Channeling the Organic Beauty of Concrete

“Nothing else is sort of like concrete,” says Kast Concrete’s founder and managing director Tim Bayes. The phrase’s been out about concrete’s versatility and trendy heat for a while, having recovered from the interval when it was most carefully recognized with the extreme austerity of Brutalist constructions like Le Corbusier’s Cité Radieuse and London’s Barbican Centre & Property. At the same time as Twentieth-century Brutalism has undergone its personal appreciative reevaluation, concrete itself has taken on a brand new, extra approachable forged, centering its natural qualities greater than its fearsome power – qualities that Bayes effectively understands. “Concrete begins out life as a liquid and combines the natural traits of pure stone with the power to be forged into any form and shade. Its versatility permits us to engineer merchandise that push the boundaries of design. Except for all this versatility, we predict concrete has a sure magic to it, too. It’s a stone that cures. It’s alive in some methods. No two items are ever the identical. It additionally has a up to date context that different stone supplies don’t have.”

Flor Double C4, Golden

Bayes first got here to think about concrete’s materials qualities rising up in Switzerland. “I used to be impressed by means of architectural concrete and the way in which it might be manipulated into distinctive shapes and kinds,” he says. “It was this expertise that drew me to the purity of the fabric and confirmed me the potential of its limitless nature when it comes to up to date product design.” Whereas a scholar on the College of Westminster his fascination with it grew. Over the subsequent twenty years, he would come to dedicate his work life to reckoning with its power and sweetness, experimenting with its suitability for industrial functions starting from furnishings design to inside surfaces.

Nors, Ember

Kast’s merchandise mirror that versatility. The Aura washbasin is minimalist however substantial, whereas the Iva is elegant, with Artwork Deco touches. The dual-sink, Sienna, wouldn’t have appeared misplaced in Oscar Isaac’s lair in Ex Machina, whereas the Sono appears prepared for set up in 2023’s greatest new eating places. For a single product (basins) and a single materials (concrete), Bayes and his crew are in a position to evoke a outstanding vary of intervals, moods, and aesthetics in 28 colours – from white to black, stopping by Mineral, Thistle, and Duck Egg, amongst others. That single focus is not any accident. “We have been the primary devoted assortment of concrete wash basins on the earth, and the primary to deliver patterned concrete basins to the market with the launch of our Kast Canvas assortment in 2018,” Bayes says. “Since then, we now have continued to innovate, pushing the boundaries of type, shade, and materials inside the lavatory trade.” (He additionally shared that “some thrilling new product developments” are coming later this 12 months.)

Rho A1, Ivory

Although you won’t guess that concrete can have a way of terroir – that ineffable high quality of fabric attachment to the land from which it comes – Bayes feels his supplies are deeply linked to the close by Sherwood Forest and the encircling panorama in central England’s Nottinghamshire. “Sherwood Forest is without doubt one of the oldest and most necessary habitats in Britain, and over time it has helped assist native communities and a number of other industries,” he says. “Our manufacturing facility continues the wealthy industrial historical past of Nottinghamshire, using the most effective makers, engineers, and craftspeople within the space. Years of data and expertise with a wide range of supplies and bodily making abilities underpins and elevates our design course of. The collaboration between our manufacturing facility and design studio provides us full management and adaptability with regards to designing and making, and it’s what permits us to proceed to enhance and innovate.”

Jura B1 with body, Peach

As Bayes developed the model’s on-line id, he targeted on Squarespace due to its technical versatility and an aesthetic sense that meshed effectively with Kast: smooth, trendy, environment friendly. “We have been initially drawn to Squarespace because of the appear and feel of the design-led templates that we felt aligned effectively with our model and would wish to emulate, even when we have been constructing a web site from scratch,” he says. “This, coupled with the easy, user-friendly interface, meant that we have been in a position to shortly and simply construct a professional-looking portfolio web site that lets our branding, photographs, and merchandise take heart stage.”

Rena B1, Blush

Bayes additionally appreciated that the benefit of use meant that his crew may replace the positioning, including new options or data, with out counting on costly exterior assist – and that they might transfer ahead with a minimal of fuss, wait, or expense. “It’s simple to keep up, which implies we will recurrently replace the web site with contemporary, new content material,” he says.

Pitch B2, Mineral

Given his absolute dedication to each utility and sweetness, Bayes says that Squarespace was the proper accomplice. “Squarespace provides us the extent of management we have to handle our content material simply and effectively, which has been invaluable to us as a small however fast-growing firm,” he says. “Our web site is now totally aligned with our design values and aesthetics, which creates a terrific first impression for brand new clients.”

For those who’re able to share your individual imaginative and prescient with the world, or construct a brand new model, take step one at present with Squarespace. Begin your free two-week trial and use coupon code DESIGNMILK if you’re able to get 10% off your first area.*

*Supply solely applies to first cost of subscription on Squarespace, doesn’t apply to future recurring funds or month-to-month plans, and is probably not mixed with another supply codes or reductions.