What kind of concrete construction is this

7 years ago

Hi all :)

When you get past those stairs, does anyone know what the walls are?

I'm assuming pre-cast/tilt up concrete walls? And those little holes everywhere are actually used to lift the walls into place by a crane.. pure speculation, but i do know you can buy a large format porcelain tile that takes on this appearance. Cant remember the name of them.

I'm wanting to hit that look with my home so any suggestions will help

Cheers

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Comments (4)

oklouise
7 years ago
i think you need a builder with industrial experience to produce those walls and the cantilevered hearth is magical...My speculation is that the effect is used on big buildings because of the economy of scale but could be expensive for homes with the cost of men and machinery needed to handle the weights, especially where access is restricted...but it can't hurt to look for a quote. It looks fabulous and should provide excellent thermal mass for internal walls and i look forward to learning more, good luck
PRO
Concrete Collective Melbourne
7 years ago
Those holes in the concrete are from the concrete pour. These are not tilt panels as tilt panels are cast lying flat and do not have the holes apart from 1 or 2 from lifting. This concrete is insitu cast. The walls would be formed up with form ply, lvl formwork and the ties. The holes you are talking about are from the formwork ties. As concrete, when wet, is extremly heavy and fluid. The concrete is constantly trying to escape the formwork and get to the ground. The avoid formwork blow outs from the pressure, they use tie rods between the form walls. These rods go through conduit pipes which are in between the formwork. They use the conduit so the tie rods are not encased in concrete making them a permanent fixture. Once the concrete is cured, and the formwork is removed. The tie rods can then be taken out leaving only the conduit. These are then tapped out leaving you with those holes you talk about. If you wish to replicate the look, it will require an engineer, plans and permits and an experienced formworker and concretor.

I will attach a photo for further understanding.

Scott.
Steve Chambers thanked Concrete Collective Melbourne
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Steve Chambers
Original Author
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
Wow thank you Scott for the in depth explanation, most appreciated. Are you familiar with any specific in-situ residential construction methods available that result with this look? I have been looking into ICF (insulated concrete forms) but know the foam out-layer actually remains in place.
PRO
MB Design & Drafting
7 years ago
The ICF's are usually rendered and painted. You could use the ICF's for external walls and use the cast concrete for internal walls. It would look like the top photo you posted.
Steve Chambers thanked MB Design & Drafting

What kind of concrete construction is this

Comments (4)

oklouise

Concrete Collective Melbourne

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What kind of concrete construction is this

Comments (4)

oklouise

Concrete Collective Melbourne

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Steve ChambersOriginal Author

MB Design & Drafting

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Steve Chambers
Original Author