Fly Forbo 2016
The winner of this year’s Forbo flooring design competition Fly Forbo has been announced, winning the top prize of flights to the USA to visit Neocon.
Soaring 30m into the skyline of Falkirk’s Helix Park, The Kelpies can be admired all year round from the contemporary visitor centre, designed by architecture practice Nicoll Russell Studios, the winner of this year’s Fly Forbo competition. Using Forbo Flooring Systems’ Allura Stone range, the practice was able to create a welcoming interior, while reflecting the abstract designs of the world’s largest equine sculptures.
In 2012, Nicoll Russell Studios won a competition to design The Kelpies’ visitor centre. Euan McCallum, senior associate at the practice, said: ‘From the beginning of the project, we had a lot of discussions with the client to develop a modern, yet practical design. We contacted Forbo for its help as we were aware of its Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT) Allura Stone range, which offers an appearance similar to polished concrete – a look we were very keen on – but without the associated drawbacks.’
They were laid in a pattern that empathised with the external paving and echoed the designs of the stainless-steel cladding panels on The Kelpies.
As winners the practice received two tickets to Neocon in Chicago, plus two return flights, accommodation and £500.
Highly Commended
Highly commended in the Fly Forbo competition was the Frank Whittle Partnership for its Urgent Care Centre project at Chorley Hospital. Here, patients and staff can view the colourful life of the ocean’s coral beds, thanks to Forbo Flooring Systems’ digitally printed vinyl floor covering.
David Simmons, interior designer at Frank Whittle Partnership, designed the Urgent Care Centre. He said: ‘We wanted to create a stimulating and vibrant environment. A range of Forbo’s floor coverings were specified for the project including Eternal and its digitally printed vinyl, as the vibrant colours and the ability to create bespoke designs fitted the brief perfectly. ‘In the children’s waiting areas, we chose to have an underwater scene of colourful tropical fish printed on to Forbo’s digital print vinyl.
This created a playful environment for the children to enjoy, in what could be a traumatic or upsetting time.’ In corridors, reception and main waiting areas of the centre, Eternal in the Silver Chestnut colourway was specified, as it ensures maximum wear resistance and has excellent appearance retention. The natural wood aesthetic acted as a backdrop for the contrasting bright and vibrant colours of Eternal installed in the wards and consulting rooms of the centre and for the reception desks. Shades such as Petrol Sparkle (a blue), and Honey Sparkle (a mustard-like tone), were installed. In addition, blocks of bright colours of Eternal were interspersed in the waiting areas and matching colours used in rooms on the wards as well as the reception desks.
The Frank Whittle Partnership was awarded guided tours of the Forbo factories near Amsterdam, two return flights, accommodation, and £300.
Pre-register for the next Fly Forbo competition at: forbo-flooring.co.uk/flyforbo
