Bomanite Sandscape Refined Antico Provides Unique Community Monument

The City of Carrollton, Texas  is proud to honor our country’s veterans with exhibitions located throughout the city.  The Veterans Memorial Plaza is the newest display and was created to honor veterans across all branches of the military who have served around the world.  Carrollton’s Mayor Kevin Falconer stated, “The purpose of the Veterans Memorial Plaza is to remember and honor those men and women who served and sacrificed in defense of our great nation while we educate future generations about the courage and valor exhibited by these veterans.”

Featured at the memorial are five illuminated panels that showcase each military branch and a large ground-level concrete map of the world.  The world map design includes bronze stars that highlight where the major conflicts took place with an American flag placed over Washington D.C.  An area of the plaza was raised, allowing visitors to view the memorial from an elevated surface and giving them the opportunity to absorb the history of our nation while remembering and honoring those who have served.

Structural Integrity Meets Distinct Design Aesthetic

Bomanite Licensee Texas Bomanite was brought into this special project to create the entire ground-level concrete map of the continents, along with the star decorations within the map.  They installed Bomanite Exposed Aggregate Systems using Bomanite Sandscape Refined coupled with the Bomanite Antico finishing process to create approximately 3,000 square feet of distinct decorative concrete.

Bomanite Sandscape Refined is an architectural exposed concrete with a very fine exposure depth and in this case was paired with the Bomanite Antico process to create a surface with fissures, voids, and other random effects not normally seen with traditional finished concrete.  Sandscape Refined Antico is a unique aesthetically pleasing alternative system that is suited for exterior applications and provides long term durability, low maintenance, and high safety features.

The continents were further distinguished by adding a sandblast finish and the entire map was tinted using Bomanite Buckskin Con-Color to create consistency across the hardscape while adding beautiful coloration that emphasizes the unique textural detail.

Technical Expertise and Exceptional Results

From the conceptual stage and specification development right through to a customized maintenance program, Bomanite professionals bring unmatched expertise with superior Bomanite systems.  Bomanite product lines deliver the best possible combination of creative design options and technical expertise.

Texas Bomanite’s goal in constructing the plaza hardscape was to provide structural integrity while maintaining the designer’s intent and creating a unique and stunning design aesthetic.  Their technical expertise, exceptional planning, communication, and execution resulted in an exceptional project.  Former Carrollton Mayor Ron Branson, a U.S. Air Force and Vietnam War veteran, said the memorial will pay tribute to veterans who did not stand by in the face of danger, but instead volunteered to place themselves in harm’s way for the good of others.  The outstanding installation of Bomanite Sandscape Refined Antico earned Texas Bomanite the 2020 Best Bomanite Exposed Aggregate Systems Project Honorable Mention Award and provided a durable, distinct, and remarkable feature that will honor veterans for years to come.

Outdoor Rooms and Stylized Bomanite Concrete Systems make for a Welcoming Space.

The homeowners of this large backyard lot recognized the possibilities that could provide them with outdoor spaces for dining, entertaining, and relaxing using multiple Bomanite Concrete Systems throughout this welcoming resort like space.

Bomanite Licensee, Concrete Arts, Inc. being the homeowner, wanted a place for his family that showed the creativity and beauty of concrete and its endless possibilities. Working with Landscape designer Mark Huri early on helped with the transformation. From his experience, Huri knew that with the right layout and a small bit of terracing, it could provide an opportunity to stylize a very special retreat. The design incorporated a full-size pool deck, cabana, courtyard and waterfall feature.

As you step out the back of the house, you have a BBQ and dining area to catch some great sunsets. At the next level you are greeted with an infinity water feature that cascades down to the main entertaining area creating a beautiful waterfall, providing that serenity of being in the great outdoors. The steps and landing leading to the main area are cast-in-place concrete treated with the Bomanite Exposed Aggregate Revealed System that is also used throughout the courtyard and pool deck.

The steps are encompassed by unique hand carved, embossed cast-in-place concrete retaining walls that are 12-14” thick with top caps done with the Bomanite Exposed Aggregate Antico Process System that is seeded with fine glass to add a bit of sparkle. The Antico Process works well with lighter colors that are often used for pool decks and other areas where light reflectivity is desired and is comparable in appearance to natural travertine or manufactured cast stone, a perfect complement to the retaining walls. The wall stone sizes and coloration were chosen to resemble European Castles and provide an old-world charm backdrop for the complete space.

As you step down into the courtyard, slabs of White Bomanite Revealed were cast and surrounded with planting pockets and inlays of grass. The strips of grass help with drainage and break up the expanse of concrete, while providing warmth to an outdoor living space, to enjoy a rushing waterfall and cozy fire pit, for full relaxation.

Designing so that each area has a different function maximizes space and use. The Cabana offers a place of protection from inclement weather and brings the feeling of family gathering in the kitchen. It includes a fridge, gas fireplace and flat screen TV. Perfect elements for a perfect cozy getaway or summertime party. The cast-in-place concrete countertop was created with a 4” edge and overhang. The surface was hand applied with Bomanite Color Hardeners for additional strength and durability while picking up the hue of the retaining walls. It was then textured to resemble natural stone with real stone pieces embedded on the corners for a decorative element.

The Interior Cabana floor was created with the Bomanite Imprinted Concrete System using an Integral gray color, stamped with the Bomacron Slate Texture pattern and then antiqued and color washed in a darker gray. The Cabana walls consisted of the Bomanite Topping Systems Overlay – Bomanite Thin-Set, which was vertically embossed and textured to resemble wood plank using the Bomacron 11 ½” Boardwalk pattern. The apex of the walls utilized a carved plaster and created relief of over 3” in some areas and embossed to resemble a cleft stone, all done in a natural gray to compliment the flooring. Family and friends can enjoy conversation, food, a book or a swim in the great pool.

The pool deck and its coping utilized the Bomanite Revealed System to provide increased surface and slip resistance, a benefit when using the Exposed Aggregate System.  A White Base, hand seeded with Georgia white marble in two sizes and then exposed, produced the surrounding deck that brings light and coolness on a very hot 100 degree summer day. Bomanite Revealed is available in light-reflective formulations reducing heat island effect, making the pool deck walkable and not hot to the touch.

This backyard resort has something for everyone, whether a pool party, family celebrations, intimate gatherings or just relaxing in the great outdoors. Bomanite Decorative Concrete can create the look and feel you imagined, welcoming one or all.

Awards: 2018 Best Bomanite Specialty Project – Bronze Award