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Paver patterns have been around for centuries, and designers have used these paver patterns for a multitude of reasons ranging from achieving a structural advantage, to creating unique and innovative hardscape designs.
Paver patterns can range from a simple 45-degree herringbone pattern to a more complex design with custom colors, textures, and shapes. Landscape architects and contractors have been at the forefront of using these patterns as part of detail-oriented hardscape design to create numerous effects. These effects may include introducing a sense of identity to a place, transforming a ground plane to an architectural feature, or conveying a sense of movement to a paving surface. Paver patterns can be categorized in many different ways, but the four main categories influential in paver pattern design are structural consideration, pave stone shape, color, and texture of the paver.
When designing any segmental paving surface, a designer needs to be cognizant of the structural advantages and disadvantages to paver patterns. As patterns become more complex, the structural strength of the paving surface increases. For example, the simple running bond pattern is the weakest pattern to employ from a structural perspective, but can be used in pedestrian applications without any concern for the structural strength of the pavement. If a designer were looking at a light- to heavy-duty vehicular application, the ICPI (Interlocking Concrete Paving Institute) recommends that a running bond pattern be substituted either by a 45-or 90-degree herringbone pattern or a basket weave (parquet) pattern. These patterns increase the interlocking of the segmental paving surface thereby transferring loads better. Unlike asphalt and concrete pavements where the structural integrity of the paving surface may not increase any aesthetic value to the pavement, segmental pavements can offer the designer the best of both worlds.
Aside from choosing a paver pattern that is structurally sound, a designer will look at the different choices available with paver shapes. These shapes can vary from traditional (a standard 4???8) to the more intricate shapes, such as triangular or octagonal. Manufacturers have been very innovative in designing and producing a wide assortment of paver shapes, which allow landscape architects the ability to create aesthetically pleasing hardscape designs. Not only can designers create intricate designs with rectangular and square pavers, but they can also incorporate a variety of unique shapes to delineate open spaces, continue an interior architectural feature out to an entry plaza, or simply accent pedestrian or vehicular pathways, plazas, and entry gateways.
While different shapes of paver can create unique designs, nothing will make a pavement surface sing like color. Just like paver shape, color has become a great tool for designers to introduce interest and movement to any segmental paving surface. Manufacturers of concrete pavers have become proficient at producing a large spectrum of colors that a designer can choose from to achieve their designs. In the rare occasions where a manufacturer?EUR??,,????'???s standard stock colors will not meet the design intent of a project, the designer has the option to work with the manufacturer to create a custom color for a specific project. The introduction of custom colors in paver patterns can aid in producing unique pavement designs. An architect or a landscape architect can bring a sense of identity to a place by using these custom colors to create school emblems, school logos and mottos, company logos, or actual art work to be displayed on a pavement surface.
When the City of Houston was looking to make a statement by using pavement design for the new Metro Rail line stations, the city turned to concrete pavers to build unique and innovative stations capable of capturing the diversity of the different neighborhoods and areas serviced by these stations. Along with the architect and manufacturer of concrete pavers, the City of Houston created five custom colors to give life and movement to the station?EUR??,,????'???s pavement surfaces. In doing so, each station reflects the diverse cultural background that each neighborhood brings to the Houston community.
Aside from aiding in bringing movement and life to a pavement, custom colors can be used to display a sense of pride while capturing school spirit. This can be achieved by reproducing school emblems or school logos and mottos on a segmental pavement surface.
The University of St. Thomas, with the help of TBG Partners?EUR??,,????'??? Houston office, developed a large student mall that connects several classroom buildings, a couple dormitories, and a parking garage through a series of open spaces, pedestrian plazas, and large meandering sidewalks. At one of the intersections of these large meandering sidewalks, a large school emblem composed of 4???8 and 12???12 concrete pavers exists with a mix of standard and custom colors. By selecting the right combination of shade and color, the company was not only able to increase the aesthetic value of this particular intersection, but also able to capture and bring to life the spirit and pride of the University of St. Thomas.
The selection of shapes and colors are a large part of creating exceptional hardscape designs, but with the addition of texture to a pattern, a designer can transform any segmental pavement into a work of art. The different textures and finishes a designer can choose from vary from the simple distressed finish (tumbled finish), to a shot-blasted finish, or all the way to a courser quartex finish. These choices in finishes and textures allow any architect or landscape architect to introduce another dimension to any paver pattern. A designer can introduce pavers with a distressed finish to mimic existing pavement surfaces and architectural features. Tumbled pavers can be used to convey an old world appearance through their antique finish and unique color blend. Yet another type of finish or texture that pavers can have is a shot blasted finish, which gives any paver a distinct texture and color. This finish is produced by a basic process that involves peppering the units with shots. These shots are small beads of steel that are fired at high velocity by means of compressed air. The technique is used to impact a lightly roughened texture to the top surface of the pavers. Unlike tumbling, this produces an even degree of texturing and can be finely controlled by adjusting the time spent in the blast chamber. With shot-blasted finishes, a designer can produce a unique mixture of colors and textures that can give the end user a visual and tactile experience to any paving surface.
If a shot-blasted finish does not have a course enough texture or does not add enough contrast to a paver pattern, a designer can choose to specify a quartex finish. This finish is unique in that the manufacturer introduces granite, quartz, or obsidian aggregates to the top 1/4-inch of a particular paver. Then, the aggregates are exposed by a light muriatic acid wash done either by the manufacturer or a contractor that will install the job. The end result is an overall textured surface that produces original colors and texture combinations between the granite, quartz, or obsidian aggregates and the standard or custom paver color.
Though paver patterns have been around for centuries, manufacturers are still finding ways to develop unique products to give landscape architects the tools to design innovative and imaginative paver pattern designs. From the consideration of structural strength, to making the selection of a certain shape, color, or texture, a designer has infinite combinations available to design paver patterns that will manifest their client's vision for any project.
Raleigh, North Carolina
Francisco Uviña, University of New Mexico
Hardscape Oasis in Litchfield Park
Ash Nochian, Ph.D. Landscape Architect
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