Newest Training Program From Cheng Concrete Exchange Takes Concrete Design to New Heights
July 2007, Berkeley, CA – Back by popular demand, Cheng Concrete Exchange held its one-of-a-kind training, “Design and Construction for Fireplaces, Islands and Architectural Walls,” June 18-22, 2007. Throughout the course, fifteen students – professionals based nationwide – furthered their education in the design and fabrication of exterior and interior formed walls, fireplace surrounds, interior water features, and kitchen islands.
This unique 5-day advanced training was led by Fu-Tung Cheng, award-winning designer and author of best-selling books, Concrete at Home and Concrete Countertops. Known for his innovation and creativity, Cheng and his team developed this week-long training for the concrete artisan interested in the art of designing and building sophisticated kitchen islands, formed walls and fireplace surrounds. Highlights included observing demonstrations on casting wall sections, pouring and de-molding a complex island as well as a private tour of a Cheng custom-built concrete home that is nearing completion. At week’s end, this design intensive concluded with a design critique of student work conducted by Cheng himself.
“Concrete is a medium that is limited only by the mind’s imagination and the skill of the artisan,” said Arrot Donaldson, Owner of Concrete Countertop Creations. “I rate this school as the Harvard of pre-cast and design.”
With the increasing popularity of concrete in the home, this course readied the professionals in attendance. These artisans will return to their local markets prepared to meet the challenges of the “Post-Granite Age.”
“You’ve provided us with the tools to provide a superb design & product to our customers,” said Brian Creasy, owner of Coulee Concrete Designs, who came in search of inspiration and instruction for building his business as well as pre-cast concrete structures.
“As homeowners demand more, the professionals they hire will need to understand the importance of creativity in design and craftsmanship. Our students have a leg up because they’ve had an intense week of “Concrete At Home” hands-on exploration,” said Fu-Tung Cheng. “In keeping this training focused and classes small, we’re able to directly impart decades of experience in a short week and send students home with a confidence and clarity that will take their craft to the next level.”
Training, Products & Ideas
This extremely popular training program will be offered again October 8-12, 2007. For additional information on this program, or for instructional products, training, design ideas, please visit www.concreteexchange.com or contact Fran Muhaw at 800.877.6052 ext. 217, orfran@chengconcrete.com.
About Fu-Tung Cheng
Fu-Tung Cheng heads the award-winning firms of Cheng Design and Cheng Design Products in Berkeley, California. A native of Los Angeles, Fu-Tung graduated from UC Berkeley with a Fine Arts degree and has since planted roots in the Bay Area. His home has served as a creative “laboratory and showroom,” where years of design experiments are the base for the firms’ hands-on approach to creative building and Fu-Tung’s bestselling book, Concrete Countertops: Design, Forms, and Finishes for the New Kitchen and Bath (Taunton Press). His second book, Concrete at Home, offers a creative look at concrete applications in the home including fireplaces, water features, floors, walls and more.
Willing to go anywhere for good design, Cheng Design’s projects are located coast to coast, including Puerto Rico and Hawaii. The firm’s signature style has appeared in Metropolitan Home, Architectural Digest, House Beautiful, Elle Décor, Sunset and Dwell, the Wall Street Journal, USA Today, The Los Angeles Times, The Philadelphia Inquirer, Miami Herald, and Chicago Tribune.
Cheng Design has been honored with numerous awards, including most recently:
- 2006, National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA) Hall of Fame induction
- 2006, California Home + Design (CH+D) Awards, Commercial Architecture, First Place, Celadon Teahouse
- 2005, Voted by the readership “One of the Top 50 most influential figures in the kitchen and bath industry over the past 50 years,” Kitchen and Bath Business (KBB)
- 2005, “Special Focus Award: Kitchen” Meteor Vineyard Kitchen, Builder’s Choice Design & Planning Awards, Building Magazine
- 2005, “ADEX Award: Platinum Award” Shade Hood, Cheng Design by Zephyr, Design Journal Magazine
For more information on Cheng Design or Cheng Design by Zephyr, please call
(510) 849-3272 or visit www.chengdesign.com