Tag Archives: Architectural Cast Stone

CREATIVE GRAPEVINE DESIGN IN ARCHITECTURAL STONE

The design intent with the renovation of the Grapevine Convention Center project was to preserve the cultural heritage of the historic town on the buildings’  exterior. The interior spaces serve as the modern-day city administration offices.

The architect determined to incorporate grapevines into the design elements of the series of buildings. When the project started, the architect had not decided on the material to use for the grapevine pattern. After numerous meetings with our company, the architect settled on cast stone as the material to use to convey the historical beginnings of the community. Cast stone copings, pier caps, and water tables all were produced with a grapevine design.

All that the assignment for the grape leaf design was only a simple 2-dimensional drawing. In order to make the design, Advanced Cast Stone worked with its commercial artist to form a design that was suitable in size and relief. Rubber molds were finally made to capture the creativity of the artwork.

 

Grapevine Rubber Mold for Singular Cast Stone PieceLeaf Design Stone Pieces Fit Together at Different AngelsGrapevine Leaf Design Connected with the Historical Roots of the City

 

While molds were difficult since the amount of detail desired for the grape leaf is very subjective, its use on the various surface areas of the building further complicated mold production. The design was used on several areas of the structure, such as a typical long flat wall, on radius arches, and at curved sections in the turret areas. At each area of the building, the grape design needed to align with windows, mullions, and other elements of the building. This required careful adjustments to the mold and the pieces of stone to provide overall alignment with the other components of the building.

 

Grapevine Rubber Mold for Cast Stone Band Around the BuildingGrapevine Leaf Design on Curved SurfaceContinuous Leaf Design on Cast Stone BandCustom Mold Making, Project Specific Manufacturing Realized Architect's Design Vision

 

> LEARN MORE: CREATIVE STONE ART

 

THE SYSTEM FOR PRODUCT QUALITY

The AAS team works closely with customers during every phase of a construction project to ensure consistently high product quality.

DESIGN REVIEW & ASSIST, CONSTRUCTION ASSIST: AAS has well developed system for detailed review of the CAD drawings. As part of this process, the AAS team is able to specify engineering details to hang the stone pieces. Customers are able to confirm the design feasibility for the project before the construction project planning and installation.

 

AAS team focus, project specific support for every customer

AAS System for Design Review, Assist using CAD Drawings

CUSTOM MOLD MAKING: The project specific custom shapes with stringent tolerance requirements are achieved using CNC technology and design craftsmanship for custom molds. The AAS system and capacity to do this for every customer project allows for smooth execution of project while achieving high-end design aesthetic using architectural cast stone.

 

EXPERIENCE IN CASTING: AAS has experience and track record to fabricate and combine stone panels using three different product materials – dry vibrant-tamp cast stone, wet-pour precast concrete, and GFRC. Based on project requirements, the team is able to recommend combining product(s) applications to achieve the design intent of the project at optimum cost. One of the keys to high product quality is selecting the right casting technique and product materials; AAS has well developed system to understand project requirements and custom fabricate the products.

 

Advanced Architectural Stone (AAS Formerly Advanced Cast Stone | Knowledgebase, Teamwork, collaboration for Customer Focus

Advanced Architectural Stone (AAS Formerly Advanced Cast Stone | Knowledgebase, Teamwork, collaboration for Customer Focus

COLOR MATCHING: The AAS team is able to match any custom color with a control sample. The AAS team is able to match color and finish even while combining different product applications.

CONSISTENT PRODUCT PROPERTIES, LOOK AND FINISH: The AAS manufacturing plants are equipped with fully automated batch plants for consistent casting mix for project of any size. Customers are able to get matching structural properties and look and feel even for very long project life cycles.

IN HOUSE QA LAB: AAS has proven methodology to test product properties using the in house testing lab.

CERTIFICATION: The AAS manufacturing plants are certified by the Cast Stone Institute (CSI), Architectural Precast Association (APA), as well as Masonry Contractors Association of America (MCAA). The plants meet their requirements for quality, consistency, testing, structural properties, installation, as well as safety.

 

Advanced Architectural Stone (AAS Formerly Advanced Cast Stone | Knowledgebase, Teamwork, collaboration for Customer Focus

Advanced Architectural Stone (AAS Formerly Advanced Cast Stone | Knowledgebase, Teamwork, collaboration for Customer Focus

CLADDING FT WORTH ARENA: LARGE SIZES + CUSTOM SHAPES + PRECISION

The new Ft. Worth Arena design has used exterior stone cladding all around the building. The AAS team custom fabricated cast stone for this application.

 

Pre-engineered anchoring connections simply installationCustom molds enabling precise matching of intricate cast stone piecesCast stone protection, design accentCast stone cladding for Ft Worth Arena buildingLarge size cast stone pieces for banding, wall coping all around the Ft Worth ArenaLarge size complex shapes with stringent tolerance requirementsArena Tower from the side view at top of the buildingOnsite installation support, coordination, troubleshootingCast stone pillasters, baluster design

 

The AAS team confirmed design feasibility working closely with the architect and contractor  using CAD drawings. AAS leveraged manufacturing flexibility to mold both sides of the stone pieces using the dry vibrant-tamp casting process for the stone panels. Custom molds were developed using the CNC technology. With each custom designed stone panel matching stringent tolerance requirement, the bandings, cornices, wall coping, pilasters, balusters and large size architectural trim match the complex angles and wide range of shapes precisely.

The cast stone matched color with wet-pour precast concrete used on stair trades and also large size GFRC panels.

With detailed planning and close coordination with customer, the manufacturing schedule matched with the construction milestones for smooth execution of this massive cladding application for the arena.

AAS worked closely with the installers for onsite troubleshooting.

 

> FT WORTH ARENA CASE STUDY

 

MANUFACTURED ARCHITECTURAL STONE: PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS

PRODUCTS COMPARISON GUIDE

How do different manufactured cast stone products compare? How do you select? SEE COMPARISON GUIDE >>

3-D FRAMING USING MANUFACTURED VENEER PANELS AT ROTC BUILDING, UCF


The new ROTC building at University of Central Florida highlights a 13-sided sculpture honoring our country and soldiers throughout the history.

The AAS team created framed views of the sculpture using architectural cast stone panels. The sculpture is housed in a one and half feet thick rotunda made from custom design dry-cast stone, and GFRC concrete panels. The rotunda is three stories high with 30 feet in diameter. There are three large radius openings in it with a complex series of step backs that create framed views of the sculpture from different directions.

This three-dimensional frame accentuates and emphasizes the unique sculpture symbolizing the spirit and storied tradition of the ROTC.

 

AAS Project : ROTC Classroom at University of Central Florida | Architectural Stone Created Design of 3-Dimensional Frame for the Unique Sculpture

AAS Project : ROTC Classroom at University of Central Florida | Architectural Stone Created Design of 3-Dimensional Frame for the Unique Sculpture


Color and texture consistency of architectural stone was achieved through a computer driven batch design.

The  CNC technology was utilized to design custom molds for the GFRC, cast stone wall panel pieces. Every one of the manufactured stone wall panels matched extremely stringent tolerance requirements. With all stone panels seamlessly fitting together, the entrance facade achieved desired look of a monolithic piece of stone.

 

University of Central Florida ROTC Classroom II Building | Architectural Stone Design Created Monolithic Look | Stone Veneer

University of Central Florida ROTC Classroom II Building | Architectural Stone Design Created Monolithic Look for the building facade | Stone Veneer


Exterior Veneer using Manufactured Stone Panels

 

The front entry and exterior of the building has architectural stone veneer that played a key role in harmonizing the new building with the rest of the school campus.

The facade veneer combined three different types of stone veneer panels – thin lightweight GFRC (Glass Fiber Reinforced Concrete) panels at the higher elevation, vibrant-tamp architectural dry cast stone for the framing and cladding design elements, as well as wet-precast architectural concrete where stronger structural support was required.

 

AAS Formerly ACS | Architectural Stone Veneer, Cladding Harmonized new ROTC Building with campus of University of Central Florida (UCF)

AAS Formerly ACS | Architectural Stone Veneer, Cladding Harmonized new ROTC Building with campus of University of Central Florida (UCF)


Project Name: University of Central Florida Classroom Building II ROTC

Architect: Schenkel Shultz, Architecture/Interior Design

General Contractor: Clancy & Theys Construction

Products Used: GFRC, Architectural Cast Stone, as well as Architectural Precast Concrete

 


VENEER, FACADE DESIGN USING FABRICATED STONE PANELS: MORE PROJECT EXAMPLES, LEARN MORE >>

 

ARCHITECTURAL STONE CLADDING: SEE MORE PROJECT EXAMPLES, LEARN MORE >>