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STUDENT CHALLENGE: FORBO X BECKMANS 2022

Enhancing safety and wellbeing in a space

  • Student Challenge Beckmans 2022 | Ebba
  • Student Challenge Beckmans 2022 | Joelle
  • Student Challenge Beckmans 2022 | Iris
  • Student Challenge Beckmans 2022 | Sigrid
  • Student Challenge Beckmans 2022 | Svea
  • Student Challenge Beckmans 2022 | Chatrine

The Challenge

Student Challenge Beckmans 2022 | group photo

FORBO X BECKMANS, THE SECOND EDITION

Following the success of the previous collaboration in 2020, a second student challenge with the Beckmans College of Design was initiated in 2022.
​
Using Forbo Flooring's design concept 'The Dynamics of a Building' as a starting point, the brief was to create a flooring design that would enhance the sense of safety and wellbeing in a space. The students were challenged to design flooring that supported the user's spatial orientation while also keeping in mind the requirements of the building.

The final designs had to be realistic, ready to execute, and based on the Forbo Flooring cutting technology, with no more than five colours used. And, at least two different Forbo Flooring products from our Marmoleum, Flotex, and Sphera collections had to be combined in one space.

Over the course of three weeks, 12 students worked tirelessly on the project. Their ability to translate the five scenarios into actual ideas demonstrated a clear affinity for the Forbo Flooring Dynamics of a Building concept. ​

In this second edition, Peter Nylander, senior lecturer in Product Design at the Beckmans College of Design in Stockholm, was once again in charge of the project coordination. His excellent student guidance contributed significantly to the project's success.

Josefin Larsson, Marketing Manager for the Nordics at Forbo Flooring Systems, Marijke Griffioen, Senior Designer Marmoleum, and Dorothé Kessels, Director Global Design , led the project from the Netherlands.

Dorothé: "We were all pleasantly surprised by the complexity of the concepts and the students' accomplishments given the limited time available. It proved quite difficult to decide which projects to communicate about on our website. We decided to focus on the diversity of the results and the level of translation of the assignment for the final selection."

Discover all the students' projects in the tabs above.

Missed one of our previous challenges?

Iris

Student Challenge Beckmans 2022 | Iris
Student Challenge Beckmans 2022 | Iris

LIGHT LEADS by Iris

"My design is inspired by church windows. How the light passes through stained glass, reflecting off the floors and walls and producing patterns that guide visitors through buildings.

I chose the name 'light-leads,' which refers to a glassworking technique known as 'leadlights,' which is historically used to make church windows."

Student Challenge Beckmans 2022 | Iris
Student Challenge Beckmans 2022 | Iris
Student Challenge Beckmans 2022 | Iris

Svea

Student Challenge Beckmans 2022 | Svea
Student Challenge Beckmans 2022 | Svea

NATURE'S MOVEMENTS by Svea

"This concept is based on the use of water as a direct interpreter of nature's movements, such as how it can be perfectly motionless or turbulent.

I wanted to work with a room that had two functions: relaxing areas and a corridor. Using shapes and lines to guide the user and create a dynamic atmosphere.

Different materials are used to create a distinction between the different zones; Flotex for quietness and Marmoleum for a more vigorous experience to tell a story about the room and the people in it."

Student Challenge Beckmans 2022 | Svea
Student Challenge Beckmans 2022 | Svea
Student Challenge Beckmans 2022 | Svea
Student Challenge Beckmans 2022 | Svea

Joelle

Student Challenge Beckmans 2022 | Joelle
Student Challenge Beckmans 2022 | Joelle

SILHOUETTES by Joelle

"My inspiration comes from the ever-changing nature of natural light and how its gradients produce silhouettes, shadows, and a sense of depth."

I aimed for softness and movement in the room by using organic and flowing shapes, generating a sense of flow and direction, and moving you in an intuitive way through the space. In my opinion, thoughtful design improves the experience of a space and allows the user to engage with it. For me, the Dynamics of a Building philosophy felt like a really applicable modern design approach.

I focused on the receiving and moving narrative in my spatial design by developing features that offered a warm and welcome atmosphere while also adding functionality by creating a natural flow in the space.

The elements include an elongated curve that takes the user around the room in an intuitive manner, as well as dots and organic shapes that provide a focal point. To enhance the narrative of the spaces, a muted colour palette with colour accents and different material textures is used."

Student Challenge Beckmans 2022 | Joelle
Student Challenge Beckmans 2022 | Joelle
Student Challenge Beckmans 2022 | Joelle
Student Challenge Beckmans 2022 | Joelle

Ebba

Student Challenge Beckmans 2022 | Ebba
Student Challenge Beckmans 2022 | Ebba

ARCHIPELAGO by Ebba

"The starting point for my project was to design long lasting yet contemporary floor patterns inspired by the Swedish archipelago and with an emphasis on zoning.

With the archipelago in mind, I wanted to design flooring that has a warm and welcome feel while still providing the calm of being on an island. Smaller, more intimate sections can be produced within a larger room by combining materials and patterns, resulting in a space within a space.

I used seven different colours and three different flooring materials in my design: Sphera, Marmoleum, and Flotex. I experimented with various combinations to see what atmospheres could be created. To develop a long-lasting design, I created shapes that can be easily scaled to fit different interiors."

Student Challenge Beckmans 2022 | Ebba
Student Challenge Beckmans 2022 | Ebba

Sigrid

Student Challenge Beckmans 2022 | Sigrid
Student Challenge Beckmans 2022 | Sigrid

OVERVIEW by Sigrid

"Overview is a design concept for office buildings. I was inspired by the idea of a city seen from above, the aerial view, for my design in terms of shape, colour, and function. The concept of the design is to help people orient and navigate through the building while also providing a sense of safety and well-being.

The 'Sunrise' zoning pattern appears at first glance to be a collage of different coloured patterns; yet, closer inspection reveals a three-dimensional image of high-rise buildings seen from above.

The expression and function of the flooring surface can be easily changed by altering the colours and materials used for the various shapes and in the surrounding floors.

The concept consists of three components: the Compass Rose, the Birds, and the Zones, which are designed for the many dynamics that occur in the building and are consistent with the Forbo Flooring Dynamics of a Building philosophy.

To meet the requirements of a room, each component is available in three different material and colour variations."

Student Challenge Beckmans 2022 | Sigrid

Chatrine

Student Challenge Beckmans 2022 | Chatrine
Student Challenge Beckmans 2022 | Chatrine

NATURE by Chatrine

"In this project, I wanted to bring the outside in, to make the outside a part of the interior. Nature, with its diverse shapes and patterns, served as my inspiration.

I created four distinct patterns to guide you through the building, designs that let you feel at ease with what to do there.

Three separate colour palettes were designed to define the various dynamics in specific areas. I chose Marmoleum as the base, with the option of combining it with Flotex to create zones."

Student Challenge Beckmans 2022 | Chatrine