The 2020-21 school year is not like any other, leaving some educational buildings completely or nearly empty. A new structure waiting for students to arrive and thrive is the Sanger Educational Complex in California’s Sanger Unified School District. The complex houses middle school and high school campuses. An exploration of the complex reveals curves at the entrance to the kitchen, within the cafeteria, made from Flex-C Trac from Flex-Ability Concepts.

The curved walls and serpentine soffits in the kitchen area were created with 300 linear feet of 3 5/8-inch 16-gauge Flex-C Trac as well as 170 linear feet of 3 5/8-inch 20-gauge Flex-C Trac. Karsyn Construction Inc., Fresno, Calif., was hired as the framing subcontractor under general contractor, Harris Construction, Fresno. Anton Wilson, the project manager with Karsyn Construction, explains that his company recommended using Flex-C Trac because they have used it in the past and appreciate its convenience. L&W Supply, Fresno, supplied the Flex-C Trac.

Wilson said, “We have used Flex-C Trac before, and we like it because it saves on time and leaves a true radius, eliminating flat spots.”

Wilson added that the install went great, without any issues. Flex-C Trac was created to do just that—make contractors’ installs easier for curved walls, ceilings, arches, S curves and interior domes. For the installation, the desired curve is drawn on a hard or concrete surface, and Flex-C Trac is laid on the drawn line. The product should be curved by hand to match the curve. With the Flex-C Trac sitting on the concrete, the Hammer-Lock tabs are hammered into place to embed them, thereby locking the shape.

According to Randall Hardcastle, project manager with Darden Architects Inc. in Fresno, the curves’ intent was to create a flow in the cafeteria to direct students to food service areas. TV monitors will be mounted on the curved soffits to display menus, as well as video programming.

“The curves add visual interest and are a cool feature,” Hardcastle added.

The Educational Complex Phase 1 currently has space for high school students and houses the administration and academic buildings, multi-purpose building and central plant. Future phases will span 561,900 square feet with the addition of more shared academic buildings two gymnasiums, a theater and athletic facilities; separate areas for the middle and high schools also will be designated.

“School districts have to do what is necessary to keep students and staff safe in this unprecedented time (during the COVID-19 pandemic),” said Frank Wheeler, an owner of Flex-Ability Concepts. “I am glad teachers are in the building and can enjoy the Sanger Educational Complex. What awaits the students speaks to the commitment of this community and staff, as well as the talents of the design and construction team. They found a functional and visually interesting way to incorporate curves, and we are glad to be part of it.”