King University, Bristol, Tenn.
Retrofit Team
Landscaping Contractor: Poor Boy Lawncare & Landscaping, Johnson City, Tenn.
General Contractor: BurWil Construction Co., Bristol
Materials
More than 55,000 wire-cut red clay brick pavers were used in the restoration of King University’s Oval, an iconic walkway and community space that occupies the heart of the school’s main campus. The entrances to King’s Chapel, Parks Hall and the E.W. King Library were included as part of the project.
The brick pavers played a key role in maintaining the 19th-century Georgian style of the Oval, which reflects the architectural theme of King University’s campus. The walkway, which was first paved with bricks in 1962, had shifted and settled from decades of foot traffic and weathering, creating the need for repair and refurbishment.
“Over time, the Oval had deteriorated from long-term use and weather,” says Adam Dennison, owner of Poor Boy Lawncare & Landscaping. “King University wanted the clay brick pavers to not only be durable, but also match the feel of the campus and its surrounding buildings … .”
Brick Paver Manufacturer: General Shale
The Retrofit
General Shale and Poor Boy Lawncare & Landscaping received an honorable mention in the 2017 Hardscape North America Awards for this restoration project. (Hardscape North America is a New Albany, Ind.-based Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute event.)
Restoration of King University’s Oval took place during a three-month period in the summer of 2015. The new surface does not incorporate the use of mortar, which makes the pathway durable and easy to maintain.
Photos: General Shale