CDC1: book

Concrete Design Book on ROBUSTNESS

editor: Siebe Bakker, bureaubakker
published by: ENCI Media, 's-Hertogenbosch, 2005

isbn: 90-71806-60-X

The Concrete Design Book on Robustness is the culmination of the Concrete Design Competition 2003 / 2004 – ROBUSTNESS. A rather ambiguous title for an initiative that reaches far beyond its implied nature. The competition itself, the core for our ambitions, is the starting point for an ongoing exploration of ‘robustness’ and its unrevealed implications for concrete in architecture.

The competition did not ask for an architectural design or solution for a given condition. It asked participants to explore and exploit notions of robustness as a fundamental property of the material concrete. And to test and present these ideas through a projected architectural use. So indeed we received a wide variety of seemingly traditional proposals ranging from furniture to large-scale urban implementations. However the generation of new and exiting ideas on how to ‘bring out’ the robust nature of concrete, or how this inherent characteristic can enhance any given assignment, was what we were really looking for. Michael Speaks, curator for the 2003 / 2004 edition introduced another interpretation of robustness to the competition. An extra layer that concerns the design practice on a general level, in which robustness indicates an approach towards design that is more exploring in nature than being directly ‘problem solving’. The combination of an apparently well-known and robust material as concrete with a robust and exploring design and building attitude truly asks for ‘Design Intelligence’, a notion introduced by Michael Speaks while investigating current shifts in design practices around the world.

345 Students studying in 8 European countries – and even representing far more nationalities – sent in a total of 245 competition entries. In a first round national juries scrutinized these entries. Each of which chose three nominees or winners to forward to our international competition platform. Thus, 24 entries were presented to an international panel of acclaimed architects and engineers for the final round. Furthermore, all participants involved in the last 24 entries received invitations to attend the next stage of the ‘competition’. They came together in August 2004 to undergo a crash course in robust design practice. The Concrete Design Master Class on Robustness led by Michael Speaks was nothing less than a continuation of a very specific investigation into material – concrete – and design.

An intense 6-day exercise in extensive material research combined with the introduction of production techniques explored the possibilities of concrete objects produced with computer manufactured 3 dimensional moulds. Gathering basic technical knowledge on a variety of types of concrete as well as dealing with a steep learning curve concerning the proper use of specialized software was just the beginning. Adapting to a totally new design approach involving rapid prototyping meant for many a scary and confusion experience. The goal of the 6-day master class was to produce a series of prototypes, scale 1:1! And even though the actual execution of the final concrete objects was done in the months after the master class, the producing companies had to leave with crystal clear instructions on what to make.

Finally, the Concrete Design Book on Robustness though mentioned as the conclusion of the 2003 / 2004 edition aims to continue the exploration of its general theme. Besides presenting the 24 winning entries and documenting the workings and results of the master class, a more reflective section seeks to continue our ambitions. 7 Prominent professionals from within the design discipline were interviewed. These interviews offer their outlook on the presented and related topics revealing a glimpse of contemporary design practice and education in which the need for a foremost intelligent use of knowledge, skills, opportunities and materials seems elementary.

The International Concrete Design Competition for Students is initiated and founded by the national associations of cement and concrete industries in the participating countries. The project is supported and facilitated by a range of companies, schools and individuals. All partners and contributors are mentioned at the final pages of this book.