Create Visual Interest With Wall Protection

Wall protection is often considered a necessity for busy environments, preserving the look of a building and reducing continuous maintenance and repair costs. Explore the many options you have to make your wall protection the feature wall, rather than an eyesore.

Contrast. With the use of so many different materials and finishes in building environments, make wall protection stand out. Don’t try to blend it into the wall; rather, use color to make feature elements more striking. Contrasting colors can help the visually impaired — try bright colors like yellows, blues and greens.

Continuity. Create color continuity by color-coding the wall protection in different areas of your buildings. This will not only make the environment look more inviting, but it will also help with wayfinding.

Simulate. If concrete, brick or natural woods won’t work with the requirements of the facility, wall protection products can simulate woods and metals while still remaining durable. This allows for a classic, upscale design without the concern of scratches or chips. Some materials produce a 3D effect on a 2D surface, creating visual intrigue but maintaining walls that are easy to clean.

Customize. For years, protective wall covering meant single-color sheets. Now there are many different options, combinations or customizations to make your buildings unique. Products that incorporate images and custom designs or patterns create fully protected feature walls full of vibrant imagery and artwork. This is ideal for emphasizing branding while keeping the walls free from damage.

This article originally appeared in the College Planning & Management September 2016 issue of Spaces4Learning.

About the Author

David Bronovicki is senior product marketing manager for interior wall protection, including Acrovyn®, Acrovyn by Design® and the award-winning Acrovyn Wall Panel System, at Construction Specialties. To learn more visit www.c-sgroup.com, call 800/233-8493 or email Dave at [email protected].

Featured

  • Texas State University Completes Stadium Renovations

    Texas State University in San Marcos, Texas, recently announced that it has completed a series of additions and renovations to its football stadium, according to a news release. Formerly known as the Bobcat Stadium End Zone Complex, the Johnny and Nathali Weisman Football Performance Center is an 85,000-square-foot expansion featuring hospitality spaces, banquet spaces, exterior concourses, and upgrades to the field house.

  • University of Arizona Approves New Residence Hall

    The Arizona Board of Regents recently approved plans for a new residence hall at the University of Arizona in Tucson, Ariz., according to a news release. The new facility is scheduled to open in fall 2028 and have the capacity for more than 1,200 students, enforcing a new university expectation that all first-year students live on campus.

  • University of Rhode Island, Gilbane Partner for Three New Residence Halls

    The University of Rhode Island in Kingston, R.I., recently announced a public-private partnership with construction development firm Gilbane, according to a news release. Gilbane will soon start construction on three new residence halls with a total of 1,100 beds: two with apartment-style suites in northwest campus, and a reconstruction of the Graduate Village Apartments for graduate students.

  • Countway Library at Harvard Medical School

    From Shadows to Sanctuary: The Transformation of Light at Countway Library

    The renovation of Countway Library at Harvard Medical School demonstrates how biophilic design and advanced lighting strategies transformed a formerly dark, insular space into a vibrant, welcoming hub that supports wellness, learning, and community engagement.