GP Flooring Solutions was brought in early on this project because of our expertise in working with high-end finishes, conceptual estimating, and extensive procurement capabilities. The project consisted of executive offices, board rooms, executive dining rooms and an executive kitchen for a private client. The project was finally given the green light at the end of December of 2019 and we were tasked with having the project complete by the beginning of April. The flooring materials consisted of a J+J custom carpet, Altro Stronghold 30, Bentley Carpet Tile, Masland cashmere carpet, poured epoxy terrazzo with a brass inlay pattern, Italian marble stone cladding, handmade custom Indian rugs with leather bindings and a solid hardwood installation.
The project took place on the top two floors of a high-rise building in downtown Buffalo that was 55+ years old. The building did not have loading dock access and the only freight elevator was 5’x5’x8’. The existing space was abated and after the abatement the slab was barely salvageable in multiple areas. We worked closely with our Bostik/CMP partners to use the right self-leveling products to achieve zero transitions throughout the space, even though each wing had material changes at most rooms. Our crews worked 2nd shift and weekends to avoid the other trade work that was taking place in the space. We procured the materials aggressively and were able to get the imported items in on time to meet the proposed deadline. We worked through an elaborate staging plan for the poured epoxy terrazzo work to allow other trades access to their work areas while we continued our work.
Then Covid hit and the project abruptly shut down. Our crews inventoried our materials and tools left on-site and we shut our portion of the project down not knowing when we would be able to return. Approximately 2 months later, we were given the green light to start the work again and our crews remobilized with the energy and attitude to wrap up this project perfectly. Our field and office crews worked closely with the FF&E vendors to coordinate the 55’ board room table installation and to locate floor boxes and technology requirements where they were needed.
Nancy Thiel, founder and principal of Thiel Architecture + Design, is a licensed architect and an interior designer. With 40+ years’ experience working with luminaries in the architecture world, including Michael Graves, Robert A.M. Stern, and Rockwell Group, where she served as a studio leader, Thiel’s extensive portfolio includes single-family homes and multi-story residences, hotels, restaurants, retail, fitness clubs, offices, theaters, schools and shopping centers. She is a member of the AIA, holds NCARB certification and is a LEED accredited professional. Prior to her career in architecture, Thiel was a dancer and choreographer.
Thiel Architecture + Design is an award-winning multi-disciplinary architecture, interior design, planning, and product design firm with offices in CT and NY. The firm’s work focuses on high-end residential design as well as hospitality, contract, and retail projects. Thiel Architecture + Design’s work has been featured in Interior Design, Architype, New York and Connecticut Cottages and Gardens, Connecticut Magazine, Archello, and Fast Company magazines. In 2022, the firm received a Connecticut AIA Excellence award for Interior Architecture. Thiel earned a BA from Penn State University and her Master of Architecture degree from Syracuse University.
