For the Hamilton headquarters of Duck Island Ice Cream, Waikato-based design practice Designwell had the innovative idea of using a hard-wearing entry carpet to replicate traditional sisal flooring and unify the interior.

"We thought it would be interesting to use ScrapeRIB from Advance Flooring, because of its monolithic, classic look," says Designwell’s creative director Alexander Wastney.

The multi-use office space is HQ for Duck Island, a successful local ice cream business with retail outlets around the country. Used for office space, as well as photo shoots, marketing events and staff functions, the interior needed to be fun and stylish like the brand. "The flooring helps unify the main workstation area and provides quality and comfort underfoot," says Wastney.

"The Duck Island brand features pastel colours and a modern-retro throwback, so ScrapeRIB in the natural sisal colour worked really well as a subtle backdrop."

Part of Designwell’s philosophy is to create ‘liveable’ spaces within the workplace. "For retail we dial up the personality, as people are constantly moving through the space," says Wastney. "An office environment is like a second home, so we keep the brand personality more subtle."

ScrapeRIB is normally specified as a heavy-duty entry carpet for its ability to trap dirt and moisture from any direction. Its maximum-weight pile is soft underfoot while providing excellent abrasion resistance and sound absorption.

ScrapeRIB is available in dark charcoal and the natural sisal colour, which worked perfectly with Duck Island’s palette.

"The natural tone helps create a warm, inviting space," says Wastney, "and with the paper pendant lights and timber furniture you get an authentic and welcoming feel." Just as Duck Island creates unconventional small-batch ice cream flavours, the use of ScrapeRIB entry carpet in its HQ reflects a willingness to think outside the square.