A Cure for Concrete is a Crossing Parallels residency project with Stephen Picken, Professor of Polymer Materials, Delft University of Technology. It steers creation of visual imagery on concrete surfaces by experimenting with by-products of the wastewater treatment process added to Stephen’s existing, but underused, concrete curing* compound Delft Green. The resulting ornamentation-by-chemical-reaction-and-physical surface-drying was intended not only make buildings more beautiful, but also ensure concrete longevity.

The most exciting results have been achieved with the combination of Delft Green curing compound and Vivianite – ironic because Vivianite is known in the history of painting for being an unstable pigment. Interesting ‘organic’ patterns emerged with a likeness to my existing photographic work, which give us a glimpse into additions to our urban concrete landscape that could improve wellbeing through organicity.

For more details see the project blog and install shots.

*Inadequate protection of concrete while it sets causes 80% of all damage to concrete. Producing the key ingredient, cement, accounts for 8% of global CO2 emissions. The least we can do is ensure the concrete we do use will last as long as possible, by curing it properly.