and feel of the space: the gentle curves of the
interactive benches and feature ceiling and wall;
the warm wood tones against the stark white
countertops; the weathered wood floors and
energetic splashes of cyan blue on the walls.
The lighting design was also sensitive towards
creating a cosy yet vibrant atmosphere.
As Surfline prides itself on top quality
service, the new ‘experiential store’ had to
convey prestige business operations in both
functionality and appearance. We selected
luxury vinyl floor tiles from Kevin Bates Albert
Carpets because it provided a ‘hard wood
floor look’ without the need for excessive
maintenance. The vinyl tiles also have better
wear-and-tear properties than laminate flooring
which we regarded as important for the harsh
Ghanaian environment. The tiles were used for
the high traffic, general floor space and Interface
carpeting in the customer care and office areas
to provide a warm, welcoming feel and introduce
brand colours into these spaces.
Q
What sustainable initiatives were
implemented in the design?
Care was taken to supply furniture and finishes
that would last and stand the high-risk wear
and tear issues of a commercial environment
over time. LED lighting systems were also used
throughout the space.
Q
What challenges were encountered
during the project?
Sourcing all materials and furniture locally was
always a preference, yet proved unrealistic,
while working in an old and stubborn building
was ‘interesting’. And then there was the usual
challenge of encouraging (to put it nicely) our
subcontractors to meet our expectations with
regards to good quality finishing. We were very
fortunate though to have a client who trusted
our design advice and was willing to spend on
good quality furniture and finishes. AD
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