Surface attraction

Material selection played a significant role in helping the Ark project become the first commercial high-rise building in New South Wales to achieve a 6-Star Green Star Office Design V2 rating from the Green Building Council of Australia. And right at the top of the list of sustainable materials is the eco-friendly carpet, which was custom made by Carpet Inter and supplied by Above Left Distributors & Agencies.

Above Left account manager Lynnette Dowling Wiley says the company supplied 28,000m² of carpet tiles for the base building and the Vodafone and Coca Cola office fit-outs. All these carpet tiles feature the EcoSoft® tile backing system, which provides an integral cushion backing made from 85-90% recycled PET drink bottles.

"It is something of an irony that this carpet was specified for the Coca Cola office in effect, the product has come full circle," Dowling Wiley says.

The carpet tiles are PVC free, which contributes to low VOC emissions. Dowling Wiley says the EcoSoft backing also provides 150% greater thermal insulation than conventional hard-backed carpet tiles, which helps minimise the transfer of heat and cold from concrete slabs. Greater acoustic absorbency is another important benefit.

"The carpet is also permeable. Water cannot get trapped between the carpet and the concrete," says Dowling Wiley. "This helps prevent the growth of mould and mildew, and ensures the carpets dry out quickly."

Above Left supplied neutral Tajine carpet tiles for Investa's base-build fit-out (24,000m²), and worked closely with Bligh Voller Nield on the Coca Cola fit-out, and Geyer Design for the Vodafone office. A serviceable black-silver carpet tile was chosen for the Coca Cola office, while the Vodafone fit-out, shown here, features a mixed colour palette. Punchy colours make a strong, contemporary design statement.

Dowling Wiley says the EcoSoft system features on carpet tiles in many fit-outs for customers, including Macquarie Bank, Bankwest, Myer and Carnival. It is also particularly valued by schools and tertiary institutions for its acoustic and thermal properties.

For further information, contact Above Left Distributors and Agencies Pty Ltd, Unit 9, McClures Rd, via 50 Lloyd St, Kensington, Vic 3031, phone (03) 9376 9680, fax (03) 9376 9465, mobile 425 236 463. Email: info@aboveleft.com.au. Alternatively, visit the company's websites: www.aboveleft.com.au and www.carpetsinter.com.

Story by: Trendsideas