Len Lye was always exploring how to use external energy to add new dimensions to his artwork, so the team at Advance Flooring think he'd approve of the CoralTread entrance matting system installed in the building bearing his name.

As one of NZ's most celebrated artists, Lye was an advocate of kinetic sculpture, or as he called it "art in motion". His sculptures interacted with their environment to add new and ever-changing facets for viewers to behold. And the building erected in his honour in his hometown of New Plymouth is possibly one of the most striking iconic structures ever to be built on NZ shores. Designed by cutting-edge architects Pattersons, it's "Like a Lye sculpture — the shimmering stainless steel façade is a striking and provocative expression of movement."

The Len Lye Centre is conservatively expected to have 100,000 visitors pass through its doors each year, and the first thing every one of those visitors will do is take 3 — 4 steps on Advance Flooring's CoralTread entrance matting system. This motion across the matting is designed to remove up to 86% of the dirt and dust that might otherwise be trampled through the gallery. And in a building which is expected to cost anywhere from $200,000 — $650,000 per year to maintain, this is going to have a significant downward push on operating expenses.

But the flooring is not just hard working. This art gallery is itself a masterpiece, and everything is designed to reflect Lye's philosophies and vision, so the entrance matting is not purely functional, but also attractive and durable. CoralTread uses an aluminium strip design, made to measure, separated by Zeno Protect Excellence polyamide infill, and placed on a shock-absorbing vinyl cushion. It is ideal for use in high-profile, high-density traffic areas such as shopping malls, schools, airports and hotels.

And although Len Lye lived for the latter part of his life abroad, he bequeathed much of his work back to New Plymouth, so the team at Advance think he'd be proud to know that the NZ-designed and manufactured entrance matting system adorning his building was also being discovered and embraced on the world market.

CoralTread is just another example of a product of NZ using external motion to enhance its purpose.