commentSnapback: Step Lively
Thanks to digital imaging technologies
and texturing processes, resilient flooring has
become an effective visual mimicker of everything
from exotic hardwoods and antique barn-boards
to rustic-look stones. But when freed from its role
as a stand-in for other materials, it’s possible to
appreciate its native strengths: workability, durability,
and a most effective vehicle for color. Renzo Piano
capitalized on this characteristic in his addition to
the Art Institute of Chicago. An electric red-orange
Artigo floor is used in its Ryan Education Center—a
visually stimulating element appropriate to its
setting — Leslie Clagett
Based on what you have seen and read about this project, how would you grade it? Use the stars below to indicate your assessment, five stars being the highest rating.
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Lou Ann Bauer,
ASID
Owner,
Bauer Interior Design
San Francisco
“I love Marmoleum—not only for its visual qualities, but also because it’s a green product. It’s available in so many colors: from subdued hues to fun, bright, whimsical ones. I’ve used it in my retro-style kitchens, an ice cream parlor, and a mudroom entry—all settings where its easy-to-clean characteristic is important.”
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Geoffrey J.
Bray, AIA
Vice President,
Bray Architects
Sheboygan, Wis.
“We have been using resilient floors in our K–12 school projects for many years. As a nonslip surface, it’s a good transitional material for kids coming back into the building from the playground. Installed in hallways, its sound-dampening properties contribute to a quieter environment, which makes for a better learning experience.”
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Gioi Tran
Principal Designer,
Applegate Tran Interiors
San Francisco
“My residential clients often appreciate materials that are versatile and durable, yet costeffective. Resilient flooring is resistant to water and staining and is very easy to maintain, three qualities that make it great to use in high-traffic rooms like kitchens and baths. A soft material, it provides a cushiony surface that’s particularly comfortable for cooks to stand on.”
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