Commercial Architecture October 2017 - 59

PROJECT

interiors

clear-coat epoxy floors. And unlike tile or carpet, there is

inlaid wood pads. A topping of anywhere from 3/8 to 1/2

and because the sheen actually increases the room's am-

no material replacement cost. It doesn't wear out, so there

in. is poured. Once the material sets floor polishing can

bient light. In the Materials and Resources category, the

is no need for anything to be replaced.

begin, followed by framing out the store.

technology increases the life span of the already existing

The outlet store locations, now the fastest growing seg-

Part of the magic that makes the American Eagle Out-

ment for American Eagle Outfitters, feature polished-

fitters' polished-concrete floor especially appealing is that

Beyond its environmental benefits, the primary pur-

concrete flooring without the inlaid wood pads. And

aggregate particles are scattered into the topper when

pose of polished-concrete floors at American Eagle Out-

nearly half of the 900 mall stores have been remodeled

poured. Smith compares the process to "scattering chick-

fitters is to create a store aesthetic that can increase sales.

with polished-concrete flooring in the last five years.

en feed," and says it gives the floor a "really beautiful tex-

"It's got a lot of character," Smith said of the flooring

ture and tone."

technology. According to Schwing, the unpretentious,

"If you do a really beautiful job of polishing, I think
it's a stunning floor," says Smith.

concrete floors.

At this level, the polishing is almost an art. According

utilitarian qualities of concrete "convey honesty and in-

to Smith, the retailer's construction department had to be

tegrity, which reflect the core values of the American Ea-

THE CONSTRUCTION PROCESS

very careful about who they chose to get the quality and

gle Outfitters brand." CA

While the final product looks extraordinary, the starting

finish they want."

point can offer numerous challenges and requires a sys-

Of course, Staso's concerns go beyond the aesthetic.

temic approach, explained John Scanlon, executive vice

"In retail it's all about getting the best look at the best

president for QuestMark Flooring.

price," he explained. Polished concrete is "relatively inex-

When American Eagle Outfitters takes over an exist-

pensive with no maintenance. That's kind of nice."

Want more information? To download
the information listed below, visit
commercialarchitecturemagazine.com/
1710quest.

ing mall space from a previous tenant the flooring may
consist of any number of materials: ceramic tile, wood,

ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS

sometimes even polished concrete. When that floor is

In addition to its aesthetics and ease of care, polished-

ripped up, according to Staso, what is revealed often looks

concrete flooring can contribute to potential LEED

Circle 12 on the Reader Service Card.

like "machine gun blowouts."

points in at least two categories. In the Energy and At-

Learn more about polished concrete.

After the demolition of an existing store, the concrete

mosphere category, polished concrete could contribute

placement is laid out, with slurry strips to partition the

to LEED points because it doesn't use VOC materials

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CIRCLE 222

CIRCLE 223

59
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Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Commercial Architecture October 2017
