Healthcare design: rethinking healing spaces
The importance of design is growing in the healthcare sector. After all, a pleasant environment has a positive effect on both patients and staff. For a long time, the focus when furnishing doctors' surgeries was on practical aspects and work processes. Today, however, modern materials open up many new design possibilities.
This development is particularly evident in floor coverings. With their large surface area, they have a significant impact on the atmosphere in a room. The overall design often goes hand in hand with the design of the floor covering. At the same time, floors need to perform well - day in, day out.
Organic flooring with health benefits
PURLINE organic flooring meets all the requirements of everyday practice and clinic use. The elastic bio-polyurethane flooring is based on ecuran - a high-performance composite material made primarily from vegetable oils such as rapeseed or castor oil and naturally occurring mineral components such as chalk. And without the addition of chlorine, plasticisers or solvents. The floor is PVC-free, odour neutral and does not release any harmful substances into the room. ‘Doctors and architects particularly appreciate these healthy living properties of PURLINE organic flooring,’ says Knut Hinkel, Key Account Manager Healthcare at Windmöller.
Proven sustainability
PURLINE organic flooring has been awarded recognised environmental labels such as the Cradle to Cradle certificate in silver and the Blue Angel. Recently, the recognised eco-INSTITUT label also confirmed that the QNG requirements (Quality Seal for Sustainable Buildings) for floor coverings are met with regard to the absence of harmful substances.
Highly effective in daily operations
PURLINE organic flooring combines a range of practical benefits for use in medical areas. With its resilient surface, it creates pleasant room acoustics - particularly important in patient and rest areas - and fulfils hygiene standards without appearing sterile. It is easy to clean and has very good resistance to RKI/VAH-listed disinfectants.
Impressive rollability makes it easier to move heavy care and patient beds. In addition to excellent residual indentation behaviour of ~0.10 mm (in accordance with EN ISO 24343-1), the flooring scores points for its outstanding resilience. Staff who are on their feet all day and often have to walk long distances also benefit from the high level of comfort underfoot, which is easy on the joints.
Another plus point: PURLINE organic flooring is extremely easy to maintain. Initial maintenance is not necessary and the flooring does not need to be maintained throughout its entire service life.The PFIFF Institute confirms an average lifetime cost saving of 30 per cent compared to other standard floor coverings on the market.
Fotos: Christina Kratzenberg | Laura Thiesbrummel | Markus Guhl
CASE STUDIES DEMONSTRATING DESIGN EXCELLENCE
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