Royal Adelaide Hospital

The new Royal Adelaide Hospital (RAH) is part of the biggest health and research precinct in the Southern Hemisphere. The new 10-storey building footprint occupies 175,000m2 of a 10-hectare site and structurally spans the equivalent of three city blocks.

The Tarkett vinyl flooring was specified for its suitability in healthcare environments in terms of durability, hygiene and aesthetics. iQ vinyl flooring is renowned for delivering the lowest life cycle costs on the market – providing substantial costs savings on cleaning and maintenance over the life of the floor.

Celsus operations director, Greg Wenham, said that whilst sustainability credentials were a key consideration for all aspects of the building’s construction and fit-out, including flooring. Tarkett vinyl flooring was chosen primarily for its suitability to withstand the hospital’s high-intensity cleaning regime. “We recognize that the Tarkett vinyl flooring has proven hygiene credentials suitable to healthcare facilities and that it has sustainability creditability that fits with the hospital’s Green Star goals,” Mr Wenham said. “This was considered at the flooring specification stage, however the primary consideration for the Tarkett flooring was its durability in the hospital environment. We are responsible for the building for 30 years and the life cycle of its interior and exterior materials is a vital factor in the building’s ongoing value.

The Tarkett vinyl flooring range has helped realize the design intent of the hospital’s interior color scheme. Tarkett’s Stacey-lee Smith said the practical applications of color, pattern and texture are particularly important for flooring in healthcare facilities. “Flooring is not just a surface covering, it is a functional element of good interior design and can affect people in many ways, contributing to patient recovery and hospital staff efficiency,” said Ms Smith. “Flooring colors and patterns can provide a contribution to the wellbeing of patients at psychological and sensory level by creating a calming and reassuring atmosphere that promotes healing.”