When Kings College Sixth Form School, a Somerset-based private school decided on a large flooring upgrade and refurbishment, they very wisely settled on the suggested specification from Rud Sawers Architects Ltd, their appointed architect. This would include a combination of world class flooring products from international flooring and interior specialists Gerflor. The project would comprise a combination of Gerflor’s Urban Myth Carpet Tiles from Gradus for Classrooms, Creation 55 LVT for the Reception and Stairways, and Tarasafe Impression safety flooring for WC facilities, alongside a selection of Gradus accessories, including BasicZ Stair Edging and Boulevard 7000 Matting for the education facility. The overall project would ultimately see 800m2 of new flooring installed.

King’s College in Taunton, Somerset is an independent co-educational boarding and day school offering places to pupils from ages thirteen to eighteen. The school occupies a secluded and beautiful site of over 80 acres on the south side of Taunton, and just a few minutes from the town centre. The main building is an outstanding example of nineteenth-century architecture, with the entire site, a mixture of traditional and modern buildings. As well as an academic programme of robust subjects, there is a multitude of sports and co-curricular activities available that are popular across all age groups. The school provides inspired teaching, superb facilities, and the nurturing of individual potential, combines to create an environment in which young people achieve remarkable things. The outstanding modern facilities and stunning location ensure that children enjoy a challenging all-round education in a progressive, secure, and stimulating environment.

The renovation project provides a new, contemporary, low energy 6th Form, set within the historic learning environment of Kings College. The building accommodates a burgeoning programme of education and life skills, to make King’s College an even more attractive option for their 16+ pupils. The building is modern, flexible, inspiring, technologically advanced, sympathetic to new learning strategies and anchored in sustainable energy principles.

The Gerflor Specification Sales Manager at the time of the installation, Chris Pursey said, “Rud Sawers Architects initially specified Creation 55 LVT for the reception and stairways but approached Gerflor to discuss other areas within the project. The Architect, Rud Sawers Architects Ltd found it beneficial to speak with us about the whole project including carpet tiles, safety flooring and flooring accessories, together with stair edgings and entrance matting. Specifying Gerflor and also Gradus throughout the project, saved considerable time compared with dealing with multiple manufacturers, and the client was extremely pleased with the vast range of products to choose from within our portfolio.”

Totnes-based architects Rud Sawers has a simple design philosophy which is to transform project constraints into positive opportunities that produce inventive, unique, and beautiful buildings. Their practice has been steadily building a reputation for its exciting contemporary yet sensitive design approach and offer a full range of architectural design services.

Rud Sawers, Director, Rud Sawers Architects Ltd commented, “In 2016, Rud Sawers Architects (RSA) won a design competition to design a new Arts building on the site. This was completed in 2018 and was received very positively by the client and the pupils. We were invited, alongside other architects to compete for a new commission to design a new Sixth Form building. We were selected as the Architect and enjoy a very positive professional relationship with the school.”

On specification Rud Sawers went on to further say, “The Gerflor and Gradus products we specified, were fit for purpose and available in attractive finishes that perfectly suited the visual identity we were trying to create for the educational establishment. We specified Gerflor flooring for the ground floor, first floor and second floor of the building.”

Commenting further on the project Rud Sawers said, “The real challenge however with this project, was working through the Covid Pandemic, maintaining construction momentum and meeting the brief for carbon Net Zero operations head on, which we achieved with a great degree of success.”

The installation of the considerable amount of Gerflor flooring and Gradus Accessory products would need to be of the highest standards, as set by both the school and the architect. The delivery of the final outcome would be the responsibility of Bristol-based Gollop Contract Flooring.

Started in 1981, Gollop Contract Flooring are a successful family-run Bristol business specialising in commercial flooring installation. They pride themselves on delivering exceptional service to clients, both existing and new. With over 40 years of experience, they specialise in providing the very best of commercial flooring and employ in excess of 50 operatives and staff. During their many years of trading, experience and service has enabled the company to provide cost-effective solutions to any flooring project along with the deserved reputation and professional quality of their staff and workmanship from skilled craftsmen.

Matt Donovan, Contracts Manager, Gollop Flooring commented, “We have worked in partnership with CG Fry the contractors on several projects and this was one of several projects, where we had been awarded the flooring package. The Gerflor and Gradus products that we installed were specified by the Architect Rud Sawers.”

On specification, Matt Donovan went on to further comment, “The overall project was approximately 800m2 which included a mixture of Gerflor Honey Oak LVT, Gradus Graphite & Peridot carpet tiles and Gerflor Brescia Tarasafe Impression safety vinyl. Part of the building was on a concrete base and other sections on a timber base, which required different preparation works to ensure correct installation of all the flooring products.”

On installation Matt Donovan added, “Our lead fitter Jamie Hook did a remarkable job on the installation and working with the site team over a period of six weeks.”

Matt Donovan concluded, “This was an iconic project to be involved with. Every flooring installation can have its unique challenges but overall, this one was extremely straightforward to lay, thanks to the technologically advanced solutions that were specified.

I understand the building is now in full use and the new Gerflor flooring and Gradus accessory products are performing very well. We work with Gerflor and Gradus on many projects and consider them to be some of the best manufacturers in the industry.”

Rob Walker, Gerflor Specification Sales Manager, who worked with the Installer to manage the project concluded by saying, “The client is extremely pleased with the overall finished result. It was a notable project to work on and be involved with, and being able to supply a wide range of elite flooring and interior solutions that met the required brief was always our end goal for the client. The education establishment is future proofed for many years to come.”

In conclusion Rud Sawers commented, “We are delighted with the final result, the specified flooring and accessory products are performing extremely well, providing a robust and easily maintainable flooring solution for the hardworking school. We would definitely choose Gerflor and Gradus again, as they have delivered a high-quality range of products, which are equally matched by their excellent specification and customer service.”

Learn more about Gerflor solutions, ask for a free sample or contact us to speak to a specialist today by calling 01625 428 922, emailing contractuk@gerflor.com, or visiting gerflor.co.uk for the latest flooring innovations.

Learn more about Gradus solutions, ask for a free sample or contact us to speak to a specialist today by calling 01625 428 922, emailing imail@gradus.com, or visiting gradus.com for the latest barrier matting, wall protection, lighting and flooring accessory innovations.