Living on campus during college becomes as much a part of any students’ academic growth as attending classes. In the race to attract the best and brightest minds, universities are focusing on creating spaces of comfort and productivity. Residential spaces that need to meet high traffic demands while accommodating an ever-changing populace creates a unique set of obstacles for any educational institution’s housing. Additionally, demonstrating leading environmental thoughts by constructing with green building initiatives top the priority list.
For the University of Kentucky Residential Revival project, expanding student living quarters to include seven buildings and 3000 additional beds tasked contractors Messer and Quality Interiors with maintaining a hypo-allergenic environment that withstands extensive use, while installing with ease. Upon completion of the five-year project, campus housing will seek LEED Silver certification, so Messer and Quality Interiors sought out environmentally conscious products.
Between the high volume construction, varied hypo-allergenic needs of the students, green initiatives, and the desire to create a lasting professional finish, Messer and Quality Interiors searched for durable products with environmentally-friendly manufacturing. Using shower bead constructed from vinyl rather than metal became an obvious choice. Vinyl bead prevents rust, kinks, dents, and maintains a professional look for longer due to its flexible and durable nature. For finishing shower surrounds, they chose Trim-Tex’s Shower Bead.
Step 1 Shower Bead is installed around the surround, Step 2 finish with mud compound, Step 3 remove the tear off strip and caulk the gap for a clean finish.
The unique vinyl construction of Trim-Tex Shower Bead replaces paper tape, thereby eliminating the food source for mold and maintaining a hypo-allergenic environment long-term. Shower Bead also features an extra-long 2¼" mud leg that requires less mud to span the gap between the drywall and flange. A tear away strip protects the shower enclosure from mud and leaves a crisp, finished edge with no mess. Using staples instead of screws, Trim-Tex Shower Beads save time on labor while guaranteeing a professional finish.
Trim-Tex manufactures all of its products in the USA using 70% recycled material. This helps keep millions of pounds of plastic out of landfills each year and contributes to an overall green construction initiative. By selecting Trim-Tex Shower Bead for the University of Kentucky Residential Revival project, Messer and Quality Interiors provided a long-lasting, hypo-allergenic, environmentally-conscious solution that will withstand the rigors of university residential life for decades to come.
For more information visit Trim-Tex.com.
Related Stories
University Buildings | Feb 17, 2016
New ideas to help universities attract and empower STEM students
Educational institutions are focusing on new learning strategies that engage students in activities, enable collaboration across STEM disciplines, and encourage students to use their hands just as much as their heads, as Stephen Blair of CannonDesign writes.
Multifamily Housing | Feb 1, 2016
Top 10 kitchen design trends for 2016
Charging stations, built-in coffeemakers, and pet stations—these are among the top kitchen design trends for the coming year, according to a new survey of kitchen and bath designers by the National Kitchen & Bath Association.
| Jan 14, 2016
How to succeed with EIFS: exterior insulation and finish systems
This AIA CES Discovery course discusses the six elements of an EIFS wall assembly; common EIFS failures and how to prevent them; and EIFS and sustainability.
Greenbuild Report | Dec 10, 2015
AASHE’s STARS tool highlights the university sector’s holistic approach to sustainability
Buzzwords like “living lab” and “experiential learning” are indicative of the trend toward more holistic sustainability programs that incorporate all facets of college life.
University Buildings | Nov 5, 2015
How active design is reshaping higher education campuses
Active design, a dynamic approach to design with a primary focus on people, assists students in learning to make healthy choices, writes LPA's Glenn Carels.
University Buildings | Nov 4, 2015
Yale completes Singapore campus
The Yale-NUS College has three residence halls and two administrative and academic buildings, with courtyards in the middle of them all.
University Buildings | Oct 16, 2015
5 ways architecture defines the university brand
People gravitate to brands for many reasons. Campus architecture and landscape are fundamental influences on the college brand, writes Perkins+Will's David Damon.
University Buildings | Oct 16, 2015
Competency-based learning: A glimpse into the future of higher education?
For better or worse, the higher education experience for many young Millennials and Gen Zers will not resemble the four-year, life-altering experience that we enjoyed—it’s just too costly.
University Buildings | Sep 21, 2015
Vietnamese university to turn campus into ‘terraced forest’
Pockets of plantings will be dispersed throughout the staggered floors of the building, framing the expansive courtyard at its center.
University Buildings | Sep 21, 2015
6 lessons in campus planning
For campus planning, focus typically falls on repairing the bricks and mortar without consideration of program priorities. Gensler's Pamela Delphenich offers helpful tips and advice.
