Graphic Precast Concrete

Reading about Graphic Concrete Ltd’s (GC) new concrete surface treatment was captivating. I imagine there are numerous applications in the built environment. The technology at first reminds me of Scott System’s (SS) form liner products except it seems to be a much subtler and detailed. Currently, GC’s system can only be used on precast concrete products as opposed to SS’s ability to be used for cast-in-place concrete work. Precast concrete process provides GC a higher degree of control in the plant. According to their website the technology involves the use of a surface retarder on a membrane surface that was developed by interior architect Samuli Naamanka. The process can create single pieces that are 3000mm high by 1250mm wide. This makes it possible to create large single pieces without seams. You can make pieces larger than this by continuing the pattern. They have a series of standard patterns. I particularly like the 4090_piksel and 4011_5_Atomi patterns. You can also submit your own pattern and even create various unique fairface finishes. Though the most exciting application is the ability to submit custom digital images in black and white using their GCArt&Design product.

According to the company, the cost for applications over 5,000sf usually run around $2.50 a square foot. This is for the GC Collections product or other repetitive custom designs using their GC Pro product. For the GC Art & Design product that allows you to create non-repetitive designs from photographs or other digital graphics, the cost is determined on a case by case basis.

Graphic Concrete Ltd’s is based in Helsinki, Finland. The first graphic concrete installation was in 2002. The company is currently launching the product in the United States. International Concrete Products in Germantown, Wisconsin is the only company familiar with their process in the United States so far. Hopefully, they will be able to add more companies to the list.