The University of Salford peels back flooring in the historic Peel Hall as it undergoes refurbishment with help from Carpet & Flooring.
Based just one mile west of Manchester, the University of Salford has been established since 1967. Home to over 19,500 students and 2,700 members of staff, the University is made up of two campuses, which are part of a £650m regeneration scheme for the local area.
In 2014 a number of areas in the main campus of the University of Salford underwent refurbishment including Peel Hall, a historic Victorian building with original features housing the University’s lecture theatres. Despite the extensive refurb, the main entrance to Peel Hall was left untouched. In 2018, the University decided that the beige flooring throughout the hall was not on brand, or of the same high standard as the rest of the building, so turned to Barratt and Hughes flooring specialist to help find a solution.
The University provided a clear brief to Barratt and Hughes. Due to the high volume of traffic in the room, the flooring needed to be hardwearing and able to hide inevitable stains. It also needed to look modern yet still be in keeping with the original period features. In addition, as the flooring was going to run up and down the stairs, the University wanted flooring that would create a clear walkway for students and staff.
Interior design
Barratt and Hughes selected CFS Precision Txture tiles after using the product in a store refurbishment project and being impressed with the quality. By specifying the flooring in the colour Rioja, they were able to complement the Hall’s existing interior design scheme. Due to being single tiles, the carpet can easily be replaced in the event of damage, cutting down potential refurbishment time and costs for the University in the future.
CFS Precision Txture was designed to enhance any room with a modern aesthetic, meaning it fit the brief exactly. The product is also manufactured from recycled yarn with a high tuft density, ensuring that a heavy commercial rating is achieved, making it the ideal fit for a room where heavy footfall is expected.
In addition, CFS Precision Txture is BREEAM rated, meaning that any sustainability features – and the benefits and value they bring – are confirmed and verified. BREEAM incorporates a broad range of key sustainability issues in nine categories: water, waste, energy, materials, health and wellbeing, transport, pollution, land use and ecology and management. Using these categories, BREEAM empowers those who commission, design, construct and manage buildings, infrastructure and communities to achieve their sustainability goals.
Being BREEAM rated means the product contributes to a more sustainable environment that enhances the well-being of the people who live and work within it.
Colour match
Paul Britton, Building Manager at the University of Salford, says: “We are thrilled with the flooring. The project was completed in record time, with one day to lift and one day to lay. We gave the team a brief of flooring that would be subtle yet standout, distinguishable yet not garish, and they delivered. We look forward to working with Barrett and Hughes again in the future.”
Simon Peers, Director at Barrett and Hughes, discussed the installation, saying: “We have a partnership with the University, and so when they asked us to take on the project, I was more than happy to. The flooring tiles that were previously there were beige, and didn’t suit the room, so we selected the CFS flooring in a colour that matched the seating and colour scheme.
Simon says: “We chose CFS Precision Txture because we had actually recently installed the flooring in a Carpet and Flooring store, after receiving a recommendation. So we knew the carpet looked great and that Carpet and Flooring would be reliable in its delivery.”
James Angus, Area Sales Manager at CFS stockist, Carpet and Flooring, adds: “We’re proud to have worked with Barrett and Hughes and the University of Salford to refurbish the University’s Peel Hall. CFS Precision Txture is a flooring we’re particularly proud of, for both its design and sustainability credentials. The flooring is a brilliant example of Carpet and Flooring’s comprehensive efforts to act sustainably.
“In addition, CFS Precision Txture is easy to install (as demonstrated by how quickly the project was completed) and is easily replaceable should even one or two tiles become damaged. It is also cost effective. The tiles are easy to fit which means there is less wastage, making them perfect for awkward places such as staircases.”
