When
Northumberland County Council opened its new leisure and community
facility in Ashington, the local residents were absolutely thrilled
with their £16 million building.
The
showpiece project also enabled leading global architectural products
manufacturer Hunter Douglas to demonstrate its expertise, after it
was appointed to manufacture two stunning ceilings systems.
Visitors
to the award-winning leisure centre, designed by Ryder
Architecture, are
greeted by a Hunter Douglas ceiling as soon as they enter the
building.
The
visually striking wood
linear open ceiling stretches across the entire entrance and main
atrium, which features a library, café and children’s soft play
area. Finished in American red oak, the clean and contemporary-style
ceiling comprises 640m
2
solid wood planks, which enhance the aesthetic appeal of this bright
and airy space.
The
ceiling was made to 111mm module, with each plank measuring 92mm x
15mm. To create a sense of fluidity, the planks were supplied in
different lengths.
Titan
Ceilings Ltd installed the ceiling and used the Hunter Douglas
special demountable clips, which allow up to 50% demountability, and
to improve interior sound absorption, the 19mm gaps between the
linear wood panels were visually closed by an acoustic fleece. This
allows sound to pass through the system and to be dissipated within
the void.
And
as you would expect within a public building, the wood has been
impregnation to achieve Euro Class B-S2-D0 fire resistance.
Hunter Douglas also manufactured and supplied expanded metal acoustic rafts
beneath an exposed soffit in the gymnasium.
These
stretch metal panels used in the acoustic rafts are made to a 1000
x1000 module and have regular edges to fit a standard 24mm ceiling
grid. They include the Hunter Douglas LS10 stretch metal pattern and
are powder coated in RAL 9010 white.
The
panels were assembled on site into 'C' channels to form the edge
upstands and the assembly was suspended by galvanised 1m diameter
mild steel wires, which created a floating island effect.
On
the rear of the ceiling panels, Hunter Douglas supplied black
acoustic pads, which provide high levels of acoustic absorption that
offset the noise generated by the fitness equipment.
Ryder
Architecture said the timber ceiling is a bold statement.
“It
was important that the ceiling had a striking visual presence not
just internally, but also externally upon approach to the building,”
said a spokesman.
“The
system provides a warm contrast to the very civic architecture and
concrete and zinc cladding materials of the external envelope, and
ultimately helps draw users into the building. The ceiling contrasts
highly with the very clean, modern interior of the atrium and helps
to engender a sense of warmth and calm within the space.
“The
quality of the American Red Oak timber finish and the overall
installation of the ceiling is of a very high standard and is fitting
with our aspirations.”
Rob
Grundy, of Hunter Douglas, added: “Stretch metal products are a
visually pleasing and high performing addition to the Hunter Douglas ceilings range. They are extremely versatile, can be adapted to many
styles of installation, and there is a huge range of mesh types, edge
details and colours available that mean designers can achieve the
exact look they are want.”
