Melbourne Uni Vet Hospital

A university in Melbourne’s tertiary veterinary hospital and teaching buildings have been recently redeveloped to include 4000 square meters of Tarkett’s PVC-free iQ One vinyl flooring, which provides sustainability credentials that can contribute to Green Star points. Tarkett’s iQ One flooring also offers extreme durability, stain and abrasion-resistance for heavy traffic areas, hygienic properties, and outstanding aesthetics.

Tarkett specifications manager, Louisa Keleher, said iQ One has unique properties that are recognized by prestigious sustainability bodies. “iQ One is our new generation of resilient flooring and its non-PVC, non-plasticisers formula makes it the only homogeneous floor range on the market to be certified Cradle to Cradle™ Gold,” said Ms Keleher. “It is also certified as Gold Plus GreenRate Level A by Global GreenTag and can help contribute to Green Star points.” Design Principal Tonya Hinde, of architects Billard Leece Partnership (BLP), said all materials for the buildings’ redevelopment, including flooring, were carefully scrutinized for performance in a number of areas including aesthetics, durability and sustainability.

Ms Hinde said that Tarkett’s extensive range of iQ One colors led it to specify the product over a different proposed material. “We originally chose linoleum flooring but the extensive colors in the iQ One range meant we could match the colors and ensure the product had greater wearability, and hose-down cleanability, while still meeting our Green Star requirements,” said Ms Hinde. Even the welding rods for the iQ One flooring can be color-coordinated and are also non-PVC. Ms Hinde said the colors were selected with a goal of creating a relaxing, reassuring atmosphere. “We were trying to create a non-institutional feeling, a very welcoming inside/outside feeling and the colors were central to that,” she said.

The Tarkett vinyl flooring range – which also includes 1000m2 of Granit Safe .T in wet/scrub areas – has helped realize the design intent of the hospital’s interior color scheme.