THE PROJECT OWNER’S PERSPECTIVE
If you’ve visited Bentonville, Arkansas you likely know it as the headquarters of the world’s largest retailer and the original Walton’s 5 &10, the predecessor to Walmart. It’s a town full of charm, including a thriving downtown featuring many historic buildings surrounding a welcoming, flower-adorned town square.
With plans to open one of its highly successful Neighborhood Markets downtown, Walmart wanted to ensure the building was an attractive addition that blended with the aesthetic of downtown Bentonville. The building needed to support all the modern amenities today’s grocery shopper expects and appear timeless. Additionally, Neighborhood Markets are typically about 42,000 square feet, much larger than the primarily smaller storefronts found in downtown Bentonville.
To complement the fine brick work that many of the downtown buildings feature, Walmart’s architectural partner chose BestBrikTM as the structural wall system for the store. Like all structural concrete masonry systems, BestBrikTM can achieve the wall heights of 36’ and greater, required in retail box stores.
Additionally, by carefully selecting a brick color that complemented surrounding buildings and using a darker brick facade to create an impression of alley ways separating multiple buildings, the new market’s exterior finish and perceived size fits seamlessly within downtown. And, by leaving the BestBrikTM exposed on the interior, shoppers are greeted with the contemporary industrial feel that is popular today.
While appearance and a respect for the aesthetic of downtown was essential, Wal-Mart also knew that using BestBrikTM as the structural system for the building provided great opportunity to reduce building cost.
This popular Best Block product is load-bearing concrete block manufactured to provide the classic look of brick. Available in a variety of colors, BestBrikTM increases the speed of construction, is mold and fire resistant and economically priced. Available nationwide with quick delivery, BestBrikTM provides a smooth, brick-like texture that is energy efficient. When you’re looking for the beauty of brick and the economy of concrete masonry BestBrikTM is your best solution.
Surface Preparation
The lobby previously housed a multi-level water feature, so the concrete required significant demolition and remediation. Then, the entire substrate was treated with TechPrime™ A Advanced Acyrylic Primer prior to leveling. This product is ideal for concrete slabs but is also appropriate for non-porous surfaces, making it a true all-purpose primer.
The lobby previously housed a multi-level water feature, so the concrete required significant demolition and remediation. Then, the entire substrate was treated with TechPrime™ A Advanced Acyrylic Primer prior to leveling. This product is ideal for concrete slabs but is also appropriate for non-porous surfaces, making it a true all-purpose primer.
The lobby previously housed a multi-level water feature, so the concrete required significant demolition and remediation. Then, the entire substrate was treated with TechPrime™ A Advanced Acyrylic Primer prior to leveling. This product is ideal for concrete slabs but is also appropriate for non-porous surfaces, making it a true all-purpose primer.
The lobby previously housed a multi-level water feature, so the concrete required significant demolition and remediation. Then, the entire substrate was treated with TechPrime™ A Advanced Acyrylic Primer prior to leveling. This product is ideal for concrete slabs but is also appropriate for non-porous surfaces, making it a true all-purpose primer.
The lobby previously housed a multi-level water feature, so the concrete required significant demolition and remediation. Then, the entire substrate was treated with TechPrime™ A Advanced Acyrylic Primer prior to leveling. This product is ideal for concrete slabs but is also appropriate for non-porous surfaces, making it a true all-purpose primer.
The lobby previously housed a multi-level water feature, so the concrete required significant demolition and remediation. Then, the entire substrate was treated with TechPrime™ A Advanced Acyrylic Primer prior to leveling. This product is ideal for concrete slabs but is also appropriate for non-porous surfaces, making it a true all-purpose primer.