash, and the basement features a wine cellar, terrace, and space for relaxation and meditation.
The Supreme Court ruled against unionized drivers who walked off the job with their trucks full of wet concrete, stating that the union failed to take reasonable precautions to protect the company's concrete when the drivers went on strike. The lone dissenter, Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, said the ruling would hinder the development of labor law and "erode the right to strike." The decision united liberal and conservative justices in labor's latest loss at the high court.
R21 Architects designed Villa Solveien, an intimate and robust family home in the Nordstrand district of Oslo. The project is situated on a steep terrain with large pine trees and a spectacular view of the Oslo fjord. The layout of rooms is based on conventional principles of a gradual transition between public and private areas. Structurally, the project consists of two main parts; the heavy, concrete base and the lighter wooden construction on top of it. The materials are determined by function and use, with the concrete construction consisting of two layers and the wooden construction surrounding the living areas above.
APOLLO Architects & Associates has designed a striking house in a quiet residential neighborhood, featuring two stacked cubes made of contrasting materials: exposed concrete on the bottom and composite lumber on top. The wood-frame second-floor volume juts out over the parking area adjacent to the entrance in a dynamic columnless design. The building is enclosed by a high concrete wall imprinted with the Japanese cedar formwork used to make it, which blocks views of the interior from the street. The living-dining-kitchen area and bathroom are on the second floor, with a skylight on the north side of the living room filling the space with subtle, diffuse light that filters down the stairwell to the first-story entrance.