AMLI Residential
Marina Del Rey, California
Client: AMLI Residential
Project Manager: Paul Miller | Kyle Stimpson
Architect: TCA Architects
Scope & Systems
- Surface & System Type: Below-grade walls and foundation waterproofing
- AVM Systems Used:
- Aussie Skin 550G
- Drainboard 6000
Construction Process Overview
- The AMLI Marina Del Rey development required a robust waterproofing system to withstand the challenging below-grade conditions.
- The installation of AVM’s Aussie Skin 550G and Drainboard 6000 was strategically planned to maintain the project’s tight schedule during the wet California winter.
- Crews sequenced work to accommodate shotcrete application while ensuring all surfaces were prepared and detailed before system installation.
- The waterproofing system’s durability allowed installation to continue despite frequent heavy rains and site flooding.
Challenges & Solutions
- The site presented several critical challenges: sections of the below-grade walls were installed up to 14 feet beneath the historical water table, with brackish water and contaminated soil. The original bentonite-based system posed risks due to sensitivity to moisture and expansion variability in brackish conditions. Additionally, the owner’s request to eliminate a protection slab added complexity, as it increased the potential for uncontrolled water intrusion at the slab joints.
- AVM’s Aussie Skin 550G, a pre-applied waterproofing membrane, proved the ideal solution. Its HDPE layer provided long-term durability against water and contamination, while its composition resisted construction traffic damage and adverse weather conditions—eliminating the need for a protection slab.
Results
- Despite heavy winter storms, the waterproofing system performed flawlessly, enduring flooding and extreme rainfall without a single leak.
- The project stayed on schedule with average installation rates exceeding 30,000 sq. ft. per day, saving time and costs while meeting the developer’s strict waterproofing and durability standards.
Design Integration
- The design team faced several unique challenges: building directly adjacent to the marina, below the historical water table, and in contaminated soil. The decision to remove the protection slab required a membrane system that could prevent water migration beneath the structure.
- Aussie Skin 550G’s combination of HDPE, pressure-sensitive adhesive, and sand provided the strength, flexibility, and weather resistance needed to meet these requirements while maintaining a clean and efficient design.
System Selections & Benefits
| System | Purpose | Design Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Aussie Skin 550G | Pre-applied belowgrade waterproofing | Withstands brackish water, contamination, and construction traffic |
| Drainboard 6000 | Drainage and protection layer | Aids in hydrostatic pressure relief and adds durability without additional slabs |
Technical Collaboration
- TCA Architects worked closely with AVM Industries to select a waterproofing system capable of withstanding brackish water and eliminating the need for a protection slab.
- AVM provided detailed technical guidance to adapt the design from a bentonite-based system to Aussie Skin 550G, a solution proven in similar high water-table environments. The design modifications ensured durability without compromising installation timelines, even during the wet season.
Outcome
- A proven below-grade waterproofing system that eliminated the protection slab requirement
- Resistance to brackish water and adverse winter weather conditions
- Significant time and cost savings by simplifying the construction process
- Rapid installation of over 30,000 sq. ft. per day without delays due to storms
Project Objective
Deliver a waterproofing solution that could protect the structure against high water-table conditions, resist brackish water and soil contaminants, and eliminate the need for a costly protection slab—all while keeping the project on schedule during a historically wet winter season.
Owner Goals
- Reduce long-term risk of water intrusion and maintenance costs
- Avoid delays caused by adverse weather conditions and complex protection slab installation
- Maintain construction schedules despite challenging site conditions
Key Challenges
- Below-grade walls situated up to 14 feet beneath the historical water table
- Exposure to brackish water and contaminated soil
- Tight construction timeline with installation during wet winter months
- Owner’s request to remove the protection slab, increasing reliance on the membrane system
AVM Solutions Delivered
- Aussie Skin 550G: A proven pre-applied waterproofing system offering superior resistance to brackish water and construction traffic, while eliminating the need for a protection slab
- Drainboard 6000: Provided hydrostatic pressure relief and added protection to the membrane system
Value Delivered
- Significant cost savings by eliminating the protection slab and reducing excavation and concrete needs
- Maintained project schedule with rapid installation averaging 30,000 sq. ft. per day
- Zero leaks during record-setting storms and flooding events
- Delivered long-term, reliable waterproofing protection in a high-risk environment
