The impact of bespoke Australian-made vinyl flooring on commercial projects
Written by
13 August 2024
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4 min read
Since 1969, Armstrong Flooring has been Australia's sole commercial vinyl flooring manufacturer. Located in Braeside, in the southern suburbs of Melbourne, its facility has expanded over the decades to encompass a sprawling 16,000 square meters of warehouse and manufacturing space.
“Our growth supports a workforce of approximately 150 employees across Australia and New Zealand,” says Sharon White-Hill, Head of Marketing at Armstrong Flooring. “The benefit of a local presence for specifiers is it supports local jobs, and projects are never delayed due to shipping issues.”
In addition to providing local employment opportunities, the company’s commitment to sustainability further distinguishes them in the commercial flooring market. The Melbourne facility utilises advanced manufacturing techniques to reduce waste and energy consumption, ensuring its products meet high-quality standards.
“Many of our floor products have been independently audited and certified by third parties, including Global Green Tag and the Green Building Council of Australia,” says White-Hill.
The Royal Children’s Hospital project
The recent refurbishment of Victoria’s Royal Children’s Hospital is underpinned by the therapeutic benefits of nature in the healing process. The brief was to create an engaging, uplifting, and restorative environment for children, families, and staff. Armstrong Flooring’s vinyl flooring was selected for its vibrant and imaginative colours. The Accolade range, which is renowned for its reliability, durability, and ease of maintenance, was installed throughout patient rooms, waiting areas, corridors and operating theatres.
The designer worked directly with the Armstrong Flooring technicians in the laboratory setting, which allowed the design process to be bespoke and immediate. The floor finishes in a facility like The Royal Children’s Hospital need to perform long-term and come under the highest scrutiny.
Armstrong Flooring offers the unique ability to custom-make the chip colours in its vinyl flooring or even entire flooring colours, catering to specific design needs.
Hartford College project
A recent project by Sam Crawford Architects saw Hartford College in Daceyville, NSW, finished with a vibrant flooring palette of Ningaloo and Wattle from Armstrong Flooring’s Natralis collection. The tones were selected to reflect the school’s branding.
Natralis was installed throughout the general learning areas, science and woodwork rooms, while Safeguard Design in Lazuli was installed within the laboratory wet area for its safety properties, and it beautifully complemented the Natralis range.
The locality of manufacture and supply meant a reduced lead-time, and the slip, fire, and abrasion ratings ensured durability and longevity for the college.
University of Sydney project
Armstrong Flooring was engaged to create a customised flooring solution for the Sydney Knowledge Hub within the University of Sydney's Merewether building. This co-shared space uses bold colours to cleverly connect its work zones.
Cox Architecture enlisted Armstrong Flooring's expertise for the Sydney Knowledge Hub to create a customised solution using its Accolade Plus flooring formulation. The resulting blush-coloured resilient flooring enhances the interior with bold, engaging colours, fostering better collaboration and engagement within the co-shared space.
Armstrong Flooring’s Australian manufacturing facility, along with its custom design capabilities, enabled Cox Architecture to meet the client’s design brief and deliver a truly unique space.
Integral to this design, the bespoke Accolade Plus Flooring in Blush creates a beautiful canvas to which the other elements are applied.
Collections inspired by Australia
Sharon White-Hill remarks that the Natralis collection is Australian-made and boasts a tranquil palette of natural muted tones, greys, and neutrals with Australian-inspired names like Wattle and Daintree. White-Hill hints at a new Accolade collection following suit with Australiana-inspired tones.
“Our Natralis collection is not only made in Australia but the palette is inspired by Australian landscapes, fauna and flora,” says White-Hill. “Additionally, the upcoming launch of our new Accolade collection promises further inspiration drawn from iconic Australian landmarks.”
Armstrong Flooring’s commitment to local manufacturing, coupled with its innovative and customisable flooring solutions, makes it ideal for commercial projects across Australia and New Zealand. The dedication to quality, reliability, and design excellence continues to aid specifiers in shaping spaces in healthcare, education, and beyond, proving that Australian-made flooring can stand the test of time and performance.
Order free samples for your next project via Armstrong Flooring’s website or contact them today via ArchiPro.