A client owning a large public/private golf course on the Oregon Coast contracted with an architectural firm for some rather unusual buildings to be designed. The buildings were of modest size: approximately 13 feet by 38 feet by 10 feet tall. They were to serve the golfers on the course as a ‘rest station’ for bathroom facilities as well as a dispensary for refreshments and equipment.
These buildings were to be constructed in such a way that they would blend into the incredibly beautiful scenery of the course which is located very close to the Pacific Coast shoreline. The buildings, designated ‘Bunkers’, were to be of extremely durable construction and aesthetically consistent with the surrounding landscape. All walls were to be poured concrete as well as the foundation and floor. Portions of these bunkers would be back-filled with sand which would be replanted with vegetation to give the exposed portions of the bunkers a “nestled-in” look.
As such, these bunkers were specifically designed for extra strength, resistance to salt-air corrosion and inherent rigidity by special additives in the mix recipe creating a concrete with the necessary attributes for this demanding environment. Architectural details were added such as special form boards to leave a “wooden board look” on the concrete building exteriors left exposed. All in all, the construction of these unusual buildings was both durable yet pleasing to the eye, in fact, almost invisible to the casual glance of passing golfers.
For quality assurance, Stuntzner was sub-contracted by the builder to provide special inspections including rebar placement, epoxy-bolt inspection and, of course, concrete testing to insure the provisions of the plans were adhered to. While mostly straight-forward in procedure, the conditions on-site were what really made the testing procedures special. The location of the bunkers was a real challenge, especially for the rather large mix trucks delivering the concrete to the jobsite. Access roads were limited and very tight as they wound in and out, around, over and through the fore dunes and grasses. Golfers at play on the course were not to be interfered with, working space was at a premium and weather on the Oregon Coast in winter is always a challenge.
While not the largest or potentially most important testing job performed by Stuntzner personnel, this particular job offered one of the most interesting and satisfying. It also served to remind us that the size of a project is not as important as the conditions on-site and the priority the engineer or architect places on the quality of construction. No job is too small to be considered important when the designer deems otherwise. Concrete testing is often the proof needed by the designer that the design parameters were indeed achieved by the builder. Stuntzner clients deserve no less.
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