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Concrete Hero
Cody Carpenter was awarded Best of Show, Best Bath, Best Integral Sink, and Best Fireplace in the 2012 CHENG Concrete Circle of Distinction Design Challenge by judges Fu-Tung Cheng, designer (Cheng Design, Cheng Products, CHENG Concrete), Miranda Jones, former Style Editor of Sunset Magazine, and Jim Peterson, president of Concretenetwork.com. Dominating the competition this year with the Best of Show and three Best in Category winning projects, Carpenter also received four honorable mentions in the Outdoor Living, Furniture, and Sculpture categories.
Design + Expertise
The Best of Show award went to Carpenter of Architectural Concrete Interiors (ACI) located in Phoenix, AZ, for Timo Bar, a commercial restaurant project for which Carpenter acted as general contractor, designer, and fabricator to produce an extraordinary concrete bartop and walls. Using a form made of finish-grade plywood veneered with high gloss laminate, Carpenter decided on the cast-in-place method to develop a sense of visual movement by playing with and creating varied color striations in the monolithic concrete bar.
“I wanted to give the counter space a more defined separation of finish, so I decided to seed the top with glass aggregate, and grind/polish into the aggregates,” says Carpenter. “At the seam at the long run, I created a channel with inlaid thunder eggs which I was given by a fellow artisan that hand-collected them in the Seattle area.” The bar features a hammered foot rail set into the concrete wall that doubles as protection from chair legs and a removable powder-coated pewter bar countertop shot rail cleverly suspended on inlaid steel pins.
Carpenter does both pre-cast and poured-in-place concrete projects. “I find most of my larger decorative cast-in-place projects to be a challenge, which always makes them exciting. They require extensive formwork due to the amount of pressure the form must withstand during vibration. Using these types of casting techniques always keeps me on my toes. The most exciting part is the de-molding process, in which the finished cast is finally revealed,” says Carpenter.
Carpenter has been working with concrete for eight years and often incorporates steel, stainless steel, iron and glass into his projects. He praises concrete for “its structural integrity, finish, color, and versatility.” Carpenter adds, “There is no other material that could be used besides concrete to achieve the same results.”
2012 Best of Show, CHENG Concrete Exchange Design Challenge
Recognized in the industry as the pinnacle of exceptional design and craftsmanship, the CHENG Concrete Exchange Design Challenge showcases talent and technical skill of the very best in creative concrete.
About Architectural Concrete Interiors (ACI)
ACI prides itself on creating one-of-a-kind spaces and concrete castings. From large commercial projects to custom residential pieces; ACI works closely with each client to ensure all design needs are manifested into a unique and long-lasting feature. Their attention to detail is reflective in the quality of every finished piece, big or small.
Owner/Designer Cody Carpenter was born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona. Witnessing the architectural development in the fast growing Southwest, Cody was inspired by the forms and began exploring design through painting and sculpture. As a young adult, Cody began work in the construction industry and experienced the multiple dimensions of residential and commercial remodeling. Incorporating his appreciation for fine detail and durable pieces — ACI was born.
Utilizing materials such as concrete, steel, iron, stainless and glass; ACI presents creative surfaces, art forms and furniture for interior and exterior design.
Learn more about ACI and their projects at codydesigns.com.
Contact: Cody Carpenter
Architectural Concrete Interiors (ACI)
37 E. Foothill Drive
Phoenix, AZ 85020
Phone: (602) 486-9396
aciconcrete@cox.net
codydesigns.com