Interface Carpet Tiles Help Further Middlesex University’s Sustainability Focus
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Global carpet tile manufacturer, Interface, worked with Middlesex University on the refurbishment of Fenella House, Hendon Campus, to provide sustainable and innovative flooring products and services for the project.
With strict sustainability targets in place, the university required a solution that would help it to boost the environmental credentials of the project. This meant thinking beyond simply the product, and considering the wider impact of the whole project.
Interface therefore suggested the old carpet tiles were recycled through its groundbreaking process, ReEntry 2.0™. The like-for-like recycling system, developed by Interface, reclaims end of life carpet for use in the yarn and backing of new tiles across the manufacturer’s ranges.
Mike O’Connor, Project Manager at Middlesex University, said: “We have worked hard to implement environmentally responsible provisions throughout the university’s services, and it was important that our flooring choice reflected our stance on sustainability. Interface’s ReEntry 2.0 service has helped us to do this by recycling our old carpet tiles and reducing unnecessary waste being sent to landfill.”
In addition to considering the sustainability credentials, it was essential that the refurbishment caused as little disruption as possible to the university staff based in the two storey building.
Interface’s Renovisions service was therefore selected to fit the 2,000 square metres of new carpet tiles. The unique ‘furniture – lifting’ system, which involves an innovative jacking system operated by professional contractors, was used to lift workstations, filing cabinets and other office furniture to seamlessly remove and replace old carpet tiles with new. With the Renovisions service, no dismantling or disconnection is needed, as entire workstations can just be raised and worked around. So, there’s no risk of loss or damage to office furniture, and no need for storage while the carpet is being replaced.
Home to the Academic Registry, Financial Services and Human Resources department, Fenella House is home to many of the university’s key service teams that it requires to operate on a daily basis. Renovisions allowed university staff to continue to operate efficiently as there was no need to clear the tops of desks, and phones, computers and all other items of office equipment could remain connected.
Mike added: “It was critical that the departments in Fenella House were able to continue running without the need for temporary offices while the installation was taking place. The Renovisions service was fantastic, as the work was completed within a very short timescale without disrpution.”
Equally as important as the services, were the products that Interface provided for the refurbishment. The brief for the interior scheme was for a contemporary and stylish finish which would stand the test of time. The design was therefore created using durable carpet tiles from Interface’s Duet and Barricade ranges.
The Duet range, constructed with a varying pile height for added texture and durability, was specified for its unique, subtle design and affordable price. Installed in complementing colours of Flame and Dove to create a striking finish, the Flame tiles were arranged in circles, dotted around the area in clusters.
Combining sustainability with high durability, Interface’s Barricade product was selected for entrance areas. Barricade has a robust patterned loop pile construction for added resilience to wear and tear, and was ideal for use in the areas of Fenella House with a high footfall. The range, which was specified in Antrazite, was particularly appropriate for the staff entrance areas of the building, as well as the admissions department, as the product features specially constructed yarn developed to help trap dirt and prevent stains and other marks. This will help the university to increase maintenance cycles, ensuring the flooring looks smart for longer.
Mike concluded: “The Duet and Barricade ranges offer durable, heavy contract flooring with a stylish finish. We had a limited budget for the project, but with the help of Interface we have achieved a very durable flooring solution, without compromising on quality.”
Interface worked alongside Middlesex University throughout the design and installation project. Veronica Kingsley, Account Manager at Interface, said: “We used the Renovisions service to ensure the work was completed successfully within a tight timescale and without causing too much disruption. We worked with Middlesex University closely in order to understand its sustainability needs and found that the ReEntry 2.0 service was a perfect way of helping the team to recycle its old carpet tiles to reduce the environmental impact of the project.”
