Design Factors Influencing the Aesthetics of Architectural Precast Concrete

Sidney Freedman

Director Architectural Precast Concrete Services, Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute, Chicago, Illinois

During the last decade, aesthetics has gained considerable importance in the design of overall structures and precast concrete components. Several factors have influenced the design of buildings and façades; for example, greater design freedom, complex surfaces, use of refined and more costly materials, and demands on quality and durability.

Aesthetics is a relative concept, especially within the context of worldwide building design. In Europe, for example, there are considerable differences in architectural aesthetics between the colder northern countries and the warmer southern countries. The former generally focus on plainness in architecture, in line with Modernism, whereas the latter on more elaborate styles.

Today, people generally dislike seeing monotonous buildings; instead, they much prefer to see attractive and human scale architecture. As a result, design is increasingly governed by aesthetics. Key words for the trends in precast architectural façade design are human scale, aesthetics, natural or traditional linked materials, and flexibility. However, what is most striking in the concept of new buildings – compared to 20 years ago – is the much greater freedom in the design of the facade.

Volumes, surfaces, lines, and differences in level are becoming increasingly important. Box-shaped buildings composed of nearly all the same basic elements have been abandoned. Instead, the design now focuses on the “total concept” of the facade.

Arguments about the beauty of concrete by the public and client often obscure the quality of precast concrete architecture. Consequently, architects are concerned over public and client acceptance. Frequently though, the public waits for the critics to tell them what they like.

References

Anderson, Floyd, D., Nijhawan, Jagdish, and Kelley, Tom, “Precast Concrete Delineates Biology Lab Inside and Out,” PCI JOURNAL, V. 43, No. 2, March-April 1998, pp. 32-41.

Freedman, Sidney, “Stone Veneer-Faced Precast Concrete Panels,” PCI JOURNAL, V. 45, No. 4, July-August 2000, pp. 72-99.

“Architectural Precast Concrete Plays Key Role in Construction of the University of Iowa John Pappajohn Building,” PCI JOURNAL, V. 40, No. 3, May-June 1995, pp. 14-23.

Isozaki, Arata, Scott, Jerome, Doyle, Thomas, and Cummings, Jerry, “Uniquely Curved Precast Concrete Panels Define New Center of Science & Industry (COSI),” PCI JOURNAL, V. 44, No. 5, September-October 1999, pp. 48-59.

van Acker, A., “The Relationship Between Aesthetics and Design Worldwide in Precast Concrete Structures,” Betonwerk + Fertigteil-Technik, Wiesbaden, Germany, No. 4, 1990, pp. 125-130.

Freedman, Sidney, “Clay Product-Faced Precast Concrete Panels,” PCI JOURNAL, V. 39, No.1, January-February 1994, pp. 20-36.

Architectural Precast Concrete Color and Texture Selection Guide, Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute, Chicago, IL, 1992, 258 pp.

Duffy, Tom, and Robison, Mark, “Architectural Precast Concrete Beautifies Shriners Hospital for Children in Sacramento,” PCI JOURNAL, V. 44, No. 2, March-April 1999, pp. 14-25.

Freedman, Sidney, “Successful Planning with Architectural Samples,” ASCENT, Summer 1996, pp. 36-40.

Freedman, Sidney, “Loadbearing Architectural Precast Concrete Wall Panels,” PCI JOURNAL, V. 44, No. 5, September-October 1999, pp. 92-115.