Porcelain Tile Panels Create a Wall-to-Wall Transformation for an Office Tower Lobby
Is it possible to transform wall and flooring surfaces in an expansive office building lobby without having to demo every inch or disrupt activity for occupants—within a tight timeline? It is, as proven in a recent project led by Salt Lake City’s Chase Associates. Within three months, the firm guided the replacement of 14,000 square feet of tile in the lobby and elevator banks for a busy office tower that stayed operational throughout the process.
While renovations of this scale often include total demolition, the Chase Associates team opted to specify Laminam by Crossville porcelain tile panels to transform 1,500 square feet of dated, granite-covered walls. The lean profile, durable porcelain tile panels were installed atop the granite, eliminating the need for demolition—and sparing approximately 18,000 pounds of material from being landfilled. To give the space an elegant, contemporary look, the team selected Laminam by Crossville’s I Naturali Marfil satin in the 5.6m thickness.
To further modernize the style, the designers specified Schluter Designline stainless steel for the grout lines between the horizontally-applied tiles, as well as the Schluter Quadec, a finishing profile that protects tile corners and adds a tailored appearance.
Chase Associates considered the look of the Laminam by Crossville I Naturali Marfil as the aesthetic starting point for the project and chose other materials to coordinate. For the floor, Crossville’s Buenos Aires collection in a 24” x 24” in both polished and matte styles was installed in a linear pattern to accent the walls. For the lobby’s center wall, a three-dimensional stone cladding added a focal point and textural interest.
Due to the no-demolition approach that Laminam afforded the team, the office tower renovation was accomplished in only three months, kept 18,000 pounds of material from landfills, and offered the desired style to update an expansive space.
Images courtesy of Crossville.
