Dementia care to figure strongly at Harrogate Commercial Flooring Conference, 2 – 3 September

When it comes to the responsibilities of architects as designers and specifiers, the healthcare environment is one of the most challenging there is. 

And this is especially so when it comes to meeting the needs of the growing numbers of dementia sufferers, where flooring and other surfaces are absolutely crucial for creating a comfortable and problem free environment.

For this reason, the free-to-attend 2013 Commercial Flooring Conference, Harrogate 2 – 3 September, will be featuring a special session featuring three presentations on the design and selection of flooring to meet the needs of dementia care.

Among the speakers will be Gordon Asher, the Capital Projects Manager at HC-One, one of the UK’s largest care home operators and a specialist in dementia, nursing and residential care. Gordon will be talking about the crucial process of selecting the right type of flooring for HC-One’s property portfolio.

Two other presentations in this session will provide architects with a detailed insight into design for dementia care, and the background to two state of the art new care facilities.

From Salford University, Dr Elizabeth Collier and Dr Ricardo Codinhoto will reveal the results of detailed research into how the design of flooring and other surfaces helps or hinders the daily lives of dementia sufferers.

And Lianne Knotts, the Associate Director of Medical Architecture, will explain the thinking behind the new dementia care facilities at Ferndene and Monkwearmouth. The award winning Ferndene facility brings together children and young peoples’ mental health and learning disability services for the first time in the UK, while the Monkwearmouth dementia care facility will be the first NHS building to be audited in line with the University of Stirling’s Design Audit Service Criteria.

Elsewhere in the 2-day Commercial Flooring Conference programme, facilities managers will be able to hear expert presentations covering a number of sectors, including education, retail and office. In the entertainment & leisure session, just days ahead of the official opening of Leeds Arena, John Rhodes of Populous will explain the role of flooring in making it a true multi-purpose venue tipped to make Leeds a top destination for the world’s leading performers.

In addition, there will also be specialist presentations on Building Information Modelling (BIM), the future of flooring design, and sustainability. In the BIM session, Mark King, the 3D Modelling Project Manager at Severn Partnership, will explain how the use of laser scanning and point cloud technology can create a digital BIM model for older buildings, making life far easier for those responsible for the operation and maintenance of such facilities.

Running alongside the conference on 2 September, there will be a full programme of RIBA and RICS accredited CPD seminars delivered by top flooring manufacturers Altro, Interface, Karndean and Tarkett, all bookable in advance at no cost.

In addition, the Flooring Show exhibition which will enable architects to see the products of more than 100 top flooring companies.

The event will also feature the Trends Hub – a visionary zone that will showcase an inspiring presentation of the latest trends in floor coverings. At 5pm on Monday 2 September, the Trends Hub will also host a drinks reception by the leading international carpet tile manufacturer, Interface, who will be launching their latest creation into the UK market.

• For more information on the Commercial Flooring Conference and the CPD seminars, and to download the programme, visit www.theflooringshow.com/Content/The-Commercial-Flooring-Conference-2-3-Sep/5_35/

• To contact individual speakers or for additional background information, contact Ian Harper on 07989 912186