GLAZED CONCRETE TECHNOLOGY 1998–2015
MATERIALS – SCALE AND EXPRESSION THROUGH FRACTURE MECHANICAL DESIGN
I developed Specific Glazed Concrete at the Technical University of Denmark,
a material designed for large-scale, thin, and bendable ceramic facades.
This innovation emerged from a fundamental challenge: when ceramics
scale up, their mechanical behavior shifts, making them more vulnerable to cracks
and impact loads. To overcome this, material design must evolve, considering scale,
form, and context.
INTERDISCIPLINARY DESIGN
My approach fuses fracture-mechanical principles, material science, architecture,
and artistic vision, translating them into resilient facades, site-specific sculptures,
and architectural elements. Some of these works are showcased here, revealing the
interplay of strength and fragility, precision and poetry.
THE JOURNAY INTO GLAZED CONCRETE
This journey began with my Ph.D. at Aarhus School of Architecture (1998),
continued through a Boligfonden Kuben-funded project (2005–2007)
at the Danish Art Workshops, and expanded further with a Realdania-funded
research project (2009–2014) at the Technical University of Denmark,
among other contributions from the Danish Art Foundation.
I published a book at Polytechnical Publisher 2015 where I present glazed concrete and
shares the cross-disciplinary design method that underpins my approach, integrating
natural sciences, architecture, and artistic exploration.
Download the book for free or purchase the hardcover via Polytechnical Publisher
FUNDED BY
The Realdania Foundation
The Danish Government Art Fund
J. L. Foghts Fond (foundation)
Danmarks Nationalbanks Jubilæumsfond
Dreyers Foundation 2014
A poster presented at a innovationday at The Technical University Of Denmark, DTU.
Large scale thin and bendable stone ware ceramic Glazed Concrete facades – Panels 160 cm x 50 cm x 1-2 cm.
From the Danish Art Workshops where I in 2012 created some of the Glazed Concrete facades –
refering in scale to the size of the kiln being only 160 cm long aiming at finding a kiln being 240 cm long.
Large scale thin and bendable stone ware ceramic Glazed Concrete facades – Panels 160 cm x 50 cm x 1-2 cm.
Pages from the book about Glazed Concrete published at Polytechnical Publisher 2015.
MY DREAM WAS TO CREATE MATERIALS WE WILL KISS
I dreamt of creating materials so alluring we’d want to kiss them—even if born from concrete—
framing our cities as both art and architecture.
Expanding to large, thin glazed concrete panels demands engineering finesse, where material
technology is shaped by scale, loads, and form to achieve bendable ceramics.
Facades define our shared spaces; thus, material design must embrace aesthetics, speaking to
our senses and emotions. To me, art is inseparable from material innovation.
The vision was to honor the essence of both concrete and ceramic—allowing each to remain
distinct, yet in dialogue, merging strength with delicate expression.
GALLERIES AND MUSEUMS – FOR EXAMPLE DISPLACEMENTS – ARTINSTALLATION
DANISH ART WORKSHOP – GLAZED FACADES
INTERNATIONAL CERAMIC RESEARCHCENTER GULDAGERGÅRD
AT LANCASHIRE UNIVERSITY PROFESSOR DAVID BINNS AND ALAISDAIR BRENNER ALSO WORK WITH GLAZED CONCRETE WITH ANOTHER PERSPECTIVE –
THEY HAVE DONE MARVELOUS SUSTAINABLE INVESTIGATIONS INTO THIS THEME.
ALSO JOHN GIBSON WORKED INTO THIS FIELD OF INVESTIGATION
THE ISOLATED – LIGHT WEIGHT GLAZED CONCRETE PANELS.