Page 37 - spaces4learning, January/February 2020

supports expanded cur- riculum and open explo- ration of educational and career opportunities. PBK worked with the district to use LVT throughout the main hallways and entranc- es as a long-wearing and low-maintenance solution.
With changing edu- cational philosophies and increasing usage of mobile devices in schools, students are not always parked at desks — a small opera- tional change, but a large impact to interior func- tionality. A transition to car- pet signals the entry to the campus’ library. Flex spaces are designed similarly, shift- ing from tile to carpet. Tra- ditional, closed-in libraries have evolved into more open,
collaborative work spaces. Since libraries are intentionally quieter, campuses like Klein Cain High School in Klein ISD opt for carpet instead of tile to absorb and minimize surface noise.
Daily maintenance for carpets includes vacuuming and spot removal. This is especially true for high-traffic areas including corridors, libraries or classrooms. More than 75 percent of the soil found in carpet is dry, particulate soil and can be removed relatively easily with regular vacuuming. It also tends to re- move most of the dust and dirt. School carpets still need a deep cleaning from time to time which is usually done over breaks to minimize disruptions. By maintaining carpet, the aesthetic and appearance will last much longer.
Recently, PBK renovated Kingwood High School in the Humble Independent School after it flooded during Hurricane Harvey. Since Kingwood High School was impacted by a hur- ricane, it was important to replace the flooring quickly to al- low students to return to their school. Knowing the school had previously flooded, we worked with the school to install a tile resembling wood. It was one of the best options for water resis- tance, knowing it would not buckle or lift.
School districts are more frequently considering long-term costs for flooring applications, rather than initial costs – especially in high-traffic areas. While a material such as vinyl composition tile is initially more affordable, the longer-term maintenance upkeep re- sults in a lower overall return on investment due to periodic waxing.
Our firm is seeing more owners utilizing tile in the main corridors. Administrators are seeing the benefits of using porce- lain or terrazzo — it’s sturdier and more durable. Terrazzo can be customized to the campus’ unique brand and color scheme. It is also sustainable; terrazzo is composed of naturally occur- ring aggregates, recycled glass, plastic and processed cement or
epoxy binders. The binders constitute approximately 25 to 30 percent of the volume of the flooring. The remainder of the floor is composed of aggregates, pigments and fillers. Initial life cycle assessments of embodied energy appear extremely favorable due to the longevity and low energy usage for maintenance.
When it comes to determining flooring surfaces, either hard or soft, we first focus on educational responsiveness and appli- cation. We abide by district standards, but encourage owners to remain knowledgeable about flooring applications so we can find the best possible solutions for their unique needs.
What to keep in mind when selecting flooring for high-traf- fic areas:
• Function of space
• Safety of students and staff
• Durability / maintenance
• Cost of material and labor
• Integrating flooring with interior design
Richard Chi is Co-CEO of PBK and oversees the Design Studio. His strong commitment to the principles of design excellence, with emphasis on client service, has helped earn both region- al and national acclaim for PBK’s projects. Richard has served as a dedicated leader and teacher in his profession, successfully completing over 300 educational projects for more than 150 ed- ucational institutions in relation to pre-kindergarten centers, ele- mentary, junior high, high school, district administration centers, alternative education centers and higher education campuses.
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