The Edge

As part of a wider investment into Whitehaven, Whitehaven Harbour Commissioners (with funding from Sellafield Ltd’s Social Impact Multiplied – SiX – programme and the government’s Coastal Communities Fund) looked to facilitate the creation of a new striking community hub: The Edge. Fidget UK Ltd, contracted as the interior designer, called upon Forbo’s varied range of floor coverings to create a modern and functional interior.

Prominently located on Whitehaven Harbour, The Edge is a brand-new coastal activities centre that will enable visitors and locals alike to explore the Cumbrian coastline through watersports, walking, cycling and other outdoor pursuits, as well as a range of indoor activities and cultural events. A three-storey structure, it contains changing facilities, a café, public toilets, meeting spaces and a mezzanine area for a variety of uses. The top two floors also contain en-suite hotel-style accommodation.

Speaking about the building design, Alison Tordoff, Interior Architect at Fidget UK Ltd, said: “The architects, Northmill Associates, designed the building itself, taking inspiration from a pebble found on the beach near to the site. From here, the frame was built, with its interesting and unique angles creating an eye-catching finished look.

“We were then brought in to consult on all the interior finishes, including the flooring. It was essential that we considered the usage of the space, as well as complementing the striking exterior appearance. We had a rough branding package that we used to help plan out the colours and tones we wanted to specify, but a lot of our work was drawn from the stunning rural location on the Cumbrian coast.”

Forbo’s floor coverings were the specification of choice by the architect, with Alison and her team happy to work with this selection. “I’ve worked with Forbo on many other occasions and so I knew we would be getting a quality product,” Alison commented. “They also have a really comprehensive portfolio of floor coverings, that I knew could be easily applied to the different spaces within The Edge to deliver on both design and function.”