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Thursday, 18 June 2009 20:32
Masonry plays role in Greater Madison Commercial Design Awards
(May 18, 2009) In Business magazine announced the winners of its second annual Greater Madison Commercial Design Awards at a ceremony held May 6 in Madison. The competition, which awards honors in 13 categories, recognizes the best in new construction or renovation in commercial design and architecture. Winning projects are featured in the publication’s May 2009 issue.
County Materials, with two locations in Madison, supplied concrete and masonry products for 14 of the award winning projects:
University Square
· 2009 Project of the Year and Best in Mixed Use category
· Utilized Full Brick, Thin Brick Panels and gray concrete block
· General Contractor was J.H. Findorff & Son, Inc.; Architect was Potter Lawson, Inc.
Capitol West: Washington Rowhouses, Capitol Court Townhomes
· Best in Residential Multi-unit category
· Features colored and gray concrete masonry units
· General contractor was J.H. Findorff & Son, Inc.; Architect was The Alexander Co.
Farm and Fleet of Verona
· Best in Retail category
· Constructed with decorative and standard concrete masonry units
· General contractor was Design Structures, LLC; Architect was Potter Lawson, Inc.
Goodman Community Center
· Best in Education category
· Constructed with gray concrete block
· General contractor was Vogel Bros. Building Co.; Architect was Eppstein Uhen Architects
National Conference of Bar Examiners
· Best in the Office category
· Features gray concrete block
· General contractor was J. H. Findorff & Son, Inc.; Architect was Potter Lawson, Inc.
PIKE Technologies
· Best in Industrial category
· Features a blend of three clay brick colors, and concrete masonry units
· General contractor was Tri-North Builders; Architect was Eppstein Uhen Architects
Wisconsin Heart & Vascular Institute
· Best in Health Care category
· Built with gray concrete block, and Cultured Stone on interior fireplace
· General contractor was Ideal Builders; Architect was Potter Lawson, Inc.
All Saints Assisted Living
· Merit Award in Health Care category
· Utilized standard concrete block
· General contractor Horizon Development Group, Inc.; Architect was Architecture 2000, LLC.
Century 21 Affiliated
· Merit Award in Office Renovation category
· Constructed with Premier Ultra Burnished masonry units and clay brick
· General contractor was W. Squared, LLC; Architect was Brink, Kolberg & Assoc
Hampton Inn and Suites
· Merit Award in Hotel category
· Features clay brick, decorative concrete masonry units and standard concrete block
· General contractor was Kraemer Bros, LLC; Architect was Gary Brink & Associates, Inc.
Monona State Bank
· Merit Award in Office New Development category
· Features clay brick and standard concrete block
· General contractor was Bauer & Raether Builders, Inc.; Architect was Strang, Inc.
Paul J. Olson Elementary School
· Merit Award for Green-built project
· Constructed with clay brick and concrete block
· General contractor was Miron Construction Co.; Architect was Zimmerman Architectural Studios
Sequoya Commons Phase 1
· Merit Award in Mixed Use category
· Constructed with standard concrete block
· General contractor was Krupp General Contractors; Architect was Bruce Simonson, with SGN+A
UW-Madison Grainger Hall Addition
· Merit Award in Education
· Features clay brick, glass block and standard concrete masonry units
· General contractor was Miron Construction Co.; Architect was Zimmerman Architectural Studios
Thursday, 18 June 2009 20:26
(April 16, 2008) The American Council of Engineering Companies of Wisconsin (ACEC) honored the University of Wisconsin-River Falls student union as a Best of State winner in its annual Engineering Excellence Awards. County Materials supplied the ready-mix (poured) concrete, as well as the brick and structural masonry for the facility.
The center, designed to merge natural elements from nearby wetlands and the Kinnickinnic River, employs elements from eco-conscious Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building guidelines.
“It’s because of sustainability that we chose concrete,” said architect Jan Van Den Kieboom of Workshop Architects in Milwaukee. “Plus, we were able to use local materials, and concrete is easier to remodel and renovate over time. (And) you don’t have the fire-code concerns of steel.”
Thursday, 18 June 2009 20:25
(March 31, 2009) County Materials’ hardscape products were recognized during the 2009 Excellence in Landscaping and Hardscaping Awards Banquet held Saturday, March 14 at the Harley-Davidson Museum in Milwaukee. The banquet, which was presented by the Wisconsin Concrete Masonry Association and Wisconsin Landscape Contractors Association, awarded landscape professionals who successfully and creatively used concrete hardscaping in their projects.Silver award – Residential category for Hardscape Costs $10,000-$20,000: Kelly Lake Road residence, (Suring, Wis.)
JM Landscaping & Nursery of Green Bay chose County Block® units for engineered retaining walls and Lexington Stone® Pavers to create multi-tiered patios that offer the homeowner more eye appeal and a functional setting for entertaining. Judges were impressed by the site challenges and results of extensive planning and installation. They called this a stunning visual project that shouts good workmanship and engineering.
The City of Beloit embarked on a renovation project for the Horace White Park, which was founded in 1836. Designers and installers created a showcase for an existing monument to Dr. Horace White by using County Block® Retaining Walls for functional seat walls and tumbled Lexington Stone® Pavers for the walkways. Original landscaping was recreated from historic photographs.
Judges noted the excellent workmanship and visual appeal that draws attention to the monument.
Thursday, 18 June 2009 20:22
County Materials Supplies Award-winning Hardscapes
(March 31, 2009) County Materials’ hardscape products were recognized during the 2009 Excellence in Landscaping and Hardscaping Awards Banquet held Saturday, March 14 at the Harley-Davidson Museum in Milwaukee. The banquet, which was presented by the Wisconsin Concrete Masonry Association and Wisconsin Landscape Contractors Association, awarded landscape professionals who successfully and creatively used concrete hardscaping in their projects.
Silver award – Residential category for Hardscape Costs $10,000-$20,000: Kelly Lake Road residence, (Suring, Wis.)
JM Landscaping & Nursery of Green Bay chose County Block® units for engineered retaining walls and Lexington Stone® Pavers to create multi-tiered patios that offer the homeowner more eye appeal and a functional setting for entertaining. Judges were impressed by the site challenges and results of extensive planning and installation. They called this a stunning visual project that shouts good workmanship and engineering.
Bronze award – Commercial category for Predominantly interlocking concrete paver projects:Horace White Park Memorial (Beloit, Wis.)
The City of Beloit embarked on a renovation project for the Horace White Park, which was founded in 1836. Designers and installers created a showcase for an existing monument to Dr. Horace White by using County Block® Retaining Walls for functional seat walls and tumbled Lexington Stone® Pavers for the walkways. Original landscaping was recreated from historic photographs.
Judges noted the excellent workmanship and visual appeal that draws attention to the monument.
Thursday, 18 June 2009 20:16
Three projects net construction award honors
(March 2, 2009) The Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) of Wisconsin announced the recipients of its 2008 Projects of Distinction Awards at their banquet held February 18th. The Projects of Distinction Awards Program recognizes outstanding construction projects of all sizes in Wisconsin, and elevates the awareness of quality construction performed by ABC member firms.
Among this year’s honorees are three supplied by local manufacturer County Materials:
West Allis Animal Hospital in West Allis, Wis. (Gold Award - Commercial $0-$2 million category)
Designed to compliment a historic downtown district, the building’s exterior features 6,400 pieces of clay brick, more than 7,000 pieces of Heritage Collection Designer Concrete Brick and 4,000 units of decorative concrete masonry. Inside, SoundCell acoustical-dampening masonry units absorb noise to maintain a quieter environment in the animal care facility. Contractor and designer for the project was Chris Greene, Inc. of Germantown, Wis.
Air Motion Systems of River Falls, Wis. (Gold Award - Commercial $2- $10 million category)
The new 35,000 square foot facility serves as the headquarters for Air Motion Systems (AMS), a manufacturer of ultra violet (UV) systems for the printing and packaging industries. AMS and the project team are pursuing the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification, a voluntary national rating system for developing high performance, sustainable buildings. Portions of the project utilize structural concrete block and full face split concrete masonry units. General Contractor was Derrick Companies of New Richmond, Wis. Architect was Elliot Architects of Hudson, Wis.
Reedsburg Area Medical Center office and surgery wing addition (Silver Award - Commercial over $10 million category)
The project consisted of two building plans, one featuring a 26,000 square foot surgical wing addition and remodel of the existing hospital; the second was the construction of a new 37,000 square foot medical office building. More than 21,000 structural concrete block were used on the project, in addition to nearly 110,000 pieces of clay brick for the facade. Contractor was Kraemer Brothers, LLC, of Plain, Wis. Architect was Kahler Slater.
“The winners in the Projects of Distinction Awards Program face some stiff competition,” says Chris Reinhart, marketing director for ABC Wisconsin. “To win an award in this program, you have to be a step above the competition, whether it be in design, quality of work or overcoming some unusual challenges along the way,” Reinhart adds.
Project entries were evaluated by an independent panel of construction experts.
Thursday, 04 June 2009 02:33
Masonry construction has been the material of choice extensively throughout the architectural world for years. And for good reasons. Dollar for dollar, it provides one of the best returns on your construction investment. Today, your choice between masonry construction and any other alternative is easy.1. High Durability:
Masonry is solid, strong and won’ t dent from hail, stones thrown by vandals, or from accidental car bumpings in the parking lot.
2. Savings on initial and life-cycle costs:
With concrete masonry, you can build and finish with one unit and one laying operation. The variety of finishes, textures and colors eliminates the need for additional wall coverings. Masonry’s higher durability also means less repairs, plus the color and brilliance of masonry won’t fade, rust or discolor from the weather – eliminating continual painting and maintenance.
3. Fire resistance:
Masonry won’ t burn, therefore it protects your investment in your building and its contents. And, it can result in lower insurance rates. Concrete masonry fire walls and fire separation walls are commonly specified fire barriers, because these elements are noncombustible, inherently fire resistance, durable, and are economical to construct. They may be designed to maintain structural integrity for over four hours of fire exposure. Concrete masonry is also used to protect the structural integrity of steel from fire exposure.
4. Structural Integrity:
Masonry can be used with all roofing systems, and it has excellent load bearing capacity for supporting roofs and additional floors. Plus, it resists the forces of heavy snows and wind shears. The cavities in concrete block easily accommodate vertical steel reinforcement. Because of masonry’s reliability and performance proven, it’ s been used for centuries in government, institutional, industrial and commercial buildings.
5. Low Insurance Rates:
Masonry construction provides better protection from break-ins, fires and severe weather conditions. This helps to keep insurance rates lower than with other types of construction.
6. Better insulated (R values):
The thermal mass of concrete masonry walls insulate against outside temperatures better than metal walls to help maintain constant temperatures inside while reducing your heating and cooling costs. Because of their mass, concrete masonry buildings often require much lower insulation levels. Masonry cavity walls provide a wide array of options for including insulation to obtain high R values.
7. Design Flexibility:
Concrete masonry units are manufactured and ready for delivery in a short period, unlike custom manufactured precast walls. And, masonry walls can be easily adjusted at any time to suit job-site conditions, even after construction has started, and without production delays.
8. Environmentally Safe:
Pre-finished masonry units such as colored Fullface Split, Ultra® Burnished, and Premier Glazed® units, manufactured with integral water repellant, provide additional benefits of safety through environmental health, pursuant to Section 183 (c) of the Clean Air Act National Volatile Organic Compound Emission Standards for Architectural coatings
Products like this emit no Volatile Organic Compounds into the air. Example: Concrete block with one coat of Latex paint is limited to a maximum emission VOC’ s of 400 grams or 3.3 pounds per gallon into the air. If this is exceeded by use of epoxies or higher solid content Latex or Enamel paints, an exceedance fee will be charged by the manufacturer and paid to the Federal government, increasing the cost of new construction and maintenance of existing buildings.
9. Reduced Sound Transmission:
Unwanted noise is a major distraction, both in the home as well as the work environment. Because of its mass and rigidity, concrete masonry is especially effective in reducing the transmission of unwanted noise and sound.
10. Better Resale Value:
Masonry buildings look better than metal, maintain their beauty longer and give you more building for your money.
Sunday, 26 April 2009 20:19
Covering Ground Fall 2008 bytes
Learn how to define outdoor living rooms with seatwalls, and plan outdoor kitchens with added value and aesthetics.
Sunday, 26 April 2009 20:07
Builder Bulletin Fall 2008 750.34 Kb 10/11/2009, 11:39
See how hardscaping products can update a home's property, create outdoor living rooms, and maximize building space with slope management. Exterior masonry accents also add to a home's curb appeal.
Saturday, 24 May 2008 00:00
MADISON, Wis. (May 24, 2007) – The future of construction and landscaping using concrete products became a little more clear, and a lot more hands-on, for students from Darlington High School who visited County Materials on April 12.
More than a dozen students from Dick Anderson’s Intro to Technology, and Wood Technology, classes toured the Madison production facilities of the manufacturer of concrete brick, block and landscaping products.
“It gave the kids a chance to really be surrounded by concrete,” Anderson said. “I’m really trying to put the word ‘apprenticeship’ into their minds for when they get out of school.”
Anderson noted that County Materials’ personnel familiarized his students with industry terminology and introduced them to more unique products they might not notice every day. He noted signpost bases, permeable pavers that allow rainwater to pass between units, and Aggregate Finish birdbaths and planters.
The teacher also appreciated a donation of nearly 100 units of masonry that will enable him to provide hands-on experience for his students.
“It means everything,” Anderson said of such civic participation. “It’s the difference between wishing you could grow the program and actually growing it.”
County Materials operates 30 locations serving the Midwest. The family-owned, American company is an industry leader in the manufacture and distribution of concrete block, brick, stone, ready-mix, hollowcore, pipe, pavers, retaining walls and Aggregate Finish products for residential, commercial and municipal construction and landscaping.
For more information, call us at 1-800-289-2569 and ask for a product guide.
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