Delaware Museum of Nature and Science

Project Strategy

The Tri-State Carpet team, along with our vendor partner Tarkett worked sole source with the end-user, The Delaware Museum of Nature and Science. This particular room is called the Nature Nook. It is primarily used for children 6 and under to learn about nature by self-exploration of each individualized area. Tri-State used our in-house design team who worked with the end user to choose the 6 colors and various patterns throughout the space. We created drawings for the end-user and presented them and also ordered larger samples of all 6 colors of Tarkett Mesto rubber tile to be approved. We worked closely with Tarkett during the negotiation phase to ensure we were within the allotted total budget for our client.

Unique Installation Challenge Strategy

The customer was able to close the room for a period of two weeks allowing Tri-State access to all areas needed for successful installation. The major design challenge was to make each of the six colors represent the 6 different exhibits throughout the room. We were tasked to design around the "tree area", the "cave area", the "water area", the "nesting area", and the "pasture area" to allow children to explore the areas in a way that mimics nature. We made in-house scale, color drawings which were presented to the customer for approval. All carpet in the area had to be removed and self-leveling of the existing floor was necessary. Our in- house installers had to scribe around all large exhibits that could not be moved. All of the designs and angles cut into the rubber tile were hand cut, on site, by Tri-State Carpet installers, no jet cutting was used. Our installers also created hand cut frogs out of the Mesto rubber tile that they inset into the "pond area".

Single Source Interior Contractor Award Strategy

Having had success Mesto rubber tile in other areas of the museum, the end user approached Tom Hicken wanting to use the same material, but not knowing exactly how it would come together. Tom worked with our in-house designer Susan Bechtold, and our Tarkett rep to come up with a unique design that suited the clients needs. After the design was approved by the client Tom worked with our rep to ensure budgeting was appropriate. Tom discussed logistics and timing with the end user to ensure the space would be available for the necessary time needed to remove existing flooring, self-level and prep the floor, and install with many angled cuts and scribing throughout. In the end the project was a win-win for Tri-State Carpet, Tarkett, and our end-user who was thrilled with their updated space.