Tarkett helps realise artistic vision for University College Hospital Macmillan Cancer Centre

Tarkett helps realise artistic vision for University College Hospital Macmillan Cancer Centre

The new purpose-built University College Hospital Macmillan Cancer Centre in London has been designed to address the treatment needs of cancer patients in the 21st Century. Offering outpatient and day care services, each floor of the five-storey building is tailored to the investigation and treatment of specific cancers. Tarkett were chosen to supply the new floorcoverings, which include some unique and rather special elements. These required the exceptional skills of the Tarkett Floorcraft design team, using sonic cutting and a wide spectrum of Tarkett’s Micra Premium and linoleum ranges, to transfer the intricate designs into room-sized reality.

University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (UCLH), which runs the centre, believes that provision of the visual arts within a hospital environment are integral to patient well-being and to providing a high quality, modern patient-centred NHS. Guy Noble, Arts Curator for UCLH, explains: “A number of famous and significant British Artists have created floor designs for the waiting area on each level. The artists were approached because of their reputation for creating engaging, challenging
and inspirational work. Grayson Perry, Rob Ryan, Sir Peter Blake, Pure Evil and Morag Myerscough have each created designs, bringing colour and interest to patients whilst they wait.”

Each artist’s design was accurately re-created by the highly skilled Floorcraft team and expertly installed by Axiom Contract Flooring. Nick Edwards, Axiom Managing Director noted, “Each design was delivered in sections or individual strips and specific panels were laid into pre-marked grids to ensure exact placement. Thanks to Floorcraft’s precision cutting technology and the skill and attention to detail of our installers, we were able to ensure the extremely complicated and intricate designs matched perfectly.”

Tarkett Floorcraft uses high precision sonic cutting equipment as this offers a superior finish compared to less accurate water-jet systems. The sonic blade oscillates at 20,000 cycles per second creating a precision cut, down to details as small as 3mm in diameter. This ensured even the most intricate and minute details of each artist’s design were accurately reproduced. Sam Jones of the Floorcraft team commented, “Tarkett’s Micra Premium, Veneto xf and Etrusco xf linoleum collections were used to recreate each artist’s vision. This was a very exciting collaboration which really showed off what can be achieved.”

Tarkett linoleum is made with natural and renewable raw materials, making it a sustainable flooring option. With a resilient, naturally antibacterial surface that has the ability to self-heal scratches and damage, it is an ideal choice for busy healthcare environments. Simpler maintenance and cleaning regimes also make Tarkett a popular choice, due to reduced life-cycle costs and enhanced environmental characteristics.

Guy added, “The floor designs have been incredibly well received, not only because of the introduction of colour within the Centre, but also because they spark conversations between patients, staff and carers. The designs are also a useful navigation aid for patients and staff alike.”

To ensure the rest of the flooring also delivers high performance and lifetime value, Tarkett’s iQ Optima was installed throughout the general circulation zones, wards and ancillary rooms. Made from high-quality raw materials, iQ Optima features a 3rd generation PUR surface reinforcement that guarantees wax and polish free cleaning.

Thanks to its Unique Surface Restoration, simple dry buffing will restore the flooring surface to its original appearance and properties, offering extreme longevity and helping to minimise maintenance costs. In addition, Tarkett’s range of multicoloured welding rods help ensure a sleek surface finish.

The iQ PUR means iQ flooring requires only minimal maintenance, easing the burden on cleaning staff and reducing the consumption of water, detergents and energy when cleaning, providing additional environmental benefits. iQ has VOC emissions that are below quantifiable levels, at 100 times less than the EU Standard, ensuring better indoor air quality and a healthier environment for patients and staff.

The Centre is equipped with the very latest technology to help diagnose and treat cancer more effectively. Designed by Hopkins Architects, it aims to offer a memorable and happy space for patients and visitors to feel comfortable and relaxed in, and the art is central to this.

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