Dynamic and sturdy surfaces to enliven training areas

Surfaces are the unsung heroes of school design. Because of their ubiquity, we tend to discount their impact on the overall bearing of a classroom, an auditorium, or a corridor. The following selection highlights floors that deliver on durability and aesthetics, tabletops that can withstand the most aggressive wear and tear, and easy-to-install wall applications that facilitate serious learning and inspire play. Some, like colorfully imaginative silk-screened appliqués, surprise, and others, like high-contrast tiles, dazzle. All make the grade.