Fair-faced concrete refers to undecorated cement surfaces. By the late 18th century, concrete became an indispensable building material in modern architecture, alongside metal and glass, forming the three core elements of contemporary construction. In the 20th century, architects such as Le Corbusier, Louis Kahn, and Tadao Ando elevated fair-faced concrete as a protagonist in architectural expression, creating iconic structures like the Ronchamp Chapel, the Salk Institute, and the Row House in Sumiyoshi.

After founding 「Shih Ao Fair-Faced Concrete」, Mr. Mao Shen-Chiang utilized concrete to explore the layers of grayscale, enabling a single material to embody multifaceted aesthetics while presenting spaces in their most authentic form. The foundation of fair-faced concrete lies in formwork engineering, where the assembly of formwork shows the attitude and rigor of the construction team. The concrete flows within the formwork and solidifies before the molds are removed, revealing the final form. Shih Ao emphasizes the use of high-quality plywood formwork to achieve a smooth surface finish.