Stylish Concrete Block Bench Demonstrates the Value of Workshops

Stylish concrete bench on the newly stamped patio at Say Si in San Antonio.

Justin Burd, owner of Tribe One Customs, Oak Hill, W.Va., created this stylish concrete bench for the SAY Si youth arts center in San Antonio as part of a workshop at the 2012 Concrete Decor Show.

We asked him how he did it, and here’s what he told us: “The bench was made with 3/4-inch melamine form material that was precut before the class and then constructed during the class. I wanted to cast the piece in the GFRC technique that the class was being taught. This technique involved spraying a face coat with a hopper gun and then hand-packing reinforcement layers until desired thickness.

The casting material that we used was the Xtreme GFRC mix from Surecrete Products. It was a very easy and strong system to use for doing 3-D objects.

“The casting material that we used was the Xtreme GFRC mix from Surecrete Products. It was a very easy and strong system to use for doing 3-D objects. The first day we built and casted, and on day two we demolded the piece, processed it, which involved some light burnishing and sanding touch-ups, then sealed it up.

After the piece was sealed up for a few hours we installed it outside of SAY Si. It was a donated piece that I was very happy to give them.

“After the piece was sealed up for a few hours we installed it outside of SAY Si. It was a donated piece that I was very happy to give them. The class was amazing and I was happy for the opportunity to teach it. The guys in the class were great. The class ran over both days and they stayed to help finish up the project.”

Another look at the modern bench that sits just outside the windows at the Say Si facility.

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