Northumbria
University’s Grade II Listed Sutherland Building, home to its Architecture and
Built Environment Department, now boasts a sympathetically designed,
state-of-the-art studio extension (part of a £250m development
programme).
The new architecture
studios, complete with a high performance Knauf AMF ceiling system, are set to
ensure the very best student experience.
The new intelligent
design studios which feature over 1400m2
of creative studio space, student hub and academic staff offices, were designed
by award winning architects Page\Park.
Ensuring innovative
flexible work space, optimal light and flawless acoustics were critical success
factors in a project designed to put Northumbria University at the forefront of
architectural education in the UK.
Page\Park worked
closely with leading construction company ESH Group to deliver the
new-build for which functionality and design were key.
Heradesign, a
high-performance product which effortlessly retains ambient sound whilst
reducing disturbing background noise, provided Page\Park with the acoustic and
aesthetic solution required for the project. Heradesign Superfine
tiles are a versatile material and Page\Park were able to work with the tiles
to deliver a distinctive, geometric herringbone design on the ceilings
for maximum design impact.
Commenting
on the use of Knauf AMF Heradesign Superfine tiles throughout the project,
Page\Park architect Marianne Partyka said: “We were looking for a product that
would not only provide excellent acoustic properties but one that would fit in
with the overall building aesthetic of raw, natural materials. Heradesign, made
from bonded wood wool, in a natural colour finish, sat very comfortably against
the building’s paired back palette of brick and birch plywood.
"The
flexibility of the system allowed us to play with pattern, by using rectangular
panels on a 45-degree axis we were able to create a herringbone pattern that
echoed the original herringbone floors of the existing Grade II Sutherland
Building. The simplicity of the pattern against the tartan grid of the dark
grey steel beams, is very effective and both the client and users are very
happy with the end-result.
Pennine
Contracts installed the Heradesign Superfine tiles. Contractor Glen Pascoe
explains: “This was the first time we
had used Knauf AMF Heradesign and it was a really interesting project to work
on. We tend to do more dry lining but were pleasantly surprised about how easy
it was to use Heradesign and were really impressed with the finished result.
Supply and delivery couldn’t be faulted and everything arrived exactly on
time.”
Heradesign is a
brilliantly innovative and versatile product, valued by specifiers including
architects and interior designers for its high performance and aesthetic wood
wool properties and environmental credentials. It can be matched to any
interior colour scheme and is available in a wide selection of shapes, face
patterns, edge details and sizes.
It can be fixed to
walls or suspended as ceilings, baffles and rafts. Manufactured from robust
sustainable materials, Heradesign offers high impact resistance and superior
fire resistance, which is paramount for any building.
