110 INTERIORS
Cafe Portrait, National Galleries Scotland: Portrait
T
he National Galleries Scotland: Portrait in Edinburgh, a grand, neo- gothic listed building, offers visitors a journey through the country’s past and present with a remarkable collection of paintings, sculptures, photography, and fi lm. The cafe, managed by Heritage Portfolio is a popular destination for visitors, set in a light and spacious area.
Space Solutions led the design and refurbishment of the café, to modernise the space while preserving the historic character of the building. The aim was also to create an improved user experience in a multi-purpose space that could easily host casual day-time visitors,
serve as a destination for small
groups and meetings, and transform at night to host larger gatherings and events. The open-plan cafe had ongoing noise issues that needed to be addressed, requiring innovative solutions to control sound without
compromising aesthetic. As a listed building, securing a ceiling solution
directly to the soffi t was not permitted. The challenge was to create a modern, visually appealing environment that harmonised with the building’s heritage while enhancing acoustic performance.
Solution
Space Solutions designed three art installations in the existing lighting tracks that could also function as acoustic rafts. Featuring multi-coloured panels at different angles, these rafts not only address acoustic challenges but also complement the Gothic architecture. The acoustic rafts were made up of three Zentia Sonify Tilt canopy rafts, delivering on both aesthetic and functional requirements. The Sonify rafts are rated Class A in sound absorption and were chosen for their ability to control reverberation and noise levels in the cafe’s open-plan layout. The rafts were specifi ed in a mixture of YE3 (pale yellow), RE5 (soft red), and WH1 (white).
To comply with the building’s listed status, a primary Unistrut structure was used to suspend the grid system suffi ciently, ensuring that no alterations were made to the soffi t. The installation, carried out by 2T Joiners
Ltd, was completed in January 2025. The Sonify Tilt canopy rafts have improved the acoustic quality of the space while maintaining the design’s artistic integrity. The rafts provide better sound management, ensuring a more pleasant experience for the cafe’s customers.
This project exemplifi es how thoughtful design and modern solutions can transform a historic space without compromising its original charm.
0191 497 1000
www.zentia.com/en-gb
Forbo’s refreshed Eternal De Luxe range content of 18% and adhesive free installation up to 40 m2
Forbo Flooring Systems has updated its trusted Eternal de Luxe brand of sheet vinyl, with a focus on delivering effective impact sound reduction, an updated colour palette and more realistic visuals. The Eternal de Luxe collection sets a new standard in design, quality and sustainability, with over 50% natural raw materials, a recycled . Forbo
has refreshed this collection, streamlining the existing offering to refl ect modern interior choices, as well as the addition of 11 brand new colourways. There is an increased emphasis on warmer tones.
01773 744 121
www.forbo-fl
ooring.co.uk/eternaldeluxe
Interface explores textile art aesthetics
Interface Inc. has launched its new textile art-inspired carpet tile collection, Crafted Connections™
. Featuring
rich textures and subtle patterns, the collection brings warmth and character to today’s commercial spaces. From traditional textures to bouclé and batik styles, woven aesthetics continue to gain favour across commercial environments.
Crafted Connections offers three styles illustrating each of these visuals
in one coordinated collection: Thread Lightly, Bound to Last, and Dual Effect. Each provides endless possibilities for layered design, with easy zoning and wayfi nding across the coordinating styles.
0800 313 4465
interface.com/craftedconnections
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