104 FOCUS
FORBO FLOORING SYSTEMS’ contemporary range of floor coverings were specified by Cardiff-based Momentum to create a 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 used.
Founded in 1974, Newydd Housing Association is a charitable housing association that offers 3,000 affordable homes for rent and sale. 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. Rhian Worgan, interior designer at Momentum, said: ‘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. Tis 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. Te 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 wanted a workspace that was warm, vibrant and welcoming for its employees. With this in mind, Worgan spent a lot of time finding the right way to subtly incorporate the branding that represented Newydd’s ethos and values. She said: ‘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. Forbo’s Tessera Chroma and Cloudscape carpet tiles made up the majority of the flooring space across the three- floor office building. Worgan said: ‘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.
Newydd Housing Association
Cardiff
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. Tese 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.’ Forbo’s Allura LVT was specified for the refurbishment and was laid in a Herringbone pattern. It was also used in the Mist Texture colourway for the ground floor entranceway. Given the hybrid nature of Newydd’s office, a high footfall is expected, 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. Worgan added: ‘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.’
forbo.com
Residential project
Hertfordshire
ONCE A run-down bungalow, this Hertfordshire home has been transformed through a contemporary rework. Te homeowners are passionate about reclaimed materials, so that is a theme that runs throughout the scheme, from aged copper accents, to reclaimed spruce. Te building boasts features such as exposed brick, wooden beams and industrial interior styling. As well as designing and installing the kitchen, Te Main Company also supplied the flooring that runs throughout the property, creating an open feel and seamless transition from room to room.
Light Mountain Ridge was selected for the floor. Te planks have been weathered, combining the original warmer tones with cooler silvery tones, making them work equally well with the brickwork and the more modern touches within the scheme. Te flooring also has a Scandinavian feel, adding to the open-plan feel of the home. Te spruce also enhances the rustic feel of the property further thanks to the patina, knots and natural tones and textures of the planks.
Each plank from the range is unique with its own markings and tones. Te Light Mountain Ridge planks have been dried at Te Main Company’s on-site kiln at its family-run Yorkshire workshop. Once stable, the planks are enhanced and treated, creating a hardwearing and durable surface that will naturally age.
maincompany.com
CHRIS SNOOK PHOTOGRAPHY
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