Gilberts Helps University Balance Sustainability And Quiet

Future generations of vets are being given a green and peaceful environment in which to study, due in part to Gilberts. The University of Bristol has commissioned a new Veterinary School to support its commitment to a case-based learning model, providing specialised spaces for small-group learning. The two-storey building, designed by ADP Architecture and built by Beard Construction, features numerous elements to help deliver the University’s ambition of being a net zero campus and deliver Gold LEAF certified schooling.

These include use of cross-laminated timber, natural light, plus photovoltaic panels to charge a battery system and power the air heat source pumps. Gilberts' acoustic louvres ventilate and protect the high-level plant and reduce its noise from disturbing the learning environment.

It was not a simple build, however. The new school is situated between existing buildings and had to be executed whilst the campus was active. To keep disruption to a minimum and achieve the build programme schedule, Gilberts began the louvre install over a Bank Holiday, and utilised scissor lifts and safety steps to physically manoeuvre the louvres into place. In total, 17 single bank louvre panels spanning over 11,000m with each panel measuring 2.9m high x 300mm deep, were installed.

Fitted to steels behind the CLT columns and beams, the louvre panels have been designed to align with the standing seam cladding below. Once in place, the louvres provide up to 50% free ventilation area to the plant behind and achieve strong noise modulation to a weighted SRI of 18dBA.

The new Veterinary School at University of Bristol is the latest in a portfolio of similar projects for Gilberts, including Pritchatts House at University of Birmingham, the Moot Court at University of Lancaster, the Harper & Keele Veterinary School and the Regius Chair laboratory at University of Liverpool.

The Bristol Veterinary School project demonstrates Gilberts’ continuing commitment to innovative and sustainable commercial HVAC strategies, driven from the company’s 140,000 sq ft research and manufacturing facility in Lancashire. https://gilbertsblackpool.com

Fantastic Acoustic Solution At Thackley Primary School, Bradford

Thackley Primary School in Bradford is a busy, happy and active environment for learning, working hard to secure the highest educational standards for their pupils. At the centre of everything they do are their core aims of high standards, Skills for life and creating happy memories. However, both the staff and children were experiencing acoustic problems in the fantastic hall at the heart of their school. The large, open plan room provided a multi-use space used for assemblies, performances, PE lessons and dining but the amount of hard, reflective surfaces meant that excessive reverberation an echo made for a particularly unpleasant acoustic environment.

Head of the School, Annette Patterson decided that something needed to be done and made contact with Sound Reduction Systems Ltd (SRS) who have a great deal of experience in treating noise problems within schools. Annette was able to send across details of the hall, including dimensions and photographs from which the technical department were able to model the space using software in order to provide an accurate specifications and quote. SRS then sent a member of staff to visit the school to take detailed measurements and discuss the various options available for an acoustic solution.

SRS Director, Alex Docherty commented: “As soon as I was shown into the hall, it was clear that the acoustic environment was not ideal – the long reverberation time made it difficult to hold a simple conversation between a few people comfortably, let alone when the hall was full with children. It was clear that a treatment using one of our Class A rated Sonata products was required to solve the issue.”

The estimated mid-frequency reverberation time was coming out at (Tmf) of 3.57s, which is far too high for a room of this nature. SRS calculated that 75sqm of their decorative Sonata panel absorbers would be required to solve the problem, bringing the reverberation time down to (Tmf) of 1.13s, and provided the school with a layout design detailing where the panels would be installed within the hall. The school chose a combination of Suspended Sonata Vario panels and bonded Sonata Aurio panels and SRS were able to despatch their installation team within 2 weeks to fit the absorbers.

Following the installation, Annette said: “I just wanted to say a huge thank you for the Acoustic Panels we had fitted. The whole process was great - from making initial contact with you, site survey, and fitting. You were always so helpful and knowledgeable when I contacted you. The wonderful man who came to fit the panels was just lovely! Really professional, friendly and had a high standard and a high quality of fitting.  The impact of the panels has been simply fantastic! What a difference!!! Lunchtimes are now completely different, assemblies are better and PE lessons are calmer. I have been recommending your company to everyone and playing them my ‘before and after’ videos that I made! Thank you again.”

If you have a noise issue in your school hall, village hall, or in any large, open area, please get in touch to see how SRS can help with soundproofing sound absorption. You can fill in our simple 3 Step Estimator form by clicking here. The 3 Step Estimator works within your mobile device, so you can upload the pictures and information directly from site if required.  Alternatively, you can just email or whatsapp us with the room dimensions and a few pictures of the ceiling and walls in the room. www.soundreduction.co.uk

New Urban Oasis Created At The Natural History Museum

The previously underused 5-acre gardens around the Natural History Museum in London have been remarkably transformed in a scheme by architects Feilden Fowles. Working closely with landscape  architects J & L Gibbons, and a design team including Gitta Gschwendtner, engineers HRW and Max  Fordham, a new urban oasis has been created alongside a Nature Activity Centre supported by AWS  and Garden Kitchen café.

The project rejuvenates the grounds of this well-loved museum and creates  an immersive timeline of the evolution of the earth which is now fully accessible for the first time.  Geological eras are represented in banded strata of rock and the garden now features a full-size  bronze Diplodocus called Fern. The result is a tactile living laboratory called the Urban Nature Project.  

The Nature Activity Centre and Garden Kitchen blend in harmony with the green space and have  been designed in close association with the museum’s scientists with thought and care, using natural  materials with low embodied carbon. The frame is created from UK limestone under a Douglas fir roof  with cedar shingles. Douglas fir doors, windows and columns adorn the inside. Working with acoustic  consultants Max Fordham, Troldtekt wood wool acoustic panels have been utilised through the  ceilings to help combat reverberating sound and create a calm and welcoming atmosphere.  

Troldtekt’s wood wool acoustic panels are Cradle to Cradle Certified® at Gold level and manufactured  using wood from certified forests (PEFC/09-31-030 and FSC®C115450), positively contributing to a  building’s BREEAM, WELL or LEED points. Panels can also be manufactured with FUTURECEM®  which achieves an approx. 30 per cent lower carbon footprint than that of Troldtekt based on white  cement. Depending on the panel specified, reaction to fire is classed in accordance with EN 13501 as  B-s1,d0 or A2-s1,d0 respectively.  

Available in a wide variety of different structures and colours, they combine optimal sound absorption  with an award-winning design. The Troldtekt range has a minimum expected life cycle of 60 years  coupled with excellent resistance to humidity and tested to meet ball impact standards. Panels can be  supplied as natural wood, unpainted based on FUTURECEM™ offering a reduced carbon footprint or  finished in almost any RAL or NCS colour.   

Samples, case studies and technical guidance are available from www.troldtekt.co.uk or see our  product listings on NBS (https://bit.ly/3vxoTfq) or Material Bank (www.materialbank.eu).