The job is something akin to "tiling the hull of a ship, it's very complicated." So complicated, in fact, that authorities have decided to simply rip off the 8,000 square meters of trencads (a ceramic mosaic made from tile shards, first used by Gaud and other Catalan modernists) covering the enormous faade of the Palau de les Arts in Valencia.

The performing arts center and opera house was designed by the prominent architect Santiago Calatrava, who also created New York's World Trade Center Transportation Hub, scheduled to open in 2015, as well as many other international projects. His work is known for its airy, curved designs that suggest a symbiosis between architecture and sculpture. It has also proven controversial in recent years because of ballooning budgets and technical glitches.

The Palau, which cost 478 million euros to build, opened eight years ago. A recent analysis by the Construction Technology Institute (Aidico) concluded that there is a "generalized failure of the ceramic covering's adherence" on 60 percent of the surface. The Valencian government commissioned this report after a section of the mosaic fell off on December 26, forcing the opera house to shut down and cancel performances.

When all the tiles are pulled off the Palau, which is part of the landmark City of Arts and Sciences complex, the exposed steel dome will be painted white, making it look like a ship that ran aground, to borrow the nautical simile from Mximo Buch, the Valencian economy commissioner who described the building's problems.

The problem is caused by a "faulty design and selection of materials, or a faulty execution, or both," reads the preliminary report. To complicate matters further, the metal dome and the ceramic covering have different coefficients of thermal expansion and they are subjected to notable temperature changes, all of which has resulted in lumps and wrinkles forming visibly on the faade.

Several experts consulted by this newspaper nearly a year ago had already warned that this was a serious problem.

The Aidico report notes that the same trencads that covers concrete surfaces inside the Palau "does not present any problems." But the experts conclude that the outer damage is "irreversible" and that immediate action must be taken.

Yet the Palau has become an icon of the cityscape and a movie setting

Ripping off the tiles will cost an estimated three million euros. To this figure must be added the 624,000 euros that were lost following the cancellation of Puccini's opera Manon Lescaut, which was going to be directed by Plcido Domingo beginning on February 1.

Commissioner Buch said that the Valencian government will advance the money for the repair work, then claim it back from the architect Calatrava, the builders Dragados and Acciona, and the engineering consultancy Intemac. The Valencian attorney's office is already working on official complaints against all parties involved.

More here:
Calatrava’s opera house: a rip-off?

(PRWEB) January 11, 2014

HomeThangs.com the Online Home Improvement Store has made their goal to deliver the right product to the consumer. With that in mind, shopping and home design tips, as well as special product selections are being introduced.

Adding a tile backsplash is one of the easiest and most affordable ways to dramatically update the look and feel of a kitchen. Its a simple but striking alteration, and can really help set the mood for the whole space. Installing a backsplash is also a great way to add color to a kitchen, and HomeThangs.com has introduced a quick guide to the most popular shades for every color in the rainbow.

Red tile backsplashes are very popular in modern kitchens, and work especially well contrasted with glossy white cabinets. Bold, intense, primary reds are daring and can really make the space pop, and work equally well whether theyre small mosaic tiles or a single painted glass sheet.

Bright, bold oranges have also become something of a niche statement piece, especially in modern or professional style kitchens. Orange backsplashes have the same assertiveness that red ones do, but are a little softer and warmer feeling. Especially rich, pumpkiny oranges can be quite inviting, making for a less stark modern look.

As with paint, yellow can be a difficult color to get right. Sandy yellows a few shades darker than off white are easier to pull off and give a warm, sunny tint to the kitchen, but darker ochres and mustard yellows need to be paired very carefully with surrounding colors. Paying attention to light levels (both natural and electric) is especially important with this color; the wrong lighting can make the wrong color yellow look dingy or sickly.

Green is a color thats become a lot more popular lately, strangely in step with the green home movement. Soft, springy or sagey green tiles pair well with renewable materials like bamboo and are great for creating relaxed, natural, earthy kitchen spaces. Lime greens show up in the most modern kitchens, but by and large green tile backsplashes are limited to more subdued leaf tones.

Blue tile backsplashes are easily the most diverse in terms of tint, tone, and shade. While most other colors usually stick more or less to a few popular varieties, blue backsplashes come in every stripe, from icy baby blues to near-black navy, true-blue primary blues to assertive aquas and teals, and everywhere in between. Blue tile adds an open, airy feel to the kitchen, and has a pleasant calming effect. This is one of the few colors where one inch square tiles are still popular, too.

Purple is probably the most difficult color to use for a backsplash because it can be quite difficult to pair with any color besides more purple, which can mean committing to a very purple kitchen. That said, eggplant purple is a spectacular choice for the bold, while lighter, lavender tinted gray stone tile offers a subtler look for a more traditional kitchen.

To see some beautiful, colorful tile backsplashes in action, check out the full article here.

See the original post here:
HomeThangs.com Has Introduced a Guide to Choosing a Colorful Tile Backsplash for the Kitchen

BELLEVUE In Southern Idaho, EJ Harpham is well known for her ceramic cups and platters. Many boast intricate carved images of Idaho trout and wildflowers that are sold at places like Silver Creek Outfitters in Ketchum.

But outside of Idaho, shes known as a tile artist who creates and paints large-scale tile murals that adorn the walls of the Hollywood race track jockey lounge or the exteriors of three-story buildings facing the Pacific Ocean.

Harpham painted more than 2,000 tiles for a 2,000-square-foot mural depicting Our Lady of Guadalupe that she installed on an exterior wall of Our Lady Queen of Angels Church in Los Angeles.

The mural featured not only the vision of the Virgin Guadalupe as she appeared to an Indian peasant, but it featured the flags of the Americas, two famous volcanoes located near where the miracle occurred and the extinct lake where Mexico City is now located.

My work is everywhere but here, for the most part, said Harpham, who works in a spacious studio attached to her home south of Bellevue.

That mural was blessed by the archbishop of the Diocese of Guadalupe. More than 35,000 worshippers came to pay their respects when it opened, so many the fire department was going to shut it down as a fire hazard, she added.

It all started when Harphams parents gave her a potters wheel to mark her high school graduation.

Here, my friends were going to Europe or driving around in a new VW Beetle, thanks to their high school graduation presents, and I got a potters wheel, Harpham said, turning on her native Long Island accent at will.

It turned out to be the best thing Harphams parents could have given her.

Harpham took a couple pottery courses and finally ended up at the Sun Valley Center for the Arts in 1977 when the art center was bringing in the countrys foremost potters.

Read this article:
Tile Murals New Pursuit by Idaho Artist

Update: 7:20 a.m.

Williamson County Sheriffs Office detectives arrested a county school custodial worker late Friday night.

Victor Manuel Alvarado, 48, of Antioch, is charged with observation without consent at Scales Elementary on Murray Lane in Brentwood.

Alvarado is in jail on $75,000 bond. Hes scheduled to appear in General Sessions Court 1 p.m. Jan. 23.

Detectives are continuing their investigation.

Williamson County Schools officials said a custodian was found above an open tile space in a girls bathroom at Scales Elementary School in Brentwood on Friday.

A janitor who was contracted to work at the school through GCA Services in Nashville was found by a maintenance worker in the crawl space above the bathroom, Williamson County Schools spokeswoman Carol Birdsong said Friday night.

Williamson County Sheriffs Department officials were on the scene of the incident, though no criminal charges have yet been filed. Spokeswoman Sharon Puckett said authorities were questioning a person of interest in the case as of Friday night.

The maintenance worker told district officials he noticed something was wrong when he repeatedly fixed a misplaced tile in the bathroom, only to find it taken out again moments later. He then looked up and saw the janitor sitting in the crawlspace above the ceiling, Birdsong said.

There is no reason for the janitor to be in the ceiling, she said.

Excerpt from:
Janitor found above girls bathroom at Brentwood school, officials say

WE STARTED demolition on July 5th and moved into our renovated condo on Labor Day. That was two months to gut and restore the bathroom and kitchen as well as refresh the nicest way I can think to put it the rest of the tired interior.

Why such an unrealistic timetable? More to the point: Why were we moving again? By early August when every day was packed with workmen, decisions and expenses, you can believe I was asking myself those questions.

Nine years ago when our youngest child left for college, we downsized from our family house to a 1,400-square-foot condo in the Queen Anne neighborhood. At the same time, we bought a little weekend house on Whidbey Island.

Then this spring my husband decided to work from home instead of an office. We heard rumors that a condo wed always admired was coming available in a 1950s building around the corner. An idea was hatched: What if we could eke out renovation funds by buying and selling privately without real-estate commissions? Could we shoehorn living and office space into a condo smaller, older and less expensive enough that we could retire our mortgage in the move?

The six-unit building was converted to condos in 2000. Though it still had a pink tile bathroom and the kitchen was dismal, the unit had been well cared for. The owner had installed quality appliances and protected the oak floors. At 1,100 square feet, it had two bedrooms, one large enough for an office. I loved the wood-burning fireplace, a deck that ran the width of the dining/living room, and the big Japanese maple that lent the feel of living in a treehouse. A window wall looked south to Elliott Bay.

The idea became a plan. We reached a deal with the owner, sold our condo to friends when the market was booming in May, and found ourselves facing a big renovation on a small budget with a tight time frame.

Crazy? We probably wouldnt have braved it if our architect daughter, Katie Easton, wasnt willing to design the new space and line up craftsmen she worked with regularly. My husband acted as general contractor, and I chose the materials, subject to approval from the rest of the team.

The place called out for clean lines and uncrowded simplicity. The bathroom countertop, the kitchen sink, most of the fixtures, and all the kitchen and bathroom cabinetry came from Ikea, and cost less than $5,000.

We lucked out in our carpenter and general handyman. He built shelves, figured out tricky door and plumbing issues, and skillfully assembled the jigsaw of cabinetry.

We painted everything but the stone fireplace in warm white. I chose eco-friendly materials whenever possible, keeping maintenance and durability in mind. The kitchen counters are gray Caesarstone, a bulletproof, man-made quartz that looks soft like soapstone. We chose recycled glass tiles from Bedrock Industries and American Olean Greenworks tile for the bathroom. A roomy, tiled shower stall with glass doors replaced the pink bathtub.

Continued here:
Sizing up their life situation, they sized down, again

Update: 7:20 a.m.

Williamson County Sheriffs Office detectives arrested a county school custodial worker late Friday night.

Victor Manuel Alvarado, 48, of Antioch, is charged with observation without consent at Scales Elementary on Murray Lane in Brentwood.

Alvarado is in jail on $75,000 bond. Hes scheduled to appear in General Sessions Court 1 p.m. Jan. 23.

Detectives are continuing their investigation.

Williamson County Schools officials said a custodian was found above an open tile space in a girls bathroom at Scales Elementary School in Brentwood on Friday.

A janitor who was contracted to work at the school through GCA Services in Nashville was found by a maintenance worker in the crawl space above the bathroom, Williamson County Schools spokeswoman Carol Birdsong said Friday night.

Williamson County Sheriffs Department officials were on the scene of the incident, though no criminal charges have yet been filed. Spokeswoman Sharon Puckett said authorities were questioning a person of interest in the case as of Friday night.

The maintenance worker told district officials he noticed something was wrong when he repeatedly fixed a misplaced tile in the bathroom, only to find it taken out again moments later. He then looked up and saw the janitor sitting in the crawlspace above the ceiling, Birdsong said.

There is no reason for the janitor to be in the ceiling, she said.

The rest is here:
Janitor found above bathroom

Williamson County Schools officials said a custodian was found above an open tile space in a girls bathroom at Scales Elementary School in Brentwood on Friday.

A janitor who was contracted to work at the school through GCA Services in Nashville was found by a maintenance worker in the crawl space above the bathroom, Williamson County Schools spokeswoman Carol Birdsong said Friday night.

Williamson County Sheriffs Department officials were on the scene of the incident, though no criminal charges have yet been filed. Spokeswoman Sharon Puckett said authorities were questioning a person of interest in the case as of Friday night.

The maintenance worker told district officials he noticed something was wrong when he repeatedly fixed a misplaced tile in the bathroom, only to find it taken out again moments later. He then looked up and saw the janitor sitting in the crawlspace above the ceiling, Birdsong said.

There is no reason for the janitor to be in the ceiling, she said.

School resource officers then looked at other girls and faculty bathrooms at the school to find misplaced tiles there, as well.

Birdsong said she was told the janitor would not be allowed to return to the school.

The suspect had not been booked into the Williamson County Jail on any charges as of 8 p.m. Friday, a booking officer said.

School officials had a meeting Friday evening at the school to alert parents to the situation, Birdsong said. More than 500 parents attended, she said.

Nancy Windley, a mother of two children at the school and its PTO president, said she and other parents were upset about the situation but thankful school officials handled the situation immediately and told parents quickly.

View original post here:
Janitor at Brentwood elementary school arrested on peeping charges

Please note: this page contains reviews and opinions sent in by Berkeley Parents Net subscribers. Your own experience may be different. Please always check references before hiring!

We have a cute little 1930s kitchen with very worn tile countertops. I want to replace and am looking for a good recommendation for someone to do the work. I've considered going with a non-tile option and have heard Sullivan's is great but I don't want to ruin the 1930s charm. Does anyone still do tile countertops? Any help/recommendations are greatly appreciated...thanks! nicky

Hello, I'm looking for an inexpensive countertop installer. I have a small kitchen with only 12' of linear feet in a straight run, plus backsplash. We haven't decided on material, don't know if this matters when looking for installers. Possibly quartz or some type of stone. We also have a tiny area above the backsplash that could use some tile. Thanks! Carmen

I'm looking for someone to install tile on my small bathroom floor that presently has sheet vinyl. Not sure what condition the subfloor is in but there's the possibility that it's not in great shape and may need to be replaced. I usually like to work with someone who is licensed. Thanks. Need new flooring

He began presenting us many options to choose from, displaying admirable photos of bathrooms he remodeled. We were so impressed not only with his work but with his diligence, knowledge, and care, through this remodeling. He explained in details what is the best for us and why. He is a true professional in the "tile world" ! So happy to meet him!

Gelu Gabriel Ilie is a real artist! His work is state of the art! Our very old bathroom - over 50 years - now looks marvelous! Gelu Gabriel Ilie made our dream come true! He is "present" in our home due to his exceptional work! The job was completed as scheduled showing respect for us and his loyalty to the construction profession. Please, come and see! Need bathroom remodeling? Please, call Gelu @510 516 5073 or vizit: http://www.gelu-construction.com .He is the best! Lisa

I am looking for an expert in laying tile to install plain, square white tiles on my bathroom walls (floor to ceiling). I am looking for someone who is really good at putting the tile in precisely, and in a way that aesthetically goes around all of the 'obstacles' along the wall, such as the plumbing for the toilet, the mirrors, the light fixtures and the edge of the vanity. I want a very nice, clean finished look. Oh yes, and I'd like that person to also install a few new towel racks on the walls for me, if possible. Castro Valley resident

He has done two shower remodels for me with incredible results. The first shower needed to match the rest of the tile in a 1920's style bathroom and the tile had to incorporate the pattern in the room. Not a simple job (tile on the ceiling!) but it was done perfectly. The second shower involved tiling that was a fairly straightforward job but the beautiful tile work sets it apart.

Anthony and his crew are extremely competent, fast, and all around nice guys to work with. I found his rates to be in the ballpark of others but it is his work that sets him apart. Best of luck to you! - picky about my tile too

Looking for a very experienced tilesetter to re do my bathroom floor in Walnut Creek. Current tile floor will not retain grout -- we have regrouted it numerous times and the grout crumbles away within days, so I need someone who can diagnose what the problem is (subflooring, floor joists, etc.) -- need someone who knows more than just laying tile on the floor. Thanks in advance. Erin

Here is the original post:
Berkeley Parents Network: Tile Installation

Posted: 2:24 pm Last updated: 4:33 pm

Coronado Center announced a multimillion-dollar renovation Thursday that will include raised ceilings, new paint and tile and upgrades to the Uptown area malls seven entrances.

Center director Randy Sanchez announced the plans during a new conference at the mall at 2 p.m. Thursday.

The upgrade work will be done only at night so the shopping center will conduct business as usual during the day and early evening, Sanchez said.

Ceilings will be raised in the main concourse areas to provide a more airy feeling.

Coronado Center also is in talk with a number of potential new tenants and hopefully they can be announced in coming weeks, Sanchez said.

The renovation of the mall is expected to begin this month and be completed by October of this year.

The mall owned and managed by Chicago-based General Growth Properties has gone almost 20 years without a major upgrade despite facing increasing competition for retailers and shoppers.

Built in 1964, Coronado saw its last significant remodel in 1995 when former owner Heitman Retail Properties spent almost $5 million on mostly cosmetic improvements.

The shopping landscape in Albuquerque has changed significantly since then, including the debut of Cottonwood Mall (1996) on the citys West Side and ABQ Uptown (2006) just down the street.

Original post:
Coronado Center announces multimillion-dollar renovation

The inside of the former Beechwood Market has essentially been stripped to make way for new fixtures, such as the installed refrigerator and freezer units shown in the rear.

Work continues on turning the former Beechwood Market into a natural foods store in Huntington Center.

As of last week, the inside of the 6,500-square-foot retail space had been essentially gutted. New refrigerator and freezer units have been placed across the back of the store and a walk-in cooler added on the side.

Josh Elliott

The old floor has been removed and a new tile floor will soon be put in. There also will be new lighting, shelving and check-out counters, and the entire inside will be painted.

The new store, to be named the Common Bond Market, will sell fresh produce, packaged foods, prepared foods to go, and nutritional supplements. It will have a deli, bulk-bin areas, kitchen and offices.

The landlord is building a new entrance foyer and brick facade in the front, and has added dormers to the roof.

In late August last year, Beechwood Market closed unexpectedly after more than a half century in Shelton.

Joshua Elliott, who will oversee the store, said he hopes the Common Bond Market can open its doors in late March or April. We want to open as soon as possible in the spring, he said.

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Progress continues on new food store in Huntington Center