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Table
of Contents
Capturing the South Texas Market: Southwest Concrete Products, L.P. Opportunities for Concrete Education Expand The Importance of Testing Concrete Masonry Units Learning the Benefits of Concrete Masonry All About OSHA - Post Inspection (Part 3 of 3) Company Exceeds Industry Prediction: Bark River Concrete Products Expand Your Product Line: Antiquing Machine and Founders Spray Machine Besser Block Talk: Bullnose Concrete Masonry Units
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Learning
the Benefits of Concrete Masonry Educational Facilities Building materials chosen for an educational facility must withstand the high traffic activity of hundreds of students. Concrete masonry units have always been a popular building material for educational facilities. The units meet all of the necessary requirements for a cost effective project that ensure the extended life cycle demanded by such a heavily used facility. In addition to freedom of design, concrete masonry units possess many positive attributes. The outstanding fire ratings, durability, soundproofing capabilities and low maintenance of concrete masonry units have made them the preferred building material of many architects. Evergreen Elementary
School Evergreen Elementary School exhibits the unlimited design possibilities provided by concrete masonry unit construction. The concrete masonry work for this spacious building was done in a mere six months. Approximately 116,000 concrete products were used in the construction of the school. Standard concrete masonry units were used for the interior walls. Red toned, 4" (100 mm) split face concrete masonry units adorn the exterior walls. Split fluted, 4" (100 mm) units add a subtle design element to the building. The striking appearance of this US $4.75 million school was duplicated in the construction of another school in the same district.
The Au Sable Primary School is a portrait of the design freedom offered by concrete masonry units. In addition to the design freedom, durability, architectural versatility and insurance savings were deciding factors in choosing concrete products for this project. The architects specified 83,700 lightweight, Spectra-Glaze, ground face and split face concrete masonry units for this school. Brightly colored yellow glazed block provide added interest to the exterior walls. Column block support awnings near several doorways and create another interesting dimension to the building. Constructed within 12 months, the 50,000 square foot (4600 sq m) school houses approximately 400 students and contains an early childhood development facility. The overwhelming success of the Au Sable Primary School influenced the use of concrete masonry units in the construction of the Grayling Elementary School in Grayling, Michigan.
East High School stands as a showcase for concrete product diversity. The structure used more than 180,000 veneer ground face, split face, split fluted and acoustical concrete masonry units. The architects chose concrete products as the primary building material for its durability, structural capabilities, aesthetics and economical value. A unique combination of silver split fluted and red smooth face concrete masonry units were alternated in size to create a distinct pattern around the building. A diamond-shaped design adds uniqueness to the exterior architecture. At 206,000 square feet (18,952 sq m), East High spans an entire city block and accommodates over 1100 students. The building is equipped with the latest communications data network, including phone and computer access at every point in the building. Student facilities include a 25 yard (22.5 m) swimming pool in the natatorium that was constructed with acoustical block to absorb noise. The school also features a 1200 student capacity gymnasium, auditorium and 46 classrooms and labs. A 500 square foot (46 sq m) mural and stained glass windows decorate the cafeteria. A total investment for this student friendly, contemporary learning institution was US $17.3 million. Despite the enormous size and detailed architecture, construction was completed in 15 months.
The Owen Sound Collegiate & Vocational Institute (OSCVI) demonstrates concrete product design versatility. This structure serves multiple purposes for the population of Ontario, Canada including a secondary school and the housing for various community activities. The many attributes of concrete products prompted specification by the architects. Among the most attractive attributes were durability, availability, flexibility of design and outstanding fire ratings. The 120,000 square foot (11,040 sq m) OSCVI was constructed with more than 250,000 huron range and desert buff colored standard and lightweight 8" (200 mm) concrete products and metric jumbo sized concrete brick. Local availability of concrete products allowed the project to be completed on schedule. Students began using the elaborate facility in 1998 after one year of construction.
Anthony Pizzo
Elementary School Currently serving 953 students, the
Anthony Pizzo Elementary School is Anthony Pizzo Elementary is constructed
of 85,000 4" (100 mm) tan and cream colored, veneer concrete
masonry units. The total cost of the project was US $12 million and it
was completed in less than a year. The school utilizes 108,200 square
feet (9956 sq m) of land within the Concrete masonry was chosen for the project primarily because of low maintenance, extended life cycle and positive economics. Design flexibility and aesthetics were also deciding factors. The ease of construction and beautiful completed facility has inspired the architect to follow the same basic design for two additional schools.
A unique primary school, the Bedford Street School of Derby, England illustrates the design versatility available through the use of concrete products. Approximately 16,000 concrete masonry units were used to construct the Bedford Street School. The main building consists of millstone buff colored, shot-blasted concrete masonry units. Shot-blasting exposes more of the aggregate and gives the wall a naturally weathered appearance that will last a lifetime. The banding around certain parts of the school was created with slate gray, fair face (standard) units. Fair face units were incorporated to provide a smooth and consistent appearance for the school.
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restricted property area. The four
two-story and one single-story buildings contain 49 elementary
classrooms, four university classrooms, two supplemental instruction
rooms, administration and guidance media center, music, physical
education, multi-purpose cafeteria and university administrative
offices.