Ak-Chin Entertainment Complex

The Ak-Chin Entertainment Complex brings together multiple finishes into a single exposed integral colored panel. There are three finishes on the exterior panels - form liner, light sand blast and exposed aggregate. It was imperative that the panels be poured right the first time and that the color between the panels from pour to pour had a uniform color consistency. The form liner finish was the first challenge, due to the angle at the end of the form liner created by the transition reveal, the edge could chip out during erection and form removal.

The concrete contractor worked with the design team to taper the edge of the form liner to transition the rib to 0 inches to reduce the impact of the issue and to provide a cleanly finished, aesthetically pleasing product for the owner. The exposed aggregate finish was achieved by using a retarder in the face of the panel and then, immediately after erection, using a power washer to remove paste and expose the aggregate. The sandblast finish then followed behind the power washing operation to give the final finish. The interior partition, between the theaters, is also Tilt-Up.

Because of limited slab space and constraints on the erection sequence, the interior theater floors were designed to be poured at two elevations and the added stadium seating to be poured after the roof was installed. This allowed for maximum usage of slab on grade to be used as casting beds, eliminating the need for temporary deadmen and decreasing the crane size needed for erection.