For years, I’ve walked into buildings with an open eye towards architectural features – whether it be overall design, finishes, products, lighting or some other observation. It’s amazing how working in the architectural, engineering, or construction industry will forever change the way you look at buildings. There should be special drivers licenses for those of us in this industry – how many car accidents have we collectively almost caused hitting the brakes on a busy street to catch a glimpse of a beautiful building?
That’s the power of first impressions, though. It’s a big factor in building design. As with any introduction – to people, places, or products – first impressions are critical. Like interviewing for a job, there’s no denying the link between what the brain picks up in those first seconds, and the perceived quality over the life of that relationship. And by now we know that once humans are set in their ways, it’s very, very hard to change them.
So what first impressions are given when occupants enter your building? Where are the focal points, and what do they say about your design?
For so long, these impressions have been created by details or monumental features high up in the ceiling, a work of art or some other visual piece. Building entrances, however, can play a role in shaping the occupant’s experience and the ability to take in that focal point.
Maria Lorena Lehman, one of the leading experts on delivering exceptional occupant experiences through smart building design, has some good thoughts on this on her blog, Sensing Architecture:
“Part of every space is the entrance – don’t neglect the importance of the threshold. This is where you may help occupants prepare for the visual stimuli they are about to take in, once inside. If there is no physical threshold, think of how the room’s details, lighting, materials and overall geometries will get their attention as they gain greater focus of the room over time.”
After all, it’s hard to soak up the visual beauty of an architectural masterpiece if your trousers are busy soaking up what’s on the floor:
That’s where Floorometry comes in. A new take on the traditional world of entrance flooring, this new system from Construction Specialties, Inc. looks to give architects the ability to reimagine their buildings’ entrances – creating those important first impressions and leading occupants to their intended destinations within those buildings.
We believe it is time to rethink flooring, particularly in our building’s entrances. With the intelligent, creative, and beautiful designs being put out as architecture evolves – we need to leave the roll up mats for the convenience stores and back porches of the world. Let’s do something architecturally significant – as an integrated part of the overall design.
The trouble in the past has been finding products that look great but also function in these high-traffic areas. How many times have you seen a beautiful finish be worn down with occupants slamming their shoes (ahem…heels!) into the floor day after day?
This is a sneak peek from the Floorometry catalogue showing off some of the finishes available in this new, easy-to-install entrance flooring product:
Here’s how Floorometry is taking entrance flooring to a new level:
Traditional Entrance Flooring
C/S Floorometry
The culmination of years of market research, Floorometry was developed specifically for high-end buildings that demand a statement in the entranceway. As dynamic as Floorometry’s visual appeal is, it is easy to forget that there was also careful attention paid to performance. Floorometry is incredibly effective at stopping dirt and moisture at the door, which means that other floor finishes will last longer and cost less to keep beautiful for many years.
Floorometry also contributes to multiple LEED credits including IEQ Credit 5, which requires designers to employ permanent entryway systems (grilles, grates, etc.) at least ten feet long at all high-traffic entryways. All Floorometry systems are constructed of materials carefully selected to be beautiful, long lasting as well as contain exceptionally high levels of recycled content.
Not only is this product designed with the environment in mind, it is also produced by a responsible manufacturer. To learn more about some of the environmental stewardship of Construction Specialties, Inc. take a moment to see the video and visit the links below.
Links
http://www.c-sgroup.com/sustainable/overview http://www.howards-blog.com
Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post by Construction Specialties (C/S), one of our partners.
