Decorative Concrete Walkways Meander Through an Upscale Retail Center in Austin, TexasColor and decorative joints help achieve an Old-world look at The Domain
Submit your project photos and videos. CHALLENGE To meet the goal of providing a destination shopping experience unlike anything in the Austin, TX vicinity, the streetscapes, plazas and amenities had to have the cache to attract visitors from the nearby single-family neighborhoods which include the very affluent high-tech corridor. It must also serve the apartments and condominiums which would soon be available within the development. The goals, both market-driven and design-driven, were achievable due to the clout of Simons Property Group, Inc., the largest public US real estate company. They selected Austin, the Texas state capitol, because the housing market is one of the most buoyant in the country. PROJECT CONTEXT
CRITERIA While indoor malls have been popular for several decades, the developer elected to create outdoor streetscapes, passageways and promenades with two goals in mind: reducing the extravagant energy expense of climate control for large indoor malls and creating a sense of community at street level, befitting a mixed-use project with a significant residential component. SOLUTION The design scheme developed by Anderson was inspired by the pedestrian-friendly plazas and meandering streets of the old world which have evolved slowly, over centuries. Although, this would be a new development, the goal was to create hardscapes and patios that appeared timeworn from the outset by using rich, natural colors and custom amenities. As the landscape architect Robert Anderson says, "When the places we walk have character, we walk slowly to savor the experience. We pause to enjoy our surroundings. Recreating the welcoming aspect of age and antiquity at street level, such as that found in Europe and Mexico, was our goal for the retail environment where we wanted people to enjoy lingering and relaxing in public places." The pathways were designed to curve gracefully to integrate the large scale trees. Patios and walkways were situated to benefit from shade and be refreshed by micro-climates created by custom-designed water features. The landscape architect specified high performance concrete with two integral colors: Uni-Mix Integral Concrete Colors in Lannon Stone and Harvest Wheat. The Harvest Wheat was used as the unifying color for approximately 60,000 square feet throughout the project. According to Scott Bauerle, owner of Sco-bar Hardscapes, "The concrete reached a PSI of 4000 because we increased the cement content which also gave us a creamier and smoother texture. For a custom look, the joints were all tooled with a hand-groover, not saw-cut. All the integrally colored concrete was finished with a natural rock salt finish. The concrete was then cured with a water-based curing compound, and sealed with a water-based sealer to protect the surface." The landscape architects required the use of a hand-groover to make the joint pattern prominent, providing visual breaks in long expanses of paving. Color also is used to direct access to the store entries, and to improve safety. As visitors approach the street crossings, red indicates they are moving off the sidewalks and into the roadway. "At The Domain, the warm, earth tones create a welcoming environment," according to Mr. Anderson, "color has a psychological impact on us, and it is important to avoid the traditional coldness of grays. The quality in every detail of the tiled benches, the custom fountains and sculpture all contribute to the beauty of the environment which makes visitors want to stay to shop, dine and just enjoy the attractive surroundings." RESULTS
Decorative concrete at The Domain is subtle enough to be a backdrop for upscale amenities such as sculptures by local artists, interesting native plants, soothing water features and inset hand-cut stone. Perhaps the secret of success is that the colored concrete does not call attention to itself, but blends softly into the background, whispering its welcome. ABOUT J. ROBERT ANDERSON LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS PROJECT TEAM DEVELOPER: Simons Property Group Inc., Indianapolis, IN in partnership with Endeavor Real Estate Group Do you have a project you would like ConcreteNetwork.com to consider? Email us today. Read More About Stamped Concrete Return to Stamped Concrete Projects Find a Concrete Contractor 23 Services in 200 Metros -- U.S. and Canada © 2008 ConcreteNetwork.com None of this site may be reproduced without written permission |
Site Sponsors |
Free Magazine For Contractors Sign-Up Today!
Products & Training
Prepackaged Admixtures
Professional Grade
Training By Bob Harris
Concrete Polishing
Radiant Floor Heating
Synthetic Rock Training
Concrete Homes
Hands on Intensive
Concrete Floor Stains
Foundation Repair
Concrete Countertops
Repairing Bowed
Visual Concrete Floors
Concrete Crack Repair
Tools, Seminars,
Concrete Countertop
Vertical Stamping