Atlanta International School’s (AIS) Secondary School is housed in a historic landmark originally designed by classical architect Philip Schutze. The building, once North Fulton High School, was rededicated as AIS in 1996 and has undergone several major renovations since. Mohawk Commercial was the flooring manufacturer selected for all phases of these renovations, ensuring consistency in product quality and design. Certified Finishes was chosen as the flooring partner for Phase II of the refresh, tasked with completing a 16,000 SF LVT and 2,000 SY carpet installation within an aggressive four-week timeline.

Creative Flooring Design:
One of the most striking elements of this renovation was the corridor flooring design. The school envisioned a bold 12’ x 12’ black-and-white checkerboard pattern, but the specified Mohawk Commercial Chromascope LVT only came in 12” x 24” planks. To achieve this intricate design, our expert installers hand-cut every tile on-site, ensuring precise alignment and maintaining the integrity of the geometric pattern. A solid black border was added to frame the space, enhancing the classic aesthetic.

Toughest Site Conditions:
This project presented multiple on-site challenges that required creative problem-solving:

– Historic Building Constraints: The existing terrazzo wall base needed to be modified to accommodate a new Johnsonite cove base, requiring precise grinding of the existing base to ensure a seamless installation of the new base under the lockers.
– Structural Corrections: Two office spaces had existing “step-ups” from a previous renovation, creating a safety hazard. Our team removed the carpet, carefully ground the subfloor, and created a smooth transition with a sloped ramp to eliminate the tripping risk.
– Subfloor Deterioration: In two classrooms, the subfloor crumbled upon demo, requiring extensive removal and leveling. Our team used an additional 70 bags of Schönox SL to correct the flooring and ensure a stable, even surface for installation.
– Asbestos Discovery: During demo, asbestos was found in the dining area, bringing work to a temporary halt while a remediation team addressed the issue. Despite this unexpected delay, we adjusted our schedule to recover lost time and still delivered within just over four weeks.

Aggressive Timeline & Execution:
This project required extensive coordination to remove existing VCT and carpet, prepare subfloors, and install new flooring—all within a tight summer window before students returned. The theater flooring presented another logistical challenge, as our team had to uninstall, move, and reinstall all theater seating to complete the installation of Mohawk Structured Harmony broadloom. Despite these complexities, our team’s expertise and efficiency allowed us to meet AIS’s deadline, ensuring a flawless finish in time for the new school year.

Best Flooring Solution:
Our ability to navigate historical building requirements, execute a challenging design with precision, and adapt to unexpected site conditions made this renovation a success. By combining expert craftsmanship with strategic problem-solving, Certified Finishes delivered a high-quality flooring solution that met AIS’s vision while preserving the integrity of this historic space.