Architects accused of cowardice

Concrete specialist David Bennett has thrown the gauntlet down to architects who prefer to specify pre-cast and rendered concrete instead of in situ concrete.

In a speech next Tuesday at the Royal Institute of British Architects, Bennett will say there are a lot of cowards in architects' offices who like to hide behind pre-cast concrete.

"An architect should get to know the material well by rolling his sleeves up and working as a concrete labourer," Bennett told CJ.

Not all architects incur Bennett's wrath. He applauds architects at Foster and Partners for having opted for in situ concrete at Oxford University's social science faculty building.

However, Michel Foex, an architect at Fosters pointed out that the use of in situ concrete is more widespread in countries like France. "It is a cultural difference," explained Foex. "In France the trade of a brickie is very rare whereas in situ is the standard solution and the French substitute it for pretty much any masonry construction."

Not everyone prefers precast concrete. Architect Joyce Owens at Azman Owens is currently building a private house for a client in totally exposed in situ concrete, but she admitted it is hard going.

"We didn't think it would be as hard as it is," said Owens. "It's a case of a bit of ignorance and a lot of courage."

But there is one element no-one can argue with. "In situ concrete has one hummungus weakness for a wet northern country," said Piers Gough from CZWG Architects. "It weathers badly."