When designing a new classroom and link block at St Thomas’s School in Auckland’s Kohimarama, carpet tiles from Advance helped express the architects’ colour story.

’City Square is a great go-to for education projects, as the standard range comes with 28 different colours,’ says architect Brett Roake-Barefoot of Ministry of Architecture + Interiors. ‘That’s really helpful at the start of the job before colour schemes are developed. It gives us flexibility and we don’t need to change our spec at a later date.’

The two-storey, 12-classroom block – which forms a key link and connector within the school – is screened on the street boundary by an impressive stand of pōhutukawa trees. The architects have reflected this context in grey and black, with accents of red. This translates to an exterior that is playful and vibrant, with a more muted interior, so students’ work stands out.

The architects chose Prima Ligne carpet tiles from Advance in neutral tones for the main floors, to match the carpet inside the existing blocks. Prima Ligne tiles can be laid in a uniform direction to resemble broadloom, while here they were set at contrasting angles to match existing school flooring patterns.

In contrast, City Square carpet tiles were selected for the breakout spaces. ‘We have brought in clear finished pine to further reference the stand of trees and natural environment,’ notes Roake-Barefoot, ‘and used those flashes of colour in the floor for easy identification and reference for students and teachers.’

The two tiles share the same profile and so can be integrated seamlessly. They are interchangeable in price and colour, with the ability to create patterns that mix and match.

The use of Gecko Entrance Carpet Tiles in the classroom and library entranceways completes the flooring solution. Gecko requires no matwells and can be staggered into a room’s carpet tile pattern for a seamless finish, while ensuring heavy-duty carpet is right at the entrance to trap dirt and moisture from shoes.

Project: St Thomas School

Architect: Ministry of Architecture + Interiors

Product: Prima Ligne, City Square and Gecko Entrance Tiles

Photographer: Up&Up Photography

Writer: Folio

Construction: A-Line Construction

Installer: KR Flooring