Product Description

"Concrete Design" is an unprecedented look at the design possibilities of concrete within the domestic environment. Sarah Gaventa examines experimentation in the medium, past and present, by many of the world's leading names, as well as lesser-known, cutting-edge designers. Each chapter looks at the various properties of concrete - its strength, form, texture, and utility - and its many applications, from stairs to kitchens; from stools to vases; even from bowls to jewellery. Concrete has made much of the modern world possible, including many of the world's best-loved architectural monuments, the Pantheon in Rome, for example, or the Penguin Pool at London Zoo. With a highly accessible text, a foreword by architect Piers Gough, one of the world's experts in concrete architecture, and a wealth of inspirational yet little-known images, this book will demonstrate just how extraordinary concrete can be and clearly show it to be the material for the twenty-first century.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #333280 in Books
• Published on: 2006-02-17
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 160 pages

Review
"An intriguing journey through the story of concrete... if you thought concrete was dull, prepare to be converted" Evening Standard "A challenging book... to stimulate wider interest in concrete... achieved in a very clear, concise and colourful manner" Concrete magazine "A beautifully illustrated, well-written book that is much needed" Uptown magazine"

About the Author
Sarah Gaventa studied at the Courtauld Institute of Art and the Royal College of Art. She went on to become a researcher for architectural and interior design practices, before working for the Royal Institute of British Architects as the press officer. From 1997 to 2000 she was the Communications Director for Glasgow 1999 UK City of Architecture and Design, and formed Scarlet Projects in 2000 - a consultancy for the curating and organising of events, exhibitions and publications on architecture and design for clients such as Bloomberg, Selfridges, and The Victoria and Albert Museum Sarah is the author of Home Office (Dorling Kindersley, 1998), and writes regularly for The Sunday Times. The Independent on Sunday, Elle Decoration, the Guardian and Conde Nast publications in New York.

Customer Reviews

good introduction to concrete ideas
A few commercial buildings (nothing very avant-garde) and lots of residential homes including some interesting interiors. Dots about with photos of furniture (tables, benches, lamps) and built-ins (stylish built-in concrete seating, for instance, in addition to concrete kitchens and bathrooms). Also a few pages each on textured and on coloured concrete.

No plans or drawings, no discernible theme - apart from the concrete, of course. Nevertheless my favourite book on concrete so far; the most intimate feel of the books I've had a chance to look at.