In the heart of Wellington, Karori Normal School’s recent redevelopment has become a benchmark for culturally responsive and environmentally conscious education design. With a strong conceptual narrative grounded in the metaphor of a forest, the design team at Stephenson & Turner (S&T), in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, sought flooring solutions that would bring this story to life visually, practically, and sustainably. The result is a carefully curated blend of Interface carpet tile and Forbo homogeneous vinyl, specified through Inzide, delivering a thoughtful, future-focused foundation for learning.

Interface’s Aerial carpet tile collection was used throughout teaching and breakout spaces, offering a soft, textured surface that visually references the forest floor. Three patterns, AE311 in Taupe, AE315 in Taupe/Leaf, and AE317 in Leaf, are layered to guide the eye and support spatial zoning. AE311 provides a warm, neutral base with soft, brushstroke like movement. AE315 introduces gentle tonal shifts that subtly define circulation zones, while AE317 deepens the colour palette with bolder, botanical-inspired greens. This progression helps reinforce the school’s narrative of birds within the forest, with each flooring zone evoking different moments in the natural world.

Beyond their aesthetic qualities, these carpet tiles deliver high performance where it matters most. Each tile is manufactured using 100% solution-dyed, recycled nylon with Protekt2 stain protection, ensuring colour fastness and easy maintenance in a demanding primary school environment. The GlasBac acoustic vinyl backing reduces sound transmission providing, calm, focused classroom environments. In keeping with the school’s sustainability aspirations, all Interface carpet tiles can be recycled through the ReEntry programme, certified by the Ministry of Environment at the end of the 15-20 year life cycle.

In transition and utility areas, Forbo’s Sphera vinyl provides a robust, hygienic and colour-rich complement to the carpeted zones. Sphera Energetic, in Dolphin, Swedish Grey and Lilac, brings subtle energy and wayfinding through soft pastel tones and light-reflective finishes. The unique visual character of Energetic, with its multicolour chip design, disguises everyday scuffs and dirt while maintaining a sense of brightness and fun. In quieter or more refined spaces, Sphera Element in Silt grounds the palette with a calming, neutral tone that connects effortlessly to the earthy hues of the carpet.

Sphera vinyl products are made using phthalate-free technology and are finished with Forbo’s SMART-top surface treatment, which offers exceptional resistance to scratches, stains and chemicals. Their low-VOC emissions and hygienic properties make them an ideal solution for education environments that prioritise health and wellness for developing minds.

Together, the Interface and Forbo flooring systems support the design intent of Karori Normal School as a “School of Aotearoa.” They enable learning, storytelling, and sustainability to exist side by side—grounding tamariki in a space that is both physically functional and rich in meaning. From the softness underfoot to the acoustics, colour transitions and ease of care, every flooring decision was made to reflect and support the cultural and ecological story of the school—a forest from which the birds come.