Travel: Visiting Riviera Maya
June 15, 2009
I spent this past week in Tulum, Mexico on the Yucatan Peninsula. Although I noticed some changes since my first trip in ’96 , it’s still as beautiful as the first time. The buildings are sparse, the beaches are nearly pristine, the food is simple , the Mayan people are peaceful and the water is unforgetable. The intention for the trip was to rest, to swim,to read and to learn more about and practice Mysore Ashtanga Yoga. Although I’ve practiced Yoga over the past 7 years or so I’ve never appreciated it as I do now after learning about the Mysore style. The week was organized by New Orleans based Melanie Fawer , one of the very few women to be certified to teach this style of Yoga which originated in the Southern Indian city of Mysore. What’s interesting about Mysore is that it’s not ” led” by an instructor. Instead, students use their breathing to move them through the series of sequential postures. I learned to appreciate not only the rigor of the discipline but also the beauty and the grace that comes with it.
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Concreteworks recently wrapped up a semester long collaboration with the California College of the Arts Wood/Furniture Department. The Furniture 316 Production 1 class brief, led by instructor Russell Baldon , was to ” design and produce a small table with ideas of affordability , sustainability, and outsourcing as primary goals.” Alexis Moran , CCA Alum and Concreteworks Product Designer , guided the students through each of their technical challenges creating the opportunity for a robust dialog on materiality and some very successful furniture pieces. Cultural critic and CCA Professor, Philip Wood was also on hand to support the students. Scroll right here for more process and finished work.
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Concreteworks South Park Event 2.0
May 28, 2009
A little late posting but please join us tonight to celebrate the opening of our South Park Showroom. We will continue to feature Dcontex™ , our exclusive capability of combining 3D modeling software , CNC milling technology and Ductal. We will be presenting Dcontex™-Solar, a 3D shading screen. The event will be at our pop-up exhibit space tonight from 5 – 9 pm at 58 South Park in San Francisco. Food from Chris Geremia Catering and wine from Biondivino will be served. Please RSVP to alexis@concreteworks.com .
Concreteworks Exhibition 2009
April 30, 2009
In coordination with the National AIA Convention in San Francisco, Concreteworks invites you to join us for the opening reception of Concreteworks 2009, a pop-up exhibition. We will be introducing, Dcontex™, our new capability of cutting edge 3D wall panels and screens. The event will be at our pop-up exhibit space this Friday , May 1st, from 5 – 9 pm at 58 South Park in San Francisco. Food from B Restaurant and wine from Biondivino will be served. Please RSVP to alexis@concreteworks.com .
Concreteworks Jenner Lounge on HGTV
March 23, 2009
The HGTV film crew visited the Concreteworks Oakland Studio a while back to shoot an episode of the new series Superscapes starring host and landscape designer Gary Gragg. In typical Hollywood style they filmed both the beginning and the end of the episode in the same day. Schedule to air this summer, the show will feature the making and installation of the Jenner Lounge.
Concrete Relief
February 26, 2009
Concreteworks has been pushing the limits of concrete with collaborators David Wilson and Chris Parlette of WA Design for over 15 years on over 15 projects. At this private residence in Berkeley, CA, corrugated fireplace wall-panels were custom made by milling a mold with a 3-axis CNC router. David and Chris emailed us the file and we took over. Each of the 5 parts fit precisely into a 1/2″ thick stainless steel frame. As the challenges to accomplish 3D pattern and relief are presented we are expanding our capabilities to accommodate all new possibilities.
Aix Waterlite™
February 24, 2009
Every now and then Concreteworks is asked to design and fabricate something that is not concrete. In this case we at first did design a concrete water feature and then in the process talked the client out of it and the Aix Waterlite™ was born. Sitting squarely inside a modern garden designed by Bernard Trainor in Palo Alto , CA, this water-feature has it all ; design, light and sound. Inspired by landscape gabbion walls we used three simple materials; stainless steel, glass and resin. Thanks to co-engineer and resin technician Rob Newell for making the project a success.
Concreteworks at Margarido House – Northern California’s First LEED-H Platinum Home
February 23, 2009
In January, the Margarido House was awarded certification of LEED-H Platinum by the US Green Building Council, making it the first Platinum home in Northern California. Special thanks to Mark Rogero and the Concreteworks team for all their participation. Concreteworks sustainable solutions include countertops with 85% recycled content, exterior flatwork with 40% flyash, planters and the Concreteworks signature Jenner Lounge.
Concreteworks at 290 Mulberry , NoLita, NYC
February 22, 2009
Concreteworks is honored to have the opportunity to collaborate with SHoP Architects at the 290 Mulberry Project in New York City’s NoLita District. Currently under construction, Concreteworks is in the final phases of fabricating the custom bathtubs and sinks for both the master and guest suites in each of the 9 units. The building, across the street from the famous Puck Building, is architecturally significant for may reasons but most notably it’s award winning rippled panelized precast concrete facade system which plays on the historic use of brick elsewhere in the neighborhood. We’re sure the Concreteworks tubs and sinks will be award winning as well so stay tuned for photos of the finished project.
Concreteworks OSS
February 21, 2009
The Concreteworks OSS ( On Site Services ) team just returned from a two week excursion to a private island in the Caribbean. Led by Concreteworks OSS Coordinator, Travis Trapkus, the scope on this trip included creating custom poured in place finishes for the helicopter pad extension and the barge landing ramp. Preparations were also made for the installation of Concretworks Barcelona Soaking Tubs at the guest houses. For detailed information about Concreteworks OSS please contact us here:
