The Regenstrief Institute is known for creating better pathways to wellness – and now their new headquarters in Indianapolis, IN creates a better pathway for medical professionals and healthcare students alike. With help from innovative TEC^® products, Schmidt Associates of Indianapolis designed the four-story, 80,000-square-foot building that will be home to the institute’s respected local, national and global research, housing 165 staff members and a large number of allied scientists.
Not long after construction began in October 2014, challenges started to arise within the floors of the building. Starnet contractor, Certified Floorcovering Services, Inc., discovered that more than 3,000 square feet of the concrete slab in the foyer and bathroom had a high relative humidity (RH) of 96. Moisture mitigation was the only way to solve the problem on the burnished, contaminated concrete, and TEC^® moisture mitigation systems were the solution.
Certified Floorcovering Services, Inc. used TEC^® LiquiDam EZ^™ moisture vapor barrier to moisture mitigate 3,000 square feet of the floors. Another 450 square feet were mitigated with the original TEC^® LiquiDam^™. Both formulas, which can be directly applied onto green concrete up to 100% RH and may not require shotblasting on clean, sound surfaces, helped achieve a high level of moisture control and allowed the contractors to quickly move on with the installation.
TEC^® LiquiDam EZ™, which launched January 2016, is the industry’s first single-component, liquid-based moisture vapor barrier. It protects flooring systems from damage caused by severe moisture and alkalinity, and can be hand stirred and then directly applied. The single-component formula dries in a quick 4-5 hours, allowing for same day flooring installation.
“TEC^® LiquiDam EZ™ easily saves 30-40% on labor,” says Brian Estes of Certified Floorcovering Services, Inc. “We were able to reduce our application crew by one person due to the ease of the new installation process required by this non-epoxy product.”
LiquiDam EZ^™ impressed the contractors with its resealable packaging – a bonus when reusing product for next day jobs. LiquiDam EZ™ can be resealed and stored up to six months, and eliminates waste and special handling.
Within the building, TEC^® quality product solutions didn’t stop at moisture mitigation. Four flights of steel stairs in the Regenstrief headquarters were covered in 12×24 large format tiles – a challenge since steel is a difficult-to-bond-to substrate for tile installations. TEC^® Multipurpose Primer created a quick fix, directly bonding the tiles to 120 large steel stairs. TEC^® Ultimate Large Tile Mortar was used for its non-slump and non-slip formula for heavy tile and stone applications.
Additional TEC^® products relied on during building construction include: TEC^® HydraFlex™ Waterproofing Crack Isolation Membrane, TEC^® PerfectFinish™ Skimcoat, and TEC^® Power Grout DeLorean Gray. A total of 7,100 square feet of TEC^® products were used throughout the headquarters in the hallways, bathrooms and stairwell.
Distributor Louisville Tile provided the 12×24 large format tiles from Crossville, which were a sleek gray with subtle accents. Designed by Schmidt Associates of Indianapolis, construction started in October 2014 and was completed in November 2015.
The nonprofit medical research organization is dedicated to improving the quality, cost, and outcome of healthcare around the world. Regenstrief investigators work closely with nearby schools and hospitals – Indiana University’s School of Medicine, Sidney and Lois Eskenazi Hospital, the Roudebush VA Medical Center, Riley Hospital for Children at IU Health and IU Health University Hospital.
For more information about TEC^®, visit www.tecspecialty.com.
About TEC
H.B. Fuller Construction Products Inc. is a leading provider of technologically advanced construction materials and solutions to the commercial, industrial and residential construction industry. Named “one of the world’s most ethical companies” by Ethisphere in 2013, and headquartered in Aurora, IL, the company’s recognized and trusted brands – TEC®, CHAPCO®, Grout Boost®, ProSpec®, Foster®, and others – are available through an extensive network of distributors and dealers, as well as home improvement retailers. For more information, visit www.hbfuller-cp.com.