The initiative for the Prefab Concrete Casestudies originates from striving towards a more intense, exploring and fruitful communication between manufacturers of prefab concrete and designers. The Casestudies are organized in such a way as to focus this communication on the development of the product – prefab concrete. As such an innovative approach of design, application and manufacturing becomes the main issue.

Concrete is often seen as an economic choice. In which en aesthetic less attractive result is taken as unavoidable ingredient. Despite a growing amount of very outspoken and attractive examples, in which concrete explicitly is deployed for its aesthetic properties, most designers are deprived from these ‘Swiss’ and ‘Japanese’ arts. In the experience of many designers and clients, concrete often remains gray, dull and heavy. And most of all it seems to limit the possibilities for designers to ‘mould’ the materials to their needs.

The Prefab Concrete Casestudies are used to bring a wide-ranging group of designers – both from well-known offices with large portfolios as well as from small and starting practices – in dialogue with the industry. A dialogue which does not merely provide information on existing possibilities and introductions to the latest developments, but one in which designers are being asked what they wish to make. Regardless of the existing knowledge of the designers related to technical options their ambitions are brought into discussion. The industry itself is being asked to temporarily discard existing and seemingly implicit limitations with regard to manufacturing and finances. Each question is valid within the Casestudies. Each proposal is treated seriously and professionally. No matter if it concerns the reproduction of an existing and exotic example, a totally new application, a real problem from ones practice or a true challenge to the industry to use concrete seemingly contrary to its ‘natural’ material properties. Each idea is presented, developed and finally transformed into a work-description for manufacturing during two brainstorm sessions.

The first brainstorm session of each Casestudy focuses on the bases and backgrounds of the ideas. Possible existing examples or relevant projects in other materials are discussed in order to develop the idea. Past experiences from designers as well as manufacturers and technicians are used to specify the idea even more. Not so much in order to bring the idea within already accepted solutions. But in order to let the idea mature and in order to be able to deploy possible similar elements from other ideas within the Casestudy as good and efficient as possible. The aim of this first brainstorm session is simple and absolute: how could the proposal of a designer be accomplished? Knowledge and experience regarding limitations in manufacturing or application are used positively to avoid well-known traps and to efficiently find new and different solutions.

During the second brainstorm session the matured and categorized proposals are developed into descriptions for manufacturing. Possible new techniques, aggregates or combinations with other products are identified and distributed amongst the manufacturers with the most appropriate facilities for each prototype. Form and dimensions of the prototypes as well as the ways of manufacturing are tuned to the expectations of the results – how can one best establish a specific prototypes merits – and the capacities of the manufacturers.

After production an evaluation follows in which the prototypes are reviewed. Are the expectations met? Did any new ideas surface during manufacturing and were they used? Are designers and producers strengthened in their ambitions? And are the first results reason for a continuation of the research?

The Casestudies are seemingly focused on research and development of concrete. The invitation to the designers seems to be very clear about that. Even more than pure product development the Casestudies are foremost an introduction into different cultures. Those of designers and manufacturers. De proposals are often so extreme that within the very short time span of a Casestudy there can only be a first and extremely important step towards a serious product innovation. Nevertheless promising prototypes are being further researched and developed.

The core of the Prefab Concrete Casestudies as presented by the initiators is to discover each others fascinations, ambitions and potential. The potential of concrete. The fascinations for the material by designers as well as the industry. And the ambitions for aesthetics, manufacturing and innovation.