Light structure

The aim of the project is to produce load-bearing, filigree, three-dimensional components made of translucent concrete in one piece. To achieve this, optical fibers, textile reinforcement, high-performance concrete and craftsmanship are combined with visionary forms. The result is a new interpretation of concrete as a building material - a light structure.

Architectural elements made of translucent concrete are currently limited to façade panels or wall cladding to create backlit lighting effects. The manufacturing process of these elements is important: as a rule, large blocks are produced by inserting concrete and optical fibers in layers. Thin slabs, for example, are then produced by saw-cutting and polishing. Neither load-bearing components with textile reinforcement nor three-dimensional jointless components can be realized with this technique.

The solution lies in the multifunctionalization of the fibre optic cables together with an adaptation to the manufacturing process. A carrier textile, which is shaped three-dimensionally, forms the basis. Fiber optic cables are attached to the textile in the desired density and then integrated into the formwork. The development of a preferred variant means a high degree of coordination and thus research and development effort between the concrete matrix, the reinforcement, the desired light transmission, the shape and the manufacturing process.