Upcoming Symposium Tackles the Rise and Future of Concrete Architecture

Concrete is the foundational building material of the modern age. Now, our concrete infrastructure and Modernist icons alike are aging and at risk. An upcoming symposium at the Weitzman School of Design brings together scholars, architects, engineers, and other building professionals to explore exactly how concrete came to dominate, and what we do to take care of the world that it built. In advance of Cement Age/Concrete Nation symposium, the organizers explain the urgency behind these questions, and what they hope to get out of the conference.

Frank Matero is the Gonick Family Professor and Chair of the Department of Historic Preservation. Irene Matteini is the scientific director at CONCRETO Academy, and a lecturer at Weitzman.

Many think about concrete in the context of the architecture of the 20th century, but this conference goes back further to the invention of cement 200 years ago. What do we gain from that wider historical perspective?

Irene Matteini: By gaining a broader historical perspective on modern concrete, beginning with the invention of artificial Portland cement 200 years ago—the milestone we celebrate today—allows for a deeper understanding of its rapid evolution, technological advancements, and applications over the past two centuries. No other building material has had such a profound impact on our cities and society. As François Coignet wrote in 1861, this new material “will transform the safety, well-being, health, and morality of mankind”—and indeed it has in many ways.

This broader view is important as we confront today’s challenges, especially considering that concrete buildings, now part of our collective built environment, are aging and require careful preservation and adaptation.

Frank Matero: Concrete is a material that has been reinvented several times since Roman engineers first applied the principles of hydraulic set to building. The introduction of Portland cement as well as other artificial cements together with the combination of ferrous reinforcement catalyzed the reemergence of the material as a new system of building that was a once versatile, strong, fireproof, and quick. In short, it was the right material for the moment and helped usher in the modern world.

Today concrete is hidden in plain sight, but its legacy demands a deeper dive into its significance but more importantly into its future. New demands, such as net zero carbon and sustainable building practices, require a reexamination of cement and concrete leading to innovation and refinement rather than banishment.

Today, cement is the third largest carbon dioxide emitter in the world. What do you hope practitioners take away from the conference about the future of cement-based materials?

FM: It is clear concrete is here to stay. So much of the world is already built of it, with years of future service life—if we repair and maintain it. The boom-bust stylistic trends cannot continue to dominate public architectural practice. Rather design approaches, such as revisioning the existing, need to find a stronger presence in what contemporary practice means.  

IM: I hope that the diverse range of speakers and disciplines represented at this conference will spark much-needed cross-industry collaboration—often lacking in this field. This synergy can empower us to develop and promote smarter and greener solutions for the rehabilitation and reuse of our extensive portfolio of existing concrete buildings, which are already part of our built environment.

How does the conference agenda tackle the internationality of this building material? How and why are international speakers involved?

IM: Concrete is everywhere, making it a truly democratic material. It is a man-made material, and while it may vary regionally, it faces similar challenges regardless of a building’s location. Establishing an international platform that brings together experts and professionals with different perspectives and experiences was a central goal of this conference. The exchange of best practices and knowledge is crucial to advancing our field.

FM: Concrete really is the international material of the modern world. Although we organized the symposium to mark [Joseph] Aspdin’s invention [of Portland cement] 200 years ago, its influence at the beginning of the 20^th century going forward is what we are interested in. As a universal artificial material, it reflected so many of the modern world’s attributes: quick, cheap, and available. That said, the material has proven to be incredibly versatile resulting in regional expression as well as global repetition.  The broad roster of speakers geographically and by discipline speaks to both.