Penetron Puts the Post House Project on the Map in Indiana

The inauguration of the Post House Apartments in June 2020 marks the first ground-up residential construction in downtown Evansville, Indiana in over 40 years. PENETRON ADMIX was used to waterproof both the below-grade concrete structures and the rooftop pool.

Situated only two blocks from the Ohio River in downtown Evansville, the Post House comprises 144 luxury rental apartment units ranging from studios to one- and two-bedroom layouts. The $40 million project also offers underground parking, office space and ground-floor retail areas for shops or restaurants, as well as solar panels on the roof. Amenities include co-working spaces within the apartment building, private conference rooms, a wet bar and lounge areas, fitness center, yoga room and a bike storage area with a repair center. The public courtyard with green spaces is located between the north and south residential towers.

“The construction site sits in very sandy soil only two blocks off the Ohio River, which made the groundwater situation a concern for the engineers at F.A. Wilhelm, the project contractor,” explains Christopher Chen, Director of The Penetron Group. “Initially, construction plans called for a traditional membrane system as a waterproofing solution, but this proved unfeasible because the foundation walls go right up to the edge of the property line and left no room to install the membrane around the walls.”
 

No Further Maintenance Needed

After consulting with the local Penetron representative on the best waterproofing solution, Irving Materials Inc. (IMI), the ready-mix supplier, treated 2,700 yd³ of concrete with PENETRON ADMIX. The treated concrete was used for the retaining walls and foundation slabs of the two-floor underground parking garage – and for the rooftop swimming pool. Easily mixed in during batching, PENETRON ADMIX becomes an integral part of the concrete matrix and performs consistently during the life of the concrete. No further maintenance or treatment is required due to the continuous self-healing abilities of PENETRON ADMIX-treated concrete.

A combination of PENETRON and PENECRETE MORTAR, crystalline repair products, were used to fill and waterproof the tie-holes in the concrete walls, completing the waterproofing treatment.

“The Penetron System provided a complete waterproofing solution, designed to withstand high hydrostatic water pressure. Even after a 5” rainstorm there was no visible sign of water ingress anywhere in the underground parking area,” says Christopher Chen.