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.
McGregor Square is the new 17,000 square foot urban use facility in the heart of Lower Downtown Denver. Bringing the best of Denver to you, McGregor Square spans an entire block adjacent to Coors Field and offers various restaurants, retail outlets, an expansive food-hall, and a stadium-sized LED screen. The center of the square is the outdoor plaza, which was built to provide a pre- and post-game gathering place for Colorado Rockies fans, as well as a year-round destination for concerts, festivals, and movie nights.
Bomanite Licensee Colorado Hardscapes worked with general contractor Hensel Phelps to install several components on the project, including polished concrete benches with a form-finished face, uncolored and colored Sandscape®, gray broomed concrete, custom trench drains, stairs, and a few ADA ramps.
Bomanite Systems Provide Stunning Results
Bomanite Custom Polishing Systems offer a revolutionary approach to designing with architectural concrete, providing long-lasting durability and exceptional abrasion resistance. Bomanite VitraFlor is the standard on which all other Bomanite systems are based, providing cost efficiency, functionality, and superior style and was the product of choice to create the polished concrete benches in the outdoor plaza.
In collaboration with project designer Stantec, Colorado Hardscapes went through three generations of mockup polished benches to provide a shape that was both aesthetically pleasing as well as structurally sound and through this development created exactly what the client was looking for. The biggest challenges on-site were forming the benches and setting the grades in relation to the plaza.
Colorado Hardscapes also utilized Bomanite Exposed Aggregate Systems for this project. Bomanite Sandscape Texture was installed to provide a modernized, long lasting, and durable paving surface over the splashpad area at McGregor Square and was an optimal choice as it is known for the sand texture on its surface and is an appropriate finish for wet areas due to its anti-slip yet walkable nature. The diamond sawcut pattern and alternating integral colored concrete was perfect to add an extra decorative touch, connecting the two sections of polished concrete benches.
Award Winning Decorative Concrete
Colorado Hardscapes takes special pride in being the concrete contractor of choice for many of Colorado’s largest General Contractors. They are dedicated to installing top-quality decorative concrete and incorporating premium products installed by committed craftsmen, which results in long lasting, innovative, and beautifully intricate concrete.
The 2021 Honorable Mention Award for Best Bomanite Exposed Aggregate Systems Project was earned by Colorado Hardscapes for their exceptional quality Sandscape Texture installation at McGregor Square. Par for the course, their superior craftsmanship resulted in durable and distinctive feature pieces that will be well utilized and will stand the test of time. Colorado Hardscapes leads by example, installing exceptional quality work on every job, going above and beyond to meet client needs and exceed expectations on every project.
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
Lake Belton High School is a 385,000 square-foot campus located in Temple, Texas and includes various community, teaching, and athletic spaces. Known as the Home of the Broncos, this comprehensive high school was designed to support 2,500 students with key programming that includes science, athletics, performing and fine arts, an auditorium, and a core learning center. With close coordination between the architect O’Connell Robertson and the contractor Bartlett Cocke General Contractors during the design phase, the client’s goals and budget were achieved.
Texas Bomanite was asked by Bartlett Cocke to provide 243,000 SF of polished concrete flooring, including 9,165 SF of flooring with large aggregate exposure and custom glass aggregates. In the hallways, the Bomanite Micro-Top Toppings System was utilized to add a distinct decorative feature over the polished concrete flooring. Additionally, Bomanite Alloy Exposed Aggregate decorative concrete was installed outside the building in the courtyard, near the athletic field, and near the concession stand.
Bomanite Systems in Action
Texas Bomanite utilized the Bomanite VitraFlor Custom Polishing System, which consisted of grinding, chemical hardening with Bomanite Stabilizer Pro, and honing and polishing with Bomanite VitraFinish. Custom glass aggregates in the colors Cranberry & Red Chunk were incorporated into the flooring, reflecting the school colors, and adding a stunning point of interest.
The VitraFlor process 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. The primary benefit to Bomanite VitraFlor is the simplicity of installation and durability of the finished floor, lending to its low-maintenance and long-term sustainable features.
To further embody school spirit, 22 horseshoe logos were installed over the polished floor using the Bomanite Micro-Top Toppings System. Bomanite Micro-Top is a cutting-edge technology that uses a paper-thin concrete medium and provides a coloration system like no other. Utilizing a troweled-on cementitious topping that tenaciously bonds to virtually any substrate, including concrete, wood, metal, plastic or asphalt, Micro-Top succeeds where other coloring methods have failed. Micro-Top provides a canvas where works of art are graphically produced, utilizing custom logos, unlimited graphics, swirls of color, or marbleized hues to reach the perfect color combination.
Bomanite Alloy Exposed Aggregate is an architectural exposed concrete with varying exposure depths using non-native quartz and decorative aggregates that are surface seeded on concrete. Bomanite Alloy 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 Bomanite Color Hardener, Bomanite Alloy is well known as a highly durable surface and is perfect to provide increased surface and slip resistance, making it an ideal product choice for the outdoor installations at Lake Belton High School.
Quality Design and Team Collaboration Result in a Spectacular Finish
Detailed collaborative efforts between the design and construction teams produced excellent results and the utilization of multiple Bomanite Systems provided the opportunity to enhance numerous spaces inside and outside of Lake Belton High School. While each system offers unique decorative qualities, all three will provide long-term durability and strength for many years to come.
“The building represents what we want to see. We want to see collaborative working; we want to see people working together. And this building is made for that,” said Jill Ross, principal of Lake Belton High School. The team of quality architects, engineers, and contractors on the Lake Belton High School project worked in collaboration, shared a vision and values, and produced a stunning and spectacular project.
Award Winning Decorative Concrete
Texas Bomanite installed multiple Bomanite Systems and provided beautiful decorative concrete finishes throughout the campus, earning the 2020 Best Bomanite Custom Polishing Systems Project Honorable Mention Award for their outstanding efforts. Their expert execution and precision resulted in flooring finishes with unique and distinct detail that feature personalized elements of design and embody the Lake Belton Broncos school spirit.
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 Brownsville South Padre Island International Airport is the newest major airport in Brownsville, TX. With quick access to the Gulf of Mexico and US Interstate Highway, this airport serves as a strategic hub for all international and domestic airlines, as well as private aviation operations and continues to grow and support the expanding community.
In developing the buildout of a new passenger terminal Corgan Architects along with Jacobs Engineering developed new design elements and an aesthetic overhaul that reflects the region and culture of Brownsville. Brownsville South Padre Island International Airport was formerly designated as the headquarters of Pan American’s Western Division in the 1930s. The airport made history establishing the first international Airmail Service when Charles Lindbergh landed in Brownsville in 1929 after a historic flight from Mexico City. The city then became a pioneer training center for teaching pilots to fly with navigation instruments only.
The new two-story, 89,000-square-foot building utilizes the latest terminal design features and amenities that include designing and constructing a new four-gate terminal and a Federal Inspection Services (FIS) Facility for commercial and general aviation, replacing the existing facility built-in 1971. Previously restricted to regional aircraft, the project now allows the airport to accommodate larger aircraft and is designed for a future terminal expansion with expected increased air travel.
When it came to renovating and revitalizing the airport, Corgan wanted to make sure that the city’s unique history was represented in all design aspects. Corgan worked with Bomanite Licensee, Texas Bomanite, starting in December 2017 on the initial design, several 6” x 6” concrete samples of different gray tones and finishes were a must-have to a make sure the airport flooring would provide as much as an insightful impact as the surrounding structures. Working in close proximity to Corgan’s office allowed for several larger-scale mock-ups to be seen in person at Texas Bomanite’s facility. Ultimately polished concrete was chosen for its long-term durability and low maintenance. Texas Bomanite contracted through the winning bid GC SpawGlass Contractors to provide 42,300 square feet of the Bomanite Modena SL polished concrete system; an installation that finalized in December 2020.
The final color of choice was Nickle Gray Bomanite Modena SL, used throughout the ticketing area, TSA Security Checkpoints as well as the upper floors for Boarding. Texas Bomanite provided the ultimate solution to the early design concerns for finding an acceptable concrete finish for the existing structural slab. The polished concrete floor in gray complimented the stainless steel borders seen throughout the terminal. Precast stair treads were also created with the Bomanite Modena SL system for a cohesive design. Bomanite Modena SL is a versatile engineered interior polymer modified cementitious topping that is blended with selected aggregates and then ground and polished to the desired gloss level. The new terminal floors were prepped with 24-40 metal bond diamonds and a rapid set epoxy primer with sanding to refusal prior to installing the Bomanite polished concrete system. Polished to a final 800 Grit with Bomanite Stabilizer Poly Pro and Bomanite VitraFinish provided for a solid surface with superior stain resistance. Metzger McGuire RS-88 in warm stone was used for the joint filler to complete the overall custom decorative concrete flooring for the Brownsville International Airport.
The Modena system is a low-cost alternative for renovation projects and provides the durability and strength for this exceptionally long lifespan system. With the Bomanite Modena SL systems ability to be installed over concrete or properly prepared wood substrates, with cove base and stair components generally pre-cast, it made for the perfect complement to the overall design elements and architectural plans. Having the industry’s lowest lifecycle costs, low to zero VOC and minimal maintenance requirements, Bomanite Modena SL was the optimal choice for Brownsville South Padre Island International Airport and earned Texas Bomanite the 2020 Best Custom Polishing Systems Project Bronze Award.
Founded 43 years ago, The Richards Group has produced award-winning advertising campaigns for some of the most recognizable brands in the world and is known as the largest independent agency in America. Before the advertising giant and its sizable staff of 700 moved into the new 550,000 square foot The Richards Group building near downtown Dallas they knew they wanted the lobby to have a modern sophistication that supported the company’s culture.
Working with Perkins + Will Architects and owner Stan Richards, Bomanite Licensee, Texas Bomanite was called in to provide the polished concrete floor, initially only for the lobby area to greet incoming clients and visitors. After seeing the finished product and realizing the potential of the durability and benefits, the owner decided to incorporate the Bomanite polished concrete system into all the common spaces on 8 additional floors thus substantially increasing the scope of the work.
With the project well under way and in order to meet the General Contractor, Manhattan Construction Company’s established schedule, Texas Bomanite agreed to build the work in 2 phases. This phasing required Texas Bomanite to do the first part of the work prior to the installation of the exterior curtain wall, a highly transparent glass skin that was designed to allow dramatic changes from day to night. Texas Bomanite brought their expertise and a new meaning to “polishing to the edge” while working on floors 11-18, making for some very exciting views for the crew. In total, over 70,400 Square Feet of floors and walkways were polished to a 1500 grit finish with a salt and pepper aggregate exposure complimenting the three-story stairwell atrium and workspaces.
In designing the new class-free workplace, Perkins + Will created an open work environment that offers endless opportunities for creative collaboration that fit the egalitarian culture at The Richards Group. Each idea was evaluated on only two criteria—how it enhanced the quality of space or the quality of their culture. Polished concrete floors bring numerous benefits for the end user and work well in corporate buildings. Polished concrete is a very dense finished surface with little porosity left once finished. This inhibits the collection of dirt and dust which can be trapped in carpet and become airborne along with allergens and other pollutants. Bomanite polished concrete also “breathes” allowing moisture vapor normally trapped in non-permeable floor finishes or retained in carpet to pass through the system without the potential to encourage mold to develop. Another benefit for Bomanite polished concrete flooring is that it meets all national traction standards providing excellent slip resistance in both wet and dry conditions. The Bomanite Polished Concrete system was the choice for an optimal environment for the company’s culture as well as the health and safety of all employees and visitors.
Texas Bomanite was awarded the 2015 Best Bomanite Custom Polishing Project GOLD AWARD for their expertise and high-rise polishing details while finishing the project under budget and on time.
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.
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.
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.
