Graphic Concrete

 

Application:

Graphic Concrete supplies rolls of paper that have the desired image printed with concrete retarder.  The retarder printing process is a patented process performed exclusively by Graphic Concrete.  Concrete is poured over paper and the image is transferred into concrete with retarder.  After initial curing, panels are power washed to reveal image.

Finish Exposures:

Graphic Concrete provides (3) depths of retarder paper, light medium and heavy exposures.  Local mix designs should be sampled specific to the mix and desired image to prove intended depth.

Pros:

Graphic Concrete patterns can add depth (even 3D images) without having to add work form.  The appearance of depth features are still cast on flat form work and do not reduce the thickness of the concrete which can have design impacts.

Design Considerations:

Preliminary coordination with precaster is highly recommended.  Graphic Concrete paper comes in specific widths that need to be considered in penalization of project to avoid seams.  The image is most dramatic by contrasting the colors of cement and aggregates which should be sampled locally.

Graphic Concrete Site
Two construction workers in safety gear unroll a large patterned form liner across a precast concrete casting bed. Close-up of a person’s hand touching a textured graphic pattern embedded in a concrete wall surface. Empty school cafeteria with rows of long tables and benches, a textured patterned wall, and exposed ceiling ductwork. Construction worker wearing a hard hat and safety vest removes protective paper from a large precast concrete wall panel. A polar bear lying on grass in front of a building with a cracked concrete wall design. Large dark concrete wall featuring etched illustrations of polar bears and a person standing beside the artwork. Modern hallway featuring two wooden doors framed by bright yellow accent walls, textured side panels, and recessed ceiling lighting over a dark floor. Four decorative pavement slab swatches showing textured concrete patterns, including engraved typography, exposed aggregate stones, a dotted halftone texture, and pebble-style aggregate.

Graphic Concrete Washing

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Graphic Concrete: An Architect's Dream

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Keynote Presentation

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