ARCHITECTS / BUILDERS / CIVIL PLANNERS and anyone esle planning to use concrete – this is for you.
I’m not here to talk about the environmental impact of concrete although it does appear it’s a major contributor to greenhouse gas emmissions, I’m here to talk to you about the material itself, and the feeling that we get when we are around it.
Concrete is a very cold, unnatural material, that has nothing in common with the natural world, and its mainly seen in high density urban environments…
For me, it creates a very uneasy feeling, and I do not feel at home around it…In many cities and towns around the world where there is concrete there is antisocial behaviour, poverty, and violence, but no one would attribute it to the actual material and the energy it creates.
It is just a cheap, tough, product that enables constructions to be made quickly and cheaply, with no thought to creating structures that are in tune with their environment…
Have a look at any old buildings, and they give off a warmer feeling due to natural stone and wood being used…
Tell me I’m wrong.
We have a responsibility for future generations to leave them a planet in tune with natural materials, to create warm safe spaces, and not concrete wastelands…
Next time you’re thinking of using concrete, think what natural product could I use instead.
