Week 8, Concrete, One of My Favorite Things!

I wanted to have a picture of the interior of the DC Metro system because of how well they utilized concrete into their design.  I have really enjoyed seeing all of the different geometric patterns formed by the concrete, and think it lends itself well to the function of the space.  I think it speaks to the utilitarian dynamic.  I also think its pretty significant that the design incorporated sound dampening panels, that is why those panels are concave.  I am not sure which came first, but I would be willing to bet that form followed function on this one.

This is a little prettier than the metro station, but still the same material.  I really like the aesthetic of concrete countertops, especially in residential kitchen applications because they are so much more substantial than other residential finish options, they are poured in place so they offer a thicker more substantial look than a granite alternative.  

I'm sorry but if you can make a building, a countertop, and a chair out of this material it really is a material that has no definable set of design rules, although the chair without any cushions would not be very fun to spend much time in.

I think this stair case shows a good example of cantilevered concrete, a style/use mentioned in the reading

Concrete counter tops really offer a designer more versatility than the standard sizes of quarried stone, and again the thickness of the countertop makes the look very modern and unique to the material

From chair to counter to an entire house.  Concrete is so versatile.  It does really seem to be the material of modern design and architecture, or at least it is very aesthetically aligned with that style.

Great shot of the metro walls and ceiling in DC, those white panels are made of natural and manufactured fibers in an effort to add sound dampening to the space.

I know I already included a shot of a concrete staircase above, but I included this one to because I thought it was unique in that it isn't as cold and modern as the cantilevered version above.  This applications seems to offer a more transitional style, possible more suitable to more traditional design aesthetics.