The Albion in the Gulch residential development in Nashville, Tennessee, welcomed its first residents in May 2023. The high-rise residential towers rest on a foundation protected by PENETRON ADMIX SB, a crystalline waterproofing admixture, which protects the below-grade concrete structures from high groundwater levels.
The $140 million project was designed by Hartshorne Plunkard Architecture, a Chicago-based architecture, planning, and interior design firm. With two 20-story residential towers of curved edges, the Albion in the Gulch development features 415 residential units, offered in studio, 1, 2, & 3-bedroom layouts, as well as 2-bedroom townhome units. Fifteen townhomes are on the 4th floor between each tower and five are on the 20th floor of the east tower.
The 4th floor splits the building into two towers and features an outdoor plaza with a large terrace, golf putting green, BBQ stations, and indoor/outdoor fitness center. The 20th floor of the west tower will have an outdoor deck with a pool and tiki bar. Further amenities include a comedy club/karaoke venue, coffee shop, indoor dog run, spa, golf putting greens and simulation room, and 10,000 ft2 (910 m2) dedicated to co-working space.
“Groundwater levels can significantly affect any construction project by impacting the function and design of below-grade structures – and also the cost and time schedule of its construction,” adds Christopher Chen, Director of The Penetron Group. “Because the construction site in Nashville had evidence of high groundwater levels, Nashville Ready-Mix, the ready-mix concrete supplier, contacted Penetron for durable waterproofing protection for the below-grade concrete structures to keep the project schedule on track.”
As a crystalline waterproofing admixture, PENETRON ADMIX SB reacts in a catalytic reaction with moisture in fresh concrete to generate a non-soluble crystalline formation throughout the pores and capillary tracts normally found in concrete. This formation permanently seals microcracks, pores and capillaries against the penetration of water or liquids from any direction, substantially reducing the permeability of usually porous and permeable concrete.
“Because PENETRON ADMIX SB-treated concrete is significantly more impermeable than normal concrete, the admixture was specified for the Nashville project to provide an effective – and proven – deterrent to corrosion of the embedded reinforcement steel in the building’s below-grade concrete elements.”
Nashville Ready-Mix added PENETRON ADMIX SB during batching to all concrete used for the foundation slabs, the below-grade retaining walls that protect the basement structures, and elevator pits. PENEBAR SW waterstop strips were also used in the new concrete elements to permanently seal all construction joints.
Solving high groundwater levels: PENETRON ADMIX SB was specified to waterproof the foundation slabs, the retaining walls, and elevator pits of this high-rise Nashville (TN) apartment towers.
