In a challenging contract involving extensive and prolonged international liaison – coupled with exceptionally tight time schedules – KBAC Flooring successfully supplied and installed all the flooring requirements for the new national headquarters of the giant alcoholic beverages multinational, Diageo, which last year relocated its national head offices from Cape Town to Midrand.
Internationally-renowned Interface modular flooring, distributed in South Africa by KBAC Flooring, was selected as the main flooring component for the 3 000m2 Diageo headquarters in Maxwell Office Park, on the corner of Allandale Road and Maxwell Drive. The seven office block project was developed by the Atterbury Group.
Lee-Anne Murray, of Facilities Support Group (FSG), locally spearheaded the intricate global coordination required to arrive at the final choice of Interface flooring for the project. Ultra-sustainable Interface was selected by Diageo for this project and the company wanted to ensure that the product was correctly selected from an ethnic and cultural point of view for its South African flagship premises.
A total of 2 179m2 Interface carpet tiles and planks were subsequently supplied and installed by KBAC for the new building. Interface Composure was extensively used in the sprawling open plan areas, combined with Interface Urban Retreat 501 carpet planks, and Urban Retreat 101, 102, and 103 as well as monochrome carpet tiles in the office areas, covering some 200m2.
“Interface Composure is ideal for the creation of tranquil contemporary interiors. The range mimics the subtle variations found in rock and stone formations to allow for adaptable, non-directional surfaces that are perfect for large areas,” says KBAC Consultant, Hannetjie Smit, who coordinated the project with FSG. “Interface Urban Retreat comprises three distinct styles evoking stone, forest and savannah grasses. All Interface flooring is manufactured from 100% recycled yarn and the company has set international benchmarks in the production of sustainable flooring.”
KBAC also supplied its own house-brand Vanguard luxury vinyl tiles (165m2 of Woodlands European Oak) and Polyflor Expona Stone Effect (147m2) for the project.
Lee-Anne explains: “Diageo was looking for a specialist team that could both project manage the entire process, whilst at the same time be able to bring together the complicated design and make sure it was delivered to world class standards, within an extremely tight timeline. Having been recommended by the developers, the client – after extensive due diligence – decided to appoint FSG on a turnkey Design-and-Build basis to deliver the project.
“Orbit Design of Bangkok undertook the interior design component of the project with FSG assisting and advising on localisation, coordination and carrying out local design. With our cooperation, Orbit contacted KBAC Flooring, who sent several selections of samples to Orbit in Bangkok for their final approval.”
Reflected in the collaborative design is the strong brand identity of Diageo, showcasing its premium liquor brands such as Johnnie Walker Blue Label, Smirnoff, Ciroc, Singleton and Captain Morgan. “The head office design has a strong joinery element supported by high-end graphics and furniture. Flooring was an important part of the overall design with the combination of Interface flooring as well as the luxury vinyl tiles supplied by KBAC all playing strong complementary roles.
Lee-Anne Murray concluded: “FSG is extremely proud and honoured to have been selected to work on this prestigious project: a true collaboration between client, consultants and supply chain that resulted in a project of extremely high standards. The final product is attracting rave reviews from our peers and is being described by Diageo as their best office delivery globally.”
