Flooring

Porcelain floor and ceramic wall tile brings the luxury of understated elegance to everyday life. Evocative of natural stone, Stark by Florida Tile features a simple color scheme of white and gray offering two rectified size formats: 24-in. × 24-in. glazed porcelain floor and wall tile and a modern 14-in. × 39-in. ceramic wall tile that can work in tandem. Bullnose trims are available in both 3-in. × 24-in. and 3-in. × 14-in. sizes. Ideal for standard residential and commercial wall and backsplash applications.

Advances

Surfaces/Finishes

On the Down Low

(Left) Estudio Ceramico’s Frost and (right) Exagres’ Milan are examples of the focus the manufacturers of Tile of Spain are putting on creating collections that foster safe and sustainable environments. Tile of Spain, is the brand representing 120 ceramic tile manufacturers belonging to the Spanish Ceramic Tile Manufacturer’s Assn. (ASCER). The manufacturers utilized production techniques that fuse the functional qualities of ceramic materials with the versatility of graphic design.

Case Study

Flooring

Unique Spaces at Science World

Science World’s iconic, geodesic domefrom Expo 1986 is a well-known Vancouver landmark. And with approximately 700,000 visitors a year, the science center is one of its most popular attractions. Science World offers experiential learning in a variety of galleries and circulation spaces with different themes that require a unique look and feel. Good design is key to creating a positive experience for visitors, and material choice is equally important in creating spaces that offer long term performance with enhanced flexibility. Jodie Braaten, senior exhibition designer for Science World, oversees and manages the design of exhibition and gallery spaces throughout the building. Galleries

Advances

Flooring

Creating a Buzz About Tile

Daltile’s Bee-Hive Medley is a line-extension of the popular Bee Hive Collection. Featuring a small 8-in. × 10-in. size, available in seven colors in addition to the 3D cube and geometric patterns, this concrete-look hexagon shaped tile allows customers to experiment, creating a bold, fun space.

Case Study

Flooring

First-Class Flooring for Historic High School Update

Spartanburg's school district enlisted the aid of local architect firm McMillan Pazdan Smith (MPS) who specified multiple Altro flooring products. Spartanburg, SC, USA—Merging with Carver High School in 1970 into a single entity as the final step of desegregating Spartanburg City Schools, Spartanburg High School provides an opportunity to address the global economy by shaping the minds of future generations. In 2016, the school district’s residents endorsed a bond measure to carry out a number of construction projects with the intent of implementing significant changes for their school system. This involved converting the former site of the Lan-Yair Country Club int

Advances

Flooring

Who Says Carpet Isn't Mathematical?

With bold geometric patterns created using innovative custom technology, Tarkett’s new Blockade & Soundblock sustainable carpet features soft-surface styles in Power-bond and modular platforms for offices, education and hospitality spaces. Designer Jhane Barnes used mathematical patterns to guide her design with a unique geometric pattern that seems random but really is not. The Blockade pattern features 12 colors with seven modern neutrals and five branding accents. Eight of those colors are repeated in the Soundblock series. Both flooring patterns are available in Powerbond as well as 9-in. × 36-in. and 18-in. × 36-in. and 24-in. × 2-in. tiles.

Advances

Flooring

Envelope a Room

Porcelain floor and ceramic wall tile brings the luxury of understated elegance to every-day life. Evocative of natural stone, Stark by Florida Tile, features a simple color scheme of white and gray, offering two rectified size formats: 24-in. × 24-in. glazed porcelain floor and wall tile and a modern 14-in. × 39-in. ceramic wall tile that can work in tandem. Bullnose trims are available in both 3-in. × 24-in. and 3-in. × 14-in. sizes. Ideal for standard residential and commercial wall and backsplash applications.

Advances

Flooring

Terrazzo in Me

Terassa Porcelain by Architectural Systems Inc. comes in 13 colors and a range of sizes and finishes reminiscent of the art deco and modern styling terrazzo from the 1920s to the 1940s. The collection is GREENGUARD Gold Certified. It is comprised of aggregate chips embedded in a matrix. A proprietary antimicrobial and anti-pollution coating is available with a 5,000-sq.-ft. minimum. The flooring is nonporous and able to clean with industrial grade products.

Case Study

Flooring

Reflecting Puerto Rican Culture with Vibrant Hues

Custom-woven carpeting pulls together the Puerto Rico Convention Center. Located in Isla Grande, the convention center made way for the district that was subsequently named after it. What was once a U.S. naval base during WWII has become a beacon for tourism in San Juan, Puerto Rico, but it was missing pizzazz. To pull the space together, the Puerto Rico Convention Center desired a carpet that was reflective of the Puerto Rican culture with vibrant hues and waves that not only resemble the ocean, but link to the architecture’s exterior. For this project both Brintons and TVS Design reveled in the opportunity to be bold—using a recolored pattern from the stand out Credence c

Advances

Flooring

Waterproof Hardwood

Hydropel Waterproof Hardwood Flooring from Bruce is available in oak and hickory, in smooth, scraped and brushed textures. Featuring a low gloss finish, the flooring comes in 5-in. planks up to 48-in. long for design flexibility. Hydropel Waterproof Hardwood Flooring won the 2019 Good Design Award.

Thompson Rivers University (TRU), Kamloops, B.C., Canada

Case Study

Flooring

A Lesson in Adhesive-Free Flooring

A renovation at Thompson Rivers University needed flooring that could endure the stress of consistent foot traffic and install quickly and efficiently. Established in 1970 on traditional Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc territory, Thompson Rivers University (TRU) in Kamloops, Canada has dedicated its efforts to empowering their student body to achieve academic excellence in a diverse, inclusive environment. The Kamloops, BC campus offers both hands-on and digital learning options as well as individualized student services designed to complement its 200 available study programs.The university’s Old Main building, housing multiple classrooms and faculty offices, scheduled a multi-million dol

Advances

Flooring

Artwork Under Foot

Subtle Impressions, a new carpet tile collection from Patcraft, was inspired by delicate flower pressings, offering vibrant texture and color. To create variety in the carpet, the design team shipped in hundreds of flowers varying in type, selected for their saturation and intensity of color. This, paired with a novel yarn technique, created the innovative production process that led to Subtle Impressions. Available in three 12-in. × 48-in. carpet-tile patterns.