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Using the construction technology and trends of the time, the exterior surfaces of the hotel were constructed of poured in place concrete panels with exposed river rock aggregate. This was a popular building material, but one that could leave gaps of uneven areas where the aggregates weren’t evenly distributed or exposed at the surface. After years of pollution from busy city streets and mass transportation, the hotel exterior began to look black, making the once majestic hotel appear dirty and unattractive. The building owners began seeking a solution for restoring the building to its original standing, while addressing the missing river rock aggregate.

Before application began, the walls were tested for ph level to ensure any chemical or acid used while cleaning had been properly neutralized. Work on the exterior surfaces involved a process where the concrete base was stained a light tan color without covering the exposed aggregate. The secondary and equally important part of the project was the faux work done to simulate the river rock. Using special staining techniques and multiple colors simulated the appearance of the exposed aggregate. Matching the scale and texture of the river rock was crucial, so templates were designed and manufactured out of mylar material for reusability over the multiple paneled facades.

 Nawkaw performed the work at the Atlanta Hyatt from May to October 2005, staining almost 70,000 square feet of consolidated concrete surfaces.