interiors
Designing interiors for changing student needs
Elizabeth Bushell, Key Account Manager Multi-Unit Housing and Student Accommodation, at Forbo Flooring Systems, explores the latest trends in student accommodation design and how the careful specification of floor coverings can help to create integrated flooring schemes to meet the changing needs of today’s students
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TUDENT accommodation design has changed significantly over the last decade whereby the old design model of plain and simple furniture, and floor coverings that exude little character, are no longer suitable for the students of today. With accommodation fees as much as £1,000 a month in London for a studio with a kitchen, it is little wonder that both students and parents have increasingly high expectations of what connotes modern day student living. Interior design schemes are steering
towards societal and even geographical trends, as designers are taking into account the culture of local areas and adapting design and aesthetics to provide residents with the ultimate student living experience. More than just a place to sleep and study, contemporary student accommodation now comprises home comforts, communal areas, leisure facilities and study zones, and beyond that, gyms, cafés, games rooms, cinemas and dining rooms also often feature. With all of these individual areas, interior
products such as floor coverings can play an integral role in defining, yet connecting, these different spaces to meet the needs of the residents. As each area will have a different function and therefore require a different floor covering, it is important to carefully consider the demands of individual areas and their unique set of requirements. One such example is iQ Student Accommodation’s new building in Hammersmith, London, which was recently awarded the Highly Commended prize in the Fly Forbo competition. Designers, Maxwell Green Design, took inspiration from this very cosmopolitan region of London when designing the building, where they used Forbo’s floor coverings to enhance the spaces. Lisa Green, Director of Maxwell Green Design, commented: “Within the communal area, there were many different spaces, such as a games room, study area and even a cinema room, which all required their own identity, yet needed to be connected seamlessly. While we were able to add personality to each room with furniture, wall coverings and soft furnishings, we wanted to do something striking with the floor, so it didn’t just become a backdrop. As such, within the main Atrium space, we specified Forbo’s Tessera Layout and Outline carpet tiles in a plank format. With this choice, we were able to create a bold, monochrome striped design that would lead the eye naturally through the space and to the various study and break out areas, while
complementing the neon colour pops used throughout. “In the screen room we required a softer aesthetic, so we decided to opt for Forbo’s Flotex Concrete planks as the velvety texture provided a comfortable feel underfoot, while being durable enough to cope with food and drink spillages and the need for regular cleaning. We chose four different shades, Cloud, Smoke, Storm and Thunder, which were then combined to provide a contemporary twist on the traditional herringbone design. Although at the beginning iQ was nervous about the ‘concrete’ effect, they were delighted with the end result.”
www.forbo-flooring.co.uk/education
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