Tag Archives: glass aggregates

Musselman and Hall’s Polished Perfection with Bomanite Renaissance

November 13, 2024

At the newly rebuilt John Diemer Elementary School in Overland Park, KS, the entryway is more than a path; it’s a polished masterpiece. In collaboration with the main contractor, JE Dunn, and the project designer, Incite Design Studio, Bomanite Licensee Musselman & Hall Contractors, LLC transformed the school’s main entry, corridors, and multi-purpose room with a 2 inch unbonded topping slab installing Bomanite Custom Polishing Systems using Bomanite Renaissance. This intricate process incorporated seeded decorative aggregates for a sleek terrazzo-inspired appearance, elevating the look and feel of the space.

Stunning Surfaces with Seeded Aggregates

To achieve this dazzling finish, Musselman & Hall used a blend of seeded aggregates and glass, including Imperial White, Mother of Pearl, Midnight Blue glass, and Tiara Blue glass. These carefully chosen materials, combined with the team’s expert concrete craftsmanship, resulted in a floor that’s as durable as it is breathtaking. But they didn’t stop there. Matching precast stair treads were fabricated and installed at the main entry staircase, ensuring a cohesive and sophisticated design for this two-story school. Musselman & Hall have developed a great relationship with this particular design team, and currently have contracts for two additional schools in this district.

A Foundation for Sustainability

The 76,000-square-foot John Diemer Elementary School isn’t just beautiful, it’s built to last, and with the planet in mind. As a LEED Silver certified building, the design prioritizes energy efficiency, water performance, and healthy interiors. The school also features:

Flexible learning spaces for collaboration
Outdoor classrooms and play areas
Maker labs
A gymnasium that doubles as a tornado shelter

These sustainable elements demonstrate the school’s commitment to fostering a healthier, greener future.

Polished Perfection: Renaissance by Bomanite Delivers Stunning Floors

Bomanite Renaissance, part of the Bomanite Custom Polishing System, transforms concrete floors with unmatched elegance and efficiency. By integrating Bomanite Integral Color into the concrete at placement, this system achieves deep, rich color saturation that eliminates the need for topical dyes or coatings. Once cured, the surface is processed using the Bomanite VitraFlor System, which grinds, polishes, and seals the concrete to reveal the desired gloss and aggregate exposure. This streamlined approach reduces labor while ensuring a vibrant, durable finish, making it a cost-effective choice for new construction and major renovations. Ideal for full-depth pours, suspended slabs, and thick toppings, Renaissance offers flexibility across various applications while delivering stunning, consistent results.

Color Consistency and Construction Efficiency

The key to Bomanite Renaissance’s vibrant finishes lies in its high pigment loading of 3.6% or greater, ensuring superior color uniformity compared to common systems with lower pigment levels. This consistency mitigates raw material variations typical in ready-mixed concrete, guaranteeing flawless floors every time. Designed for efficiency, the Bomanite Renaissance system mimics the simplicity of polishing uncolored concrete while achieving a luxurious terrazzo-like appearance. Whether in schools, offices, or retail spaces, this system combines ease of installation with exceptional durability. With its ability to create polished, eye-catching floors at a reasonable cost, Bomanite Renaissance sets a new standard for integrally colored concrete surfaces.

Award Winning Decorative Concrete

From the terrazzo-style flooring to the precast stair treads, Musselman & Hall’s work at John Diemer Elementary School sets the standard for what’s possible with Bomanite Custom Polishing Systems featuring Bomanite Renaissance. Because it showcases their commitment to highly skilled concrete craftsmanship and innovation, they were awarded the 2023 Best Bomanite Custom Polishing Systems Project – Silver Award. The project is a testament to the transformative power of thoughtful design, proving that even seemingly small elements—like a polished entry floor—can create a lasting impression.

Musselman and Hall Lay Lavendar Concrete Ribbon

January 29, 2024

Mosaic Life Care, located in St. Joseph, MO, has unveiled a state-of-the-art cancer center, offering comprehensive treatment services in a single, 25,000-square-foot facility. This eliminates the need for patients to travel between multiple buildings for care. The center features a spacious chemotherapy infusion room with panoramic floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the lake, a healing garden, and the walking trail system leading to the Ribbon Walk Pavilion. Designed to be warm and inviting, diverging from a traditional hospital setting, the center boasts a $22 million design inspired by Mayo Clinic facilities. It serves as a premier world-class destination for cancer care in the region, fostering a healing environment. Patients have convenient access to various services within a mere short walk, including Medical Oncology, Radiation Oncology, Labs, Social Services, spiritual care, massage care, acupuncture care, the pharmacy, the chemotherapy infusion room, and a special boutique and salon for patients experiencing hair loss – all in one place.

To bring their vision to life, Mosaic Life Center contracted Lehr Construction as the main contractor and Creal Clark & Seifert was chosen as the designer for the project. They selected Bomanite Licensee Musselman and Hall Contractors, LLC to install the decorative concrete in the Ribbon Walk Pavilion. This portion of the project consisted of approximately 700 SF of Bomanite Revealed system, part of the Bomanite Exposed Aggregate Systems, in two shades of a custom “lavender” integral color. Bomanite developed the design control samples for the project. Total project duration from design development through completion of construction took nearly one year. Color #1 is a white base Bomanite Revealed with a #1 purple glass. Color #2 is a white base Bomanite Revealed with a #1 crystal clear glass.

The lavender color ribbon is the universal symbol that represents “all types of cancer”. Musselman and Hall also installed the seat wall and pavers surrounding the Ribbon Walk Pavilion. The lavender Ribbon Walk is dedicated to patients who have courageously fought cancer and is a reminder that we can give hope to conquering this disease through support and advocacy. This lavender Ribbon Walk stands as a tribute to the valiant individuals who have battled cancer, embodying a symbol of hope and a commitment to defeating this illness through continued support and advocacy. Positioned on the walking trail adjacent to the Cancer Center, on the northwest corner of the Mosaic Life Care at St. Joseph, Medical Center campus, the Cancer Ribbon Walk is a place of remembrance and honor. Here, individual pavers are laid, each one representing a heartfelt tribute to someone who has been affected by cancer, either as a commemoration of their brave fight or in memory of those dearly missed.

Bomanite Revealed Raises Result Standard

Bomanite Revealed is an architectural exposed concrete with varying exposure depths using decorative aggregates that are bound in a unique binder and applied to primed concrete. The Bomanite Revealed System utilizes preblended binders, light fast pigments, specialized admixtures, topical treatments, and advanced application procedures to produce a finished product that showcases the seeded aggregate. Unlike most surface seeded installations, Bomanite Revealed provides 100% exposure of the decorative aggregate with no native sands detracting from the finished appearance.

The final product is unique alternate to other decorative concrete finishes while producing a monolithic concrete slab with a low life cycle cost due to the pre-aged nature of the surface. Bomanite Revealed is suited for exterior applications—anywhere that improved wear resistance for light to moderate-duty vehicular or foot traffic combined with an architectural finish is necessary. Due to the use of the Bomanite Revealed binder, these highly durable surfaces are available in a multitude of standard and custom options, including cost effective light-reflective formulations that will not require the use of white cement to reduce heat island effect. Bomanite Revealed is intended for both new construction and major renovation projects. Topically applied products such as Bomanite Con-Color and Bomanite Chemical Stain are compatible with Bomanite Revealed.

Musselman and Hall Takes Time Essential for Excellence

Musselman & Hall Contractors, LLC specializes in addressing significant architectural concrete needs for commercial projects. Their team of decorative concrete craftsmen takes pride in collaborating with architects, landscape architects, owners, and engineers, proactively addressing design and construction challenges. This collaborative approach leads to inventive solutions, carefully choosing the most suitable product for each application by balancing factors like aesthetics, durability, cost, scheduling, and logistics. Design control samples were critical to the success of this project, and the necessary time and effort was taken to get it perfect.

Bomanite of Tulsa Installs Significant Pattern of Bomanite Revealed Exposed Aggregate for the Choctaw Cultural Center

May 5, 2021

The Choctaw Cultural Center in Durant, Oklahoma is dedicated to preserving and perpetuating Choctaw culture and history through exhibitions and programs. The newly finished cultural center is over 100,000 square feet and houses two exhibit halls, a Permanent Exhibit Hall: A four-part story focusing on the history of the Choctaw tribe from ancestral times (circa 1250) to current day in Oklahoma; and a Temporary Exhibit Hall: For traveling exhibits, community curated exhibits and special events throughout the year. Also included is an art gallery, auditorium, Children’s Luksi (turtle) activity center, state-of-the art classrooms, offices, the Champuli Restaurant and Hvshi Gift Store. The surrounding site incorporates a stickball field, living village and a traditional mound.

Bomanite of Tulsa, Inc. had the pleasure of working with the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma as well as architects, JCJ Architecture to bring to life the art and design for the interior entrance flooring of the new facility. The architects crafted textures and patterns with intention and local sourced materials. Following a journey through 14,000 years and over hundreds of miles, immersive exhibits convey each component of the Choctaw story through authentic and historically accurate landscapes, pictures, artwork and artifacts.

Throughout the Choctaw Cultural Center, small design details are placed that reflect the Choctaw culture. For example, the diamond is an important symbol to the Chahta people and often represents the Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake. The diamond pattern is replicated in the decorative concrete pathway that sits between the hardwood and stone flooring. The project was unusual for Bomanite of Tulsa as in working with the designer’s intent the chosen Bomanite Exposed Aggregate System Revealed and Bomanite Sandscape Texture are traditionally exterior applications, however the clients truly desired the exposed look with bright native American colors to go with the additional rustic flooring materials for the interior space. Bomanite Revealed is a sustainable finishing option that incorporates a unique binder and color blending process with specialty aggregates that works for projects requiring a highly decorative and durable finish. The Bomanite Revealed with solid glass aggregates in white, black, red and yellow was selected for the vibrant diamond border as well as the circle surrounding the firepit.

Once the newly poured concrete base slab was readied and hardwood flooring and stone accent flooring were installed, Bomanite of Tulsa had to make sure the Bomanite Exposed Aggregate Systems were level with the existing surfaces. The need was met by building up the area by 1 inch to 1 ½ inches. Providing a technically challenging project, a bonded application for both systems were used. Expansion joints had to run through the borders as well as be incorporated in the diamond pattern, brass divider strips were used to set apart the different colors of glass aggregates. The Bomanite Sandscape Texture in Autumn Brown utilizes specialized concrete mix designs containing select sands and aggregates was the choice for the pathway between the stonework. Matching the Sandscape color to the stone provided for a cohesive design. The natural non-skid properties and abrasion resistant aggregates make both Bomanite Revealed and Bomanite Sandscape Texture the perfect choice for entries, municipal or public works projects, hospitals, educational facilities, museums, pool decks, plazas and more.

The Choctaw Cultural Center offers visitors a truly unique experience with textural variation and distinct decorative detail. With the Bomanite Decorative Concrete Systems a variety of modernized mixes and an unlimited palette of colors, textures and locally sourced aggregate options are available to choose from, providing cost-effective solutions that are more durable than ever for that creative artistic expression.

Bomanite of Tulsa, Inc. Tulsa OK, received the Best Bomanite Exposed Aggregate Systems Project GOLD AWARD for their brilliant work on the Choctaw Cultural Center and Museum. The Choctaw Cultural Center welcomes all visitors to explore the rich history, culture, and experiences of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma and its community and now have a rich and beautiful Bomanite Decorative Concrete Interior entry area.

Bomanite July Newsletter 2020

July 15, 2020

Bomanite July Newsletter 2020

FLIGHT AT TUSTIN LEGACY INSTALLS HIGH-STRENGTH BOMANITE REVEALED LANDSCAPES

Flight at Tustin Legacy, previously home to the Naval-Lighter-Than-Air-Station and the Marine Corps Helicopter Base, has been considered a first of a kind office development, that is the next generation of working living playing communities. The City of Tustin and Lincoln Property Company laid out a massive future plan to keep with the flight history, innovation in design, productivity and entrepreneurship. From vast commercial farming of orange groves in the 1900’s, to the military’s construction by hand of two massive blimp hangars that are the largest wood structures in the world, Flight aims to carry on this legacy of excellence of ingenuity…READ MORE

ST. LOUIS AQUARIUM HIGHLIGHTS RIVER CONFLUENCE WITH BOMANITE REVEALED EXPOSED AGGREGATE

St. Louis Union Station is an amazing collective adventure of a giant Ferris Wheel, fire and light shows, delicious dining establishments, an old time carousel, 18-hole mini golf, ropes course and the recently opened grand aquarium that features one-of-a-kind exhibits and marine environments for thousands of aquatic animals from the rivers and oceans of the world that is housed in 1.3 million gallons of water. The St. Louis Aquarium is a 120,000-sq-ft, two-story attraction built inside the footprint of a nearly 500,000-sq-ft 19th century iron umbrella train shed that is designated as a National Historic Landmark… READ MORE

Musselman & Hall Achieves Gold with Bomanite Revealed River Pavement Solution

July 8, 2020

St. Louis Union Station is an amazing collective adventure of a giant Ferris Wheel, fire and light shows, delicious dining establishments, an old time carousel, 18-hole mini golf, ropes course and the recently opened grand aquarium that features one-of-a-kind exhibits and marine environments for thousands of aquatic animals from the rivers and oceans of the world that is housed in 1.3 million gallons of water. The St. Louis Aquarium is a 120,000-sq-ft, two-story attraction built inside the footprint of a nearly 500,000-sq-ft 19th century iron umbrella train shed that is designated as a National Historic Landmark.

One of the most high-tech and hands-on built aquariums, Architect and designer PGAV Destinations train themed aquatic environment is the centerpiece of a $187 million St. Louis Union Station family entertainment complex. An immersive, virtual train ride on one of two full-size replica passenger rail cars takes guests inside the aquarium. The ride honors St. Louis Union Station’s railroad past with a multimedia experience that travels through a trip to the rivers and oceans of the world, narrated by actor and St. Louis native John Goodman. When the train doors open, visitors find themselves at the confluence of the Mississippi and Missouri rivers where they can see the fish that inhabit America’s great rivers, such as alligator gar, paddlefish, sturgeon, catfish, and many more. Additional exhibits include playful North American River Otters, Shark Canyon and The Deep exhibit that is home to animals that include exotic and endangered Leafy Sea Dragons, jellyfish, a Giant Pacific Octopus and a coral reef. Throughout, hands-on opportunities allow guests interactive play while bringing together state-of-the-art technology, animal care, education, and conservation with the excitement of aquatic creatures.

PGAV Destinations, known for their design work on 50 fantastical aquariums around the world, had been searching for the right finish for the “River Pavement” they desired on the exterior plaza feature of the St. Louis Aquarium that represented the confluence. After discovering their original design of epoxy terrazzo was not recommended for exterior use, the search ended when the designer was attending a lunch and learn presented by Bomanite Licensee, Musselman & Hall Contractors, LLC. Nate Harris, Business Development Manager for Musselman & Hall, shared pictures and samples of the Bomanite Revealed decorative concrete system and, as simple as that, the decision was made. That very afternoon PGAV notified McCarthy Building Companies (GC) to contact Musselman & Hall about installing the River Pavement design. Bomanite Revealed is an architectural exposed concrete with varying exposure depths using decorative aggregates that use advanced application procedures to produce a finished product that showcases the seeded aggregate. Musselman & Hall Contractors worked with PGAV to iron out the details of color and aggregates, samples were made for the final decorative concrete selection and installation of the 372 square foot feature proceeded.

To begin the installation Musselman & Hall first had to set the forms to the designed shape to emulate the confluence of the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers. Additionally, blockouts had to be made for the “railroad bridges” to be installed later with pavers. A plain concrete base slab held down ½” from the finish elevation needed to be poured first. Once the base placed, the Bomanite Revealed was mixed on site adding the selected blue integral concrete color, a combination of 3 different colors of blue glass aggregates, and clear glass aggregate to the mix. This mixture was applied at a ½” thickness directly over the primed base concrete for a monolithic bond. Engraving of the river names completed the work.

Bomanite Revealed provides 100% exposure of the decorative aggregate with no native sands detracting from the finished appearance. The final product is a unique alternative to other decorative concrete finishes while producing a monolithic concrete slab with a low life cycle cost due to the pre-aged nature of the surface. Bomanite Revealed is suited for exterior applications—anywhere that improved wear resistance for light to moderate-duty vehicular or foot traffic combined with an architectural finish is desired. Although very challenging, the task was completed perfectly, resulting in a beautiful educational representation of the river confluence for the St. Louis hi-tech hands-on Aquarium.

Musselman & Hall Contractors, LLC were recognized for their creative solution and intricate installation of Bomanite Revealed decorative concrete with the GOLD AWARD for the Best Bomanite Exposed Aggregate Systems under 6,000 Sq. Ft project for the St. Louis Aquarium at Union Station.

Beyond Concrete Achieves Gold with a Bomanite Revealed Platinum installation for the Westchester Beach Club

January 22, 2020

The Westchester Country Club is an exclusive family-oriented Club located in Rye, New York which is a short distance from Manhattan. The Westchester Country Club has been ranked 12th of 4,000 private Clubs in the United States and maintains its status as a “Platinum Club.” Among the amenities is the 62-acre Beach Club with a notable aquatics area. The Beach Club also features five separate food and beverage facilities. The Main Bar is centrally located and the hub of social activity at the Beach.

The Westchester Country Club Beach Club chose to install a platinum product from the Bomanite Exposed Aggregate System using Bomanite Revealed in two colors with stone and glass aggregates created durable walkways for the outdoor application installed by Beyond Concrete out of Keyport, NJ

Bomanite Licensee, Beyond Concrete located out of Keyport, NJ worked with the GC and Architect Kenneth R. Nadler, Consulting LLC to provide a product to withstand the exterior elements of the weather. After reviewing several architectural concrete samples of different Bomanite systems and products, the Bomanite Revealed Exposed Aggregate System was chosen for its excellence in durability and ability to withstand freezing temperatures, sea salt, sand, pouring rain and plenty of sunshine.

Beyond Concrete poured and placed approximately 11,200 square feet of walkways, main dining areas and patios for the Beach Club area with some weather and construction challenges. The job started in freezing weather, only to be set back by almost 3 to 4 weeks of constant rain. The wind was blowing off the water from the Long Island Sound throughout the entire installation. The weather changed so drastically that some of the pour days ended up being over 90 degrees. Beyond Concrete also had to custom form the job due to an existing structural slab condition that varied from as little as 2 inches to upwards of 9 inches. The Bomanite Revealed Exposed Aggregate slab had to be boom pumped over the roof of the building with the longest pump available not even reaching the areas to be poured. The concrete was pumped into wheel barrows and then poured in place.

After all the difficult and challenging working conditions, the installation came out extremely well. The owners of the country club were ecstatic with the design of the two tone highly durable finish. The field was poured with the Bomanite Revealed in Coquina color and the Borders used the Bomanite Revealed in Sand color. A custom mix of stone and glass aggregates were chosen providing a cohesive and complimentary decorative concrete element to the outdoor club establishment.

Bomanite Revealed is designed for outdoor applications where a highly decorative concrete surface is desired, a great option and final installation for the Westchester Beach Club. Bomanite Revealed is a durable monolithic topping system composed of a unique blend of cements, admixtures, recycled pozzolans, pigment and graded mineral aggregates that uses traditional concrete and advanced application technology. Bomanite Revealed combines the durability of concrete with color and pronounced decorative aggregate, producing a monolithic concrete slab with a beneficial low life cycle cost. Applications include pool decks, splash pads, plazas, shopping centers, schools and exterior walkways—anywhere improved wear resistance for light- to moderate-duty traffic with highly decorative appearance and durability is required. These highly durable surfaces are available in a multitude of standard and custom options, including light-reflective formulations that reduce heat island effect, hard to achieve colors for concrete, water resistant formulations for wet areas and other specialty applications, providing a Bomanite Decorative Concrete Platinum System for a Platinum Club.

AWARDS: 2015 Best Bomanite Exposed Aggregate Project Gold Award