Forbo Flooring System’s impressive integrated product portfolio has helped 2020 Liverpool create a stimulating and inspiring environment - which has won the Highly Commended prize in the 2013 Fly Forbo competition - for the pupils at Croxteth Community Primary School, where the flooring has been used as a key design element.
Located in the Croxteth district of Liverpool, the primary school’s previous building was demolished to make way for the custom-designed new building, to provide its pupils with high quality facilities and fun spaces for learning.
Martin Shutt, Architect at 2020 Liverpool, specified a variety of Forbo’s products: “The main design objective for the flooring was to bring the outdoor environment inside – merging the internal and external boundaries, as well as bringing an organic and natural feel to the space.
“We successfully did this by using carpet tiles to create zoned areas, giving the effect of sandy islands in a large blue ocean. This created pleasing aesthetics but has also provided the school with pre-determined areas where the children can sit, read and participate in group activities.”
Martin chose Forbo’s Tessera Teviot carpet tiles for the central area of the school, using the colourways Deep Ocean to represent the water, Pine to represent the islands and Soap Stone to represent the sand surrounding the islands.
Being a modular floorcovering, Tessera Teviot is perfect for contrasting colour and pattern to create visual markers, highlighting activity zones such as workstations, play areas and study spaces.
Providing variety, choice and flexibility, Forbo’s modular offering makes it easier to mix and match multiple sizes, styles and formats of tiles. The portfolio is colour coordinated across product ranges including vinyl, linoleum, textiles, flocked and entrance systems, offering complete design freedom for multiple application areas within one project.
Martin continues: “Each classroom has had a wash area fitted, so the pupils can clean up after themselves. Therefore, we needed a flooring solution for these areas that would provide slip resistance and easy cleaning in case of any spills. Forbo’s Surestep Original vinyl was perfect, as it contrasted nicely with the carpet tiles and is rated R10 slip for resistance.”
As well as offering excellent slip resistance, Surestep vinyl also benefits from a PUR pearl finish, which makes the floorcovering easy to maintain.
Forbo’s Coral Duo entrance system was installed at the various entrances located throughout the school. Capturing an impressive 94% of moisture and walked in dirt, Coral Duo can help protect the interior floorcoverings, which can ultimately reduce maintenance costs.
To complete the refurbishment, Forbo’s Eternal wood vinyl has been installed in the school’s hall, in the light colourway Steamed Oak – contributing to the ‘outside in’ design concept throughout the building. In the reception area, a more muted look is achieved using Forbo’s Eternal Stone vinyl in the colourway Cobble, presenting a smart first impression to parents and visitors.
“Forbo’s large integrated product offering and wide variety of design choices meant we were able to source all the floor coverings for the project from just one supplier, which ultimately made the procurement process easier and quicker, as well as being a more cost effective solution,” Martin concluded.
Karen McBride, Headteacher at Croxteth Community Primary School said: “Our new school is excellent. The open spaces have been greatly enhanced by the flooring designs – especially the islands, which have been a great learning apparatus.
“We have also noticed an improvement in the pupils’ behaviour and desire to attend school, which has resulted in less absenteeism.”
