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Transparent Concrete

Posted by michael on from the mandated-by-anti-terrorism-act-of-2004 dept.

rakerman writes: "The Economist reports in How to see through walls that development is underway on translucent concrete, with hopes of eventually developing transparent concrete. Can transparent aluminium be far behind?"

3 of 361 comments (clear)

  1. Re:I may as well say it.... by rehannan · · Score: 5, Interesting
    From the article:
    He has visions of cities that glow from within, and buildings whose windows need not be flat, rectangular panes, but can be arbitrary regions of transparency within flowing, curving walls.

    That sure sounds remarkably like Apple's philosophy...

  2. Transparent building materials by Hougaard · · Score: 5, Interesting

    The real problem with transparent building materials is that people inside want to control the transparency, just look at your own home, you got curtains and shades on all(most) windows.

    A classic problem with new hightech buildings (Glass 'n metal) is climate control, its nice to be able to look outside, but if the sun is starring you right back its not that fun. So you tint the windows :)

    The next problem is that in those buildings the light that gets through is not white light (sunlight) anymore, and working in that kind of buildings can cause depressions very similary to winter depressions.

    Remember: Architects are just building nerds :)

  3. Is it really concrete? by Eminence · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Can material described in the article really be called "concrete"?

    As it is written there its only resemblance to concrete is that it consists of coarse aggregate, fine aggregate and binding agent. But this is not a recipe for concrete only - also for other materials. Also, Dr. Price's secret material can't be poured or produced on site - one the main reasons of traditional concrete popularity. It would probably find its use in form of blocks of translucent material, that could be used to enhance possibilities for architects but what Dr. Price is trying to do is another building material, which is very interesting indeed but can hardly be called "concrete".