“The old linoleum flooring was torn and badly scratched. Moreover, it did not create good interior acoustics”, explains the project manager for construction issues, Annette Berrevoets. “It was absolutely necessary to replace the floor and, of course, we wanted its appearance to tie in with the monumental character of the building”, says Berrevoets. The project manager was already familiar with nora systems rubber-floor coverings.

As norament arago fulfilled all technical demands and visual requirements, this product was quickly chosen. “norament arago was the perfect choice because the tiles have a classic yet modern look and furthermore have excellent acoustic properties with footfall sound absorption of 10 dB”, explains Peter Campo, account manager at nora systems. The floors dampen the clacking of heels, for example. The influence that this noise reduction has on the well-being and concentration levels of staff and students alike should not be underestimated. In addition, norament arago tiles have excellent non-slip attributes that make them safe to walk or run on.

nora floor coverings also score points with regard to durability and care. Their extremely dense surface makes them particularly resistant and eliminates the need for coatings. This saves time and money during complex renovations. nora floor coverings thus prove themselves to be particularly economical throughout their long service life. Furthermore, they can be cleaned quickly and using only minimal amounts of cleaning agents. And, if a tile is damaged for whatever reason, it can be easily removed and replaced by a new one.

“Our aim was to tile the floor in a way that brought back the original rectangular pattern. We believe that the building’s designer had a vision that should not be destroyed”, stresses Berrevoets. Campo adds: “This floor pattern involved a great deal of calculation and cutting because the entire design is made up of half tiles and quarter tiles.”

“We worked out all installation tasks beforehand and then laid around 1800 square metres in phases during the holidays. The result is a durable and sustainable floor covering that perfectly reflects the building’s character and that contributes to a quiet and stimulant-free environment for pupils and staff.” explains Maaike Swets, principle of the Dutch school.