University Of Arizona

THE CHALLENGE

When spring semester ends, most college students head off for summer break.

On campus, it’s time to get to work.

That was the case at the University of Arizona in May 2024, when the school closed its three-story, 68,784-square-foot campus store building for renovations – with just a few months to complete them before students returned for fall semester in August.

The race was on.

“It was going to be a very fast-paced job,” says Jay James, senior project manager for subcontractor IFS Flooring. “It was a tight one to push through.”

As is often the case with projects of that scope, unexpected challenges further strained the timeline. In one area of the store, the university planned to keep polished concrete that had been partially covered with carpet. But when the carpet was lifted, James discovered adhesive had leached into the concrete, leaving markings that were impossible to remove.

They needed an alternative, ASAP.

Sector: Education | Retail
Client: University of Arizona
Location: Tucson, Arizona
Designer: Onyx Creative
Area: 6,000ft²
Product: Art Select collection, Sterling Quartzite LM51 | AKT-LM51

THE SOLUTION

After consulting with architecture firm Onyx Creative and the university, it was apparent LVT would be an excellent solution, offering the stylish look the school was seeking with the durability and performance for a heavily trafficked retail space – but there was an unusual spec.

“The university wanted a 30 mil wear layer. That’s not something just anybody has,” says James, who worked closely with architect Crista Mapes. “I knew Karndean had it, and I know Karndean is a high-quality product.”

James and Mapes focused on the Art Select collection, which includes almost 50 beautiful stone- and wood-inspired designs – all with the exceptional durability of a 30 mil wear layer, and all available in both gluedown and rigid core for installation.

The university chose Sterling Quartzite (LM51 | AKT-LM51), a grey, marble-like look inspired by rock sourced from a quarry in the Alps. With that decision made, time was of the essence for getting 6,000 square feet of flooring delivered and installed. Karndean carries strong inventory at all three of its U.S. distribution facilities – including Las Vegas, just 400 miles from the Tucson campus.

“Karndean had product in stock in Las Vegas that we could get within a week’s time, which fit the schedule. We had less than a two-week turnaround but got finished two days before it needed to be done,” James says. “The architect loved it. The university loved it. Everything fell into place.”

THE RESULTS

Mapes says the beauty of the Sterling Quartzite design perfectly complemented the fresh new vision for the campus store.

“The university was looking to rebrand, to go from a bookstore to a retailer. Our goal was to provide an open canvas for the merchandise to draw people in and capture their attention – clean and minimalistic,” Mapes says. “The marble look of the Sterling Quartzite blended with the rest of the space so well. It was amazing.”
Looking back, Peter Neff, executive director of the campus store, views the issue with the original concrete as a blessing in disguise.

“Everybody loves how the floor came together,” Neff says. “I think this is a much better look than the concrete – a warmer look, more appealing. We want everything to feel comfortable, warm and inviting wherever you’re at in the store, and this fit that.”

Sterling Quartzite Product Specifications

Download the full Art Select gluedown technical data.

Download the full Art Select rigid core technical data.

Explore the Art Select collection.

*Subject to terms
**Slip resistance is measured on ex-factory product. Slip resistance can be affected by surface contamination, use and how the product is maintained
*** (6” Concrete Slab w/Drop Ceiling)
**** (6” Concrete Slab w/Drop Ceiling + QuietChoice)