Children's Museum of Phoenix Project

Aloe Vera Courtyard

Project Team:
Bob and Lee Ann Harris of the Decorative Concrete Institute
Ray Anger and Shea Burke of Decorative Concrete Staining & Scoring, Scottsdale
Kevin Boyle
OPCMIA Local 394 journeyman finishers
Workshop participants on March 18-19

Sponsors:

Project Description:
Bob Harris describes how he and Lee Ann added their skills and artistry to interpret the courtyard theme suggested by the museum: "We were given the challenge to create an abstract design consisting of two large aloe vera flowers with large vines coming off of them. Once we obtained a conceptual drawing from the museum, we made a large 12 x 12 plastic template of the design and carried it to Phoenix with us for the advance work. Once on site, we positioned the template and then used orange marker paint spraying the outside portion of the design. All of the borders were simply freehanded with orange marker paint while looking at the original artwork. Once Lee Ann and I laid everything out, the team then formed everything out using 1/8 -inch and 1/4-inch Masonite. The following day we then poured the flowers and vines. Over the next two days we poured to fill in around the previously poured section and then stamped the new concrete with Yorkshire Cobblestone pattern tools from the Paladiano line."

Vivid green color hardeners were applied as the background to create the depth of color for the aloe vera and vines. Prior to the show in March, Bob saw-cut the petals inside the flowers, then airbrushed the vines using environmentally friendly Smith Paints in various greens.

The remaining portion of the courtyard was used in the stamping workshop for the Concrete Decor Show & Decorative Concrete Spring Training. Bob again used the cobblestone pattern from his Paladiano Wonders of the World collection. Stone gray and medium gray Brickform Color Hardeners were used for the base, because it provides a rich paste that gives the patterns a crisp edge. Color hardeners broadcast and worked into the upper layer of the concrete also improved the density and durability. Dark gray Brickform antique release agent was used to aid use of the concrete stamping tools and also add depth and dimension to the stamped concrete pattern. After completion, the Paladiano cobblestone pattern makes the sections around the flowers look like individually placed, custom hewn stone, but they were far more cost-effective to place.

Border Construction Specialties provided various construction supplies. Hanson Aggregates of Arizona donated the ready-mix concrete for the new patio.

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