Installing Comfort Flooring for a Modern University Lecture Theatre

The Challenge: Creating a Comfortable, Durable and Low-VOC Floor for a University Lecture Theatre

The University of Turin, one of the oldest universities in Europe and ranked third in Italy for research and training, undertook the construction of a new lecture theatre—“Aula Magna”—as part of a ten-year development project.

The new space required a modern, seamless flooring system that aligned with the building’s contemporary design while delivering a unique combination of comfort and durability. Unlike traditional hard flooring systems, the University specified a comfort floor finish that would provide sound absorption, a softer underfoot feel and long-term performance under consistent foot traffic.

In addition to acoustic and ergonomic performance, the flooring system needed to meet strict environmental and application requirements. Products had to feature extremely low VOC (volatile organic compound) content and be odourless during installation to suit an active university environment.

The challenge was to deliver a floor that was robust and hard-wearing, yet soft and comfortable—balancing performance, aesthetics and user experience across a 360 m² lecture theatre space, along with additional areas requiring alternative coatings.

The Solution: Polyurethane Comfort Flooring System with Acoustic and Performance Benefits

Sherwin-Williams specialists worked closely with the contractor to develop a tailored flooring specification using multiple products from its industrial coatings range.

Following preparation of the concrete substrate, Resuprime™ ST—a pure epoxy resin primer—was applied at 400 g/m² and broadcast with 0.3–0.5 silica quartz. This step enhanced inter-coat adhesion and prepared the surface for the main flooring system.

The primary finish was achieved using SofTop™ SL, a self-levelling polyurethane flooring system. Designed to be both durable and flexible, SofTop™ provides a soft-touch surface with sound-absorbing properties, making it ideal for environments such as lecture theatres where comfort and acoustics are essential. The system is typically applied at a thickness of 2–4 mm and offers high wear resistance, strong chemical resistance and medium shock absorption.

For areas not suitable for self-levelling applications—such as ramps, steps and under seating—a two-coat system of Resuflor™ HB epoxy floor coating in Slate Grey was specified, covering 61 m². The first coat was applied at 600 g/m², followed by a second coat at 800 g/m² to ensure durability in these more complex areas. In zones with lighter foot traffic, a single coat of SofTop™ SL in RAL 7038 was applied at 300 g/m², equivalent to a thickness of 3 μm.

The system was completed with Resupen™ WB in Slate Grey, a water-based polyurethane coating applied at 75 g/m². This final layer provided a tough, UV-stable finish that enhances durability while maintaining the floor’s visual appeal.

Together, the system delivered a seamless, modern surface that combines resilience with comfort—meeting the University’s functional, environmental and aesthetic requirements.

The Results: A Comfortable, Durable and High-Quality Lecture Theatre Floor

Despite challenging installation conditions, including very low temperatures, the project was completed within the required timeframe and to a high standard.

The contractor commented:
“The execution in very cold conditions was a challenge but was fulfilled within the desired timeframe and with the high quality of standard required. The new Aula Magna floor exceeded our expectations, and we have promoted the Sherwin-Williams SofTop™ system for two other universities in Italy. In total, 360 m² of the SofTop™ SL system and 61 m² of the Resuflor™ HB epoxy floor coating were installed, and both products have complemented the modern build of the Aula Magna lecture theatre.”

The completed flooring system delivers a seamless, visually cohesive finish that enhances the lecture theatre’s modern design while providing long-term durability. Its soft, comfortable surface supports daily foot traffic, while its sound-absorbing properties contribute to improved acoustics within the space.

The result is a high-performance flooring solution that successfully balances comfort, durability and environmental responsibility—supporting the University of Turin’s commitment to creating modern, functional learning environments.