Project data
Associated Architects (Architects) and Deeley Construction (Main Contractor)
Products: Knauf Designboard 230 Wood
Project detail
The Knauf team has played a significant role in the specification and design process during recent construction at one of the oldest schools in England, working alongside award winning Associated Architects to produce a masterclass in acoustic performance.
The site consisted of an existing hall, which was used for assemblies, performances and functions. This hall was built in the 1960s and suffered from a series of failings which impacted its flexibility and usefulness.
The proposal for the Warwick Hall was an opportunity to build a physical embodiment of Warwick School’s academic excellence, prosperity and ambition, which saw the existing school hall stripped back to its structural frame and heavily modified to provide a state-of-the-art, revitalised and flexible school hall with a large double height entrance foyer, two performance studios and other ancillary spaces.
The brief was given to the team at Associated Architects and they quickly relied on the quality of materials and service provided by Knauf.
The design was particularly complex. The refurbishment had to address the increased demands on heating, ventilation and lighting whilst significantly enhancing the acoustics and visual appeal.
Knauf UK, and its technical counterparts at Knauf Design, worked together to achieve the special requirements of this astonishing Warwick Hall project. Meeting the acoustic and aesthetic requirements was a great challenge undertaken by the Knauf team.
Part of the team working on Warwick Hall, Henry Keck from Associated Architects said: “The decision to work with the Knauf team and the Knauf Design products came at the early design stage because there was a concerted emphasis placed on the acoustic and aesthetic quality of the interior finish.
“We had an early conceptual design idea for the ceiling panels to the main hall, in terms of wanting a concave design and we had this sent to Knauf’s team for assistance in realising this design and achieving the sound absorption levels that we required.”
The hall has been designed to accommodate a variety of functions and includes a large theatre space and performance studios. The company’s biggest challenge was improving the acoustics in the vast expanse of open areas to make sure the space performed as a theatre whilst providing an aesthetically pleasing, high-quality finish.
Having worked with Knauf on several other projects, Associated Architects, with help from the Knauf team, designed and installed Knauf Designboard 230 Wood from Knauf Design. This included installing 410m2 of bespoke, gypsum fibreboard wall panels with an oak veneer finish. More than 70m2 of acoustic wall panelling with an oak veneer finish was also installed to help achieve the sound absorption required. For aesthetics, eleven rows of elegantly curved gypsum fibreboards with an oak veneer finish were installed to the vaulted ceiling above the main hall.
Knauf Designboard ceiling and wall panels can be perforated to achieve the required acoustic performance whilst creating indoor comfort for occupants by creating high air quality, pleasant light reflection and classic, timeless aesthetics. Knauf Designboard products for walls and ceilings provide complete design freedom – and at the same time offer superb function and safety characteristics.