"natural floor coverings"

Product:Surespan manufactured this SAC Aluminium, single leaf, flush floor access cover to fit a structural opening 1000 x 1000mm. The access cover comes complete with gas spring assisted, Aluminium chequer plate lid which locks in the open position with a safety hold open stay to prevent against accidental closure. Should any water pass the seals, it will be dispersed via an integral drainage channel. The lid is held shut by a heavy-duty Grade 316 Stainless Steel ‘slam action’ cab lock and can open from both sides with the use of a removable ‘Tee’ key., for safety. Finished Self-colour Aluminium.

In a world where competition for the workforce has become tougher, Avinode needed an office with a strong identity and a strong attraction element. The company is driven by its curiosity and is at the forefront with new technology and they wanted this to be reflected within the new premises. Marmoleum was chosen from an environmental perspective. Marmoleum is a natural, durable floor covering available now in over 300 beautiful colours.

By using a pair of Howe Green Access Cover Skates you will make light work of moving heavy access covers! Health and safety is a major consideration for all building owners, facilities managers and contractors. The Howe Green Access Cover Skate removes the need for operatives to manually move heavy manhole covers and access covers when accessing concealed services. By reducing the requirement to handle heavy objects the risk of injury is greatly diminished. With up to a 300-kilo lift from each Howe Green Access Cover Skate you will benefit from a powerful floor access cover lifter.

Having used Forbo Marmoleum flooring in the original build of the Core building, the Eden Project called upon the durable and sustainable floor covering once more to reinvigorate the recent refurbishment of the area.After years of constant use with around one million visitors a year, the Core building at the heart of Cornwall’s popular visitor attraction, the Eden Project, underwent a major transformation and a new exhibition, Invisible Worlds, was installed.Dr Jo Elworthy, Director of Interpretation at the Eden Project explained: "When we first built the Core in 2005, we wanted to create a sustainable space, so this meant using responsibly sourced materials. We approached Forbo as we wished to showcase environmentally-friendly, sustainable flooring made from natural materials – and Marmoleum seemed like the perfect fit on all levels. As the existing Marmoleum floors had fared so well over the years, we went back to Forbo when we were looking to refresh the building. Again, we needed a floor covering that was made from renewable raw materials, PVC-free, low emitting and carbon neutral, yet would be able to withstand the heavy footfall of visitors that we get each year.”

Project:Surespan were approached to develop and supply a series of 4 hour fire rated flush floor access covers for the Midfield Concourse expansion project at Hong Kong International Airport. The HK$10 Billion dollar project was completed in 2015 following extensive design and planning processes utilising BIM modelling. Product:Our SAC covers were specified for their fire rating and ease of customisation. The covers were specially adapted with a 200mm upstand and enhanced fire-rated materials to achieve the 4-hour rating. Sizes Supplied 1050 (41”) x 1050 (41”) 1050 (41”) x 850 (33”) 750 (29”) x 600 (23”)

Creating better education environments Primary School De Verwondering is a fully bio-based school building and the first example of a new generation of bio-based school buildings that recognizes and harnesses nature's powerful effcet on learning.The beautiful wooden building - which runs on circular energy - has a vegetation roof with chickens, green facades and remarkably large windows. The primary school recently won the 2021 Golden Frog award for sustainable construction in the Netherlands.The interior and exterior of the school have a positive influence on the well-being and performance of the pupils. The environment outside blends with the natural elements of the building, such as wood and bamboo, while inside the interior architect chose a CO2 neutral (cradle to gate) Marmoleum floor covering. Marmoleum Cocoa is made of natural and renewable raw materials with the addition of a waste product from the cocoa industry and, in that respect, it fits the building perfectly. Marmoleum is one of the flooring industry's most beautiful and also oldest bio-based products.

C.A.T. AC38 stick fix cover plates were specified by the Architects in an Onyx (satin black) finish. These were installed around the perimeters of the space to enhance and highlight the floor-length windows. This installation shows how versatile our floor thresholds can be and that with a little inspiration and imagination there are endless possibilities.

Surespan manufactured and supplied over 86 different access hatches including;Hydraulic HIAC coversStainless Steel Internal HIAC coversStainless Steel Roof HatchesThe HIAC hatches were primarily 1800 x 1800mm and were rated FACTA Class ‘B’ vehicle loading. They were hand pump operated via hydraulic cylinders. A further 70+ covers were manufactured in stainless steel to fit 1220 x 1220mm with 50mm and 80mm recesses. The internal HIAC was 600 x 600mm and featured gas spring assistance, 20mm recess for marble and a polished stainless steel top trim.The Roof Hatches supplied were 800 x 900 and 600 x 600mm stainless steel and were fire-rated for up to 2 hours. They were powder-coated RAL 9010. 

Colours inspired by the natural environment, combined with the outstanding performance of Forbo Flooring Systems’ luxury vinyl tile (LVT) and carpet tile solutions, have helped AMH Workspace create an uplifting working environment for Furniture Clinic’s new HQ, which ‘brings the outdoors indoors’.AMH Workspace was brought on board by Furniture Clinic as part of the refurbishment project to create a warm and welcoming new HQ for the company’s 65 employees. With wood being an integral part of the business, it naturally features prominently both on the external façade of the building and internally.A striking feature of the new 50,000 sq ft premises is the atrium area with a cedar slat wall covered with natural moss that catches the eye as soon as you enter the building. Full floor to ceiling height windows and a balcony area with open walkways completes the visual spectacle and have transformed the entrance area into a bright, welcoming and memorable space.“Using Forbo’s Allura Flex LVT flooring in Brown Raw Timber in the ground floor reception area adds warmth to such a vast space,” explained Heather. Available in 34 wood designs, Allura Flex comes in 4 different plank sizes, offering greater design freedom. The matte surface features a natural looking fine wood grain with a true to life embossing, while the tile’s special backing is designed for comfort and improved impact sound reduction. This has helped to control the noise in the expansive reception area.Heather continued: “We chose Allura Flex for its natural looking characteristics. The extra-large 150 x 28 cm planks were perfect for such a large space, while the 5mm thickness and 1mm wear layer offers exceptional performance, making it the ideal solution for this high traffic area.”Forbo’s Tessera Cloudscape carpet tiles in the green hues of Monsoon Cloud and Summer Storm have been used throughout the offices and meeting rooms. In the open office area, Cloudscape has been installed in conjunction with Allura Flex, again in the Brown Raw Timber colourway, to create separate work and meeting/breakout zones. Forbo’s range of Tessera carpet tiles combine well with Allura Flex LVT, as the same adhesive can be used during installation, which means there is no need for transition strips, enabling a seamlessly integrated flooring design.

The "White Marmot" restaurant in the Corviglia ski area near St. Moritz combines top-class gastronomy with lifestyle. The traditional Swiss mountain restaurant, which emerged from the "La Marmite" founded in 1967, was renovated in accordance with the visionary ideas of its owner Hartly Mathis in collaboration with Ateiler Zürich and Testa Bodenbeläge.The White Marmot is divided into a lounge, bar and restaurant area. The existing natural stone floor was not satisfactory because of the poor room acoustics, the sensitivity to moisture caused by the guests' ski boots and the associated risk of slipping. The architects found in Flotex flocked flooring the better alternative. Comfort, anti-slip, easy care and durability could be guaranteed with just one floor covering. Moreover, the client and the planner were impressed by the endless design possibilities of the Flotex digital print technique. The digital printed Flotex Vision design was able to fulfil the requirments of a modern style in ambience of the 1960s and 1970s.

 Case StudyWAGWORKS, FULHAM, LONDON Architect: Simpson StudioConstruction Company: Fileturn LimitedProject Installation Dates: 2022Flooring Systems Installed: Bolidtop 525 Deco with textureless anti-slip (54720)Colour:  S 4030-G50Y with flake 2/52-3 Stratum were specified to install a hygienic, safe, easy to clean, scratch resistant floor to the first of this brand new up market chain of doggy day care centres in Fulham. Stratum provided the trendy space with an attractive floor to match the other natural materials and colours in the scheme. The resin needed to be installed over a metal panel raised access floor in the main circulation areas. Challenge-      The resin needed to be installed over a metal panel raised access floor in the main circulation areas.-      To select a colour and finish that would sit alongside and compliment a range of different materials chosen for the interior spaces.-      To carefully programme in the work and co-ordinate with the other trades on the project.-      To provide a floor soft enough for doggy paws, yet hardwearing and anti-slip whilst maintaining ease of cleaning.-      To arrange for products to be delivered to a busy street in London with only front access  Solution-      Bolidtop 525 Deco was selected with flake system and textureless anti-slip coating in a shade of green with black flakes. -      Cement boards were laid on top of steel raised access floor.-      To work closely with Fileturn Limited to ensure timing of delivery and programme goes to plan.   Benefits/Installation-      The Stratum system is the most visible floor finish in the main space. It covers a well used pathway, providing a soft flexible floor, with a smooth slip resistant finish.Result-      A perfect floor for heavy footfall (and pawfall) that is easy to clean and ties in beautifully with the modern, natural scheme.

An old Edinburgh Woollen Mill store in Buxton was recently transformed into a bike shop to cater fro the needs of the avid cyclists in the local area. Peak ascent Cycles also specialises in bike servicing and repairs which in turn, results in dirt and moisture from threads of wheels being rolled into the shop on a daily basis. Recognising the necessity to stop dirt in its tracks and protect the shop's shiny interior floor coverings, Patrick Healy, the owner of Peak Ascent cycles had our Coral Duo entrance flooring system installed at the front door. In a green Bellagio colourway- which is new for 2021- the vibrant green shade matches the bike shop's brand colours perfectly and reflects its ethos of nature and the great outdoors. Indeed Coral Duo is proven to stop up to 95% of dirt and moisture from entering a building and can reduce cleaning time by up to 65%.

A former pub located in the heart of Taporley village, Cheshire, has been converted into a luxury health and welbeing centre, featuring a state-of-the-art-gym, treatment rooms and apartments for staff use. Instinct Gym and Wellbeing aims to help improve the health and mental wellbeing of the local community through new initiatives. When it came to selection the best floor coverings, having worked with JA Flooring on previous projects  Enigma Holdings Group, the owners of the building, called upon the flooring contractor once more. As aesthetics and durability were key objectives of the project, JA Flooring advised the use of an array of solutions from Forbo Flooring Systems’ portfolio including its Allura luxury vinyl tiles (LVT), which played a significant role in the renovation works.The natural wood and stone aesthetic, combined with the benefits of strong, comfortable vinyl tiles, meant that Allura was installed in the gym, treatment rooms, spin studios and circulation areas. In the treatment rooms where a more serene surrounding was required, Allura Wood in the Whitewash Elegant Oak colourway was used.In the entrance and reception area, a bespoke Coral Logo entrance flooring mat was produced to reinforce the Instinct Gym and Wellbeing branding – helping to create that all important first impression, whilst offering protection in extreme traffic conditions and maximum functional performance.Finally, Tessera Earthscape carpet tiles in Iceberg were installed in the apartments; and in the changing facilities and kitchens, the Surestep range in various neutral colourways helped to complement the overall sophisticated interior of the health and wellbeing centre.

For the beautiful penthouse atop one of the buildings in South Bank Place, located next to the London Eye, the designers wanted a feature floor with a bespoke colour finish. We worked with the designers at Goddard Littlefair and decided on the timeless design of the Versailles parquet pattern. The designers wanted a show-stopping colour for this floor. We created the Belvedere colour finish; using a mixture of fumed, European Oak and pigmented hard wax oils to create a dark colour tone with red and golden highlights.To ensure a uniform and quick installation on site; we creating metre square panels with the Solid Oak Versailles pattern positioned by hand onto Birch plywood backing. Having discussed the fit-out process in detail with the fit-out team from SJ Eastern Joinery, we grooved all four sides of the panel and supplied the tongues loose. This gave the fitters flexibility to lay the boards as they saw fit on site. Once we had assembled the panels, the bespoke colour finish was applied; after completing multiple coats the panels were stored to fully cure and harden.Once the team from SJ Eastern had fitted the flooring on site, they protected it with a soft breathable cover and topped that with hardboard and taped the edges. This allowed the other trades to snag without damaging the floor. Once snagging was complete, the floor protection was removed. As anyone who has been on a building site knows, dust and debris are everywhere and sure enough the flooring needed a final clean and buff with oil to increase the lustre and make it perfect for the wow factor needed in such a stunning project.The expert team lead by Bardhyl Miskiqi of BRB Flooring came in and cleaned the floor thoroughly, removing plaster dust and other debris by vacuum and cleaning the floor down using a solution of Blanchon Natural Soap and hot water. Once the floor was suitably clean, they applied Blanchon Hard Wax Oil Satin on to the floor and buffed a coat into the floor using a buffing machine equipped with a white buffing pad. This fed the Oak another coat of oil which bolsters the protection against every day use and increased the lustre of the wood highlighting all the colours from that bespoke colour that had been applied at the factory.Once the oil was properly buffed in, the penthouse door was closed and the floor left to dry and cure. Once curing had completed the furniture was placed in the room and made ready for viewing by the client and new owner and a lifetime of happy memories.Please call 01666 504015 for more information.

Project:Surespan designed and manufactured several floor access covers for the £6.5m Liffey Service Tunnel Project in Dublin Ireland.The service tunnel is one of the crucial links for the rejuvenation of the docklands, it will carry water mains to the docklands and transfer wastewater to the treatment plant at Ringsend. The 260m tunnel will also carry district heating pipes, gas mains, and electrical and telecommunication cables.Products:Surespan designed and manufactured several floor access covers including SAC Flush floor access covers and HIAC Recessed floor covers.All the access covers were supplied with either a gas spring-assisted opening, hydraulic or electric with a retractable safety grid and pedestrian (FACTA Class ‘A’) Loading. A hydraulic HIAC was also supplied with a FACTA Class ‘D’ Loading which is the equivalent of an 11-tonne wheel load.

FORBO’S FLOORING ELEVATES THE SUSTAINABILITY ETHOS IN NEW ECO-FRIENDLY PRIMARY SCHOOL  Two Rivers primary school in Keynsham, Somerset, is only the second school in the country to achieve Passivhaus Plus accreditation. To achieve this impressive milestone, architects Hatcher Prichard had to make conscious choices when it came to choosing materials for this project. With outstanding sustainability credentials and a wide portfolio of solutions suitable for the education sector, Hatcher Prichard specified a variety of Forbo Flooring Systems’ contemporary floor coverings, including its Tessera carpet tiles, Sphera and Eternal vinyl floor coverings, as well as both its Surestep and Safestep safety flooring. A new build primary school for 420 pupils, Two Rivers Primary School was designed to add the much-needed provision for primary education to children in the Keynsham area, whilst also following sustainable building practices. With the requirement to achieve Passivhaus Plus accreditation, which meant the building had to produce as much energy as the occupants use, Hatcher Prichard had to carefully consider the materials used in the construction of this building.  Simon Hatcher, Director at Hatcher Prichard explains further: “Two Rivers achieved Passivhaus Plus accreditation in February 2023 and is only the second school in the country to do so. It is also the first to be built using standard building materials, including a steel frame with concrete floor slabs. When it came to specifying materials for the building, we looked for manufacturers that had strong sustainability credentials. With Forbo’s environmental goals so aligned with our own, and that of the building as a whole, it meant they were the perfect fit! In fact, Forbo’s sustainability credentials and flooring solutions were key to finishing this wonderful building.” However, as well as the sustainability objectives that Simon had to keep in mind, he also had to meet the design requirements. Simon commented on this, saying: “We were supplied with a document by the Department for Education on the Employer’s Requirements, which includes a section on floor coverings and the factors to consider when specifying materials for schools. The main area of consideration though was the functionality of the flooring; it had to withstand the heavy foot traffic we would expect to see in a school, whilst also being easy to clean and maintain.  “Additionally, the floor coverings needed to be installed seamlessly alongside each other to keep the joints between them flush, as well as provide some slip resistance. The chosen floor coverings also had to be suitable for the usage of each room, with the colourways used also needing to be appropriate for the age of the children using the space. The Forbo account managers really helped with this, thanks to their understanding of how specific products from Forbo’s portfolio met the individual requirements of each room in the school.” With the suitability of colours in mind, Simon looked to incorporate elements of the local environment into the design, as well as take inspiration from the school name too. He explained: “The design of the school draws from its location at the heart of Hygge Park, Keynsham. The surrounding area has a calm, Scandinavian palette of colours and materials, with the local houses made from light buff brickwork with white render above. We opted to use matching buff brick and white render externally, with complimentary blues, greys and whites for the walls and other surfaces inside. All the floor finishes were supplied using the contemporary and durable range of Forbo products required for each individual space. For example, Forbo’s Eternal vinyl was specified in the Washed Beech wood décor for the hall, hall store, studio and servery areas, which provided a natural contrast to the white paint on the walls, without being too distracting. “We also specified Forbo’s Sphera homogenous vinyl in a clear blue colourway, to represent the ‘two rivers’ of the school’s name, which runs along the ground floor corridor and extends back up along the first floor. We also used Forbo’s Eternal vinyl in the Smoke colourway for all the ground floor classrooms, which created a calm and neutral feeling.” What’s more, a selection of Forbo’s Tessera carpet tiles were chosen in a muted blue colourway for the first-floor classrooms, which helped to make them feel bright and spacious. Speaking on this decision, Simon said: “With the first-floor classrooms designed for the older students, we felt it would be more appropriate to use a textile flooring, as opposed to the vinyl flooring used in the Key Stage 1 classrooms. As such, Forbo’s Tessera Teviot carpet tiles were installed in the Mid Blue and Blue Moon colourways, both of which fit the colour theme running throughout the school. Additionally, the Tessera carpet tiles are really easy to clean, another requirement set out in the brief, so it ticked all the boxes.”  In addition to the above, Forbo’s Surestep and Safestep safety flooring were used across the project to ensure the safety of students throughout the building. Specified in the Smoke and Silver Grey colourways to match the colour scheme, the safety floors were installed in the wet rooms on both floors, as well as in the DT classroom on the first floor.  Simon concluded: “We’re really happy with the finished project, as are the school and students’ parents. The school held an open evening in mid-January where the Head and Deputy Head showed visitors around the building; both were delighted with every aspect, especially the hardwearing finishes throughout.” With the initial design stage beginning in August 2020, the school was completed in December 2022 and opened for students shortly afterwards in the new year. To find out more about Forbo’s offering for schools, visit: www.forbo-flooring.co.uk/education

For the beautiful penthouse atop one of the buildings in South Bank Place, located next to the London Eye, the designers wanted a feature floor with a bespoke colour finish. We worked with the designers at Goddard Littlefair and decided on the timeless design of the Versailles parquet pattern. The designers wanted a show-stopping colour for this floor. We created the Belvedere colour finish; using a mixture of fumed, European Oak and pigmented hard wax oils to create a dark colour tone with red and golden highlights.To ensure a uniform and quick installation on site; we creating metre square panels with the Solid Oak Versailles pattern positioned by hand onto Birch plywood backing. Having discussed the fit-out process in detail with the fit-out team from SJ Eastern Joinery, we grooved all four sides of the panel and supplied the tongues loose. This gave the fitters flexibility to lay the boards as they saw fit on site. Once we had assembled the panels, the bespoke colour finish was applied; after completing multiple coats the panels were stored to fully cure and harden.Once the team from SJ Eastern had fitted the flooring on site, they protected it with a soft breathable cover and topped that with hardboard and taped the edges. This allowed the other trades to snag without damaging the floor. Once snagging was complete, the floor protection was removed. As anyone who has been on a building site knows, dust and debris are everywhere and sure enough the flooring needed a final clean and buff with oil to increase the lustre and make it perfect for the wow factor needed in such a stunning project.The expert team lead by Bardhyl Miskiqi of BRB Flooring came in and cleaned the floor thoroughly, removing plaster dust and other debris by vacuum and cleaning the floor down using a solution of Blanchon Natural Soap and hot water. Once the floor was suitably clean, they applied Blanchon Hard Wax Oil Satin on to the floor and buffed a coat into the floor using a buffing machine equipped with a white buffing pad. This fed the Oak another coat of oil which bolsters the protection against every day use and increased the lustre of the wood highlighting all the colours from that bespoke colour that had been applied at the factory.Once the oil was properly buffed in, the penthouse door was closed and the floor left to dry and cure. Once curing had completed the furniture was placed in the room and made ready for viewing by the client and new owner and a lifetime of happy memories.Please call 01666 504015 for more information or click the product image details below.

FORBO’S CONTEMPORARY PORTFOLIO HELPS TO CREATE INSPIRATIONAL AND SUSTAINABLE STUDENT ACCOMMODATIONArchwood House, a new purpose-built student accommodation scheme in Peckham, was commissioned by the University of the Arts London (UAL) to house its students. Tasked with creating proactive and forward-thinking spaces for residents to live and study in, architects Nelson and Long specified an array of solutions from Forbo Flooring Systems’ contemporary portfolio to make this happen. Forbo’s Coral entrance flooring, Allura Luxury Vinyl Tiles (LVT), Tessera carpet tiles, Eternal de Luxe Decibel general purpose vinyl and Surestep and Safestep safety floor coverings were all installed throughout the building.Comprising 343 bedrooms and 50 studios, Archwood House provides students with accommodation close to UAL buildings and is designed to provide students with the creative and inspirational spaces they need, to enhance their university experiences. Nelson and Long worked closely with UAL to develop a design that would create spaces which were flexible and would allow residents to flourish in their surroundings.Alicia Nelson, Co-founder of Nelson and Long commented on the brief they received: “Our client’s brief was to create innovative and inspiring spaces for UAL’s creative students to learn and grow in. It was also important that the spaces equipped students with the tools they needed to have a successful time at university, from studying to socialising. Sustainability was top of the agenda too, so we needed to carefully consider the materials we specified to ensure we met the requirements.”With the project brief in mind, Alicia set about sourcing materials that reflected the needs of the building: “Due to the variety of high-quality and sustainable products available within Forbo’s portfolio, as well as its reliable customer service, we opted for a variety of Forbo floor coverings for Archwood House, including its Allura LVT and Tessera carpet tiles.“We specified Forbo’s Allura LVT in a variety of colourways for a few different areas of the student accommodation, including the games room and common room which are situated in the street building – a separate part of the accommodation. The warm colours that Forbo’s Allura LVT are available in helped to provide a stunning backdrop for each space which then enabled us to build out, incorporating different textures and colours to the overall design. For example, we used the Smoke Cement shade for the ground floor corridors, games room and study room, to elevate the design and provide a nice neutral finish. As well as the beautiful designs available, Forbo’s Allura LVT is also easy to clean, which was an important factor for this project, given that lots of students would be using these spaces.“We then opted for various designs from Forbo’s Tessera collection, which are lovely, elegant and durable loop pile carpet tiles. Forbo’s Tessera Layout in the Graphine colourway was the perfect solution for the stairs, cluster corridors and other high traffic areas, thanks to its hard-wearing nature. The understated grey shade also complemented the neutral colour palette we were using for these areas.”Alicia also specified Forbo’s Tessera Chroma carpet tiles in the Pathway and Tuxedo colourways, which were installed in the bedrooms and the cinema room respectively to create a homely feel to the rooms. Not only this, but Forbo’s Tessera Chroma carpet tiles are made with 62% recycled content by weight, aiding in creating a more sustainable scheme.This was combined with Forbo’s Eternal de Luxe Decibel vinyl floor covering in the communal and studio kitchens. This solution served a double purpose: It reduced impact sound by 17 dB and provided an R10 slip rating, both of which were key to creating healthier and safer spaces for residents to live in.With safety in mind, Alicia also specified a range of Forbo’s safety flooring, as she explains further: “For the staff kitchen areas, toilets and prayer room, we needed to ensure maximum slip protection and that’s why we chose Forbo’s Surestep and Safestep floor coverings. The prayer room, in particular, which contains a wudu sink, needed to be a safe and neutral environment for residents to use, and Forbo’s Surestep offered the perfect solution. As a genuine safety flooring with guaranteed lifetime slip resistance, as well as an R10 slip rating and a 36 PTV score, it was the ideal solution to ensure the safety of residents. Not only this, but it comes available in a range of stylish colourways, such as the neutral wood décor we specified, which complemented the overall design.”In addition to this, to maintain the condition of the interior floor coverings, Alicia opted to use Forbo’s Coral Classic entrance flooring system in the Mouse Grey colourway. Alicia explains more here: “We wanted a solid barrier matting, that would reduce the walked-in dirt that you’d expect to see in a city centre university accommodation. With students coming and going all day, it was key to install an effective entrance flooring system to reduce cleaning and maintenance. Forbo’s Coral was just the solution we needed, with the Mouse Grey colourway matching the other grey textile carpets we’d specified, whilst also helping to reduce the amount of dirt and moisture from being brought in on the soles of shoes and treads of wheels.”Having opened in September 2022, Archwood House has been positively received by both staff and residents, who are delighted with the overall design and feel of the building.To find out more about Forbo’s offering for student accommodation, visit:WWW.FORBO-FLOORING.CO.UK/STUDENTACCOMMODATION

FORBO’S PORTFOLIO COMBINES QUALITY WITH AFFORDABILITY   Alumno, a specialist student accommodation developer, conceived and delivered a sophisticated and welcoming space for Element Bermondsey, a new student accommodation overlooking Bermondsey Spa Gardens. To do this, Forbo Flooring Systems’ Sarlon and Safestep floor coverings were specified, for their technical and aesthetic qualities.   Operated by CRM Students, the UK’s leading independent student accommodation management brand, Element Bermondsey provides 143 students living in Southwark with high-quality, fully serviced and sustainable accommodation. Greenaway Architecture and Tatham Studios worked with Alumno, to create contemporary spaces for the increasing number of students coming into London to study.   Greenaway Architecture and Alumno took the reins when designing Element Bermondsey, as Ron Plunz, Development Director at Alumno explained: “We had agreed a palette with our funding partner during our initial design meetings, which we had presented to them in a CGI format. We then took this vision and fine-tuned it to get a much clearer idea of the direction we wanted to go in.   “When designing student accommodation, we usually opt for a neutral theme as there is a mix of cultures, ages and people living under one roof. By choosing a contemporary yet neutral palette, it provides students with the freedom to make the spaces their own.”  Not only was it important that Alumno created a space that allowed the residents to express themselves, but it was also key that the building met sustainability requirements. Ron explained further: “We really wanted and needed to achieve a BREEAM rating of ‘Excellent’ with this building. As such, one of the factors we wanted to address was noise levels, to create healthy and comfortable spaces for the students. It was for this reason that we specified Forbo’s Sarlon acoustic floor covering; with a 19 dB impact sound reduction it exceeded the requirements needed for this accreditation.”  Forbo’s Sarlon 19 dB was specified in two different colours for this project. Ron explained: “We used Sarlon in Silver Concrete for the hallways and kitchen areas and Anthracite Nairobi in the bedrooms; both are deep greys, which offer an attractive, neutral baseline for the rooms, whilst providing some warmth to the spaces. I like to use products with some natural patterns like stone, concrete or textile weaves as it can serve a dual purpose of forming a pattern, whilst also helping to hide marks, which keeps the room looking smart.  “Forbo’s Sarlon offering fits this perfectly as it is available in a range of natural patterns and a versatile range of colours. We always use Forbo as its product range is just so varied, full of aesthetically pleasing designs that fit the technical requirements we’re looking for.”  Not only this, but the XtremePUR finish ensures Sarlon delivers improved scratch resistance, which is important for student accommodation as it endures heavy use across an academic year. Additionally, Sarlon is phthalate free, minimising the impact it has on the residents’ wellbeing.  Furthermore, Forbo’s Safestep product was used in the ensuite bathrooms, offering a good level of slip resistance. Ron continued: “Obviously resident safety is extremely important for these types of projects. So, for this reason, we needed a floor covering that could satisfy our health and safety requirements, but one that didn’t look industrial. Forbo’s Safestep was the perfect solution, with the contemporary Lava colour, which is a dark grey shade with hints of green running throughout it. It suits the neutral palette of the room, but also provides a good level of slip resistance.  “Forbo has a wide range of options available. In fact, there’s a solution for all applications, which makes our job easier, as we don’t have to use multiple manufacturers. Instead, we can purchase all the floor coverings we need from one company.”  CRM Students welcomed students into this latest scheme at the start of the 2022 academic year and has received positive feedback from the residents and press.  For more information about Forbo’s product range for student accommodation, visit: www.forbo-flooring.co.uk/studentaccommodation  

FORBO’S MODUL’UP VINYL CREATES WELCOMING MATCH-DAY SPACE A unique hospitality space located in Cardiff’s iconic Principality Stadium, the Riverside Terrace is notable for its move away from the traditional match-day hospitality experience. To create a premium experience, Design and Build Specialists Benchmark Designs called upon Forbo’s adhesive-free sheet vinyl floor covering – Modul’up.  Situated on the banks of the River Taff, the Principality Stadium plays host to a range of events and is renowned as the home of Wales’ Rugby Union team. Working with PSE Wales and Levy UK, Benchmark Designs looked to create a distinctive interior space, capable of offering a premium match-day experience for general admission visitors. Combining a variety of furniture and surfaces with a diverse street food menu, the Riverside Terrace was designed with the city high street in mind, as Hannah Glazier, Interior Designer at Benchmark Designs, explains: “The brief we received for the Riverside Terrace was to take this space and transform it from a traditional food service and interior style, to something with a more up-market feel that had a broad appeal to customers.  “Cardiff’s high street has such a wide range of street food eateries and PSE Wales were keen to incorporate this heritage into the Riverside Terrace, with a different vendor selected to cater each match, along with live music. With such a dynamic environment, we needed products that would complement the usage of the space, providing a practical and refined finish. For this, texture was a really important design element and we wanted to make sure the surfaces we specified would complement and contrast with each other.” With this brief in mind, Hannah looked for flooring solutions that would deliver on the desired aesthetic and feel, stating: “The space itself had a very industrial design, with exposed fixings and a metal-studded bar front adding different textural dynamics. With texture and visual quality in mind, we needed a floor covering that came in neutral shades to match the other finishes, but that could also create a warm and welcoming environment. It was for this reason that we specified Forbo’s Modul’up, in its Concrete and Oak colourways combining the texture and tone of concrete with the warmth of timber.  “The realistic timber appearance of the Oak colourway was ideal for the zoned seating area, while we used the Concrete for the circulation areas, as it nicely matched the design scheme for the walls and bar tops. It was important that we used these complementary colours throughout the entire interior, from wall to floors, lighting to surface tops, helping to create a cohesive and well-rounded space, which feels welcoming yet distinctive.” However, it wasn’t just the aesthetic requirements that were key, but the functionality of the flooring too. Hannah explained: “With a capacity of over 74,000, the Principality Stadium is an extremely busy environment. As such, it was essential that the floor coverings used were able to keep up with the high footfall expected at the venue. This was another reason behind our specification of Modul’up. It has excellent indentation resistance, which was perfect for this space, being able withstand intense usage on match-days. It’s also able to be installed adhesive-free, which made it extremely easy to fit, saving valuable time during the installation phase of the refurbishment.”  She concluded: “Our intention was to create a fun and informal space that was suitable for all demographics to use. We feel we achieved this, with our use of versatile and flexible furniture, wall and floor materials contributing to a relaxed and casual hospitality experience.” Having opened in October 2022, the Riverside Terrace has been put to good use over the 2022 Autumn Nations Series, as well as the 2023 Six Nations, with a PSE spokesperson saying of the new space: “Forbo’s flooring has truly transformed the space, with its exceptional quality, versatile design and hard-wearing nature contributing to a modern and trendy atmosphere. The choice of flooring seamlessly merged functionality with style, making it an ideal option for entry-level hospitality settings. Overall, we’re delighted with the finished project and have enjoyed entertaining our customers in the new space.”  Benchmark Designs’ work on the Riverside Terrace saw the project achieve ‘Commended’ in the 2022/23 iteration of the Forbo Escapes competition. Find out more about Forbo’s Modul’up collection, here: https://www.forbo.com/flooring/en-uk/commercial-products/modul-up-adhesive-free-sheet-vinyl/cum7pa

This family house, located in Chailland (France), has reduced up to 55% its annual energy bills thanks to THERMOSLATE. This solar collector in natural slate covers this family needs for hot water while enhancing the aesthetics and efficiency of their home. Five solar collectors over a total surface of 6.45 square meters, were more than enough to generate the energy required to cover the hot water needs of this family. The main component of the collectors is natural slate, extracted directly from our quarries and specially selected to ensure perfect fit and performance.

The UK’s leading access hatch manufacturer Surespan has launched a new range of heavy-duty access covers which are designed to support loading up to 16 tonnes. The aluminium alloy hatches can take loadings ranging from 5 to 19 tonnes (FACTA class B to E) and are available in standard single and double leaf sizes. They are gas spring operated, making them easy to open, and come with a range of locking options, including Surespan’s unique locking box.

This major redevelopment of Charlton Park Academy school involved replacing temporary mobile classrooms and a single storey building with a two-storey steel framed brick building to better meet the needs of students, teachers and carers. A structural flooring solution was required for use over precast planks, covering 800m2 on the ground and upper floor at a depth of 75mm to 120mm. Space and access would be challenging, due to the small footprint of the site, proximity to the existing school building and access from a busy main road. Given the large floor area, a traditional sand cement screed would have been very time consuming to place. Tarmac’s TOPFLOW SF a self compacting steel fibre reinforced concrete was chosen as the solution. Its flowing nature would allow it to be quickly pumped into place and adapt to the variable thickness criteria. TOPFLOW SF is designed to act as a structural topping with both, steel mesh & fibre reinforcement. The steel fibres added to the TOPFLOW SF gave its robustness and flexural strength as it was being placed over a precast plank system that could flex with loadings. They also reduced the risk of cracking. By replacing steel mesh reinforcement, it helped avoid problems with access, storage and handling and kept the site open for parallel trades. Using TOPFLOW SF rather than a sand cement screed or reinforced concrete, improved productivity and saved time. This saved 13 days or just over 2.5 weeks on the programme. 

In this wooden building in the center of Vienna, the walls, ceilings and floors are made from solid wood(CLT). The construction protection covering and sealing for the individual elements were achieved with the SIGA products Wetguard and Rissan.

FORBO’S INTEGRATED FLOORING HELPS TO REFURBISH FLEXIBLE WORKSPACE  Forbo Flooring Systems’ contemporary range of floor coverings were specified by Momentum, a leading furniture expert based in Cardiff, to create a warm and vibrant hybrid working space for Newydd Housing Association. Forbo’s Tessera carpet tiles, Allura Luxury Vinyl Tiles, Coral entrance flooring system and Surestep safety flooring were all used.   Founded in 1974, Newydd Housing Association is a charitable housing association that offers 3,000 affordable homes for rent and sale. With properties based around South and mid Wales, Newydd Housing Association seeks to help those with the greatest need to find a home. Momentum worked with the housing association to refurbish their existing office spaces to create an environment that inspired a new hybrid style of working.  Momentum designed the whole refurbishment and specified all the materials used, as Rhian Worgan, Interior Designer at Momentum, explains: “After securing the tender for the design of Newydd’s offices, we were asked to create a space that supported and inspired the new hybrid way of working that many offices have adopted post-Covid. Newydd really wanted to achieve a flexible and adaptable environment, so that any future changes could be made at minimal cost and with little disruption.   “One of the first things they had asked us to do was to remove any designated areas for teams or individuals. This was to encourage the sharing of information between staff in collaborative spaces. We replaced these areas with zones that supported a variety of tasks, like desk work, formal and informal meetings, brainstorming and more. The idea behind the whole design and layout of the office was that the employees would choose the area that supported the task at hand on any given day.”  However, it wasn’t just the zoning of the office that was important, Newydd desired a workspace that was warm, vibrant and welcoming for its employees. With this in mind, Rhian spent a lot of time finding the right way to subtly incorporate the branding that represented Newydd’s ethos and values, as she explains: “For me it was really important we got the colours we used right. We really wanted to make this a space that employees could explore their creativity and problem solving in and not a traditional, bland workspace. For this reason, it was key to find the right colours and materials to convey this feeling.  “This was part of the reason I specified Forbo’s flooring, there’s such a wide range of products, I knew there would be something that would fit what we were looking for.”  Forbo’s Tessera Chroma and Cloudscape carpet tiles made up the majority of the flooring space across the three-floor office building. Rhian talked about this specification, saying: “I really like Forbo’s Tessera carpet tiles, as they have this beautiful naturally inspired palette that complemented our design plan. We used the Tessera Cloudscape in Grey Dawn extensively across all three floors in the circulation areas and for one of the meeting rooms, due to their thick pile height and sound reduction qualities. It also has this beautiful mixture of greys that create a serene feeling to the floor. We used this product alongside Forbo’s Tessera Chroma in the Chanterelle colourway in the main office space, using the Cloudscape tiles to create geometric shapes embedded into the larger flooring scheme.   “We then used Tessera Chroma in the Pasture, Nautical, Blossom and Mineral colourways. These were installed in the different meeting pods and dedicated call rooms where we matched them to the paint scheme on the walls. It just added this pop of colour, which broke up the greys used in the circulation areas and main office space. Chroma was perfect for these areas, due to the sheer number of colourways available to choose from, as well as it’s underfoot comfort.”  Not only this, but Tessera Chroma has a 26 dB sound reduction, making it perfect for the meeting room pods that are connected side-by-side, stopping noise from distracting those outside or next door.   Furthermore, Forbo’s Allura LVT was specified across the refurbishment and was laid in a Herringbone pattern. Rhian continued: “We specified Forbo’s Allura planks to break-up the carpet tiles we had already used quite heavily across the scheme. We needed something that we could install easily and wouldn’t look out of place in the eating areas. We went for the Light Honey Oak colourway as it is very light and has a lovely grain embossing to it.”  Forbo’s Allura LVT was also used in the Mist Texture colourway for the ground floor entranceway.   With the hybrid nature of Newydd’s office they expected to see a lot of footfall, so it was important that an entrance flooring system was installed to protect the interior floor coverings, by preventing dirt and moisture from being brought inside. Rhian said: “We also had Forbo’s Coral entrance flooring system installed in the front entrance in the Shark Grey colourway, which complemented the Allura LVT installed in the foyer nicely. Having an effective entrance flooring system meant the rest of the office would stay looking better for longer, something which is important for an office where people are being encouraged to move around and work in a hybrid fashion.”   With its R10 slip rating, ensuring staff stay safe whilst using the onsite facilities, Forbo’s Surestep safety flooring was also specified for the ground floor bathroom and showers in the Star colourway.  Rhian concluded: “We’re delighted with the way the office space has come together, as are Newydd themselves! I’ve worked with Forbo on many projects in the past and trust the products to do what we need them to. Their portfolio on offer, alongside the customer service and technical support provided, is something that keeps me coming back to Forbo.”  Started towards the end of 2021 and finished in November of 2022, Newydd Housing Associations’ new offices have been received well by staff.  To find out more about Forbo’s offering for offices, visit: https://www.forbo.com/flooring/en-uk/segments/commercial-offices/poitcq#panel_5.  

Introducing the first new design, cast iron, coal hole cover made in the UK for more than 50 years . Based on 4 segmented circles traditionally used during the Victorian period, this design is right up to date and proudly displays our company name. Particularly important in todays modern society is the deep rebate that allows the design to "pop out" and help generate grip for pedestrians. The circumference has cutaways to prevent water pooling. Available in a bare metal finish to rust naturally and improve grip or painted black . Weighing in at over 5KG this cover will last a lifetime and be a feature within the paving for the public today and for future generations.

Project:Surespan designed and manufactured a massive Biomass access hatch for a fuel plant in Coatbridge, Scotland.ProductBiomass Cover features an opening 3500 (137?) x 4000 (157?) with a sliding cover features fixed external rails and electric operation.A further two sliding covers were supplied sized 2500 x 4000 and 1500 x 4000mm

Stone: LUNDHS Royal® - silk/leather surface.The beautiful combination of natural stone, blue cabinets and oak details makes this one of our all-time favorite kitchens.

Sopro RS 648 Vibration Slurry was selected for the LIDL method of tiling which consists of compact-vibration floor tile fixing, in the new LIDL store in Bently, Doncaster. Smet Supported Partner, Core PIC Ltd, selected the superior quality German-made, RS 648 Vibration Slurry for its flexibility as a bonding slurry in the installation of stone and ceramic tiles, making it ideal for using in vibrated floor systems (or indeed conventional methods). The tiling was carried on on behalf of main contractor PDR Construction.In preparing the floor to LIDL spec, the floor screed is placed and struck off to required levels and pre-compacted using a straight edge. The bonding layer, namely Sopro RS 648 vibration slurry, is applied to prepared and pre-compacted floor screed and ceramic tiles are immediately placed with tightly butted joints to LIDL spec.After installation of a vibratable area (10 – 20 m², depending on situation/ambient conditions and resultant setting behaviour of floor screed), a surface vibrator is passed over floor covering and tiles vibrated into the adhesive bed. When sufficiently set, hardened and bonded joints were grouted with Sopro FL 526 Flexible Tile grout.Sopro RS 648 Vibration Slurry is a one-component, fibre-reinforced, polymer-modified, trass-bearing, cementitious bonding and contact slurry. Applied as flexible bonding slurry for installation of stone and ceramic coverings using vibrated floor system or conventional methods. It’s ideal for slurry application technique. Sopro RS 648 is particularly suitable for laying tiles with low water absorption (fully vitrified stoneware). For laying large-format units (30 cm × 60 cm) using vibrated floor system. It can also be used as slurry-applied bonding layer on substrates and on bedding adhesive.Sopro FL 526 Flexible Tile Grout is a flexible, trass-bearing, cementitious tile grout, meeting CG2 WA requirements to DIN EN 13 888. Suitable for grouting ceramic, fully vitrified stoneware, natural and cast stone coverings and glass block assemblies. Rapid set for low-suction tiles, with specially tailored joint-filling properties and first-rate washability (removability). Particularly suitable for balconies, patios and in conjunction with floor heating systems (UFH).The product’s special properties and SMET’s superior technical backup, are key factors in choosing Sopro RS 648 Vibration Slurry and Sopro FL 526 Flexible Tile Grout. Smet Building Products Ltd is committed to delivering high-quality products to the construction of LIDL stores.For more info on our range of SMET Professional Tiling Products.PDR built the new LoF (Lidl of the future) store in Bentley Doncaster. The 23,000 sq/ft store with its striking design will help to increase Lidl’s market share and see their profits continue to rise in the UK. The Bentley store will be PDR’s 10th new build store for Lidl.Related DownloadsTDS Sopro RS 648 Vibration SlurryTDS Sopro FL 526 – Flexible Tile GroutSmet Professional Tiling Systems Brochure

Roof and facade cover... CHALLENGE For the design of a youth centre a Belgian architect wanted to have a fully homogeneous and waterproof cover for the roof and the facade. This envelope technique needed to be combined with a more ecological and aesthetically pleasing green wall design. SOLUTION For the waterproofing of the roof surface a standard RENOLIT ALKORPLAN roofing membrane was used. For the facades the architects opted for a RENOLIT ALKORSOLAR fixing system as the base to attach the final greenwall system. As the roof and the wall covering (waterproofing) are the same material there were no jointing issues. The whole building has been covered with RENOLIT ALKORPLAN roofing membrane. The facade details were similarly accomplished as standard roof details and RENOLIT ALKORSOLAR profiles were used to fix the rain water pipes from the roof.

Popular shopping centre The Mall Maidstone recently underwent a £6 million refurbishment that was completed in 5 months and took place mostly during the night. Some of the work carried out included smarter strip lighting which changes according to the weather, white porcelain flooring, and enlarged shop fronts. CS provided them with GTP-300 HD expansion joint covers. This is a strong, recess mounted, and flush floor cover that is perfect for this type of application with persistent traffic over the joint. This durable joint cover will allow traffic in the shopping centre to move safely for years to come.

Primark’s flagship store on Edinburgh’s premier shopping street has undergone recent refurbishment. This has included the installation of stainless steel grating, supplied by Lang+Fulton, as flooring within the window display. Apart from its stylish contemporary appearance, the grating serves as a light-well, introducing natural daylight to the shopping area in the basement. Product: Stainless Steel

Tucked away in a marvellous natural landscape, the Parc Hotel Du Lac that looks out onto Lake Levico, offers guests a breath-taking view and a tremendous breadth of services.The structure is an intimate and welcoming oasis, created using a variety of different wood look porcelain tiles and stone look porcelain tiles by Atlas Concorde. The naturalness of the surfaces chosen for floors and walls merges with the clean harmony of the surrounding environment, for a unique effect of immense visual impact. The large restaurant area and the veranda are covered with Axi, wood look porcelain tiles with age-old effect, with an intense and natural character as well as excellent planning potential. The warm and bright Golden Oak colour, rich in veining, bestows the space a touch of refined, extremely natural luxury. Atlas Concorde collections have been used for the bathroom floors and the bathroom walls: for instance, the View collection, which creates a vibrant and engulfing atmosphere combining functionality and design. Some corridors and a lounge area are characterised by a dynamic multi-size installation created using the Copper colour of Trust, stone look porcelain tiles recalling natural quartzite and Luserna stone. A perfect synthesis of aesthetics and technology, the collection also finds perfect application in the outdoor floors of the hotel structure.

A charming, contemporary style private villa with a swimming-pool in Gobelsbach in Germany was designed to create a large living solution surrounded by nature.Atlas Concorde outdoor floors of the Trust LASTRA 20mm collection give a touch of elegance to the outdoor spaces of the house. The outdoor flooring of the terrace of the villa mirrors, with harmony, the naturalness of the surrounding environment. The wood-look porcelain tiles have a rich and detailed surface that conjures up images of nature that is lavish and intriguing. The garden and the relaxation area develops into a sought-after outdoor space where even the smallest of details have been cared for, thanks to the presence of a large swimming-pool with shower and an outdoor living area. The stone-look porcelain tiles are the protagonists of the patios surrounded by the green facing the rooms of the house. The outdoor floors covered with Trust LASTRA in 20mm thickness and in size 45x90 permeates into the space with a surface featuring excellent technical performance, is safe, anti-slip and resistant to adverse weather conditions. The collection also includes numerous trim tiles that are suitable to clad swimming-pool edges, pathways and steps guaranteeing a coordinated project.

IAE’s PlasProtek Bollard Sleeves came to the rescue at the last minute for a new development near Bristol.The development was due to put on a promotion event but with only a few days to go before the big day, the protection bollards installed at the site had problems with their coating.The bollard had been wrapped without being completely dry, and when the wrapping was being removed, sections of the coating was coming off as well.The bollards held a prominent position at the front of the units. The damaged coating on the bollards would definitely be noticed on the promotion day and would make a bad impression on potential clients.A fast solution was needed.An attempt was made to touch up the coating with paint. However the results were considered unacceptable for what was supposed to be a brand new development as the poor finish was noticeable from a few feet away.IAE had already supplied the site with Circonomy Cycle Shelters and Vmex Perimeter Fencing, and came up with the suggestion on using its PlasProtek Bollard Sleeve to cover the bollards.A sample was rushed to site, and the sleeve was signed off as the solution to the problem.A batch of sleeves big enough to cover all the bollards on the development was shipped to site, arriving the day before the promotion event, which was plenty of time as the sleeves are so quick and easy to install.As an easy to install, and easy to replace alternative to powder coating, the developer has decided to specify the sleeves on all their bollards from the very start on future projects.

The work of a renowned architect’s studio in Duisburg, MSP Architekten GMBH, Königsgalerie shopping centre in Duisburg is a perfect example of style, excellence and aesthetic functionality.Some elements of the building are evoked by the designs on the floors. An arcade of 5,600 m², covered with the Trust porcelain stoneware series, paying homage to natural stones, in three colours (Ivory, Gold and Copper) using various sizes and cuts to create style virtuosity and guide visitors to the commercial path.