Perfect in form and function

A visual highlight of the Sirava Thermal Park, which comprises four different pool landscapes arranged below its avant-garde roof, is the enormous ceiling of fair faced concrete set off by a glass “eye” serving as a natural light entry point at its centre. Here, the architect has deliberately exploited the optical effect produced by the formwork originally used for concrete placement.
The result: a fair faced concrete surface broken down into a great many individual structures. Rather than monolithic, the visual impression is one of playful patterns of light and shade, bringing the ceiling to life and providing a fascinating contrast to the water of the pools below. 
MC was brought into the team at the request of concrete supplier Zapa beton SK. In developing the concrete formulations, the concrete technologists of Zapa beton and MC turned to plasticisers of the product families Muraplast and MC-TechniFlow, plus an air-entraining agent from the Centrament Air product range. Aside from improved fluidity, this gave rise to a robust, compliant concrete. The significant reduction in the water requirement also led to a substantial improvement in early and final strength, as well as a denser and visually more attractive surface appearance. The project offers a good example of how proven MC admixtures can enhance not only the functional aspects of such builds but also their aesthetic charm.