Architects Pringle Richards Sharratt used the Younique by Formica Group customised service for the redevelopment of the award-winning William Morris Gallery in Walthamstow, London.
The historic house, dedicated to life and works of William Morris, was fully refurbished including eight new washrooms, each featuring individual Morris patterns in digitally printed Formica laminate.
Karsten Weiss, architect at Pringle Richards Sharratt Architects comments: “We worked closely with Formica Group to learn more about using the Younique service for this project. The most durable washroom cubicle systems use High Pressure Laminate (HPL) and when Formica Group confirmed the possibility of utilising virtually any print, the idea of the ‘Morris Washrooms’ was born.”
Offering a combination of Formica High Pressure Laminate (HPL) and Formica Compact, the Formica Washroom Collection provides architects and designers with an extremely practical and versatile range of laminates available in a wide range of patterns, textures, colours and bespoke printing options, allowing for washrooms to be customised to suit particular decorative or corporate colour schemes. With the opportunity to create bespoke artwork for branding purposes, numerous options are also available for an individual look.
Karsten Weiss continues: “Formica Group outlined the image requirements and explained to us the manufacture process; we then chose the Morris patterns for the eight washrooms together with the client – each washroom cubicle has its own individual pattern on both sides of the door and the duct panel wall. “
James Dawson, European Custom Laminate Manager at Formica Group adds: “The digital prints were created with scans of William Morris original fabric design. We were able to replicate high quality, original designs in a hard wearing and easy to maintain format which was essential for this project.”
Formica Group worked alongside the architects to create customised visuals, offering a complete design service from file sharing and advance sample approval to the print, manufacture and transport of the laminates.
The £3.5 million refurbishment of the grade II* 18th-century ‘Water House’ including an orangery-inspired extension by Pringle Richards Sharratt was completed in August 2012.
The renovated gallery, located in the former family home of William Morris in Walthamstow, contains an important collection illustrating the artist’s life, work and influence. The William Morris Gallery won the Art Fund's Museum of the Year Award 2013 as well as the Museums & Heritage Award for Best Permanent Exhibition.
