Color Brightens Special Needs School

Shared activity space connects the gym, multi-purpose room, and media center and combines design elements from the three unique color palettes.

Three hub colors define environmental themes for students with learning challenges.

Special-education students at Clark County School District’s (CCSD) Variety School in Las Vegas have a colorful new building to better serve their needs. The 80,600-sq.-ft. special-education school serves students, ages 5 to 22, who have autism and behavioral and emotional challenges. Opened in January 2013, the facility was completed by the design-build team of Martin-Harris Construction and KGA Architecture, both of Las Vegas.

Classrooms within the school are organized in three hubs, each catering to a different special need. Each of the hubs has a color scheme connected with an environmental theme, including the desert (orange–for the students with emotional challenges), forest (green–for students with behavioral challenges), and ocean (blue–for students with autism). Each of the color schemes provides distinct identity and wayfinding. The shared activity space, which connects the gym, multi-purpose room, and media center, combines design elements from the three unique color palettes.

The colors used throughout also had to provide a calming and positive environment for the design. Because of the special needs of these students, color was a large factor in the decision-making process. Colors couldn’t be so bold and bright that they disrupted the learning of each student, and the space also had to provide a functional environment that made it easier for teachers to do difficult jobs on a daily basis. A vocational training center prepares students for jobs in hospitality, food service, office work, and recycling. A simulated residential unit helps students practice daily life skills, and outdoor spaces include play areas, courtyards for outdoor learning, and a student-run garden. The site strategy of placing the building on the street with entrances focused inward eliminated the need for a perimeter fence and a fire lane, while strengthening the school’s positive connection to the community.

The design team at KGA was tasked with finding a flooring solution that was cost-effective and aesthetically pleasing, all while meeting CCSD’s stringent energy-efficiency targets and use of environmentally friendly materials throughout the school. The designers turned to the Houston-based Azrock VCT collection to turn the Variety School into a comfortable, safe learning environment for the students. The many different palettes, with their vibrant options, enabled KGA to realize its vision for the school.

In addition, the flooring has low TVOC (total volatile-organic-compound) emissions and is produced using natural limestone, which is a readily available natural material. Azrock VCT contains pre- and post-consumer recycled content, which met the environmentally friendly criteria for which the school was looking. Further, the flooring is recycla

NEED A FAST FLOOR FACELIFT?

Top. The forest (green) hub is for students with behavioral challenges. The colors were chosen to provide a calming and positive environment.

Above, left. Each of the three hubs has a color scheme connected with an environmental theme, including the desert (orange), which is for students with emotional challenges.

Above, right. The ocean (blue) hub is for autistic students. The fl ooring contains pre- and post-consumer recycled content, which met the one of the school’s environmental goals.

ble, allowing used materials to be brought back into the production process.

The building was also constructed with special attention to indoor air quality (IAQ ). The IAQ plan provided a clean building upon completion, including flushing the building prior to occupancy, protecting all ductwork from contamination prior to service, and use of materials containing low VOCs. The building was also designed to meet CCSD’s aggressive low targets for energy consumption. CBP

DATA CACHE

Want more information? The resources below are linked in our digital magazine at cbpmagazine.com/digital/julaug2014.

Circle 5 on the Reader Service Card.

Learn more about the role colors play in commercial facilities by listening to our latest Commercial Learn more about the role colors play in commercial facilities by listening to our latest Commercial Conversation podcast with color expert Leslie Harrington. Conversation podcast with color expert Leslie Harrington.

Download an Azrock VCT product brochure. Download an Azrock VCT product brochure.

Transform floors fast with LEVEL-RIghT ® UNDERLAymENTS

Now there’s hope for floors marred by sags, wrinkles, dips or weather damage. Level-Right can transform even the most damaged floors into smooth, level floors — just 2 to 4 hours after pouring. Level-Right Self-Leveling Floor Underlayments have restored floors worldwide, and offer solutions for every floor challenge:

• New construction or renovation • Level entire floors or transition areas, featheredge to deepfill • Resurface old or damaged concrete floors • Top old ceramic, marble or terrazzo floors • Up to 7200 PSI; water resistant • No troweling required • Encloses VCT, VAT or asbestos adhesive • Provides a temporary wear surface in as little as 2 to 4 hours after application • Accepts nearly all floor coverings • Contains recycled materials

To learn more: 800-356-7887 info@maxxon.com • www.Maxxon.com

© 2014 Maxxon ® Corporation, all rights reserved. Level-Right is a registered trademark of Maxxon ® Corporation, Hamel, MN.

EDITORS’ CHOICE

Laminate custom tooling

MirroFlex custom tooling:

• Decorative thermoplastic panels • Three-dimensional; textures • Can mimic wood and metal

Compact hand dryer Jet Towel mini is a compact version of the company’s high-speed hand dryer that uses an air jet to dry hands in a reported 10 sec. Users insert hands horizontally across a 9-in.-deep drying surface. The smaller size allows applications such as above countertop mounting. The unit operates at 890 W with heater and 600 W without heater. Operation is rated at 64 dB. Separate air and water ducts avoid cross contamination.

Mitsubishi Electric Cooling & Heating, Suwanee, GA Circle 97

Contemporary seating Marcay side chair stackable series is made of injection-molded resin and can be used indoors or outdoors. Five bright colors are available, with a playful polka-dot pattern on the seat contrasting the smooth chair back.

Source Contract, Miami Circle 99

MirroFlex custom tooling produces a decorative thermoplastic panel created in three dimensions. Deeply textured patterns off er an alternative to paint and other wall coverings.  e laminate can mimic wood grain, patinas, and metal. Branded solutions can incorporate designs and logos into the material for use on walls and ceilings.

ATI Decorative Laminates, Greensboro, NC Circle 96

Uncoupling mat Strata_Mat uncoupling mat replaces traditional underlayments for ceramic tile and stone installations. The mat is said to provide an enhanced mechanical bond for mortar and a faster drying time, allowing faster grouting. For use with modifi ed and unmodifi ed mortars, the material allows the proper adhesive mortar to be used with porcelain or large-format tiles and stone.

Laticrete, Bethany, CT Circle 100

Repair tapes A line of repair tapes provides an alternative to duct tape. Three types, all-purpose, all-weather, and heavy-duty all-leak tapes provide solutions for repairs, sealing, and waterproofi ng. The all-weather version works in temperatures from –30 F to 200 F.

ECHOtape, Chino, CA Circle 98

No-heat hand dryer XLERATOReco hand dryer uses no-heat technology to dry hands in a reported 15 sec. using only 500 W. Units draw 4 1/2 amps or less, so multiple units can be installed on one circuit. A noise-reduction nozzle and a HEPA fi ltration system are options.

Excel Dryer Inc., East Longmeadow, MA Circle 101

Molded chairs The classic Eames shell chair, with a recyclable fi berglass shell, has a textural, slightly glossy fi nish, much like the original when it was introduced in 1950. Available as arm and side chairs in nine colors, options include a choice of wire, dowel leg, stacking, rocker, and four-leg bases with or without upholstery.

Herman Miller, Zeeland, MI Circle 102

Stella™ PANEL ©2014 modularArts, Inc.

High Quality, Glass Reinforced Gypsum Panels with steel-reinforced joints precisely interlock for seamless wall surfaces of any size.

Cast-stone panels Cast-stone dimensional wall panels are made from 90% recycled quarried stone. Class A fi re rated, they can be used for interior or exterior applications.

Architectural Systems Inc., New York Circle 103

Lily™ BLOCK ©2010 modularArts, Inc. U.S. Patent 8,375,665

Sculptural screen wall blocks stack up to create fully dimensional, double-sided, rock walls. The block is back!

Now with 50 designs.

Designer wall art The company’s line of decorative-metal wall art and mirrors includes those made with heavy-gauge steel with a powder-coat fi nish in standard fi nishes of cocoa spice, platinum, or black ridge. Custom colors and sizes are available.

Mariano Metal Décor, Chicago Circle 104

Seismic joint clip Chicago Metallic 1494 SSC seismic separation joint clip for ceiling suspension systems is said to provide a clean appearance on a fi nished ceiling. The clip sits on top of ceiling grid members, hidden from view. The one-piece design reportedly works on all applications. Minimal screw attachments are needed and the clips can be placed anywhere along the main runner.

Rockfon, Chicago Circle 105

Mold-killing primer Zinsser water-based mold-killing primer is said to kill mold, mildew, and odor-causing bacteria while priming a surface. The fungicidal protective coating can be applied directly over problem areas without extensive surface preparation and contains an antimicrobial agent to prevent growth on paint fi lm. The primer can be used on non-porous interior and exterior surfaces, dries to bright white in 30 min., and can be top coated after 1 hr.

Rust-Oleum, Vernon Hills, IL Circle 106

Floor-warming mats EasyHeat Warm Tiles Elite fl oor-warming mats are less than 1/8-in. thick to result in almost no fl oor-height buildup. Available in standard rectangular sizes and custom layouts ranging from 6 to 138 sq. ft., the mats are 120 or 240 V, providing as much as 15-W/sq. ft. The mats install under most surfaces.

Emerson Industrial Automation, St. Louis Circle 107

Lightweight gypsum board Easi-Lite lightweight gypsum board line includes a fi re-resistant option. Easi-Lite 30 is said to be 30% lighter than standard 5/8-in. Type X board. It has a 30-min. fi re rating and can be used in interior ceilings.

CertainTeed Gypsum, Tampa, FL Circle 108

Graffi ti-resistant coatings Duranar GR and Corafl on GR coatings have a clear, graffi ti-resistant barrier over the pigmented color layer. If the coating is spray painted or otherwise marred, it can be cleaned by applying the company’s Duraprep Prep 400. Most stains

Swivel chair Rival chair, designed by Konstantin Grcic, has an eye toward those who work from laminated birch arms and back, and birch in the circular geometry of the seat. A swivel feature provides function. High and low-back versions are available, as is an upholstered seat.

Artek, New York Circle 111

home. The chair has solid birch legs, are said to be removed in 10 min. or less.

PPG Industries, Pittsburgh Circle 109

Spray-foam insulation Classic Plus spray-foam insulation meets the requirements of the 2012 ICC IBC. The open-cell product is said to provide a value of R4/in., allowing users to achieve R-22 in a 2x6 wall assembly. The product reportedly offers excellent adhesion on a broad range of substrates.

Icynene, Mississauga, Ontario Circle 110

The Good Neighbor paneling line is made from reclaimed cedar and redwood fencing. Available in weathered redwood, fresh-sawn redwood, and multi-toned varieties, the paneling is lightweight. All material is kiln dried and can be milled for installation. Paneling is 1/2-in. thick with a 5-in. face, in lengths of 12 to 70 in.

Viridian Reclaimed Wood, Portland, OR Circle 112

Minimalist seating Nima chair line, designed by Giancarlo Piretti, offers comfort through a minimalistic aesthetic. An articulating back movement provides a reported comfortable and ergonomic seating experience. Chairs are stackable.

American Seating, Grand Rapids, MI

Reclaimed-wood paneling

Circle 114

Porcelain tile Rayas and Reverie are high-defi nition porcelain-tile collections. Rayas is based on the look of ancient Roman travertine, containing weathering and deliberate imperfections. Available colors include Clouds, Sands, Rains, and Shadows. Reverie pattern evokes an ancient, waxed terra-cotta fl oor. The tiles have a rotoscreen-applied raised glaze and are fi nished with a semi polish. Colors include Ivory, Bone, Rhino, and Walnut. Both collections are available in a variety of sizes.

Bellavita Tile, Carrollton, TX Circle 116

Polyiso foam sheathing CI Max White insulation is a high-effi ciency polyiso foam sheathing for exposed interior applications. Approved for use without a thermal barrier, it is said to provide an attractive and durable interior fi nish for wall or ceiling applications. The material provides a continuous-insulation layer to reduce thermal bridging.

Johns Manville, Denver Circle 113

Workplace seating Endorse collection includes task seating, lounge seating, and occasional tables for the workplace. Chairs have adjustment controls and sculpted lumbar support. Single, two-, and three-seat lounge furniture offers multiple confi gurations. Table fi nishes include woodgrain and laminate.

The Hon Co., Muscatine, IA

Circle 115

New-form table Analog table by Spanish designer Jaime Hayon takes its form from the classic shapes of square, circle, and oval and brings them together in a new form. The table is available in two sizes, seating 6 or 8, with tops in white laminate, oak, and walnut veneer. Solid wood legs are fi nished in black colored oak, oak, and walnut.

Fritz Hansen, New York Circle 117