The perfect fusion of opposites

© Oliver Heinemann

© Oliver Heinemann

Two materials, as different as they could be, form the foundation of a success story. Inspired by the contrasts of natural materials rubber and granite, a product was developed at nora systems at the end of 2011 after more than a year of development work, which, with its familiar quality in the rubber flooring segment, can still be described as unique. No question: noraplan unita is different. The solid-colored product incorporates real granite chips, which are up to 1.8 millimeters in size and create a special effect. Because they reflect light in all facets. As a result, noraplan unita becomes a vital element in terms of interior design and decor. Many planners see this innovative flooring as the ideal partner for modern interior architecture, where natural materials are staged as stylistic elements. With noraplan unita, the Weinheim rubber flooring specialist reinforces its architectural expertise, focused on purism and minimalism. Truly award-winning, the unusual product already received the "red dot design award" in 2012.

Successful first year and increasing sales

"The big challenge was to combine and process the hard and glittering granite with elastic rubber. Our machines are usually designed for the production of soft rubber," says Dirk Oswald, product manager of the noraplan line, reflecting. Unlike the granulate inclusion typical of other nora products, it was clear from the very first planning step that the granite had to be incorporated using a different method than the usual so-called chip design. The experts from Weinheim found a solution, and the product was introduced. Noraplan unita is gaining traction in the market, as the results confirm. Already in its debut year, the sales figures exceeded expectations, and the trend remains positive. "For 2014, we expect the sales numbers to have doubled compared to the launch year," says Dirk Oswald.

Versatile, authentic, and restrained — created for a pleasant, sometimes noble atmosphere: noraplan unita can be integrated into any building. Due to its design-oriented and purist appearance, the flooring made of rubber and granite is suitable for many market segments and applications — whether in office and administrative buildings or in public, representative spaces such as museums, educational institutions with schools and universities, and not least in entrance, waiting areas, and cafeterias of hospitals. A recently installed object with this flooring is the Technical University of Dortmund. The responsible parties aimed to find a floor that considers many functional aspects and also sets visual accents for a new, high-traffic seminar building including a lecture hall. Today, around 5,200 square meters of noraplan unita in a subtle dark gray are installed, the most requested color. Another highly regarded example is the "Hamburg Museum." Over an area of more than 1,000 square meters, approximately 200,000 visitors annually walk on noraplan unita, which is available in three different shades.

Elegant all-rounder with outstanding functionality

Whether in Dortmund or Hamburg: In addition to its unique visual accents, noraplan unita also combines all the functional advantages that make nora systems' rubber floors stand out. The innovative flooring is durable, resilient, does not require coating, and is easy to clean. Additionally, the permanently elastic rubber offers high walking and standing comfort, impact sound insulation, and durability. Like all products from nora systems, noraplan unita is environmentally friendly, free of PVC, plasticizers (phthalates), and halogens, and is part of the nora system blue installation concept. Moreover, noraplan unita provides a uniform appearance through seamless installation and has outstanding fire protection properties.

In the standard range, noraplan unita is available in two design variants: In twelve colors, noraplan unita offers a subtle granite inclusion, and four shades are available with a stronger glitter effect.