Sherwin Williams Innovation Center

When Sherwin-Williams set out to design its new Innovation Center at the Morikis Global Technology Center, the goal was to create more than a functional space. It needed to reflect who they are at their core as a company grounded in research, driven by discovery, and defined by innovation, the goal was to create more than a functional space. It needed to reflect who they are at their core as a company grounded in research, driven by discovery, and defined by innovation.

To bring that vision to life, Sherwin-Williams partnered with Milliken to transform scientific research into an immersive experience using custom flooring to tell the story of their innovations.

Where Innovation Meets Inspiration

Before design concepts began, the Sherwin-Williams and Milliken teams came together to explore how innovation could be expressed within the built environment.

That early collaboration sparked a new direction—one rooted not in trends, but in the expertise of Sherwin-Williams.

Instead of looking outward for inspiration, the team looked inward. Microscopic imagery of paint particles—visuals rarely seen outside of a lab—became the starting point.

What began as highly technical research was reimagined as a bold, immersive flooring design—bridging science, brand, and space.

Designing at a Different Scale

The design challenge was clear: how do you take something microscopic and translate it into something experiential?

Through a series of explorations, team Milliken transformed detailed scientific imagery into large-scale visuals—expanding a single microscopic image into a 12-meter design across the floor.

The result creates a striking visual moment where science becomes art and flooring becomes storytelling. As visitors move through the Innovation Center, the design evolves with them. Gradations of color shift from light to dark, helping guide movement, define zones, and create a cohesive spatial experience.

A Process Built on Collaboration

What began as a single design concept quickly expanded into a broader, integrated story throughout the space.

In the lobby, a colorful installation inspired by a periodic table became an opportunity to extend the concept. A large-scale gradient carpet was developed to reflect the installation and carry color across the floor plane.

That momentum continued into adjacent areas, where elements of the design were reinterpreted and scaled for conference rooms and shared spaces—creating continuity while allowing each environment to feel intentional.

Behind the scenes, the process was highly collaborative and iterative:

• Dozens of design concepts explored multiple creative directions
• Iterations refined color, scale, and texture
• Physical samples translated digital ideas into real-world applications

Each step brought the team closer to a solution that felt authentic to Sherwin-Williams—balancing creative expression with functional performance.

The Technology That Made It Possible

Bringing this level of customization to life required both creative exploration and technical precision.

Milliken’s digital printing capabilities, including PrintWorks® technology, enabled the team to translate complex imagery into highly detailed flooring designs.

This approach made it possible to achieve:

• Highly detailed, photorealistic visuals
• Seamless gradients and color transitions
• Large-scale designs across modular carpet tile

It is what allowed a microscopic image to become a defining feature of the space—without losing clarity, depth, or intent.

Designed for the Space, Not Just the Product

One of the most complex aspects of the project was not just the design itself, but how that design lived within the space.

Working alongside Milliken’s Vision Lab team, designers helped map the flooring across the building layout. This included aligning patterns, engineering transitions, and ensuring each detail was placed intentionally.

This level of planning ensured the final installation delivered on both design intent and performance.

More Than a Floor

Today, the Sherwin-Williams Innovation Center reflects its purpose as a space where research, design, and experience come together.

Underfoot, that story is told in a way that is both unexpected and memorable—transforming flooring into a medium for brand expression.

A Partner in Possibility

This project shows what is possible when collaboration leads the way.

From a single microscopic image to a fully realized flooring experience, Milliken worked alongside Sherwin-Williams to explore ideas, refine concepts, and bring a vision to life.

At Milliken, custom is not complicated. It is collaborative.

When you have a story to tell, we are here to help you bring it to life.

Let’s create something together

Have a vision for your space? Connect with Milliken to explore custom flooring solutions designed around your story.