SO Concrete uses digital concrete technology combining specialized high-performance concrete mixes, topological optimization, and robotic fabrication to produce self-supporting architectural facade panels. The company enables form-free production of unique, durable, and sustainable building elements with precision tolerances of ±1–2 mm, as demonstrated in the Modřanský cukrovar project. Their process integrates recycled materials and continuous 3D printing extrusion to deliver aesthetically distinctive, certified construction components.
Funding
Funding not disclosed
Founders
Product
Problem
Traditional concrete facade production relies on expensive, fixed molds that limit design flexibility and increase preparation time and costs. This approach restricts architects' creative freedom and makes custom, geometrically complex building elements economically unfeasible for many projects.
Solution
SO Concrete provides a digital concrete technology that combines specialized high-performance concrete mixtures, topological project optimization, and robotic fabrication to produce self-supporting facade panels without conventional molds. The process uses continuous mixing and 3D concrete printing (3DCP) extrusion, followed by robotic milling and grinding to achieve precise geometries and refined surface textures. This method enables high-speed production—a basic shape can be formed in tens of minutes—with robot path accuracy of ±1–2 mm and final part tolerances of ±3–5 mm. The technology integrates recycled materials such as slag aggregate and crushed brick, creating visually distinctive surfaces while maintaining structural integrity through fiber reinforcement and integrated steel anchoring systems.
Target Audience
Primary customers are architects, designers, and construction companies seeking custom, high-precision concrete facade elements and unique architectural features for residential and commercial building projects.
Features
- Robotic fabrication using 3DCP extrusion with continuous mixing of high-performance concrete, pigments, fibers, and recycled aggregates
- Form-free production eliminating fixed mold costs and reducing preparation time
- Precision tolerances of ±1–2 mm robot path accuracy and ±3–5 mm final part tolerance
- Thin-walled concrete shells with integrated steel reinforcement and stainless steel anchoring elements for secure facade mounting
- PVA fiber reinforcement (12 mm length, 10 g/l) providing flexural tensile strength above 8 MPa in horizontal direction and above 6 MPa in vertical direction per ČSN EN 1170-5
- Use of recycled slag aggregate and crushed brick (up to 10% of mix volume) for sustainable, aesthetically varied surfaces
- Fire reaction classification A1 and certified material testing for facade applications