Surface treatment for imparting patterns to precast concrete comes to North America
June 1, 2017
By
CCE
Graphic Concrete is a patented technology that has been used in projects across Europe, the Nordics and Australia.
(source: Graphic Concrete)
AltusGroup, a partnership of precasters, has become the exclusive U.S. and Canadian source point distributors of Graphic Concrete technology for imparting durable patterns and images onto precast surfaces such as facades, walls, spandrels and soundwalls.
Graphic Concrete is a patented technology that has been used in projects across Europe, the Nordics and Australia. The technology transfers patterns — custom or stock — as a surface retarder via membrane placed at the bottom of the form.
Concrete is cast atop the membrane. After the concrete is cured and extracted from the form, the retarder is washed away with a high-pressure washer, revealing an image that results from the contrast between the fair faced and the exposed aggregate surface.
Selection of various aggregates and pigments can expand possibilities in the finished surface.
“Graphic Concrete offers architects the versatility to deliver distinctive, intriguing and iconic imagery to precast concrete surfaces,” says Kimmo Knaapila, CEO of Graphic Concrete Ltd. “Precast concrete has always been celebrated for its aesthetic versatility. Graphic Concrete allows architects to easily add a true sense of artistry and creativity to create surfaces that range from sublime to breathtaking. The Graphic Concrete membrane is environmentally friendly and the patterned concrete surface is very durable and virtually maintenance free.”
AltusGroup members will use the Graphic Concrete technology on CarbonCast Enclosure Systems, its mainstay precast concrete high performance sandwich walls and architectural insulated cladding products, as well as its new ARCIS Rainscreen technology in addition to other precast elements and precast products that can take advantage of the image technology.
“Our goal is to enable architects and designers to turn their visions into reality,” says Blair Davies, head of Graphic Concrete, North America.
