cohesion in design

Business interiors today often mimic trends in residential design. Simplicity and durability, with more than just a nod to minimalist aesthetics, are becoming an increasingly popular option, particularly in larger, chain retail outlets.

Capacious stores like The Warehouse and Pak'N Save have adopted this design approach, for which they share the same type of flooring vast concrete slabs with a high-grade finish.

The effect is created by pouring large amounts of concrete over a base then smoothing and finishing the surface, explains Gareth Carter, manager of Wrathalls The Concrete People.

Wrathalls won the contract to place and finish the flooring in The Warehouse and Pak'N Save at the Sylvia Park shopping mall. The 12,500m² Warehouse floor was achieved in three pours but, despite this added complexity, says Carter, there were no unusual challenges.

Once poured, the floor is free- or laser-screeded to get it as level and smooth as possible, then burnished the industry term for finishing the surface.

"With concrete now becoming an increasingly popular choice of finish for designers, providing an excellent aesthetic finish to floors has become imperative. Burnishing provides a hard-wearing, durable finish and creates a surface lustre."

Wrathalls pours slabs between 400m² and 4000m² a day a figure that can some weeks reach 20,000m². Carter says the company has a good relationship with both The Warehouse, having placed a number of slabs for them in the past, and with concrete pumpers Pioneer Pumps.

"With 20 years' experience and one of the largest placing and finishing crews in the country we can tackle any size of commercial or industrial pour anywhere in New Zealand."

For more information, contact Wrathalls The Concrete People, PO Box 21056, Hamilton 3249, phone (07) 850 5858, fax (07) 850 5857. Email: sales@wrathalls.co.nz.

Story by: Trendsideas