A world-first Kährs Walnut Activity floor has been installed at the University of Ulster, in Northern Ireland.

The installation forms part of a major refurbishment of the Diamond Hall, on the Coleraine Campus - a project, designed by Architects, Samuel Stevenson & Sons, that has been shortlisted for this year's TRADA Wood Awards.

Made to order, in sustainable American Black Walnut, Kährs Activity floor was chosen for its performance and ease of installation, facilitated by an integral design which can be laid directly onto a subfloor.

All Kährs flooring and accessories were supplied by Ceco Flooring Ltd and installed throughout the 1,200m² multi-purpose hall by J J Hennebry & Son Ltd.

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Compliant to both DIN and EN standards, Kährs Activity Floor provides optimum shock-absorption combined with a very low construction height of just 30mm.

Each board provides overlapping pressure distribution, with HDF across joints on both long and short sides, whilst resilient expanded foam absorbs energy and eliminates springing.

Kährs glueless Woodloc joint gives strength, accurate joints between boards and enables the floor to be laid 50% more quickly than an ordinary 'battened' sports floor. Meanwhile, a durable satin lacquer pre-finish, applied during manufacture, provides easy maintenance. In addition to made-to-order Walnut, core range FSC species include Beech, Hard Maple and Oak, in a choice of two shades.

Milton Stewart, an architect from Samuel Stevenson & Sons, said: "The Kährs team were professional and helpful.

Their expert knowledge and input was enhanced by an excellent level of local support. They carried out site visits to check on the suitability of the sub floor, as well as the standard of installation as the work progressed.

Their advice in relation to suitability, installation and maintenance was instrumental in us specifying their product for this prestigious installation."

(CD/BMcC)