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Shadow H-block on a Paradise Palms Palmer & Krisel Plan 6A |
Similar in nature to decorative concrete block, shadow block
serves as another defining architectural feature of Paradise Palms. Shadow block is created when concrete block
is placed or cast in a manner which presents a small relief in which shadows
are cast when hit by light. Shadow block
can be created through several types of applications. Found on many of the Palmer &
Krisel-designed homes, the most prolific use of shadow block is formed when
standard concrete masonry units are placed in a manner which projects the block from the
face of the home.
One of the most recognizable forms of shadow block is the projecting
H-block found on the Palmer & Krisel Plans
6A
and rare
6H,
as well as on some courtyard walls in Tropical Estates; however, other subtle variations
exist on many other homes. The
Plan8s incorporate some form of decorative shadow block on their elevations;
while the
Plan5s incorporate a single vertical line of shadow block on their
chimneys. There are also a few more
variations seen on other models, including the open-ended eight-inch block which
is found on just three of the four
Plan7Bs built in the community.
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Shadow H-block on a Paradise Palms Palmer & Krisel Plan 6A |
Another form of
creating shadow lines is the use of scored grout lines. This look is formed when the grout lines
between concrete masonry unit blocks are indented, or scored, to create subtle grid-like
patterns. This look is most commonly
found on block fence units in all parts of the community, and is a look that
can easily be recreated today.
The third and most rare form of shadow block found in
Paradise Palms is molded shadow block.
This type of block is formed when patterns, or shadow lines, are cast
into concrete block when it is originally molded. There is only one home model,
the
MirantiSherwood, which originally incorporates this type block into its facade. The Miranti-built Sherwood is also the only
other home model, other than the Palmer & Krisel-designed plan 6A and H and
the occasional Tropical Estates courtyard wall, to incorporate H-block in its façade,
giving lucky owners of this model a double bonus.
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Molded shadow block on a Miranti Sherwood home |
Most forms of shadow block can still be recreated today
through creative design. The basic units
and dimensions still remain the same today as they did 50 years ago; local
distributor Cind R Lite Materials is the source for
Orco Block, which manufactures architectural
concrete block, screen block, and even molded shadow block. Here’s a closer
look at some of the shadow block which defines Paradise Palms:
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Square shadow block on a Palmer & Krisel Plan 6C |
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Square shadow block on a Palmer & Krisel Plan 8A |
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Square shadow block on a Palmer & Krisel Plan 8A |
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Square shadow block on a Palmer & Krisel Plan 8A |
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Shadow H-block on a Paradise Palms Palmer & Krisel Plan 6A |
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Shadow H-block on a Paradise Palms Palmer & Krisel Plan 6A |
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Shadow H-block on a Paradise Palms Palmer & Krisel Plan 6A |
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Shadow H-block on a Paradise Palms Palmer & Krisel Plan 6H |
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Shadow H-block on a Tropical Estates courtyard wall |
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Shadow H-block on a Tropical Estates courtyard wall |
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Open ended square shadow block on a Palmer & Krisel Plan 7B |
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Open ended square shadow block on a Palmer & Krisel Plan 7B |
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Vertical shadow block on a Palmer & Krisel Plan 4C |
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Vertical shadow block on a Palmer & Krisel Plan 4C |
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Vertical shadow block on a Palmer & Krisel Plan 5C |
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Decorative H-block on a Mirnati Sherwood home |
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Decorative H-block on a Miranti Sherwood home |
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Molded shadow block on a Miranti Sherwood home |
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Molded shadow block on a Miranti Sherwood home |
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Molded shadow block on a Miranti Sherwood home |
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Vertical scored shadow block on a Tropical Estates home |
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Vertical scored shadow block on a Tropical Estates home |
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Scored square block wall |
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Scored square block wall |