UHPC: concrete that behaves like steel
Not all concrete is the same. The Raval bicycle stand by Escofet 1886 is cast in Ultra High Performance Concrete, a composite that, thanks to its fibre reinforcement and high cement content, can be made significantly stronger and slimmer than ordinary structural concrete. This allows designers Gerard Arqué & Martín Caneda to achieve a disc form of just 12 cm that still weighs 40 kg and stands securely in a busy public location.
Acid-etched and waterproofed
The Raval's finish combines two treatments. Acid-etching reveals the aggregate texture of the concrete and gives the surface a tactile quality that fits within Escofet's material vocabulary. The waterproofing seals the surface against moisture and makes it easy to maintain over the long term, even in environments with rainfall, frost or urban pollution.
Locking bicycles via the frame
The narrow, tall disc form serves as a leaning point for the bicycle frame. Cyclists rest their bike against it at an angle and secure it with a chain or padlock via the frame. The upright form provides enough height for both city bikes and e-bikes with taller frames.
At home in the Escofet outdoor collection
The Raval fits within the Escofet 1886 palette of stone and concrete street furniture. Combined with benches, planters or litter bins from the same collection, it creates a coherent outdoor space that withstands intensive use and the test of time.