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Thinkspace Art Exhibit
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Martin Luther King Child and Family Wellbeing Center
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Inside Castaic High School: A State of the Art High School Campus Built for the Future
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Project Description
Project Summary
At Universal Metro, we are proud to have played a key role in the construction of Castaic High School, a true state of the art high school campus in Southern California. Spanning 256,230 square feet across 58 acres, the project was designed from the ground up to provide students and staff with a world-class learning environment.
This seven-figure development included five classroom buildings, a STEM-focused science and library center, a gymnasium with training spaces, a performing arts building, a full-service food service facility, an administrative building, and a maintenance hub. Every detail of this project reflects a vision for the future of education—and Universal Metro’s flooring craftsmanship was at the heart of it.
A Campus Designed for Wellness and Performance
Castaic High School was designed using the Collaborative for High Performance Schools (CHPS) framework, ensuring energy efficiency, sustainability, and student wellness were central to the build. The flooring solutions were chosen to deliver performance, beauty, and durability across diverse spaces throughout the state of the art high school campus.
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- Armstrong Natural Creations LVT provided wood and earth-inspired textures that blended seamlessly with the Southern California landscape.
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- Armstrong Standard Excelon and Raffia VCT offered resilient finishes for high-traffic classrooms and corridors.
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- Tarkett Powerbond Carpet enhanced acoustics and added dramatic patterns to open spaces such as libraries and administrative offices.
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- Altro slip-resistant flooring ensured safety in sports therapy rooms.
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- Johnsonite Tarkett and Flexco rubber moldings complemented design finishes across all buildings.
The flooring design mirrored the rolling foothills and high desert surrounding the campus. Expansive windows invited the outdoors in, furthering the school’s commitment to wellness by blending the natural environment with a thoughtful interior.
Overcoming Challenges with Resilience
Large-scale projects like this always come with unique challenges. For Castaic High School, Universal Metro demonstrated resilience, adaptability, and teamwork to ensure success.
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- Phased Construction: With buildings released to us on a staggered schedule, we carefully tracked dye lots, materials, and labor to ensure consistency across every phase.
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- Design Overhaul: Midway through construction, the school redefined its identity and colors, requiring a shift in flooring design. We collaborated closely with designers and contractors to integrate these changes while minimizing delays.
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- Weather Delays: Heavy rains in 2019 impacted schedules, but our team adjusted to stay aligned with the overall timeline.
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- COVID-19: With less than a year remaining, the pandemic brought new safety protocols. We adapted quickly, enlisting PPE, distancing, and compliance strategies to keep the project moving while safeguarding our team.
Through every obstacle, our installers and project managers embodied Universal Metro’s culture of commitment, precision, and care, ensuring the final product reflected excellence.
A Lasting Legacy
Today, Castaic High School stands as a state of the art high school campus designed to support generations of students, teachers, and staff. Universal Metro is proud to have delivered flooring solutions that are not only durable and functional, but also contribute to the wellness and performance of the entire school community.
This project represents the best of what we believe in: collaboration, craftsmanship, and creating environments that inspire. For us, it’s more than flooring—it’s building a foundation for the future.
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Volkswagen of San Bernardino (San Bernardino, CA)
Project Description
Client:
Volkswagen of San Bernardino
Location:
San Bernardino, California
Year Completed:
2013
Project Value:
$ 106,291
Architect:
Studio IV
Products / Strategic Partners:
ARDEX Americas, Daltile, Custom Building Products, Patcraft, Pergo, Schluter
Project Summary
Vision:
This project combined the use of several resilient finishes, each designed with weight capacity and style in mind.
Daltile’s porcelain tile was installed throughout the open space, with inlays of laminate flooring from Pergo installed in Waiting Areas and desk jump stations. The earth tones utilized created a natural environment, which was complimented with outside light and white accents – a strong compliment to the VW brand.
Providence Little Company of Mary (Torrance, CA)
Project Description
Client:
Providence
Location:
Torrance, California
Surface Area:
146,000 SF
Year Completed:
2015
Project Value:
$ 821,925
Architect:
Providence Corporate Real Estate
Products / Strategic Partners:
Amtico, Antron Carpet Fiber, ARDEX Americas,
Burke Flooring, Henry Adhesives, Mannington
Project Summary
Vision:
“ 90 DAY MIRACLE”. Refresh the Providence Healthcare, Little Company of Mary campus in the City of Torrance within a 90 day window, in order to use the available hospital matching fund budget before it expired.
Design:
Required use of Mannington Products as part of the Providence Healthcare buying group program. Developed a plan and design to refresh and maximize the five floors (approximately 150,000 square feet) of this healthcare facility using a $1.6 million dollar budget.
Construction:
Managed the process and installed half of the $1.6 Million dollar project that had to be completed within 90 days in an active running facility. Limited shutdown time with multiple trades from Universal Metro, Inc. working alongside another firm, Golden State Flooring, to complete the project. Attended Daily Meetings and Weekly Strategy Meetings.
Install:
Universal Metro estimated, budgeted, procured, and installed 50% of the floorcoverings, approximately 75,000 square feet of the project, including: Mannington Antron carpet tile, Mannington Biospec, Amtico with a special pattern, Mannington base cove, Ardex Rapid Moisture systems and underlayments. Rory Schneider the project manager for Providence stated in the closeout meeting, “the work you have done in the past 90 days is truly a miracle, thank you.”
Unique Installation Challenge Strategy
The 90 day miracle was born out a special meeting of the following: Providence Project Managers, Providence Design Team, Universal Metro Leadership, Golden State Leadership, LCOM Facilities Team, LCOM Administration and the Mannington Representatives As the team was already in full throttle with their EPIC conversion they were skeptical that any work above $200,000 could be fit into the schedule, let alone 1.6 million. Universal Metro stepped in and partnered with Golden State Flooring (Steve Gaydos) our prior VP. Providence felt comfortable that if any two companies could team up and complete the remodel it would be our partnership (formed from 20 years of friendship). The local Mannington team in tandem with UMI and Providence Design worked to source materials that were available and materials that could be made quickly to keep the production moving. Design flair was achieved with Mannington Scena Carpet tile and Amtico in a three size interplay. The basement moisture levels were solved to using Ardex Rapid as the moisture mitigation system. Daily site and weekly strategic meetings were key in creating space available in a full census hospital. The EPIC director managed all the access to the space needed to work days, nights and weekends.
Hoag Hospital – ECU & Imaging (Newport Beach, CA)
Project Description
Client:
Hoag Hospital,
Kemp Brothers Construction
Location:
Newport Beach, California
Year Completed:
2012
Project Value:
$ 387,365
Architect:
RBB Architects
Products / Strategic Partners:
ARDEX Americas, Armstrong Flooring Inc.,
Dal Tile, Tarkett | Johnsonite
Project Summary
Vision:
Develop a modern ER and Imaging Department within the existing structural confines of a working ER and Imaging Unit. The Design: Extensive use of a wood looking vinyls combined with borders of solid vinyls to create a rich and warm look combined with the functionality and clean ability of self-coved and heat welded vinyl.
Construction :
The 650,000 contract began in 2007 and was completed in December of 2012. Universal Metro worked hand in hand with Kemp Bros. and the hospital. The hospital stated that the team answered the question – “How can I keep the hospital in operation serving patients, avoiding disruption to the daily routines of the campus during construction?”
Install:
Universal Metro estimated, budgeted, procured, and installed all floor coverings on the project: sheet vinyl, heat welding, resilient tile, ceramic tile, porcelain tile, carpet, carpet tile, base cove (millworks for design element), Ardex underlayments, Ardex MC moisture mitigation systems Johnsonite Base cove.
Black Oak Casino (Tuolumne, CA)
Project Description
Client: Black Oak Casino
Location:
Tuolumne, California
Surface Area:
22,500 SF
Year Completed:
2004
Architect:
Genesis Associates
Products / Strategic Partners:
Armstrong Flooring Inc., Milliken
Project Summary
Vision:
Black Oak Casino, nestled in the picturesque Tuolumne, California, is a premier casino operated by the Tuolumne Band of Me-Wuk Indians, offering a captivating blend of entertainment and culture. The casino spans across 167,000 square feet of land, with a significant portion—22,500 square feet—dedicated exclusively to the gaming area.
Open 24/7, Black Oak Casino ensures a dynamic and accessible gaming experience at any time. Guests can indulge in an impressive selection of over 1,000 slot machines and 24 thrilling table games. In addition to the gaming offerings, the casino is committed to providing a full-service experience with a variety of dining options, live entertainment, and special events. Whether you’re a seasoned gambler or a first-time visitor, Black Oak Casino promises excitement, relaxation, and a touch of luxury in the heart of California.
The casino is part of the larger Tuolumne Band of Me-Wuk Indians’ vision, dedicated to preserving and showcasing their rich cultural heritage while contributing to the local economy and community development. With a focus on superior customer service, it’s a place where guests can enjoy world-class gaming, hospitality, and much more.
California Proton Treatment Center (San Diego, CA)
Project Description
Client:
Scripps Proton Therapy
Location:
San Diego, California
Surface Area:
102,000 SF
Year Completed:
2013
Project Value:
$ 594,255
Architect:
Haskell Interiors
Products / Strategic Partners:
ARDEX Americas, Armstrong Flooring Inc.,
Dal Tile, Henry Adhesives, Mannington,
Mohawk, Roppe
Project Summary
Vision:
Develop the leading proton therapy institute in the world in collaboration with Scripps Medical Center. Partner with Varien Medical Systems and Advanced Particle Therapy by providing the most advanced healing radiation machinery available. Develop the facility in order to protect all other diagnostic and outpatient treatments from radiation (15’thick slabs were constructed).
Design:
Extensive use of a “Grand Gallery” lobby that links the facility to the open spaced diagnostic and outpatient treatment areas and into the “Healing Gardens” which in combination with the warm floor and wall color palette create healing elements to inspire and maintain the patients quality of life during treatment.
Construction:
The 102,000 square foot facility was designed with Building Information Modeling to facilitate the integrated network of mechanical, electrical, concrete shielding systems, overall layout and floor design.
Install:
Universal Metro estimated, budgeted, procured, and installed all floor coverings on the project: sheet vinyl, heat welding, resilient tile, ceramic tile, porcelain tile, carpet, carpet tile, base cove (millworks for design element), Ardex underlayments, Ardex MC moisture mitigation systems (to solve the moisture levels with 15’of concrete), and Johnsonite stair treads (for patient safety).
Unique Installation Strategy:
Universal Metro worked hand in hand with the Design Build Team and the Building Information Modeling systems put in place and create the first of its kind facility in the world. From the air freighting of specials materials to meet the needs of the most technologically advanced equipment and computers in the world to solving the moisture problems of 15′ of concrete Universal Metro managed and guided the floor covering product scope from inception to completion. With 102,000 sf of floorcovering to be coordinated and installed in four main areas of the facility, UMI worked closely with the Haskell Design Team in daily and weekly meetings to overcome the avalanche of issues that come from building a first time industry leading building. Our 30 years of expertise combined with our “Project Engineering system” was the key in the keeping pace with the constant changes and difficult requirements.
LA Kings Office and Training Facility (El Segundo, CA)
Project Description
Client:
LA Kings Training Center
Location:
El Segundo, California
Year Completed:
2015
Architect:
Haskell Interiors
Products / Strategic Partners:
ARDEX Americas, Bentley Carpet, Armstrong Flooring Inc., Tarkett | Johnsonite, Daltile, Henry Adhesives
Project Summary
“The L.A. Kings – Stanley Cup Champions”
The Vision:
Re-Create an environmentally sustainable World Class facility for Sports Champions within the Toyota Sports Center in El Segundo, California. A facility where a winning professional sports teams are connected to the general public; including the Los Angeles Lakers and the L.A. Kings Hockey organizations. Incidentally, Universal Metro did the remodel of the facilities 15 prior. Says a fan who uses the facility, “How cool is it to play hockey, while a pro team practices on the rink next to you?”
The Design:
Creative use of flooring to tie in the team colors of “Black, White and Gray” in the remodel of the space and to have all the Kings operations under one roof, from the: corporate offices, team lockers, a new training gym, a media screening room, a physical therapy suite and main lounge.
The Construction:
Manage the installation of a multitude of floor covering products, including Bentley carpet, Armstrong Striations VCT, rubber flooring and wood. The crown jewel being one of the first open air training gyms in the world.
The Install:
Universal Metro estimated, budgeted, procured, and installed 100 % of the floor coverings on the project.
USC Galen Center (Los Angeles, CA)
Project Description
Client:
USC Galen Center,Â
HC Olsen ConstructionÂ
Location:
Los Angeles, California
Surface Area:
2,014 SF
Year Completed:
2014
Project Value:
$ 25,000
Architect:
Haskell Interiors
Awards / Acknowledgements:
Starnet Design Award Recipient – Bronze Winner Hospitality / Public Space
Products / Strategic Partners:
ARDEX Americas, Burke Flooring, Daltile,
Henry Adhesives, Tarkett | Johnsonite
Project Summary
Vision:
Take the USC storied history and update the team locker rooms with school colors and spirit through architectural specific coverings.
Design:
Universal Metro worked closely with the USC Construction and Design Team to pick colors, styles and manufacturers that met the design intent of vibrant and functional.
Construction:
Work closely with HC Olsen to renovate the facility over a two week installation period, yet maintain the quality needed for the insets.
Install:
Universal Metro designed, estimated, budgeted, procured, and installed all floor and products on the project: sheet vinyl, heat welding, ceramic tile, porcelain tile, carpet, carpet tile, base cove Ardex underlayments, Ardex MC moisture mitigation systems.