LiTraCon is a translucent concrete building material. The name is short for "light-transmitting concrete". The material is made of 96% concrete and 4% by weight of optical fibers.[1][2][3] It was developed in 2001 by Hungarian architect Áron Losonczi working with scientists at the Technical University of Budapest.[4]

LiTraCon is manufactured by the inventor's company, LiTraCon Bt, which was founded in spring 2004. The head office and workshop is near the town of Csongrád. As of 2006 all LiTraCon products have been produced by LiTraCon Bt. The concrete comes in precast blocks of different sizes.

The most notable installation of it to date is Europe Gate - a 4 m high sculpture made of LiTraCon blocks, erected in 2004 in observance of the entry of Hungary into the European Union. The product won the German "Red Dot 2005 Design Award" for 'highest design qualities'.[5]

Though expensive, Litracon appeals to architects because it is stronger than glass and translucent, unlike concrete[citation needed]. It was considered as possible sheathing for New York's One World Trade Center.[6]

References

  1. ^ "LiTraCon Official Website". Archived from the original on 18 May 2011. Retrieved 17 May 2011.
  2. ^ Kellogg, Craig, "Space-Age Concrete Blocks That Let You See the Light." New York Times. (Late Edition (East Coast)). New York, N.Y.: Apr 15, 2004. pg. F.3.
  3. ^ Gomez, Kevin, "LiTraCon shows concrete in new light." Construction Contractor (Australia), Aug. 2005.
  4. ^ Birch, Amanda (2005-03-18). "Material world". Building Design. Retrieved 2009-01-19.
  5. ^ Anonymous. "Translucent concrete developed in Europe." Civil Engineering : Magazine of the South African Institution of Civil Engineering. Yeoville: Oct 2005. Vol. 13, Iss. 10; p. 27. Source type: Periodical. ISSN 1021-2000. ProQuest document ID: 958844411. Text Word Count 340. Document URL: [1] (Proquest: subscription required). retrieved Dec. 22, 2006
  6. ^ Collins, Glenn; Dunlap, David W. (2005-06-07). "Security at Symbol of Resolve: Many Demands on New Ground Zero Tower". The New York Times. Retrieved 2009-01-19.

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