Situation
Cape Cod Regional Technical High School (CCT) in Harwich, Massachusetts has a reputation as one of the most renowned and respected secondary schools in the area. Local citizens overwhelmingly voted in favor of a new, 214,000 square foot CCT facility. The building, situated on 67 acres, would feature 22 general classrooms, five small group spaces, six science labs, two art areas, and 17 vocational classrooms.
In envisioning the spaces, the design team established lofty goals to enhance the students’ experience. They sought to integrate features and materials befitting the future-focused curriculum that’s the driving force of the school. The walls of the open, two-story lobby and stairwells proved to be ideal areas to make bold design statements that convey CCT’s renowned reputation and were in line with the future-oriented vision of the project.
Tile Used: Crossville Porcelain Tile
Tile Contractor: Capital Carpet and Flooring Specialists, Inc
General Contractor: Brait Builders Corporation
Architect: DRA Architects
Challenge
- Several years of preparation
- The COVID-19 pandemic and its restrictions
- Close consultation for a complex installation
Solution
Project specifiers selected Crossville’s gauged porcelain tile panels for the expansive surfaces in the lobby and stairwells. With extremely generous outer dimensions of over 3’ x 9’, these tile panels allowed for the use of minimal grout lines, as thin as 1/16” for a contemporary, seamless look.
To achieve the envisioned aesthetic, ARDEX and Crossville Tile were involved early-on to provide technical recommendations and support to the installers during the planning and bidding process. ARDEX was able to provide a comprehensive SystemOne™ Warranty to back this beautiful project for years to come.
Installation
The light weight of the Crossville porcelain tile panels made the installation a smooth process for the installers. To further assist the crew in this complex installation, they chose ARDEX X 77™ MICROTEC® Fiber Reinforced Tile and Stone Mortar. The true 60-minute open time and MICROTEC® Technology of this product made it the ideal choice. To add more flexibility and bond strength, ARDEX E 90™ Mortar Enhancer was added. For the perfect finish, ARDEX FG-C™ MICROTEC® Unsanded Grout was selected for all the wall tiles. The grout creates strong, full joints with an excellent color consistency and is ready for traffic in just 4 hours.
In addition to the beautiful focal point created in the lobby and hallways, renovations also took place in the large commercial kitchens used to train chefs in the making and in the bathrooms. For those, ARDEX X 5™ Flexible and Versatile Tile and Stone Mortar, ARDEX WA™ Epoxy Grout and Adhesive and the Rapid Waterproofing and Crack Isolation Compound, ARDEX 8+9 were used. The reliability and speed of installation make these products ideal for projects like this.
On working with ARDEX, Gabriel Carvalho, Project Manager at Capital Carpet and Flooring Specialists, says “I have been working with ARDEX for 22 years as an installer and project manager and appreciate the reliability the products deliver as well as the support we get from the ARDEX in-field experts. Our team had been installing with other mortars and grouts, but once they used ARDEX products on this project, they loved the performance, ease of use and time savings. We now use ARDEX products on most all of our tile and stone installations.”
As a new hub of learning with its specialized classrooms and labs, Cape Cod Regional Technical High School will continue to be an integral part of their local community.
