See-Through, Light-Transmitting … Concrete?!

[Lurker]

http://dornob.com/see-through-light-...rete-material/

See-Through, Light-Transmitting … Concrete?!

Concrete has a sometimes-bad reputation as a harsh, rigid, cold-to-the-touch and straight-edged material. Litracon is doing a great deal to change that image of concrete through a score of creative and sustainable applications for their patented light-transmitting concrete.

Filled with optical fibers that run from one end of a poured piece of concrete to the other, these prefabricated blocks and panels effectively transmit light from one side to the other. Colors and light remain remarkably consistent from end to end, but with a natural variation from the pouring process that actually softens the effects considerably.

The fibers can transmit light to over 50 feet and, as they occupy only a small percentage of the total concrete block or panel, they do not significantly effect the structural capabilities of the poured pieces.

One could imagine all kinds of artistic as well as functional applications for this new-and-improved form of concrete. Daylighting possibilities abound and all with potentially much lower heat loss and cost and with greater durability.

Perhaps best of all it puts another broad-ranging, highly versatile material choice in an architect’s or builder’s structural tool kit - what designers do with this solid-but-see-through substance ultimately will probably surprise us all.


Maybe they should try using this stuff to replicate the geometry while replacing some of the existing surfaces at City Hall?

Egress stairs and fire doors made of concrete could open up a world of day-lighting possibilities.

EDIT:
Company's website.
http://www.litracon.hu/

Looks like it's been around since 2004 in Hungary and slowly coming into use as the price fell.

[ablarc]

Originally Posted by Lurker

Filled with optical fibers that run from one end of a poured piece of concrete to the other, these prefabricated blocks and panels effectively transmit light from one side to the other.

Like wheels on suitcases, this nifty idea was just waiting under our noses for someone to think of it.

[vanshnookenraggen]

I was at an AIA event tonight and saw this on display. It was kinda interesting but would probably be more impressive on a large scale and with direct sunlight.

[unterbau]

i remember hearing about this years ago, but i have yet to see it in use