AFTER CONCRETE

Concrete is a highly transformative building material. Its story begins in the ancient world, where early builders discovered that mixing lime with volcanic ash created a remarkably strong substance. The invention of Portland cement in the 19th century, and concrete's systematic reinforcement with steel in the 20th, further revolutionized modern construction. While concrete remains a hard-to-replace material, the huge carbon footprint and environmental impact of its production have become the focus of much recent research and concern.