Valley Fair Mall Boasts Long-Lasting Beautiful Bomanite Decorative Concrete

Valley Fair Mall in West Valley City, Utah offers over 830,000 square feet of shopping, dining, and entertainment with over 120 retail stores and delicious dining options to explore.  In 2012, Bomanite Licensee Architectural Concrete & Design Inc. undertook a 70,000 square foot concrete makeover within Valley Fair Mall, retrofitting the concourse with a stampable topping system.  This system was to be installed over the existing ceramic tile to save time, money, and eliminate the mess of ripping up the tile.

Family owned and one of the first Bomanite Licensees in the nation, Architectural Concrete & Design has installed a wide variety of hardscapes for commercial, residential, and municipal projects.  This interior mall project was a new venture for Devin Johnson, the company’s Vice President, who collaborated with Bomanite’s Technical Services Division to develop the application procedures that would ensure that this Bomanite Toppings System could be placed directly over the existing tile.

Bomanite Systems

Bomanite Thin-Set is a specially formulated polymer-modified topping mix that can be imprinted and will bond to any stable, structurally sound substrate.  It is typically installed at 3/8-inch thick and can be feathered to almost a zero edge.  Bomanite Thin-Set is as an extremely effective alternative to demolishing an existing substrate and can be exposed to traffic quickly, which was a priority for this job as the work performed on the expansive 70,000 plus square-foot concourse could not be completed during normal working hours or block daily access to any store in the mall.

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The process selected used aggressive surface preparation followed by a 100% solids epoxy primer broadcasted to rejection with silica sand to create a mechanical bond for the overlay.  After this process, the crew would on the next night apply a scratch coat of Thin-Set II followed by a screeded 3/8-inch thick layer of Thin-Set II, that was then imprinted with one of four Bomanite imprint patterns used throughout the mall.

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After this part of the process was complete each morning, the crew would lay down a section of breathable landscape fabric over the affected entrances and rope off everything they had stamped.  The timing had to be precise so that the stamped area had time to dry and could withstand foot traffic.  After large sections of flooring were textured, secondary coloring and sealing were undertaken prior to turning over the fully finished floors to the mall.

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Design Upgrade

Featured throughout the concourse is Bomanite Basketweave Used Brick that was integrally colored with Bomanite Brick Red as well as Bomacron Random Slate in Shale Gray.  To create visual breaks, an 8-inch English Slate Texture border in Sand was created with some areas featuring straight lines while other areas feature a free-flowing design.  To create even more variety, the Bomanite 12-inch Boardwalk pattern with Sonora Tan Color Hardener was used to enhance the mall’s roundabout and accent other selected areas.

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Then and Now

The Valley Fair Mall makeover was perfectly suited to use an overlay, allowing the mall owners to avoid a messy and more costly demolition route.  Architectural Concrete & Design expertly installed Bomanite Thin-Set II in combination with Bomanite Imprint Systems to renovate and recreate the mall’s design aesthetic.  The “proof is in the pudding” when we say Bomanite Architectural Concrete Systems are top notch; Bomanite Licensed Installers provide the expertise and proficiency to create long-lasting, durable, and beautifully decorative flooring options.

A decade has passed since Architectural Concrete & Design successfully installed the Bomanite Toppings System and imprint patterns.  While their decorative concrete prowess provided a stunning decorative concrete layout that impressed patrons and exceeded the mall owner’s expectations, the long-lasting results still stand out as a feature piece inside the mall.  Not only did Architectural Concrete & Design produce a product with durability and longevity, but they added distinct decorative detail that showcases quality of work and superior design that has and will continue to stand the test of time.

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

Great Wolf Lodge Minnesota Creates Magic with Bomanite Thin-Set Overlay

The Great Wolf Lodge opened one of their latest resorts in Bloomington, MN. The Gensler Architect team was hired for the renovation project. With one of a kind entertainment options, Bomanite Licensee, Bulach Custom Rock (known for their work on themed projects) was able to provide 5,000 square feet of the specified flooring that matched the outdoor adventure theme. With the existing floor in place, Bulach Custom Rock came through with the Bomanite Thin-Set Stampable Overlay Toppings System in three different patterns that were used intersecting in multiple areas which provided some challenges for the layout.

The Great Wolf Adventure Park houses several non-water attractions, including the Rustic Ridge Rock Wall and the Howlers Peak Ropes Course, that guests embark on an invigorating, multi-level climbing challenge traversing over Oliver’s Mining Co. where they can search for keepsake gemstones. For the mining area Bulach Custom Rock created the look and feel of actual dirt with the Bomacron Erosion Series Dried Earth Texture and added pathways of stone with the Bomacron Small Sandstone pattern.

Additional activities include MagiQuest, the brand’s exclusive live-action adventure game where players follow clues and use interactive magic wands to discover relics and runes needed to defeat a fierce dragon. The Bomacron Fishscale Belgian Block pattern was used to create that old world feel of stone castles. The MagiQuest area was produced using the Bomanite Shale Gray Integral Color then utilizing a Bomanite Natural Gray Color Hardener wash before it was sealed.

The difficulty of the project was in both access and area control. Whereas multiple trades were utilizing the same spaces at the same time, Bulach Custom Rock installed all the stampable overlay during the overnight hours with the use of mostly temporary lighting. Due to Bomanite Thin-Set’s benefits of being trafficked quickly, Bulach Custom Rock was able to have the flooring installed on schedule.

Bomanite Thin-Set is a specially formulated polymer modified topping mix that will bond to any stable, structurally sound substrate. This unique system allows the installation of a thin, imprinted concrete topping when installed at 3/8″ thick and can be feathered to a zero edge that was helpful when the overlay needed to seamlessly match up to an existing tile floor entrance for the Great Wolf Lodge.

Bomanite Thin-Set is an extremely effective alternative to the demolition or remodel of an existing substrate, making it a perfect choice for the Great Wolf Lodge Renovation.