AWARD OF MERIT: Special Projects Category

PENN CENTER PLAZA REHABILITATION

Denver, Colorado

Submitted by Restruction Corporation

The 3100 square feet (288 square meters) Penn Center Plaza structure was deteriorating due to poor water­ proofing. The deterioration was affecting the concrete and brick architectural wearing surface as well as the intermediate structural level and parking garage below.

Twelve planter boxes built using cinder block walls determined the architectural elevation. Deterioration in the planter box waterproofing, along with water leakage at the joints between the structural slab and the planter boxes, was found. Large amounts of water were penetrating the existing membrane and creating minor flooding in the garage below.

Rehabilitation of the existing concrete at the intermediate structural slab and membrane replacement was necessary to prevent more leakage into the garage below. After demolition of the existing 4 in. (10 cm) wearing slab and membrane, bilevel drains were installed to drain the architectural slab and intermediate structural level.

The wearing slab lacked the slope to effectively drain the plaza, contributing to the deterioration. Crickets were installed around new and existing drains to improve drainage of the intermediate structural level. A snowmelt system was installed in pedestrian walkway areas. A fabric-reinforced hot rubber waterproofing system was used both inside the existing planter boxes and on the intermediate structural level to prevent future leakage. To maintain low weight, insulation board provided the final elevation between the architectural and structural levels. The new architectural wearing surface was tooled and color-coordinated to mimic the previous brick pattern. This project had to be completed in two separate phases to maintain pedestrian traffic to the office building.

The durability of the phased remedial measures has resulted in a cost-effective repair strategy that could be tailored to the client’s funding, which means that this vital part of infrastructure remains in use.

Owner
Penn Center Property
Denver, Colorado

Project Engineer/
Designer
Richard Buss Design
Denver, Colorado

Repair Contractor
Restruction Corporation
Sedalia, Colorado

Material Supplier/
Manufacturer
American Hydro-Tech
Chicago, Illinois