Any dip in volume of concrete production recorded recently is not reflected in the quality of finished work, as indicated by the results of this year's Concrete Pavement Awards — Decorative and Durable Designs competition. Cosponsored by Concrete Products, Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute, and ASCC's Decorative Concrete Council, the program recognizes outstanding achievement in a range of applications outside mainline highway practice. Accordingly, three judges representing ready mixed and paver production as well as installation and finishing interests evaluated entries in six major categories: residential, commercial, and specialty/indoor in both precast and cast-in-place.

All projects were rated on the basis of design, craftsmanship, and site suitability. In view of the abundance of exemplary material submitted, an additional category, Editor's Choice, was added this year to highlight exceptional work that falls outside the designated categories. Winning and honorable mention cast-in-place projects are featured this month to be followed by winning precast projects in February. Congratulations to all parties involved in the outstanding work presented here.

COMMERCIAL - 1ST PLACE

St. Catherine Church
Fort Thomas, Kentucky

Awarded to: G.R. Trumble Construction Co., Inc., Florence, Kentucky

Concrete supplier: All-Rite Concrete, Florence, Kentucky

Funded by a bequeathal to replace St. Catherine's aging concrete entry area, a welcoming plaza bounded by circular stairs was created with 1,074 square feet of colored and textured concrete. Retaining the circular configuration of the existing entry, designers implemented a two-color scheme of panels leading to the doorways set off by contrasting bands of color within the field of the plaza. Bands delineating the panels were constructed separately from the panel areas. To maintain uniform curves with crisp detail, steps were cast individually from the top down. The existing sign base was plastered and textured to match the steps, while crosses cut into the base break up its mass.

The two main colors serving to define the steps as well as panels within the plaza complement the tawny brown random stone and sandstone panels of the church building. The field color is Sun Buff with Pewter release; the steps are Sabal with Maplewood release. To simulate a cut stone step tread, the field color is also used for the riser. The stamp pattern is Random Olde English Slate. Color hardeners and textured stamps were supplied by Increte Systems, Inc. White silica sand mixed with Increte's Clear Seal provides a slip-resistant surface.

COMMERCIAL - 2ND PLACE

Tampa International Plaza
Tampa, Florida

Awarded to: Site Technologies, Inc., Roswell, Georgia

Concrete supplier: RMC Ewell, Inc., Tampa, Florida

Occupying a trophy tract between Tampa International Airport and Raymond James Stadium, the new Tampa International Plaza and Mall optimizes the use of available land while minimizing disturbance to adjacent property by incorporating second- and third-level open air retail villages atop a ground level parking garage. Complementing the European and Mediterranean design elements of the building façades and outdoor spaces, custom architectural concrete of 11 different colors and finishes was used to create 62,370 sq. ft. of plazas and terraces for the retail center. L.M. Scofield Co. supplied Chromix admixtures, Lithichrome color hardeners with release agents, Lithotex Pavecrafter stamps, and Color Cure & Clear Seal sealer. Integrally colored, 4,000 psi, pump-mix concrete with #4 WWF reinforcement installed over 60 psi DOW Plazamate polystyrene comprises the 4-in.-thick topping slabs.

The second-level main plaza features over 25,000 sq. ft. of 5- ∞ 5-ft. panels of Porcelain Gray integrally colored concrete with alternating panels of medium sandblast or broom finish. For the 16,000-sq.-ft. pedestrian walkway, a fish scale pattern was produced by means of stamped concrete employing custom integral color and release. The garage level, second-level plaza, and third-level terrace are accented with hand-seeded Mexican aggregate concrete paving bands; custom 18-in., charcoal stamped concrete bands; custom red, blue and green Pantone color hardened concrete paving; and, integrally colored Porcelain Gray concrete with exposed aggregate finish.

Completed within five months, the multi-faceted paving project progressed at an impressive rate. Construction was more than 60 days behind schedule when the paving contactor mobilized on the job. Undeterred by a hurricane, afternoon showers, and the unrelenting Florida sun, pavers completed the project on schedule by pumping and placing over 800 yards of concrete in 92 days, working seven days per week throughout July and August.

COMMERCIAL - HONORABLE MENTION

Capitol Records Building
Los Angeles, California

Awarded to: Sullivan Concrete Textures, Costa Mesa, California

Concrete supplier: Cemex, Ontario, California

Befitting its Hollywood setting, the 5,900-sq.-ft. Capitol Records building courtyard provides a scintillating surface of exotic design incorporating circles, bands, and sawcuts fashioned of architectural concrete. A light acid wash finish highlights courtyard and step surfaces treated with Meadow Green and Custom Blue color hardeners. Also lightly acid washed are Cobblestone Gray areas containing silica carbide, a light-reflective material that imparts a sparkle to the pavement in sunlight.

Natural Gray bands were hand seeded with ¼- to ½-in.-diameter crushed Cobalt Blue glass, adding further reflective properties to the surface. Sponging and acid washing provided a finish for these sections. An exposed aggregate finish of 1- to 1½-in.-diameter Aqua Pebble in Natural Gray-colored concrete contributes to a peaceful setting for the employee rest area.

RESIDENTIAL - 1ST PLACE

Hershewe Residence • Joplin, Missouri

Awarded to: Ozark Decorative Paving, Webb City, Missouri

Concrete suppliers: G & H and Joplin Redi-Mix, Joplin, Missouri

Sitting on the lowest plot in a subdivision built on a ridge, the home brought to its new owners a multitude of water and erosion problems. Accordingly, in addition to adequate drains, a series of walls and stairways was installed to control water flow and create usable space on the steeply sloping property.

A stairway was placed between two angled, 9-in.-thick walls of 3,000 psi concrete. Each stair tread, constructed also of 3,000 psi concrete, was pinned to the wall with two pieces of ½-in. rebar. The steps and tops of walls, including three 3-ft. walls used to level the ridge and two 2-ft. walls installed to retain soil around trees and planting beds, were stenciled and colored when the concrete was poured. After removal of the forms, vertical surfaces were stenciled and plastered.

For 1,000 sq. ft. of flatwork, fiber-reinforced 4,000 psi concrete was placed, screeded, bull floated and edged. After a paper stencil was placed on the slab and floated into the surface of the concrete, a dry shake color hardener was applied at a rate of 50 lb. per 100 sq. ft. A release agent was then cast at 30 lb. per 1,000 sq. ft. over the entire slab. A 3-ft. 9-in. stamping tool was used to texture the surface. Following removal of the stencil after curing the slab, excess release was cleaned from its surface and two coats of sealer were applied.

RESIDENTIAL - 2ND PLACE

Private Residence • Peoria, Illinois

Awarded to: Aupperle Construction, Morton, Illinois

Concrete supplier: United Ready Mix, Peoria, Illinois

Subtlety of design and color is key to the harmonious blending of driveway and courtyard with the natural beauty of the residential setting. For the 3,700-sq.-ft. pavement, 5-in.-thick, 4,000 psi concrete and #6 WWF wire mesh reinforcement were placed on a compacted, granular subbase. Bomanite English Sidewalk Slate and Riverside Slate patterns were used to create a realistic effect, heightened by a blend of Bomanite Natural Gray and Chargreen color hardeners, plus Natural Gray release agent to lend the installation a soft, but definite antique appearance. Broom finish borders and curbs in addition to a custom monogram at the center of the drive add distinction to the project. Finally, solvent-based sealer with slip-resistant grit was applied overall.

RESIDENTIAL - HONORABLE MENTION

Reeves Residence • Gans, Oklahoma

Awarded to: Increte Systems, Inc., Odessa, Florida

Concrete supplier: Arkhola, Fort Smith, Arkansas

Boasting 10,122 sq. ft. of decorative paving, the residence is an apt reflection of its owner, NBA superstar Bryant “Big Country” Reeves. The patio, pool deck and driveway feature stamped concrete incorporating Increte's Old English Slate pattern with an Antique white color hardener base and Sand Buff highlights. Installation spanned 11 weeks. Accentuating the grounds of the estate, the project once again demonstrates “concrete” enhancement of a natural setting.

RESIDENTIAL - HONORABLE MENTION

Arterbury Residence Fort Smith, Arkansas

Awarded to: Johnny Newby, Inc., Van Buren, Arkansas and Increte Systems, Inc., Odessa, Florida

Concrete supplier: Arkhola, Fort Smith, Arkansas

To create an atmosphere of poolside elegance, the owners selected Increte's 5 ∞ 5 Slate Skin pattern with Adobe Buff and Desert Tan highlights. Old English Slate 12-in. borders in Sand Buff with Desert Tan highlights provide a distinctive contrast. Seeking an authentic slate appearance for their 1,400-sq.-ft. pool deck and patio, the owners found the stamped concrete system with quality craftsmanship through custom coloring more than equal to the task.

RESIDENTIAL - EDITOR'S CHOICE

Bunger Residence Union, Kentucky

Awarded to: G.R. Trumble Construction Co., Inc., Florence, Kentucky

Concrete supplier: All-Rite Concrete, Florence, Kentucky

To the delight of the homeowner, an engineer, the compass on the surface of the porch brings a significant part of his life to the new residence. A compass design was created on the 6-in.-thick suspended, steel-reinforced concrete porch slab with a Stencil Systems paper stencil. Color hardeners from Increte Systems enliven the 5½-ft.-diameter compass: the background color is Adobe Buff; the outer ring is Slate; the accent colors are Teal and Plum; the directional letters are Charcoal. To accent the North direction, a stainless steel triangle was positioned at the peak of the North diamond. The release material, a blend of Sand Buff and Slate, adds a rich patina. For surface texture, Stencil Systems' 3-ft. texture roller was used.

SPECIALTY/INDOOR - 1ST PLACE

Ameristar Casino St. Charles, Missouri

Awarded to: Ahal Contracting Co., Inc., Bridgeton, Missouri

Concrete supplier: Kienstra Concrete, Des Peres, Missouri

Decorative concrete comprises the floor finish for over 40,000 sq. ft. of the newly completed entertainment facility. Incorporating four richly colored patterns, imprinted concrete complements the vintage design of the Streetscape area. Bomanite patterns, including Bomacron Fishscale Granite Setts, Running Bond Used Brick, and a hand-tooled border between them, provided the versatility to cover diverse areas. In the elevator lobby, 1,200 sq. ft. of ½-in. stampable topping were placed using the Fishscale pattern. Over 12,000 sq. ft. of reactive stain finished floors enhance the Buffet and Sports Bar. Additionally, 70 sq. ft. of stained concrete countertops were installed in the AmeriSports Bar & Grill.

Structural slab poured with a troweled finish required shot blasting to create a rough surface for proper bonding of the 2-in. topping slab. The 8,000-sq.-ft. Buffet floor slab was poured in a single day to accommodate fast-track scheduling. Five days were allowed for curing before application of the sealant. Once sealed, the surface was promptly covered with masonite for protection.

Decorative patterns were sawcut in the buffet and sports bar floor slabs the day after each was poured. These slabs were allowed to cure for 14-21 days prior to application of L.M. Scofield's “Antique Amber” reactive stain. As a “base coat” sealer, high-solids, water-base acrylic QC Cemseal was applied, followed by a coating of Hild Tuff Plus Floor Finish. Decorative sawcuts were filled with a tile grout prior to application of the final sealer coat.

Challenges on the job were met with the expertise and cooperation of project principals. When difficulties arose keeping areas clean prior to pouring, especially after shot-blasting, due to the foot traffic of other trades, the general contractor made a special effort to coordinate work schedules. Breaking the 40,000-sq.-ft. project into pour sizes ranging from 700 to 1,000 sq. ft., cement finishers scrupulously maintained layout lines to ensure that each pattern line remained straight and square throughout the streetscape. Such dedicated professionalism made possible the meeting of a fast-track schedule despite the interruption of numerous change orders.

SPECIALTY/INDOOR - 2ND PLACE

Busch Garden Aviary • Tampa, Florida

Awarded to: Top Deck, Brandon, Florida and Increte Systems, Inc., Odessa, Florida

Concrete supplier: Florida Rock, Tampa, Florida

An aviary housing 500 species of birds is one of the primary attractions of the Busch Gardens theme park featuring more than 2,700 animals in its world-class zoo. To complement the avian domicile and withstand the rigors of heavy tourist traffic, Increte's 5 ∞ 5 Slate Skin Pattern with Sun Buff base coloring and Dark Grey highlights was selected for a 3,000-sq.-ft. stamped concrete pavement in the aviary. Special detailing includes custom fossil inlays: over 12 different fossil patterns stamped into the concrete surface simulate alligator, bear, beaver, raccoon and otter tracks as well as palm frond impressions. In just over three weeks, a pavement was installed that beautifully fulfills its purpose as it incites the imagination.

SPECIALTY/INDOOR - HONORABLE MENTION

Manchester Bridge Manchester, Connecticut

Awarded to: MIG and Barker Steel and Increte Systems, Inc., Odessa, Florida

For over 2,000 sq. ft. of bridge span and abutment walls, Increte Systems' Stone-Crete architectural wall system was deemed the best choice on both its aesthetic and structural merits. As the Town of Manchester was keen to have its new bridge blend with the surroundings, the Sedona pattern was selected for its realistic color and deep relief in creating a natural stone appearance. Furthermore, the strength and durability of the Stone-Crete wall system provide structural integrity for demanding applications.