Blow the whistle
School gymnasiums may be full of loud, exuberant students, but with the right acoustic treatment, they can also be effective teaching spaces, as this project illustrates
High-performance acoustic ceilings are essential for a school gymnasium. But soundproofing wasn't the only consideration for the team designing and building the new Tupuranga School in Otara aesthetics also influenced the choice of ceiling tiles.
Jasmax architect Roy Blok, acoustic consultant Curt Robinson of Marshall Day Acoustics, and Julian Huggins, project manager for the main contractor Arrow International, worked together to determine the selection of Parmephon Velum high-performance acoustic tiles. These were supplied by National Building Supplies, a company that specialises in acoustic ceiling tiles.
"The acoustics were designed to meet education department guidelines," says Robinson. "It was important to control the degree of reverberation in the gymnasium, so the acoustics would allow reasonable communication for teaching and sporting activities.
"The Parmephon Velum tile is a robust, all-round high-performing ceiling tile that can withstand the rigours of a gym environment."
Roy Blok says the acoustic tiles also met the design criteria for aesthetics. The school, which was designed to cater to the specific needs of the predominantly Maori and Polynesian community, features Maori tukutuku patterns on paved areas.
"We liked the fact that we could introduce a similar visual language to the gymnasium by using different coloured ceiling tiles in an abstract way," the architect says. "And, as the Parmephon Velum is a large format tile, the pattern is not as overpowering as it would have been with smaller tiles. The stepped pattern references the knowledge journey the steps going up represent the gaining of knowledge, while the steps going down refer to passing it on to others."
Julian Huggins says Arrow International regularly works with National Building Supplies.
"We supply specific details of our requirements, including the level of acoustic performance needed, and National Building Supplies always has a solution. We rely on the company's expertise to meet all aspects of the design brief with a cost-effective option."
As Parmephon tiles are manufactured from 70% recycled materials, they also meet Tupuranga School's sustainable design requirements.
Parmephon Advance acoustic tiles were specified for classroom and library ceilings, and Parmephon Hygiene tiles feature in food technology rooms.
For more details, contact National Building Supplies, PO Box 25-973, St Heliers, Auckland 1740, phone 021 260 7701, fax (09) 528 1913. Email: igor@ivanov.co.nz. Website: www.nbsltd.co.nz.
Story by: Trendsideas
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