New England Innovation Academy
Marlborough, MA
Category: 2023 Education, Unique Installation Challenge
Architect: Dennis Colwell Architects
Starnet Member:
Ruggieri Brothers
Starnet Preferred Vendors:
ARDEX, Armstrong Flooring, C/F Data Systems, LLC, Daltile, J+J Flooring, MAPEI, Mohawk Hard Surfaces, Roppe, Spec-Intel, Tarkett LVT, Tarkett Soft Surface, Taylor Adhesives
Project Strategy
The New England Innovation Academy's purpose is to prepare the next generation of innovators and entrepreneurs to pursue their dreams and shape a better world. This new school needed a flooring design to go with its mission, provide a look to attract students and parents, feel warm and welcoming, and also make it a maintainable system for the school. A true collaboration with the school's founders, design team, construction manager, and the Ruggieri team all worked together to create a great design while also keeping within the school budget and providing products that will be long-lasting for years to come. Multiple products from Starnet Vendor Partners, adhesives, floor prep and setting materials from vendor partners made this project an exciting one. The flagship product was J&J Kinetics, with 9 different styles and colors, that flowed throughout the space. In addition to the 60k education building, a 40k dormitory was done at the same time that utilized Tarkett's hard and soft surfaces throughout. The overall project was on budget, design, and look were well received.
Unique Installation Challenge Strategy
This was a fast-track project, as there were specific deadline dates that needed to be completed so the school could get its proper accreditation. At the same time, the team was working in the 60k square foot administrative building, a 40k square foot dormitory was being completed for the arrival of the students that would be boarding on campus. The campus was formally a Corporate training facility for a large utility company that had multiple buildings on the site. The two buildings being used for this phase of the project were completely gutted and rebuilt, with plenty of unforeseen repair work including floor prep, moisture-related items, and new layout issues. Dealing with extensive floor prep, moisture and timelines were all changes that we ran into on this project but overcame all the challenges to deliver a new state-of-art school and dormitory. The team is already working on the next building on campus and the same collaborative approach will be done.