LANXESS Turned Pigments Sculpture into a Colorful Star

In Bavaria, northwest of Augsburg, a new star has risen above a former barracks complex. Urban Star is a large, star-shaped sculpture made of colorful, illuminated concrete blocks that provides space for people to sit, relax and interact. Most of the cubes are made of concrete containing inorganic pigments produced by specialty chemicals company LANXESS. Twenty-four of the cubes are made of semi-transparent concrete with embedded colored LED lights. During daylight hours, the sculpture's appearance is characterized by colored cubes, and as twilight approaches, the semi-transparent concrete becomes increasingly prominent. Oliver Fleschentraeger, Market Segment Manager in the Inorganic Pigments (IPG) business unit at LANXESS, says: "The structure was built to last a long time, and the desired color effect was designed to be enjoyed for many years. For this reason, we decided to use iron oxide pigments, which are known to maintain color balance for decades and can withstand any weather conditions." [caption id="attachment_121003" align="aligncenter"] The colored cubes that make up Augsburg's "Urban Star," a star-shaped sculpture providing space for people to sit, relax and interact, are through-dyed with inorganic pigments produced by specialty chemicals company LANXESS. Photo: LANXESS AG[/caption]

Urban development planning: Kobelcenter-Süd

Augsburg's urban development community purchased the former barracks complex that had been used by U.S. armed forces as the trustee of Augsburg city until 1994, and began gradually converting the land to civilian use. The development project aims to create a mix of commercial and residential properties with abundant green space and good connections to neighboring construction areas. The urban development area Kobelcenter-Süd on the former barracks complex is such a neighborhood that will see a mix of commercial and residential properties. Additionally, green areas host plant species typically found in North American prairies, helping give the new quarter its own identity. The "stars" and plants recall the long years the site was used by Americans and the cultural mark they created. They encompass elements of American landscapes and legends that contrast with the site's use as a functional settlement and trading area. Various uses are envisioned. "Urban Star" is a place to meet people and rest that connects the barracks complex with the urban area; "Desert Star" is a multi-generational recreation area; "Black Star" is a living space for small crows. In future construction phases, more stars will be added, each with its own special purpose and character. [caption id="attachment_121004" align="aligncenter"] Twenty-four of the cubes that make up "Urban Star" are made of semi-transparent concrete with embedded colored LED lights. During daylight hours, the sculpture's appearance is characterized by cubes colored with LANXESS pigments. As twilight approaches, the semi-transparent concrete becomes increasingly prominent. Photo: LANXESS AG[/caption]

Vibrant colors by day and night

The public "Urban Star" is located in the center of a neighborhood plaza covering approximately 800 square meters. The block-like structure of its cubes and the color scheme of the concrete surfaces are reminiscent of urban landscapes typically found in city centers in the western United States. The colored concrete cubes are colored with weather-resistant, fade-proof inorganic pigments from LANXESS's tried-and-tested Bayferrox brand, with black, red and yellow as dominant colors. A cobalt blue pigment developed by Recklinghausen-based Harold Scholz & Co. GmbH is also used. Black, semi-transparent concrete cubes produced by Aachen-based LUCEM GmbH and also pigmented with Bayferrox pigments consist of semi-transparent concrete panels approximately two centimeters thick. The blocks measure 84 x 84 cm and rise from the ground between 14 and 60 cm to fit the sloping topography of the plaza. The concrete cubes are designed with a flat, pyramid-shaped slope that prevents water from pooling on surfaces and minimizes the risk of frost formation in winter. The light gray, artificial stone paving used in the plaza helps create a harmonious overall aesthetic with the concrete cubes. "Urban Star" is anchored to the ground with a reinforced concrete base slab 25 cm thick with a 10 cm projection following the outline of the star. The base slab sits on a foundation bed that has been compacted in layers. On the reinforced concrete slab, a solid, step-like substructure of standard concrete was mounted for the colored concrete cubes. The concrete surface has been specially made waterproof. The concrete and semi-transparent concrete cubes are mounted to the substructure with drainage mortar and directly to the base slab at the edges. Together with stepped drainage, the drainage mortar ensures proper drainage of water beneath the concrete cubes. [caption id="attachment_121005" align="aligncenter"] The concrete cubes that make up "Urban Star" are designed with a flat, pyramid-shaped slope that prevents water from pooling on surfaces and minimizes the risk of frost formation in winter. The light gray, artificial stone paving used in the plaza helps create a harmonious overall aesthetic with the concrete cubes. Photo: LANXESS AG[/caption]

Inorganic pigments for long-lasting structures

LANXESS is the world's largest producer of synthetic iron oxide pigments and one of the leading manufacturers of chromium oxide inorganic pigments. The Inorganic Pigments business unit has comprehensive expertise in the production and processing of pigments and in concrete production processes. Fleschentraeger says: "Our technical service offering includes comprehensive analyses of colorimetric and physical pigment properties as well as their effects on concrete-related and rheological properties in customer-specific applications, and these analyses can be simulated under laboratory conditions," and adds: "For this reason, we work closely with raw material manufacturers, plant manufacturers, architects and universities."

Detailed information about pigments produced by LANXESS can be found on the company's website.

(063) The colored cubes that make up Augsburg's "Urban Star," a star-shaped sculpture providing space for people to sit, relax and interact, are through-dyed with inorganic pigments produced by specialty chemicals company LANXESS. Photo: LANXESS AG (806) The concrete cubes that make up "Urban Star" are designed with a flat, pyramid-shaped slope that prevents water from pooling on surfaces and minimizes the risk of frost formation in winter. The light gray, artificial stone paving used in the plaza helps create a harmonious overall aesthetic with the concrete cubes. Photo: LANXESS AG (997) Twenty-four of the cubes that make up "Urban Star" are made of semi-transparent concrete with embedded colored LED lights. During daylight hours, the sculpture's appearance is characterized by cubes colored with LANXESS pigments. As twilight approaches, the semi-transparent concrete becomes increasingly prominent. Photo: LANXESS AG