Abstract
The application of bare concrete finishes is gaining popularity in Malaysia, specifically in Klang Valley Owners with
modern houses are more receptive towards this material which was once considered unacceptable to be left bare
(Croft, 2004). The study of this research establishes a general baseline for architects or interior designers to apply
bare concrete finishes in modern-day houses. This study will also inform readers on the tolerance of new
homeowners in the Klang Valley from age 18-35 towards the usage of this material in their homes.
Key Words: bare concrete finishes, Malaysian houses, Klang Valley, materials
*****
Introduction
In recent times, architects or interior designers have been using bare finishes frequently in their design. This design
approach can be seen clearly especially in the Klang Valley, where many new retail outlets, cafes and restaurants or
even homes have walls that are left bare with concrete screed. Notable designers such as Ng Sek San has designed
home resorts that has bare concrete finishes all over the building such as the more popular ones – Sekeping
Serendah, Sekeping Tenggiri and Sekeping Kong Heng. Despite the rustic and dirty looks, these home resorts are
often fully booked for functions, overnight stays and weddings. The acceptance towards bare concrete finishes has
been gaining popularity and hence this research further investigates on the tolerance of bare concrete application by
homeowners between the age of 18-35 in Klang Valley. According to Lizawati, Ilyana, Norhaslina, and Huraizah
(2012), this is when homebuyers experiencing buying a house for the first time. This research aims to identify an
overall guideline of bare concrete finishes application in private homes. To achieve this, this paper will first bring to
an understanding the perception of homeowners towards bare concrete finishes and subsequently to identify the
unique properties of the material that makes it easily applied at homes. The significance of this report would help
determine a baseline of bare concrete being used in home designs and home areas that are acceptable to
homeowners.
Definition of Concrete
Concrete is a mixture of cementitious materials, water and aggregates in certain proportions. The mixture over time,
hardens into rock-like mass known as concrete (Gambhir, 2004). Boswell (2013) defines concrete as a ‘plastic’
material that takes form and finish of the formwork material used. The author classified concrete finishes either
visually exposed structural concrete or architectural concrete. Visually exposed structural concrete takes no account
of the surface finishes, joinery or colour where else architectural concrete denotes to the intentional exposure of
concrete as the final product to view. It takes into consideration of texture, joinery, formwork material and surface
flatness (Boswell, 2013).
Gambhir (2004) stated that due to the availability of the common ingredients, concrete has been a popular material
these days. The durability and strength of concrete is determined by its ingredient and the proportion of the mix,
which three-quarters of a concrete mixture consists of fine and coarse aggregates such as sand, gravel and crushed
rock. Just by changing the ratio of the concrete mixture, concrete can be made to float on water, or be made heavy.
The permeability and resistance to weather and wear is established by the proportion of water that is added into the
mixture, which makes concrete a versatile material (Croft, 2004)
The Challenges of Concrete Finishes
In the past, the exposing of the rough surface of concrete was much debated about due to the ‘harshness’ visually.
Architects in the 1900s such as Joaquin Bassegoda argued that the bare view of concrete is unacceptable as it’s
categorized as architecture construction instead of an architectural finish. He persisted that concrete must be
‘clothed’ with a different material as concrete finish reflects on poverty. William Richard Lethaby, who’s an English
architect and architectural historian in that period, mentioned that concrete has a poor surface and colour, which
makes it inappropriate to be exposed. He added on stating that due to its inconsistent curing, concrete tends to crack
on the surface (Croft, 2004).
In a more technical aspect, cracks on concrete surfaces happen when there’s a change of temperature. The material
expands and contracts when there’s a thermal movement and expansion joints have to be provided to avoid the
development of cracks. The material is also not entirely resistant towards moisture and contains soluble salts which
might cause efflorescence on the surface (Gambhir, 2004).
Acceptance of Bare Concrete Finishes
Le Corbusier hailed concrete as a material that is worthy to be exposed in its natural state. The different
workmanship in concrete work gives a different outlook to the finish outcome, including defected work. He claimed
that due to the variation of workmanship, bare concrete works are interesting to look at and gives richness to the
space. The exploitation of its crudities and of the wooden framework produces an architectural surface of a rugged
grandeur (Croft, 2004).
The last place that one would have expected to find exposed concrete making a strong resurgence is in the private
homes. Low (2010) states that by the use of raw cement brick in the main entrance of one of the bungalows he has
designed established the narrative for the house and its root concern for building and construction economy. The
entrance being the most important part of the house contradicts the idea of a lavish finish but instead was finish with
the lowest common denominator in low cost housing projects. He argues that by exposing the natural finish, the
maintenance and cleaning would be reduced as the materials allow for natural aging to happen (Low, 2010).
Cheng and Olsen (2005) pointed out that concrete can be used as flooring for homes as well. The flexibility of the
material to receive a variety of textures and inlays with different finishing surface such as polished or sand-blasted
enables the material to evoke any feeling of allude to any time or place or style. The authors added on stating that
since concrete will end up like stone, architects or interior designers should pay more attention on the surface
design, suggesting that the surface can be graphically designed. As part of the construction method in casting
concrete, crack-control lines are deliberately grooved onto the surface to weakened pathways along which cracks on
concrete will likely travel. Fu and Eric use this opportunity to treat the controlled joints as a composition tools that
gives the exposed concrete surface a play of design (Cheng, Olsen, 2005).
Croft (2004) however disagree that the use of bare concrete is more economical as compared to finer finishes. The
author contended that for bare concrete to be used in homes, the casting of the concrete has to be more refined. It
requires high specification of cement, complex and precise formwork and skilled labour to construct an exposed
concrete structure, which might equal the value of wood, glass or marble (Croft, 2004). Fu-Tung and Eric in their
design practice add in colouring agents and dyes into their concrete mixture to completely alter the feel of the bare
concrete finish. Their application of bare concrete isn’t just limited to the floor or walls, but it extends right up to the
kitchen countertop and beams (Cheng, Olsen, 2005).
Acceptance of Bare Concrete Finish in Malaysian Homes
The acceptance of bare concrete in homes among Malaysians is on the rise lately. In recent times we have seen many
new homes emerged out with having bare concrete finishes in the interior. Whether it is a terraced house, bungalow
or an apartment, homeowners are more open and willing to accept the bare concrete finish within the interior of their
comfort space. One of the well-known bungalows designed by CODA Design & Architect is the ‘Rumah Pisau’,
where almost the entire bungalow is left in bare concrete finish while architects like Kevin Mark Low applied the
bare finish at certain areas of the house. According to McGillick (2013), vernacular form and materials in Malaysia
respond to demographic shifts, including immigration and colonization.
Methodology and Methods
In order to understand the tolerance of bare concrete finishes used in homes, this study uses a descriptive research
which relies on observation as a mean of collecting data, attempts to examine situations in order to establish what is
the normal and what can be predicted to repeat under the same circumstances (Clarke, 2005). To identify on the
human observation and response, data can be collected through interviews, questionnaires or selective of situation.
For this research, it was decided that the research method to be adapted through an online survey. The sample
respondents will be between the ages of 18-35 that are based within the Klang Valley. The online survey is where the
questionnaire is distributed to each individual in the sample group through an online link, with request that all
sections of the questionnaire be answered by a certain given date. Data will be collected from the target sample
through the questionnaire.
According to Groat and Wang (2013), the advantage of survey questionnaire is that it will allow researchers to cover
an extensive amount of information such as demographic characteristics to behavioural habits and opinions of
sample group across a large sample group of people within a short period of time. However, this approach does not
give an in-depth understanding unlike through a qualitative research strategy.
The questionnaire is split into three parts and was designed to understand the perception of Klang Valley
homeowners from the age of 18-35 years towards bare concrete finishes in their own homes. Part 1 of the
questionnaire is to understand the demographic background of the respondents which consist of three questions and
one question about the house price range that they are willing to spend on their first house. This section is important
to which it will bring to light on the demographics such as age, marital status and income level.
Part 2 of the questionnaire is about the respondent’s perception towards three different types of homes with all three
homes having different degree of bare concrete finishes through careful selection. By the use of images, respondents
will have a general idea of the degree of bare concrete finishes in those homes. The first home selected for the
questionnaire is the ‘Rumah Pisau’ by CODA Design & Architect. The house generally has bare concrete finish
used extensively throughout the house, even in important spaces such as the living room and bedroom. The second
home selected is the House Desa by WHBC Architects. The architect have use the material only at public areas such
as living room and kitchen but has gone for a more conservative approach in the bedrooms. Lastly, the final home
selected is a renovated link house by Design Collective Architects, the J-House. The use of bare concrete finish is
not evident at all in the house and has finer finishes on the wall and floor. This house will serve as a baseline in the
research. This part consist of four questions for each type of home
Assuming that bare concrete finish integrates in future housing projects, the last part of this questionnaire zooms
into the usage in two of the most common spaces in a home – the living room and bedroom. This two spaces were
selected carefully as the living room denotes the public and comfort space in a home while on the other hand, the
bedroom is a private yet comfort space for homeowners. The questions in this section goes into a more
detailedaspect which looks into the tolerance of homeowners using bare concrete finishes on the walls, ceiling and
floor.
The Likert Scale was used in this questionnaire for both of Part 2 and 3 with the items described along ‘1- Highly
Disagree’, ‘2- Disagree’, ‘3- Moderate’ ‘4 – Agree’ and ‘5- Highly Agree’. From the Likert Scale, the results can be
tabled up by the number of respondents multiplied with the total score for each question.
Data Analysis and Findings
A total of 35 people from the sample range were identified and the online survey were emailed to them. A total of 23
people responded but 3 respondents were eliminated as they’ve fallen out of the age range by a few months which
makes the final amount respondent of 20 out of 35 (57%). The sample of the questionnaire can be found in attached
in this research report.
Part 1 Findings & Analysis
Demographic of Respondents
Graph 1 shows the respondent’s income level range. This will help determine the factors in the respondent’s
perception towards bare concrete finishes. As a result, Part 2 and 3 can be divided to four different categories based
on respondent’s monthly income level.
Graph 1: Income level of respondents
Part 2 Findings & Analysis
Table 1 is a tabulation of data in questionnaire Part 2. From the table, we are able to analyse homeowner’s
perception towards bare concrete finishes in the 3 sample houses.
Group
Likert
Scale
1
House 1
(Fully concrete)
House 2
(Semi-concrete)
House 3
(Fine finishes)
Question (no. of
respondent)
Question (no. of
respondent)
Question (no. of
respondent)
2
3
4
1
2
3
4
1
2
3
4
A (6)
B (3)
1
3
5
2
2
1
3
1
5
1
D (3)
1
3
1
1
2
1
4
2
1
1
2
2
2
2
5
4
3
3
2
4
4
3
24
24
24
28
28
26
Total
10
7
1
1
3
2
2
28
8
1
3
2
4
1
1
5
3
10
4
1
4
6
1
1
2
3
3
1
3
2
14
12
1
2
2
2
13
14
14
2
4
1
2
5
4
4
2
4
4
33
36
36
3
2
2
30
34
3
1
2
5
3
1
4
4
30
10
1
2
3
1
19
24
1
3
2
3
2
2
2
2
1
1
1
1
5
3
14
3
2
2
6
23
38
2
4
3
6
3
2
Total
21
1
1
2
12
15
2
3
4
13
3
2
Total
Total
3
3
2
2
3
2
5
C (8)
1
8
3
10
10
10
10
1
3
3
15
15
3
7
15
Total /100 =
31
25
76
34
78
80
68
84
93
91
51
88
Table 1: Tabulation of Part 2 results
Graph 2 – Summary of Table 2 results.
From the questions asked in Part 2, we can summarize the questions asked to the following perceptions:Acceptance, Desirability, Economical and Practicality.
Acceptance, Desirability & Practicality
Data from Graph 2 derived House 1 as the least accepted by respondents. The graph indicates that respondents from
Group D are the least receptive of bare concrete finishes in houses while respondents from Group A & B are equally
the most receptive towards bare concrete finishes in House 1.
Group B however is the most receptive towards the way House 2 has applied the use of bare concrete finishes in
certain areas of the house. Group D has shown the least acceptance towards the use of bare concrete finishes in
House 2.
In House 3, Group D has showed full acceptance towards the finer finishes approach in the house. In the other three
groups, the results show that respondents from the different monthly income groups are more comfortable with
having finer finishes in their house.
The acceptance results are almost aligned with the desirability results of bare concrete finishes by homeowners,
falling short of 6 points. Based on the results shown, we can assume that even though homeowners might accept
bare concrete finishes, it doesn’t mean that they desire for such harsh finishes to be applied in their homes. House 3
shows high desirability in its finishes with Group D scoring the most . Based on the results given, we can conclude
that respondents with a higher monthly income are not desiring harsh finishes but rather finer finishes as shown in
House 3 images.
In the practicality aspect, the results are almost similar to the acceptance and desirability of bare concrete finishes.
House 3 has proved the highest tabulation, however the results also states that Group A did not score as high as the
Desirability. Their low monthly may be affecting the feasibility of the respondents achieving finer finishes in their
houses.
Economical
The economical perception of this research has an interesting results. All of the four groups has tabulated a much
higher results for House 1. The perception of the respondents in sample group perceive that bare concrete finishes is
more economical, specifically from Group B. They all agreed as well that House 3 finishes is not economical.
Summary
Based on this analysis, we can tell that the perception of bare concrete finishes is directly affected by the
respondent’s monthly income. The higher the monthly income, the less receptive the individual towards bare
concrete finishes which coincides with Joaquin Bassegoda’s statement that the material finishes reflects on poverty
(Croft, 2004). The people in the lower income groups are more open to the bare finishes, which can benefit
architects and interior designers on future housing schemes for the lower income group.
Part 3 Findings and Analysis
As mentioned in the methods with the assumption that there is a need for future architects and interior designers to
design houses with bare concrete finishes, Part 3 of the survey will help on the finishes guideline. Table 2 is the
tabulation of percentage of bare concrete usage in both living room and bedroom that is tolerable to the respondents
of this questionnaires. The results from this survey will give an estimate guideline for architects or interior designers
on the proportion of bare concrete to other finishes ratio. To have a more general guideline of bare concrete finishes
percentage, the respondents are no longer group together in by their income level.
*assuming that
both living room
and bedroom has
4 walls, 1 single
surface floor &
wall)
Combined
Respondents
Likert
Scale
Living
Room
(wall)
Living
Room
(ceiling)
Living
Room
(floor)
Bedroom
(wall)
Bedroom
(ceiling)
Bedroom
(floor)
1
5
18
4
20
20
17
2
10
2
4
3
5
4
4
5
8
35%
Total % of bare
concrete finish
accepted
22%
40%
68%
1
2
20%
20%
29%
23%
Table 2: Tabulation of percentage of bare concrete usage in both living room and bedroom.
From the analysis of data tabulation, the living room is the most receptive place by the respondents for bare concrete
to be used extensively with majority of the percentage being used on the floor. 40% of the general area in the living
room is acceptable to be in bare concrete finish while the remaining 60% can be in fine finishes such as plastered
walls. On another hand, the usage of bare concrete finishes in the bedroom is not very popular among the
respondents. Only 23% of bare concrete surface in the bedroom is tolerable with the highest acceptance of it being
used on the floor.
Summary
The study of Part 3 is an important aspect that would help with future housing projects in the Klang Valley on the
tolerance of bare concrete finishes in houses. With many needs of low-cost housing, architects and interior designers
can use this analysis as a guide while designing low-cost housing effectively without compromising on the aesthetic
of the house.
Conclusion
The results of this analysis has shown majority of homeowners between the age of 18-35 years based in Klang
Valley are not very receptive towards bare concrete finish in their homes. The results also is consistent with Joaquin
Bassegoda’s statement that the finishes reflects on poverty, hence it is not very popular among the higher monthly
income group. With the general guideline of bare concrete finish application in houses established in this report,
architect and interior designers can use these information to further explore the material not only in houses but also
in commercial buildings such as restaurants, offices and malls.
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