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Artistic Carvings Make for Cutting-Edge Architecture

Modern architecture makes room for decoration with artistic designs carved into exterior concrete and interior wood

John Hill
I am an architect and writer living in New York City. I have Bachelor of Architecture and Master in Urban Planning degrees, and over ten years experience in architectural practice, split between Chicago and NYC. Currently I'm focused on writing and online pursuits. My daily blog can be found at http://archidose.blogspot.com
I am an architect and writer living in New York City. I have Bachelor of Architecture and Master in Urban Planning degrees, and over ten years experience in architectural practice, split between Chicago and NYC. Currently I'm focused on writing and online pursuits. My daily blog can be found at http://archidose.blogspot.com
While building materials often provide plenty of character through their inherent properties — the warmth and texture of wood, the veining of marble, the color of tile — they can also become a canvas for artistic expression.

In particular, concrete allows great amounts of expression, given the way it is formed and the time needed for it to set. These houses offer inspiration for exploring artistic texture both on exteriors and in interiors.
contemporary exterior by S2 design
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Laser-Cut Designs in Victoria, Australia

S2 Design created three townhouses built around a landmark 1920s electrical substation in Balaclava, Victoria, Australia. Of concern here is a precast concrete wall that forms the south edge of the residences. You can see the undulating line of the wall in the center of this photo.
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Most of the 100-foot-long wall is about 20 feet high, but at its high point it tops off near 30 feet. Rough aggregate marks the tops of most of the panels, but the significant expressions are the reliefs by artist Damon Kowarsky.
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Kowarsky's artwork was transferred to digital files that were used to laser cut the shapes into formwork. So unlike Christopher Griffin's quick marks in wet concrete, Kowarsky's art is figured out and aided by intermediate steps before the concrete is even mixed.
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In a few areas, glass blocks are set into the concrete panels, serving bathrooms in the residences on the other side of the wall. Kowarsky and S2's work comes together at these moments.
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