University opts for modular flooring system

Cardiff University has fitted wood-effect Altro Ensemble LVTs in the reception area and ground floor corridors of its Business School, as part of a refurbishment that was designed and managed by WSP. The new ‘Opportunities Zone’ is designed to appeal to students from home and abroad, and the aim for project managers was to create a modern, stylish space that would be easy to maintain and stand the test of time. 

Altro Ensemble modular flooring system is the next generation of luxury vinyl tiles. From colour blocking to geometric patterns, with a range of plank and tile sizes and textures, Altro Ensemble gives design freedom to create luxurious floors for commercial interior spaces. With 57 options to mix and match, the modular flooring system has natural wood and stone designs and bloc colours too. 

Altro Ensemble is 2.6mm thick with a 0.55mm wear layer, 15dB sound reduction qualities and added comfort underfoot, with minimal residual indentation and excellent durability. It combines these features with flexibility and is lightweight, making it easy to transport, cut and handle for installation.

Peter Bourne, architectural projects officer for campus development at Cardiff University, said: “A natural timber look always appeals, providing a warmth, quality and style that can really raise a space above the ordinary and make it accessible to everyone. 

“In addition, Altro Ensemble has a very attractive choice of colours, so the flexibility of design it offered us was immense. We chose a pale timber shade called Griege Rustic Oak, which is a mixture of grey and beige. This provides a clean and welcoming space to pass through and the perfect base to complement the interior colours, both the turquoise feature wall in the reception area and clean white walls."

Neil Davies, facilities manager of Cardiff Business School, said: “We opened the new facility in August last year, so the flooring has been through two semesters so far, and it’s wearing incredibly well and still looks new. It’s also proving to be more than just a good-looking surface. The ground floor is a busy through route for student class changeovers, so in the winter it can get very muddy, wet and slippery. 

“The previous vinyl flooring was a real challenge to keep clean and safe in winter, there were always a few muddy puddles, so we used a lot of barrier matting to cope with the worst of it. But we haven’t had these problems with the new Altro flooring. We’re very impressed with that. It’s generally easy to keep clean, as well.

www.altro.co.uk