Spring 2015 Netfloor USA Retail Access Floor Design Competition

Netfloor USA is a manufacturer of low profile (and standard profile) access flooring. This flooring can be used in a number of different applications.

For this competition, we want entrants to focus on the use of access flooring in the retail environment and how raised floors can simplify wiring, cabling and operations of a retail facility.

The use of access flooring should be architecturally significant and integrated into the design of the space, as well as highly functional and beneficial.

The winning entry(ies) will be based on which submissions best illustrate not only the use of access flooring in a retail store, but how this type of system improves the design, construction and operation of the retail store.

The Competition

Entries will be accepted from students in the fields of: Architecture, interior design, electrical and IT fields.

Entries must utilize access flooring in their design. (An article on access flooring use in retail stores may be found here as a general guideline.)

Entries must clearly show how the use of access flooring simplifies or improves the operations of a retail store.

Format of Your Entry

At least one high quality, high resolution image of the envisioned space shall be submitted, along with appropriate narrative. A CAD or Revit type design file shall be submitted for the entry to be considered complete.

The image, CAD/Revit file, and narrative shall clearly illustrate the use and benefits of raised access flooring in a retail store environment. There is no length requirement (word minimum or maximum) for the narrative.

Any additional supporting materials such as a video entry, whitepaper, etc., are acceptable. Entrants agree their submitted material may be published by Netfloor USA at Netfloor USA's discretion.

Judging of the Entries

Since the requirement of the competition is to illustrate how raised acces flooring may be used in a retail environment, judging of the entries will be subjective.

Winning entries will be based on which entry best illustrates not only the use of access flooring in a retail store, but how this type of system improves the design, construction and operation of the retail store.

The Prizes

The winners of the competition will be selected solely by the staff of Netfloor USA, and their entries will be published on our website.

1st Place: $350

2nd Place: $250

3rd Place: $150

Deadline

The deadline for registration is February 27, 2015. The deadline for entries is March 31, 2015. The winners will be announced the following week on our website.

For More Info on Access Flooring and to Get Started

While we do not require your design/submission use Netfloor USA access floor products, further information on our products can be found here, here and here.

Additionally, CAD objects and images of Netfloor USA's flooring will be supplied to any entrant should they request them for use in their design.

For further information, please email us at: information(at)netfloorusa.com.

Thank you, and good luck!

There's something BIG in the works at Netfloor USA. I mean BIG.

We're back from our summer break, which included some major brainstorming and product development meetings, and despite the fall chill that will soon be in the air, what we've been working on it HOT!

Now, we already offer the widest range of access flooring in the world, from 1" high to over 6 feet high, from concrete to polypropylene. But what we have in the works is huge.

So, why the teaser?

Well, we've always been about innovation. We took the access floor industry and turned in on its head. Everyone was used to the same old, same old. 2x2 grid, pedestals, drab grey floor panels. It's a good system, if you are a data center or industrial facility, but the majority of businesses are NOT. Most businesses fill their space with people, and with technology. And that technology needs to be connected to the people.

That's why our cable management flooring systems are so appealing to businesses. Businesses like call centers, offices for engineering firms, operations centers, broadcast studios, retail stores and more. More and more companies like this are installing access floors and seeing immediate ROI.

I can't say much more right now; I've been sworn to secrecy. Check back in the coming weeks and months for something amazing.

In the meantime, we would love to hear about your operation and see how one of our access floor systems can help improve the way you work!

Main image courtesy practicalowl

I remember sitting at the large table. Everyone there seemed a little nervous.

I tried striking up a conversation with the guy next to me. It turned into one of those awkward moments you have with yourself when you're on an airplane and the guy next to you doesn't want to talk. No big deal, but he left me hanging.

I didn't mind, really. Pre-bid meetings aren't the most exciting way to spend an afternoon. I was excited, however, because we had been working closely with the design team and the owner on this one.

Several floors of office space for design engineers, customer service, production management and marketing meant a lot of offices and cubicles. And THAT meant a lot of cables and wires.

Now, we've been designing and manufacturing low profile access floors for a long time, and there are a lot of people around that are successfully using them to simplify cabling.

But you're always going to have a more conservative person in the crowd, who isn't as familiar with cable management floors.

He was definitely in attendence that day:

"Do we even need the access floor in here?"

"We would prefer the floor," replied the owner's rep.

"Well 2 inches ain't much of a floor; how much can you fit in it?"

"There's plenty of room for cables," replied the engineer.

"Well it won't hold up. Too much weight on top," declared the gruff construction superindendent. He crossed his arms and sat back as if he had settled the very discussion he had started.

I spoke up briefly and explained the technical aspects of the floor system, how much weight it could hold, etc.

No reply.

Everyone else seemed ready to move on, but the superintendent didn't budge.

"You can't put your walls and offices on it. Just won't work."

The engineer perked up: "We have run the calcs; the floor is fine. We can build walls on it."

"When pigs fly!" cried the super. "When the damn pig flies!"

We're Healin'

In the past, access floors were always thought to be for industrial buildings. They're boring, dull and no one really cares. Some have been burned in the past; buying a raised floor that is too tall and doesn't fit their application.

At Netfloor USA, we're spreading the word: These floors can change the way you work. They simplify cable management. We've been making believers out of naysayers for years.

I get it, I really do. Most people are used to floor panels made of concrete and steel. They're heavy, but the perception is that they're very strong and can handle big loads.

But this guy at the table was about to burst a vein, and I knew I had to do something about it.

I took out my phone (yes, right in the middle of the meeting, how rude!) and flipped through my photos until I found the right one.

I handed my phone across the table to the superintendent. He paused. He saw the photo:

 

Update 12/23/2015:

We conducted another test of some Netfloor USA Access Flooring Panels. This time, we got video: