The Royal Floridian is a seven story vacation resort that is a major economic driver in the small coastal town of Ormond Beach, Fla. Originally built in 1973, the building had received several alterations over the years but the progressive deterioration caused by the harsh salt water environment had never been addressed.
The restoration team, led by ConTech Construction, was hired 1½ years before construction started, which allowed for extensive planning. The engineer performed both non-destructive and limited destructive testing to determine the extent and cause of structural deficiencies. These explorations uncovered severe corrosion of the structural steel support columns and beams under the north and south cantilevered ends of the building. Other findings were chloride content in the concrete balconies of over 5 lbs per cubic yard, hundreds of top and bottom spalls, and large areas of cracked and disbonded stucco. Water intrusion was causing deterioration inside the living areas.
The extent of concrete deterioration was so severe that the balconies and walkways were completely removed and replaced with new concrete containing a corrosion inhibitor admixture. Other concrete areas were selectively repaired with pre-packaged structural repair mortars.
The team also executed an architectural aesthetic make over that transformed the worn out, drab facility into a gorgeous, modern destination resort. The entire east face of the building was reconstructed, including new balconies, new insulated windows and doors and 15 BASF products, including Sonoguard waterproofing membranes and Thorocoat, Thorolastic and Thorosheen acrylic exterior coatings.
New pavers were installed over the waterproofing membrane on the pool deck over the parking garage, and new concrete swimming pools completed the transformation of this landmark resort.
To learn more about the Royal Floridian project, click here to watch the video. BD+C
Related Stories
| Feb 26, 2014
Adaptive reuse project brings school into historic paper mill
The project features nontraditional classrooms for collaborative learning, an arts and music wing, and a technologically sophisticated global resource center.
| Feb 26, 2014
Use this app to streamline safety inspections
Using the iAuditor app, one of our Skanska teams developed electronic reports that make safety inspections more efficient, and that make it easier to address any issues emerging from them.
| Feb 26, 2014
Startup PocketCake aims to bring virtual reality simulations to the AEC masses
Founded in 2012, the development firm offers custom virtual reality simulations for the price of a typical architectural illustration.
| Feb 26, 2014
Billie Jean King National Tennis Center serving up three-phase expansion
The project includes the construction of two new stadiums and a retractable roof over the existing Arthur Ashe Stadium.
| Feb 25, 2014
Are these really the 'world's most spectacular university buildings'? [slideshow]
Emporis lists its top 13 higher education buildings from around the world. Do you agree with the rankings?
| Feb 25, 2014
NYC's Hudson Spire would be nation's tallest tower if built
Design architect MJM + A has released an updated design scheme for the planned 1,800-foot-tall, superthin skyscraper.
| Feb 24, 2014
White Paper: Using social media to build your business
This white paper from Benjamin Moore provides practical guidance for building and sustaining an effective online presence, with the ultimate goal of helping your painting business become more successful.
| Feb 24, 2014
First look: UC San Diego opens net-zero biological research lab
The facility is intended to be "the most sustainable laboratory in the world," and incorporates natural ventilation, passive cooling, high-efficiency plumbing, and sustainably harvested wood.
| Feb 24, 2014
White Paper: The science of color and light
This white paper from Benjamin Moore provides an overview of the properties of color and light, along with practical guidance on how the relationship between the two affects design choices.
| Feb 21, 2014
Naturally ventilated hospital planned in Singapore
The Ng Teng Fong General Hospital will take advantage of the region's prevailing breezes to cool the spaces.
