Platform on architecture, interior design and landscape architecture
With its recent expansion and redevelopment, Royal Talens’ production facility in Apeldoorn has been given a future-proof boost. Designed by Bronsvoort Blaak Architects, production, logistics, and office functions have been brought together into a single, clear, and efficient campus that optimally aligns with both the paint manufacturer’s business processes and growth ambitions. The striking architectural design, combined with a flexible layout, has resulted in a work environment where functionality, prestige, and future-proofing come together naturally.
The high-quality design is also reflected in the interior, where Interface floor coverings make a significant contribution to the building’s aesthetic appeal, functionality, and user experience. “The floor coverings serve as the connecting link between the building’s various functions,” explains Henk Geert Blaak, architect and partner at Bronsvoort Blaak Architects. “They support day-to-day operations and contribute to a professional, comfortable, and sustainable work environment for both employees and visitors. In doing so, they align seamlessly with Royal Talens” ambition to create a workplace where employees enjoy coming to work.”
“For me, interior design always starts with the flooring,” Blaak emphasizes. “This was also the case at Royal Talens, where, in addition to a professional appearance, practical convenience was a key consideration. At the old location, employees would regularly walk from the production hall into the offices with paint on their shoes, resulting in heavily soiled flooring. To address this in the new building, a clear separation was established between production and office areas, supported by clear usage protocols. The choice of materials also contributes to this. While wear-resistant cast floors with a warm appearance were used in the hallways, 600 m² of Mercer Street Iron Circle and 987 m² of Interface Broome Street Yellow Glass carpet tiles in the workspaces ensure a pleasant and inspiring work environment and excellent acoustics.”
The selected carpet tiles stand out because of their unique grid pattern. “While the outer edges are a mottled brown-gray, the center is enriched with yellow ‘dots’ that give the impression of paint splatters. This not only creates an interesting visual effect but also establishes a nice connection to the Royal Talens paint factory,” says Blaak. Thanks to the CO2-negative CQuest Bio backing—made of biocomposite and biobased and recycled fillers—the carpet tiles also excel in sustainability.
In the factory’s stairwells, norament Stone Grey rubber stair treads and floor tiles from nora by Interface were installed; their round studded profile (pastilles) subtly echoes the paint drips in the offices. Both flooring solutions are suitable for heavy-duty use and high traffic and are characterized by a long service life, high wear resistance, and minimal environmental impact.
In line with a modern design, inviting workspaces, and a creative aesthetic, Royal Talens sought to create the welcoming atmosphere of a hotel lobby. “It was also important that the production facility and offices could be easily separated in the future,” says Blaak. “We’ve achieved this, for example, with a spacious entrance hall positioned between the factory and the offices.” The centerpiece of this entrance hall is a large wooden grandstand that connects the ground floor to the experience center on the first floor. “The staircase running through it is covered with norament 926 Platinum Grey tiles from nora by Interface,” says Blaak. Last but not least, Portmanteau Butterscotch carpet tiles from Interface were used as area rugs and in the focus rooms. “The yellow-beige hue adds a refined finishing touch here.”
