Enjoying the Quiet & Minimalist Appeal of Concrete

1) The enduring strength and beauty of one of nature’s oldest building materials – Although concrete was used for thousands of years before the advent of Christianity (beginning in 6,500 BC), modern Portland concrete as we know it today was actually developed during the Roman times. Roman pozzolean cement was first used in farmhouses and aqueducts that carried water to the city, some of which survive to this very day. But perhaps the most famous and durable concrete structure that still stands today is the Pantheon in Rome. Made of “self-healing” concrete, it actually becomes stronger over time due to its unique & sturdy mixture of seawater, limestone, and volcanic ash which work together to fill cracks as they appear. Unfortunately, present-day cement manufacturers no longer use these three ingredients which are either too expensive or too difficult to obtain. Believe it or not, this circular dome covering the top half of the Roman Pantheon does not have an underlying metal framework (or rebar, which modern-day builders rely on) to retain it’s shape or stability. It’s all held together by the concrete itself which becomes even stronger as time goes by due to its self-repairing nature.

2) Plain & simple (unpainted) concrete – Most people find unfinished concrete to be one of the most boring and unimaginative building materials to ever exist. If you do go to the smaller towns in a developing nation, you’ll find simple homes made of plain concrete and unpainted corrugated steel roofs like the one pictured below. These are actually the homes of people who've been able to do reasonably well and move away from the more basic plywood-walled houses with tin roofs (which can be blown away by a strong typhoon wind) that less prosperous people tend to live in. Why concrete? It's a material that stays cool during hot summers plus it can better withstand violent storms and deadly floods much better than a plywood or cardboard shack. And there's no need to even paint them as concrete can last forever without any exterior protective coating. Wooden houses on the other hand can start to rot after a season of heavy rain and floods, especially if they're not painted. As an interesting contrast, wealthier countries typically construct houses from plywood that are insulated to protect the interior occupants from the elements. And then these are overlaid with vinyl or wood siding before being painted to look pretty and make the exterior last for decades. And rather than use a metal roof, a layer of asphalt shingles is placed over a plywood substrate is used that is replaced every 20 or 30 years.

3) Painted concrete: the joyful and exuberant alternative – If you have a chance to go to Mexico visit Casa Barragán, the former residence of architect Luis Barragán in the Miguel Hidalgo district. You’ll be able to see the possibilities inherent in this simple and abundant material. Why keep concrete gray or white, when you can paint it pink, terracotta, or even yellow? Barragán used colors that he saw in nature, particularly vegetables (except for green, which he found too boring and predictable). He also believed his buildings were a place for serenity and contemplation and were canvases for inspiring feelings of fantasy and nostalgia. Completely unafraid of colour he would use deep blues, warm oranges, bright yellows, and intense pinks and reds in houses that he designed. And his concrete had a grainy texture that you wanted to feel with your hands. His surfaces were never smooth as most concrete is these days. He knew how to use this humble material and elevate it to a near art form, so much so that his house has become a pilgrimage site for lovers of colour, serenity, or just modern architecture in general.

4) Art gallery concrete – For someone that likes to go back to the basics, there is nothing purer and more organic than creating a house of nothing but plain (or textured) concrete?to create a kind of zen monastery. This look is reserved for people who have gone through the whole gamut of styles: from the frilly and fancy traditional “grandma” style, the high polish of art deco, and the simple and rustic appeal of farmhouse. At this stage in their lives, they want to simplify and just reduce their life to the bare essentials, stripping away ornamentation and discrading non-essential belongings Maria Kondo-style. A lot of people would find this version of contemporary design to be a little extreme and even too spartan. But for those people who are ready to make their lives as simple and low maintenance as possible, then nothing beats the purity and rawness of minimalist interiors and/or architecture. Personally I would add a few coloured walls (Barragan style) and even a wooden floor for visual warmth. I would also add a lot of abstract art, pastel coloured rugs, throw pillows, and eye-catching pieces of sculpture just to soften things up. But that’s just me. Some people just like to keep things pure and simple and that plain and visually uncluttered "art gallery look" just suits them fine like this mountainside home in British Columbia.

5) Cold hard concrete – One thing to keep in mind if you’re contemplating this look is that concrete can be a slightly cooler surface to walk on - especially if you like to putter around the house with your bare feet - compared to wood. Many people also don’t like the natural grey finish that it comes in. They say that concrete reminds them of a hospital or prison. That’s why I recommend that concrete be used either for walls or floors, but not for both at the same time. It’s just way too much grey. Or at least paint some of the walls a bright and lively colour. Or lay down some wood floors (or ceilings like what was done in the house pictured above) to add some visual warmth. The reason some people like build with concrete is so they can incorporate large picture windows so that inhabitants and guests can better appreciate the dramatic views of nature outside like in the photo below. Concrete can be beautiful if used in just the right amount. But used too much (or devoid of any colour), then it can look a bit plain and even slightly oppressive, especially when the skies also turn a similar grey, the temperature drops to minus zero, and it starts to rain endlessly throughout the day. It just might be too much grey for people to deal with, which is why this modern house pictured below used some white on the walls and ceilings to add a bit of contrast with the grey floors and also the skies, which can often turn a similar grey in the cold and oftentimes rainy city that is Vancouver where this home is situated.