Glasgow Caledonian University, Case studies, Inspire Me, Interface Europe

Keeping 15,000 students heading in the right direction has been achieved with a bold design statement at Glasgow Caledonian University’s new five-floor Learning Centre.

Glasgow Caledonian University - Interface FLOR Chenille Warp

The university commissioned Building Design Partnership (BDP) to create a facility with an interior that would provide students with a stimulating and appealing environment in which to learn.

Carpet tiles for creative flooring

BDP brought in InterfaceFLOR to discuss creative flooring for 6,000m² of floor space and to push design concepts for carpet tiles, based on its Chenille Warp product range. Chenille Warp is a tufted patterned level tip sheared pile carpet with a Graphlex® backing, manufactured from solution-dyed nylon with at least 80% post-industrial recycled polymer.

Bespoke design using standard carpet tile range

InterfaceFLOR and BDP decided to work with the standard palette of Chenille Warp and change the yarns to incorporate bright greens, oranges, reds, yellows and purples. The tiles were laid as part of specific colour themes, matching the wall colouring and furniture on various floors of the building.

Commenting on the bespoke carpet tile style, Lorna Bryden, Senior Interior Designer at Building Design Partnership, says: “We have worked with InterfaceFLOR on a variety of projects and chose them for the Glasgow Caledonian University Learning Centre project because we knew we could rely on their design expertise. They could also offer the choice and range of yarns and colours that we were looking for.”

She added: “It was a very exciting brief from the University for its new learning facility. It had to be functional and useful as well as a relaxing place to work. With so many students using such a large area, we saw the potential to do something interesting with the flooring.”

A stimulating learning environment

BDP examined colour psychology to select colour schemes that would stimulate the brain as well as reduce stress. On a practical front, the colour schemes make it easy for students to navigate around the building as a number of the floors are identical.

Lorna Bryden adds: “We are very pleased with the result. The carpet tiles provide a neutral backdrop with the occasional injection of colour directly related to the colour theme of the individual floor. It is definitely a talking point”.

For more information on InterfaceFLOR commercial flooring products, please telephone 08705 30 40 30 or email us.