AP series · Architectural Permeable Pavement
Architectural permeable pavement for landscape architecture
Architectural permeable pavement for campuses, botanical gardens, and design-led routes. Four curated aggregate blends. Same engineered system as CP — refined palette.
$18–$26/sf installed
>200 in/hr permeability target
15–20 yr design service life
ADA-aligned · ASTM E303 slip tested
4 aggregate blends · CSI Div 32 spec
Best fit
- Campuses and civic institutions
- Botanical gardens and curated landscapes
- Design-led pedestrian routes
- Stone-forward aesthetics with controlled palette
What you specify
SeriesAP — Architectural Pavement
Lifts1.5″ · 2.0″ · 2.5″
BlendFour curated aggregate selections
FinishMatte, stone-forward, seamless
BaseOpen-graded aggregate
EdgeHard restraint preferred; rolled or beveled available
Installed work
AP-200 — In the field
SeriesAP — Architectural
LiftAP-200 · 2.0″
BinderUV-stabilized polyurethane
BaseOpen-graded aggregate
2.0″ of stone-forward composite placed seamlessly through an established canopy. Fully permeable from day one. One pour, no joints, no migration.
Request AP-200 sample →AP series
Aggregate palette
Four blends, each with a specific design intent. Request samples to evaluate against your project materials.
Samples are representative. Final appearance varies slightly with natural aggregate and field placement. Surface finish is intentionally matte and stone-forward.
Choosing a blend
CE275
Charcoal Earth
CharacterDark, grounded, recessive. Draws the eye to planting and architecture rather than the surface itself.
Pairs withDark stone curbing, weathered steel edging, dark concrete hardscape, dense canopy.
Best fitUrban campus edges, transition zones between hardscape and planting, modern civic environments.
AvoidSettings where you need the surface to read as natural or warm — the dark aggregate can feel urban in heavily planted contexts.
SD255
Sand Dune
CharacterWarm, inviting, high readability. The most visually accessible of the four blends in direct sun.
Pairs withBuff limestone, warm concrete, tan brick, native grasses, meadow plantings.
Best fitBotanical gardens, arboreta, naturalistic landscapes, regional parks in warm-tone environments.
AvoidSettings adjacent to cool-gray hardscape — the warm tones can clash without a deliberate material transition.
NT265
Natural Trail
CharacterLow-contrast, quiet, naturalistic. Reads closest to a compacted earth path — the most "disappearing" of the four.
Pairs withNearly anything. Neutral enough to work alongside cool stone, warm wood, or planted edges without competing.
Best fitNature preserves, trail corridors, shaded woodland paths, any project where the surface should defer to its surroundings.
AvoidSettings requiring high contrast or visual distinctiveness — NT265 intentionally recedes.
CG218
Coastal Granite
CharacterHigh-contrast, contemporary, graphic. Black and white aggregate reads distinctly from most surrounding materials.
Pairs withWhite concrete, gray granite, black steel, modern architectural paving systems.
Best fitContemporary campuses, civic plazas, coastal environments, modern institutional settings.
AvoidWarm or naturalistic contexts — CG218 is a design-forward choice that announces itself.
When in doubt, request samples of your top two candidates and evaluate against project material boards and site photos. Aggregate color shifts meaningfully between dry and wet conditions.
Lift selection guide
Choose based on route type and traffic, not just budget.
AP-150
1.5″
Minimum specification lift
Garden paths and intimate routes
Light, predictable foot traffic. Most consistent base preparation required.
Specify AP-150 when
- Secondary or low-frequency route
- Substrate well-prepared and stable
- No service vehicles will ever cross
AP-200
Most specified
2.0″
Standard architectural lift
Primary circulation and campus routes
Right for most AP projects. Sustained foot traffic, meaningful substrate tolerance, occasional maintenance access.
Specify AP-200 when
- Primary pedestrian connector
- Moderate to high foot traffic
- Peer or client review required
AP-250
2.5″
Heavy-use lift
High-traffic areas and design continuity
High traffic, wide paths, or varied base conditions. Extra tolerance for site-to-site variation.
Specify AP-250 when
- Primary campus or civic spine
- Variable base conditions across the project
- Durability outweighs incremental cost
Lift thickness does not substitute for base preparation. All three lifts require a properly graded and compacted open-graded aggregate base. Base depth is specified per project based on soil conditions. See installation guidelines for details.
AP — Architectural Pavement
Choose AP when the surface is part of the brief
✓The project has a named design intent — botanical, civic, contemporary, naturalistic
✓The specifying firm will be presenting material boards to a client or review committee
✓Adjacent hardscape or planting requires a specific surface tone to coordinate
✓The path is a primary design element, not a background condition
✓There is budget for curated aggregate selection and the cost premium is justified by program
CP — Civil Pavement
Choose CP when the brief is infrastructure-first
→The project is a municipal greenway, public trail, or civic connector
→Budget discipline and standardized procurement are the primary constraints
→A neutral, durable surface is the brief — not a designed one
→The specifying authority prioritizes consistent, repeatable execution across multiple sites
Both series use the same tested system architecture, the same binder, and the same lift options. The difference is aggregate intent — standardized neutral blends (CP) vs. curated design selections (AP). See CP series →
Specifier FAQ
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AP runs $18–$26/sf fully installed — cost-competitive with concrete ($18–$28/sf) and below pavers and PICP ($20–$35/sf). The relevant comparison for AP is usually against pavers or resin-bound systems, where AP competes well on lifecycle cost. Build a line-item estimate →
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Yes — this is a primary use case. Flexus is poured in place and requires no compaction, so it can be placed up to the root zone without compaction damage. Root barriers and clearances should follow arborist recommendations. See installation guidelines for base prep near established trees.
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24–48 hours under normal conditions; full cure for sustained load at 72 hours. No pour below 40°F or with rain forecast within 24 hours.
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Hard restraint at all perimeter conditions — concrete curb, metal edging, or existing structure. Rolled or beveled edge available where hard restraint isn't possible. Cross-slope must not exceed 2%. Details in the spec pack cross-sections.
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Yes — saw-cut, remove, and repour. The patch seam will be visible. Aggregate blends are maintained for consistency. Discuss patch protocol with the installer before closeout.
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Yes. Firm, stable, slip-tested per ASTM E303. Field compliance — cross-slope, running slope, continuity — is the responsibility of the specifier and contractor.
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15–20 years in properly installed pedestrian applications. Surface lightening is expected over time — structural performance and permeability hold. Based on binder data, ASTM G154 testing, and 20+ years of field history in this material category.
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Running slopes up to ~8% (1:12), cross-slopes up to 2%. Above 5%, consult us before specifying — base depth and drainage configuration may need adjustment. Not appropriate for steps, ramps, or vehicular applications.
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Yes. Division 32 spec language, editable for lift, blend, and edge conditions. Included in the spec pack with product overview, installation guidelines, cross-sections, and ASTM reports. Download spec pack →