BlingCrete focusses on the R&D of new materials, material systems and products  as a service for small and midsize companies. We also assist architects, planners and striving builders in the project-related development and use of new and innovative solutions in the area of the functionalized surfaces. The context for these developments is the progressive groth of technology of materials that offers significant potential for designers and builders. This informs the structure of our work, which deals with the areas of Nano, Energy, Light, Climate and Information. The company offers individual and innovative solutions, customer proximity, personal contact and fast decision-making.

BlingCrete is an internationally targeted company based in Berlin. Along with architecture and art it unites expertise from the areas of product design, materials technology, and nanotechnology. Projects currently under way aim to develop new ways of working and sharing knowledge that build on the collaboration between artistic research, architecture-oriented design and experimental science (chemistry, biology, physics and nanotechnology research).

Our current portfolio includes

• Development of “high-tech/low-budget” materials and material systems, e.g. combinations of “simple” materials (wood, plaster, concrete, paper) with sensor-actor systems
• Preliminary development of room- and building-based partial solutions: individual, participative bricolage solutions instead of complex, comprehensive “smart home” control systems
• Scale-specific development (generation) and functional analysis of 3-D patterns (nano, micro, macro); reflexive alignment of and interchange between design processes in experimental physics, architecture and visual art.

The new material BlingCrete™, also known as light-reflecting concrete, will be honoured with the Design Plus Award for excellent and especially innovative design on the occasion of the Material Vision 2011.

BlingCrete™ is produced by Hering Bau International. The Structural Engineering division of Hering specializes in prefabrication and high-quality concrete surfaces. Prefabricated parts such as railway station platforms, façade elements or tiles can conceivably make use of BlingCrete™.