2007 Decorative & Durable Designs Concrete Pavement Awards

Featured this month are winning entries in the Precast category of the 2007 Concrete Pavement Awards Decorative and Durable Designs competition. Outstanding

Featured this month are winning entries in the Precast category of the 2007 Concrete Pavement Awards Û Decorative and Durable Designs competition. Outstanding achievement in a range of applications excluding highway work again is highlighted, as we showcase Precast projects selected by judges for superior design, craftsmanship, and site suitability. In addition to award-winning Residential and Commercial installations, an Editor’s Choice project is presented this year. Congratulations are extended to the winners by program cosponsors Concrete Products, Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute, and the American Society for Concrete Contractors’ Decorative Concrete Council Û and to all who participated, a special tribute for the extra effort that distinguishes these concrete industry players.

COMMERCIAL – FIRST PLACE

Carnival Center for the Performing Arts Miami, Florida

Awarded to:
Hanson Paver Products
Pompano Beach, Florida

Paver supplier:
Hanson Paver Products

Worthy of what is arguably Miami’s cultural crown jewel Û the $468 million Carnival Center for the Performing Arts Û a 104,000-sq.-ft. installation comprises an elliptical-shaped entry and plaza constructed largely of 4-in. _ 8-in. _ 60-mm pavers, whose rich colors and patterns evoke the movement and sound experienced within the opera house. Red, yellow, orange, green, and charcoal units form striking designs, continuous even as the hardscape traverses Biscayne Boulevard, requiring a switch to 80-mm-thick pavers to accommodate heavy vehicular traffic.

COMMERCIAL – SECOND PLACE

Kanaya Condominium Roof Deck Sarasota, Florida

Awarded to:
Hanson Paver Products
Lehigh Acres, Florida

Paver supplier:
Hanson Paver Products
Lehigh Acres, Florida

At a luxury condominium in Sarasota’s Laurel Park, colored concrete pavers for a third-floor roof deck have been employed to a higher purpose: the 9,000-sq.-ft. inlaid labyrinth is said to embody Feng Shui principles, inspiring renewal and healing as it provides a focal point for positive intention and constructive energy. The custom pattern was achieved by installing 4-in. _ 8-in _ 60-mm pavers of contrasting colors on a one-inch sand bed with waterproof membrane.

COMMERCIAL – HONORABLE MENTION

Decatur MARTA Plaza Improvement Decatur, Georgia

Awarded to:
Site Technologies, Inc.
Roswell, Georgia

Paver supplier:
Wausau Tile Co.
Wausau, Wisconsin

After considering myriad decorative paving options, architectural precast pavers were deemed best suited to satisfy the architect’s design criteria as well as city aesthetic and performance requirements. The use of bold, contrasting paver colors and finishes allowed designers to create a hardscape celebrating the city’s culture and history, especially with water-jet relief panels honoring local landmarks and historic institutions. Acknowledging the role of the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority in the city’s evolution, selected pavers were cast with coin-sized recesses for implanting replica MARTA tokens.

The plaza’s 20,000-sq.-ft. expanse dictated the use of 12-in.-square and 18-in.-square units, while affordability favored a sand-set pavement. Paver thickness of 2.75 inches was selected to accommodate occasional service vehicles, and ?-in. spacing tabs were introduced to ensure proper filling of sand joints, as well as alignment of pavers and relief etchings. Providing a base for the installation were a 1-in. sand setting bed and nonwoven geotextile fabric over a crowned, high-strength mortar topping course to drain water to the plaza perimeter.

RESIDENTIAL – FIRST PLACE (TIE)

Olson Residence St. Charles, Illinois

Awarded to:
County Wide Landscaping
Elburn, Illinois

Paver supplier:
Unilock
Aurora, Illinois

Breaking new ground on multiple levels, the contractor installed 11 styles of 7-cm-thick colored pavers, 10,000 sq. ft. of materials, and 175 LED lights in two colors and sizes, investing thousands of man hours over 12 weeks to complete the 6,500-sq.-ft. quilted paver driveway. A 42-in.-deep base supporting the pavement consists of a 2-ft. layer of 3- to 6-in. stone, plus 18 inches of Grade 8, Ê-in. crushed limestone and _-in. coarse sand. Compaction was performed every two inches, after which 2,500 ft. of low-voltage cable were randomly laid on top of the sand throughout the installation.

The entire driveway first was paved with Unilock Umbriano 16-in.-square, 16- _ 8-in., and 8-in.-square units. After patterns were subsequently traced onto the Umbriano pavers, six crew members devoted one day to cutting out each design and 1_ days to cutting and placing stones back into the hardscape. Installing the lights required use of an underground line locator to identify the cable’s position before lights were strategically placed and holes drilled to connect them.

Next, a three-ribbon soldier course was created with Series 3000 6-in.-square pavers, allowing the main design to infiltrate the margins. Finally, a high-gloss coating was hand painted over the entire hardscape, after eliminating dust and stains with efflorescence remover and ensuring UV-, stain-, and water resistance by the application of a joint sand stabilizer sealer.

RESIDENTIAL – FIRST PLACE (TIE)

Taylor Residence Alamo, California

Awarded to:
Tice Valley Landscape, Inc.
Alamo, California

Paver supplier:
Calstone
Sunnyvale, California

Close collaboration between the homeowner and contractor has enabled ongoing development of a gracious outdoor venue featuring multiple levels articulated by precast elements simulating natural stone. Over an 8- to 12-in. bed of compacted Class 11 road base rock with geo-textile fabric, plus one inch of ASTM C-33 sand, 60-mm River Rock pavers were installed and secured with Techni-Seal Polymeric joint sand stabilizer. Tan, red and charcoal pigments, blended to create a distinctive paver color, enhance the hardscape’s realism.

Also contributing to the natural effect is a three-piece random pattern for the field with a soldier course border. Steps were framed with CMU block fortified by cavities filled with concrete and #3 rebar. Installation of steps and risers was followed by placement of pavers with a bullnose coping stone and incorporation of step lights. Edging paved areas, walls constructed of CMU block feature a natural stone overlay and matching stone caps.

During construction, inspiration led to the creation of a circular landing, despite the lack of architectural plans or drawings. And, work continues: a new phase of paver pathway and seat-wall installation will begin after a guest house and outdoor kitchen center have been established. Completion of the entire project in 2009 is anticipated.

RESIDENTIAL – SECOND PLACE

Barkman Residence Steinbach, Manitoba

Awarded to:
Barkman Concrete
Winnipeg, Manitoba

Paver supplier:
Barkman Concrete

Both elegant and inviting, the 3,000-sq.-ft. backyard project displays an impressive variety of horizontal and vertical precast elements. Forming a large lounging area are Dynasty Slabs [15Ê-in.-square] in Slate Mocca finish placed in a random pattern incorporating three different-sized blocks. A vertical wall defining the area comprises Quarry Stone Tumbled Retaining Wall units [12- _ 8-in. and radius 12- or 10Ê -in. _ 8-in.] in Desert Buff with a coping layer of the same style. To enhance the structure, four patio pillars were erected and finished off with chiselled Pillar Caps. A fireplace faced with Northland Stone manufactured veneer in Rustic Ledgestone antique brown contrasts with light patio pavers.

Complementing circular patio furniture, a separate dining area features Sierra Grey Roman Circle Tumbled Pavers in four sizes, including the center stone. A matching wall with pillars encircles the dining patio. To connect the two primary areas and bridge a rock stream following the length of the yard, two large rocks were used in addition to Roman Tumbled Pavers of three sizes [8_10, 6_8, 4_8] in a random pattern employing equal amounts of each. Additionally, stairs constructed of precast Step Planks in Buff color lead to the house, while Wood Pattern concrete planks serve as stepping stones onto the walkway.

Throughout the project, pavers are 2? inches thick; slabs are 1Ê inches thick; and, wall and pillar stones are 4 inches thick. Integral pigment colors all paver and wall units, while slabs feature a ∫-in.-thick face mix for abrasion resistance.

RESIDENTIAL – HONORABLE MENTION

James Residence Williamsburg, Virginia

Awarded to:
Williams Landscape & Design
Williamsburg, Virginia

Paver supplier:
Rinox
Douglassville, Pennsylvania

Transforming a sloping backyard into an outdoor oasis required ingenuity, skill, and top-notch precast materials. The owner’s demand for a swimming pool surrounded by patio spaces was complicated by an existing deck at six feet above grade, which the client intended to retain, but without having to walk down a set of stairs to reach the pool and patio. Initial project challenges involved drainage issues, i.e., moving three septic lines to allow pool and patio installation, plus relocation of an underground propane tank. Erecting over 800 square feet of Rinox Rio Walls raised the patio and pool grade to that of the deck floor. A natural effect was created by incorporating 30-plus tons of boulders in the walls to suggest a barricade among rock outcroppings, as well as a waterfall from the upper patio to the pool deck.

Three patio levels required more than 1,575 sq. ft. of 2? -in.-thick Rinox Palazzo Modulo pavers. The five-piece system including several circle kits facilitated construction of a hot tub in one patio and a 16- _ 30-ft. pool at the middle level. Rinox Spherik bull nosed pavers provided pool coping and step treads, allowing elements to flow seamlessly as the Panama Beige color matched that of walls and patio.

RESIDENTIAL – EDITOR’S CHOICE

Private Residence Dix Hills, New York

Awarded to:
Gappsi, Inc.
Smithtown, New York

Paver supplier:
Paving Stones Select, Inc.
Smithtown, New York

Tasteful execution on a large scale characterizes the 10,000-sq.-ft. installation incorporating distinctive inlays, border accents, and color blends to complement the home’s contemporary architectural style. Driveway, courtyard, pool deck, and raised patio designs gracefully lead the pedestrian via transitions from one area to the next.

Pavers were installed on a 12-in. recycled concrete base and one inch of sand. The Gappsi Edge Restraint System secures pavement borders.