Twenty-seven students from the School of Architecture at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), had the opportunity to learn about tile installations through a collaboration with Mapei and Coverings 2022. The students created an outdoor pavilion with eight benches that were showcased at this year's Coverings in April and then relocated to the university. 

“Mapei has been fortunate to be involved in similar projects with students and Coverings in the past,” stated Jim Whitfield, Mapei's technical services director. “It is always interesting to see the students’ fresh perspective on the use of tile in structures like these seating modules and the wall. Their use of different colors, shapes, textures and sizes of tile makes it an exciting display.” 

Logan Reavis, technical services manager, and Mike DeMello, technical services field representative, Mapei worked with the UNLV students to build the tiled benches. In addition, Mapei donated supplies of Mapei Ultralite Mortar, Mapei Ultralite S1 Quick, Mapesil T, Mapesil 3D, Mapei Flexcolor CQ and Mapei Flexcolor 3D. 

The industry came together in support of the project, as other companies supplied tools, tile and cementitious-coated foam shapes. 

Mark Heinlein, training director of the National Tile Contractors Association (NTCA), collaborated with with DeMello and Reavis to teach the UNLV students on how install tile on the benches as well as how to install a serpentine wall.