Formwork tectonics

In a series of photographs, my friend Signe Ulfeldt has documented formwork-tectonic details right after a concrete pour. Her photos lifts the introductory chapters of my dissertation - but why not share the niceness with the readers of Concretely.

[Image of newly poured fabric formed concrete at TEK1 2011. Photo: Signe Ulfeldt]

For fabric formwork there is a direct relation between formwork design and concrete form and surface. The role of the construction of formwork structures thus acquire careful attention to all details. Yet, the aesthetics of formwork structures while performing its duty supporting concrete is left only as traces or more directly as impactos on the cured concrete structure after the formwork has been removed.

[Images of newly poured fabric formed concrete at TEK1 2011. Photo: Signe Ulfeldt]

Photographic attention

Signe assisted in the making of Composite Column in 2010. In 2011, the last concrete workshop I organized and taught before writing up my doctoral dissertation, and which I will defend two weeks from today...,  Signe exchanged her physical assistance with that of the observer. She focused her photographic attention on the relation between formwork structures and the freshly placed concrete in a series of photographs that I just love. The materials and rhythm of the formwork structures are captured to form graphical patterns of their own. The concrete is still fresh and the fabric is 'sweating' excess mix water. Yet only the image of a masonry tool, above, and the home made 'sewing aggregates', below, refer to the recent presence of the workshop participants and a massive concrete truck.

[Images of newly poured fabric formed concrete at TEK1 2011. Photo: Signe Ulfeldt]

[Images of newly poured fabric formed concrete at TEK1 2011. Photo: Signe Ulfeldt]

Benches on the Quay

The attentive fabric-former may wonder about the extensive presence of timber in the images. Well, the TEK1 2011 was all about benches and the focus upon the use of fabrics as formwork turned out the receive a smaller role than most student groups' desire to design, the assignment for the workshop was a bench for the quay behind the studios of the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, School of Architecture. (RDAFASA). You can still come around and enjoy the afternoon sun sitting on some of the results.

Thanks again Signe for the nice work -