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Artfully Inclined
Transforming a gaudy wall-papered 1970’s powder room into a contemporary oasis, Sieffert of Concrete Zen delivered a spectacular vanity that is much more like a small interior water feature than a conventional sink. Water falls from a minimalistic faucet down the long, sloped Platinum-colored concrete ramp sink into a narrow drain slot at the other end. Deceptively simple-looking, this concrete vanity is a technical and aesthetic accomplishment.
Project Objective + Client Feedback
Sieffert’s clients, two busy doctors with two small children, wanted to create a sense of peace and tranquility in a powder room used primarily by guests. Ample space for the new powder room vanity provided incentive to experiment with various creative solutions. The clients were very excited about the use of concrete in their home. Concrete Zen, based in Pittsburgh, PA, created concrete for other areas of the home renovation including: concrete overlays in the basement, kitchen, sunrooms, and bathrooms; concrete countertops in the sunroom; and concrete wall caps. Even the twelve-foot high fireplace’s brick surface was clad with concrete.
The family matriarch is an accomplished artist and her artwork is placed throughout the home. Though the clients themselves have often mentioned how much their guests enjoy the powder room vanity, “Our biggest compliment was from the Artist Grandmother who said she loved it!” says Sieffert.
Design + Expertise
Sieffert and the clients decided that a minimalistic concrete vanity would work well in the powder room space, providing a clean, unfussy look and feel. The non-conventional faucet was located at the right-side of the vanity to create a tranquil, stream-like effect—water flows down the extra length of the vanity and into a hidden drain at the left. Concrete Zen built a prototype with a left-side drain to identify any adjustments needed for this new design. The custom-made faucet allows for adjustment of the water pressure to control the “splash back” when water hits the vanity’s sloped surface. Contest judge and industrial designer Robert Brunner, of highly renowned Ammunition Group, commented that the austere concrete vanity had an “interesting flow and angle…I like the asymmetry.”
As a result of projects that require creative engineering and unique solutions, Concrete Zen now creates their own ABS drain assemblies to fit custom size hidden drains, made from standard industry materials. This allows more design freedom and versatility from fabrication to installation. Sieffert works in tandem with forward-thinking plumbers and “in-house” construction team members to create custom projects that satisfy all parties involved. “We train plumbers to work with our product to alleviate any anxiety or confusion for them or the client,” says Sieffert.
Sieffert also believes in supplying a sustainable, locally-made product and seeks to offer clients creative solutions for their project as a whole: “We can value engineer the entire renovation and include concrete to add the design touches that complete a personal or unique project.” With six years’ experience with decorative concrete, Concrete Zen emphasizes active collaboration with its clients to create something beyond the ordinary.
2011 Best Integral Sink, 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 Concrete Zen
Concrete Zen is a collaboration of artists and craftsmen with a combined experience of over 100 years. Brian Sieffert opened the company’s workshop immediately after completing training with CHENG Concrete, Jim Ralston GFRC training, and Buddy Rhodes and Brandon Gore GFRC Collaborative Certification Programs. Concrete Zen, a division of Take Pride Construction and Design, LLC, is dedicated to providing the absolute highest quality decorative concrete.
Contact: Brian Sieffert
Concrete Zen
352 Becks Run Rd
Pittsburgh, PA 15210
(724) 531-3907
brian@takeprideconstruction.com
www.concrete-zen.com