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.

 

Providence Little Company of Mary (Torrance, CA)

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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.

 

KidZone Christian Preschool (Santa Fe Springs, CA)

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Project Description

Client:
KidZone Preschool

Location:
Santa Fe Springs, California

Architect:
Mimi Snowden Design

Products / Strategic Partners:
ARDEX Americas, Burke Flooring,
Dal Tile, Tarkett | Johnsonite

Project Summary

Vision:
Four Square Church’s New Children’s School and Ministry Building aims to create spaces capable of “educating hearts and mind for eternity” in its Kids Zone.

The environment flourishes with safe, secure, and fun products created in an oceanic theme. From the waves in the exterior fountain to the blue glass mosaic waterfall, the colors and patterns pop with fun and vibrancy. The natural curiosity and creativity of children expands with the porcelain tile cut into a surf and sand motif and is highlighted by a glow in the dark safety tread system. This developmentally appropriate project was completed in the fall of 2008 and houses both a pre-school and Sunday school programs.
 

Saperstein Critical Care Tower (Los Angeles, CA)

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Project Description

Client:
Cedars Sinai Medical Center

Location:
Los Angeles, California

Surface Area:
250,000 SF

Year Completed:
2006

Project Value:
$ 1,550,686

 

Project Summary

Vision:
Following the devastating Northridge earthquake in 1994, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center needed to replace a badly damaged building.  Working closely with Swinerton Builders, Universal Metro completed this eleven story (250,000 square foot) tower in 2006.  Under the pressure of an incredibly compacted schedule, the general contractor leaned on Universal Metro’s team to ensure the accelerated scheduling demands could be met.  Utilizing Universal Metro’s expert labor technicians, the final four floors were completed at one time under the direction of four separate crew leads. The work in this 150-bed facility included a moisture sealer and Ardex treatment, heat welded and self coved sheet goods, carpet, ceramic tile, and even a state-of-the-art helipad on the building’s roof.

Dignity Health BEIP – Glendale Memorial Hospital

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Project Description

Client:
Dignity Health

Location:
Glendale, California

Year Completed:
2017

Project Value:
$ 332,900

Architect:
Devenney Group Ltd.

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

Project Summary

Vision:
Dignity Health operates a number of aging campuses where significant effort and time must be invested to improve campus and building aesthetics. These improvements were needed to upgrade the “look and feel” of the campus, furthering Dignity Health’s ongoing commitment to improve the appearance, operation, and functionality of each hospital campus, while providing quality and outstanding services to the people and communities served.

Design:
“Hello humankindness” became the inspiration for this BEIP project, as Dignity Health’s corporate vision was ingrained into the renovation of Glendale Memorial Hospital’s 334-bed facility and 24-hour Emergency Department. The “Light of Day” Interior Finishes were designed to inspire healing: mind, body, and spirit. With splashes of colors complimentary to nature and life, floor covering finishes became the centerpiece to each space. Finishes included 12″ x 24″ Armstrong Raffia VCT (installed with running bond and accent colors), Armstrong’s Natural Creations LVT, a variety of sheet goods from Johnsonite / Tarkett, fabric-styled ceramic from Daltile, and Johnsonite rubber base throughout, all set atop a variety of Ardex setting materials (X32 mortar), waterproofing / anti-fracture membranes (8 +9), and underlayments, including Feather Finish and K60 Leveling Compound.

Construction:
Coordination of this six-story renovation was vital over the course of this 11-month project. Each phase was methodically planned, focused on minimizing adverse impacts to the healing process, all while maintaining a work space where demo, substrate remediation, and installation of intricate patterns and designs wouldn’t stand in the way of patient and provider access to each space by end of shift. This became especially critical in Mother-Baby Units, where cure times are no match for emergency C-sections and one-way paths of travel.

 

Dignity Health BEIP – Northridge Hospital

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Project Description

Client:
Dignity Health

Location:
Northridge, California

Surface Area:
97,000 SF

Year Completed:
2017

Project Value:
$ 839,733

Architect:
Devenney Group

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

Project Summary

Vision:
Dignity Health operates a number of aging campuses where significant effort and time must be invested to improve campus and building aesthetics. These improvements were needed to upgrade the “look and feel” of the campus, furthering Dignity Health’s ongoing commitment to improve the appearance, operation, and functionality of each hospital campus, while providing quality and outstanding services to the people and communities served.

Design:
“Hello humankindness” became the inspiration for this BEIP project, as Dignity Health’s corporate vision was ingrained into the renovation of Northridge Hospital’s 409-bed acute care medical center. The “Light of Day” Interior Finishes were designed to inspire healing: mind, body, and spirit. Flooring finishes became the centerpiece for this project, bringing over six floors and more than 97,000 SF back to life with a re-energized, cosmetic face-lift. Combining natural woods in sheet vinyl and LVT finishes with natural tones and textures in 12″ x 24″ VCT, patient care areas were restored with vibrance and new energy. Finishes included Armstrong Raffia VCT (installed with running bond and accent colors) in most corridors, elevator lobbies, and nurses’ stations; Armstrong’s Natural Creations LVT in the Cafeteria; a variety of sheet goods from Johnsonite / Tarkett, including Acczent Wood fields surrounded by complimentary solid homogenous sheet from their iQ Natural line; glass tile accents from American Olean made an impact on wet walls, and Johnsonite rubber base and transitions complimented trims throughout.

Construction:
Coordination of this six-story renovation was vital over the course of the 11-month time frame. Each phase was methodically planned, working with directors, hospital leadership, CMs, PMs, Superintendents, and multiple trade foremen to reduce adverse patient impacts, while promoting an efficient pace that allowed for accessibility at shift’s end when necessary and a strict attention to design detail, always. Extreme moisture conditions were alleviated with Ardex’s MC Rapid Moisture Control System using V1200 Self Leveling and K60 Leveling Compound to off-set extreme leveling needs after revelation of ceramic under mulitple layers of resilient demo. Walkable traffic was necessary within hours, as high impact areas, like the Cafeteria, remained open during work. Phasing forced intricate patterns to be cut in half with plastic containments, forcing crews to interlace and double-back efforts to ensure consistency and quality. Coordination and communication were vital, as this project, which originated out of general budgets, was specified on the fly, as field conditions following Universal Metro’s demolition revealed how unforeseen variables would be addressed, both from the design of Devenney Group’s architects and with the technical expertise of Universal Metro’s mechanics.

 

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.