In a striking fusion of science and design, Huntingdon Valley, Pa.-based Czar Floors transformed a scientist’s kitchen and living room floors into a diagram of a chemical compound, meticulously crafted to mirror the geometric look of atomic bonds. The specific chemical compound in the floor is unknown to Czar Floors Vice President Edward Tsvilik, who joked, “I didn’t want to know what it was because the client works for the government.” The 800-square-foot project consists of plain-sawn ash for the molecules and rift and quartered white oak for the background. These species were chosen to give a “subtle contrast” because the client didn’t want the chemical compound to boldly stick out from its background. A white oak herringbone was installed throughout the rest of the house. It wasn’t the traditional 45-degree herringbone but rather a custom angle crafted to match up with the angles of the molecule-shaped boards and create a harmonious flow between the two patterns. The design phase took about a month, playing with different molecular designs and going back and forth with the client to create a harmonious, yet subtle, look. Tsvilik calls the homeowner “a dream client” because he designed the whole floor himself: He provided shop-drawn designs on how to cut the pattern, dimensions of the boards and a map showing where to lay out all the boards. The only challenge for Czar Floors was setting their equipment to the client’s specifications when it came to cutting the herringbone, given that it wasn’t at the traditional angle. Because the client had created an outline on how and where to install the flooring, Tsvilik says the installation phase was like “assembling a giant toy puzzle.” The floor was glued down, and Czar Floors used a commercial-grade waterborne finish to provide durability in the high-traffic area while accentuating the natural colors of the wood. The final result transformed the client’s vision of a chemical compound floor into reality. The unique combination of molecular design and carefully chosen materials seamlessly integrated the homeowner’s profession with Czar Floor’s craftsmanship.
SUPPLIERS: Abrasive: 3M | Adhesive: Bostik | Filler: Bona | Finish: Basic Coatings StreetShoe
