Béton brut is a French term that translates in English to “raw concrete”. The term is used to describe concrete that is left unfinished after being cast, displaying the patterns and seams imprinted on it by the formwork. Béton brut is not a material itself, but rather an architectural expression of concrete.
History
The use of béton brut was pioneered by modernist architects such as Auguste Perret and Le Corbusier. Le Corbusier coined the term béton brut during the construction of Unité d'Habitation in Marseille, France built in 1952. The term began to spread widely after the British architectural critic Reyner Banham used it in the title of his 1966 book, The New Brutalism: Ethic or Aesthetic?, to characterize a recent cluster of new architectural design, particularly in Europe. Béton brut became popular among modern architects, leading to the creation of the brutalist architecture style which thrived in the 1950s-1970's. Brutalism stems from the philosophies of Modern architecture that promote the truth to materials which is achieved by their raw expression. The essence of the philosophy is seen in the imperfections of béton brut which stem from the idea to create an aesthetic based on the exposure of a building's components, including the frame, sheathing, and mechanical systems. The result is the visibility of the imprinted seams and construction methods of the formwork used to mold the concrete. This style of concrete is a part of structural expressionism, which emerged as steel structures became more advanced and viable.
Fabrication
After being cast, concrete will usually have a finishing treatment that smooths its surface, ridding it of any imperfections. In the case of béton brut, the concrete is left unfinished, expressing the pattern left by the formwork. Formwork is used in concrete construction as the frame for a structure in which fresh concrete is poured to then harden and take on the desired shape. Aesthetic of concrete surfaces can be varied with different formwork sheathing. The type of material used to create the formwork will have effects on the appearance of the final product. When Corbusier coined the term, he was specifically responding to board-marked concrete, which he used to construct many of his post-World War II buildings. When the formwork is lined with wood it is called board form. When lumber is used to create the formwork, the concrete picks up the grain structure as it sets, resulting in a texture on the poured concrete that resembles the wood. It is important to use the same type of wood throughout the job, especially on larger buildings where the molds may get repeated uses, because the lumber can absorb moisture, which may possibly affect the color of the concrete. Other raw patterns can be created by using textured metal formwork, or having the aggregate bush or pick hammered. Wood-imprinted concrete is still popular in landscaping, especially in some western European countries. Surface processing techniques can also be used to create the aesthetic of béton brut. Particularly high-quality poured concrete, achieved by leaving enough room between the formwork and the reinforcing bars for the concrete to flow freely, is called Sichtbeton in German and cemento a vista in Italian. Both terms translate roughly to "concrete for viewing".
