Size matters. 2020 trends – large-format slabs for paving.

This trend is evident both in the design of terraces, paths and driveways for detached houses, as well as in squares located in city centres, near office buildings and shopping centres. Large-format slabs in shades of grey, beige and sometimes Corten steel give the building’s surroundings a modern character. At the same time, they pay homage to tradition, as most historic squares and architectural complexes were built using large-format elements. Such surfaces can be found on many prestigious streets in historic city centres, as well as near centuries-old cathedrals, town halls or other buildings of significance to the city, for example in Piazza del Duomo in Florence, Italy, or St Mark’s Square in Venice. Even today, large-format slabs are used primarily to emphasise the prestigious character of a design. The only thing that has changed is the material from which they are made. Stone has been replaced by concrete slabs.

In a metropolitan setting…

A review of solutions used in contemporary architecture shows that large-format concrete slabs are extremely popular in modern designs.

– They are definitely a more economical solution, yet they are in no way inferior to natural materials in terms of aesthetics. Concrete slabs also have very good technical parameters. When laid correctly , they can last for many years ,” says Wojciech Średniawa, Chief Designer at Polbruk S.A.

They usually have a geometric, rectangular or square shape and come in shades of grey, beige or Corten steel. They provide a backdrop for the most important element of the development, namely the building or complex of buildings. Surfaces made of large-format slabs work very well over large areas. Their advantage is that they are easy to install. In turn, the smooth texture and the finish without a chamfer or with a micro-chamfer ensures that the surface is free of unnecessary unevenness. Walking on it is a pleasure.

Another argument in favour of using large-format slabs in urban architecture is their high functionality. They ensure the accessibility of the space for all user groups, including parents with children, the elderly and people with disabilities. This is perfectly illustrated by the layout of the space in front of Warsaw West station, where Polbruk Urbanika slabs were used for the paving. They blend in perfectly with the modern design of the station and the neighbouring office buildings with facades made of large-format glass panels. The slabs also blend in well with the surroundings of historic buildings. An example of such a project is the town square in Boguchwała. Urbanika 60 slabs were used there to pave the square adjacent to a historic building, which houses a cultural centre.

– In the coming years, large-format concrete slabs will remain a popular choice in urban design. For this reason, we are constantly expanding our portfolio with inspiring products. One of them is Polbruk Magna – says designer Polbruk . This slab was created with large urban thoroughfares and squares in mind. It comes in sizes of 50x75 cm and 100x75 cm, and features a wide range of mottled colours –nerino (white-grey-black),korten (graphite-brown-orange) andlatte (white-light sand). However, the large format is not just a solution for modern cities and metropolises …

but also in the home garden

The popularity of large-format concrete slabs extends beyond public spaces and is also clearly evident in the surroundings of newly designed detached houses. This is confirmed by the results of many prestigious architectural competitions for house designs and their surroundings. Modern architectural forms, characterised by minimalism, simplicity, geometric shapes and, at the same time, elegance, correspond perfectly with surroundings of a similar character. “This is precisely why large-format concrete slabs are frequently used in designs for domestic spaces ,” emphasises Wojciech Średniawa. Depending on their application, they must meet specific technical parameters. Walkways or combined footpaths and driveways laid with these slabs should form a cohesive compositional whole with the rest of the garden, whilst creating a contrast to the green vegetation.