Masterpiece in the Making at the Crow Museum of Asian Art
Project Scope:
- Bomanite Licensee: Texas Bomanite
- Project Name: Crow Museum of Asian Art at UTD
- Bomanite System: Bomanite Custom Polishing Systems
- Bomanite Custom Polishing System: Bomanite VitraFlor
- Project Owner: UTD (University of Texas at Dallas)
- Architect: Morphosis
- General Contractor: Beck
- Square Footage: 37,000 SF
- Type: Architectural decorative concrete polished museum flooring
Summary:
Texas Bomanite collaborated with world-renowned architectural firm Morphosis and general contractor Beck to deliver sophisticated Bomanite Custom Polishing Systems decorative concrete flooring using Bomanite VitraFlor for the Crow Museum of Asian Art at the University of Texas at Dallas. Spanning 37,000 square feet, the project showcases a seamless blend of high-gloss elegance in public galleries and functional, matte-finished durability in back-of-house storage areas. By utilizing a custom concrete mix and executing a multi-stage grinding and polishing process, including a striking 3,000-grit finish, Texas Bomanite has set a new benchmark for architectural concrete in cultural institutions.
Precision and Artistry: The Crow Museum of Asian Art
In the realm of museum design, the floor is more than a surface; it is a canvas that must complement the exhibits without overstating its presence. For the Crow Museum of Asian Art at the University of Texas at Dallas (UTD), Texas Bomanite was tasked with delivering a flooring solution that met the exacting standards of Morphosis and Beck. The result is a monolithic, 37,000-square-foot installation that proves decorative concrete is the premier choice for architecturally significant spaces.
Technical Precision in High-Gloss Environments
The centerpiece of the project involves 28,000 square feet of public-facing areas, including the first-floor lobby and Level 2 exhibit halls. These spaces feature a Class D large aggregate polished concrete. To achieve a pristine, mirror-like reflection that elevates the museum’s architectural impact, Texas Bomanite executed a 3,000-grit high-gloss finish.
This was not a standard mix. In a showcase of the “Bomanite Advantage,” a custom concrete mix was developed in direct collaboration with the architect and Custom Rock to ensure the aggregate exposure and color palette perfectly aligned with the design vision.
Strategic Challenges and Solutions
Large-scale museum projects require rigorous logistical coordination. To ensure the highest quality installation, Texas Bomanite implemented several technical strategies:
- Early-Stage Grinding: To achieve the desired aggregate exposure, floors were initially ground before wall construction began.
- Advanced Protection: During the ongoing construction phase, the exposed surfaces were protected using the Skudo HT Commercial System to prevent damage from other trades.
- Aesthetic Enhancement: Decorative sawcuts were strategically added between control joints in the lobby, transforming necessary structural elements into intentional design features.
- Phased Completion: The final polish was meticulously timed just prior to painting to ensure the reflective surface remained flawless for the museum’s opening.
Functional Durability for Operational Excellence
While the galleries demand high-gloss beauty, the museum’s operational needs required a different approach for the back-of-house exhibit storage. Here, Texas Bomanite installed 9,700 square feet of 400-grit honed matte concrete. This finish provides a sleek, modern appearance that balances aesthetic continuity with the heavy-duty durability needed for moving and storing priceless artifacts.
Seamless Integration with Visionary Architecture
The primary benefit of Bomanite VitraFlor in high-design projects is its ability to act as a monolithic, high-performance architectural element that transforms standard concrete into a custom canvas. For world-renowned firms like Morphosis, this system allows the floor to become a silent partner to the building’s broader design, offering a light-reflective quality that enhances exhibits without overstating its own presence. By bridging the gap between durability and high art, VitraFlor ensures that the architectural intent remains the primary focus from edge to edge.
The Bomanite Advantage
The Crow Museum project highlights why Bomanite is the global leader in decorative concrete. This installation was not merely about pouring and polishing; it was about technical difficulty, creative product use, and artisanal quality. Only a Bomanite Licensed Contractor like Texas Bomanite possesses the specialized training to coordinate such a complex, multi-phase project while maintaining the integrity of a unique architectural vision.
