University of East London Royal Docks Centre
- Location:
London
- Sector:
Public Sector
- Duration:
4 months
- Value:
£300k
Project Highlights:
- Award Recognition – The Royal Docks campus flooring project was nominated for a Contract Flooring Journal (CFJ) Award in the Colleges & Universities category, showcasing the quality and impact of the installation.
- Sustainable Flooring Solutions – Delivered eco-conscious finishes including Amtico Signature Bio Plank LVT with bio-attributed PVC and Regupol Sonus Eco 3 acoustic underlay from recycled cork and rubber.
- Seamless Live Campus Delivery – Successfully refurbished 2,000m² across a busy, occupied site with strict health and safety protocols, ensuring minimal disruption to students and staff.
The Challenge:
Describe what the client needed and what challenges were presented to us that we needed to overcome:
- What were the clients’ needs or pain points?
- What were the complexities of the site i.e. restricted access, urban location, environmental restrictions, overseas materials
- Any time, budget or regulatory constraints
University of East London Royal Docks Centre for Sustainability is a modern, waterfront campus and one of UEL’s main locations. Housed in a repurposed former business centre, this new three-floor facility was designed to become a hub for green technology and innovation and acts as a catalyst for sustainable business, skills, and research, with UEL researchers, businesses, and community leaders collaborating on climate transition projects.
The Solution:
Our team delivered a tailored flooring package that met the university’s performance, design, and sustainability goals. To prepare the base, we applied Stopgap 1200 latex up to 3mm on the existing concrete, along with primer and feather finishing for a smooth foundation. Across key areas, we installed Amtico Signature Bio Plank LVT in a wood effect finish, a product made with bio-attributed PVC, reducing reliance on fossil fuels. The planks were also fitted to staircases with Morleys aluminium stair nosings for safety and durability.
Under all LVT areas, we laid Regupol Sonus Eco 3 acoustic underlay, manufactured from recycled cork and rubber, to significantly reduce noise levels. Specialist zones were fitted with resilient, sustainable finishes: Forbo Sphera SD sheet vinyl with coved skirtings for stores and comms rooms, Altro Walkway for laboratories and cafés, and Burmatex Arctic carpet tiles for offices and meeting rooms. To complete the scheme, Forbo Coral Brush matting tiles were installed at entryways, ensuring durability and effective dirt control.
The Results:
The refurbishment has delivered a striking, high-performing space that reflects UEL’s sustainability mission. The installation not only enhances the aesthetics and comfort of the Royal Docks Centre for Sustainability but also actively supports quieter, cleaner, and safer working environments. By incorporating products made with bio-attributed PVC, recycled content, and acoustic properties, the project achieved both functional excellence and measurable environmental benefits.
The success of the project was also recognised within the industry: the University of East London’s Royal Docks campus was nominated for a Contract Flooring Journal (CFJ) Award in the Colleges & Universities category, highlighting the quality of the installation and its contribution to sustainable design in higher education.
The new flooring helps position the Royal Docks Centre as a state-of-the-art facility—where students, researchers, businesses, and community leaders can collaborate in an environment that truly embodies innovation and sustainability.
