We 100% support this message, and we enjoy helping concrete artisans improve their skills and be profitable along the way! Join us February 24-29 at the 'Pinnacle Concrete Camp' to learn a vast amount of knowledge from industry pioneers Brandon Gore, Dusty Baker, and Jon Schuler. Workshop topics include rubber mold making, post-tensioned concrete, GFRC, ECC, rustic finishes using the proprietary DustyCrete technique, advanced finishes cast upright, how to seal concrete the right way for the real-world, and how to properly price, market, and build your business. The only place you'll learn these skills is at Concrete Design School - hurry, registration is currently open but the Spring workshop is filling up!
Be Profitable in 2020 Making Concrete!
Owning and operating a decorative pre-cast concrete company is the dream that many of us have, but being profitable in this business is elusive to the vast majority of folks that try their hand at it. The failure rate each year for decorative concrete start-ups is over 50%, and that number increases in the second and third year of business. But why is that?
The short answer is that Concrete is Hard. Knowing how to mix concrete isn’t enough, you need to know how to market yourself, price your product, and avoid pitfalls that can make or break a concrete company.
You can’t learn these hard-fought lessons from training programs in which the trainers themselves do not own or operate successful businesses. You also won’t learn these skills from “guest trainers” that have only been in the game for a year or two. Concrete Design School is the only training program in which all the curriculum is taught by long-standing proven concrete business owners. Our 3 trainers have more than 50 years of combined industry experience, practical knowledge that will give you a competitive advantage in your local market.
If you want to stand a fighting chance at not being a statistic join us this February 24-29 in Eureka Springs, AR, USA for the Pinnacle Concrete Camp, the first of only 2 training events we’ll conduct in 2020. We are capping the class at 30 attendees and it is already more than half full. This training event is 6 days of the absolute finest and most relevant training available anywhere in the world - in fact, it is the only place you will learn these skills. We hope to see you this Spring!
Don't make the Ultimate Concrete Training Mistake! Learn from Successful Concrete Professionals!
"Awesome training classes and the after class support and networking is the best out there!! For me, taking concrete classes is about Higher Learning and avoiding hundreds of hours of trial and error and CDS delivers! Unfortunately you can't learn everything or experience every scenario out there in a week. Along the way many questions come up and these guys are always there 100% of the way with me." - Jeff Van Arsdale
"CDS created the ladder that allowed me to climb to the top of my market, if you want the best training around, hands down this is the school to enroll in, from teachers that have thriving concrete businesses to design principals that are on the cutting edge in the concrete world, CDS delivers." - Henry Davis Kaldenbaugh
"I'm very happy with this class. So happy that I've returned. I was in a 17 year funk of doing decorative concrete. I do a lot of floors. I always did counters and sinks but when I learned all the methods that CDS had to offer, I became reinvigorated. I am now on a path of turning my decorative concrete company into a full time casting company only. The inspiration and teachings in this class is the only reason I didn't seek a new career. My experience with BG and Dusty has been extremely helpful. Not to mention I've made a few new friends when I needed it most. Love you guys." - Brian Manzanares
Innovators, Not Imitators!
If you're going to spend money on a concrete class, shouldn't someone currently making a living in concrete design and fabrication teach it? It has always been our goal to offer our attendees "tried and true" skills from qualified industry experts that successfully own and operate businesses doing what they teach. Our instructors innovate and master unique approaches through years of trial and error - client project after client project. That is the value in what they bring to the table and teach to every attendee of a Concrete Design School Workshop.
Enroll in the Spring Pinnacle Concrete Camp by Concrete Design School being held February 24-29, 2020 in Eureka Springs, AR. Registration is open, click here to learn more!
*These photos are of actual pieces made in workshops by attendees.
The Pinnacle Concrete Camps, the ONLY TWO Training Events CDS will conduct in 2020!
We’ve taught a lot of workshops and artisans at Concrete Design School over the last 16 years. We’ve averaged 4-5 classes a year, but as our businesses have grown the client work demand has increased as well. This had made coordinating trainers schedules very difficult. We have decided that in 2020 we will only hold two training events, which we are calling the Pinnacle Concrete Camps! These 6-day workshops will feature our premiere topics from trainers Brandon Gore, Dusty Baker, and Jon Schuler, but we will also place an emphasis on camaraderie with our concrete compeers. Time will be set aside for socializing around fire pits in the evening, as the lifelong friendships formed in our classes are as valuable as the training itself. The two Pinnacle Concrete Camps are scheduled for Spring and Fall:
Pinnacle Concrete Camp / Spring: February 24-29, 2020
Pinnacle Concrete Camp / Fall: November 16-21, 2020
Additionally, we have increased the training discount for Alumni to 50% OFF! We value our past attendees and love seeing them again, so this is our way of saying ‘thank you’ and offering increased value to the CDS family.
Over the 6 days workshop topics will include:
GFRC
ECC
UHPC
Post-Tensioned Concrete
Rubber Mold-Making
Best Business Practices for a High-End Concrete Business
Dusty-Crete
Advanced Finishes and Upright Casting
How to Properly Seal Concrete
How to Transport and Ship Concrete
How to Stain and Color Concrete
Concrete Mix Design
How to Properly Mix Concrete
How to Cure Concrete
Why choose Concrete Design School? Listen to what workshop attendees have to say.
Hear from attendees of Concrete Design School training workshops on why they chose to attend a class here. Our real-world EXPERIENCE operating successful high-end concrete companies sets us apart from our competition. The fact that we are innovators of the processes we teach and the developers of the products we use means no one has more insight or practical knowledge about them than we do. If you're interested in becoming a concrete professional, train with concrete professionals - Concrete Design School.
APEX Workshop Course Outline
I’ve received several emails inquiring about the specifics of what we’re going to cover in this class. I put together the following course outline detailing the topics:
Course Outline:
Day 1 A.M.:
Introduction to post-tensioning principles, and when to utilize the method
Creating the mold for the post-tensioned piece
How to properly place and orient the post-tensioning steel
GFRC Mix Design
Mix and cast the post-tensioned piece
Day 1 P.M.:
Introduction to rubber mold-making and types of rubber
Each participant will construct their own mold, the afternoon will be spent doing this
Day 2 A.M.:
Post-tensioned piece mold removal
Concrete processing
Business Discussion
Day 2 P.M.:
Rubber mold construction continues
Day 3 A.M.:
Concrete Sealers, what works in the real world and what doesn’t
How to properly seal concrete
Business Discussion
Day 3 P.M.:
Rubber mold reveal
Presentation of behind-the-scenes photos of complex forms
How to approach different pieces, from simple to complex
Final question and answer
Hugs and kisses goodbye
APEX Concrete Workshop, October 2019
We’ve been teaching concrete enthusiasts for a long time - nearly 15 years now, and that has resulted in a lot of conversations. The APEX Concrete Workshop is a result of those discussions. APEX is focused on the following most requested topics:
POST-TENSIONING CONCRETE
RUBBER MOLD MAKING
GFRC MIX DESIGN, CASTING, AND FINISHING
BEST BUSINESS PRACTICES FOR A CONCRETE COMPANY
If you’d like to finish 2019 on a high note and start 2020 with a fresh perspective and supercharged skillset, join us this October in Eureka Springs, AR! We look forward to meeting you.
APEX Concrete Workshop, Oct 2019, Eureka Springs, AR
from $1,920.00
First Time Attendee or Alumni?:
Quantity:
Registration is Now Open for the Spring 2019 Workshops, with Jon Schuler!
We’ve received a lot of emails from folks inquiring about the next workshop dates with Jon Schuler, and we’re pleased to announce the Spring 2019 Workshop are officially open for registration! Additionally, we are going to be offering the Furniture Design Workshop, which is rarely offered and always popular, so you’ll want to get in on that. Click here to sign-up for the ‘5-Day All-In Workshop’, or you can register a la carte via the links below. We look forward to seeing you late April/early May!
Review of the February 2019 Concrete Design School GFRC, ECC, Fabric-Forming, Post-Tensioning, DustyCrete, and Concrete Sink Workshops
Another series of Concrete Design School workshops has come and gone. It was a great week of training where we covered ECC, GFRC, SCC, UHPC, DustyCrete, Fabric-Forming, Concrete Sinks, and Concrete Countertops. We made a lot of awesome pieces, awesome friends, and even tested the strength of a sink with 8 rounds of 45-70 (spoiler, it held up great)! It’s time to rest for a minute and take a look at the production schedule for the next few months to see where we can work in another class. Keep an eye on the website, we’ll announce the dates shortly.
KodiakPRO is for those that know!
KodiakPRO Concrete Admixes and Sealer are the industry’s finest and most cutting-edge products available. The concrete craftspeople that are on the razors edge of what is possible use KodiakPRO on each and every piece that leave their studios. Click here to learn more!
The Concrete Design School Family is Preparing for the SOLD-OUT February 2019 Workshops!
It’s so great to walk into the studio to see the Concrete Design School family working hard prepping to ensure a successful workshop. That reminds me, yesterday we officially SOLD-OUT of the Dusty-Crete, Fabric-Forming, and All-In Workshops. There are a couple of seats left in the Post-Tensioned Concrete Workshop if you want to get into that!
New KODIAK PRO Concrete Admixtures Now Available
If you’re like me, you are constantly striving to create the absolute best product possible, from a materials viewpoint as well as design. KODIAK PRO just released 2 new concrete admixtures that will up your concrete game.
The first is ‘BOOST’ - this admixture, used at the upper end of the loading rate, allows you to de-mold your pieces the same day in addition to improving the overall performance of your concrete. Dosed at the low end of the loading rate will increase hydration of your mix which reduces shrinkage and lowers permeability - both good things. Needless to say, if you’re casting concrete you should be adding BOOST.
The second admix is simply named ‘THE BEST PLASTICIZER’, and for good reason, it is the best plasticizer we have ever used. It comes in a powder form, it is extremely potent without retarding the mix as many other plasticizers will when dosed at higher rate. If you want the best concrete then you need to use THE BEST PLASTICIZER!
The next workshops have been scheduled for February 4-8, 2019
Great news! The next workshops have been scheduled and will be held February 4-8, 2019! We are going to teach our three most popular workshops - they sold out last time, and we anticipate they will again for this event, so if you want to attend register today.
2 Day Fabric-Forming Concrete Sink + GFRC Workshop / February 6-7, 2019
1 Day Post-Tensioned Concrete + Current Techniques Workshop / February 8, 2019
The favored workshop for the majority of attendees is to attend all three workshops over the one week period, this is called the All-In Workshop. This route saves you money on travel expenses, time away from work and the family, and we offer a special reduced rate if you register for the All-In Workshop. We look forward to meeting you in February!
A recap of the September 2018 Workshops
We just finished conducting the September 2018 Concrete Design School Workshops and we had a great time getting to know an amazing group of people! We had several repeat attendees, which is always an honor, as well as new faces from all over the world, including India, Mexico, Finland, and Canada.
Several emails have come in asking when the next workshops will be scheduled, and we are working on setting the dates now. If you haven’t yet done so, sign up for email updates at the bottom of the homepage and you’ll be notified first. Now, without further ado, we present photos from the DustyCrete, Fabric-Forming + GFRC, and Post-Tensioned Concrete Workshops:
The September 2018 All-In Workshop & Fabric-Forming Workshop are SOLD OUT! You can still get into the Dusty-Crete and Post-Tensioning Workshop!
As anticipated the September 2018 'All-In Workshop' and 'Fabric-Forming Workshop' are officially SOLD-OUT! As of 8:00am this morning there is 1 seat available in the 'Dusty-Crete Workshop' and 'Post-Tensioning Workshop'. They won't last long so NOW is the time to register and book your travel arrangements, the class is in 1 week! See you in Eureka Springs.
Dusty-Crete Workshop is now scheduled for September 2018, and we have a special Reduced Rate Workshop Package for all three classes!
Well, we went and did it - we scheduled our THREE MOST POPULAR CLASSES IN A ONE WEEK PERIOD! Do you know what this means?! You can fly out to the beautiful Ozark Mountains and in one trip learn our best practices, techniques, and hard lessons gleaned from over 70,000 hours of success and failure. This is unprecedented, we've never offered these three workshops back-to-back, so if you want to get in, get to getting, it's time to register! You can register for the Dusty-Crete Workshop here, or you can register for the All-In Workshop here. We look forward to seeing you in September.
Looking back at the May 2018 Workshops, and looking FORWARD to the September 2018 Workshops!
The May 2018 concrete training classes wrapped up a few weeks ago, and WOW, what an amazing group of talented folks! We had a great time getting to know everyone and the pieces they made in the workshops were top notch. Now that the May classes are in the books we are getting emails asking about the next class dates. Unfortunately we have a lot of projects in the queue at the GDCo./Hard Goods Studio, so the soonest dates we could lock in are:
September 17-18 / 2-Day Dusty-Crete Workshop
September 19 / 1-Day Post-Tensioned Concrete Workshop
September 20-21 / 2-Day Fabric-Forming + GFRC Sink Workshop
or, take ALL THREE in ONE WEEK:
September 17-21 / All-In Workshop
All three of these classes are extremely popular, and based on the number of emails we've received the training events will fill-up quickly. If you want to get in you need to register TODAY, not tomorrow!
Over 1,000 Served!
“Best training I ever had!”
Since 2005 more than 1,000 Artisans have chosen to attend training workshops with Concrete Design School! There is a reason why so many have placed their trust in us when it comes to learning the Art of High-End Concrete. The Difference is Experience, Experience the Difference, register for a hands-on workshop today!
A recap of the March Workshops and looking towards the May Hands-On Workshops, which are Filling-Up Fast! Purchase Tickets Now!
We just wrapped training of the March Fabric-Forming + GFRC Workshop and the Post-Tensioned + Current Techniques Workshop. What an amazing group of people - we had attendees from all over the world including Venezuela, Guatemala, Indonesia, Kuwait, India, Dominican Republic, Canada, and from all around the United States! It is always an honor to have international attendees in our workshops, an investment we are humbled by. We conduct serious training events for folks that are serious about being the best in the concrete industry! Above are a few photos from the March classes.
We are currently slated to hold the following 3 workshops in May:
2.5 Day DUSTY-CRETE WORKSHOP, MAY 10-12, 2018
2.5 Day Fabric-Forming + GFRC Workshop, May 14-16, 2018
1.5 Day Furniture Design Workshop, May 17-18, 2018
The classes are starting to fill-up, so if you're thinking about attending you should purchase tickets soon, our last classes sold-out!
The March 'Dusty-Crete Workshop' and 'Fabric-Forming + GFRC Workshop' are SOLD-OUT! Tickets are on-sale for the May Workshops.
The March Dusty-Crete Workshop and Fabric-Forming + GFRC Workshop are officially SOLD-OUT! There are a few spots remaining in the March Post-Tensioned Concrete + Current Techniques Workshop, and tickets are on sale for the May Workshops!