The school offers an eighth-grade introduction to  aerospace course for high school credit, an opportunity available in no other district in Tennessee. With three types of flight simulators and a dedicated aviation focused environment, the school is creating an experience designed to spark curiosity, connect learning to real-world possibilities, and give students a glimpse into careers in aviation and beyond.

The design of the space has become an important part of that vision, and the floor plays a surprisingly significant role.

Rather than treating flooring as simply a durable surface underfoot, the project uses Armstrong Flooring^® branded luxury vinyl tile (LVT) to reinforce the aviation theme. The design evokes the look and feel of an airport runway, creating a visual connection between the physical environment and the experiences taking place within it.

The aviation-inspired floor helps establish the identity of the space before a student ever logs flight simulator time. The runway inspired design gives students a visual cue that they have entered a different kind of learning environment, one connected to flight, technology, and possibilities beyond the school walls.

For Chip Sternenberg, Supervisor of Facilities for the Franklin Special District, that is exactly the kind of creative opportunity that today’s LVT technology makes possible. “If you don't have any creativity when you design a job, you know, it just comes off as standard, basic flooring,” he says.

Sternenberg has been an early adopter of LVT, and more to the point, for AHF Products’ proprietary Diamond 10^® coating which offers industry leading stain and scratch resistance, an important attribute in a highly trafficked classroom. His experience has shown him that flooring can be both functional and creative.

One challenge in creating a distinctive floor design is translating an idea into something that can actually be fabricated and installed.

Sternenberg says seeing what could be achieved with waterjet cutting changed his perspective on the possibilities. “I've seen some other schools where they've had circles and wondered, how did you get that perfect circle cut in there?” he says. “I'm convinced now that you can do anything you want to.”

Philip Einsohn, owner of Waterjet Works based in Dallas, Texas, launched Curriculum in the Corridors in 2005 to champion school pride and “learning on the go” through engaging waterjet designs in hallways, cafeterias, libraries, and other spaces, including the aeronautics lab at Freedom Middle School. Waterjet Works allowed the Freedom Middle School team to move beyond conventional rectangular layouts and create precise shapes and patterns that reinforce the aviation concept.

Larger format tiles also contribute to the overall appearance, creating fewer seams and a cleaner visual field while helping the installation come together efficiently.

The project came together on a tight timeline, with the goal of completing the installation before school started in early August 2026. It was a coordinated effort between BECA Commercial Flooring Group, the flooring contractor, the rendering team, and WaterJet Works. No designer or architect firm was involved.

Performance That Can Keep Up

A Middle School is a demanding environment for any floor. Students move through the building throughout the day, furniture gets rearranged, and dirt, spills, and scuffs are inevitable. That is where Diamond 10 Technology becomes an important part of the story.

Sternenberg has years of experience with Diamond 10 and points specifically to its scratch and scuff resistance. He also notes that the flooring cleans up well and does not have a finish that can be scratched or gouged.

That combination of design flexibility and performance is one of the advantages of Armstrong Flooring^® LVT. Designers can create distinctive spaces without sacrificing the durability and maintenance benefits facilities teams need. In demanding environments such as schools, flooring that resists scratches, scuffs, and stains can help simplify daily maintenance, reduce labor, and potentially lower operating costs over the life of the floor.

Sternenberg sees that combination as one of the major advantages of today’s LVT. “In our case, we were able to create a totally different and unique look, transforming the aesthetics.”

Diamond 10^® Technology is a patented, cultured diamond infused technology designed to provide resistance to scratches, scuffs, and stains while simplifying maintenance. According to AHF Products, the technology delivers category leading scratch, stain, and scuff resistance and is designed to reduce maintenance costs over the life of the floor.

Flooring as Part of the Learning Experience

For Walt Gordon, Owner of BECA Commercial Flooring Group, the project was about creating an environment where the design reinforces the school’s educational mission.

“We wanted the environment to help tell the story,” Gordon says. “When students walk into this space, they immediately understand that they're entering a different kind of learning environment, one that connects what they're doing in school to the world of aviation.”

“The flooring became an important part of that vision because it allowed us to carry the aviation theme all the way through the space,” he adds. “It wasn't just about putting down a durable floor. It was about creating an experience for the students.”

The design of the flooring is a combination of LVT styles and colors, Duo™ Mixer II Pineapple Juice, one of the many playful colors that makes it easy to incorporate branding, school colors, and wayfinding elements; and Terra™ Palazzo in Nero and Nicciola, an 
18 in. x 36 in. format, which features a terrazzo-inspired visual in tonal neutrals and complementary accents. Armstrong Flooring LVT is made in the USA with global and domestic content.

The Freedom Middle School project illustrates a broader shift in the way educational spaces are being designed. Schools have more opportunities to create environments that support specialized programs and give students experiences that extend beyond traditional classroom instruction.

At Freedom Middle School, the aeronautics simulators give students a hands on connection to aviation, while the surrounding design reinforces that connection. The runway inspired floor ties the elements together visually, creating an environment that feels purposeful rather than simply decorated.

The result is a space where performance and imagination work together. The flooring needs to withstand the realities of school life, but it can also help students see the possibilities beyond it.

Product List:
Segment Education
Brand(s):  Armstrong Flooring^®
Products (including sku #s):  Luxury Vinyl Tile: Duo™ Mixer II ST516, Terra™ ST550, Terra ST558