LAS VEGAS IS A CITY THAT NEEDS NO INTRODUCTION. ONE CAN REFERENCE THE CITY AND IT ALMOST IMMEDIATELY CONJURES UP NOTIONS OF ELABORATE ARCHITECTURE, AN UNRESTRAINED LIFESTYLE, AND OPULENCE ALL AROUND. HOWEVER, DEEP BELOW THE GLITZ AND BRIGHT LIGHTS OF VEGAS IS A SHALLOW AQUIFIER THAT THREATENS BELOW- GRADE CONCRETE CONSTRUCTION.

Unknown to most of the 30 million tourists that frequent Las Vegas each year, the famous strip sits atop a shallow aquifer generated by excess runoff. In other words. Las Vegas is a natural oasis, which is what attracted people to the area originally. Merely 15.2 HI (50 ft) below the sandy desert, one can find groundwater trapped by impermeable clay and a sedimentary hardpan. This aquifer is insignificant to most ofthe city’s visitors, yet for developers who operate the high·stakes real estate environment, these implications are serious and can turn their investments into risky wagers.

The gamble
CityCenter is the largest privately licenced construction project in United States history. This urban community has more than 917,466 m³ (1.2 million cy) of concrete, which is equivalent to approximately 120,000 typical concrete-mixing trucks—enough to build a 1.2-m (4-ft) sidewalk from Las Vegas to New York City and back. When owners and developers of the new Las Vegas CityCenter were planning construction, they knew waterproofing concrete would be the underlining threat. With 78.000 tons of steel in the CityCenter— enough to build 10 Eiffel Towers—the waterproofing needs were clear.

The grandiose site spans more than 27 ha (67 acres) on the Strip. between the Bellagio and Monte Carlo resorts. lt integrates five separate buildings, a sprawling landscape, and even its own lire station. The showpiece of this new complex is the 61-story Aria Hotel and Casino, which on its own has 168,202 m·‘ (220,000 cy) of concrete. Also joining the project are the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, Vdara Hotel and Spa. the Harmon Hotel, and Veer Towers. These buildings encircle The Crystals, an ultra high-end retail and entertainment district. In total, the project’s price tag was approximately $8.5 billion. The risk At street level, CityCenter is a collection of buildings. However, the entire development is interlinked by a sophisticated valet tunnel running below ground, dangerously close to the aquifer. There were several other building elements that posed additional waterproofing risks. ln the main building alone, some 72 elevator pits were constructed to service the buildings, all of which run below grade. Swimming pools are generously placed throughout ground level, overtop parking lots. Water features throughout the complex provide relief from the 38-C (l(l()·F) summer months and add to the extravagant setting.

With over 4000 guest rooms, 16 restaurants, and a 14,000~m² (150,000-sf) casino, the Aria Hotel could not risk any potential threats to its operations, It is also the permanent home to Cirque du Soleil’s acrobatic theater troupe, which included an 1800-seat theater with water features on stage—an integral part ofthe show. Even more impressive, the water tank holding the water for the performance is located deep in the ground, into the middle ofthe active aquifer under the strip.

There were several elements vulnerable to water damage, and the most accomplished team would be needed to bring the project to life. CityCenter was a collaborative project by eight internationally acclaimed architectural firms, including:
• Pelli Clarke Pelli;
• Kohn Pedersen Fox;
• Helmut Iahn;
• RV Architecture LLC led by Rafael Vinoly;
• Foster + Partners;
• Studio Daniel Libeskind;
• Rockwell Group; and
• Gensler.

The lead Firm, Gensler, was chosen as the executive architect overseeing the project, managing seven architects, three architects of record, 90 interior designers. and hundreds ofconsultants.

The solution
A proprietary technology was chosen to waterproof the valet tunnel, 72 elevator pits in the main tower. elevator pits in all the other buildings, all of the other critical below-grade structures and areas, swimming pools, and the water tank supporting the Cirque du Soleil show.

The material used for waterproofing turns the concrete itselfinto the water barrier. When combined with water, its chemicals react to form millions of needle—like crystals within the concrete. These crystals grow and till the capillary pores and micro—cracks in the concrete, blocking water passage.

By waterproofing from the inside out, integral crystalline waterproofing products have several major advantages over surface-applied products. They are invulnerable to damage in that they cannot be scraped, punctured, or torn. There are also no workmanship issues to be concerned with because membrane installation is not required. Of course, by eliminating the installation process, the general contractor also removes an entire trade from the jobsite along with the scheduling and access requirements.

Additionally, because time is not wasted on surface preparation and membrane installation, backfilling and other crucial construction processes can proceed without delay. Given the timeframe for this massive development—from concept to completion in five years—time savings were important.

A key advantage of using the waterproohng materials is if minor cracks form in the concrete at any point in the future, and water enters the crack, the chemicals reactivate to form new additional crystals to block the water. The resulting superior long-term reliability means integral crystalline waterproofing systems can save significant worryand an enormous amount of money as compared to surface·applied systems.

Although surface-applied membranes have been the industry norm. integral crystal-forming waterproofing systems are being considered and selected more often. Advancements in this technology make it a highly versatile and sophisticated method for waterproofing. lt provides a cost-effective way to seamlessly and reliably waterproof concrete——creating permanent and durable structures.

Bright green lights
Las Vegas is well-known for its bright lights, but CityCenter developers had green in mind and, from the onset. the team was committed to environmental sustainability. The project aimed to achieve Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), and it succeeded. CityCenter is the lirst for any hotel, retail district, or residential development in Las Vegas to attain this level of LEED.

CityCenter saves nearly 189 million L (50 million gal) of water annually, which is equivalent to the amount used by 380 residential homes each year. Considering Las Vegas is a desert, it is apparent the developers had put thought into many variables, exceeding the typical considerations. The sustainability initiatives continue long after the community opened its doors. For example, CityCenter is the first in Las Vegas to participate in a cork recycling program, where the wine corks collected from its I6 restaurants are recycled into footwear through the reCORK program.²

 Among their sustainability certifications is one for materials selection. When the designers chose their materials, they carefully selected the products to fit their predetermined criterion. They preferred products made from recycled materials or ones that would be receptive to recycling in the future after the lifespan of it deteriorated. The admixture helped them achieve this as it extends the concrete structure`s life, reduces jobsite waste through use of pulpable bags, and enables future recycling of concrete materials.

The crystalline waterproofing contains no volatile organic compounds (VOCs), is non-toxic and safe for contact with potable water, and does not adversely affect the concrete. Centuries later, if the CityCenter planned on rebuilding a portion ofthe community, the concrete could be broken down and reused for the new structure, whereas a building that would have used traditional membranes would have tarnished the concrete. To further increase the stakes, the manufacturer was challenged to waterproofthe tank supporting the water features ofthe Cirque du Soleil performance. Not only was the tank nestled in the path of the aquifer, but it also sat directly above a hotbed of electricity—the control center that would house all ofthe electronics that governed the show. Leaking of any kind, whether by product malfunction or natural cracking and settling, would be disastrous. The same admixture was used to waterproofthe tank, keeping the water for the show securely inside and contaminants from the aquifer out.

Conclusion
With five buildings going up at different rates, all with a common foundation and a need to interface these elements with the existing Las Vegas structures, the pr0ject’s waterproofing needs were both numerous and challenging.

The CityCenter has since opened its doors successfully and has received a flood of accolades for architectural, sustainable, and building excellence. The skyline ofthe Las Vegas Strip is forever being moved and reconstructed, but fortunately, the aquifer will stay in place. lS.2 m below ground and remains one of the city’s mysteries. DS

Notes
 ¹ See www2.citycenter.com/press_pdf/Tishman%20 Construction%20-%20CityCenter%20Press%20 Release.pdf. 
²  Visit recork.org for more information.

Firstly, can you give us a brief background on the company – its products and manufacturing facility?
RS – Kryton Buildmat is an Indian subsidiary of Canadian based Kryton Holding Inc. that specializes in developing, manufacturing and distributing specialty protection products for construction, improvement and repair of industrial, commercial as well as home projects.

To cater to the fast growing need in India, Kryton International Inc, Canada established a manufacturing base in India and a subsidiary Kryton Buildmat Co Pvt Ltd in 1997, Kryton’s India plant manufactures concrete waterproofing and specialty coatings products in Haryana whereas its offices and administration facilities are located in Delhi and Gurgaon. Its range of products include concrete waterproofing solutions like Krystol Internal Memmbrane – (KIM), Krystol T1, Krystol T2, Krystol KMA, Krystol Plug, and Krystol Baricote. Today, we are thc worldwide leader in the manufacturing and distribution of crystalline concrete waterproofing systems.

Since 1973. Kryton products are distributed in more than 40 countries and are requested by architects, engineers, building owners and facility managers around the globe.

Kryton’s Krystol Baricote serves to be a better water resistant, how different is it from all the other products of Kryton? Which are the areas if is applied?
RS – Krystol Bari-Cote is cement based powder that when mixed with water produces a fast coating or grout. Krystol Bari-Cote contains organic chemicals that react chemically with concrete to form hydration crystals which will grow deep into the concrete to eliminate the ability of moisture to de-bond the coating.

Krystol Bari-Cote has superior bonding characteristics that lock onto the substrate giving permanent adhesion making it an ideal material for repairing cracks and damaged areas in concrete and masonry. It can withstand water head of+ 50 M. It has a very fast setting time and gains strength up to 4.8 mpa in 2 hrs. It is used for crack repair along with Krystal T1 and Krystol T2 and also useful for honeycomb repair and tie holes. It is vcry useful for anchoring.

What are the versatile functions of Krystal Internal Membrane (KIM) and the areas it serves?
RS – Krystol Internal Membrane is an integral admixture used during placing of concrete. As per the latest guideline of ACI 212, it meets the requirement ofproducts which fall under Permeability Reducing Admixture For Hydrostatic Condition (PRAH). There are only {ew products worldwide which fall under PRAH category. By using KIM admixture a considerable amount of time can be saved out of the project schedule. It eliminates the need for costly waterproofing membranes, liners or coatings and protects reinforcing steel from corrosion. It reduces shrinkage and cracking. It also provides excellent resistance to waterborne chemicals such as sulphates and chlorides.

Can you take us through the projects where Kryton’s products have helped create sustainable structures?
RS – We are associated with number ofprojects both in Government as well as private sector. Our products are being used in CPWD, Refineries, Metro, Hydal Projects, huge car parking and basements, reservoirs, huge water retaining structures, podium, landscape and hardscape areas around India. During the waterproofing work of Parsavnath City Mall, which was developed by Parsavnath Developers, required the highest quality waterproofing. The project required very high quality of Concrete and Krystal T1 was specified, used and appreciated.

Similarly for the Amazon Regalia, jasola, New Delhi where KIM and Krystol T1 were specified, used and appreciated for retaining wall, basement raft, extended basement, roof terrace, underground tank and overhead tank.

As per report, India accounts for 80,000 deaths through surgical infection, what safety measures are practiced by the company in deterring these deaths?
RS – It is important for products to be non-toxic and green and have the required certifications as proof for the same. For example, Kryton products are certified with NSF/ ANSI Standard: Drinking Water System Components – Health Effect. Kryton products have been tested extensively and approved for waterproofing, concrete drinking water containment by NSF International. US environmental Protection Agency, Departmcnt of Agriculture, Health and welfare. Canada and Bureau de Normalisation du Quebec.

Can you take us through various awards and recognition bagged by the company since its establishment?
RS – In November 201 1, for the fourth consecutive year. Kryton had been named one of the best companies to work for in British Columbia, Canada. Apart from numerous worldwide certifications and successful projects, we have has also won the ‘Most Innovative Product’ award at the World of Concrete in Las Vegas. Our Global President and CEO, Kari Yuers. were awarded the Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award in 2003 in the Business- to-Business category, and has returned in subsequent years as a judge for the same award.

How does Government’s stricter environment regulation impact the industry?
RS – lt is always advisable to use environmentally safe product. Government regulations will eliminate use of sub-standard products and help us to provide our society with environmentally greener products. •

1. Canadian Fishing Company

2. Purdy’s Chocolates

3. Hallmark Poultry Processors Ltd

4. General Paint Corp

4. Sofina Foods Inc

6. Molson Coors Canada (Vancouver Brewery)

7. Lantic Inc/Rogers Sugar

8. Sunrise Soya Foods

9. Ocean Construction Supplies Ltd

10. Hon’s Wun-Tun House (2011) Ltd

11. Boardroom ECO Apparel

12. Pacific Bindery Services Ltd

13. Trumps Fine Food Merchants & Wholesalers

14. Kryton International Inc

15. Arkwel Industries Ltd

A local C.E.O. is making her mark in a business that few women enter.

Watch the CBC news report featuring Kari here!

Growing up in the Lower Mainland, Kari Yuers’ father was always a big supporter of women and instilled into her that she could do anything she put her mind to.

Her mother imparted the same values, having come from a Chinese family with five brothers where women weren’t as highly valued as men.

Both were aligned in their philosophy that both their children – a boy and a girl – be raised equal, and encouraged to achieve their goals.

Throughout her childhood Yuers worked in the plant at her father’s concrete waterproofing business, Kryton International Inc., doing various odd jobs, including sweeping the floors.

“I got a background, and it was a motivation for me and my brother to get an education so that we could do anything but work in the family business,” said Yuers.

She recalled thinking it would be “the worst thing in the world to work for your mother and father.”

Kari pursued a psychology degree at the University of British Columbia because she enjoyed studying human behaviour.

“I think from a business perspective this has always served me well, always trying to have insight into what other people’s views are and what makes people tick.”

However, Yuers never completed her degree and for a number of years found work in construction, renovations, at a golf course and in a smoked salmon company.

In 1991, Yuers conceded Kryton had come a long ways and had had some success, but still believed she couldn’t possibly work for her father as they had always butted heads when she wasgrowing up.

But she decided to meet with him and pitch him on what she might be able to do to help if she joined the company.

Being aware of his daughter’s lifelong hesitancy to work for him, Yuers’ father was wary of bringing his daughter into the family business.

The two agreed to work together, but Yuers’ father made her make a commitment that she would stick with it, and not quit.

Yuers stuck with it and became the general manager of the company’s Canadian operations.

As Yuers leveraged her previous experience in the building industry she saw a lot of success happening with the company’s Australian distributor using a crystal admixture that Kryton had invented.

Although the proprietary technology had been used by clients, including Boeing, since the 1980’s, it wasn’t mainstream as a process yet in Canada.

So Yuers took it upon herself to rename the product, remarket it and get out there and get specifications and talk to contractors in ready-mix.

Kari led the charge in legitimizing Kryton’s Krystol Internal Membrane (KIM) technology and saw the product’s inclusion in definitive documentation from the American Concrete Institute (ACI), the authority responsible for writing the building code in the U.S.

This proved a building block through the 1990’s and as the economy got better Kryton began doing bigger projects with bigger players like Dominion Construction, PCL and others.

“When I look back twenty years ago to when I was trying to implement KIM, I had a lot of people say the industry is never going to change, engineering is conservative, they’ll never go for this, just give up.

“I was really young and naive at the time, so I just thought they were wrong and kept going. I’m not sure if I had the same experience now, with what I know now, that I wouldn’t just listen to them and give up.”

Now president and CEO of the family business, Yuers has helped grow the company from six employees and a handful of distributors when she began in 1991 to over 80 staff worldwide with eight remote offices around the globe and distributors in 50 countries.

Throughout her time at Kryton, she has consistently dedicated her time to volunteerism, mentoring women in the business and having a direct impact on worldwide construction codes and practices.

In March, she will become the chair of the international activities committee of the ACI.

As for the future of the business, Yuers said, “it’s continuously reinventing itself; we are looking at both developing and aligning ourselves with new products and opportunities for new channels.

“Unless you are going to change dramatically and adapt to trends in the future, you are probably going to be on the downhill slide.” •

Also see 5 Questions with Kari Yuers 

By Jennifer Harrison
jharrison@biv.com
See original full interview online at www.biv.com

Acting as a catalyst for growth; providing a brain to pick; or a push in the right direction; all has resulted in an award-winning corporate culture that has been named “Best Company to Work For” for the last four consecutive years.

I’m also proud of changing the way people approach concrete waterproofing by using innovative technology on a global scale so that they can build environmentally-friendly structures that will last the test of time. The conservatism of the sector makes this a notable milestone for the industry as a whole.

What is the biggest challenge you have faced? 
There’s too many to list just one, but, it would probably be a tossup between dealing with an international joint venture gone bad and getting the adoption of the use of Crystalline Waterproofing admixtures, specifically our Krystol^®_, Technology, in a traditionally conservative engineering environment on a global basis.

What career decisions would you make differently were you starting out today?  
I would have become a golf pro instead. Seriously though, I don’t think I would have made too many different decisions as I have really enjoyed every aspect of my career so far. However in hindsight, I would have liked to have seen faster adoption of crystalline admixtures by the industry. While I do realize that it takes time for these fundamental shifts, I really thought that I could have impacted that change much faster.

What’s one business lesson you’d like to pass on to others? 
Spend time with other people in business at every opportunity. In helping others with their challenges as well as taking advice from others, it has had the most impact on my self-awareness and growth. There is always more to learn and implement and there are amazing women and men out there that are willing to share their experiences.

I’ve had the great fortune of belonging to a number of peer mentoring groups over the last 20 years and it has resulted in the most learning and development for me personally and in turn, the organizations that I have had the privilege to be involved with. 

Is it still relevant to focus on the success and role of women in business? 
Yes. From my experience, I find that teams at all levels of business are better when there is a mix of women and men. Women can bring different strengths to business challenges and leadership opportunities. I think the business world is much better with women in it and there are still too many areas and levels of business that do not have enough representation and participation by women; and the vehicle for change is dialogue.

By Jennifer Harrison
jharrison@biv.com
See original full interview online at www.biv.com