According to Phil Green, Managing Director of CBS Office Interiors, a key aspect of any office redesign is flooring. With help from Nina Bailey of flooring company Desso, Phil discusses the impact flooring can have on an environment and how flooring can be used cleverly within the workplace.
Flooring is not just a functional component of the office that needs to be durable and practicable, it can also be used to create different moods that change the way people view and use the space.
Personalisation, Uniqueness and Individuality
Flooring can be an effective way of making a space 'your own', especially when other components such as furniture may be limited to standard designs and products.
Existing flooring collections can be customised to your space, using selected elements, textures, colours and patterns that result in a unique design that works for your company.
Creating Different Zones
Flooring design can also be used to denote different zones within an office space. This is particularly effective in large open plan offices where employees use different areas for different activities.
Atmosphere and Mood
A clever use of colour and texture can not only define a 'quiet zone' or other area of the office, but also encourage employees to use it as such. Acoustic flooring solutions are also important in certain areas of the office where either the office acoustics are poor, or specific areas need to be quieter than others.
Healthy Workplaces
Respiratory problems such as asthma are on the increase, and poor flooring can be a contributing factor. Fortunately, the right flooring can help improve internal air quality and therefore create a healthier environment for your staff.
Sustainability
Desso's new Essentials II collection are certified Cradle to Cradle Silver, ensuring that the products contribute positively to the environment, human health and are designed to be recycled in a non-toxic closed loop. The Essentials collection also contains ECONYL yarn, a 100 per cent regenerated nylon made from recovered waste materials.
Nina Bailey, UK designer for Desso said, "think about how the space is going to be used realistically – and what you would like it to achieve. Think about the atmosphere you want to create and whether you want to create a unique look. Sometimes a timeless design is needed, or perhaps functionality and health and wellbeing is the key priority - or maybe a combination of the two."
If you would like to talk to our team about your workspace design please contact us on 01344 290290 or email enquiries@cbs-plc.co.uk