FOCUS FLOORING
Treading wisely
FMJ asked three fl ooring specialists to sum up the important role of fl ooring in contemporary
workplace design. Plus a look at the latest in vacuum technology
MARK JOHNSTONE
HEAD OF COMMERCIAL UK, MIDDLE
EAST & IRELAND, ALTRO
The trend to make buildings look
warm and comforting has changed
the way we look at floors. Clinical
and fit for purpose are no longer good
enough. The options are out there
to use floors in design to help create
calm or stimulating environments, for
wayfinding or for a welcoming homefrom
home look.
Wayfinding is important in
all buildings. Good wayfinding
helps people navigate unfamiliar
environments and follow the pathways
that will get them to their destination.
If you are in an unfamiliar place, then
it’s essential that we design that place
to be as easy to navigate as possible to
avoid distress and anxiety.
Using floors in di erent colours or
designs can serve as a directional tool
and create pathways, helping people
identify routes, especially in busy
42 OCTOBER 2019
circulation areas. Flooring can also be
used to encourage preferred routes and
natural transition between spaces. For
instance, if you wanted to encourage
free movement in a general circulation
area, you would do best to stick to
the same floor, design and colour
throughout. Changes in flooring can
help alert people to ‘no entry’ zones
and di erentiate between public and
private areas, so a change in flooring
colour could encourage someone to
check they are going the right way.
Images and artwork on walls can
also be beneficial. Artwork can be used
as a tool to bring biophilic principles
into the space, and it can also create
landmarks and features to help with
navigation such as a logo, lettering or
artwork to support wayfinding.
There are huge opportunities to
make a real statement in the floor with
patterns, designs, artwork and a mix
of di erent products, whether through
a specific image or design machinecut
o site, or simply the skill of the
installer hand-cutting a curve or a
feature between two colours.
Resilient floors have come a long
way in recent times, and there’s a
wide range of design and performance
options. Sometimes, however, the
choice can be overwhelming. Facilities
managers need to consider certain
factors before selecting floors for a
particular environment:
The likelihood of water spills
The likelihood of contaminant spills
The types of tra ic and its frequency
(high footfall, heavy and wheeled
equipment)
Anticipated noise levels and need
for privacy and comfort underfoot
Aesthetics and how the floor can fit
into the building design and create
the right environment.
Once an assessment has been
conducted, FMs can then prioritise
which features are important in which
areas. Using a floor system that has a
variety of options makes it easier to
create a unified look in a building. An
acoustic floor in a room that requires
quiet and privacy can seamlessly
give way to a safety floor specifically
designed to provide slip-resistance in
bathrooms, or a smoother floor for a
high-tra ic corridor.
With the floor options out
there, FMs can bring design to the
forefront without compromising on
performance.
DAVID RHODES
MD, PARAGON CARPETS
Good carpet design will enhance the
entranceway or rooms of any building,
taking it to the next level. The way
in which a carpet looks
should never be an
a erthought, as its
design within
the workplace
can impact
employees’
mood and
e iciency.
Flooring
can be
used to
help create
di erent
workspace areas
within your o ice
space. By varying colours
and patterns across floors, it can
help to designate certain areas and
encourage employee performance. For
instance, using di erent carpet tiles in
breakout spaces can help employees
to distinguish between areas ideal
for working or relaxing. This enables
companies to create a space allowing
people to work, collaborate and relax
under one roof.
Innovative carpet tiles promote
flexibility and versatility and can
be laid randomly. Capable of being
placed anywhere, they can be used to
experiment freely and create unique
design concepts. Heavy-duty products
should include the ability to reduce
noise pollution.
While FMs need to prioritise coste
ectiveness and resilience, carpet
design provides a good opportunity
to inject personality into a workplace.
From colourful carpet tiles and quirky
patterns to unique customised designs,
the flooring scheme, if done properly,
can enhance the building’s aesthetic
and reflect company culture.
Traditionally, darker shades have
been the favourite in o ices, but recent
years have seen brighter colours such
as reds and blues take centre stage.
Whether you opt for full-coloured tiles
or accents, adding a splash of colour
can help bring spaces to life and ensure
staple colours are represented.
One of the simplest ways to
make an impression
from the moment a
visitor walks into
your building
is with
bespoke
logo
matting.
Not only
do logo
mats act
as a first line
of defence
against dirt, dust
and moisture, but
they can brighten up and
add creative flair to your o ice’s
main entrance and reception area.
You can use a bespoke logo mat to
display your company name, logo or
mission statement. Non-woven mats
and those made from natural fibres are
popular choices. The latest solutions
can be cut into any shape or design
and have a sharp resolution, which
means they can display striking logos
and concepts.
For those looking to create a clean,
contemporary aesthetic, heat fusion is
the way forward. This is a revolutionary
way of branding flooring products with
a company logo, and works a little like
a branding iron, creating a sleek and
sophisticated look.