Castaic High School (Castaic, CA)

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Project Description

Client:
William S. Hart Union High School District,
Kemp Bros. Construction

Location:
Castaic, California

Year Completed:
2020

Project Value:
$ 1,123,944

Architect:
Ruhnai Runau Clarke

Awards / Acknowledgements:
Starnet Design Award Recipient – Bronze Winner Education

Products / Strategic Partners:
Altro, ARDEX Americas, Armstrong Flooring Inc., Flexco Floors, Tarkett | Johnsonite, Tarkett Centiva

Project Summary


Spanning 256,230 SF, a new, state-of-the-art high school campus was built from the ground up over a majestic 58 acres. This seven-figure project included five classroom buildings, an administrative building, a science (STEM) classroom and library building, a gymnasium with locker rooms and training spaces, a performing arts building, a full-service kitchen / food service building, and a maintenance building.

Focused on the health, well-being, and performance of students, educators, and staff, this project utilized a framework from the Collaborative for High Performance Schools (CHPS) to ensure that energy, community environmental, and social goals could be achieved.

With performance, sustainability, and maintenance strategies in mind, this project featured a combination of both hard and soft surfaces, including wood and other earth-inspired textures from Armstrong’s Natural Creations LVT, as well as Standard Excelon and Raffia VCT from Armstrong. In areas where sound and performance were both deemed critical, like administrative offices and the library, Powerbond Carpet from Tarkett Soft Surfaces (Tandus) was used. Large-scale carpet patterns made a dramatic impact in these open space environments, and in smaller areas, like classrooms, different patterns were used side-by-side to add texture and dimension. Slip-resistant finishes from Altro enhanced the wellness and use of the sports therapy rooms, and rubber moldings from both Johnsonite Tarkett and Flexco complimented a wide variety of paint and other trimmings throughout each building.

While the flooring design inside each space was primarily comprised of earthy textures and gray toned finishes, the rolling foothills which surround the campus provided a uniquely Southern California backdrop. Large windows extending from the floor to the peak of each high ceiling brought in the soft brown tones of the high desert and bright blue skies. This open-air concept further reinforced the pursuit of wellness for students, teachers, and staff, while conscientiously recognizing how the environment outside can compliment the design inside.

Unique Installation Challenge:
Every large project poses its own unique challenges, but this is especially true when a project spans multiple years and a pandemic is added to the mix.

Contracted in 2017, we began our work on site in 2018 as the first building was turned over to us. Portions of this project were released on a building-to-building basis, and as buildings were made ready for us, we were coordinating material procurement, logistics, and labor to ensure that we didn’t hit any snags between phases. As such, material left over in one building couldn’t go missing between phases, as it could be critical square footage in the next building. Dye lots needed to be tagged, tracked, and stored accordingly to ensure cohesiveness between each install. And, the same labor team needed to balance demands of other projects with this schedule, as their familiarity of the site and scope was critical to field team communication and consistency in workmanship.

Beyond the logistical challenges this posed, the design and color schemes for the high school were completely changed half-way through the project, as the new high school redefined its identity and school colors. The new design forced additional scheduling delays, but we worked with the design and construction teams to ensure that finishes previously sourced could be maximized in the field before the new design scheme was incorporated into the remaining buildings.

After an unexpected rainy season pushed schedules even further in 2019, we navigated both design and unforeseen delays with trade partners to mitigate price escalations and freight burdens.

With less than a year until completion, the pandemic added an additional dimensions to this project. Working with the general contractor, we derived much of our COVID-19 response from the needs of this project, navigating new compliance requirement with substantial completion in our sights. Enlisting PPE and social distancing in the field, our team completed this project with new safety regimens in place, all while maintaining a consistent results. When students and teachers are able to return, a beautiful campus awaits.

USC Wellness – General Hospital (Los Angeles, CA)

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Project Description

Client:
USC Engemann Student Health Center

Location:
Los Angeles, California

Year Completed:
2014

Project Value:
$ 355,040

Architect:
Chu + Gooding Architects

Products / Strategic Partners:
ARDEX Americas, Armstrong Flooring Inc.

Project Summary

Vision:
“Historic Wellness”. Re-use of the Historic USC General Hospital, (built in 1926) and sitting vacant for the inability to be earthquake retrofitted in a fiscally responsible manner. Convert the first floor space into a non-acute care Wellness Center to provide Healthcare to the underserved local community with the concept of “wellness related activities and information.”

Design:
Design with modern day neutral color palette products to incorporate the 85 year old beautiful terrazzo wainscot and other stone finishes and add a splash of color to invigorate wellness in the visitors to the Wellness Center tenants: YMCA, Arthritis Foundation and ADA. The project includes way-finding, exterior jogging trails, fitness areas, a dance studio, pilates stations and exercise rooms.

Construction:
Retrofitted concrete slabs from over 85 years of use and varying heights and transitions with Ardex K-15 and Feather Finish. Installed Armstrong Linoleum with heat welded seams in patterns and colors to tie in existing architectural beauty. Creative use of Armstrong Chroma Spin in layouts that tie in the various athletic and healthcare needs of the patients and tenants.

Install:
Universal Metro estimated, budgeted, procured, and installed all floor products on the project: Armstrong Heatwelded Linoleum, Armstrong Chroma Spin VCT, base cove, and Ardex underlayments.

 

Joshua Medical Center (La Palma, CA)

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Project Description

Client:
Joshua Medical Center

Location:
La Palma, California

Year Completed:
2017

Project Value:
$ 694,550

Architect:
Visioneering Studios

Products / Strategic Partners:
Amtico, ARDEX Americas,
Armstrong Flooring Inc., Dal Tile,
Gerflor USA, Tarkett | Johnsonite,
Mannington

Project Summary

Vision:
The Joshua Medical Center job was a coordination effort of many different Starnet vendor teams and materials. Specified by Visioneering Studios in Irvine, Universal Metro was chosen to install Ardex K-15 & GS-4 underlayments in combination with Gerflor resilient, Amtico LVT, Armstrong LVT, Mannington carpet, Johnsonite base, and ceramic from Daltile. This project was a Medical Office Building repurposed to be used as a Medical Center Clinic in the City of La Palma, CA. Joshua Medical Clinic is comprised of a team of physicians and PAs that base their success on their patients’ long-term good health. They believe in personalized and comprehensive health care, through physical, emotional, and spiritual healing. Our team at Universal Metro installed patient rooms, physical therapy rooms and corridors that enabled the Joshua Medical Center to have a seamless feel to their caring healthcare perspective. One of the major challenges that we had at the Joshua Medical Center project was dealing with the various elevations on the existing wood substrate. Considering the unique flooring design proposed, which included curvatures and circular patterns, we decided to engineer a system to remediate the existing wood substrate conditions with application of Ardex primer, topped with Ardex GS-4 in various thicknesses, ranging from 1/8″ to 2″ depths. Consequently, Mannington sheet vinyl was installed on a smooth and flat substrate resulting in an unique design and an authentic finished floor. Another challenge was to install flooring while the facility was at full operation. With that regard, we closely followed a phasing plan in order to keep the business unaffected. The finished project was inspiring as you can see in the photos.
 

UCI Healthcare Clinics (Tustin & Orange, CA)

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Project Description

Client:
UCI Healthcare

Location:
Tustin, California
Orange, California

Surface Area:
33,000 SF

Year Completed:
2014

Project Value:
$ 231,865

Architect:
Mark Scheurer Architect

Products / Strategic Partners:
ARDEX Americas, Armstrong Flooring Inc.,
Tarkett | Johnsonite

Project Summary

Vision:
“Two Construction Locations that Discover, Teach & Heal”. Build facilities to bring together the most advanced healing technology in community healthcare along with state-of-the-art medical and surgical products in order to provide excellent clinical outcomes through an amazing array of support services, resources, and nurse practitioners that few non-acute clinics across Southern California offer.

Construction:
Converted two vacant office villages approximately 5 miles apart in the Cities of Orange and Tustin, into the most advanced healthcare clinics in Orange County, California. The design build of the facilities required major tenant improvements and also included a moisture mitigation systems to allow for long term uninterrupted care.

Install:
Universal Metro procured and installed all floor coverings for both construction sites which totaled approximately 33,000 square feet, including: Striations Bio Based tile, resilient, tile, stone, carpet, base, Ardex underlayments and moisture mitigation systems.

 

Environmental Achievement Strategy

Extensive use of open space combined with the elements of environment friendly Bio Based floor covering materials like Armstrong’s Striations achieved the design focus of “Live Healthy”; to promote healing through nurturing spaces. Using the product in over 13,000 sf (3/4) of the project the Bio Based tile allowed for the project to incorporate sustainable design into the construction. Migrations with BioStride contains rapidly renewable resources, uses 10% recycled content and meets the standards of California Section 01350 for low VOC emissions. BioBased Tile EQ4.3, MR4.0, MR5.0*, MR6.0
 

Chapman University Auditorium (Orange, CA)

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Project Description

Client:
Chapman University

Location:
Orange, California

Architect:
Bastien and Associates

Products / Strategic Partners:
ARDEX Americas, Armstrong Flooring Inc.,
Dal Tile, Mohawk

Project Summary

Vision:
Founded in 1861, Chapman University is one of the oldest, most prestigious private universities in California. Originally called Hesperian College, the school later merged with California Christian College in Los Angeles. In 1934, the institution was renamed in honor of Charles C. Chapman, an Orange County entrepreneur and benefactor of the school. The college moved to its current location in downtown Orange, Calif. in 1954. In 1991, the college again changed its name to Chapman University, reflecting its evolution into a comprehensive institution of higher learning.
 

Providence Disney Family Cancer Center, 4th Floor (Burbank CA)

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Project Description

Client:
Providence

Location:
Burbank, California

Surface Area:
3,500 SF

Year Completed:
2017

Project Value:
$ 35,640

Architect:
Boulder Associates

Products / Strategic Partners:
Antron, ARDEX Americas, Armstrong Flooring Inc.,
Atlas Carpet Mills, Mannington, Roppe

Project Summary

Overview:
The Roy and Patricia Disney Family Cancer Center is a beautiful Medical Office Building in Burbank, CA, serving as an extension of neighboring Providence St. Joseph Medical Center. The 4th Floor remodel of “DFCC” fell under the strict guidelines of OSHPD, and consisted of a reallocation of offices, creation of new clinical spaces, a new Waiting Lobby layout, and a complete overhaul of finishes throughout.

Vision:
Providence Health has done an incredible job branding their facilities, throughout greater Southern California, with natural palettes that combine wood grains with very popular linen-styled sheet goods. This project was no different, allowing patients that frequent Providence’s facilities to be comforted knowing that the finishes match the same level of care that they value and trust. With a strong base of Realities wood-grain sheet vinyl throughout much of the space, the unique architecture of the building was accented with Paradigm sheet goods, which consists of linen-like patterns and striated designs. As such, ceiling curvature was mimicked on the floor, accenting the Nurses’ Station, as well as the rounded windows surrounding the infusion clinic. The natural light that the building radiates throughout the space, but was complimented with the warm balance of colors found in both the floors, cabinetry, and solid surfaces. Other natural green tones were introduced into the clinical space with privacy curtains and glazing, which separated each station along the large glass windows. The waiting lobby consisted of a beautiful carpet pattern from Atlas, complimented with striated glazed panels which seamed to mirror the same pattern style of the Paradigm Sheet Vinyl in the adjoining clinical space.

Construction:
As is pivotal with any sheet vinyl installation, floor preparation was an integral part of this project. Paint markings from prior work in the building had badly stained prior floors, and thus, Universal Metro meticulously addressed all markings prior to moving forward with cementitious underlayment. Also cause for concern was the outside lighting, with large floor-to-ceiling windows surrounding the workspace. As such, self leveling and floating the surface was a crucial element of this successful installation. Lastly, the architectural elements of the project, such as the rounded cuts along casework, windows, and matching ceiling curvature above, were addressed with precision out in the field, as templates failed to account for as-built ceilings, casework, etc. In the end, Universal Metro’s commitment to preparation created a beautiful finished product, void of imperfections caused by exterior glare and reminiscent of the beautiful design that Boulder Associate Architects and Providence Health System set out to achieve.

 

Beverly Hospital Cosmetic Upgrade (Montebello, CA)

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Project Description

Client:
Beverly Hospital

Location:
Montebello, California

Surface Area:
41,600 SF

Year Completed:
2017

Project Value:
$ 680,475

Architect:
SWA Architects

Products / Strategic Partners:
ARDEX Americas, Armstrong Flooring Inc.,
Mannington, Tandus Centiva,
Tarkett | Johnsonite

Project Summary

Vision:
Operating in buildings constructed in the 1960s and early ’70s, Beverly Hospital put forth an initiative in 2016 to cosmetically upgrade their primary facilities, including the Emergency Department (6,300 SF), Main Entrance (3,500 SF), Cafeteria (2,000 SF), Conference Rooms (3,800 SF), and all corridors accessible to patients and visitors, from the Basement Level through the Fifth Floor (approx. 26,000 SF). Designs compliment the architecture of the past, while gracefully modernizing the finishes.

Design:
Without major changes to the original shell, designers set out to incorporate architectural elements like interior brickwork into their design, while reinvigorating the nostalgia of the over 50 year old buildings with past-century, pastel wall colors and a heavy reliance on the contemporary and timeless beauty of Mannington’s Paradigm Collection to set the mood for each rejuvenated space. Wayfinding accents were incorporated using Mannington’s seamless transitional patterns, like Streamline, Flow, and Intersect, and carpet became the centerpiece of each room it was used in, including the Main Lobby, Cafeteria, and Conference Rooms, with beautiful styles from Tandus and Mannington.

Construction:
Balancing census and capacity constraints with a need to open corridors to traffic at the end of each shift, Universal Metro worked with the General Contractor and facility’s Project Manager to provide demolition of existing floor covering and substrate remediation at the front end of each phase, providing walkable paths of travel, prior to installing on subsequent shifts. Moisture Control was necessary in several areas, and due to structural changes between wood, concrete, and even, Terrazzo substrates, Ardex’s primer and self leveler were commonly used with Ardex MC Rapid, when necessary. With more than 75 total phases, each consisting of at least two days or nights, crews worked around the clock to complete the project within 11 months. Spray adhesives and faster setting underlayments were vital to afford the hospital with a quick-turnarounds during each phase. The end result was a beautiful throwback to yester-year’s architecture, and beautiful new modern finishes.

 

Aloft Hotel – “LA LA Land” (El Segundo, CA)

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Project Description

Client:
Aloft Hotels

Location:
El Segundo, California

Year Completed:
2017

Project Value:
$ 143,735

Architect:
Design Atelier

Products / Strategic Partners:
ARDEX Americas, Armstrong Flooring Inc.,
Chapco Adhesives, Tarkett | Johnsonite,
MATS Inc., Milliken

Project Summary

Vision:
The Aloft Hotel project encompassed a total remodel and retrofitting of the historic Hacienda Hotel in Los Angeles. First impressions are important, and after landing at LAX International Airport around the corner, guests are welcomed by the glamour that is Los Angeles, with Hollywood lights shining in the distance. This ocean-close hotel is flanked by palm trees and accented with clean lines and an interior with vibrant flashes of color and a 1960’s retro feel, familiar to La La Land. Each floor’s curved white balcony doors, seen from on the face of the hotel, have been remodeled with the feel of luxury ocean liner. Inside, the design is sleek and modern, with a retro flair and the flooring follows suit. Colorful, bright, edgy, graphic and abstract are all words that describe the feel of the interior flooring styles. Ardex Feather finish, Armstrong vinyl composition tile, and several different custom Milliken carpets were installed in this 246 room hotel. Johnsonite base as well as Mats, Inc. walk off mats were also utilized to round off this unique design.