Main Focus
The University of Winchester’s flagship
University Centre is the new focal point and gateway to the
University campus, hosting the main reception and a range of social
facilities for students and staff.
The first of a number of developments planned
for the site, which was granted university status in 2005, the £9.5
million Centre is constructed over four-storeys on a steeply
sloping site. The RIBA award-building was designed by
Winchester-based Design Engine Architects.
Juxtaposing new Student Union facilities,
including a cinema and 1200 capacity concert venue, alongside a
learning café, bookshop and boardroom, acoustic performance was a
key issue for acoustic consultants, The English Cogger Partnership,
who worked closely with British Gypsum, Design Engine and Main
Contractor, Osborne, throughout the design and construction
phases.
Challenge
The challenge for British Gypsum and
specialist contractor, Pan Interiors, was to provide high
performance ceilings which would meet the demanding reverberation
and sound insulation criteria laid down by the acoustic
consultants, whilst satisfying the aesthetic requirements of the
architect’s technically complex design. The ceiling of the central
food hall was a particular challenge, with its giant, individually
sloping triangular panels and demanding lighting conditions calling
for large areas of high quality seamless linings.
Solution
The solution for the food hall was to use
British Gypsum Rigitone 15/30 perforated boards suspended from the
lightweight roof structure on a metal grid framework. Large panels
of Rigitone board were cut to shape and joint treated by Pan
Interiors using special Rigitone Vario 60 jointing materials to
create a continuous pattern. The regular pattern of 15mm
perforations at 30mm centres across the Rigitone panels provided a
total perforation area of around 20% giving high levels of sound
absorption, and an overall appearance that enhanced the architect’s
modern interior design.
The minimalist interior of the University
reception is complemented by a ceiling of British Gypsum Gyptone
LINE 4 boards. The regular elongated line pattern of the ceiling
provides an eye catching feature, which works together with
furniture and tapestry artwork to ensure a calm acoustic
environment for the large open area. A similar Gyptone LINE 4
ceiling was also specified to provide improved acoustics and speech
clarity in the boardroom.
Main Contractor: Osborne
Dry Lining: Pan Interiors, Uxbridge
Architect: Design Engine Architects
Acoustic Consultants: The English Cogger
Partnership
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