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Case Studies

Inspirational floors to enhance every project. From homes to hotels, museums to restaurants, Atkinson & Kirby flooring is selected for projects all over the world.

No.17 The Promenade & No.26 By The Sea

No. 17 The Promenade Hotel and No. 26 by the Sea, Oban's newest boutique hotels, offer contemporary luxury in Scotland's chicest coastal destination. In 2020, the scenic coastal town of Oban welcomed its first boutique hotel, No. 26 by the Sea, under the ownership of local entrepreneur, Paul Sloan. This establishment set a new standard for coastal accommodations. Building on its success, No. 17 The Promenade Hotel was unveiled in the summer of 2022, following a complete makeover of a Victorian guesthouse, resulting in a luxurious coastal retreat. Nestled in the heart of the Victorian Esplanade, No. 17 The Promenade Hotel seamlessly combines historical charm with modern comfort. It's conveniently located just a short 5 to 10-minute stroll from the town centre, making it an ideal base for guests to explore Oban's local culture and attractions. At No. 17 The Promenade, luxury takes centre stage in its 19 guest rooms. Each room is adorned with vibrant printed wallpapers in calming hues. The bathrooms feature intricate tiling and vintage furnishings, including classic dial telephones to add character and charm. The room options range from cosy and snug to spacious and opulent, with some offering breath-taking sea views. To enhance the interiors of both No. 17 The Promenade Hotel and its sister property, No. 26 by the Sea, Atkinson & Kirby’s Bespoke Dark Finger Jointed Oak flooring (RDF1006) from their refined collection of Solid Wood Flooring was chosen. The deep, rich tones of this bespoke flooring create a striking statement in every room, with visible knots and splits adding character and a uniquely aged charm, complementing the vibrant coastal surroundings. View the full Atkinson & Kirby collection here: https://commercial.akirby.co.uk/ Image below: No.26 By The Sea

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Avro Apartments, Manchester

The recently refurbished Avro Apartments, Manchester's largest complex of loft apartments, provide historic luxury in one of the city's last remaining untouched Victorian mills, whilst paying homage to the building’s industrial roots.  In one of Manchester's largest regeneration areas, the Northern Quarter, a historic Grade II* listed Victorian mill, underwent a remarkable transformation into 31 luxury loft apartments. Originally known as Brownsfield Mill, this iconic building located by the Rochdale Canal, was constructed in 1825 and features Manchester’s oldest surviving mill chimney. Transformed by the architects at Stephenson Hamilton Risley Studio in collaboration with contractors Urban Splash, their approach and attention to detail has delivered a high-end residential complex. Allowing the charming, warm-toned original industrial features to shine through, whilst now accented by modern industrial-influenced elements crafted from high quality materials inspired by the building’s heritage.  The building was once home to A.V. Roe & Co., Britain's first aeroplane manufacturer and it was also the one-time workplace of eminent artist LS Lowry, who served as the building’s rent collector. The name ‘Avro Apartments’ pays homage to the Avro biplanes that were once constructed within its walls. Each of the 31 luxury loft apartments within this historic building reflects its industrial heritage, featuring exposed mill boards, thick timber planks spanning between main beams without joists, and salvaged materials used throughout. Atkinson & Kirby’s Bespoke hand scraped white-washed rustic oak flooring was chosen to be fitted throughout Avro Apartments. The bespoke flooring was a perfectly selected design choice, with the delicate whitewashed oil of the Oak enhancing the abundance of natural character knots, splits and grain variation. Its subtle grey hue provides a modern foundation, whilst the rustic grade adds character that compliments the historic surroundings. View the full Atkinson & Kirby collection here: https://commercial.akirby.co.uk/shop  

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Nine Elms, London

As Nine Elms newest 53-storey residential towers, No. 8 and No. 9 Thames City offer contemporary luxury in a vibrant redevelopment zone. As Europe's largest regeneration zone, Nine Elms is the most ambitious regeneration project undertaken in London for decades. Located on the south bank of the River Thames in Nine Elms, No. 8 and No. 9 Thames City are impressive new 53-storey residential towers. With their prime central and riverside location, they offer a vibrant destination for city dwellers and visitors. From these towers, residents can enjoy captivating views of central London and its iconic landmarks on the upper floors, while the lower levels offer a serene and natural setting, surrounded by the beautiful public space of Linear Park and a secluded private residents' garden. Nestled within No. 8 and No. 9 Thames City are stylish interiors and luxurious living. Each apartment boasts a contemporary design with high-end finishes, enhanced by panoramic views from floor-to-ceiling windows. This sophisticated and comfortable living experience sets a new standard for luxury in Nine Elms. Atkinson & Kirby’s Bespoke Dark Grey Smoked Oak flooring was chosen to be fitted throughout No. 8 and No. 9 Towers. The bespoke flooring was a perfectly selected design choice, with its dark smoked finish and elegant marbled colour variation adding a beautifully unique aged look to compliment the bright surrounding modern interiors. View the full Atkinson & Kirby collection here: https://akirby.co.uk/  

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Lighthouse Children's Home, London

The Lighthouse Pedagogical Trust is a charity that creates inviting homes where children can thrive. The Lighthouse Children’s Home in Sutton, London, has been designed with its purpose in mind, providing a safe and cosy home for up to six children. The Lighthouse Pedagogical Trust was founded by Emmanuel Akpan-Inwang in 2017 to set up children’s homes that allow children equal care opportunities. They teamed up with Conrad Koslowsky Architects, who fulfilled the brief by creating a safe home where both children in care and care leavers can thrive. The home was created with security and comfort in mind, being made to feel like a home, not an institution. Starting off as a derelict retirement home, the design team have expertly transformed the building into a modern yet cosy home space. Featuring six generous bedrooms, complete with en-suite bathrooms, for 12–17-year-olds, a dedicated sleeping-in room for overnight staff and two flexible flats on the second floor for care leavers with more independence, aged from 16+. The double kitchen provides room for thriving young cooks and the two large living rooms encourage play, education and relaxation. The soundscape and layout of the building were carefully considered, with all living rooms having two exit routes to reduce feelings of entrapment for children. Deep thresholds with acoustic treatment serve to create extra privacy and a serene atmosphere. Conrad Koslowsky focused on durability when developing the home, as opposed to other children’s homes he visited, which used cheap materials in anticipation of their replacement. The quality materials used throughout create a warm and playful feel; the doors and their frames are solid oak, providing sturdy and beautiful finishes. Atkinson & Kirby’s Carron Oak flooring was installed throughout the property. The timeless elegance and rustic appearance of the timber adds to the homely feel of the space. Paired with warm décor and cosy architecture, Carron Oak provides a welcoming feel to the home. The visible grain and natural knots of the wood also help to add a sense of familiarity to the space. To view the full Atkinson & Kirby collection, please visit: https://akirby.co.uk/ Visit Conrad Koslowsky Architects website, https://www.conradkoslowsky.com/ Images by Edmund Sumner  

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Atkinson & Kirby’s Lewis Oak featured on BBC’s Scotland Home of the Year

Home renovator Emma (@phemieloves) has transformed her nineties Scottish home to a modern open plan space that is full of vivid hues, which recently saw a special feature on BBC’s Scotland Home of the Year.                                                          Documenting her renovation journey on her Instagram account, @phemieloves, Emma has paired white walls with pops of colour throughout her Scotland home.   The minimalist walls and kitchen cupboards create a neutral backdrop for the colourful accessories, establishing a vibrant home that doesn’t overwhelm. She has used decorative pillows, ornaments and furniture to add brightness to her home in a customisable way. In her open plan living room and kitchen diner, the wooden furniture perfectly balances her colourful soft furnishings, giving a seventies inspired nod to the space. The large windows bring the garden’s greenery into the house, illuminating the space with natural light and colour. Emma’s stylish wall gallery incorporates in a variety of colours and patterns as well as more minimalist prints. The abstract paintings contain vivid tones that establish the colour palette throughout the home, tying the décor together perfectly to create a contemporary feel. Atkinson & Kirby’s Lewis Oak flooring was installed throughout the home. The sleek, timeless elegance of the solid wood flooring gives the space a warm feeling that complements the modern decoration and bright colours. The presence of knots and natural colouring in Atkinson & Kirby’s classic wooden flooring creates a rustic, raw appearance that balances the modern white walls and clean, bold colours in Emma’s home. To Emma’s delight, the home was featured on BBC Scotland’s Home of the Year, being described as an on trend, fun and a relaxing home to be in. Judges commented on Emma’s awareness of design, stating that she used all of the best brands to transform her home.

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National Robotarium, Edinburgh

The National Robotarium in Edinburgh, which opened in September 2022, is the UK’s centre for Robotics and Artificial Intelligence. The purpose-built facility is home to unmatched technology and its striking glass exterior embodies the innovation of this futuristic field. Located in the Edinburgh campus of Heriot-Watt University, the brand new National Robotarium is a world-leading Robotics and Artificial Intelligence centre. Heriot-Watt University and University of Edinburgh partnered as global leaders in robotics to create an international research hub boasting extensive technology and facilities.  The genius behind the facility, Michael Laird Architects, provided a full design service encompassing architecture and interiors to fulfil the university’s vision of a leading innovation centre, which MLA called a ‘once in a lifetime’ project. The building’s modern and sleek exterior epitomises the pioneering expertise within. Robertson Construction, the main contractors for the project, developed an innovative and sustainable facility for this futuristic industry by using a striking glass exterior that acts to reduce energy consumption. Transitioning from the modern glass exterior, the atrium at the heart of the Robotarium was fitted with Ness Smoked Oak flooring from Atkinson & Kirby’s classic collection and expertly installed by McGarry Flooring Contracts. The oak brings a traditional feeling to the space which has become known as The Forum. Paired with floods of natural light, the flooring has the traditional yet timeless appearance of natural wood whilst maintaining the contemporary style of the innovative facility. The rustic feel of the oak also calls back to the focus on sustainable practices that were of high importance to the client, which reflects our own commitment to sustainable timber sourcing.    

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Park Hill, Sheffield

Europe’s largest listed building, Park Hill, in Sheffield, has been repurposed into  spacious flats, a workplace and social hub overlooking the city. Park Hill is an iconic concrete building overlooking Sheffield city centre. The development was created in 1961 as a ‘utopian vision’ for new communities to grow and was soon nicknamed ‘streets in the sky’ due to each building being linked by internal bridges. Park Hill has been firmly brought into the 21st century and turned into a thriving community, which is continuing to develop. The first phase in 2013 saw the build of 260 homes, contemporary workplaces, cafes and a nursery - providing a new lease of life for the area. The second phase, completed in 2019, saw the addition of accommodation for up to 356 students. The latest phase, completed in 2022, was designed by Stirling Prize winning architects Mikhail Riches, and added an additional 195 homes and 20,000 sq. ft of workspace. This development saw a muted approach compared to the previously colourful exterior design, using softer colours to differentiate between earlier phases. Atkinson & Kirby was selected to provide flooring in the apartments, staircases and hallways for the project. Producing a bespoke, Rustic Grade, whitewashed oak, the flooring compliments the character of the new phase as well as being durable enough to withstand constant use.  

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Zanzibar Locke, Dublin

As Locke Living’s second Dublin-based aparthotel, Zanzibar Locke’s retro living spaces and inviting communal areas create the perfect central homestead for guests. Overlooking views of the riverside and situated amongst the cobbled streets of the city centre, Zanzibar Locke provides the perfect base to explore. Previously home to a nightclub, the refurbished building is made up of four Georgian townhouses, where Dublin’s bars, club, shops and galleries are just a stone’s throw away. High ceilings and large windows form a bright, open shared space that includes a co-working area, cocktail bar and workout studio. Exposed brick walls, retro tiles and an impressive, contemporary, mezzanine bar lends itself to the historic buildings character, alongside a functional design scheme. Spacious apartments make use of a tonal colour palette of muted yellows and dusty pinks, with zonal prints to form a retro look. The mixed textures of the soft furnishings and light oak form a cosy feel, with the addition of pops of colour, black accents and quirky curated art to add to the trendy interiors. Atkinson & Kirby’s Ness Smoked Oak flooring was chosen to be fitted throughout the building, with its filled knots and splits adding a beautifully aged look that works well with the surrounding modern interiors. The engineered hardwood flooring compliments the varying tones in oak found within each area of Zanzibar Locke perfectly, ranging from the rich, honey toned ceiling panels, to the light washed oak furniture. View the full Atkinson & Kirby collection here: https://akirby.co.uk/

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