The objective of PROJECT: Green is to showcase sustainable projects featuring tile and stone. Contestants are judged on a number of criteria that include: the use of tile and stone in the project; the aesthetic design -- aesthetic attractiveness and/or uniqueness of the installed finish; positive environmental impact; environmental effectiveness and/or significance of the project design, installation and/or operation; environmental innovation: incorporation of design, installation and/or operational strategies not regularly addressed by green building standards or rating systems.
Another criterion is the use of tile/stone products with environmental benefits. To fulfill this requirement the following must be present in the final project and earn points for their use: the products must have recycled/reclaimed content ; low/no VOC adhesives, grouts or sealers; salvaged/refurbished/reused materials; use of tile or stone products instead of competitive coverings to achieve better performance-based benefits, such as extended material longevity and durability, reduced maintenance, lower replacement frequency, enhanced user safety; products with other third-party environmental acknowledgements and/or LCA reports, products designed to reduce building energy loads and products with innovative environmental technologies not addressed in items listed above.
For those projects that did not meet all requirements, but did demonstrate visionary ideas with regards to sustainability and the use of tile and stone, PROJECT: Green gave them honorable mentions in the Idea Center.
Best in Show -- Institutional Remodel; Coverings PROJECT: Green, John C. Kluczynski Building, Chicago, IL
The project consists of the complete redesign and new finishes in all 78 bathrooms on over 39 tenant-occupied floors in a 43-story, 1.2 million-square foot, mid-century modern structure that is part of a three-building complex originally designed by Mies van der Rohe in the late 1960s. The project required that part of the existing porcelain tile and all of the existing porcelain fixtures were to be recycled and reused to create new porcelain tile for the project. Over 57,000 square feet of new tile was installed in all the bathroom floors, and floor to ceiling along the room's wet wall. An estimated 102,000 pounds of porcelain material was diverted from this building for recycling/reuse to create new post-consumer recycled content tile for this project.
Credit:
Owner-Client: GSA
Architecture & Design: Cannon Design
General Contractor: Pepper Construction
Flooring Contractor: Trostrud
Demolition Contractor: Break Thru Demo
Tile Manufacturer: Crossville, Inc.
Tile Distributor: Virginia Tile
Setting Manufacturer: Mapei
Best in Show -- Commercial New; Coverings PROJECT:Green, Schluter Reno Distribution & Training Center, Reno, NV
With over 41,000 square feet of installed tile, this facility clearly favored tile as a surface covering. Although commonly used on floors, tiles in this facility were applied to every possible surface.
Tile setters applied 23,000 square feet of tile to floors, 16,000 square feet of tile to walls, and over 2,000 square feet of tile to bathroom sinks, tiled partitions, mud sinks and miscellaneous areas. The most innovative were the 8,000 square feet of tile installed to the warehouse walls applied over a radiant cooling system and the 8,000 square feet applied to the exterior of the building.
The realization of this project demonstrated that the construction of such a building could not have been realized without the use of tile and stone. From tiled panels applied to the exterior, floors, countertops, sinks and walls, tiles are everywhere. Miles Construction was the general contractor for the 90,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art, eco-friendly facility. Designed to meet the most stringent LEED Gold certification standards, the company used a local workforce, including engineers, designers, architects and consultants who specialized in green building technologies.
This facility is an excellent example of how ceramic tile applications are consistent with green building practices. For example, ceramic tiles produce no VOC emissions, do not harbor dust, and are easy to clean, thus contributing to improved indoor air quality. Ceramic tile coverings also have low thermal resistance, which contributes to the efficiency of radiant heating and cooling systems. Over 41,000 square feet of tile was installed throughout the facility. No carpets, vinyl, hardwood or other surface coverings were used.
Credit:
Project Manager: Dahltan Inc.
Owner Reps: Schluter Systems
Architect: Cathexes Inc.
MEP Engineering: Harris Consulting Eng.
Construction: Miles Construction
Structure: Gabbart & Woods
Commissioning: Bender Engineering
Best in Show -- Commercial Remodel; Coverings PROJECT: Green; San Francisco International Airport Terminal 2 (SFO T2), San Francisco, CA
The project consists of the complete redesign and new finishes in 16 public restrooms --eight sets of men's and women's restrooms -- four post-security and four pre-security. All had similar layouts, fixtures and finishes.
Each restroom required approximately 2,260 square feet of tile; the total amount of tile used was then approximately 36,160 square feet, which included the toilet areas, vanity/mirror areas and the vestibules. Crossville, Inc.'s "Sea Otter" Color Blox EC 12- x 24-inch field tile was used on floors, with coordinating cove base trim, and "Sand Box" Color Blox EC 12- x 24-inch field tile was used on the walls; this comprised 95% of the tile used in the project. Color Blox EC has a minimum of 20% recycled content
certified by Scientific Certification Systems.
A large panel at the entrance to the restroom features the "women's room" or "men's room" icon, which serves as way-finding signage, as well as art. A band of glass mosaic tile (not shown) ran along the ceiling edge above the vanity/mirror areas and comprised 5% of the tile used. San Francisco International Airport Terminal 2 is the first LEED Gold registered airport terminal in the U.S.
Credit:
Owner-Client: City and County of San Francisco
Architecture & Design: Gensler
General Contractor: Turner Construction
Flooring Contractor: De Anza Tile
Demolition Contractor: Silverado Construction
Tile Manufacturer: Crossville, Inc.
Tile Distributor: Butler Johnson
Setting Manufacturer: Custom Building Products
Idea 1 -- Use recycled/reclaimed materials
This group utilized salvaged limestone from a central Indiana school and church demolitions as well as other former structures to complete all listed projects.
Submitted by: Fortune Management
Projects: Subway Restaurant, Kokomo Town Center, Two Riviera Maya Restaurants
Idea Overview: Limestone was chosen because of its durability, longevity, aesthetic qualities, and its local connection to the area. All the limestone used on these projects was salvaged from a central Indiana school, local church and other former structures. Because all the stone material used was salvaged from former structures, no new stone was required. This re-use of stone materials helps aid the environment by eliminating the need for newly quarried stone. By creating a market for the use of re-used stone material, we help to eliminate blighted structures. This, in turn, positively affects neighborhoods by helping reduce vandalism and other criminal activities, as well as promoting positive re-use of land.
Idea 2 -- consider the manufacturers you are sourcing from and their sustainable practices
This group was conscientious of the manufacturers they sourced from for the whole project. Examples of how the manufacturers were sensitive to the environment include utilizing sustainable packaging, being energy efficient, reducing pollution, harvesting materials sustainably and using recycled scraps for fuel.
Submitted by: Floor & Decor
Project: Master Bath
Idea Overview: The client expressed that the objectives of this master bathroom were to be stylish, contemporary in design and reflect the upscale nature of this New York City luxury apartment. She wanted the tile to be the focal point of this space which is not only unique and fashionable, but also maintenance free. The eco-friendly 12- x 25-inch Porcelanosa "Lino Blanco" full interior and shower walls proudly displays tile aesthetics with its linen pattern.
The Porcelanosa 12- x 35-inch "Lino Blanco" tile reflects Porcelanosa's commitment as an industry leader when it comes to environmental impact management. They have been an ISO 14001 certified organization since 2004, and actively manage the impact of their activity on the environment and practice sound environmentally management. This tile's packaging is recycled cardboard, and the quality department creates boxes with as minimal amount of cardboard as possible to wrap the product. The plastic wrap is recycled and the residual heat from Porcelanosa kilns used to produce the tile is captured and converted to electricity via their own turbines to save energy. In addition, filters are used to reduce the proportion of dust emissions to reduce pollution. All the floor and wall tiles are 100% eco-friendly in this smart-looking space.
The custom vanity is made of PureBond formaldehyde-free hardwood plywood, which improves air quality by eliminating the urea formaldehyde from composite wood. PureBond veneer core plywood is compliant with the U.S. Green Building Council in their LEED program guidelines for low emitting materials. PureBond veneer is also certified to meet the exacting Phase 2 formaldehyde emission limits of the new California Air Resources Board (CARB) regulation. PureBond takes responsibility for sustainable harvesting of materials and recycles scrap for fuel. In addition, the laminate of this vanity and wall unit is made of textured recycled wood fiber, which is not only stylish, but eco-friendly.
The QuartzLock2 grout in High White color is eco-friendly material since it has low VOC, no dust, no waste, free of BPA (bisphenol-A) found in epoxy grout and contributes to LEED certification.
Idea 3 -- Be sensitive to the environment of the space
This group used a small bobcat to dig the foundation to not disturb the surrounding trees. Also, materials from the back wall were reused in the project. There was very little demolition waste as the majority was recycled or reused for the project.
Submitted by: Matt Kline Associates
Project: Kline Residence
Idea Overview: The old kitchen was gutted and the wood cabinets, working equipment and bay window were donated to Habitat for Humanity. A small bobcat was brought in to dig the foundation and not disturb the surrounding trees. The footprint of the kitchen was extended by 14 x14 feet by removing the back wall and saving all the bricks to be cleaned and reused.
Dirt from the digging of the foundation was used to grade the backyard. The demolition waste amounted to a few construction bags of odds and ends because all of the cardboard and metals were recycled. Handmade, hand-painted tiles surround the brick oven and all the backsplashes. They are made in a small studio in California where low-tech processes and excellent environmental practices are in effect. The tile designs are taken from antique European drawings and take center stage in creating the richness of the Old World design.
Blue Eyes granite on the counter work surfaces provides a very durable, practical use material for a busy kitchen. A special cut of Calacatta Gold with soft veining is used on both islands, not only integrating the design, but providing a beautiful material that only gets better over time as it develops character and patina. As new products enter the market, one thing is for sure -- stone never goes out of style. Not only does stone offer a physical longevity, but a stylistic one as well. Stone is a natural, long use, durable product needing just mild cleaners. It is also an unadulterated material without additives or composites which allows for future recycling.
