Pouring concrete into fabric moulds allows designers to create dramatic, sculptural shapes that could soon be used for architectural structures. We've selected six of the most interesting examples, including a new casting technique using robots. More about Six examples of fabric-cast concrete that are breaking the mould
Designers Ron Culver and Joseph Sarafian have developed a method of casting concrete in Lycra stretched by robotic arms, which they believe could be used to create radical new architectural forms (+ movie). More about Fabric-cast concrete is the construction method of the future, say designers
A group of graduates from London's Bartlett School of Architecture has developed an experimental technique for creating intricate building components by wrapping sticks in stretchy fabric and using them to cast concrete (+ slideshow). More about Bartlett students create building components from skeletal modules wrapped in stretchy "skin"
Japanese studio Schemata Architecture Office cast concrete in a fabric bag to give the counter of this confectionary kiosk in Tokyo the texture of a boiled sweet (+ slideshow). More about Papabubble at Tokyo Daimaru by Schemata Architecture Office
Industrial design graduate Florian Schmid made these stools by folding fabric that's impregnated with cement then drenching it in water. More about Stitching Concrete by Florian Schmid
De Hogeschool West-Vaanderen graduate Janwillem Van Maele cast this concrete side table inside a suspended fabric mould. More about Mass IIII by Janwillem Van Maele
Here's another student project that involves filling stitched structures with concrete (see Grompies by AA students in our earlier story), this time by architecture students Kyle A. Sturgeon, Chris Holzwart and Kelly Raczkowski from the University of Michigan. More about FattyShell (v.01) by Kyle Sturgeon, Chris Holzwart and Kelly Raczkowski
UK company Concrete Canvas have been awarded Material of the Year 2009 by materials consultancy Material ConneXion for their cement-impregnated fabric. More about Concrete Cloth by Concrete Canvas