Market Station Flaunts Bomanite Sandscape Flatwork with Unique Design and Coloration

Market Station is downtown Denver’s newest development and includes the entire city block bounded by 16th, 17th, Market, and Blake Streets.  This revitalization project combined 80,000 SF of retail, 95,000 SF of office space, 225 residences, and below grade parking.  To create additional indoor/outdoor space, the Market Station Basecamp was created by activating the alley way area.  This paseo features design details that celebrate the outdoor recreation culture of Colorado and offers an active space for the public to enjoy food, drink, art, and interaction.

Project developer Continuum Partners contracted with landscape architecture firm,  Dig Studio, to figure out the hardscape design on the decks, along the streets, and throughout the paseo.  Having successfully worked with both firms in addition to Kiewit, the general contractor, Colorado Hardscapes was selected to perform the concrete installations.  Colorado Hardscapes worked with Dig Studio to develop the colors, the scoring layout, and construction details, becoming a partner in the process, rather than just an installation contractor.

Form and Function Fulfilled

Multiple Bomanite systems were chosen for this project, including Bomanite Exposed Aggregate Systems and Bomanite Toppings Systems.  Dig Studio chose Bomanite Sandscape Texture with alternately stained panels.  The initial design called for a more pointed saw cut design that resembled a chevron pattern, but Colorado Hardscapes recommended a reduction in the pattern angle to prevent cracking.  Determining the darker color on alternate panels of the Bomanite Sandscape Texture concrete required several rounds of samples, including a 150 SF mockup at the Colorado Hardscapes yard, which led to the use of Bomanite Paténe Artectura featuring Bomanite Ebony Chemical Stain.

The entire scope of work included approximately 18,753 SF of Bomanite Sandscape Texture flatwork.  Used in combination with a variety of color and staining options, Bomanite Sandscape Texture creates consistent texture and durability, making it ideal for this application at Market Station.  Furthermore, broom finished sidewalks, various walls, benches, trench drains, planter walls, planter curbs, truncated domes, curb and gutter, storm inlets, specialty sawcuts, staining, and Bomanite Micro-Top walls were also completed by Colorado Hardscapes.

Challenges and Achievements

Project challenges included developing a thickness and reinforcement that would qualify the pavement for emergency equipment access.  Additionally, due to construction scheduling, the pavement could not be continuously placed, but had to be poured in a manner that allowed it to look as if all concrete was completed in one pour.

These challenges were on top of having to coordinate the snow melt system, which required an extra layer of mesh and proper placement of chairs for all the reinforcement and snowmelt tubing so that the concrete could be sawcut without cutting through the radiant tubing.  The layout of the scoring also needed to meet both the crack control concerns as well as the decorative scoring needs.  Despite the many technical challenges that came with this project, the uniqueness of the paseo has created a memorable spot for those living in the area or visiting Denver for the first time.

Colorado Hardscapes values the back-and-forth discussion with their clients because it allows for a better understanding of the project, reduces the chances of unexpected outcomes, and better establishes expectations.  Colorado Hardscapes was specifically chosen for this project to provide a premier Bomanite Sandscape Texture finish with precise staining and complex, detailed sawcuts and rightfully so as they earned the 2021 Best Bomanite Exposed Aggregate Systems Project Gold Award for their spectacular execution.  Their accuracy and expertise in the installation of Bomanite Sandscape Texture decorative concrete at Market Station aided in transforming the heart of LoDo, providing a paseo with a unique, urban aesthetic, and creating an extraordinary alternative destination.

Branford Roundabout Reimagines Safety with Bomanite Imprint

Three towns in Connecticut, Branford, Guilford, and North Branford, experienced major safety issues with a T-shaped design of an intersection of two major highways that straddle the town lines of all three municipalities.  An older Google Map satellite view of the intersection shows the original design but can’t adequately explain the problem.  The arms of the T intersection shown is U.S. 1 which routinely saw speeds of 40-60mph.  The leg of the T intersection is Route 22 which was required to merge onto U.S. 1 from a complete stop at a stop sign.  Naturally there was a predominance of “right-angle crashes”, more commonly known as “T-Bone Collisions”.  When a vehicle traveling 40-60mph T-Bones a vehicle coming from a dead stop, the results are usually devastating.    A secondary issue was peak hour congestion on Route 22 and lengthy times for vehicles to turn.  According to DOT data, 11,600 vehicles a day travel through the routes 1 and 22 intersection.

The logical solution to all those problems was a modern 3-legged roundabout to replace the existing T intersection.  For the multi-million-dollar project, CT DOT selected Empire Paving, Inc. as the main contractor and Connecticut Bomanite Systems was chosen to install the islands and the sidewalks.  By installing a modern roundabout, CT DOT realized the purpose of the project which was to improve safety and alleviate peak hour congestion on Route 22.  Increased safety performance was achieved due to the operational characteristics of a roundabout, eliminating the occurrence of right-angle crashes and reducing speeds.  The approach roadways were modified to introduce curvature for the deflection of vehicles to reduce their speed as they approach the roundabout.  Raised splitter islands and a raised center island with a truck apron was installed to channelize traffic and direct vehicles through the new configuration.  Pedestrian improvements, including sidewalks, crosswalks, and splitter island refuge areas were also installed.

Decorative Concrete Helps Solve Safety Issues

For this project, Connecticut Bomanite Systems installed Bomanite Imprint Systems using both the Bomacron Ashlar Slate pattern and the Bomacron Herringbone Used Brick pattern for a total of 9,786 square feet of decorative concrete.  To achieve the desired color for the rotary portion of the roundabout, where the Ashlar Slate pattern was installed, Bomanite sand color hardener was used.  Bomanite red brick color hardener was used for the islands and the edging of the sidewalks where the Herringbone Used Brick pattern was installed.  The choice of colors and patterns creates an aesthetically pleasing decorative concrete and uses just enough eye-catching brightly colored detail to aid in the overall architectural design flow of the roundabout.

Bomanite is unsurpassed in the industry for its selection and quality of imprinting tools.  With well over 400 distinct patterns and associated textures Bomanite has a commanding selection of imprinting tools to select from. Bomanite molds are developed from natural products such as stone or wood as well as unconventional surfaces such as metal or plastic or whatever your imagination may bring to the table. Images, logos, borders and highly custom textures are all part of the Bomanite offering.

Award Winning Decorative Concrete

Connecticut Bomanite Systems earned the 2021 Best Bomanite Imprint Systems Project Honorable Mention Award for this installation.  The fact that this reengineered intersection has the potential of saving lives and improving the day to day driving conditions for tens of thousands of working commuters cannot be overstated.  For the three Connecticut communities positively impacted by this project, the ease of use of their new modern roundabout is only enhanced and eclipsed by how beautiful it is.