2017 DCC Award Winner
Berard Residence Driveway, Alchemy Concrete

First Place: Cast-in-Place Stamped Concrete, Over 5000 SF

The Berard driveway is approximately 13,000 SF of heated driveway and walkway with roughly 25,000 SF of unheated driveway; close to 600 cy of integrally colored concrete. The design included stamped borders, and broom finish textures.

The lannon stone-like natural buff color on the main motor court ties in with the home’s stone veneer and the contrasting slate gray border picks up the color of the surrounding landscape. The driveway’s elegant curves lend a grand feeling to the residence.

Design and construction required careful attention to detail including coordination with mechanical contractor/components, slope, drainage, accessibility and aesthetics. After excavating the existing blacktop driveway, 6” of gravel road base material was placed and compacted, followed by a layer of 2” polystyrene foam. The heating contractor installed the hydronic tubing, which consisted of six separate zones, each equipped with smart controllers to monitor temperature and moisture levels. The mix was 4,000 PSI full air- entrained, with nylon fiber and steel mesh reinforcement.

Slopes were a major concern, requiring more complex forming than a typical driveway project. Special care was taken to ensure a consistent grade due to a 6’ drop, which continued over 40’. The sloped portion of the driveway was poured in three sections; the 2’ borders were poured first to define the area, and the main motor court was filled in.