Our submission to Ornament Is, a museum-scaled exhibition exploring contemporary ornamental theory in architecture, explored the aesthetic qualities of concrete and four particular buildings where the material is employed strategically to produce intricate details and reveal a narrative of its construction. In an era where building science has increasingly flattened the exterior wall, transforming brick and stone to veneer, and becoming increasingly reliant on panelization, this exploration celebrates the ways that the natural characteristics of building materials and construction technologies/methods can create innovative textures and aesthetic sensibilities that meet the human scale and serve as a new form of building ornament.
Various techniques in the construction of four concrete buildings we explored produce intricate details that enhance their appearance. In Washington D.C., The Reach employs innovative formwork methods to create a crumpled look that also functions as a sound barrier. At Museo Rufino Tamayo in Mexico City, exposed aggregate lends a human scale. In Chicago’s River City, ribbing on the concrete facade minimizes the visual impact of a large structure. And, in Eberswalde, Germany, acid etching depicts historical images on the concrete surface of a library.
These buildings demonstrate that modern techniques and materials are just as decorative as traditional gargoyles and dentils.
Project Information
Project Type: Ornament Is Exhibition Entry
Medium: Digital Print
Team: Josh Mings
