Concretum Arte
For several years, innovator Michel Declercq and sculptor Ann-Charlott Fornhed have collaborated through their company, Concretum Arte, a creative venture that spans the design and production of furniture, decorative items, sculptures, and public art installations. The duo’s well-equipped workshop, located in Odensala just north of Stockholm, serves as the foundation of their creative journey. Their curiosity and commitment led them to work with Swedish Tyre Recycling, a collaboration rooted in the potential of recycled tyre materials. This ongoing partnership has unveiled the material’s unexpected possibilities, giving it a central role in their projects.
Ann-Charlott Fornhed, a trained sculptor, has created commissioned works across Sweden, bringing art to schools, hospitals, residential areas, and public spaces. Known for her downto-earth approach and storytelling flair, she finds inspiration in the animal kingdom, the human body, and the materials she works with. Her pieces carry traces of myths, fables, and dreams, and in recent years, she has explored themes surrounding women’s archetypes and roles in society. In her public commissions, the site, its history, and the people who will live alongside the artwork play vital roles. She frequently collaborates closely with clients, users, and architects, presenting her proposals with detailed models and digital montages that situate her designs within their intended settings. From small figurines to large, enduring structures that can withstand Nordic weather, Ann-Charlott tailors materials to suit each project’s requirements. Her favourites include high-strength fibre-reinforced concrete, bronze and aluminium castings, mosaics, sand-cast glass, and raku. Craftsmanship remains at the heart of her work, and she handles as much of the process as possible herself.
We often take our own ability to observe and understand the world for granted—yet we’re fascinated when we see an animal doing the same. Animals bring out that pure sense of curiosity and discovery for us, reminding us of the original “aha” moments. ”This is why I enjoy portraying animals in art as if they are acting in human ways, creating a living fable we can learn from. Fascinating encounters between animals that don’t usually get along can represent friendships that transcend boundaries, showing us the possibility of looking beyond differences—or being captivated by them!”. The gorilla and the butterfly embody one such encounter, together illustrating both differences and similarities: big and small, strong and weak. The gorilla, however, is endangered and thus just as vulnerable as its tiny friend. Weakness isn’t always visible on the outside. The relief was originally part of an installation at Björkhagen School in Söderköping, placed above the lift in the entrance hall. Ann-Charlott is currently creating a similar piece in concrete and recycled tyre rubber.


Front: Grand Hotel Faun, made of white cement and granulate powder. Behind: Pig made from granulate powder and concrete, weighing 1600 grams compared to an identical piece made solely of concrete, weighing 2200 grams. The frog in the back right is crafted from granulate powder, concrete, and polyurethane as a binder.
Michel Declercq, described by some as a “material magician” and problem solver, has a deep interest in material science, composite techniques, and environmental issues surrounding industrial production. His expertise is showcased in workshops for artists, designers, and architects, where he introduces them to fibre-reinforced concrete and composite techniques, helping them explore the materials’ practical applications in their projects. While Michel and Ann-Charlott work with a range of materials, they specialise in f ibre-reinforced concrete and composite technologies, allowing for lightweight yet strong, large-scale structures in free forms. In their workshop, they have developed innovative methods and processes, focusing on composite and fibre-concrete as foundational elements in projects, art pieces, and design solutions for their clients.
Over the years, Michel and Ann-Charlott have crystallised a vision: to use art as a platform for creating sustainable solutions. Their aim is to incorporate recycled materials into their work to demonstrate the potential and cost-efficiency of sustainable systems on a broader scale. This ambition led them to initiate a dialogue with Swedish Tyre Recycling, addressing national needs around the circular economy and the challenges faced by small businesses and innovators in accessing essential materials, product descriptions, and safety documentation. This knowledge is vital for markets that could become major consumers of products from Swedish Tyre Recycling, based on the countless tyres disposed of annually in Sweden. As such, Michel and Ann-Charlott have dedicated countless hours to creating tangible examples that highlight the potential of recycled tyre materials. These include granulates in various fractions, steel fibres, and textile elements—all components they have used in their sustainable projects. The steel fibres from discarded tyres open up many innovative uses. Notably, they effectively reduce the carbon footprint in construction concrete, offering up to a 4–6-fold reduction. This unique property allows for thinner and lighter products that still retain their strength. Applications include impact-protection barriers in public and military settings, wear-resistant surfaces for roads, harbours, industrial buildings, and other heavily used public areas. The rubber granulate from recycled tyres is equally promising. It can replace sand in concrete, not only lightening the concrete but also reducing demand on sand and stone quarries—resources that are becoming scarce. Additionally, the granulate imparts insulating and shock-absorbing qualities to concrete, making it more functional. In gardening, park development, and agriculture, the granulate functions as an excellent growing medium, offering high moisture retention and drainage properties, which optimise growth conditions for plants. Its lighter weight also simplifies application and reduces transport costs compared to traditional soil.
Website: concretumarte.se
Email: info@concretumarte.se
Country: Sweden






