Company Announcement - The latest sustainable ‘bio-mimicking’ carpet tile range from global manufacturer, Interface, is now being distributed in South Africa by Kevin Bates Albert Carpets. The collection, ‘Human Nature’, was designed by British-born David Oakey, a longstanding collaborator with Interface and through his company, David Oakey Design, a world leader in sustainable design practices. Nature-based design principles, known as “bio-mimicry,” are fast becoming mainstream – partly because of Oakey’s pioneering creations. Brandon Park, Sales Director of Kevin Bates Albert Carpets, says the new Interface collection was inspired by the premise that design spaces that evoke the senses through light, colour, texture and detail can connect with the human spirit. “The new ‘Human Nature’ flooring is inspired by the visual, tactile textures that are found in forest floors, grassy fields and pebble garden paths,” Park explains.

Human Nature features five 25cm by 1m “skinny plank” carpet tile patterns that pair seamlessly with  larger 50cm x 50cm square tiles, ideal for composing imaginative floor designs and encouraging design diversity. The ‘planks’ are also available in a range of textures, from a pebbled to a grassy appearance to delineate different working spaces.     “The Human Nature carpet tiles offer a significant advantage over hardwood flooring in that it absorbs sound and therefore offer improved acoustics while creating more comfortable, productive work environments,” Park adds. “The new range combines the hard surface look of planks with the benefits of soft, textured carpet tile that feels comfortable and natural underfoot.”

The new collection embodies the Netherlands-based Interface’s 20-year history as a sustainability pioneer in the flooring industry. Made with 100% recycled nylon yarn, Human Nature will be produced on four continents at six Interface factories that are, on average, 39% more energy efficient and consume 83% less water than when the company started its ecological crusade about 20 years ago. Furthermore, the Interface manufacturing facilities now derive about 35% of their energy from renewable sources.