Working with a crew of four, Glassman and his team finished the logo and adjacent field in the studio in 10 days, and then moved to on-site work, which included installing the logo and completing the field and border. Custom Flex Bond thinset from Custom Building Products was used and modified with Pro Bond Cement Fortifier for additional strength, according to Glassman, who added that Studio E's own sealer/color enhancer was used after grouting.

“That one went well,” said Glassman. “We were then contracted for the Douglas Blue Line, which received Federal Transportation grant money to renew [the transportation system]. It needs a serious infrastructure and architecture overhaul. It was extremely outdated, as the system was built in the early 1900s.”

In total, there are nine stations as well as the CTA Transportation office building. All in all, there will be 27 medallions measuring 4 x 4 feet in size -- most of which will be waterjet cut with some mosaics mixed in -- creating a synthesis of an Old World mosaic look with modern characteristics as well.

“This was a 'pet project' of CTA President Frank Kruesi,” said Glassman. “The stops are relatively austere. They are nice looking, but have a lot of cement, glass and stainless steel. The idea is to give each station its own identity -- a little more aesthetic appeal. We created some designs based on nautical compass roses. We thought some were pretty wildly progressive, and didn't think that they would accept them, but they liked them all. We did four designs, and their own architect came up with one for the transportation building.”

The designs feature simple color fields of black, gray, white and red with stainless steel for some accents, explained Glassman. The medallions were initially drafted by hand by Glassman and Eric May with pencils. “Once we had their interest, we then worked out CAD drawings,” said Glassman. The drawings were converted in-house to CAD for presentation, and then software programmed cutting on the waterjet.

“Each one weighs about 150 pounds,” said Glassman. The pieces are fabricated in the studio and assembled using the reverse process and back buttered with 1⁄2-inch buttered cement board and then lowered onto the configuration. Hydroment Reflex thinset by Bostik Findley Inc. is used, which is highly plastic and needs no modification. The medallions are then installed in the field and finished with Studio E's stainless steel edge banding.

“We're working our way down the line right now, and hopefully by March, we will be finishing up 18th Street, our last stop -- until the Red Line,” said Glassman. “It feels great participating in this important public transportation endeavor. Since the response has been so favorable, we will be introducing our own line -- E line -- of customizable hybrid waterjet/mosaics for public and private applications.”

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