Hardscapes leave asphalt jungles, creosote timbers in rearview mirror

The Brick Industry Association, Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute and National Concrete Masonry Association’s 2017 Hardscape North America awards program recognized 16 winning and 20 honorable mention projects. Sponsored by Belgard and Pavestone, the program was open to residential and commercial walkways, patios, pool decks, outdoor kitchens, driveways, commercial plazas, streets, and other applications of concrete, clay or porcelain pavers and segmental concrete retaining wall units.



The 2017 Pasadena Showcase House of Design took the Porcelain – Residential category. Pacific Outdoor Living of Sun Valley, Calif., and designer Terry Morrill used Belgard porcelain pavers to extend indoor space to the southern California outdoor setting, the centerpiece of which is a custom concrete table with run-through stream and waterfall.
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The Westlake Shopping Center in Peoria, Ill., took the Combination of Hardscape Products – Commercial > 20,000 square feet category. Interlock Brick Paving of East Peoria and Cohen Development designers used Belgard, Unilock, Solistone and Milestone Imports products in two phases to replace 300,000 square feet of asphalt pavement along driveways and pedestrian areas.
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A private outdoor retreat near Milwaukee took the Combination of Hardscape Products – Residential < 4,000 Square Feet category. Working with Unilock, Extreme Outdoors of Big Bend, Wis., and designer Jamon Peterson interpreted six fire and four water features, brick oven, full kitchen and 20-ft. half-round bar in 3,000-plus square feet of pavers and 1,200 square feet of wall stone.

“We challenged contractors throughout North America to showcase the work they are most proud of to give the industry an idea of the depth of talent we have in all of our markets,” says ICPI Chairman Matt Lynch (Oldcastle Architectural). “Entries were judged on intent, design, quality of construction and craftsmanship, compatibility with related construction materials and systems, construction innovation, detailing, and overall design excellence. The winning projects showcase the best-of-the-best in hardscape design and construction.”

The largest number of winning projects (three) were located in Wisconsin, followed by California, Connecticut, Illinois, North Carolina and the greater Philadelphia–New Jersey area (two). Bahler Brothers from South Windsor, Conn., was the most decorated contractor, receiving two HNA Awards and one Honorable Mention.