Forbo Flooring’s Flotex, Modul’up, and Allura Flex ranges have played a key role in the creation of a new learning space for Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust’s medical education centre in Gosforth.

NTW Solutions, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the trust, led the project to design a new learning facility. 

Danni Littlewood, capital projects officer at NTW, said: “The scheme was for a medical education centre for trainees coming from university into a healthcare environment for experience.

“The centre will accommodate both doctors and nurses, giving them relevant experience in their chosen field, while still being in an educational atmosphere.

“We therefore needed to create a learning space more reflective of a modern university, rather than a standard training department in the NHS.

Contemporary and stylish

“And this meant allowing for simulation areas for assessments, study spaces, as well as a social space for breakout and rest.”

Offering a variety of foundation placements, the medical centre will provide young nurses and doctors with a base level of education to then move forwards in their chosen speciality.

To do this, there was a variety of factors to review when looking at designs.

Littlewood said: “Although we wanted to create a modern space, we had to be mindful that it would be subjected to heavy footfall. Therefore, we needed a floor covering that would have a long lifespan, but was also contemporary and stylish.

Forbo’s Flotex Planks Frameweave in Pave, Ember, Birtine, and Pesto colourways were used in the main circulation areas and learning spaces, which will see the most footfall.

Colours of nature

Not only did the range provide the team with a durable and modern solution, but it also helped us to achieve another part of the design brief, which was to incorporate colours from the grounds surrounding the hospital into the build.

Flotex is a flocked floor covering which is resilient and versatile, and available in tile, plank, and sheet format.

It provides the appeal of a textile solution, but with the hygienic practicalities and durability of a resilient flooring.

It is also the only textile floor covering available on the market that has been awarded the Allergy UK Seal of Approval, as with the correct cleaning regime it will not harbour allergens or house dust mites. 

Allura Flex planks in the Greywashed Timber, Bleached Timber, and Oyster Seagrass colourways were chosen for the breakout areas and

Modul’up in the Grey Linea colourway was also specified.