Forbo’s Sarlon acoustic floor coverings in a carefully selected combination of colourways have helped to create a welcoming and uplifting environment for young patients, visitors and staff at the Royal Aberdeen Children’s Hospital. In addition to their mood boosting effect, the floor coverings offer 15dB impact sound reduction and easy maintenance.
Ewan Buchan, Associate Architect at Tinto Architecture, and The Archie Foundation, the hospital’s official charity, followed the principles of colour psychology when devising the new design scheme for the reception, family waiting area and adjoining cafe at the main entrance.
“The existing reception to the children’s hospital was not very child friendly and therefore we knew we had to create surroundings which would produce a comfortable yet calming environment for patients and parents,” said Ewan. “It was also important that we created a space that children would love and in which they would feel completely at ease.
“Knowing that colour can have a profound effect on human behaviour and emotions, we worked with The ARCHIE Foundation to specify the floor colours and the overall design, as they have great knowledge of colour psychology thanks to the extensive research they have completed, some of which was based on research by Swiss psychiatrist Carl Gustav Jung.”
The new-look reception is bright and spacious with panoramic views of newly landscaped gardens. A large tree structure, encircled with bold concentric rings of Forbo’s Sarlon Uni acoustic vinyl in avocado, lime and blue, forms the centrepiece. The green tones of the flooring were not only chosen to establish a visual link with the gardens and to reflect its calming nature, but also to offer reassurance and create harmony and balance. The rich blue outer border adds a striking contrast, and the overall effect is intended to invoke trust and add to the serenity of the area.
Whilst colour choice was a critical to the specification, acoustics were also important. Sarlon floor coverings offer up to 19db impact sound reduction in heavy traffic areas, with minimal residual indentation, and therefore the collection presented an ideal way to reduce noise levels and promote well-being and comfort to all the users of the building.
In the family waiting area and cafe, Eternal Wood in Elegant Oak was specified to blend with the overall ‘outdoor’ theme. Completing the floor scheme Coral Welcome entrance flooring has been teamed up with Nuway Tuftiguard barrier matting to protect all the interior floor coverings and to help keep floor surfaces clean, dry and safe.
For more information please telephone 0844 822 3928, email info.flooring.uk@forbo.com or visit www.forbo-flooring.co.uk/healthcare
