Set in concrete – Casper artisan molds a new business

By Christina Schmidt CasperJournal.com | Posted: Monday, September 10, 2012 10:50 am |

We just keep getting busier and busier, said Gary Berchenbriter, owner of GB Building and Design. This last year has been a really strong year for us.

Berchenbriter specializes in creating one-of-a-kind furniture and home decor fixtures using a specialized concrete known as GFR concrete.

With the type of concrete we use, we can make thin pieces and have a lot of flexibility, said Berchenbriter. Its a really specialized mixture. We make a really dense concrete and a concrete thats stronger than typical sidewalk concrete. Its specially designed for this type of work. Theyre extremely durable.

Berchenbriter and his team of two part-time assistants are able to create a variety of items with the specialized concrete, including fireplace hearths, outdoor kitchens, outdoor furniture, fire pits, tables, benches and bathroom fixtures. Theyve even created a bookshelf with the concrete.

However, his most requested items are kitchen countertops.

Most folks are looking at countertops, mainly because people have seen them the most.

Because of its flexibility, we can create shapes that are sometimes more difficult with other materials, he explained. We have a variety of different finishes ... solid, grooved, recycled glass or metal wires or other things embedded in them. Some have a bit more texture to them, an old-style feel. We can do quite a few different things with it.

Berchenbriter has been working with GFR concrete for several years. Though he initially started with do-it-yourself books and videos, he said he quickly became aware that he would need more technical training. To that end, hes attended classes in California, North Carolina and Arizona. He also learns from others whore willing to share their knowledge.

Im continually talking with other artisans around the country and am taking a class in Atlanta in October to learn more form techniques and sealing techniques, he said. Weve been doing it almost seven years now and there are constantly things to learn. Its really time-intensive and theres a lot of craft involved in it.

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Set in concrete - Casper artisan molds a new business