These projects deserve recognition as additional examples of the best in decorative concrete in 2006.

Sears Center, Hoffman Estates, Ill.
Thomas Schrunk, Artist, Minneapolis
The Ryan Companies U.S. Inc., Minneapolis
Process: Formliner—Lustrous Concrete

Thomas Schrunk is the inventor of a formliner design for concrete that causes concrete to change appearance with the movement of light. He received the Most Innovative New Product award for the design at the 2004 Minnesota AIA Convention.

University of San Diego Science and Technology Center, San Diego
JW Stratton Specialty Coating, San Diego
Process: Crossfield Products Corp
Dex-O-Tex—Cheminert Terrazzo

With a colorful pattern that complements the ornate building, this floor has vapor control and crack control membranes with fiberglass reinforcement followed by a thin-set epoxy Cheminert Terazzo decorative finish.

The Getty Villa, Malibu, Calif.
Shaw and Sons Inc., Costa Mesa, Calif.
Process: Lithocrete

This Lithocrete exposed aggregate finish uses Lucas blue granite with natural grey concrete; its dowel construction joints are integrated into an attractive joint design. The plaza continues inside to a bookstore and auditorium.

Higganum Dam, Conn.
D'Amato Construction, Bristol, Conn.
Process: Increte Systems—Stonecrete

While this dam and adjacent walls appear to be natural stone, however they are, in fact, reinforced cast-in-place concrete created using formliners colored with chemical stain.

Saidon Waterfront, Saidon, South Lebanon
TopCrete, Beirut, South Lebanon
Process: Colored and Textured Concrete

The Lebanese contractor on this 160,000-square-foot promenade used concrete batched onsite with a one-bag diesel mixer. High temperatures and unpredictable winds required extra steps to control crazing and rapid surface drying. Initially, the contractor used surface retarders, but that led to discoloration of the blue color hardener they were installing, so they switched to tents and wind shields to prevent surface drying.

The Artisan Gallery, Dallas
Innovative Concrete Solutions, Ovilla, Texas
Process: Chemically Stained Floor

Conversion of an auto repair shop floor to an art gallery required considerable slab preparation and finding floor stain colors that would enhance the artwork.