Konkrétn

Konkrétn is a term used in architecture and design to denote a material-centric approach to planning, construction, and form, with concrete as the primary medium. The concept centers on making material honesty and the expressive potential of concrete central to both aesthetics and performance in built work.

Origins and scope of usage are diffuse, with the term appearing in critical essays, design discourse, and exhibition catalogs in the 2010s and 2020s. It draws on influences from Brutalism and contemporary practices in modular fabrication and prefabrication, while often emphasizing surface texture, formwork patterns, and the visible structure of concrete.

Core principles commonly associated with Konkrétn include the intentional exposure of concrete as a primary material, clarity of structural logic, and attention to durability, maintenance, and environmental impact. Projects described under this umbrella frequently employ modular systems, careful detailing of joints and finishes, and explorations of how concrete interacts with light, acoustics, and climate. The approach can also intersect with digital fabrication techniques and innovations in curing, reinforcement, and surface treatment.

In discourse and practice, Konkrétn is discussed as both a design philosophy and a set of technical considerations used to interrogate material culture in the built environment. It has influenced architectural education, public installations, and urban studies, while also attracting critique for perceived romanticization of industrial production and for debates over sustainability and social relevance.

See also: Brutalism; Concrete architecture; Material culture.