In April of 2021, Forbo Flooring asked a group of students from LISAA (L'Institut Supérieur des Arts Appliqués), the renowned Architecture & Design Institute in Paris, to participate in a Student Challenge. The project was so successful that it has now resulted in a second Student Challenge with a new group of LISAA students.

Create harmony with different products in different spaces

For the translation of their concept into colour, material and texture the students were asked to select products from the following Forbo Flooring collections: Marmoleum, Allura LVT, Flotex, Vinyl and Flotex sheet digital print. They were also tasked with visually connecting the various atmospheres and creating visual harmony in their spatial solutions.

Marijke Griffioen, Senior Designer, and Dorothé Kessels, Director Global Design, coached the students on behalf of Forbo Flooring. "We were impressed by the outcome and the diversity of the solutions presented by the students," says Marijke. "They demonstrated their understanding of how to incorporate the various Forbo flooring products into their design in an adequate way by utilising the unique properties of each product."

Our approach on the Dynamics of a Building

We chose Recharging as the first dynamic since one of the goals of attending a spa is to recharge your batteries.

The second dynamic we focused on is Moving, which refers to the activities taking place in a Spa, such as moving from one section to another, from dry to wet, and vice versa. Dry areas are indicated by orange-red floors, while wet spaces are determined by blue as the primary colour.

The orange and red lines in the sauna are actually composed of a trail of stars. The same 'lines' can be found in the hammam, although in blue because it is a wet space.

The products that we used

For the majority of the floors, we selected the Safestep Aqua barefoot, a product that, in our opinion, corresponds well with the desired mood. With its rock-like appearance and cream-white particles, it creates an atmosphere that makes you almost believe you are on the moon.

For the floors that are very close to wet places, we propose a waterproof flooring product:
Safestep aqua | 180482 greige

Other flooring materials used for the floor:
Surestep original | 171642 cloudy

For the bright colours in small touches:
Surestep original | 172932 tangerine and 171562 pepper
Eternal colour | 40942 lilac and Eternal colour | 40582 lavender

For areas that perform on the highest barefoot class:
Safestep aqua | 180092 elephant and 180232 taupe

For the walls:
Onyx+ | 26517 soft blue and 26547 blue accent

Our approach on the Dynamics of a Building

A restaurant as a space for sharing, in a variety of settings, right next to the seaside promenade where people come to refresh and be inspired, seemed the perfect starting point for our project. We worked with the dynamics of Receiving and Moving for this restaurant, two dynamics that seemed vital to us in this type of space.

The products that we used

The discovery of the Forbo’s Flooring's terrazzo Acoustic vinyl was key to this project. With its sound reduction properties, we were able to integrate the acoustics of the space in our proposal.

Furthermore, the product meets all of the standards needed for beach restaurants, including sound reduction, anti-slip properties, chemical resistance, and a matte surface that blends well with the surroundings.

Sarlon traffic 19 db graphic | 9406T4319 coral terrazzo
By varying the lightness and contrast of the coral terrazzo, we were able to create some variants on the design. In addition, a secondary unique colour palette based on the coral terrazzo in blue tones was created.

In the floorplan Sarlon traffic is combined with Marmoleum marbled | 2499 sand.

Our approach on the Dynamics of a Building

The goal of our project was for visitors to enter a peaceful and recharging space. To offer an environment where they can feel relaxed and be themselves while being guided along the way. Our design considers the flow through the building as an experience on its own and makes users enjoy this journey of moving towards their destination. These transitional areas have to be easy to read and offer guidance in an intuitive way.

We focused on two main dynamics: moving and recharging. For the floor, we created a pattern reflecting the flow of water and the outside vegetation. The 'waves’ on the floor are to lead people through the space in an intuitive, natural way. Because the Marmoleum expands to the walls up to one metre, visitors entering the area will feel as though they are surrounded by nature.

We chose blue tones for the entry to the spa area because of their tranquil and relaxing brilliance. The blue waves gradually transition into green tones for a more dynamic workout environment.

The products that we used

We used the following products:
Marmoleum marbled real | 3219 spa and Marmoleum marbled real |3030 blue
Marmoleum marbled fresco | 3271 hunter green
Marmoleum marbled real | 3136 concrete
Marmoleum marbled fresco | 3260 leaf
Sphera energetic | 51243 vivid snow

Our approach on the Dynamics of a Building

The cafeteria represents the Connecting theme because it is a shared community space where students gather, exchange, and communicate. To enhance this dynamic feature, we used the black & white doodle floor.  A drawing-room, or atelier, was chosen for the dynamic Concentrating since it is a space where students spend extensive time watching and evaluating live models, as well as structures and colours. This meant that the visual impact of the flooring should not be distracting, which led us to choose Marmoleum terracotta. A simple colour that creates a quiet and intimate atmosphere, improving student productivity.

The products that we used

The cafeteria
• The main product used for the floor to create a dynamic lively atmosphere:
Sarlon traffic 19 dB graphic | 409T4319/409T3319 black & white doodle
• Product used to simulate a shadow effect underneath the benches and tables:
Marmoleum solid Walton | 3370 terracotta
• Product applied on top of the benches as well as on the extruded tables:
Sarlon traffic 15 dB graphic | 9406T4315/9406T3315 coral terrazzo

The drawing room
• The main product used for the floor to create a calm and productive work environment:
Marmoleum solid Walton | 3370 terracotta
• Product used to simulate a shadow effect underneath the benches and tables:
Sarlon traffic 19 dB graphic | 409T4319/409T3319 black & white doodle
• Product applied on top of the benches as well as on the extruded tables:
Sarlon traffic 15 dB graphic | 9406T4315/9406T3315 coral terrazzo

Our approach on the Dynamics of a Building

The gua that corresponds with the Receiving space, the first area you experience when entering the hotel, is white, silver and grey. It’s welcoming and inviting with inlaid circles on the floor to match the round shapes that are recommended in this particular area.

The Connecting area is a space where clients are able to sit down and connect with each other. The space is a bit darker than the receiving area, the colours found here are white, grey, and black. Round and oval shapes are encouraged.

The last part of the hotel is the Recharging area, which exists to let users take a break and recharge. Dark blue and black are added to the lighter colours we used in the other spaces (wooden floor and white painted walls). In order to bring opportunities in this gua, free forms are recommended.

The products that we used

The main flooring product used in all three spaces:
Eternal material | 12422 grey textured concrete

To connect the various spaces:
Allura dryback | 60305 light honey oak

For the inlaid grid:
Marmoleum solid walton | 123 black

For the circles in the Receiving space:
Eternal colour | 40002 snow

For the dark gray oval in the Connecting area:
Eternal material | 12732 iron cement

For the flooring in Recharging area:
Marmoleum solid walton | 3358 petrol

To incorporate nature a mountain range is depicted on the walls in three different shades of grey going from light to dark with the following items:
Sarlon trafic Modul’up | 861UP3419 light grey uni
Eternal material 12752 | grey cement
Eternal material 12732 | iron cement

Our approach on the Dynamics of a Building

Thinking and building this project around the Forbo Dynamics of a Building philosophy allowed us to be more methodical in the choice of our materials not only according to their aesthetics but also according to their various properties and their compatibility.

DOAB was a new approach for us that made us realize that we can always design better. For example, to ensure a smooth continuity between the spaces, we chose products from the Allura Flex and the Tessera ranges which combine perfectly well thanks to their same adhesive fixation and their installation speed suitable for renovation projects.

The products that we used

LVT Allura Flex floors are the best compromise between a simple elegant design, an acoustic and anti-slip treatment, and a thick wear layer suitable for a light industrial environment. A perfect nod to the factory’s past, especially with the light cement tiles covering the multipurpose hall and the reception.

Allura flex material | 63451FL1 white marble
Allura flex material | 62488FL1 white sand
Allura flex wood | 60357FL1 grey autumn oak
Allura flex wood | 60354FL1 classic autumn oak
Allura flex wood | 60150FL1 brown timber

Tessara uses the same tackifier as the Allura Flex flooring material it felt natural to combine the two products. The carpet brings softness and texture to the Recharging area:
Tessera perspective | 3911 zestful
Tessera earthscape | 3260 savanna

Surestep Safety Vinyl in the cafeteria and toilets, as well as the Colorex Plus R10 for the storage room, are proposed by us due to its high thickness, resistance, and anti-slip properties:
Surestep original | 172802 seaweed
Surestep original | 171082 snow
Surestep original |172682 terra
Colorex plus R10 | 661007 quartz