Colours inspired by the natural environment, combined with the outstanding performance of Forbo Flooring Systems’ luxury vinyl tile (LVT) and carpet tile solutions, have helped AMH Workspace create an uplifting working environment for Furniture Clinic’s new HQ, which ‘brings the outdoors indoors’.
Furniture Clinic manufactures leather, fabric and wood cleaning and restoration products that are used in a diverse range of industries including automotive, clothing and furniture. Founded in 2004, the family-run business has expanded considerably over the years and now sells over a million products annually to customers around the world. As part of its current ambitious growth plan, Furniture Clinic recently expanded into larger, modern premises in Consett, County Durham following a major refurbishment of the once derelict building.
AMH Workspace was brought on board by Furniture Clinic as part of the refurbishment project to create a warm and welcoming new HQ for the company’s 65 employees. With wood being an integral part of the business, it naturally features prominently both on the external façade of the building and internally.
Heather Baxter, AMH Workspace’s Business Development Manager explained,
“Our design team focussed on products which emphasised nature and helped to provide a ‘bridge’ to the outside, to improve wellbeing and productivity through the use of woods and biophilia.”
A striking feature of the new 50,000 sq ft premises is the atrium area with a cedar slat wall covered with natural moss that catches the eye as soon as you enter the building. Full floor to ceiling height windows and a balcony area with open walkways completes the visual spectacle and have transformed the entrance area into a bright, welcoming and memorable space.
Heather explained,
“Using Forbo’s Allura Flex LVT flooring in Brown Raw Timber in the ground floor reception area adds warmth to such a vast space.”
Available in 34 wood designs, Allura Flex comes in four different plank sizes, offering greater design freedom. The matte surface features a natural looking fine wood grain with a true to life embossing, while the tile’s special backing is designed for comfort and improved impact sound reduction. This has helped to control the noise in the expansive reception area.
Heather continued:
“We chose Allura Flex for its natural looking characteristics. The extra-large 150 x 28 cm planks were perfect for such a large space, while the 5mm thickness and 1mm wear layer offers exceptional performance, making it the ideal solution for this high traffic area.”
Forbo’s Tessera Cloudscape carpet tiles in the green hues of Monsoon Cloud and Summer Storm have been used throughout the offices and meeting rooms. In the open office area, Cloudscape has been installed in conjunction with Allura Flex, again in the Brown Raw Timber colourway, to create separate work and meeting/breakout zones. Forbo’s range of Tessera carpet tiles combine well with Allura Flex LVT, as the same adhesive can be used during installation, which means there is no need for transition strips, enabling a seamlessly integrated flooring design.
The Cloudspace range of loop pile carpet tiles are available in 16 naturally inspired colours to allow light, airy and relaxed working spaces to be created. The tonal progression of colours from dark to very pale create a unique visual that has been inspired by changing cloud formations.
Monsoon Cloud complements the white desking with black framework and planters with green and grey tones in the open plan office, while the lighter Summer Storm tiles create a calming but warm feel to the main meeting room.
The earth tones of Forbo’s Tessera Earthscape in Fjord continue the nature inspired theme up the stairs and along the landing areas. Earthscape is a richly textured, organic patterned loop pile carpet tile with a mix of shades that are designed specifically to represent natural aesthetics and provide outstanding performance, which made it particularly suited for the stairs and landings which are exposed to regular foot traffic.
Heather said,
“Both Forbo’s Tessera Cloudscape and Earthscape helped us to carry on with our ‘bringing the outside in’ theme to the different office areas. The soft tones of both ranges of carpet tiles have ensured that the workspace is welcoming and has helped to provide zoned areas for numerous, simultaneous meeting spaces when combined with the Allura Flex LVT.”
AMH Workspace has successfully created a warm and welcoming workplace that connects with nature and generates a sense of calm. Heather concluded:
“The client is delighted with the new office and the natural, healthy environment we’ve created.”
For more information about Forbo’s work in the office sector, please visit www.forbo.com/offices