SF Good Questions: Tiles at BART Stops?

AT:SF, Any idea where I can find tiles like these at the Civic Center BART stop? Thanks!

-Laura

Laura,

We think this is the same tile Shannon asked about a few months ago here (and here). We never heard back from BART.

Can anyone help?

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Comments (8)

Is it just my subconscious or hexagon patterns do have a late 60s-early 70s vibe?

posted by pantzini on June 26th 2008 at 12:46pm
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If it's not made anymore, someone certainly should take up making it again. Some tile company (tile companies, are you listening?).

People seem to love that tile.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jayfish/129710344/in/set-72157600356591088/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/petebeck/12389105/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jbergen/1200303453/in/set-72157601592381820/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/elithebearded/1450203895/in/set-72157594574414547/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jef/145597993/

You know the design has made it when it becomes a "istockphoto":
http://www.istockphoto.com/file_closeup/transportation/railways_and_locomotives/railway_stations/1774817_wall_tile_pattern_san_francisco.php?id=1774817&refnum=984925

If tiles can be "photogenic" then this one certainly is. There is no bad angle when it comes to that tile.

I'd like to see it with black grout too.

posted by #9 on June 26th 2008 at 4:04pm
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what's a BART? those are cool tiles, but I'm definitely missing out on the context...

posted by wendy-rae on June 26th 2008 at 9:16pm
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BART is Bay Area Rapid Transit, and the Civic Center station was completed in 1973, I believe. Powell station's tiled corridor had a cameo in the film THX-1138, so you might have seen them before.

There have been reproductions of the tiles, but can't recall where I saw them. Must think on it..

posted by neutopian on June 26th 2008 at 10:39pm
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they also built a BART station replica for the movie Happyness, didn't they? I absolutely love those tiles!

posted by mel t on June 27th 2008 at 6:16am
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If you're in the Bay Area, try talking to the good folks at Art Tile in Oakland. They may be able to help you find something similar. The staff there is great.

http://www.yelp.com/biz/art-tile-oakland

posted by jlobiafra on June 27th 2008 at 12:21pm
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Ooooh! I've wanted those tiles for years too! Even though I don't actually have a bathroom or kitchen to re-tile yet!

posted by marie516 on June 27th 2008 at 6:32pm
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a co-worker of mine just received this email:

The original hex-globe tile is no longer made. But we have worked with a company that can duplicate them. You may ask them for a sample to make sure.
I hope this helps.

http://www.subwaytile.com/

Above, is the link to the Subway Ceramics website.

The person that I've been working with on the hex tiles is:

Keith Bieneman
keith@subwayceramics.com
(888) 387-3280

Subway Ceramics
303 Bruce St.
Verona, WI 53593