School designers and builders have begun to see the benefit of polished and dyed concrete instead of terrazzo or other floor finishes. Durability, wearability, and low maintenance, are all factors which GC’s and architects find exceptional when using polished concrete as a finish. Combine this with the LEED points and green advantages of using polished concrete, and add a little quality craftsmanship, and you end up with a beautiful project like the UW Superior Rothwell Center. Over 30,000 sq ft of exposed concrete was polished and dyed. To highlight the natural materials in the area, it was decided by the design team, to showcase the red granite and volcanic rock which is native to the Superior area. This required deep grinding to expose the rock in the concrete. Decorative patterns and colors were then installed, keeping in line with the design created by Workshop Architects. The floor accentuated the lines of the building, fitting seamlessly into the overall warmth of the facility. D&B partnered with Shawn Wardall of Specialized Construction Inc., to work as site supervisor and quality control manager. Shawn and D&B have partnered successfully before, combining Shawn’s artistic eye and attention to detail with D&B’s work ethic and commitment to schedule and production. As usual, the team effort paid off. Francisco Larrondo, D&B’s foreman, worked well with Shawn to achieve beauty within the beast of the schedule.
Many of the challenges included thick cure and seal, tight timeline, depth of grinding needed, limited access to areas during construction, and the 10 pound in a 5 pound box equation. Working with Howard Immel Inc., the General Contractor, we were able to access the floor in manageable sections without shutting down traffic and while maintaining steady progress. Products used included Scofield’s Formula One Dye, combined with Prosoco’s LS and LS Guard, lithium densifier and protectant.
Overall, a successful project completed on time, and a great showcase for schools that are considering this type of finish in the future.
