A concrete garden project in Alesund, Norway, has been named winner of the sixth annual Decorative Concrete Project of the Year award by Concrete Construction Magazine. The project includes an addition to the hillside home, a second-story concrete deck, retaining walls, a fountain and spa, planters, seating areas, a textured patio deck and a curving stairway leading to the upper floor of the house. Every concrete element contains colored, textured surfaces, according to Concrete Construction.

The magazine notes that the most unique element of the project is the method and techniques used for molding and hand-shaping fresh concrete into vertical applications such as stairs walls and edges. The most distinctive part is the stair connecting the upper-level porch with the garden. Ready-mixed concrete was dumped onsite and immediately cast and hand shaped. Side walls of the stair were formed first before finishing the steps.

The magazine also honored three honorable mention and one Reader’s Choice. This list of winners and pictures are available in the November issue of Concrete Construction and on the Web site here. This is the list of winners:

Project of the Year: Concrete Garden, Alesund, Norway. Contractor: Dekorbetong Ltd., Alesund, Norway

Honorable Mentions:

City Center, Las Vegas. Contractor: T.B. Penick & Sons, Inc., San Diego

The Ultimate Mancave, Wapakoneta, Ohio. Contractor: Concrete Coatings, Wapakoneta, Ohio

Red Rock Vistitor’s Center-Walkways, Las Vegas. Contractor: Floor Seasons Inc., Las Vegas

Reader’s Choice: Chronic Taco, Las Vegas. Contractor: Floor Seasons Inc., Las Vegas