As lockdown measures to combat the global Covid-19 pandemic are slowly eased, we find ourselves in a new world where social distancing is imperative. Understandably, it's difficult for everyone to stay in the moment and constantly be aware of their own actions as we all physically move through our daily lives together.
Some of our deeply rooted lifelong habits regarding ambulatory decisions and public and workplace behaviours might need to change, and a subconscious nudge through design is the perfect technique for governments, local authorities and companies to adopt as they strive to affect ingrained human behaviour.
Through design, you can give this subconscious nudge to people in public and commercial spaces, helping them adhere to social distancing guidelines by altering the environment, so that automatic cognitive processes are triggered to favour the desired directional or spatial outcome. This doesn't mean crude design or a one-size fits all approach, the means to the desired end are many!
This article explores how to use thought out custom carpet design and creative carpet tile and plank installations to make discrete, yet effectively defined personal workspaces and zones, with “hidden walls” and paths for wayfinding in common areas. Throughout the article, you can click the images to explore the specific collections further.
In some countries, citizens are required to keep a one or two metre distance from other people outside of their own household at all times. But regardless of the pandemic, all human beings have their own innate sense of personal space in which they feel safe and protected from others being too close. Creating personal safe space is particularly important right now, but it's always important in open office environments in order to promote personal wellbeing.
Using custom wall-to-wall carpet design, the below interior settings demonstrate how to incorporate contrasting colours and shapes to create “hidden walls” around private zones in shared areas. It's easy to imagine this idea in any office, library, school, café or other public space. The top layers are custom made to fulfil the specific social distancing needs, as well as being suited to the room and furniture. The lower pattern layers are Leaf Skeleton from Highline Express Nature and Melange Stripe from Highline Express Essentials.
Our huge selection of carpet tiles and planks offers the perfect way to incorporate the concept of the subconscious nudge through innovative design. Available in almost any colour, pattern, structure, quality and shape, we can create any route imaginable, for example in hospitality, nudging customers to walk a particular route from the hotel reception to the lifts and guest rooms – or creating relaxing lounge zones, designed to stand alone within the interior setting.
And of course creative carpet tile installations are just as effective personal space, zone and path definers in office environments and other public spaces.
Commercially speaking, our totally flexible carpet tile concept allows you to update your design and replace individual tiles in case of changing needs over time, without having to necessarily replace an entire flooring area.
With an increased global focus on hygiene, our ÆGIS Microbe Shield treatment protects carpet from microbial damage. Visible and invisible bacteria from mold, mildew, fungi and yeast are always present, so by adding our ÆGIS Microbe Shield, you're provided with an effective solution to combat microbial contamination.
In contrast to the conventional weapons used in the unending battle against microbial contamination, including sanitisers, disinfectants, bleaches and biocides, this unique and innovative technology is odourless, durable, professionally applied and effective, with 30 years of safe and effective results in every type of building environment.
The active ingredient forms a positively charged polymer that molecularly bonds to the treated surface. When a microorganism touches the treated surface, its cell membrane is punctured and an electrical charge shocks the cell, making it inert. Nothing is transferred to the inert cell, so the antimicrobial treatment doesn't lose strength, it's ready for battle again and again.
Unlike conventional methods, ÆGIS Microbe Shield treatment provides long-term control on treated surfaces, often for the life of that surface. And our extensive toxicological testing has proved that since the antimicrobial treatment is chemically bound to the surfaces it protects, it doesn't rub off onto skin or dissipate into the environment.
More on custom design, carpet tiles and planks
Our expert team is always on-hand to assist you with any enquiries, whether it's specific questions regarding wayfinding, help with social distancing requirements, information on our ÆGIS Microbe Shield treatment or any other query – we look forward to hearing from you!
