Glossary

Aesthetics are in the eye of the beholder. While we are happy to offer advisory suggestions, it is always the individual vision and goals of the client that we follow. From nearly sterile homogeneity to an industrial character in the "shabby chic" style, we realize any type of design and concrete aesthetics. Beyond partial interventions, we design the overall appearance of exposed concrete surfaces in rooms and entire buildings.

Air pockets in concrete, known as "Lunker," appear as holes on the surface of a concrete element. They can be caused, for example, by thermal contraction during the manufacturing process or by improper compaction. While air pockets are simply part of exposed concrete, occasionally extremely large air pockets or a concentration of many air pockets in one area can be perceived as disruptive and can be treated selectively by us.

The artistic exposed concrete design by Strotmann and Partners is now sought after worldwide. In Germany, we have designed and refined exposed concrete surfaces from Lübeck to Constance and from Aachen to Dresden. Additionally, we are very proud to be in demand beyond the borders. Not only in our neighboring countries of Belgium, France, Luxembourg, Austria, and Switzerland, but also in Slovakia, Norway, Russia, and even the USA (New York, Miami, Washington DC, Chicago), we have successfully designed concrete.

During the construction of concrete structures, it can happen that already finished concrete elements are affected by the pouring of adjacent concrete elements. A common damage phenomenon occurs when liquid cement slurry unintentionally flows over finished concrete elements and dries on the surface. Cement slurry is a persistent contamination that is often difficult to remove without damaging the actual concrete surface. However, through post-treatment of the surface within the scope of artistic concrete design, an optimal appearance can be achieved.

Dirt is unavoidable. It occurs due to intent, negligence, accident, or simply aging. We offer solutions for every type of contamination, from pencil and marker markings, paint splatters, and rubber abrasion to improperly applied sealants, rust spots, and biogenic growth (algae formation).

Color differences can occur within an exposed concrete element and may be perceived as a defect or not, depending on taste. Often, there are disruptive discrepancies in adjacent concrete elements, which can be due to different concrete recipes, for example, requiring different strength classes. Through individually tailored stains, individual concrete elements can be color-matched to improve the overall appearance.

A typical feature of exposed concrete is the anchor or tension holes that are closed with so-called cones. They are an important design element and, along with the joint pattern, significantly contribute to the overall appearance of facades and interiors. Here, the harmonious distribution is crucial, which may not always be the case. It is possible not only to close unnecessary anchor holes so that it appears as though there was never an anchor hole in that spot, but we can also faithfully recreate missing anchor holes in the appropriate locations.

Just as we can eliminate defects, we can also remove concrete protrusions. Depending on the extent, the removal of concrete protrusions may occasionally cause new minor damages, which can be easily remedied through artistic concrete design.

Exposed concrete is divided into four quality classes, from SB1 to SB4, with SB1 having the lowest and SB4 the highest requirements. Strotmann and Partners are capable of enhancing any exposed concrete quality.

To achieve a homogeneous yet vibrant appearance of concrete, we recommend, depending on the condition of the concrete, a full-surface application of a concrete stain. This lightly pigmented stain is transparent, allowing the underlying texture to shine through. The color structure is preserved while the overall color is unified, enhancing the overall visual impact.

We are happy to provide consultations. Collaboration and communication with architects, engineers, contractors, raw/concrete builders, and of course, clients, is of utmost priority to implement aesthetic ideas and artistic visions to complete satisfaction. Each project and client is individually perceived by us, and their wishes are realized.

Defects can have various causes. Whether they are breakouts caused by de-shuttering, improperly placed recesses (e.g., for an electrical outlet), or aggregate nests formed during concrete casting, we can work these defects both visually and haptically so that they are no longer noticeable.

Upon request, we can provide you with comprehensive documentation of the work we have performed on your project, including before-and-after photos.

For over 20 years, we have been active in the field of artistic exposed concrete design. By selecting appropriate materials, most of which we have developed ourselves, and leveraging our extensive professional experience, we have devised methods that are optimally suited for both indoor and outdoor areas, ensuring long-lasting durability.

We can do more than just "repair" concrete. If desired, we can turn your (e.g.) drywall into a concrete wall. Whether exposed concrete or board formwork: through the application of a special filler, whose surface is re-profiled as needed and finished with a high-quality artistic illusion painting, it will be indistinguishable from a real concrete wall after completion.

A special feature of exposed concrete is the so-called joint pattern, which results from the arrangement or adjacency of the formwork boards used. Unfortunately, there are often areas where the joint pattern is disturbed by irregularities, for example, when uneven formwork boards have been used. By selectively eliminating sections of joints and subsequently creating new joint sections in the appropriate places, we can optimize joint patterns into a harmonious overall image.

The materials we use should match the properties of the original building material as closely as possible (such as hygroscopic or thermal shrinkage and swelling) to avoid stress and potential new damage. Depending on the project, custom-fit filler materials are developed and scientifically tested in our in-house laboratory. The materials we use are always mineral, capillary-active, and vapor-permeable.

To protect our research achievements, we have so far obtained the following patents:

• Method for producing a mixture comprising calcium hydroxide
• Method for producing lime usable in the construction and paint industries as well as in the restoration sector
• Method for rehabilitating damaged and deteriorated exposed concrete surfaces (applied for)

For every problem, there is a solution. Thanks to our artistic understanding, practical experience with various types of concrete and concrete designs, and the knowledge we have gained through research, we have many solution options readily available. As building materials and work techniques evolve, new problems also arise in parallel. We see these as special challenges that we are happy to take on.

It may be advisable to apply a protective coating such as hydrophobic treatment or graffiti protection. Adhering to conservation principles is very important to us: additional coatings should be capillary-active and vapor-permeable so as not to negatively affect the climate of an object. Moreover, the appearance of the surface should not be impaired by a protective glaze. We provide consultation on suitable products and material compatibility upon request and can also execute the job.

Aesthetic defect remediation of a flaw involves more than just "filling the hole" and color matching; it also includes adapting to the surface texture. We faithfully recreate the texture of various surfaces, such as exposed concrete, board formwork, washed concrete, acid-etched, sandblasted, ground, or bush-hammered surfaces.

In addition to general surface texture reconstruction, we naturally also replicate architectural details such as construction joints, butt joints, and decorative joints of all kinds to create an appealing joint pattern when viewed both up close and as a whole.

Everything in the world is constantly evolving, and so are we. Improving work techniques and developing new materials is not only a personal priority for us, but it is also essential to meet the needs of clients, projects, and ourselves. The development of new concepts and scientific investigations often takes place in our in-house laboratory. We also frequently collaborate on international research projects, such as the 7th EU Research Framework Programme Stonecore or the Central Innovation Programme for SMEs (ZIM) funded by the German government.

We can balance out color discrepancies both partially, locally, and over large areas by applying a suitably adapted retouch. The area to be treated (e.g., stains that cannot be cleaned, patches with fillers) will be color-matched to the surrounding environment.

It is especially recommended for new potential clients to request the creation of a sample area on-site. A sample not only demonstrates the possibilities of what can be achieved, but it also provides a visual representation of the design objective, helping to clear up misunderstandings between client and contractor.

The duration of an artistic concrete design measure depends on the condition of the concrete and the client's expectations. Generally, a waiting period of at least three months after de-shuttering should have passed before concrete design begins. It is necessary to ensure that all crucial chemical processes for curing have been completed in the concrete. In the first three months after de-shuttering, color changes (usually lightening) can also occur. Additionally, we recommend scheduling concrete cosmetic work for the final phase of a construction project, as other construction activities could damage the artistic concrete design. Sample areas, of course, can be created earlier.