Rubber flooring lends a commercial loft a modern, industrial charm

From a printing press loft to a modern office

Where printing presses once clattered away, work is now being done on the digital future. The new loft offices of the internet agency Covus in Berlin-Mitte combine the industrial character of the historic building with a modern working environment that fosters creativity and communication.

The commercial loft, dating from 1898, was designed by the Hamburg-based interior architects sbp (Seel Bobsin Partner). The spatial layout reflects a contemporary corporate identity. Across some 1,200 square metres, just over 100 workstations have been created, along with thematically designed rooms for formal and informal meetings.

Functionality meets aesthetics: ARTIGO KAYAR

A rubber floor from ARTIGO was chosen for the spacious reception area, which also serves as an event space. The ‘KAYAR’ flooring, developed by the Milan-based design studio Sottsass Associati, is characterised by irregularly woven coconut fibres, which give the surface a distinctive look and texture. The rubber flooring from the ARTIGO-MONDO Group is distributed exclusively in Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium by objectflor.

The rubber flooring added a distinctive design accent to the offices, which exude industrial charm. Whilst carpet was used in the meeting rooms, KAYAR was chosen for the reception area, which covers just under 200 square metres. As the ground-level area was designed without entrance mats, the requirements for cleaning and maintenance were a key consideration when selecting the flooring. ARTIGO’s Pro surface finish facilitates cleaning and maintenance and helps to protect the surface from the stresses of daily use.

Rubber flooring with a screed-effect finish

The interior designers at sbp were keen to ensure that the light-coloured rubber flooring echoed the desired look of a coloured screed, thereby complementing the industrial character of the loft-style offices.

The material’s performance characteristics also played a role. Compared to a traditional screed floor, KAYAR offers a resilient surface and thus a different feel underfoot. The designers also prioritised a floor surface that was as continuous as possible, without conspicuous joints, to enhance the effect of the screed-like appearance.

The result is a spacious reception and events area where the floor, architecture and furnishings come together to form a cohesive design concept.

Copyright photos: Karsten Knocke