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Location: San Jose, CA Owner: Simeon Residential Properties Architect: Barry Swenson Architectural Engineer: Nishkian Menninger General Contractor: Barry Swenson Builders Project Highlights: -Architectural Precast Precast Products: Architectural Precast Column Covers and Spandrals, Glass Fiber Reinforced Concrete Column Covers and Spandrels

Article from: PCI West Precast Perspectives Summer 2016 Edition

Is it Glass Fiber Re-inforced Concrete?  Precast?  Limestone?  Brick?  The Centerra Apartment project just completed in downtown San Jose is all of the above.  I am often asked: Is it possible to use a combination of Architectural Precast and GFRC on the same project?  Can you adhere limestone, granite, or thin brick to precast and GFRC?  Can you achieve a similar look with form liners?  The answer to all of those questions is – Yes!  In many cases these design options may be less expensive than the alternative of hand-setting Stone and Brick at the jobsite.  In all cases, the project will benefit from the durability, water tightness, and the speed with which Architectural Precast can be installed.  The fact that all of these materials can be produced and installed by one subcontractor, and without any scaffolding, will amount to time and cost savings to the overall project.  This 21 story housing project included tenant parking and retail space in the lower podium.  The ground floor base consisted of real wire cut clay brick with precast back-up and Limestone with precast back-up.  The upper tower consisted of custom white and gray colored GFRC, and Red colored GFRC cast in a wire cut clay brick form liner.  If you are designing a project with any type of material, contact Willis Construction to find out if your project can be built with an Architectural Precast or GFRC façade.