REIMAGINING NAVY PIER

As the most frequented tourist destination in Chicago, parts of the Navy Pier boardwalk were recently upgraded with carefully selected and designed pavers.

Pavers and permeable pavers covering a significant portion of Chicago’s Navy Pier helped the project earn SITES certification, as the pavers were such a large part of the overall renovation project.

In order to execute a project of this scale, James Corner Field Operations was seeking a paving supplier with a large variety of sizes, finishes, and materials, and one that was capable of sticking with the building team through the life of the project. Another project requirement was selecting pavers that would help the project achieve SITES certification since the pavers were such a large part of the renovation project.

“We wanted 30 percent recycled content, we wanted the pavers to be manufactured from within the region, we wanted the aggregates used in the pavers to be regionally extracted, and we wanted the pavers to have a high SRI value,” says Sarah Weidner Astheimer, principal, RLA, James Corner Field Operations, New York.

The landscape designers selected a recycled copper slag. It creates a salt-and-pepper effect that lends more texture to the paving surface and helps disguise and mask debris from the site, Weidner Astheimer explains.

“We also selected a herringbone paving pattern and an extra large paver size, 2 feet by 6 inches, and a smaller size for more intimate spaces,” she adds.

In addition to enhancing the outdoor site, the pavers had to support varying levels of use ranging from heavy-duty pedestrian to vehicular permeable to a heavy-duty vehicular roadway.

“Now that the project is complete, we are thrilled, and the paving looks fantastic. We see the Pier decluttered and refreshed, and it has brought amazing new life to this important Chicago landmark,” she states.

Scheduled to open in 2020, a new 222-room luxury hotel, operating under the Curio Collection by Hilton, will make the Pier a true mixed-use destination.

PAVERS MAKE FRIENDLY URBAN GESTURE

Retaining a piece of history with the large metal skeleton of the former 19th century metalworks building and making a contribution to Pittsburgh’s East End, The Foundry features 182 luxury apartments and nearly 9,000 square feet of amenity space, including an outdoor pool, rooftop terrace, dog park, and public park.

Pavers at the The Foundry multifamily in Pittsburgh were used to make a friendly urban gesture to the neighborhood and provide a nice amenity space for the residents.

The pavers were chosen in a variety of finishes and colors to blend in with the architecture and contribute to its unique vibe. “We see the paving materials that surround our buildings as a ‘handshake’ between our new developments and the neighborhood in which they are located,” explains Daniel Rothschild, AIA, LEED AP, senior principal, Rothschild Doyno Collaborative, Pittsburgh.

In setting the building 25 feet from the property line and extending the development out into the public realm, the pavers create visual interest and make a welcoming gesture. Called a “parklet,” Rothschild explains that space allows the new Foundry residents to mix socially with neighborhood residents.

Filling in some details on the pavers, he explains, “The plank pavers that are positioned on the public side of the building continue to the private interior courtyard. They support multiple functions, including fire pits, casual tables, and soft seating.”

An AIA Pittsburgh Citation of Merit in Architecture winner, one juror commented that The Foundry’s common roof deck is a great amenity, as there is already an attractive outdoor space on the ground floor.

PAVERS ENHANCE NEW CONDO DEVELOPMENT

Boosting its market appeal to Brighton, Massachusetts, homeowners and renters, the 99 Tremont luxury development, just 3 miles from downtown Boston, decided to build an elevated courtyard on top of the parking structure.

At 99 Tremont, a multifamily development in Brighton, Massachusetts, concrete slabs interspersed with wooden plank accents create an aesthetic surface on an elevated courtyard.

Featuring an outdoor built-in cooking station, a fire pit, green planters, and a variety of seating areas, the inviting space serves as a gathering point for residents.

Carefully selected concrete slabs, interspersed with wooden plank accents, were chosen for the terrace surface. Blending in with an earth-toned yet vibrant exterior, the design delivers as an appealing outdoor venue.