Interiors

Flooring Colors The Experience

Certified flooring installation brings a children’s attraction to life.

Top. The Crayola Experience at the Mall of America features colorful flooring installed by certified flooring contractors.

Inset. In addition to the installation challenges, the teams had to specify flooring material and finishes that protect against fading. C rayola, best known for its iconic crayons and markers, recently expanded the brand’s Crayola Experience attractions. Located in the Mall of America, Bloomington, MN, the newest location follows in the footsteps of the Crayola Experience in Easton, PA (the home of Crayola crayons since 1903) and Crayola Experience Orlando, and takes inspiration from the brand’s 1,500 proprietary products and technologies.

The Minnesota attraction opened in May 2016 and features 25 hands-on activities and live entertainment across 60,000 sq. ft. of colorful, unique rubber flooring from Gerflor, Bensenville, IL, and Tandus Centiva, Dalton, GA. The story behind specifying and installing the flooring, which needed to withstand foot traffic of 250,000 to 400,000 guests, rolling-load traffic, spills, flying crayons, markers, and other stain-causing items, is as impressive as the finished attraction.

General contractor PCL Construction Services Inc., Burnsville, MN, approached Sonus Interiors Inc., Minneapolis, to install the flooring based on the company’s status as an INSTALL Warranty Contractor (with a 100% INSTALL-certified workforce). INSTALL, the International Standards and Training Alliance, is an alliance of major flooring manufacturers, contractors, and professional installers across the U.S. and Canada. The Alliance provides a comprehensive training and certification program for its floorcovering installers. As an INSTALL Warranty Contractor, Sonus team members have taken a variety of installation and training courses, and the company is in the process of sending all members to the group’s International Training Center in Las Vegas to take the leadership course offered.

PCL Construction also selected Sonus based on the Mall of America’s unique installation challenges, which presented a number of issues for the contractor throughout the construction process. From uneven subfloors to a complex installation that required in

Flooring needed to withstand foot traffi c of 250,000 to 400,000 guests, rolling-load traffi c, spills, and fl ying crayons, among other concerns.

With thousands of children using the space every week, the installation features an interchangeable fl ooring product suited to cleaning and disinfecting.

tense heat welding of curved, custom-cut rubber flooring material, Sonus was the ideal partner.

INSTALLATION CHALLENGES Ironically, the brand new Crayola Experience is located in the oldest part of the mall. What was once part of a corner pillar store (the original Bloomingdale’s) was emptied and stripped in anticipation of the build-out. The design called for a smooth subfl oor

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© 2016 Airolite and when the Sonus team arrived, they found an epoxy substrate under the original fl oor. Realizing that the new fl oor could not be installed directly over the epoxy, the team recommended applying a topcoat to the entire fl oor. Mall offi cials, however, recommended they remove the epoxy completely. As some areas of the epoxy were thick and others were thin, this was a time-consuming task.

In addition to the installation challenges, the teams had to specify flooring material and finishes that protect against fading. Natural light, which enters through several skylights and windows, is prevalent in roughly 15% to 20% of the space. There are also projections that appear on the floor that necessitated additional protection.

Another challenge was working around Crayola’s own fixture team. The team from Sonus had to turn over spaces quickly, which were then exposed to heavy rolling loads, as large fixtures and branded items were brought in for installation.

Yet another unique installation challenge came in the playground area. Originally, a honeycombed rubber tile with high-strength glue was specified. However, this meant that the tiles couldn’t be pulled up to clean. With thousands of children using the space every week, the installation was altered to a more interchangeable product better suited to cleaning and disinfecting needs.

RESULTS Three months and 1,600 man-hours later, the Crayola Experience at the Mall of America was fi nished and open to the public. All of the seams from color to color and through curves and radiuses line up. One seam will go all the way across multiple colors, with no visual distraction.

“Overall, this was a challenging job. However, thanks to the experience of our INSTALL-certified installation team, open communication, and great partners…the end result is something we can all be proud of,” said Jeff Rothi, vice president of Sonus Interiors Inc. “As the first INSTALL Warranty Contractor in the Twin Cities market, our training and communication experience helped the entire process come together.” CA

Want more information? The resources below are linked on our website at commercialarchitecturemagazine.com and our digital magazine at commercialarchitecturemagazine.com/digital/mar2017.

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Get information on INSTALL—

commercialarchitecturemagazine. com/1703install01

Gerfl or fl ooring—

commercialarchitecturemagazine.com/ 1703install02

Tandus Centiva fl ooring—

commercialarchitecturemagazine.com/ 1703install03

Acoustic underlayment Sound Buffer is a universal acoustic underlayment made from 100% virgin latex rubber. For use under luxury vinyl, laminate, engineered wood, and hardwood fl ooring, it can be fl oated, nailed, stapled, or single or double glued. The material has a 1.2-mm thickness, density of 25 lb./ ft. 3 , and a compression set of 16%.

MP Global Products, Norfolk, NE Circle 75 mpglobalproducts.com

Architectural stone veneer Vintage Ranch:

• Wood-look plank stone • Planks vary in height and depth • Four color choices

Vintage Ranch authentic wood-plank stone captures the character and warmth of classic American barn wood. With rich color tones and textures, the material preserves the look and feel of oak, Douglas fi r, and pine in a panelized format, combining planks of varying height and depth to provide the ambiance of real wood in a variety of indoor and outdoor spaces. Made of concrete, planks are hand painted to display the patina of weatherworn boards.  e stone is available in four colors: Saddlewood, Foxwood, Parchwood, and Doverwood.

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Flooring-installation system Creation Clic system reportedly allows easier, quicker, and cleaner fl ooring installation. Laid with a mallet or roller, the system provides style and high-performance fl ooring with no downtime. The 1/4-in.-thick vertical interlocking luxury vinyl tile requires minimal sub-fl oor preparation. A variety of styles is available.

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Sit-to-stand desk The Directional desktop device reportedly turns any worksurface into a sit-to-stand workstation. The unit is said to attach to any existing desk or table with a depth of 20 to 30 in. without modifying the base or frame. It includes a large platform for laptops and monitors and a smaller surface for the keyboard and mouse. A lever-operated height adjustment allows easy-to-control movement.

The HON Co., Muscatine, IA Circle 77 hon.com

Multi-level coat hook A multi-level coat hook has a gently curved face for coats and an additional hook below for items such as hats or scarves. Available in satin nickel, metallic silver, and polished chrome, the hook measures 3 3/4-in. high with a 2 1/32-in. projection.

Doug Mockett & Co., Manhattan Beach, CA Circle 78 mockett.com

Fully Automated Movable Walls With The Touch Of A Single Button

Finally, a continuously hinged movable wall system that actually provides premium acoustics and premium aesthetics all with a touch of a single modern touchscreen. The future of movable walls and space division is automation. Modernfold, Inc. is once again at the forefront with Acousti-Seal ® Encore ® Automated. As industry innovators, Modernfold is introducing it’s new Presto ™ Package which provides users touch screen operation, consistent error-free set-up, and state-of-the-art safety systems for any space division need. Contact your local Modernfold, Inc. distributor today to learn more about movable wall automation and the new Presto ™ Package.

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Mobile offi ce storage Hold Daily are mobile auxiliary storage units for areas including personal workspaces, conference and training rooms, and healthcare. Available in two styles, the units consist of a rectangular, box frame with one fi xed shelf. One model has a locking door. Both models accommodate an optional metal storage box. Manufactured from painted steel, the storage units are available in a textured white fi nish with the storage box available in textured white, textured forge gray, textured black, mustard, or gray beige. Units are 36 1/4-in. high with locking casters.

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Wool upholstery In a partnership with Scottish mill Bute Fabrics Ltd, the company introduces a collection of six upholsteries that showcase the rich qualities of wool. Each style features its own weave structure and yarn composition.

Designtex, New York Circle 80 designtex.com

Quartz surfaces Eight quartz patterns are available in designs from extra-large veining and movement to smoother styles in medium to fi ne/small particulates. All maintain a trend-forward neutral palette of white, gray, and black, allowing them to be mixed and layered with other quartz, as well as solid-surface and laminate designs. This “material mixology” lends texture and richness to a space that’s perfectly coordinated and beautifully designed.

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Thermal-insulation system JetSpray thermal-insulation system is a spray-on glass mineral wool. Through stabilized fi ber technology, the material can be applied in a net-less, side-wall application creating a custom insulation solution for a range of projects. It installs around wiring and other wall obstructions, eliminating gaps to fi ll cavities completely while preventing settling. The material typically dries within 24 hr. with drywall able to be installed the next day.

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Restroom-alert light A red/green light indicates whether restrooms are occupied or vacant. Viewable from a distance, the light aids in user privacy. The wireless device is low maintenance.

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