An original and modern surface

Until recently, concrete paving blocks were mainly associated with the surfaces of car parks in front of large shopping centres or supermarkets. They were synonymous with boredom and blandness. However, those days are long gone. Contemporary concrete paving blocks and slabs offer a dazzling array of styles, colours and patterns. – Every year, new products appear in our range to complement our portfolio. This is driven by the needs of customers and architects, who are constantly seeking new solutions and inspiration for finishing paths, terraces and driveways around the home or in public spaces – says Wojciech Średniawa, Chief Designer atPolbrukS.A.  Designers of concrete pavers and slabs are increasingly seeking original solutions that allow them to create distinctive arrangements. They are experimenting with the shapes, patterns and colours of the pavers.

Kortenhighly sought-after

In modern architecture, shades of grey play a special role and are the most frequently used colour by architects. For some time now, however, the colour korten, reminiscent of the industrial style, has also been gaining increasing popularity. Initially, Corten steel was used for cladding on building façades, and subsequently for street furniture. Korten has also become fashionable as an alternative to grey for paving schemes. An example of a design solution characterised by a modern aesthetic in this very colour is Polbruk Metrik. If the project involves rectangular elements made from smaller precast units, Metrik is specifically designed for this purpose. This paver offers great design possibilities, as it can be laid in a standard pattern, in a staggered pattern, or in a ‘herringbone’ pattern, which is becoming very fashionable again after years of absence. Extravagant and original colours, such as korten, are not, however, the only surprising aspect of today’s concrete slab design. Increasingly, manufacturers are focusing on the inspiring shape or pattern of concrete elements.

Wheat ears, tiger stripes and hexagonal shapes

– new pavers and slabs also attract attention with their interesting designs. An interesting option with a wide range of applications (suitable for pavements, terraces and driveways, amongst others), due to its 8 cm thickness, is Polbruk Extrano. This is a large-format square slab measuring 50x50 cm, available in four shades of grey (white, steel, basalt, nerino). Its most interesting feature is the pattern cut into it. The regular holes in the slab are reminiscent of the stripes on a tiger’s fur or cubist ears of corn. In larger architectural settings, such as squares or driveways, a surface laid with these slabs resembles the deck of a futuristic spaceship. Extrano is ideal for modernist designs.

The slab Polbruk Exa also attracts attention with its innovative and surprising design. This time, it is not the pattern but the shape that stands out. Most of the paving materials available on the market are rectangular or square slabs and pavers. Exa is a pleasant surprise in this respect. It has a classic honeycomb shape with edges of varying lengths, giving it a dynamic and extravagant look. Exa is best suited for terraces and pedestrian walkways. However, due to its thickness of 4.5 cm, it is not suitable for use on driveways or other areas where vehicles travel.
Designer concrete slabs offer architects ever-greater possibilities when it comes to planning the layout of spaces around our homes and in public areas. As a result, we are seeing more and more spaces with interesting designs in our neighbourhoods. Of course, the surface is just one of the very important elements in shaping a space. The layout’s geometry, street furniture, and also – or perhaps above all – ingenuity and functionality are equally important.