Precast Concrete in Architecture

Precast concrete has played a vital role in the international development of contemporary architecture. No longer used only to clad buildings, precast components often function additionally as the primary structural frame, and this has enabled architects to create distinctive structural designs in their own particular style. This book traces the development of the architectural use of precast concrete for individually designed buildings from the re-discovery of concrete in the early 19th century to the present day. It assesses the hitherto neglected contributions of early innovators, such as W.H. Lascelles and Thomas Edison, and takes a look at the pioneering work of August Perret in France, and of his pupil, Le Corbusier, whose awareness of the potential of precast concrete for mass production must be a key factor in any appreciation of his work. An important technical section deals with practical considerations, including the selection of surface finishes and problems of 'perfect fit' in precasting; practical advice is given on detailing to avoid rainwater staining; likely trends in the use of natural stone for facing precast concrete are assessed; and the possibilities of materials such as GRC are described. The final part provides a comprehensive review of significant buildings constructed in precast concrete. A number of these are grouped by architectural practice and give a measure of the contribution made by some of the leading architects during this period. A wide selection of British, American and European buildings is presented, with a wealth of illustrations, including detailed drawings and key technical data to show how individual buildings are 'put together.'