5 trends in office design in 2018 and how to use them

Office design trends 2018

The corporate office is changing from a dull, uninspiring space into a fun work environment where collaboration and creativity are encouraged.  Here are some of the top trends… we are pleased to see just how much our clients have incorporated them.

Big companies like Apple, Google and Pixar are leading the way in creating fun workplaces that staff can engage with and enjoy being in. Though free smoothies, climbing walls and tunnel slides may be a bit out of your budget, there are things designers, project managers and office managers can take from these companies and introduce into their own workspace. We’ve looked at some of the most popular office design trends in 2018 and how you can incorporate aspects of them into your office design. We also take a look at the recent case studies we have been involved in that truly reflect these trends and just how great our clients are at showcasing them.

Open-plan collaboration areas

Many companies promote the idea that the best work is done collaboratively, and they have created large open-plan areas where people can work together. This idea can be used in your office by creating designated co-working spaces, with room for groups of people to gather and discuss group projects. Making sure these areas are accessible and visible encourages others to get involved and solve problems creatively. See our case study for a great example.

Industrial aesthetic

Designers have been loving the industrial space aesthetic, reminiscent of old warehouses and factories. From exposed brickwork to graffiti artworks to pendant lighting, this look feels edgy and dynamic. Look at introducing the industrial look with smooth and sleek commercial flooring choices, brick effect wallpaper or faux concrete and lots of angle poised lamps. Check out this really great example.

Unconventional spaces

There has been a rise in the weird and the wonderful when it comes to office spaces, from old subway cars to garden sheds. Incorporating an unusual feature into your office space can give your space a creative edge, a fun place to be and make your office stand out in the memories of clients and visitors. We loved the bicycles on the wall from one of our clients, a great example of how reception space can be used to showcase brand values.

Meeting pods

Meeting pods are another trend that is making a big impact in offices around the world. These practical pod-like structures allow people to have private meetings and schedule appointments in a space that’s still part of the main office. There’s a variety of designs of meeting pods being used; some are like restaurant booths, while others are like private study spaces in libraries. With features like acoustic engineering, glass walls, lockable doors and space for laptops and office chairs, the meeting pod is being seen more and more. We have another really cool case study that illustrates this.

Breakout spaces

The breakout space is a huge trend in office design in 2018. Employees have recognised that sometimes a break from a project can be just what’s needed for clear thinking and motivation and they’ve been integrating spaces that allow for this. Far removed from the traditional uninspired lunch canteen, these spaces have yoga mats, games consoles and beanbags to allow staff to take a break and recharge. If that seems a bit extreme, think about making your current break space more comfortable and relaxing and being more flexible on break times to allow staff to give their best performance after a break. See this excellent example of a great breakout area it has it all – bike on the wall, pool table and industrial look.

Meeting the unique challenges of retail flooring with performance vinyl

Momenta performance vinyl

Creating the right image for your retail / commercial premises happens from the ground up. We explore performance vinyl, the commercial flooring choice that best meets the unique set of challenges in the retail space – the ability to cope with high footfall, baby buggies and shopping trolleys while creating an aesthetic that reflects your brand values.

When your business is all about image, you need to make smart flooring choices. Businesses as diverse as concept stores, banks, hotels, bars and restaurants all need floor coverings that are durable and dependable and support a variety of design choices. Carpet, laminate, ceramic tile and hardwood may all be valid options in certain contexts, but none can match the versatility and durability of performance vinyl.

Boost the retail experience

The design environment in any retail premises is built from the ground up. The right flooring can create a flow throughout the store that leads customers effortlessly past featured products and promotional items. It can also ensure that visitors to cafes, restaurants and bars return time after time. For this to happen, it should be easy to install and maintain, comfortable underfoot and of course be highly resistant to the wear and tear of hundreds or thousands of feet. Your flooring choices should also reflect your brand’s core values, making Duraflor’s performance vinyl ranges the smart way to reflect the unique value proposition of your brand in the aesthetic choices you make.

A wide choice of colour, style and types of vinyl flooring 

Wood is often chosen for retail premises to impart a sense of classic luxury. Both Axis and Momenta are luxury vinyl tiles (LVT) ideal for commercial spaces, which have a high level of public footfall and they can give any restaurant or bar a real luxury look. Axis as a looselay option also has the advantage of blending seamlessly with carpet tiles and being quick to lay and change – reducing any downtime in a busy commercial environment. Or if a sheet vinyl is the chosen solution, a sleek and contemporary dark wood floor like Smoked Chestnut from the Durawood range combines good looks with a 0.7mm wear layer and Topguard PUR coating for ease of maintenance.

Durability is critical

Performance vinyl has a reputation for resilience that makes it the ideal partner with commercial premises. Properly maintained it has a high life expectancy and can stay looking good for many years. Look for a wear layer of o.7mm if your flooring is expected to stand up to the most demanding environments. Vinyl that can be laid as planks or tiles are another cost-effective choice for retail premises. Worn sections of flooring are easy to lift and replace, saving on the expense of re-laying an entire floor.

Enhance your brand

Whether you’re a niche boutique or a high street chain, a bar or restaurant the chances are that you’ll re-brand at least once while you’re in your current premises. Performance vinyl gives you the opportunity to achieve a high-end finish that reflects your brand values, while being affordable enough that it can be replaced when the time comes for a rebrand and a refit, or based on your initial choice provide a timeless backdrop to several changes of decor.

Hardwood flooring and ceramic tile may be considered as desirable, top end finishes but neither can match the benefits of performance vinyl. In fact, many performance vinyls can now so accurately mimic wood and stone that they’re replacing the real thing as the first choice for flooring.

What does inclusive office design look like?

Workplace Neon used for wayfinding in office

Is your office designed for inclusivity? You may be surprised at the number of people in your office with some form of disability. Does your office design work for them? And how do you achieve a flawless and universal design?

Inclusion in the workforce is a hot button topic that goes beyond hiring a diverse team. The 2010 Equality Act covers around a sixth of the population and enshrined the idea that employers should make reasonable adjustments for disabled employees. Yet a 2016 Government report outlined a catalogue of inclusivity failures in businesses across the UK. So how can you design your office to take account of the differing needs of your workforce and create a space that’s accessible for everyone?

Obviously there is no one size fits all solution, and there may be additional complications if the business you are working for is based in a listed building. But there are some basic principles that any business can take forward when it comes to creating a flexible office design that generates a sense of belonging across your workspace.

Versatility and flexibility

Office layout is critical to supporting access and communication. Assess the needs of the workforce and develop a layout that encompasses private rooms and collaborative areas alongside breakout spaces. Bear in mind that access issues don’t only apply to wheelchair users, so make the spaces easy to use and navigate for those with hearing and sight impairments too.

Not only is accessible design a legal requirement, but a way to demonstrate the values of an inclusive and diverse employer.

Reflect personality

Move away from the bland and the corporate towards office decor that truly embraces the personality of the people who work there. Talk to employees to understand what works best for them – an inclusive design will stand and fall depending on the level of buy-in from the workforce. Consider the way sound and lighting levels impact on productivity and work on a design that creates a sense of identity and fuels creativity. As unique individuals we all have styles and needs that inclusive design should ideally support.

Adding colour on the walls is a fast and cost-effective way to make changes, but consider inclusive flooring options as part of your redesign. Luxury vinyl is an adaptive flooring choice favoured by wheelchair users for its durability, slip resistance and manoeuvrability – consider hard wearing luxury vinyl tiles like Axis and Momenta. Slip resistant Duragrip flooring comes in a range of colours and finishes, or capture the timeless aesthetic appeal of wood with rich stained walnut or on-trend ashen oak from the Durawood range of performance vinyls – consider these options in areas where there is a greater risk of trips and spills. Plus carpet tiles provide an excellent opportunity to create sections, direction and breakout areas all in one office space. Flooring can provide an inclusive environment just by considering its purpose a little more intensively at the planning stage.

It’s not just about access

Your workforce spend more time in the office than they do at home, so its critical that you create an environment where your employees can connect, create and thrive. Focus on creating your spaces from the perspective of a wheelchair user with adjustable height desks, mixed height surfaces and wide walkways and you’ll create a layout that works for all users. Consider noise pollution and the need for natural and adaptive lighting and your design will be responsive to the needs of everyone who accesses it. Think beyond access and you’ll create a truly inclusive office space that boosts productivity and reflects the values of your team.

Geometric designs an enduring trend

Geometric design for offices

Geometric designs have always been popular in architecture and interior design. It is not a contemporary trend; it is one that has endured throughout history. Adele Orcajada from MaterialDriven tells us more.

The Ancient Greeks, the Moroccans or the Scandinavians have all historically used bold geometric patterns to reflect their cultural identity. Modernity was shaped by the Art Deco trend, at the beginning of the 20th century, which was full of angular structures and geometric patterns that inspired artists and designers from fashion to graphics, changing the way art was understood.

And like so many enduring designs, geometric patterns become a trend over and over again. You can find them in prints and patterns all over soft furnishings or wallpapers, on architectural facades or in 3 dimensional products such as vases or furniture. As material researchers at MaterialDriven we have also noticed that there is currently a strong geometric pattern trend coming from material innovation.

As with geometry, material innovation is at the crossroads between art and science, between the technical and the artistic. Material makers are often inspired by nature and the natural patterns that come from it, looking to replicate or mimic them in their work. Here are some exciting materials that work with geometric patterns.

Foldcore incorporates geometric shapes into the actual construction of the material. By folding the material in different ways, similar to origami techniques, a wide range of aesthetic effects can be achieved as well as functionality. These may be used in sandwich applications, to produce strong and lightweight structures for aerospace, automotive or shipbuilding. However the beauty of these folded panels is so unique they have a range of products exclusively developed for artistic and decorative purposes. This range is called Foldart. Using bow paper, aluminium or copper, the sheets are folded without a single cut or adhesive. The results are an incredible combination of shape, colour and light.

Biomarble is an exciting material developed by Hannah Elisabeth Jones, a graduate from Manchester School of Art. Biomarble is a new, flexible material (patent pending) with a unique and intriguing surface pattern, made from waste paper. Jones has been developing BioMarble to perfect its durability, visual aesthetic and quality of colour. Inspired by her training in Textiles she combines geometric units that are cut from a palette of different material colours, then stitched together in an ombré formation, using traditional patchwork techniques to form 3-Dimensional tessellations. Her work has been used as featured wall art installation in galleries and exhibitions such as GK Gallery, Surface Design Show, or London Design Week.

Biohm develops materials that are inspired by nature and do not harm our environment. Using raw materials such as mushroom mycelium or organic waste they are pushing the boundaries of material innovation. One of their materials is called Orb (organic refuse biocompound). To produce Orb they transform organic waste into a valuable and functional material. Biohm organically binds food waste or agricultural waste into a material which could be formed into sheets or moulded to create intricate three dimensional shapes. It is an affordable substitute for semi-structural wood-based sheet material or for sustainable interior decoration and furniture. Some of the shapes they have developed are clearly inspired by Arab and Moroccan designs, using geometry to highlight the textures and the colours of this waste material

But Biohm takes geometry a step further, using it as inspiration not only for material development but to design an interlocking construction system that does not require permanent binders or fasteners to create durable robust structures. This is called Triagomy.

Triagomy is a delicate balance between parametric design and natural structural engineering. The design is based on sections of a hexagon (triagonals) that can be found in natural structures such as bee hives and carbon. These structure allow them to achieve structural integrity.

Whether it is in function or form, geometry is a key source of inspiration for material innovators who are looking for new ways to shape our futures.

The new Duraflor range of Hexagonal Tiles inspired by geometric trends can be seen now at our London Showroom at The Design Hub, 47 Gee Street, Clerkenwell – if you would like more details please email [email protected]

Feature Image: an example of Foldart from Foldcore

Guest Blog: Adele Orcajada from MaterialDriven

Hardwood without the headache for retailers

Axis vinyl flooring in retail environment

Want to get hardwood flooring for your business but without the headache – there is a solution: hardwood-effect vinyl.

Creating a customer experience through considered interior design choices is increasingly important for retailers who wish to tempt customers through their front doors. New manufacturing and processing developments have made luxury vinyl flooring an astute and increasingly popular choice.

Creating a customer experience

Consumers have become more and more particular about when and for what reason they leave their comfortable sofas and the ease and convenience of online shopping to visit a store. However, the physical distraction of entering a bright, comfortable, and friendly shopping outlet is still considered to be a potentially pleasant and enjoyable experience.

Retail outlets, including hair and beauty salons, are becoming more psychologically savvy about their interior design choices and considering ways of enhancing customer experience with comfort in mind. The choice of commercial flooring is considered one of the most crucial elements of any interior design upgrade. Real hardwood floors were once considered synonymous with luxury and durability; however, environmental concerns have decreased their popularity.

A hardwood floor, in vinyl – an attractive solution

Duraflor offer a range of wood-effect vinyl tiles that look luxurious and are a less expensive option for those who may have initially wished for hardwood floors. A broad range of textures, colours and styles have replaced the dull, scratched vinyl floors of the seventies and are ideal for any retail outlet. The range of colours and designs allow you to choose from formal to cheerful, sombre to light.

A durable solution

Hardwearing and easy to install, the Axis range from Duraflor with a Wear Layer of 0.7mm means it can be installed in the most demanding environments, offering an excellent solution for fast track installations in busy areas. Its surface is precoated by a PU covering, which ensures its durability and makes it easy to clean.

Axis tiles’ resistant and durable features also make it an excellent choice for hair and beauty salons, which often require a durable surface, resistant to foot traffic and accidental spillages.

A flexible solution

The Axis range, one of many vinyl tiles offered by Duraflor, includes a broad palette of gorgeous hardwood looks – including light to darker oaks. These can even be mixed and matched to differentiate areas in your retail outlet if you wish to designate certain areas to specific uses within your business or showcase and direct customers to specific areas. As a Looselay Vinyl Tile, Axis also offers a great degree of flexibility as well as ease of installation. Being the same height as carpet tiles and easier to move around, means that as business sections move around, flooring combinations can be used to accommodate this.

Duraflor wood-effect vinyl floors provide a safe, clean, cheerful, and comfortable place to work in, with a floor that is easy to maintain and a bright and luxurious place for customers to visit. With its advantage of requiring no adhesive, as well as a ten-year commercial guarantee, selecting Duraflor vinyl over real hardwood can be a great ecological and economic choice for a commercial business.

Geometric and hexagonal flooring in a Commercial Environment

Hexxtile hexagon carpet tiles in boardroom

Scandi, modern and contemporary interiors are now, more than ever, incorporating geometric, especially hexagonal flooring. But how can you bring it into a commercial office space? We take a look at the different flooring statements you can make.

As the most popular interiors have become progressively cleaner, minimal and more modern in the last few years, introducing pattern and personality through walls and flooring can be considered a more daunting task. However, recent trends have seen a rise in the incorporation of statement flooring against simple, white or neutral toned walls, as a way to amp up an interior’s look and introduce elements of creativity.

Sharp, angular patterns are essential to ensuring that the completed look remains clean and modern, with geometric and hexagonal designs proving to be popular in both residential and commercial flooring areas.

What is geometric flooring?

Geometric flooring patterns are mostly found in the form of vinyl tiles, carpet tiles or porcelain tiles. Geometric flooring tends to be bolder and brighter, due to its focus on shape-based prints and patterns that are often reflected in clear detail and high pigmentation. Hexagonal flooring is a subset of geometric, often lending a more demure look, that is less about pattern and print. Instead, hexagonal flooring is often designed to look like individual tiles that highlight one tone or texture. Because of its simpler nature, hexagonal flooring designs can also be found in engineered wood flooring, which creates a wonderfully warm and contemporary look.

What interior styles is geometric flooring best suited to?

Modern, contemporary and mid-century interior styles benefit the most from geometric flooring. They can be enhanced with either clashing or matching patterns and prints in a space. In all-white or singular coloured rooms, they can add a wonderful sense of depth and character. If you’re looking to add personality to an interior, or a playful element, geometric flooring is ideal for you.

Hexagonal flooring is currently having somewhat of a revival and is often worked into Scandinavian, minimal and modern interiors as a way to add character and a new design element, without being too overpowering. However, thanks to its versatility, hexagonal tiles would also look great in eclectic and more traditional styled interiors too.

How can you incorporate geometric flooring into a commercial office space?

Hexagonal flooring can be introduced to a commercial office as a way to add character, fun and personality. The design benefits from being introduced into smaller spaces that have a specific purpose, such as meeting rooms, cubicles or reception areas, with bold flooring often creating a new element and feel to a space. However, geometric flooring styles can also be worked into large, open place office spaces. If you plan on doing this, it is important to choose a large, oversized floor tile that won’t overpower your interior, or to mix elements of geometric or hexagonal patterns into a simpler floor style.

Add interest to simpler floor tiles

Hexagonal or plain carpet tiles in muted tones can look wonderful when given some edge with a few standout floor tiles that are placed strategically around an office space. Rather than overpowering an interior with a print that may be too bold, you can create a trend-led look that won’t be too much of a distraction. Or, for a different approach, you can mix textures and colours by having an area with hexagonal carpet tiles, next to an area with vinyl herringbone tiles.

Create zoned areas

Zoning areas is a great way to use geometric flooring in an open plan office space, as it will add drama and the feel of a new area, without the need for walls. If you have room dividers or areas for meetings or breaks, you could use a bold geometric pattern throughout this area, to break apart your room and create a more defined space. Make sure to contrast the flooring that you may have in your office space, to emphasise this look.

Add interest without painting the walls

A great way to incorporate some drama and personality into more minimal or streamlined spaces, geometric flooring is an excellent way to create floor definition in a large, open plan office. By choosing to add character to your office in the floor, as opposed to the walls (which can often be a distraction), you can help to create a more productive, calmer working environment that is still practical. For those who would like to add interest to their office yet prefer a more subtle look, hexagonal flooring is ideal.

The new Duraflor range of Hexagonal Tiles can be seen now at our London Showroom at The Design Hub, 47 Gee Street, Clerkenwell – if you would like more details please email [email protected]

5 ways to create an amazing, on-brand office with carpet tiles

office using flooring to match brand identity

There are certain practicalities when you’re designing an office space that can feel quite limiting. However, carpet tiles provide a lot of amazing benefits and are frequently considered the best flooring solution for your space and budget needs. They also present a lot of great design opportunities, if you know how to use them.

The benefits of carpet tiles:

Carpet tiles have loads of great benefits, including:

Being incredibly simple and easy to fit.

Providing quality flooring at less expense.

Offering a durable flooring solution.

Being easy to maintain, with the ability to replace single tiles where needed, rather than whole floors.

Providing a lot of creative opportunities.

Here are five great ways to create an impressive, on-brand office with carpet tiles…

1. Names and colour bands

Nothing defines your brand quite so much as your name, and carpet tiles can be surprisingly versatile when it comes to including your name on the very halls you tread. If that feels a little much, or you don’t have a brand name that lends itself to block lettering, a simple band of your main brand colour, strategically placed in a floor that is otherwise a neutral, contrasting colour is very effective.

2. Paths and gardens

Think of designing an office like landscape gardening, and use your carpet tiles to create paths through and around areas of activity. The human brain is incredibly clever when it comes to recognising patterns and will instinctively stick within the confines of areas that stand out. Creating blocks of carpet for your working areas, with paths in different colours will help keep key areas needed for easy access clear of office clutter, and look very smart too.

3. Cubicles without boundaries

While you’re defining working spaces, if you have a cubicle office you might think about opening it up into something a little more spacious by foregoing the usual walled cubicles and using carpet areas to designate cubicles instead. Without the walls boxing everyone in there will be more room for collaboration and a somewhat less claustrophobic atmosphere.

4. Colour code your zones

If you have a production line or a workflow that requires the systematic movement of products and work from one physical space to another, using carpet colours to define different areas is very effective. Likewise, if you have areas that can only be used for certain tasks, or materials that can’t be taken into specific locations, a colour coding system is a visual and easy way to tell people what they should be doing and where.

5. Directing traffic

Carpet tiles can also be used to work ingenious directions into the floor. From arrows directing the flow of foot traffic, to bands, bars, and boxes identifying emergency escape routes and more.

With so many great opportunities to be creative and fun is it time you were using carpet tiles in a more dynamic way, and elevating your floor into something more than simply the thing everyone stands on?

Feature Image: See Case Study for more information

Facilities management – budgeting for your building

Facilities management

As a facilities manager, how can you keep costs down while appeasing employees and making sure your office or premises meets the required regulations and standards? We have researched a few ideas.

The role of a facilities manager isn’t easy. As the ultimate organiser, you’re tasked with making sure the working environment is safe and meets the needs of employees. However, budgets are getting increasingly smaller and the demands for a great working environment are getting larger.

Don’t overlook the small things

There are many elements to juggle when it comes to facilities management, including allocating costs for equipment, projects, supplies, hiring and emergencies, but there are a few small things you can do to keep costs down.

Sometimes you overlook them because you’re too concerned with the bigger picture, but little things such as turning off vending machines and office computers, checking windows and roofs for leaks, turning off lights, and ensuring refrigeration units are kept at the correct temperature can really help in the long run. It’s important to be proactive here, but you must also advise employees to do the same – put up signs to remind the last person to turn off the lights and send regular emails to ensure all staff are kept in the loop.

Consider your flooring expenditure

Your choice of flooring can impact your business, in terms of health, safety, wellness and even productivity! The right flooring can help reduce your budget – it may cost you more initially, but ensuring the flooring is properly installed and maintained, and choosing a high-quality, hard-wearing option is essential – it’ll be more durable, so you won’t have to replace it as often.

Carpet tiles are a great example and they’re ideal for reducing replacement costs. They’re also available in many colourful, modern designs which work wonders for transforming both the feel and look of a space.

Go green!

Becoming more energy efficient is a lot easier than you think if all staff work together. Educate everybody on how becoming greener can reduce costs and improve your environmentally friendly status. Simple tasks such as lowering the air conditioning or heater, switching to LED lights, and reducing paper waste can make a huge difference.

These tasks are simple to carry out, but it’s important staff are still comfortable. In winter, rather than turning the temperature dial up on the heating, try letting more natural light into the space (think glass doors and partitions, and larger windows). During the summer, encourage them to close blinds and open windows to keep the space cool, rather than ramping up the air conditioning. Plants, shrubs and trees are also great for natural shading.

Don’t neglect routine maintenance and cleaning

Equipment is a big cost for any facilities budget, so you need to make sure you’re regularly cleaning and maintaining all your computers, machines, appliances and operating systems. You can do this by keeping detailed logs and asking employees to carry out preventive maintenance. By catching a fault or fixing a problem before major issues arise, you can avoid costly repairs further down the line.

We realise many of you know a lot about the above, but there is no harm in accumulating a few well informed tips. We found many articles focused on energy saving lighting and HVAC, there was also a strong focus on promoting collaboration with all employees and thinking about how buildings are used, and when they are not. It might be worth reading Ten Tips For Facility Managers to Cut Energy Costs on facilitiesnet.com – although written sometime ago this US article picks up on a number of key areas of consideration.

Concrete futures – a source of inspiration

Concrete - Durawal Urbaen room shot

Materials Consultant Adele Orcajada from MaterialDriven talks about how concrete has moved from being an industrial material to a source of inspiration.

Concrete is very much identified as a material of the modern age and yet surprisingly man has been using concrete as a building material since the earliest civilizations. Even the Roman Colosseum was created on a concrete foundation. And yet concrete’s use fell alongside the Roman Empire, and the mix of cement, sand, water and rocks disappeared before being rediscovered in late 18th-century Britain, It then became the most commonly used material of that period, and it still is a key material of our time.

However, many designers are now using concrete in unexpected and unusual ways. It is no longer considered only a building material, concrete has crossed over into different sectors and has been slowly transforming the way it is perceived and even the way it looks. This material’s qualities and characteristic have gained appreciation and admiration from designers working with jewellery, lighting, and furniture.

In interior design, concrete is a must to achieve a modern, sophisticated, and industrial look. By incorporating small accents of concrete in lamps or tiles you can transform a space and give it just the edge. If you want to make a bigger statement, cover the floor with polished concrete or create textured walls of greys. Some designers have even constructed whole concrete-based bathrooms and kitchens, reminiscent of an old industrial warehouse. Concrete is hard-wearing and super slick, and a beloved cornerstone of minimalist design. And yet, surprisingly concrete can also very familiar, recognisable and warm, it is a great option in almost all settings. Depending on the texture and the materials it is combined with, it can change a space dramatically. What there is no doubt about is that it is a design staple that’s always on trend.

HAPPY CONCRETE – IWAN POL

Iwan Pol is aiming to achieve the quite the opposite. This designer wants to make concrete look nothing like concrete, Iwan has managed to separate the two most recognisable characteristics of concrete- the colour grey and hardness from his material By combining concrete with different pigments and playing around with texture, Iwan has created a sensory experience that is full of colour and softness, surprising and engaging for the user to explore what concrete should look like. His research results in a series of small objects that aims to propose new aesthetic possibilities for our most widely used material. Read more about Happy Concrete here.

CORECRETE – STUDIO NIRUK

Nothing is generating more interest and witnessing more diversity and experimentation in the world of materials today, than composites. So innovation that combines concrete with new materials is not a surprise. The German designers Studio Niruk have challenged the consumer by bringing together concrete-well known for its hard-lined coldness, with cork-known for its warmth, stretch, and pliability.

The resulting sensory potpourri is Corcrete, a pleasurable haptic experience in the shape of a sheet material. Its aesthetic properties are also unique with a texture similar to terrazzo. And while ordinary concrete generates very little insulation of its own, Corcrete gains from the inherent insulating properties of Cork, making it an extremely versatile material to work with. Using Corcrete they have created exciting furniture like stool, and tables. Read more about Studio Niruk and what they are achieving here.

Adele Orcajada – Director MaterialDriven.

Choose the right safety flooring for sports and leisure facilities

Safety flooring for sports and leisure facilities

When choosing flooring for a leisure facility, it is easy to neglect the areas outside of the sports hall itself: the changing rooms, the office, the reception and the corridors. However, it is just as crucial to select the right safety flooring for these areas, to keep staff and visitors safe and to create the right look for your leisure centre.

When you think of leisure centre flooring, you most likely think of the highly polished wooden floors of the sports halls themselves. However, when developing a leisure facility or working in charge of one, it is important to consider the different types of flooring you will need in other parts of the building. Leisure centres, including school sports facilities, public gyms and pools, or family activity centres, have a unique set of flooring needs that can only be met with the right material choices.

Non-slip safety flooring

Locker rooms and changing rooms need floors that perform three functions; the floor of a changing facility should be hygienic, durable, and slip-resistant. The floor will often be walked on by people in bare feet, and floors near the showers or close to a pool are very likely to get wet. Safety flooring can reduce the number of slips and falls in your changing rooms, and ensure that facility users are not put at risk by unsuitable floors. Choose floors with a high slip resistance rating to improve safety at your leisure centre.

Vinyl flooring is therefore ideal for locker rooms. It is tough and it can handle heavy foot traffic, but it is also comfortable underfoot. It is extremely easy to keep clean, which is important in a changing facility where hygiene is crucial, and it requires very little maintenance. Vinyl floors come with a range of Floor Slip Ratings which illustrate slip resistance, so you can make an informed choice about the right materials to use.

Flooring for communal and staff areas

In addition to the changing rooms, it is important to get the right flooring for the rest of the building. Consider using carpet tiles for reception areas, corridors, stairwells and staff offices. Duraflor especially recommend Robust a barrier tile for entrance halls, stairs and corridor areas. The rugged diagonal rib hides soiling very effectively. For more information about entrance matting and barrier tiles take a look at Duraflor’s Entrance Solutions brochure.

Carpet tiles come in a huge variety of colours and styles and they can be laid in an almost limitless array of patterns, giving you or your designer complete creative control over the finished floor. Tiles can be used to colour code floors, to provide directions to parts of the building, or to indicate different building zones. An important aspect here is also budget, a good range of price points for carpet tiles means different tiles can be used for back office areas versus the more impactful public areas, while still not compromising on ease of maintenance and level of durability.

Tiles can also be quickly changed out for new ones if they become worn or damaged. This is a far more cost effective option than replacing the entire carpet. Carpet tiles are among the easiest floors to maintain, and also to keep looking clean and tidy. Visitors to your leisure facility expect to enter a building that is clean, attractive and well presented. The condition and look of your floors can leave a lasting first impression, so make sure it is a good one! Choose your flooring carefully and give your leisure centre a look that represents your values.