Arcus College, Heerlen | NL

Attractive and functional Arturo PU self-smoothing floors from UZIN UTZ Nederland in a stylish grey tone have been laid in the transport passageways, the canteen and all other public spaces at the new Arcus College in Heerlen. In the spaces with less ‘traffic’, including the emergency stairways, the choice was for a glossy floor coating applied directly on the concrete subfloors. The same applies for the landings, underground car park and bicycle sheds at the school, where an anti-slip floor coating was selected.

 “IAA Architecten – one of our permanent customers – already involved us early on in the project to help come up with the most suitable floors and their laying”, explains Jeroen Strecker, Brand Manager at UZIN UTZ Nederland for the Arturo Flooring brand. “For budgetary reasons floor coatings were initially included in the specifications. But during construction a different system was used in a number of places. Floor coating are – with their modest thickness – less durable than for example self-smoothing floors. And durability was indeed required in this project. After all, each day several thousands of pupils use the transport passageways and public spaces in the building. The floor coatings – originally selected for this project – would then accentuate flaws. And that would not benefit the quality of the building.”

One whole
Ultimately some 6,300 m² of self-smoothing floors were laid, he explains. “The choice was a self-smoothing floor layer 2 mm thick with decorative flakes, that were also added in the floor coatings. This ensures an attractive whole. Both the self-smoothing floors and the coatings were given a protective top layer by floor worker Bovitec to further enhance the life and cleanability of the floor.” In the industrial kitchens epoxy-self-smoothing floors were selected that have better resistance to shear loads caused by trolleys and service vehicles. The underground car park, the bicycle shed and the landings have been given special anti-slip treatment for the protection and embellishment of the underlying concrete.

The project was handed over in May 2014. Arcus College is full of praise for the result. “The self-smoothing floors and coatings not only have an attractive appearance, they are also very practical in use”, explains Wim Florie, facility manager at the Arcus College. “Very pleasant properties for a school environment.”

Warranty
Arturo products are produced by UZIN UTZ Nederland b.v. Besides Arturo, the company supplies the Uzin, Pallmann and Codex brands and a complete range for laying, maintaining and renovating of all types of floor coverings, parquet floor, tiles and natural stone. For the renovation of Arcus College, besides the self-smoothing floors and coatings the company also supplied Uzin adhesives with which Condor Vloeren laid the carpets. “We have issued our UZIN UTZ Nederland Guarantee System for all the work”, explains Strecker. “Besides the parties doing the work, Arcus College itself is also guaranteed an attractive and sustainable floor for ten years.”

Project information

Building: Arcus College Heerlen
Function: school
Architect: IAA Architecten
Contractor: LAUDY Bouw & Ontwikkeling
Floorer: Bovitec
Carpet: Condor Vloeren
Area: 6.300 m² self-smooting floor and 11.400 m² coating system.
Delivery date: mei 2014