Armstrong Commercial Flooring’s STRIATIONS BioBased Tile® (BBT) was used to help capture the grand prize for Canada’s Terra20 in the Association for Retail Environments (A.R.E.) 2013 Design Awards within the Sustainability Awards competition. Terra20 is Canada’s largest one-stop store (15,000 square feet) entirely dedicated to green merchandise and carrying more than 12,000 products from cosmetics to home décor items.

More than 300 projects were entered into the 2013 A.R.E. awards, which produced 72 awards in 23 categories.

“We are pleased to be recognized for both our sustainability and our style,” said Patricia Fanty, marketing manager, Armstrong Commercial Flooring. “Being able to offer a durable solution to a major need in the commercial industry by incorporating cutting-edge designs with sustainable options­­ is what Armstrong is all about.”

STRIATIONS BioBased Tile creates strong visual lines for a distinct, yet subtle style for the store interior. Used in the creation of Terra22, a retail store in the Pinecrest Shopping Centre, located in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, the stylish, Striations BBT® tile brought an upscale look in a sustainable floor. According to Armstrong, this project clearly showcases that you don’t have to make sacrifices when choosing to be eco-friendly; the sustainable features combined with improved durability and cracking resistance make these tiles perfect for multiple building applications.

STRIATIONS BBT, the only one on the market today to meet ASTM F2982 (standards), contains rapidly renewable U.S. grown plant materials and features 10% pre-consumer recycled content. This durable FloorScore-certified offering is eligible for Leadership in Environmental Energy and Design (LEED) points in four categories, including EQ4.3 (low emitting material), MR 4.0 (recycled content), MR Credit 6.0 for rapidly renewable resources, and MR Credit 5.0 for regional materials depending on project location. Terra 20 was designed by Toronto-based Jump Branding & Design and Ottawa-based EMA Architects.

“The choices we made in the design and construction of Terra20 needed to incorporate elements that reflected the retailer’s values and those of their customer community, providing a foundation and expectation of the brand,” said Eric Boulden, principal, Jump Branding & Design. “The decision to use LEED as a guideline and incorporate sustainable and recycled products was imperative in the design rollout. Armstrong Striations BBT offers a bio-based alternative to vinyl composition tile that contributes to LEED.”

From the shelves to what’s on them, this store fulfills the new retailer’s mission to encourage a healthier, sustainable lifestyle. A Green Council of local experts vet store products, and signage invites shoppers to weigh in and influence what gets put on the shelves. Built to LEED standards, it tells stories that resonate with LOHAS and eco-curious shoppers alike, such as the cashwrap made of logs from the bottom of the Ottawa River.

Now in its fifth year, the A.R.E. Sustainability Awards competition draws entries from around the world. Winners range from sustainable retail pioneers to first-time green builders. Entries in this division are judged by a panel of sustainability-minded industry professionals including designers, suppliers, and consultants. The only competition focused on green building in retail, the A.R.E. Sustainability Awards is a division of A.R.E. Design Awards. Entries are judged on innovation in design, integration, and benchmarks. The highest honors go to super-sustainable projects that emphasize good design.

Armstrong offers a range of products – from the leading-edge STRIATIONS and MIGRATIONS BioBased Tile® to Linoleum sheet and RAFFIA™ and CHROMASPIN™ VCT, all of which have environmental advantages, at varying price points, to fit the objectives of any new project or renovation. These durable products, from a company trusted to bring quality to the market each and every time, also tout low maintenance options and provide long life cycle returns. All Armstrong resilient products are independently third-party certified for low VOC emissions. For more information on Armstrong commercial floor products, visit www.armstrong.com/commercialflooring.

PHOTO CREDIT: David Whittaker

About A.R.E.
The Association for Retail Environments (A.R.E.) is an international non-profit trade association advancing the retail environments industry. Members are leaders in the international retail environments industry, including store fixture suppliers, retail design firms, suppliers of visual merchandising products, suppliers of materials and equipment for the industry, and service providers.

About Armstrong
Armstrong World Industries, Inc. is a global leader in the design and manufacture of floors and ceilings. Based in Lancaster, Pa., Armstrong operates 34 plants in eight countries and has approximately 8,700 employees worldwide. Armstrong is systematically reducing our environmental footprint and providing products and services that enable our customers to reduce the environmental impact of the buildings they create. For more information visit www.armstrong.com.