What does a Leap of Faith look like? It begins with a situation like Dallas Theological Seminary (DTS) faced in April 2020. A $14 million building had been three years in the making and was yet to be built. With donations earmarked and targeted to cover the construction already in the bucket, the project was pending the issuance of city permits. The permitting process had been delayed because of incredibly significant growth in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. The COVID pandemic struck March 15, 2020, and three weeks later the final permits from the city of Dallas were issued. Not knowing when things would get back to normal, the only logical conclusion was a Leap of Faith by DTS, and the building project started in May.
Dallas Theological Seminary is a highly esteemed and recognized seminary with locations all over the country and in Europe. Texas Bomanite was asked by the main contractor, Hill & Wilkinson, to provide Bomanite Custom Polishing Systems decorative concrete flooring throughout DTS’s new chapel and student center. Bomanite Polished concrete was selected so that it would remain both beautiful and durable against the high foot traffic the chapel and student building anticipated on a daily basis.
Beautiful Bomanite Custom Polishing Systems Define Durable Decorative Concrete
The patented technology of the Bomanite Custom Polishing System chemically reacts with the concrete to lock in the color, and the mechanical application closes the surface to keep out contaminants. One application, permanent results. Lustrous color, protected by a tight, beautiful sheen. The Bomanite Custom Polishing System offers exceptional resistance to slipping, abrasion and impact. Available in finishes from satin to gloss, finished surfaces also repel water and oil and are dust-proof. This finish does not require replacement, recoating, or waxing and thus is superior to limited-life coatings. The non-toxic, non-flammable and odorless application is environmentally friendly. And surface care is user-friendly as routine cleaning will maintain luster.
The Bomanite Custom Polishing VitraFlor System was chosen for this project. Texas Bomanite installed over 13,000 SF of (Class D – Large Aggregate Exposed) Bomanite Polished Concrete at an 800-Grit finish. Bomanite VitraFlor is ground to expose the desired amount of aggregate, then polished to the required gloss level and treated with Bomanite VitraFinish for protection. The primary benefit of Bomanite VitraFlor is the simplicity of installation and durability of the finished floor, lending to low-maintenance and long-term sustainable features. VitraFlor by Bomanite is intended primarily for new construction or major renovation projects. Now even ordinary concrete can live up to Bomanite’s promise that all concrete can be functional and stylish.
Bomanite Licensee Delivers During Difficult COVID Pandemic
Texas Bomanite, part of the distinguished Bomanite Licensee network, was established in 1987 and has since grown to become one of Texas’ largest and most respected architectural concrete contractors with offices in Dallas and Central Texas. They are renowned for their team of dedicated, talented, and professional concrete craftsman who collaborate closely with owners and designers to tailor an architectural concrete plan to budget and to specs. They complete projects especially during difficult construction scenarios. For Dallas Theological Seminary, it may have been a Leap of Faith to begin such a large construction project during the height of COVID, but the choice of Texas Bomanite to deliver the vision of the project was a certainty. Chafer Chapel and Student Life Center Live Cam
Homeowners want their house to make more than just a purposeful and deliberate statement, they want it to evoke an emotional response. This New Hampshire house goes far beyond that baseline by making a proclamation of being a chic and sophisticated, sumptuous living space. The homeowner achieved that goal by installing spectacularly gorgeous decorative concrete flooring, but it was journey. He had a very specific image of his floor in his mind. The basement floor had already been poured using the wrong integral color. He wanted more of a beige. So, he contracted Bomanite licensee Premier Concrete Construction, LLC for a solution to the problem. After a discussion with the homeowner, it was agreed that a Bomanite Modena SL system would be used for that area – a perfect solution for this scenario.
Five-Star Show-Stopper Interior Flooring
The first floor had yet to be poured. Premier Concrete Construction worked with the existing concrete contractor to install the Bomanite Belcolore color hardener during the actual concrete pour of the first floor. Premier Concrete Construction returned several weeks later to begin the polishing necessary for an installation of the Bomanite Custom Polishing System using Bomanite Belcolore. The specifications were a low gloss with very minimal exposure, almost to a cream level. The downstairs Bomanite Modena SL system was completed first and then Premier Concrete Construction began the multiple sets of stairs and the first floor to match the basement level. They ended up having to use some dye coloring after initial grinding on the first floor to get the color just right.
Bomanite Systems Define Decorative Concrete
Bomanite Modena SL is engineered, and factory blended to be polished. Bomanite Modena SL is a polymer-modified, cementitious interior bonded floor topping that is blended with selected decorative aggregates then placed with no finishing. Bomanite Modena SL also uses hard quartz aggregates to fill in the gaps around the softer decorative aggregates, allowing it to maintain that hard polished surface naturally rather than relying on waxes or floor finishes. Once fully cured Bomanite Modena SL is ground to expose the aggregates and polished to the desired gloss level. Bomanite Modena SL can be installed over concrete or properly prepared wood substrates, with cove base and stair components generally pre-cast. Bomanite Modena SL is engineered to work best with aggregates such as granite, glass, marble, porcelain, etc. that range from 1/16” to 1/8” in size. Bomanite Modena SL may be integrally colored in a wide range of options and unlike comparable self-leveling toppings, Bomanite Modena SL is designed to have additional aggregates added prior to being ground and polished. With the industry’s lowest lifecycle costs, low-to-zero VOC and minimal maintenance requirements, unmatched durability and strength, Bomanite Modena SL is the optimal choice for highly decorative concrete and even for renewed surfaces.
The Belcolore by Bomanite System incorporates Bomanite Color Hardener onto the concrete at the time of placement. Once cured the concrete is lightly ground to expose variegated amounts of aggregate, then polished to the required gloss level and treated with a Bomanite stain resist. The primary benefits to Bomanite Belcolore are the range of colors available, the fine aggregate characteristics and the excellent durability of color. The unique look of a polished, color hardened floor sets Belcolore by Bomanite apart from other conventional concrete polishing systems. The key to color hardened floors is surface density and pigment loading. The select quartz aggregates, polymers and cement content significantly increase the abrasion resistance of a Belcolore by Bomanite floor over conventional concrete – especially concrete made with softer, less abrasion resistant aggregates such as limestone. A higher pigment loading combined with white cement-based formulations such as utilized with Bomanite Color Hardener results in consistent color throughout the floor. Alternately multiple colors can be broadcast and incorporated into the concrete creating a mottled, highly variegated appearance. In either case the use of color hardener negates the appearance of coarse sands and stone along with the effect of raw material variations common to ready-mixed concrete. The system chemically closes surface pores and mechanically polishes the floor, locking down color beneath an impenetrable shine.
Award Winning Decorative Concrete
Bomanite licensee Premier Concrete Construction, LLC is renowned for their consistent commitment to detail, their problem-solving prowess, and their skilled decorative concrete craftsmanship. It is little wonder this project garnered them the 2021 Bronze Award for Best Bomanite Custom Polishing Systems Project. They relished the challenge of solving a color issue for new concrete and working with the homeowner to help him realize the vision that existed in his mind and imagination of his own flooring. The solution they provided is an eco-friendly, durable, low-maintenance, high-performing, breathtaking work of concrete art, sure to bring this stakeholder a sense of satisfaction and enjoyment for years to come. The statement his house now makes is sleek and stylish and aesthetically beautifully bold.
Cornerstone Elementary school in Excelsior Springs, MO was built in response to continued growth and ongoing maintenance issues and serves as a replacement for the existing Westview Elementary, which was renovated and converted into the Excelsior Springs School District’s new early childhood center. Included in the new building and learning spaces at Cornerstone Elementary are a music room, art room, gymnasium, cafeteria, media center, and administrative support areas, serving over 500 students with forward-thinking design, addressing the needs of learners, and providing flexibility to adapt to new learning advancements and techniques.
Bomanite Custom Polishing Systems Deliver the Best Flooring Finish
Musselman & Hall Contractors was the preferred decorative concrete provider for this project and utilized Bomanite VitraFlor to create the custom polished concrete flooring. VitraFlor by Bomanite is the standard system by which all other Bomanite Custom Polishing Systems are based. VitraFlor utilizes select un-colored concrete that is placed and finished to standards required for decorative polished concrete flooring. The concrete is ground to expose the desired amount of aggregate, then polished to the required gloss level and treated with a Bomanite stain resist. Bomanite VitraFlor provides superior durability and functionality that made it the optimal choice for the installation at Cornerstone Elementary.
Bomanite Licensees Are Decorative Concrete Experts
While the school was still in early design development, Musselman & Hall worked with project designer Incite Design Studio to develop a custom seeded aggregate finish for portions of the school’s interior flooring surfaces. After several rounds of samples, the designers settled on a blend of white, orange, and black natural aggregates from Cactus Canyon quarries. Musselman & Hall was able to push this project even further by displacing a large precast house and producing the matching precast treads on site.
Given that the stair treads were cast in house, Musselman & Hall had to make sure their loadings were all correct for the decorative aggregate seeding in the cafeteria. The foreman was provided with takeoffs showing square footages of specific areas, from which he preloaded the aggregates into buckets in amounts specific to that surface area to ensure that each area of the wide-open cafeteria was seeded consistently and accurately. Their attention to detail and precision guaranteed a spectacular finished flooring surface that coordinated perfectly with the pre-cast stairs.
Award Winning Decorative Concrete
Musselman and Hall Contractors is renowned for their expertise in decorative concrete, helping their clients achieve the exact look they’ve imagined while using the most exceptional products and techniques. With a decorative concrete team that remains on the cutting edge of the concrete industry, it’s no wonder that Musselman & Hall’s impressive installation of Bomanite VitraFlor at Cornerstone Elementary earned them the 2021 Silver Award for Best Bomanite Custom Polishing Systems Project. Their expert installation of VitraFlor custom polished concrete at Cornerstone Elementary has provided an easy to maintain and durable flooring surface with beautiful, seeded aggregates and a stunning sheen, adding distinct detail and dramatic flair while creating a beautiful feature inside the school.
Colonial Theater Keene, located in Keene, NH, is like a Grand Old Lady edging closer and closer to her 100th Birthday in 2024. Last year she received much more than just a cosmetic facelift, it was more like a rebirth and not just a renovation using decorative concrete, without losing the integrity of her Historic look and charm. To not violate any of the city of Keene’s Historic District standards, the building’s exterior was untouched. The interior of the theatre has been made much more spacious. Executive Director of the Colonial Theater Alec Doyle said, “What used to be a very narrow or what I call ‘bowling alley’ kind of lobby is now completely opened up to the north and south of the building. We’ve increased the size of the lobby by about four times.” In conjunction with the project designer Weller & Michal Architects, the main contractor DEW Construction selected Bomanite licensee Premier Concrete Construction to complete and realize the vision of the renovation. Dew Construction was familiar with the expertise and craftsmanship of Premier Concrete Construction’s projects using Bomanite Toppings Systems and Bomanite Custom Polishing Systems.
The lobby was not only enlarged, but it is also now handicapped accessible, while retaining the style and color scheme of the original theater. The increased lobby space allows room for a new concessions bar that has been added to the inside of the theatre. Doyle said, “We consciously retrieved and protected a number of the interesting historical architectural pieces.” Some of those pieces include the original ticketing cages, which are now on display on the concessions side of the lobby. Patrons feel like it is a perfect place for a selfie. Like many of the “accent pieces” saved for display, the old ticketing cages reflect the original gold and beige colors of the theater and include original muse motifs.
Supply Chain Bites Construction Schedule
When sourcing the materials from the original specifications, Premier Concrete Construction was confronted with major supply chain issues and was told that nothing would be available until five months after the job was scheduled to begin. Instead, Premier Concrete Construction created and resubmitted samples, which were approved. They ran into the same supply chain issues with the precast cove suppliers, so they opted to set up their own shop and precast over 300LF of cove base and the full set of stairs and risers per specification. They once again demonstrated why they are the concrete company of choice in demanding decorative concrete situations and scenarios. They pride themselves in their craftsmanship, creativity, and competent ability to solve problems.
Premier Concrete Construction chose Bomanite Custom Polishing Systems using Bomanite Modena TG Epoxy Terrazzo with two colors and a diamond strip pattern as per the specifications. Bomanite Modena TG is renowned for its characteristics because it is highly durable including the color, has low lifecycle cost, has excellent abrasion resistance, has a wide variety and size of aggregates, offers a range of aggregate exposure, has a wide color selection to choose from, is integrally colored, and has a highly decorative appearance. It is an engineered polymer-modified cementitious interior floor topping that is bonded to the surface of cured concrete and can transform ordinary concrete into beautiful decorative flooring. Once cured, Bomanite Modena TG is ground to expose the desired amounts of aggregate, then polished to the required gloss level and treated with a Bomanite stain resist. Unlike comparable terrazzo flooring, Bomanite Modena TG is designed specifically to be polished with a fine aggregate gradation similar to that of concrete.
Award Winning Decorative Concrete
Premier Concrete Construction earned the 2021 Best Bomanite Custom Polishing Systems Project Gold Award for this inspirational transformation of a very old landmark. Concrete is what you make of it, and the same can be said of community. The grand reopening of the theater was held on March 29, 2022. The Colonial Theater Keene posted a Facebook page with pictures complete with balloons. The comments included: “Wow”, “Gorgeous”, and “Looks awesome”. On the day before the opening, they posted a wide-angle camera shot and said, “The lobby is OPEN! Free popcorn. Delicious ice cream from Stonewall Farm. Live music. And chances to win tickets, or even a $500 Colonial gift card!” The excitement and enthusiasm from the surrounding community has been palpable and they are not disappointed. The new decorative concrete flooring, the stairs, and the cove base throughout, will enhance the beauty, the enjoyment, and the longevity of this historic theatre well into her next 100 years.
A resounding round of applause greeted these talented Bomanite decorative concrete craftsmen. Bomanite proudly presents the Annual Decorative Concrete Project Award winners! The Bomanite Annual Conference was held in Snohomish, WA, in March which culminated with the Annual Banquet Dinner where the awards were presented. It was wonderful for everyone involved to meet in person once again, to see maskless smiling faces, and to get jeans and hands covered with concrete. If you want to create phenomenal decorative concrete, you have to create muscle memory by getting your hands involved. The concrete craftsmen gather annually to learn hands on new trade techniques, business strategies and exchange ideas with Bomanite Licensees from around the world.
With a vast knowledge and years of experience, these Bomanite Craftsmen define decorative concrete. Strong. Durable. Artistic. Creative. Bomanite Licensees work on anywhere from multimillion-dollar commercial projects to affordable residential housing, new builds, and improvements, and everything in between.
Texas Bomanite received the Best Bomanite Patène Artectura Project – GRAND AWARD for their stunningly gorgeous work on the Hotel Drover in Fort Worth, TX. Using our Bomanite Coloration Systems Patène Artectura and Bomanite Modena SL with Chemical Stain, Texas Bomanite was able to achieve a consistent and beautiful look throughout the many diverse architectural areas of the hotel. They provided decorative concrete flooring in the hotel lobby, levels 1 & 2 of the offices, levels 2-6, the event barn bar area, outside the event barn restrooms, and stained concrete columns in the event barn.
Carolina Bomanite Corporation, Mt. Holly, NC, received the Best Bomanite Imprint Systems Project GOLD AWARD for their pretty and professional craftsmanship at Courtyard Marriott, Greenville, SC. Using the Bomanite Imprint Systems Bomanite Bomacron Patterns Running Bond Belgian Block, 10” Boardwalk, and Slate Texture, Carolina Bomanite created decorative concrete for multiple amenity and entry areas. This project was underway prior to COVID and was delayed during construction for approximately one year. The diversity, yet cohesion, of the installation of the patterns is literally enchanting and breathtaking.
Bomanite Licensee Colorado Hardscapes received the Best Bomanite Exposed Aggregate Systems Project GOLD AWARD for their distinctive decorative concrete work at the Market Station, Denver, CO. Using Bomanite Exposed Aggregate Systems with Bomanite Sandscape® Texture, Colorado Hardscapes achieved an unforgettable eye-catching decorative concrete pattern on the paseo that draws the eye directly to the chevron pattern. The paseo is located where one would normally find the alley. There were innumerable technical challenges that came with this project including having to coordinate the snow melt system so that decorative sawcuts didn’t cut through the tubing that ran beneath.
Colorado Hardscapes also captured the Best Bomanite Toppings Systems Project GOLD AWARD for their unbelievable achievement at RYE SoBo Apartments, Denver, CO, of creating the Clark Richert Abstract Art in decorative concrete titled: Four Color Intertwine – 2021. Using Bomanite Toppings Systems with Bomanite Micro-Top XT, the art piece was brought to life with fifteen different colors, and each color is surrounded by a saw cut to add to the crisp lines and enhance the dimensional look. Richert originally wanted to use embedded mosaic tiles in concrete to create his piece, but once he saw how vivid and solid Micro-Top XT could make each section, it was absolute that Colorado Hardscapes utilize that product instead.
Bomanite Licensee Premier Concrete Construction took home the Best Bomanite Custom Polishing Systems GOLD AWARD for their dazzling decorative concrete work at Colonial Theater Keene, Keene, NH. Using Bomanite Custom Polishing Systems with Bomanite Modena TG Epoxy Terrazzo they were able to achieve stunning results on the flooring, pre-cast cove base, and pre-cast stairs and risers. All included two colors and a diamond strip pattern. Supply chain issues that would have delayed the project for five months after the scheduled to begin forced Premier Concrete Construction to set up their own shop to pre-cast 300LF of cove base and the full set of stairs and risers per spec.
We’d like to thank all the Bomanite licensed contractors who submitted entries for this year’s award contest. The Bomanite Decorative Concrete Annual Project Awards has been a tradition for more than 50 years for Bomanite Licensed Contractors to submit their outstanding projects. Bomanite Licensees compete among the best of the best to be recognized for their hard work and creative talents. The winners are announced at the Bomanite Annual Conference, held in various cities from year to year. This is a taste of artwork and craftsmanship in the decorative concrete market that can be achieved by the Bomanite network of decorative concrete craftsmen. Additional awards were given for Silver, Bronze, and Honorable Mention categories. Please take a look at the award-winning projects.
2021 List of Bomanite Award Winners
Bomanite Imprint Systems
HONORABLE MENTION: Carolina Bomanite Corporation – The Olde Mecklenburg Brewery – Charlotte, NC – Bomacron Pattern: Running Bond Belgian Block
HONORABLE MENTON: Connecticut Bomanite Systems – Branford Route 1 and 2 Roundabout – Branford, CT – Bomacron Pattern: Ashlar Slate and Herringbone Brick
BRONZE: Connecticut Bomanite Systems – Downtown Danbury Transit Oriented Development – Danbury, CT – Bomacron Pattern: Medium Ashlar Slate, Soldier Course Belgian Block
SILVER: Beyond Concrete – Dennis Collins Park – Bayonne, NJ – Bomacron Pattern: Circular Cobblestone/Granite Texture, 11-inch/6-inch Boardwalk
HONORABLE MENTION: Colorado Hardscapes – McGregor Square – Denver, CO – Bomanite Sandscape® Texture Exposed Aggregate System
HONORABLE MENTION: Heritage Bomanite — Maravillosa Senior Living – Fresno, CA – Bomanite Sandscape® Texture Exposed Aggregate System
BRONZE: Bomanite Toronto – Sunset Drive Private Residence – Toronto, Ontario, Canada – Bomanite Sandscape® Texture Exposed Aggregate System and Bomanite Sandscape Refined Exposed Aggregate System
SILVER: Musselman & Hall Contractors, LLC – Stowers Institute for Medical Research – Kansas City, MO – Bomanite Sandscape® Texture Exposed Aggregate System
GOLD: Colorado Hardscapes – Market Station – Denver, CO – Bomanite Sandscape® Texture Exposed Aggregate System
Bomanite Toppings Systems
GOLD: Colorado Hardscapes – RYE SoBo Apartments – Clark Richert Abstract Art – Denver, CO – Bomanite Toppings System Micro-Top XT
Bomanite Specialty Project
HONORABLE MENTION: Bomanite Artistic Concrete – WestStar Tower at Hunt Plaza – El Paso, TX – Bomanite Specialty Project – Specialty Walls
Bomanite Custom Polishing Systems
BRONZE: Premier Concrete Construction – Laflamme Residence – Etna, NH – Bomanite Belcolore Custom Polishing System and Bomanite Modena SL Custom Polishing System
SILVER: Musselman & Hall Contractors, LLC – Westview Elementary – Excelsior Springs, MO – Bomanite VitraFlor Custom Polishing System
GOLD: Premier Concrete Construction – Colonial Theater Keene – Keene, NH – Bomanite Modena TG Epoxy Terrazzo Custom Polishing System
Bomanite Patène Artectura Project – GRAND AWARD
GRAND AWARD: Texas Bomanite – Hotel Drover – Fort Worth, TX – Bomanite Coloration Systems Patène Artectura with Bomanite Modena SL with Chemical Stain
When Rockford School district needed a new school constructed, they specified decorative concrete flooring that was at a reasonable cost but, just as important, durable, and beautiful. Eureka Elementary, located in Eureka, MO, and part of the school district, was recently built by HOF Construction. The project designer, Dickinson Hussman, selected Bomanite licensee Musselman & Hall Contractors to tackle the intricacies of the challenging design. Challenging projects done within the time allotted, even if shorter than optimum, are a forte for Musselman & Hall and they were a perfect match for this project.
Complex Design Done by Skilled Bomanite Craftsmen
Musselman & Hall used Bomanite Custom Polishing Systems with Bomanite Renaissance to complete the 22,500 square foot project. The project required four colors of Bomanite Renaissance poured in contact with each other in a geometric pattern of bands, then ground and polished as one slab. They placed 2-inch-thick topping slabs in four different integral colors. The Bomanite colors used were French Gray, Natural Gray, Sand, and Coquina. The latter required the use of white cement, which was a challenge of its own, because white cement sets very quickly.
The layout of the four colors made it crucial that both the formwork and the placement of topping slabs be installed with absolute precision to achieve sharp construction seams and maintain even aggregate exposure throughout. The schedule required their crews to begin grinding and polishing in the first areas they placed before they were even completed with the slab installations. The crews then ground and polished, as one slab, to a satin sheen and full aggregate exposure.
Renaissance by Bomanite Provides Lustrous Durable Flooring
Bomanite’s Custom Polishing System, Renaissance by Bomanite, provides a lustrous finish to floors made with Bomanite’s premium Bomanite Integral Color. Color-saturation, the hallmark of Bomanite’s integrally colored floors, is unsurpassed with this one-time finish. For rich color at a reasonable cost, this is the perfect finish for any newly designed surface. Other features and benefits of Renaissance by Bomanite are good abrasion resistance, a range of aggregate size is possible with various exposure levels, as well as a natural appearance.
The primary benefit of Bomanite Renaissance is the simplicity of installation and durability of color. With no topical dyes or products needed to achieve color in the floor, the process is much like polishing uncolored concrete. The Bomanite Renaissance system incorporates Bomanite Integral Color into the decorative concrete prior to placement and finishing of the flooring. Once cured the concrete is ground to expose the desired amount of aggregate, then polished to the required gloss level and treated with a Bomanite stain resist. Renaissance by Bomanite is intended primarily for new construction or major renovation projects.
Award Winning Decorative Concrete
Musselman & Hall Contractors earned the 2020 Best Bomanite Custom Polishing Systems Project Honorable Mention Award for this gorgeous project. When complexity of design meets the expertise of a well-trained Bomanite decorative concrete crew, the results are something that both the client and Musselman & Hall can justifiably be proud of. Challenge met and job well done, Musselman & Hall!
There are few events in history that can create a rift in the space-time continuum of a community, a veritable paradigm shift that causes ripple effects worldwide. The death of George Floyd in May of 2020, and subsequent protests and riots, in Minneapolis is just such an event. Floyd’s death occurred less than a mile from the Target East Lake Street store, which was nearly destroyed, and the Third Precinct Police Station, which was burned to the ground, is directly across the street from that store. The loss of Target East Lake made it hard for the people in this south Minneapolis neighborhood to buy groceries since there were no other grocery stores within walking distance.
How We Rebuild Is More Important
What makes this restoration unique is Target’s commitment to include community input. “Today, with construction well underway, I recognize that how we rebuild is just as important — if not more so — as when we rebuild. We want the Lake Street community to view this store as a part of itself, not just a place to shop,” Cephas Williams Jr., a group Vice-President at Target, said. “So, we’re listening to the voices of the community and applying what we’re learning and will continue to do so.” Cephas William’s full statement is titled, To Our Lake Street Minneapolis Community: We’re Listening, Learning, and Re-Opening. Target’s community outreach was in-depth and extensive.
Partnering With People Who Live Nearby
Target partnered with Nawal Noor, CEO of Noor Companies, a local Black-woman-owned General Contractor and Developer to lead the rebuilding efforts to complete Target’s fastest restoration ever. Bomanite Licensee Concrete Arts was contracted to be a part of the demolition of the damaged carpet, VCT and corresponding adhesives. The scope of that first stage was completed the last week in June of 2020. Concrete Arts removed approximately 110,000 square feet of flooring in a week running double shifts. Concrete Arts then left the site to allow for extensive repairs and changes to the concrete. They came back in on August 1st and had five weeks to polish the 90,000 square feet of flooring. Working 12 hour days, six days a week Concrete Arts finished in 4.5 weeks despite being at the epicenter of the social justice fight which subjected them to three separate shut downs due to further protests.
A Reimagined Store Is Restored.
Concrete Arts installed Bomanite Custom Polishing Systems decorative concrete flooring using Bomanite Patene Teres to complete the redesigned, reimagined, and community inspired reconstructed store. The new store has a secondary entrance and a well-lit walkway from the rail station to help increase access and to address community voiced safety issues. The new pharmacy is located closer to the front of the store between both entrances so that elderly shoppers now walk a shorter distance to reach it. Acknowledging the diverse neighborhood, Target even added a greater variety of spices. The community asked for more food and more produce, and those sections were almost doubled. The significant changes to the store culture and the store environment were made to match the community concerns.
Award Winning Decorative Concrete
Concrete Arts earned the 2020 Best Bomanite Custom Polishing Systems Project Honorable Mention Award for this extraordinary project. As per Mike Dougherty of Concrete Arts, “As you can see from the photos, the damage was quite extensive, but we were able to make some pretty good lemonade out of the lemons we were dealt. Our company feels a great deal of satisfaction in helping this suffering neighborhood try to get back to some sort of normalcy.”
For more than 20 years, the Viceroy Santa Monica has been the area’s mainstay of beach-chic luxury. It is a place for slow days and fast company. In 2020 when the Viceroy Hotel Group unveiled plans for a sweeping $21 million interior and exterior renovation of their flagship location, the intent was to usher in a new era in contemporary California cool. Located along famed Ocean Avenue, the reimagined Viceroy Santa Monica is now more than that because of the Bomanite Modena decorative concrete flooring now enhancing all the common areas on the first level, the deftly curated collection of arts and artifacts, and the ambiance of west coast glam.
“The design objective at Viceroy Santa Monica was to re-envision a completely new arrival experience, reception, bar, lounge, and poolside into something both breathtaking and quintessential,” says Ramon Gonzalez, project manager for EDG Interior Architecture and Design. “The bar at the Viceroy is an indoor/outdoor experience, the main feature that anchors the interior to the exterior,” says Gonzalez of the impetus for EDG’s design. “We wanted all of the colors, art, and finish selections to work together in a sophisticated celebration of ocean-side style. Within any interior, besides the ceiling, the floor plane is the largest format of finish that users experience as they pass through a space, so we needed to do something spectacular.”
Something Spectacular is Realized
Bomanite Licensee Heritage Bomanite was chosen to implement that vision. They installed Bomanite Custom Polishing Systems using Bomanite Modena SL and terrazzo banding to create the stunningly spectacular decorative concrete flooring. The hotel’s existing floor was a layered fortress of tongue and groove oak planks glued to a plywood substrate affixed to the slab using concrete nails. None of that had aged well. “The original wooden floor was in pretty rough shape,” continues Gonzalez. “We knew the floor was being removed and needed a durable replacement that had no boundary between interior and exterior. A decorative concrete floor laid on top of the existing slab was a cost-effective solution for the owner, but we needed something that would express the design’s artistic qualities using a combination of integral colors and the banding segmentation of a terrazzo.”
Technical Expertise Supports Designers
The breezy ocean vibe of Viceroy Santa Monica allowed designers to seek a look that symbolized southern California’s soft golden sand. “We worked closely with Bomanite’s Technical Director to explore an almost endless array of aesthetic choices in conjunction with preliminary pricing to get the exact look and feel we wanted at an achievable cost,” says Gonzalez of the floor’s material selection process. “Bomanite produced samples to show us the details of flecking dispersion, the effects of different sized aggregates, and reviewed banding layouts to improve constructability and performance.” Technical expertise provided by Bomanite is invaluable in helping architects and designers realize the possibilities they can only imagine.
Construction Challenge of Operational Hotel
The challenge of renovating Viceroy Santa Monica while the hotel remained operational was awarded to PWI Construction, a nationwide general contractor and construction manager specializing in hospitality, restaurants, and luxury retail. “Removing the existing floor was a big challenge,” says Alen Meneou, PWI Construction’s superintendent of a demolition process that unexpectedly involved forklifts, bobcats, and jackhammers. “It took nearly a month to remove the floor and prepare the concrete slab to receive the new finish. Because we had so many other subcontractors working in and around the main lobby everything had to be done in sections.” Definitely a daunting task when you add in the variable of paying guests traversing around the space.
Heritage Bomanite, always up for a challenge and excels in complex, custom concrete solutions, installed approximately 4,500 square feet of Modena at ¾” thick segmented by 1,600 linear feet of brass terrazzo strips per EDG’s layout. “In luxury hospitality, an exceptional experience is always the expectation. You have to be patient with this kind of work if you want exceptional results,” finishes Meneou. “Heritage Bomanite did a great job with the floor. I could tell their team liked what they were doing, which always makes a big difference in the way things turn out.”
Award Winning Decorative Concrete
Heritage Bomanite earned both the GOLD AWARD for the Best Bomanite Custom Polishing Systems and the coveted Bomanite Outstanding System Project GRAND AWARD for the Viceroy Santa Monica project. When a team of Bomanite professional craftsmen likes what they are doing, good things happen for them and for the owners of the winning project.
The Jaffrey Park Theatre has a long history that began in 1922. The Park Theatre was the center of community life as a movie and vaudeville house for 54 years and in 1976 became a retail store and warehouse. In 2005 The Park Theatre Corporation decided to purchase the building and renovate the historical site. Almost 20 years later The Park Theatre has been rejuvenated and ready to provide artistic, cultural, entertainment and educational programs and activities for the residents of and visitors to the communities of the Monadnock Region of New Hampshire.
The Park Theatre was rebuilt as a sustainable, state-of-the-art film and performing arts center, featuring two auditoriums and presenting movies, live theatre, including children’s productions, concerts, live acts, lectures and symposiums as well as a venue for community and business gatherings.
Calling up BKA Architects, The Park Theatre Corporation requested that the building façade use an Art Deco period design to recapture an element of sentimentality for the 1920s era and as homage to the original theatre with the founder’s home on top. With the design intent, they knew they wanted a polished exposed concrete floor and when the time came in February 2019, the architect reached out to Bomanite Licensee, Premier Concrete Construction, LLC to discuss the possibilities. With little under 5,000 square feet to work with, Premier Concrete met with Caroline K. Hollister, Trustee, President and Treasurer of The Park Theatre and Matt Pelletier of BKA Architects at their Boston Decorative Concrete Showroom. It was at the showroom that the clients learned of the different textures and colors of concrete.
An important design element was the star sponsorships, each donor over $10,000 received a star with their name engraved such like the California Hollywood Walk of Fame. The Bomanite Custom Polishing SystemRenaissance was the choice for the main lobby entrance flooring, in a dark black color, to provide a background that would make the golden stars pop off the floor. In order to achieve the deep dark color, Premier Concrete created a custom Raven Black Integral Color. Using Bomanite Integral Color provides for uniformity of color throughout the depth of the Concrete while producing durability and longevity of the concrete itself. During the polishing process Black Concrete Dye was added to the top of the colored slab to achieve the deepest darkest color possible.
Premier Concrete crafted a solid solution for creating the stars with a molded form that was placed before the concrete was poured. Once the field of Black concrete was set and polished, forms were removed and a formulation of Bomanite Modena TG, a modern terrazzo like mix, filled the voids. The Bomanite Modena TG Bomanite Custom Polishing System used 3 different colors of yellow glass in 3 differing sizes along with touches of mirror glass to provide the bright golden contrast against the Black backdrop. Once set, each donors name was engraved into the star and displayed with a metallic epoxy for some old-world Hollywood glamour.
Prior to the work being started, several samples of contrasting color palettes were created and shown to the clients as well as onsite mockups. Determining the best plan to bring the Park Theatre’s vision to life was critical to the success of the space and intent of design. Premier Concrete’s showroom allowed for the clients to learn more about the possibilities of Bomanite Decorative Concrete. Samples provided the clients with ease of mind and a visual to a stunning end result.
This grand project won Premier Concrete Construction the 2020 Silver Award for the Best Bomanite Custom Polishing System Project. With Premier Concrete’s quality of work and creativity, The Park Theatre now showcases a distinct decorative detail while providing a dynamic regional center for the arts and entertainment as well as an artistic meeting place for the community.
GRAIN VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL RENOVATES WITH BOMANITE MODENA TG POLISHED CONCRETE FLOORS
With school out for the summer that leaves room for designers and contractors to have more readily available access for specified improvements and upgrades. Growing School Districts looking to restyle, update or renovate can trust the Bomanite Modena TG system for low maintenance and cost saving benefits. The Grain Valley High School originally built in the late 1990s finished its phase 4 expansion to accommodate its rapidly growing student body. Expansion brought much needed instructional and collaboration space, a game changer for students. With a large amount of community support, the School took into consideration the need to provide a low maintenance flooring with an element of design to embody the schools colors and team spirit…..READ MORE
INFINITE CAMPUS CREATES NATURAL BEACH FEEL WITH BOMANITE MODENA MONOLITHIC AND RENAISSANCE
Infinite Campus is the largest U.S. owned K-12 student information management firm that is nestled among natural wetlands and a city park. Wanting to allow views to the exterior natural elements, the Finn Daniels Architect firm made sure the design incorporated architectural precast concrete wall panels, a glass curtain wall, and metal panels to provide views as well as creating an energy efficient building. The interior features open work spaces, two story garden elements with crossing bridges, a central rotunda, training rooms, and a full food service cafeteria
When planning the cafeteria, the owner, Infinite Campus and Finn Daniels Architects wanted a free-flowing design that would complement existing epoxy terrazzo floors and carpet. The area needed to work with the natural elements already set and required low maintenance with a reflective sheen. During the conceptual stage the design team determined that the decorative concrete indoor flooring project should emulate the feeling of a sandy beach or shoreline which would shimmer and glisten like shells and sea glass in the sun. Bomanite Licensee Concrete Arts, Inc. provided the natural beach look by installing the Bomanite Custom Polishing Systems with Bomanite Modena Monolithic for the winding middle sea shell area and Bomanite Renaissance Deep Grind for the shoreline perimeter… READ MORE
What does a Leap of Faith look like? It begins with a situation like Dallas Theological Seminary (DTS) faced in April 2020. A $14 million building had been three years in the making and was yet to be built. With donations earmarked and targeted to cover the construction already in the bucket, the project was pending the issuance of city permits. The permitting process had been delayed because of incredibly significant growth in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. The COVID pandemic struck March 15, 2020, and three weeks later the final permits from the city of Dallas were issued. Not knowing when things would get back to normal, the only logical conclusion was a Leap of Faith by DTS, and the building project started in May.
The patented technology of the Bomanite Custom Polishing System chemically reacts with the concrete to lock in the color, and the mechanical application closes the surface to keep out contaminants. One application, permanent results. Lustrous color, protected by a tight, beautiful sheen. The Bomanite Custom Polishing System offers exceptional resistance to slipping, abrasion and impact. Available in finishes from satin to gloss, finished surfaces also repel water and oil and are dust-proof. This finish does not require replacement, recoating, or waxing and thus is superior to limited-life coatings. The non-toxic, non-flammable and odorless application is environmentally friendly. And surface care is user-friendly as routine cleaning will maintain luster.
The Bomanite Custom Polishing VitraFlor System was chosen for this project. Texas Bomanite installed over 13,000 SF of (Class D – Large Aggregate Exposed) Bomanite Polished Concrete at an 800-Grit finish. Bomanite VitraFlor is ground to expose the desired amount of aggregate, then polished to the required gloss level and treated with Bomanite VitraFinish for protection. The primary benefit of Bomanite VitraFlor is the simplicity of installation and durability of the finished floor, lending to low-maintenance and long-term sustainable features. VitraFlor by Bomanite is intended primarily for new construction or major renovation projects. Now even ordinary concrete can live up to Bomanite’s promise that all concrete can be functional and stylish.
Texas Bomanite, part of the distinguished Bomanite Licensee network, was established in 1987 and has since grown to become one of Texas’ largest and most respected architectural concrete contractors with offices in Dallas and Central Texas. They are renowned for their team of dedicated, talented, and professional concrete craftsman who collaborate closely with owners and designers to tailor an architectural concrete plan to budget and to specs. They complete projects especially during difficult construction scenarios. For Dallas Theological Seminary, it may have been a Leap of Faith to begin such a large construction project during the height of COVID, but the choice of Texas Bomanite to deliver the vision of the project was a certainty. Chafer Chapel and Student Life Center Live Cam
