FormWorks Takes Shape in North Carolina

As a licensed professional civil engineer, Jeff Girard's knowledge of the structural properties of concrete is rock solid. But over the past three years he has delved into the aesthetics and artistry side of concrete, learning hands-on and ultimately creating a thriving decorative concrete company.

Formworks, located in Raleigh, North Carolina, provides custom fabrication and expert installation of concrete countertops for the kitchen and bathroom. Girard also creates an array of other architectural features, including tabletops, fireplace hearths, mantles, and surrounds.

Girard received his master's degree in professional civil engineering, with an emphasis on structural materials. Prior to forming Formworks three years ago, he worked for the Navy in California. Much of his research work during that time is confidential.

His career in concrete was borne in his own desire to have a concrete countertop in his own home.

"I started humbly," he said. "I wanted one for myself. Because of my background I had a huge leg up on starting out and making one."

Once Girard became entrenched in learning and practicing the aesthetic side of the art — things like staining and heating — he realized decorative concrete would be a good field in which to become established. It provides an outlet in which his educational training is parlayed with creativity to produce artistic, one-of-a-kind designs. He also likes that he isn't confined to the rigors of office life.

Like other parts of the country, North Carolina residents are requesting concrete countertops like never before.

"It took a long time for concrete countertops to get out of California," Girard said. "But now they've jumped to other parts of the country. In the last couple years they've made a big splash here."

Girard said he's spent a lot of time researching and thinking about ways concrete countertops can be improved upon.

"My clientele asks, 'Does it stain? Does it scratch? Can I put hot pots on it?'" Girard said. "They want to know what to expect."

"The population as a whole is learning about concrete countertops," Girard said. "It's my role to provide them with a product that satisfies their aesthetic and performance requirements."

One thing Girard doesn't believe in is producing a concrete countertop that mimics other materials. Instead, he'll introduce a bit of whimsy, or create a style — perhaps industrial, seaside or eclectic. He'll mix patterns, materials, and textures.

"I help integrate the countertop into the kitchen as a whole," Girard said.

Girard focuses primarily on residential projects.

"More people are looking at remodeling their kitchens," he said. "That begins with new cabinets and countertops. They see materials like granite as common. They want an alternative."

Concrete fits that bill to a T, Girard said, primarily because of its versatility and ability to transform into customized pieces, whether it's for a homeowner or a business owner.

For example, Girard just completed an oyster bar countertop for a client in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The décor reflected the bar's seaside surroundings. Vibrant aquas, blues, and greens bathe the interior. So Girard created a few color options for his client — brilliant chartreuse, a piercing aqua, and a deep periwinkle blue.

An orthodontist in Ohio asked Girard to make a countertop to fit into his sophisticated, yet bright and colorful office. Girard's aim in this project was to find a color and style that would exude comfort for the patients who would come in and out of the office.

Girard likens the popularity of concrete — countertops in particular — to the Internet. It took awhile for it to catch on, but once it did, it was huge. In fact, Girard has ridden the Internet wave, too.

He used the Internet for his early research. In essence it was his first exposure to the business of decorative concrete. And now Girard depends on his web site for his leads. In fact, he says that almost 100 percent of his clientele found him through the Internet. He points out there are a select few who found him through various publications in which he's been featured.

As Girard looks to the future, his goal is to expand his company. He has just started up a licensing program and now has a FormWorks licensee in Idaho.

"What drives me? The clients do," he said.

As their tastes and desires evolve, so does Girard, who stands ready to bend with any change that comes his way.

"If you stay stagnant, you're going to die," he said. "You need to be versatile."

Michele Dawson writes each week on one of the contractor members of The Concrete Network (www.concretenetwork.com). She has written about the home building industry for several years and was on the public affairs staff of the California Building Industry Association.