Page 101 - SOUTHERN OREGON MAGAZINE SPRING 2022

The reality of the construction industry is that
90% of building is business as usual, where
just getting the job done is the focus. But that
remaining 10% are people designing a forever
home or realizing a specific vision. They are a
group that put their attention into the design,
materials, and function of the home or project
they are building. And that’s where both the
vision of the client, the expertise of the archi-
tect, and the knowledge that Bong has acquired
about concrete can come together to create
something beautiful, unique, and enduring.

Because concrete begins as a liquid, you’re able
to do something you can’t do with other prod-
ucts. There have also been tremendous advances
in the science and structure of concrete, mak-
ing more and more options available within the
specialty arena of concrete; but it’s something
that not every homeowner or builder fully
understands.

“There’s a huge gulf in the knowledge about
countertops,” Bong offers as an example.
Standard concrete is a porous material that
reacts and binds with acids, neither of which
make it an ideal product for a kitchen surface
that will be in contact with heat, food spills,
or liquids. But newer concrete formulations
like ultra-high performance concretes (UHPC)
make use of inert or PH-neutral materials as
part of the mix, and particle packing as part
of the process, allowing concrete to be tailored
to specific applications where it will perform
better while still providing its unique aesthetic.

In a kitchen application, for example, a glass-
fiber reinforced concrete (GFRC) provides
highly durable strength and a stain-resistant
performance that is also easier to work with
during construction because of its lighter
weight and increased density. It also means the
sky’s the limit for shape and design.

The appeal of today’s concrete is in the clean
lines and hard edges and the infinite possibili-
ties of the material. But he adds a caution: “You Leadership Begins Here
have to love concrete as a material to begin
with.” It can be expensive for a custom applica-
tion, and it’s important to have a clear idea of
the design, the function, and the finish before
you begin the pour. Bong highly recommends
that homeowners involve an experienced
architect to refine their ideas, and that they ask
for referrals for experienced concrete contrac-
tors as well. “You always get in value what you
pay for someone’s experience,” he says and also
recommends looking at examples of the type of
work they do. “Hire from a place of knowledge
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