Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Courtyard
A sand mix and veneer stone mortar project in Seattle
By Masonry
The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Campus features a 70,000-square-foot stone paver plaza, constructed with several Quikrete underlayment and grouting products. Quikrete Sand/Topping Mix was used for the two-inch-thick paver underlayment over a cast-in-place concrete slab for all exterior installations.
Quikrete Polymer Modified Veneer Stone Mortar then was mixed and pumped into the one-half-inch paver joints. The veneer stone mortar was factory pre-blended with integral colors to compliment the natural stone colors.
Additionally, a white polymer modified veneer stone mortar formulation was manufactured to match an imported German limestone.
Quikrete Multi-Purpose Thin Set, a polymer modified thin set, was used for the installation of all interior stone tile. Quikrete Polymer Modified Veneer Stone Mortar exceeds the ASTM C 270 requirements for Type S Mortar and exhibits two-times the sheer bond strength of standard Type S Mortar.
The general contractor on the project was Johnston Construction and commenced in March 2010, with completion in September 2010. Quikrete products used included 3,000-pound Sand Topping Mix (447 bulk bags); 50-pound Multi-Purpose Thin Set (5,229 bags); and 80-pound Polymer Modified Veneer Stone Mortar – Colored (966 bags green, 1,050 bags charcoal and 84 bags white).
Originally published in Masonry magazine.
About the Author
Masonry, the official publication of the Mason Contractors Association of America, covers every aspect of the mason contractor profession - equipment and techniques, building codes and standards, business planning, promoting your business, legal issues and more. Read or subscribe to Masonry magazine at www.masonrymagazine.com.
