Architectural concrete

This usually refers to a method of concreting that emphasizes the selected structure of a formwork. Layers close to the surface are made with particularly fine concrete, which, due to its flowability and fineness, is able to reproduce well the geometry and surface of its former formwork boundary. For the formwork, variously designed flat materials are used, e.g. wave patterns, sawtooth profiles or the like. Artistic techniques also make use of exposed concrete: working with exposed concrete is a particular manifestation of sculpture. Often exposed concrete is combined with wood, as both materials complement each other well. Interesting: in a simple case, the bridge pier on the highway is also an exposed concrete element. Although there are no special "cosmetic" requirements here, the highway authorities do demand an exposed concrete quality, since the pier usually presents itself unplastered and unclad: the surface structures of the formwork panels and timbers can often be easily seen in the concrete surface.