LiTraCon
>> Translucent concrete made from fiber optic wires. <<
Project Type:
interior design
industrial/product design
architecture
Project Mission/Goal:
other: Innovative material which changes the way we live in concrete structures.
Project Description:
LiTraCon ("light transmitting concrete") is a translucent concrete building material. Made of fine concrete embedded with 4% by weight of optical glass fibers,[1][2] it was developed in 2001 by Hungarian architect Áron Losonczi working with scientists at the Technical University of Budapest.[3]
LiTraCon is manufactured by the inventor's company, LiTraCon Bt, which was founded in spring 2004. The head office and workshop is located 160 km from the Hungarian capital city of Budapest near the town of Csongrád. As of 2006 all LiTraCon products have been produced by LiTraCon Bt. The concrete comes in precast blocks of different sizes.
The most notable installation of it to date is Europe Gate a 4 m high sculpture made of LiTraCon blocks, erected in 2004 in observance of the entry of Hungary into the European Union. The product won the German "Red Dot 2005 Design Award" for 'highest design qualities'.[4]
Though expensive, Litracon appeals to architects because it is stronger than glass and translucent unlike concrete. It has been considered as possible sheathing for New York's Freedom Tower.[5]
Video(s):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dzULTrCEHjE
Project Details:
Project Location:
Date(s): XX to XX
Project Phase:
Client: designers
User Client: inhabitants of structure
Concept/Lead Architect(s)/Designer(s): Áron Losonczi
Contractor/Manufacturer: LiTraCon
Nominated by Vasilios Katsavrias
