With twin residential towers, the October 2021 opening of the multi-use Strata Wynwood development added a bright new highlight to the Miami, Florida skyline. PENETRON ADMIX was specified to secure the site’s below-grade concrete structures against deterioration caused by constant exposure to the high groundwater levels typical for South Florida.
The $71 million Strata Wynwood project was developed by CIM Group and One Real Estate Investment. Located in Miami’s popular Arts District, the 1.78 acre site spans a full city block. The multi-use development comprises 27,000 ft2 (2,455 m2) of street level retail and studio space, with three office floors (approximately 60,000 ft2/5,455 m2) above. The site is topped by two eight-story towers housing 257 apartment units (with studio to three-bedroom layouts) overlooking the amenity areas, which includes a business center and computer lab, outdoor pool with cabañas and a clubhouse, a fitness center, and a residents' lounge and grill. Strata Wynwood also has a garage with 480 parking spaces.
Cost Effective Alternative to a Membrane System
“Florida is essentially a porous layer of limestone sitting on bedrock,” explains Christopher Chen, Director of The Penetron Group. “As a result, any construction site in Miami with below-grade structures is going to be confronted with a lot of groundwater seeping into the construction site.”
Penetron was asked to provide a more reliable – and cost effective – alternative to the originally specified membrane system. The local Penetron expert worked together with Stantec Consulting Services, the project’s structural engineer, and Paramount, the waterproofing consultant, to come up with an optimal concrete waterproofing solution. Cemex, the ready-mix concrete supplier, provided a PENETRON ADMIX-treated concrete mix for the below-grade pad foundation footings and elevator pits of the Strata Wynwood project. PENEBAR SW-55, a swellable waterstop, was installed along the construction joints and around penetrations found in the elevator pits.
Providing a Self-Healing Capability
Once mixed into the concrete, the proprietary chemicals in PENETRON ADMIX react with moisture and concrete minerals to form insoluble crystals throughout the entire concrete matrix. The insoluble crystals forming within the cracks and voids of the concrete matrix reduce long-term shrinkage cracking, seal existing microcracks, and provide self-healing abilities to seal hairline cracks over the service life of the structure.
“The self-healing capability of the concrete mix used for the Strata Wynwood project virtually eliminates the need for any future maintenance,” adds Christopher Chen. “Once added to the mix, PENETRON ADMIX has been proven to extend the service life of concrete structures by up to 60 years, even in the saturated coastal environmental conditions in South Florida.”
