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Premier Precast Creates Larger Than Life Keyboard At BRIC

Premier Precast Creates Larger Than Life Keyboard At BRIC

June 1st, 2021By: Premier Precast

IBM cast stone keyboard

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As one of South Florida’s fastest growing manufacturers of cast stone, precast panels, precast stairs and UHPC, Premier Precast partners with Crocker Partners on the BRIC renovated workplace. This “stepping stone” for the newly renovated BRiC and Premier Precast created a larger than life concrete keyboard next to the center of the campus to pay homage to the birthplace of the personal computer. The Precast keyboard is to replicate the original IBM 5151 keyboard. This project was also designed by landscape architect Erin Bolin of Cotleur & Hearing. Upon celebrating their successful tenth year in business, Premier Precast continues to innovate and provide leading solutions in architectural precast, cast stone and natural stone for South Florida’s builders, architects and developers. In partnership with developers Crocker Partners, The Boca Raton Innovation Campus (BRiC) is taking shape for their new renovation plan.

Almost 40 years ago, IBM rolled out its personal computer that engineers developed at BRIC, which then was home to thousands of IBM employees. Only a few hundred still work in the city, and Crocker wants BRIC to enhance Boca Raton’s new reputation as a home for tech start-ups.

Aerial View of the IBM Complex 1971-1973
Aerial View of the IBM Complex 1971-1973

Through BRIC, a Crocker spokeswoman said, “We are devoted to creating a launch pad for innovative ideas not just by our tenants but for the entire community.”

The keyboard spans over 45 feet in length and is 12 feet high. Premier Precast manufactured 84 highly custom precast keys weighing over 10,497 lbs. with the longest and heaviest being the space bar measuring 20 feet in length.

In order to create shadow and 3D effect, the concrete keys required custom molds and innovative pouring techniques. The symbols and letters are debossed and finished metal with black paint or brass as an accent.

cast stone keyboard

ABOUT PREMIER STONEWORKS:

Premier Precast is the only manufacturing plant in Florida that is certified for every architectural concrete product line, including Cast Stone, Architectural Precast, Precast Stairs and GFRC/UHPC. The company appeared on the South Florida Business Journal’s 2020 Fast 50 list recognizing the region’s fastest growing companies; and in November earned three awards of excellence in construction from the ABC (Associated Builders & Contractors Association Southeast Florida Chapter).

APA Certified.
Leader and Pioneers.