Metal tiles from Armstrong Ceilings were specified by Perkins Ogden
Architects for the redevelopment of one of the largest Further
Education colleges in England for a trio of reasons – their acoustic
performance, durability and aesthetics.
Some 5,000m² of Armstrong’s Orcal 600mmx600mm microperforated white
metal tiles with an acoustic fleece and 300m² of Orcal plain white
metal tiles were installed by Vale Interiors for main contractor
Vinci Construction UK in a range of areas including classrooms,
libraries, breakout rooms, corridors and toilets.
Paul Pearson of Perkins Ogden Architects said: “Armstrong were able
to offer us as specifiers a wide range of ceiling tiles with
variable sound absorption qualities according to the spaces they
were to be used in.
“The right kind of acoustics are crucial in teaching spaces, not
only within the classroom or studio space, but also to minimise
noise interference from adjacent corridors so that students can
carry out their studies without disturbance.
“We continue to specify Armstrong Orcal metal tiles because of their
acoustic and durability performance characteristics as well as their
pleasing aesthetics.”
The tiles’ durability also impacted on specialist contractor Vale
Interiors who had a team of up to six operatives installing them,
along with partitioning and general acoustic treatment work, for 11
months.
Contracts manager Colin Crome said: “The Armstrong metal ceiling
tiles performed admirably in terms of both build ability and their
final installed state. In terms of build ability, they were able to
withstand a large amount of abuse as a large quantity of mechanical
and electrical services were installed and commissioned.
“Even when they were constantly removed for access, relatively
little damage was incurred, helping to keep costs down. As well as
providing the level of durability that any public building requires,
in their final completed state they provide a modern contemporary
appearance in a high-tech building. They also met the requirements
of the specification in terms of acoustic performance.”
With more than 21,000 teenage and adult students (the equivalent of
8,500 full-time students) Barnet College became one of the largest
FE colleges in England when it merged with Hendon College in 2000.
But the 1960s buildings comprising its Wood Street campus in the
heart of historic Chipping Barnet were exhausted.
Perkins Ogden’s design for the new building comprises four main
elements – a three-storey specialist front block containing the main
entrance and reception facilities, a triple-height central
mall/atrium, four three-storey teaching wings, and a two-storey
self-contained north wing containing a lecture theatre.
With Armstrong Ceilings featuring in most of these elements,
students are assured of an environment that not only sounds and
looks good but is designed to last.
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