WHEN an interior design company urgently needed to source flooring for its client’s office premises, it turned to Gerflor for a solution. The flooring needed to ‘look spectacular, deliver outstanding performance and durability’.

For this refurbishment, Gerflor supplied more than 1,100sq m of Gradus Lunar Carpets, specifying ‘Rook’ and ‘Moretus’ as the colour choices.

M1NT Studios, on behalf of its client, Mahindra Advanced Design Europe (M.A.D.E), was responsible through contractor, FK Restorations for the final overall look of the finished project in Manchester. Choosing Gradus Lunar tufted loop pile carpet tiles reportedly proved to be an essential element of the specification process.

With a new UK office in Banbury, Oxfordshire ‘M.A.D.E’ is part of the Mahindra Group. At M.A.D.E. they aim to improve the company’s product designs, and distinct technology. ‘That’s the signature of Mahindra cars, creating a safe, thrilling, yet extremely efficient automobile experience for its customers.’

The Mahindra Group reportedly enjoys a leadership position in utility vehicles, information technology, financial services and vacation ownership. It also has a strong presence in defence, renewable energy, agribusiness, logistics and real estate development. Headquartered in India, The Mahindra Group employs more than 256,000 people across 100 countries.

Operating nationally within the UK, FK Restorations offers main contractor construct, refurbish and fitout services to property owners, investors and estates managers in many sectors including retail, commercial offices, hotels, restaurants, and manufacturing and logistics.

With teams that specialise in the refurbishment and maintenance of heritage buildings, they reportedly have the skills and expertise to deliver schemes for ecclesiastical estates, country estates and buildings of historical significance.

Mathew Fleming, commercial director of FK Restorations said: ‘In 2020, FK Restoration was the main contractor for the fitout of the new Mahindra racing offices and workshop in Banbury. The customer was delighted with the project so, when M.A.D.E required a contractor to design and build their new design studio, offices, and workshop, they approached us.

‘We prepared initial proposals and were appointed by them and the landlord to undertake Category A and Category B fitout packages.’

On flooring specification Mathew added: ‘From the earliest stages of the project, we appointed M1NT Studio to work with us and develop all elements of the fitout. As the designs were being developed, the Gradus Lunar carpet collection from Gerflor, had just launched and M1NT Studio strongly felt it had many synergies with our design intent.’

Commenting on the project further, he said: ‘It’s unusual to be appointed by the landlord and tenant to act as the main contractor on the same project. We worked hard to separate each contract package and manage programme expectations. A significant part of the Category B fitout design hadn’t been finalised as we started onsite, so by working collaboratively and with the support of M1NT Studio, we established the customers’ requirements as early as possible so the programme and quality levels could be achieved, including the flooring aspect.’

M1NT Studio are an interior design company and architectural design studio that creates purposeful spaces. It’s specialist sectors cover office, retail, hospitality and accommodation, which are said to be ‘expertly delivered’. At M1NT Studio they’re said to carefully listen, collaborate, and develop client briefs into engaging experiential and productive environments. M1NT Studio is a team of creatives that specialise in interior design for hardworking contract environments. Based in Manchester they also work across the UK to bring ideas to life.

Stephanie Taylor, director and interior designer of M1NT Studio commented: ‘We were approached by main contractors, FK Restoration to be the appointed designers on the project having worked with them on previous projects.’

On specification for the project Stephanie Taylor said: ‘At the time, the Gradus Lunar carpet range from Gerflor, had just launched and our local specification representative was showing us the marketing images. We felt it had many synergies with our design intent. We find many carpet suppliers have biophilic and organic patterns utilised in their designs however, we loved how unique it was by taking inspiration from the surface of the moon, it was forward-thinking like our client. The range of colourways and the competitive price point also made it stand out from the crowd.’

The challenges for M1NT Studio in working with such an auspicious client presented its own opportunities. Stephanie Taylor went on to add: ‘Working with our client M.A.D.E, a state-of-the-art Electric Vision E.V. design studio was a fascinating process.

At Mahindra, they conceive and create electric products and vehicle design concepts that will transition into reality in the future. The brief was to ‘think outside of the box’ and to repurpose a vacant building into a bold, dynamic, urban technical studio.’

Lewis Leadeatt, area specification manager of Gerflor Flooring and Gradus Accessories commented: ‘It was a great pleasure working with the M1NT Studio on the M.A.D.E project. You can clearly see their fun energy and positive spirit infused in their design. Our Gradus Lunar carpet collection is manufactured here in the UK, it’s contemporary, stylish and I’m thrilled with it being chosen for such an exciting project.’

Mathew Fleming added: ‘The feedback from our customers is positive. The photographs that have been published via social media, demonstrate the level of finish and design within the carpet flooring that has been installed at this iconic location. It’s also been rewarding to see the client express their delight with what we’ve delivered as a team. We have no hesitation in using Gerflor products again in the future.’

On final outcomes, Stephanie Taylor goes on to further comment: ‘The specified Gradus carpet flooring is subtle and impactful and can be found on all storeys of the building in different colourways. Our clients appreciate good design and attention to detail and that’s where the Gradus Lunar carpet range has surpassed all expectations.’

Stephanie Taylor concluded: ‘We’d specify Gerflor products again. The support from their specification and technical teams and ability to react quickly to queries was world-class.’

Lunar product overview
Lunar is said to be a revolutionary ‘out of this world’ collection, now available in the Gradus Carpets portfolio. Inspired by the natural landscape of the moon, this carpet product range is said to have a distinguished design and is available in celestial decors that’ll ‘help create an extremely stylish and modern interior. Lunar is a tufted loop pile carpet tile which can be randomly laid, available in eight colourways, and is on-trend’.

The company continues: ‘Its designs reflect the mountain ranges of the moon. From the ethereal ‘Janssen’ through to ‘Jura’ and ‘Moro’ the myriad of colour choices stimulated in design by our nearest celestial body will inspire and delight designers and specifiers alike. If you want to go even further, and you’re imagining a particular and unique floor scheme, the Lunar carpet tile can be mixed and matched with the Creation LVT ranges for a bespoke and customised look.’

Adds the company: ‘Lunar is suitable for commercial offices, a host of education applications and many other contract environments. It’s available in 500mmx500mm format, is 100% solution-dyed, nylon, tufted, loop pile surface yarn and is said to provide ‘outstanding levels of performance and comfort’. The Lunar Carpet collection is also available with a 12-year wear warranty and a 10-year anti-static warranty, as a standard commitment to its life longevity and quality.’

Gradus Carpets is a brand of the Gerflor Group, manufacturing carpet tiles and planks, broadloom, and impervious backed carpets. Utilising a range of yarns, Gradus’ range of carpets are suitable for several contract applications including commercial office, education, and healthcare environments.
Gerflor says it’s ready to assist customers with specifications, provide technical advice and free site surveys for newbuild and refurbishment projects. ‘In addition, Lunar is stocked and readily available in the UK.’

Learn more about Gerflor solutions, ask for a free sample or contact the company to speak to a specialist today.
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