Concrete, one of architecture's most polarizing materials, is experiencing a renaissance as designers discover its potential for emotional and artistic expression. Far from being merely a structural necessity, this versatile medium is being reimagined as a canvas for creativity, capable of evoking feelings ranging from contemplative serenity to bold dramatic statements.
Italian design studio FormaCemento has spent years pioneering this transformation, elevating concrete from its traditional industrial applications to create furniture, accessories, and architectural elements that showcase the material's unexpected delicacy. Their latest collection, "Elementary Observations on Ornament," designed by artistic director Marialaura Irvine, challenges conventional perceptions of concrete as a harsh, utilitarian substance.
The collection draws inspiration from Heinrich Tessenow's influential book "Elementary Observations on Building," which profoundly shaped Irvine's early architectural education. Tessenow wrote that "ornament is everywhere, but it is best when it is least intended – a smile we do not seek out, but which we cannot avoid." This philosophy guides Irvine's approach to concrete design, where ornamentation emerges naturally from the material's inherent properties rather than being forced upon it.
"Concrete is the material I grew up with," Irvine reflects. "Brutal, grey, sometimes sad, sometimes harsh – but capable of taking on any form. It is a cast material, a material that is not carved to create form, but poured." This casting process allows for infinite possibilities in texture, shape, and surface treatment, enabling designers to create pieces that feel both substantial and ethereal.
The "Elementary Observations on Ornament" collection utilizes Ultra High Performance Concrete (UHPC), an advanced material that enables the creation of incredibly thin yet strong surfaces with exceptional detail. This cutting-edge concrete technology allows for complex geometries and refined finishes that would be impossible with traditional concrete formulations. The superior mechanical performance and dense composition of UHPC expand the expressive possibilities for contemporary designers.
Organized into four distinct categories – Solid, Cut, Subtract, and 3D – the collection functions as a visual alphabet for architectural expression. Simple geometric forms including squares, circles, hexagons, and trapezoids are transformed through subtle interventions: light cuts that create shadow play, subtractions that reveal negative space, and three-dimensional reliefs that invite tactile exploration. Each element can stand alone as an artistic statement or combine with others to create larger compositions.
The collection's color palette draws from natural earth tones, featuring rich ochres, warm terracottas, deep wine reds, soft burnt pinks, and pale sun-bleached yellows. These organic hues contradict concrete's reputation for cold greyness, instead offering warmth and visual comfort that connects interior spaces to the natural world. The colors are integral to the concrete mixture rather than applied as surface treatments, ensuring durability and authenticity.
To demonstrate the collection's versatility, FormaCemento developed mood boards around archetypal architectural forms – the house, the castle, and the church. Rather than literal interpretations, these serve as conceptual starting points that allow designers to create spatial narratives where function and form flow seamlessly together. The modular nature of the system means pieces can be arranged into symbolic facades, quiet wall reliefs, or continuous flooring that tells a story through pattern and repetition.
This innovative approach represents a broader shift in how architects and designers view concrete's role in contemporary spaces. No longer relegated to foundations and structural elements, the material is being recognized for its ability to convey emotion, spirituality, and temporal qualities. In certain applications, concrete can appear almost weightless – light filtering through its surface, shadows dancing across its texture, creating an atmosphere of contemplation and calm.
FormaCemento's work demonstrates that concrete's true strength lies not just in its structural properties, but in its capacity to serve as a medium for human expression. By embracing both the material's industrial heritage and its artistic potential, designers are creating spaces that speak to both our practical needs and our emotional desires, proving that even the most utilitarian materials can become vehicles for beauty and meaning.
