The Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute with the Brick Industry Association and National Concrete Masonry Association are pleased to announce the 7th Annual HNA Hardscape Project Award winners in recognition of outstanding hardscape projects, including residential walkways, patios, driveways, commercial plazas, parking lots and streets. One hundred entries were judged on project intent, design, quality of construction and craftsmanship, compatibility with related construction materials and systems, construction innovation, detailing and overall design excellence.

1. Eco-Healing Retreat Center

• CATEGORY: Combination - Commercial - Less than 20,000 SF
• LOCATION: Victoria, MN
• SIZE: 5,500 SF
• INSTALLER: Mom’s Landscaping & Design, LLC
• PRODUCTS: Belgard pavers; natural stone from US quarries; local concrete
• DESIGNER: Becca Bastyr

DESCRIPTION

The client’s main goal for this project was to pay homage to the 146-acre forested land by incorporating “natural” (stone) products. The project’s objectives: create pleasant walkways (some had to be ADA compliant); increase parking space; and improve drainage. The natural stone retaining walls and paver driveway sweep drainage from the hillside by directing water away from the two upper buildings. Cutting through and down two hillsides increased parking stalls from 4 to 15 using 2,000 sf of concrete with natural stone parking stripes. Dry- and wet-laid walkways of approximately 3,500 sf were installed and multiple retaining walls were built or restored.

2. Trinity Academy Sports Complex

• CATEGORY: Combination - Commercial - More than 20,000 SF
• LOCATION: North Wichita, KS
• SIZE: 33,600 SF
• INSTALLER: Elevated Paver Systems
• PRODUCTS: Pavestone
• DESIGNER: Elevated Paver Systems

DESCRIPTION

Segmental retaining walls and concrete pavers were used to create a look similar to ancient coliseums. Elevated Paver Systems (EPS) designed and constructed the stadium portion of the project, a unique opportunity for the design to be based on a contractor’s perspective. The result was a segmental project with little field fabrication required. To efficiently construct the project and minimize excess excavation, EPS coordinated with the civil contractor to sequentially build the area below and behind the seating area as each seat wall was built.

3. Savageau Residence

• CATEGORY: Combination - Residential - Less than 4,000 SF
• LOCATION: Omaha, NE
• SIZE: 3,000 SF
• INSTALLER: Paver Designs LLC
• PRODUCTS: Pavestone/
• Earthworks, Techniseal NuLook
• DESIGNER: Jim and Justin Hampton

DESCRIPTION

Paver Designs LLC developed a renovation plan for a patio and pool deck, a deteriorated mishmash of stamped concrete, old concrete pavers, clay pavers and a rotting cedar tie wall. The plan included a water/fire feature flowing into the pool, a grill/bar island, stone fireplace and a fire boulder. Planters were cut into the walls to create character and soften the hardscape, and a flowing inlay design connected the patio nook area to the pool deck. A sealer was used to differentiate colors for the inlay. LED uplights highlight the walls and fire features.

4. Wayne Pool

• CATEGORY: Combination - Residential - More than 4,000 SF
• LOCATION: Wayne, NJ
• SIZE: 4,200 SF
• INSTALLER: Monello Landscape Industries
• PRODUCTS: Techo-Bloc
• DESIGNER: Joe Monello

DESCRIPTION

Design elements and features include six multi-level paver patios, three permeable paver patios and a sunken pool bar and kitchen with seating inside and outside the pool. The project also includes a 20-ft double waterfall, three built-in bistro tables, a 20-ft high boulder wall system featuring perennial garden plants and floating boulders built into the pool. Trenching was so extensive under and around the hardscape areas that 1,500 cubic yards of soil had to be removed and replaced with compacted clean stone so there was no threat of future settlement.

5. Nemours Auto Court

• CATEGORY: Concrete Paver - Commercial - Less than 15,000 SF
• LOCATION:  Wilmington, DE
• SIZE: 7,200 SF
• INSTALLER: Pickering Valley Landscape Inc.
• PRODUCTS: Hanover Architectural Products Inc.
• DESIGNER: Oasis Design Group

DESCRIPTION

A bituminous-set paver cross section was chosen for the parking area with a reinforced concrete base. The three colors selected for the concrete pavers were Super Black, Limestone Gray and a Matrix with black, gray and white aggregate. The paver surface is a sandblasted Tudor finish. Parking spots are a 45-degree herringbone pattern with Limestone Gray and Super Black while the drive-through area is a 60/20/20 ratio of Matrix, Gray and Black. The two paver fields are separated by a 20-in. wide soldier-sailor-soldier band of Super Black and Matrix.

6. Alfa External Paving

• CATEGORY: Concrete Paver - Commercial - More than 15,000 SF
• LOCATION: Jumairah Village Circle, Dubai, UAE
• SIZE: 21,500 SF
• INSTALLER: DUCON Industries FZCO
• PRODUCTS: DUCON Industries FZCO
• DESIGNER: DUCON Industries FZCO

DESCRIPTION

The location of this driveway and parking lot project is developing into a newly established city. In order for the property to be rented, a paver design project was initiated to complement the building and add practical value. The project achieved these requirements with a pathway that reflects the building theme and logo. The logo spans 15 meters in diameter, the largest done by DUCON. The details of the logo and the associated font were achieved with high accuracy as the complete job was done in-house.

7. Sierra Nevada

Brewing Company

• CATEGORY: Concrete Paver - Permeable - Commercial
• LOCATION: Fletcher, NC
• SIZE: 147,000 SF
• INSTALLER: Rivertop Contracting, Inc.
• PRODUCTS: Belgard
• DESIGNER: Glen Walters and Drake Fowler, Design Workshop, Asheville, NC

DESCRIPTION

The client emphasized “green” practices, including a 147,000-sf permeable paver system in the parking area. The chosen paver withstands heavy vehicular traffic, has a favorable reduction in water runoff and meets ADA requirements. Colors include Ardennes Grey, Slate Grey, Westerwood Blend and Limestone for LEED certification. A variety of shapes and the untumbled texture are complemented by a 90-degree herringbone pattern.

8. Permeable Paradise

• CATEGORY: Concrete Paver - Permeable - Residential
• LOCATION: Grand Island, NE
• SIZE: 4,300 SF
• INSTALLER: Grindstone Hardscapes
• PRODUCTS: Belgard
• DESIGNER: Grindstone Team

DESCRIPTION

The goal of this new driveway, patio and front entrance project was to create a maintenance-free system with extreme curb appeal. The entire project is permeable and heated to melt snow. The paver field was laid at a 45-degree angle to the house, a solution to the challenge of the road not being square to any entrance on the driveway or walk. Snow and sleet drain through the joints upon touching the heated paver surface. The heat tapes were fastened to wire mesh on top of the rock base to hold it in place, and then the bedding layer was screeded over it.

9. A Slice Of Paradise

• CATEGORY: Concrete Paver - Residential - Less than 3,000 SF
• LOCATION: Strongsville, OH
• SIZE: 2,700 SF
• INSTALLER: Rock Bottom Lawn & Landscaping
• PRODUCTS: Unilock
• DESIGNER: David Hemme

DESCRIPTION

The homeowner requested an area for hosting large parties without feeling crowded. The separate design elements allow for more intimate gatherings within the overall project and include a partially covered outdoor kitchen/bar, large dining area, covered pavilion and fireplace patio, in-ground swimming pool with accompanying pool deck and a raised gas fire pit patio bordered by a curved seat wall. Large pavers were chosen to fit the grand scale and style of the project, but also create a smooth surface along the pool deck.

10. Reno’s Circular Whirlwind

• CATEGORY: Concrete Paver - Residential - More than 3,000 SF
• LOCATION: Reno, NV
• SIZE: 3,600 SF
• INSTALLER: Hain Enterprises
• PRODUCTS: Basalite Concrete Products
• DESIGNER: Mark Hain

DESCRIPTION

A homeowner challenged his contractor to design a patio environment incorporating as many circles as possible and create a unique visual experience. The contractor designed one-of-a-kind patios, walls and planting areas utilizing concrete paver circle kits. Among many challenges was how to continue the arc of the varying circles’ sizes through the connecting pathways. To accomplish this, the contractor installed only curvilinear courses of pavers that appear to run off the pathways and rejoin later. In total, 14 paver circle kits were used and approximately 3,600 sf of pavement.

Honorable Mentions