Holmes leads the way on specialist concrete finishes

14/05/2010

The email address is: Michaeln at Holmesgroup . com

At Holmes, we like to be at the forefront of specialist areas.

Last year, Michael Newby, our business development director, who has consulted at the top end of specialist insitu, precast and glass reinforced concrete production for over 25 years, went to Europe to investigate free-form concrete research in Holland, Zaha Hadid's Pavilion Bridge in Spain, formliners from Germany, and the new "green" self cleansing cement from Italy.

These exciting new developments and technologies enable performance beyond the usual concrete forms and effects.

Since his return, he's been visiting architectural firms in New Zealand presenting "Form, Finish and Colour".

In a nutshell, the presentation shows trends, technologies and practices for specialist concrete finishes that can produce:

• The manufacture of free form or soft organic shapes, that escape from the traditional rectalinear forms and allow for greater creativity in the design process.

• Texture, patterns, 3D relief and digital photo imaging that bring excitement and potential to formerly flat-looking surfaces.

• Colouring of concrete using stains that are translucent, bringing a subtlety to our built environment that is new and vivid.

• The protection of fine concrete surfaces as an enduring legacy.

Michael says "Holmes realises that these are the attributes of concrete that are of interest to architects, although it is engineers who often produce the concrete specification and drawings for architects.

If your firm would be interested in hearing what Michael has to say about free form concrete, you can email or ring him on 09 965 4789.

This presentation qualifies for CPD points for architects.