Page 36 - spaces4learning, January/February 2020

spaces4learning K-12 HIGH-TRAFFIC AREAS
FLOORING AND THE IMPACT IT HAS ON K-12 LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS
When it comes to high-traffic areas in schools, flooring plays a lead role in defining learning spaces.
By Richard Chi, PBK Co-CEO
FLOORING IS A CRITICAL PART OF THE PROCESS WHEN designing a K-12 school environment. Flooring plays a lead role in defining high-traffic areas. When it comes to the se- lection of hard or soft surfaces, PBK first considers the impact the application will have on functionality and effectiveness of the learning environment.
When entering the Center for Advanced Careers in Alief, Texas, visitors encounter an open environment showcasing differ-
ent career pathways, all flowing into the heart of the facility — in what we call, an interactive observation lab. The flooring appli- cation connecting each of the various areas is terrazzo; the nearly 216,000-square-foot facility was created with a central communal plaza and learning on display. The smooth finish, with no grout lines, offers a quieter handling of rolling carts and/or other mobile equip- ment. Terrazzo is extremely durable, highly moisture resistant and easy to clean. It is also low maintenance and has a low lifecycle cost.
The communal plaza helps minimize the need for circula- tion hallways and promotes cross- pollination of programs, pro- viding students with the opportunity to explore multiple career paths. There is quite a bit of foot traffic throughout the plaza, but the owner wanted to ensure the flooring was resilient and could withstand the weight of heavy machinery. A ramp in the plaza allows a vehicle to drive right into the interactive obser- vation lab. PBK’s designers knew the terrazzo would handle the weight of a robot and/or large vehicle.
Luxury vinyl tile (LVT) is another avenue some schools are integrating into high-traffic areas. While the cost is higher ini- tially, there is very little maintenance on the tile. This applica- tion can be integrated utilizing bright colors, neutral colors, a stone look and/or wood imitation. It is also available in a wide variety of colors and styles.
Paetow High School in the Katy Independent School district, outside of Houston, houses 3,000 students and represents a change from the traditional high school program. PBK was tasked with creating a contemporary environment with Next Generation learning principles and applications that compliments the campus’ coastal setting and enables synergies that enhance the learning en- vironment. The progressive interiors are filled with adaptable, re- active spaces that cater to personalized learning. The environment
36 jAN/FEB 2020