Featured this month are winning entries in the Precast category of the 2005 Concrete Pavement Awards Decorative and Durable Designs competition. Like
Featured this month are winning entries in the Precast category of the 2005 Concrete Pavement Awards Û Decorative and Durable Designs competition. Like the Cast-in-Place award winners showcased in our January issue, the Precast projects selected for recognition exemplify outstanding achievement in a range of applications outside mainline highway practice. Design, craftsmanship, and site suitability were the criteria used by judges to evaluate entries in both commercial and residential categories. The program cosponsors Û Concrete Products, the American Society of Concrete Contractors’ Decorative Concrete Council, and Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute Û congratulate the winners and appreciate the participation of all who entered the competition.
JUDGES
Michael Emerson, ASLA, is senior vice president with VOA, a Chicago-based architecture, interior design, and planning firm.
Abigale Baldwin is affiliated with Jacobs/Ryan Associates Landscape Architects Chicago.
Jack Gabriel Di Clementi, ASLA, RLA, operates a land-planning and landscape architecture business in Wilmette, Ill.
COMMERCIAL – 1ST PLACE
National Aquarium Baltimore, Maryland
Awarded to:
Interlock Paving, Inc.
Baltimore, Maryland
Concrete supplier:
Hanover Architectural
Products
Hanover, Pennsylvania
1st
In addition to new aquatic exhibits, the expansion of Baltimore’s National Aquarium includes a renovation of grounds surrounding the building. A 62,000-sq.-ft. entrance plaza, whose concrete pavers form the welcoming pattern of waves’ ebb and flow, now fronts the aquarium, host to millions of visitors annually since its 1981 opening. To further enhance the feeling of being on an ocean, project principals note, even the planters conform to a wave design.
Pavers comprising the intricate layout include Hanover’s 12- _ 12- _ 2_-in. units in two colors Û M2541 /Tudor and M2540/Tudor Û set on a 1_ -in. sand bed for pedestrian areas. The 6- _ 6- _ 3-in. vehicular pavers in B91151/Tudor and B92542/Tudor colors match the 12-in.-square units.
COMMERCIAL – 2ND PLACE
Domino Park
Renovation Project
Miami, Florida
Awarded to:
PaverModule of Florida
Pompano Beach, Florida
Concrete supplier:
PaverModule of Florida
To commemorate a 50-year-old park named for a favorite pastime of the diverse residents in Miami’s historic Little Havana, a dilapidated two-way street was transformed into a 15,000-sq.-ft. pedestrian-friendly outdoor venue. Weekdays the streetscape provides access for vehicles entering designated parking areas for nearby shops, while musical concerts, Domino tournaments, and Farmers’ Markets occupy the space nights and weekends.
The transformation was accomplished with standard 8-in.-square concrete pavers and meandering 4- _ 8-in. soldier courses installed on a 10-in. subbase of compacted lime rock. Blues and greens depict the tropical waters of South Florida beaches, as red, yellow, peach, and tan hues represent the multicultural spectrum of residents congregating daily in the park. Vibrant custom colors were achieved by manufacturing a face mix paver, allowing concentration of intense pigment and finer aggregates in the top ∫-in. layer.
COMMERCIAL – HONORABLE MENTION
Beach Walk at South Beach Miami Beach, Florida
Awarded to:
Paver Systems
West Palm Beach, Florida
Concrete supplier:
Paver Systems
In the Deco District, the dazzling beauty of pastel-colored Î20s- and Î30s-era buildings that line South Beach Û the southernmost three-mile stretch of Miami Beach Û is accentuated by a newly installed beach walk. Running between shore and hotel, extending from 14th to 21st Street, the 100,000-sq.-ft. pathway was constructed with pastel, nonchamferred Colony pavers in various patterns, such as running bond and herringbone, to provide a smooth surface for the enjoyment of cyclists, skaters, and pedestrians alike.
COMMERCIAL – HONORABLE MENTION
Seminole Paradise
Hollywood, Florida
Awarded to:
PaverModule of Florida
Pompano Beach, Florida
Concrete supplier:
PaverModule of Florida
Pavement design requirements for Seminole Paradise Û an entertainment and retail complex encompassing dining and drinking establishments plus shops and outdoor concert venues Û included color versatility, symmetrical patterns, and specialty aggregates for particular areas. Comprising individual units, concrete pavers were deemed best suited to the demands of the project.
A bold, symmetrical pattern at the entrance to the complex incorporates five shapes within PaverModule’s Plaza series: 12-in.-square, 8-in.-square, 6-in.-square, 4-in.-square, and 4- _ 8-in. pavers. The units’ dimensions allowed formation of a fluid design across the venue without making cuts to achieve the pattern.
Pavement branching off to other areas features electric color provided by 8-in.-square and 8- _ 12-in. specialty finished units. Included in the top ∫-in. layer of blue, green, and purple face mix pavers is clear and recycled blue glass. Other pavers incorporate glass, oyster, and coquina shells. A precise grinding method allowed removal of 2 mm of surface matrix to expose the specialty aggregate. Addition of specialty pigments and aggregates to only the face mix helped reduce costs while maximizing the pavers’ vivid appearance. Using clear glass, furthermore, created the illusion of additional glass colors by revealing mix tints through a transparent medium.
In total, over 105,000 sq. ft. of 2?-in.-thick pavers were installed on one inch of bedding sand and six inches of crushed rock. A clear, solvent-based sealer was applied to enhance color and protect against fading and normal wear.
COMMERCIAL – HONORABLE MENTION
Christ Church Harbor
Apartments Courtyard Plaza
Baltimore, Maryland
Awarded to:
Interlock Paving, Inc.
Baltimore, Maryland
Concrete supplier:
Hanover Architectural
Products
Hanover, Pennsylvania
As the 18,000-sq.-ft. Christ Church Harbor Apartments courtyard surmounts a structure below, paving system weight was a major factor in choosing concrete pavers for the plaza’s renovation. Installed on a pedestal system, the pavers in some cases had to be raised six to eight inches off the existing sloped base and leveled. Two-inch-thick Hanover pavers in three sizes (24-, 18-, and 12-in.-square) in colors of Tan, Natural, and Charcoal with a Tudor finish were used to create complementary patterns forming an integrated design.
RESIDENTIAL – 1ST PLACE (TIE)
The Villas at Old Palm Springs
Palm Springs, California
Awarded to:
Farley Interlocking Paving
Palm Desert, California
Concrete supplier:
Belgard Pavers
Division of Oldcastle
1st
As if in deference to the natural splendor of a Palm Springs locale, the 50,000-sq.-ft. paved expanse exhibits subtlety in design and color, prominently displaying only fine craftsmanship. Belgard Mega-Bergerac pavers in Sierra tint complement the buildings’ roofing and architectural elements as well as surrounding scenery.
RESIDENTIAL – 1ST PLACE (TIE)
Roy Residence
St. Charles, Illinois
Awarded to:
CountyWide Landscaping
Elburn, Illinois
Concrete supplier:
Unilock
Aurora, Illinois
1st
The 1,800-sq.-ft., three-level patio incorporates Unilock’s Heritage pavers to simulate flagstone, plus Quarry Stone Prairie units complementing the built-in bar and hot tub constructed of stone and rock. In addition to a bar between first and second levels that accommodates more upper-level seating as stools are pulled up to the bar top, amenities include two sinks, refrigerator, grill, bun warmer, and pizza oven on the lower level Û all enclosed in Unilock brick. An extra 100 manhours were required to build the outdoor fireplace. Adding further novelty to the setting is a feature that creates the illusion of water running below the pavement into the hot tub.
RESIDENTIAL – 2ND PLACE
Kerrigan Residence
West Islip, New York
Awarded to:
The Deck and Patio Co.
Huntington Station, New York
Concrete supplier:
All Island Mason Supply
Kings Park, New York
Realizing the owner’s vision of a year-round outdoor pond and waterfall, the 1,200-sq.-ft. decorative pavement provides an attractive setting for the backyard feature. Elena Techo Bloc tumbled pavers in sizes 2.4 _ 2.4 _ 4.8 through 2.4 _ 3.7 _ 9.7 were installed in a random pattern. Sandalwood color creates natural earth tones throughout the patio, while Shale Grey capstone for the spa coping offsets and highlights the water display.
To prevent settling, an 8-in. RCA base in 4-in. compacted lifts supports the main section of the patio. Filling gaps between pavers, Techo Bloc stabilizer sand encourages water runoff away from the spa, prevents weeds and grass from growing in the joints, and deters ants from tunneling underneath the installation.
RESIDENTIAL – HONORABLE MENTION
Renter Residence
Dix Hills, New York
Awarded to:
The Deck and Patio Co.
Huntington Station, New York
Concrete supplier:
All Island Mason Supply
Kings Park, New York
A veritable playground of the elements, the five-level, 2,500-sq.-ft. patio constructed primarily of Elena Sandalwood pavers showcases a free-form pool, cascading waterfalls, natural-gas campfires, swim-up/walk-up bar, and a waterfall spa. The installation spans a 12-ft. elevation, offering enticements at every level: cabana, vinyl-lined spa, and spa patio with the first of three natural-gas campfires at the uppermost level; moss rock steps to the next level, where access is gained to the home’s deck and cellar; Bluestone stepping-stone paths throughout the landscaping, winding past a hammock to the main lounge area, featuring embedded umbrellas and two more campfires; and, a final set of steps to the lowest level where guests mingle with nearby swimmers at the bar. The patio behind the bar accommodates a full-service refreshment center equipped with ice maker, refrigerator, and barbecue.
Following the contractor/installer’s recommendation, Elena Techo Bloc tumbled pavers in sizes 2.4 _ 2.4 _ 4.8 through 2.4 _ 3.7 _ 9.7 were installed in a random pattern. Techo Bloc Sandalwood capstone comprises the pool coping.
An RCA base of eight inches was used on all levels of the patio to prevent settling. For the spa and diving rock areas, a 24-in RCA base provides added support. Base material was compacted in 4-in. lifts. Filling the gaps between pavers is Techo Bloc Stabilizer sand.
SPECIALTY – 1ST PLACE (TIE)
Culinary Institute of America – Anton Plaza
Hyde Park, New York
Awarded to:
Syrstone, Inc.
North Syracuse, N.Y.
Concrete supplier:
Hanover Architectural
Products
Hanover, Pennsylvania
1st
Befitting the Harvard of cooking universities, Anton Plaza Û part of CIA’s campus upgrade Û includes pedestal-set slab pavers comprising a 50-ft.-diameter water feature with 24 waterjets, sodded greenroof, trellises and planter urns. As the installation is built entirely over a concrete deck covering a sublevel parking garage, slab paver joints provide drainage to the sloping deck underneath. Accordingly, Hanover’s large, waterjet-cut pavers had to be set on 15-ft.-high pedestals to accommodate complex plumbing fixtures underneath the paving units. Credited with the success of the project is the installer’s proprietary SRS pedestal system, also used to form walls containing greenroof soil and as bases for planter urns.
Outstanding as an engineering feat, Anton Plaza is exceptional also for its aesthetic value. More than 7,000 sq. ft. of spirograph-cut and standard 3-ft.-square pavers (as well as four 6-ft. _ 6-ft. _ 6-in. granite slabs engraved with chef’s toques) were installed dead-level on SRS to create the plaza’s swirling pattern encompassed by a ring of wheat grain-inscribed paving units. Immediately adjacent to the deck, 5,000 sq. ft. of Hanover 8-in.-square pavers set in a bituminous bed extend the reach of the paved respite.
SPECIALTY – 1ST PLACE (TIE)
Gappsi Showroom
Smithtown, New York
Awarded to:
Gappsi, Inc.
Smithtown, New York
Concrete supplier:
Nicolock Inc.
Long Island, New York
1st
A vivid demonstration of pavers’ versatility and functionality is provided by 50,000 sq. ft. of paving stones comprising the supply yard, driveways, and main entrance, as well as indoor and outdoor displays of the Gappsi showroom and supply center. Set on 12 inches of recycled concrete base plus one inch of sand and secured at all borders by the Gappsi Edge Restraint System, the installations encompass an impressive variety of design and color, emphasizing a harmonious blend of landscape hues. This is how to do it all without overdoing it, was one judge’s appraisal.