Pan Am Plaza
Dimensions™ Pavers Provide The Ultimate In Pattern Versatility for Pan Am Plaza
Every Project Starts with a Purpose
The site of the 1987 Pan American games is not only historic and rich with athletic inspiration, but it also serves today as a city center to Indianapolis connecting Union Station, Lucas Oil Stadium, the Indiana Convention Center, and the Crown Plaza Hotel. Originally constructed to accommodate the games, the site included clay brick pavers, fountains, flag poles, and sports monuments sitting atop a three-level underground parking garage. Time and weather, compounded by drainage issues, began to take its toll on the plaza.
“The condition of the plaza didn’t properly pay homage to the athleticism and patriotism displayed in 1987,” said Yves LeGoff, Commercial Sales Specialist for Northfield an Oldcastle Company. Property Owners, Kite Realty Group, wanted to revitalize the plaza and fix the drainage issues once and for all. To accomplish this goal, the old brick pavers and fountains would be removed and replaced with a new waterproof membrane and new interlocking concrete pavers.
The Solution
Solving for Style, Function, and Durability
Ratio Architects was brought in to design a new layout that included three different mosaic pattern modules using five colors in three sizes of Belgard® Dimensions™ pavers. Dimensions™ is a 14-stone system available in nine colors and four textures, allowing for unique accents, highlights and borders while also working well as a standalone design. The pavers can be laid in a 24-inch pattern either singularly or combined in a 3-inch Ashlar format.
“Dimensions’ clean lines make it appealing to the eye and smooth underfoot,” said Ken O’Neill, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Belgard Hardscapes. “It’s a completely modern aesthetic experience, and Pan Am Plaza was an exciting project for this new product from Belgard.”
Developed for design versatility, Dimensions™ features a defined 2mm chamfer that creates seamless transitions between pavers, enhances surface smoothness and exceeds ADA requirements. All units are based on true three-inch dimensional increments and are precisely produced to ensure consistent fit across the plaza.
While the new interlocking pavers addressed both aesthetic and functional goals, installation presented its own challenges. “Ratio Architects wanted to honor this historic site by creating a plaza that would captivate visitors and be pleasing to the eye,” said Yves LeGoff. “We worked with Ratio to custom match their chosen colors for a truly unique palette designed in three modules.”
To achieve this level of detail, one installer staged the pavers by laying out the sizes and color patterns for each 4-foot-by-4-foot module on wooden pallets, while other crew members installed the pavers directly from the pallets. This process ensured accuracy and consistency across the mosaic patterns.
Limited access at the downtown site made delivery and staging of more than 55 truckloads of Dimensions™ pavers challenging. Despite these constraints, the effort was worthwhile to pay tribute to Pan Am Plaza.
“Dimensions™ pavers were a great choice for this project because the architect wanted to incorporate three module designs to give the plaza an updated look,” LeGoff added.
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The Result
A Lasting Impression:
The Final Transformation
“Dimensions™ pavers were a great choice for this project because the architect wanted to incorporate three module designs to give the plaza an updated look,” LeGoff said. “Developed to be extremely versatile, the three-inch dimensional increments allowed Dimensions™ to work together in the three modules.”
The new 80,000 plus square foot plaza offers a variety of activities for different users, while upholding the civic pride and memorial to the original games. “We’re proud to have been involved in a project so important to the city and glad that our innovative solutions were able to revitalize this historic plaza,” said LeGoff.
PLAN + DESIGN
Smarter Planning. Better Design.
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