Science and Technology Magnet School of Southeastern Connecticut
New London, Connecticut
Located in New London, Connecticut, the Science and Technology Magnet School of Southeastern Connecticut was designed to provide its teachers with an educational tool by creating architectural and design elements that teach spatial relationships, physics and other opportunities for lessons. The magnet high school aims to instill values, skills and ethics that will enable its students to enter their chosen profession in science or technology. The design creates its form using three basic mathematical geometries: orthogonal, radial and intersecting plane. The circular, two-story structure sets the radius point for interior spaces and is the axes for the intersecting plane as well as the radius for curved interior walls that sit within an orthogonal shape. Natural light, plenty of seating space and decorative floor designs create inviting common areas at the school.
Why Azrock?
Unlike most high schools the Science and Technology Magnet School of New London, Connecticut, was designed to be more than a facility but as a learning tool for its students. All design elements, the buildings’ structure, lighting, stairwells and common areas are all spaces that were designed to encourage exploration and discovery. The New London High School needed a flooring option that could transition into a variety of environments but that also had tremendous design flexibility in order to provide the stimulating floor designs Friar Associates Inc. invisioned for the space.
Azrock’s Cortina Grande commercial resilient tile offered the design flexibility, aesthetics, maintenance qualities and cost requirements to meet the facility’s needs. With a wide range of color options and superior performance warranty, Azrock’s Cortina Grande provided the right flooring solution.
About Azrock Cortina Grande
Composed primarily of limestone, Cortina Grande commercial resilient tile is a product in the Azrock Achieve solid vinyl tile category. The tile features a non-directional pattern in a homogeneous construction, meaning the pattern distributes through the thickness of each tile. Available in 26 color options, Cortina Grande is a 16” x 16” tile that can be custom-cut into shapes and further customized with grout and a choice of three surface treatments. Azrock's highest rated product line, Achieve Solid Vinyl Tile, offers minimal maintenance with dry buffing, superior performance with 800 PSI, 10-year manufacturer, moisture and wear warranty when installed with Spray Smart adhesive.
About Azrock’s Partnership with Friar Associates Inc.
The Friar Associates architect and design team were pleased with Cortina Grande’s design flexibility, color range and reduced maintenance qualities. The unique designs created with the flooring allowed their flooring design to come to life and help create a cheerful and stimulating work space within the school. The flooring design was integrated with the overall design concept for the building which was designed to provide an ideal blend of inspiration and application. In fact, Azrock, Friar Associates and BKM Floorcovering were recently honored as the grand prize winners of the prestigious StarNet Design Award for the Science and Technology Magnet School of Southeastern Connecticut project.
StarNet Design Awards evaluate creative use of floor coverings, flooring design concepts and how well designs meet client objectives and special challenges. Esteemed judges for the 2007 awards included: Maurie O’Neill, Designer/Partner, O2 Design, former publisher of Floor Focus Magazine, New York; Clara Igonda, Principal, Perkins + Will, Los Angeles; Adel Smith Chapman, Director of Interiors, Architects Delawie Wilkes Rodrigues Barker (DWRB), San Diego.
About Starnet Worldwide Commercial Flooring Partnership
Since 1992, Starnet Worldwide Commercial Flooring Partnership has been a dedicated alliance of commercial flooring contractors throughout North America. Their mission is to provide collective strength, integrity, shared best practices and advocacy of training across the industry. Through strong partnerships with leading flooring manufacturers and related service providers, Starnet members ensure complete customer satisfaction through excellence in project management, installation and service. The membership’s combined efforts create an annual volume of nearly two billion dollars. For more information, call 1-800-787-6381 or visit www.starnetflooring.com.
Friar Associates Inc. Architect and Design Team
David L. Friar, AIA; Michael A. Sorano, RA; Deanna Steeves-Wojtaszek, ASID; Bethany Mauri; Charles Meek and Brian A. Solywoda, AIA