056 FOCUS


RARELY THE star of an interior scheme, the fl oor is all too often the forgotten component, and yet, thanks to that little thing called gravity, it is the part of any room that we are in almost constant contact with. T e subconscious eff ect of the


fl ooring we walk on can signifi cantly infl uence how an interior feels, while the make-up of the material used can have a direct impact on the health of the environment and its users. Besides, from a design perspective, failing to make the most of this huge area beneath our feet seems to be a huge missed opportunity to add some extra quality and style to a scheme. In our fl ooring focus, we hear from a number of architects and designers on how they utilise fl ooring to achieve the very best results for their clients, sometimes encouraging them to step outside of their comfort zone to reap the rewards of new ideas and materials. We also take a look at some projects that show just what is possible through a holistic approach to a space – one that includes the fl ooring not as an afterthought, but as a pivotal part of bringing all aspects of a design together.


Which fl ooring materials do you particularly like working with and why?


Q&A


Bianca Yousef, associate at architecture and design practice 74, suggests innovation and collaboration on new flooring solutions could unlock a whole new set of possibilities


Right now, it would be porcelain tiles, especially because of their durability and quality. T ere seems to be a great variety of shapes, sizes, colours and textures out there at the moment. As a designer, they’re pretty much worry-free to specify because you really know they will off er longevity, as well as good creative possibilities. Laying patterns becomes a great tool of expression to make a stand-out feature and introducing coloured grouts can be a small detail that ties an overall look together.


How do you keep up to date with fl ooring products on the market? Is there scope for using the latest material technology in projects or do clients tend to insist that you stick with established ‘tried and tested’ solutions? As a studio, we really encourage reps to bring in physical examples of products. T ere’s nothing like touching and


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