Klassen Concrete Blog - concept design factory…….and all things cool

Sweet job to start the outdoor season for some awesome peeps!  We did a grind and stain on the front steps, then tuned up the landscaping a bit along the drive with some tree inserts and a killer boulder wall. #somuchfun

great to be outside working again!!

This decking material is made from 3″x12″ douglas fir.  We figured because it’s such a massive structure it would be cool to incorporate some rock work instead of the typical handrails.  So we added that in, and some benches for good measure.  Now, just some colour and we’re good to go…..

We got to refurbish the floors at the Qualico Family Centre the other night, and while the job turned out fantastic- we were quite disappointed we didn’t see any polar bears wandering around the duck pond.

This past winter we had a great time researching and creating a special project for the boys at Artista Homes.  Once again they came up with the killer idea of a wine cave- which caused us to do nothing but say ‘ok, we’re in.’  It took quite a while to come up with just the right theme and strategy for the space, but with some expert help (yep, 2eperspectives.com) with lighting and layout I think we nailed it just fine.  Here’s a little look.  Note, the big beams are actually for a glass wall that will hold a refrigerated room to house the wine bottles at just the right temperature.  The large slab table is for wine tasting- of course.    I’ll post some pictures once the lights are hung and the house is finished.

Here’s some stuff that got built as samples, props, furniture, experiments, kidding, jokes, r&d, you know- serious stuff…….

Man, we have an awful lot of fun working in the shop! lol

Ever wonder where I get it from?  You can bet this guy had a lot to do with it, unless my mom is in the room- then she had a lot more to do with it.  Hahahahahahha

This guy is like 78, runs 5-10km a day, is Manitoba’s top road runner, works for me every day, and is a constant inspiration.

And now he’s in Palm Springs all winter telling his buddies how he schools the young kids all summer- lol

Concrete Eddie is the man, straight up.  You go dad.

Assiniboine Park Conservancy is super pumped about the newest exhibit they are working on at the zoo.  It’s a multi million dollar polar bear exhibit which will catapult our zoo into international status.  As well as all the rock work, landscaping and things, a viewing restaurant was also part of the project.  We were lucky enough to be part of this part of the puzzle.  2 years ago, Number 10 architecture firm asked us to help design a bullet proof flooring system for the restraint- The Tundra Grill.  Tundra Grill is to be a rentable facility which overlooks the polar bear habitat and is a wonderful open space found deep in the heart of the zoo.  Grinding and polishing was our choice- with stained portions to accent and mimic the rock work found outside.  We were very excited to start the job!

we’re testing this out to see if it’s more efficient to pull our equipment with old crown vic cop cars than pick up trucks.

I’ll let you know how we make out with this.

Those crazy guys at the conservatory….Chris called wanted us to give him a hand with a new look they were going for.  As you may (or may not) know, the conservatory has been rocking this Mayan theme in on of its indoor sections.  Well, they are planning on building a new facility in the next few years- but the cool thing is they aren’t just going to sit on the stuff they have.  They plan on changing things up and delivering current themes for folks to enjoy right up to demolition day.

Our help was required in the turtle pool area- no, not the green plastic pool we all as kids swam in.  This pond is made of rock and is too high.  People would climb on the rock to see the little critters and the staff was worried someone was going to take a header into the water.  So they are reno’ing the pond lower. While they are doing that, we built an old ruin wall as a back drop.  We ran water leads out of the wall for water to weep out of and stream towards the pond- very cool.  The idea is to make this look like the wall is 2000 years old and the water is carving a path out of the wall and along jungle floor.  Like all their stuff- should be fantastic!  Check this out:

I promise to post some pictures of this dealio once it’s finished off.  Mostly because I really want to see it once it’s finished off!!