International Project: Cathedral of the Holy Cross

 

Join us each week for a look at a stunning LATICRETE project from around the world! This week we're taking a look at Boston in the United States. For nearly 150 years, the Cathedral of the Holy Cross has been a staple in Boston’s Catholic community and has played host to many significant events in U.S. history, including 1964’s requiem mass to mourn the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, Pope John Paul II’s first trip to the United States as leader of the Catholic Church in 1979 and an interfaith service where President Barack Obama addressed the nation after the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing.

Generations of use had taken a toll on the largest Catholic church in New England, and for its first-ever renovation architects chose to specify products that would stand the test of time, using a full LATIRETE installation system for a 25-year warranty. With almost 1900m² to be tiled, the contractors relied on a vast range of LATICRETE products to ensure this historic project was a success.

The range of products used on this project include LEVEL and STRATA_MAT™ for the underlayment and uncoupling membrane, topped with a layer of HYDRO BAN® and adhesives, followed by grouting with PERMACOLOR® Select and SPECTRALOCK® Pro Premium Grout.

Read more about this project here!

Annual Tile Apprentice Contest in Boston!

LATICRETE was pleased to be part of Boston's BAC Local 3 Apprenticeship Program again this year. The program has been a success in Boston since the early 90's, helping hundreds of young men and woman learn a rewarding trade that will last a lifetime.

The apprenticeship program starts with a 10-week pre-job training course and also requires 5,000 hours of on-the-job training under the watchful eyes of veteran journeymen. Above are photos from the annual Apprentice Contest at the BAC Local 3 Training Centre in Boston. The tile-installing contest had the apprentice tile installers preparing a wall to accept ceramic tile. They then installed a combination of 100mm x 100mm ceramic tiles in various colours with a band of tile cut in a diamond shape. After completion of the wall, the apprentices were required to build a mud pan that included a 12º pitch to the drain using 50mm x 50mm mosaic tile on a mud floor. The mosaic tile had to be cut precisely to fit around the circular drain. The judges rated the contestants on overall layout, alignment, proper pitch as well as the precision of any cut tile. Some of the contestants will be chosen to compete nationally as well.

The theme as you can see in the pictures is celebrating the Boston Red Sox 100 year anniversary with LATICRETE's Hydro Ban creating Boston's Green Monster!