The team employed metal framing to support custom-printed porcelain tiles on the exterior of a downtown university building. They painted the metal framing to match the back walls, ensuring a seamless appearance during the tile installation process. Each 12″x12″ tile was carefully arranged on a grid layout, requiring meticulous planning.

To complete the edges, black metal flashing, coordinating ceramic tiles, and custom-painted metal trim were employed. Special scaffolding was set up and removed daily over three weeks to facilitate work on the 600-square-foot mural. The team faced a significant challenge with the intense summer heat in the southwest US, prompting them to work overnight from 11pm to 7am to ensure proper adhesive application and curing.

Exterior porcelain tiles were meticulously checked and installed with 95% mortar coverage, complemented by LED lights above for dramatic nighttime accentuation. They employed a 10-foot straight-edge method to ensure flat substrates and tiles during installation.

The custom porcelain tile mural, crafted by a local artist, stands out as a prominent feature, especially as it wraps around the building corner. Silicone movement joints were strategically placed to allow for future removal of tile panels, with detailed engineering facilitated by CAD drawings. Located near City Hall and an art gallery in one of the United States’ largest cities, this public artwork on the university’s exterior promises to delight pedestrians and visitors for years to come.