Mock-ups are beneficial elements of the design, selection, and construction of large driveway, street and plaza projects. A pre-construction mock-up is a full-size representation
of the proposed design, with the same construction techniques and materials that will be used on a project, and is sometimes built before the design is completed in order to study proposed construction details, test for performance, and clarify the appearance of the final product.
Creating a mock-up allows the design team and the client to experience at full scale what can only be hinted at with drawings or renderings. Mock-ups assist people in visualizing the scale, textures and color pallet that drawings and photos can’t always communicate.
With labor costs on the rise and material lead time sometimes weeks and months, even the smallest element that goes wrong can have huge implications for the projects budget and schedule. The mock-up gives designers, contractors and owners the opportunity to assess a three dimensional representation so that functionality, aesthetics and quality can be evaluated down to the smallest detail. Once approved, the mock-up acts as a control sample that all of the work must comply with. It will help deal with the old adage –
“There is never enough time to do things right, but there is always time to do them over”
Although creating a mock-up may seem like an additional expense on the front side of a project, it actually can end up costing more to skip this step, since fixing unexpected errors requires additional work and materials. With a mock-up the project team is able to foresee any problems and solve them before they happen on a large scale.
Porphyry’s composition determines its high compression strength, resistance to stains, slip resistance, and high freeze/thaw ratings. The stone is the most popular paver in Europe, and is favored for its flexibility in design, beauty, durability and low maintenance requirements. ADA Compliant Porphyry pavers are also adaptable to a permeable paving set. The stone is by far one of the most durable pavers in the world. These materials are available from Milestone Imports. – www.milestoneimports.com
