Feature
Altro’s Modular Flooring System gives top University a touch of class
The Altro EnsembleTM modular flooring system is providing Cardiff University with an attractive, modern and flexible way to create stunning interiors with limitless design options.
Cardiff University has fitted wood-effect Altro Ensemble LVTs in the reception area and ground floor corridors of its Business School, as part of a refurbishment that was designed and managed by WSP. The new ‘Opportunities Zone’ is designed to appeal to students from home and abroad, and the aim for project managers was to create a modern, stylish space that would be easy to maintain and stand the test of time. Peter Bourne, Architectural Projects
Officer for Campus Development at Cardiff University, said: “The vision for the new Opportunities Zone was a space that was stylish, visually striking and innovative, using modern materials and building concepts. The flooring played a key role in this and I was aware that LVTs could provide both the visual and practical surface we needed. We have a good and longstanding relationship with Altro, and have used their products throughout the campus, so we were confident that quality was guaranteed.” Altro Ensemble modular flooring system
is the next generation of luxury vinyl tiles. From colour blocking to geometric patterns, with a range of plank and tile sizes and textures, Altro Ensemble gives design freedom to create luxurious floors for commercial interior spaces. With 57 options to mix and match, the modular flooring system has natural wood and stone designs and bloc colours too. Altro Ensemble is 2.6mm thick with a
0.55mm wear layer, 15dB sound reduction qualities and added comfort underfoot, with minimal residual indentation and excellent durability. A truly exceptional material, it combines these features with unique flexibility and is lightweight, making it easy to transport, cut and handle for installation. “A natural timber look always appeals,
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The modular structure of the flooring means that if there is any damage to the flooring it the future we can simply replace that plank, rather than the entire floor. It’s also a thick flooring, which means reduced noise and indentation and it’s very comfortable to walk on. “We want to continue to appeal to
both international and UK students, so the Business School has to be a cut above. Altro’s LVTs have met this need perfectly and enabled us to create a space that will look superb long into the future. Neil Davies, Facilities Manager of Cardiff
Business School, said: “The flooring looks great and it really is better than any other flooring we have. Visually and aesthetically it’s very appealing to the eye; the wood effect has a warm, stylish and welcoming feel, but is also very professional. It goes beautifully with the interior of the building and is perfectly in keeping with
providing a warmth, quality and style that can really raise a space above the ordinary and make it accessible to everyone. Real wood, of course, would have been prohibitively expensive and impractical, but Altro’s modular LVTs enabled us to achieve this feel and move away from the alternative sheet vinyl,” continues Peter. “In addition, Altro Ensemble has a very
attractive choice of colours, so the flexibility of design it offered us was immense. We chose a pale timber shade called Griege Rustic Oak, which is a mixture of grey and beige. This provides a clean and welcoming space to pass through and the perfect base to complement the interior colours, both the turquoise feature wall in the reception area and clean white walls. The result is very exciting to the eye. “Aside from the obvious aesthetics and
design options that the LVTs gave us, the practical offering was also very compelling.
the high standard we wanted to achieve. “We opened the new facility in August last
year, so the flooring has been through two semesters so far, and it’s wearing incredibly well and still looks new. It’s also proving to be more than just a good-looking surface. The ground floor is a busy through route for student class changeovers, so in the winter it can get very muddy, wet and slippery. “The previous vinyl flooring was a real challenge to keep clean and safe in winter, there were always a few muddy puddles, so we used a lot of barrier matting to cope with the worst of it. But we haven’t had these problems with the new Altro flooring. We’re very impressed with that. It’s generally easy to keep clean, as well. “Overall we are delighted with the product.
In fact, we are planning to use the same Altro flooring for another refurbishment project in the building. It works for us on every level.”
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