LiTraCon (light transmitting concrete) is an innovative building material which lets light pass through it. It’s made by weaving thin optical fibers (about 4%) through fine concrete. The glass blends with the concrete to form a new substance which is likely to have interesting applications in home building. Artists should have fun with it too. Since the glass is such a small component of LitraCon, it does not have a negative effect on the high compressive strength characteristic of concrete.
LiTraCon was invented in 2001 by Hungarian architect Aron Losonczi. Time magazine named it one of the “coolest inventions of 2004“. LitraCon won the red-dot Product design award in 2005 and was nominated in 2006 for the prestigious Design Award by the German Design Council.
The product can be seen in public in the town of Komarom, Hungary as Europe Gate, created in the summer of 2004 to celebrate Hungary’s entry into the European Union (EU).
Europe Gate
Read more about LitraCon here. Company website here.
(via Stumbleupon to ArchitectFad)
Further reading:
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Technorati Tags: Litracon, building materials, new products, Europe Gate
Thats some cool stuff
I want a house made of it
Definitely cool. Has anyone actually seen it used in residential homes yet?
Michael,
My research indicated it has been used in residential housing in Hungary, where the company is located. It might take a little time to see it in the US but you never know. Maybe someone has more info.
This is very cool stuff. I have heard about it but have not seen it used yet! Im sure it will arrive in NYC any second now…maybe someone can download it
This is really cool - sort of like those windows that go opaque at the flip of a switch and then back again. What will they think of next?
Hi Jennifer
How about building materials made out of trash, or vegetable oil?
http://tinyurl.com/324ule
Hey - my accountant’s car runs on vegetable oil - does that count? WEIRD!!!
On vegetable oil? Hmm.. I wonder if we could put it in the RV?
now there’s a thought… but you have to have a source - he gets his from the Chinese Restaurant around the corner!! Wonder if he gets hungry when he drives? Hmmmmm