Carpet
tiles from global flooring manufacturer, Interface, have been used by the
University of Bristol in its refurbishment of the former landmark Habitat store
in Clifton.
Working
closely with AWW architects, the University has transformed this Grade II
Georgian building into a learning hub. The study spaces have been designed to
provide a variety of different learning environments, from quiet study to
bookable meeting rooms and social interactive areas.
Beacon
House is a new hub for the University in a high profile public location with a
reception point for students and the general public. The building also features
a café which provides a welcoming space for visitors and students to
interact.
With
its heritage front of mind, the building has been sympathetically refurbished.
It was essential to balance the use of colours and materials to reflect the
branding of the University but also to complement the aesthetics of the Georgian
building. The palette of soft blues, greys and neutral tones from Interface’s
Net Effect range of skinny plank carpet tiles were used to bring this concept to
the flooring design.
Rebecca
Rose, Project Manager at the University of Bristol’s Strategic Projects Office,
said: “Beacon House is the focal point of the University’s campus, the building is in a prime position,
allowing us to not only provide vital study space but also to welcome in the
public and showcase some of our success stories."
The
University of Bristol brought in AWW’s Interior Design team to create a scheme
for Beacon House. Naomi Cooper, Senior Interior Designer at AWW, said: “The
building is open plan, but through the use of colourways and textures we wanted
to create clear zones. We specified Interface’s Net Effect skinny plank tiles in
the blue Atlantic colourway for the study areas. To create a distinction between
these quiet zones and the breakout space we developed a walkway using three
different shades (Atlantic, Black Sea and Caspian) from the same collection,
laid in a herringbone formation to create visual interest.”
Green
Hat Graphic Design agency were tasked with developing branding for Beacon House,
which not only complemented the existing University brand colours and designs,
but also gave it a unique feel. This involved creating a branding document which
was used by the designers to select details such as flooring colourways and
furnishings. Flexibility was incorporated through the window displays created by
the team at Green Hat, as these can be easily changed and
updated.
As
the University’s central hub to showcase its work, the building interior needed
to look sleek and modern, but in addition, it was also crucial that the
materials used in the refurbishment supported the institution’s sustainable
management programme. Around 93% of waste generated on site was diverted from
landfill and Beacon House achieved a Royal
Institution for Chartered Surveyors SKA rating of
bronze.
Naomi
explained: “Net Effect didn’t just give us lots of scope to create a visually
appealing design through colourways, textures and shapes, it fit with the
University’s sustainability principles as it is made from 100 per cent recycled
nylon.”
Becky
Parrish, Account Manager at Interface, said: “The design scheme at the
University of Bristol really proves the fact that design and sustainability go
hand in hand, and there’s no need to compromise one for the other. The building
is a focal point for all visitors to the University, including prospective
students and parents, and is a fantastic space to showcase the brilliant work
that the University does on a daily basis.”
To
find out more about Interface’s Net Effect collection, visit: www.interface.com/US/en-US/about/modular-carpet-tile/Net-Effect.
