Off-form concrete may be a popular building material but it is far from the only way concrete can be included in a build, with rammed concrete being a striking alternative delivering an epic visual contrast.
“Rammed concrete differs from off- form concrete, which is made using a more runny concrete poured into formwork and allowed to dry,” Humphrey Homes Owner and Director Dean Humphrey said.
“Similar to rammed earth in its construction, the material for rammed concrete is usually mixed quite dry with minimal water.
“It is then installed in between formwork panels, where it is rammed using a pneumatic ramming tool, which creates a layered, stratified look.
“As it starts as wet concrete, it is denser and the finished surface is a smoother texture without the stratified layers.
“It is an organic material, so its beauty comes from its irregularity and imperfections.”
Mr Humphrey finds the rich texture of rammed concrete can make it a powerful element in a home design, comparing it to the effect incorporating stonework has.
“It adds visual strength, texture and interest to a home,” he said.
“There is the flexibility to create a variety of colours and textures, depending on the size and type of aggregate used, the level of compaction, and the type and colour of sand and cement.
“Externally rammed concrete helps to ground a home, creating visual ballast to anchor other materials and elements.
“It can be used to flow from the exterior to the interior, blurring the lines between the indoors and outside.”
When using any material, it’s also crucial to consider its practical side – aspects such as the material’s strength or ability to retain heat.
It is in these aspects that rammed concrete can truly shine.
“Being a high-density material, rammed concrete has a high thermal mass – it takes a long time to heat up and cool down,” Mr Humphrey said.
“With smart positioning, it can be used to help naturally heat a home in winter or cool it in summer.
“Due to its density, it also has excellent acoustic properties, making it a great choice for walls facing busy streets.”
All of these features of rammed concrete made it the ideal choice for Humphrey Homes’ builds in Floreat and City Beach.
These homes contrast rammed concrete with other materials to create designs which are strong but not imposing, punctuating the concrete walls with slot windows.
“We chose rammed concrete for its organic, tactile quality,” Mr Humphrey said.
“In both cases, the concrete transitioned from outside to inside and was used as a barricade to the street.
“Slot windows give some transparency, but the aim was to create protection.
“It was also used to ground the building and create a centrepiece for the rooms around it.
“Contrary to popular belief, rammed concrete is not a cold, harsh material.
“Its texture makes it feel warm and welcoming – as can be seen in the guest suite of the City Beach residence – and its mass creates a feeling of safety and security.”
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This story first appeared in The West Australian's New Homes liftout on October 7, 2023