PALM DESERT (Calif.) – In an innovative first for a local business, Farley Interlocking Paverstones is utilizing sophisticated machine-install technology at Marrakesh Country Club to install stylish, sustainable concrete pavers, replacing the asphalt streets, parking lots and entrance area.

Marrakesh, the iconic Moroccan architecture-influenced country club, is the first country club in the Coachella Valley to potentially replace all of their asphalt and use interlocking pavers that actually cost less over the life of the pavement.

“Pavers do not require resealing and will never crack, said Charissa Farley, owner of Farley Interlocking Pavingstones in Palm Desert. “We are particularly proud that Marrakesh and the City of Palm Desert are progressive in supporting the use of pavers, which are sustainable,” said Farley, a certified installer known as the “Queen of Pavers” in the industry.

She also credited Charles Greely of Dudek Engineering of Palm Desert in developing a water quality management plan to use permeable pavers to capture storm water, filter it and recharge to the underground aquifer. She said the machine-install process is capable of installing up to 4,000 square feet of pavers a day.

“We are the first local contractor to utilize machine install and are proud to bring this advanced technology to the valley,” she said. Overall, Farley Interlocking Pavers have installed over a million square feet of pavers in the valley and work with clients throughout Southern California. She said the commercial use of sustainable permeable pavers are catching on nationwide, noting that the City of Chicago has installed some 5 million square feet while Los Angeles is now planning to install a million square feet.

Interlocking pavers have been used in landing areas of planes at the Hong Kong International Airport as well as the industrial world class ports such as the Port of Oakland, she said. “Changing the hardscape of this iconic country club really gives it a fresh look and completes the architectural integrity of this beautiful club with its salmon-pink sandstone walls and buildings,” Farley said. Vehicles can drive on pavers immediately after installation, too.

The “repaving” work began in July on Marrakesh, a 364-home development started in late1978 and known as the “Jewel in the Desert.” This major hardscape renovation is in anticipation of Marrakesh’s Designer Showcase Feb. 14-23, 2013 in conjunction with Palm Springs Modernism Week.

Marrakesh homes were designed by well-known architect John Elgin Woolf, who was influenced with the “Hollywood Regency” style of architecture. The homes range from 1,500 to 3,000 square feet.

“In this project, we have had to work within the constraints of the Moroccan influences and with the Hollywood Regency architecture,” Farley said. She pointed out that the familiar pink colored walls in Morocco is because of the red earth mixed with water used in building material.

Farley studies hardscapes in Europe such as Spanish tiles and cobble stones to create realistic looking pavers for her projects. Gary Fessenden, controller and assistant general manager for Marrakesh Country Club, said using pavers is aesthetically more pleasing than asphalt, increases property values for its residents and is financially advantageous to Marrakesh homeowners too.

“With pavers, homeowners don’t have to set aside large amounts of money in our reserves to pay for future repaving asphalt streets and slurry sealing in the future,” Fessenden said. “This is a huge investment in the future.”

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