Knauf AMF’s new range of Heradesign
Creative acoustic wall absorbers are installed in the Lister Learning and
Teaching Centre at the University of Edinburgh to help create a stylish
environment that reflects the vibrant and dynamic nature of the city and its
educational institution.
The £10 million project comprises
two redeveloped buildings linked together by a new five-storey steel frame and
aluminium curtain wall structure to produce a modern, fully accessible
facility. Heradesign ceiling rafts are fitted throughout to enhance the
centre’s industrial aesthetic.
Heradesign Creative is an
innovative range of decorative and functional acoustic wall absorbers available
in eight shapes that can be combined to produce truly unique designs.
Architects Reiach and Hall Director
Angus Wilson specified these innovative wall absorbers in triangular shapes for
the centre’s reception and breakout spaces.
“The triangular pattern was
initially developed to reflect a 1970’s motif that is repeated through various
signage and graphics around the building. We chose a neutral colour, RAL9010,
for the wall absorbers to enable signage elements to be mounted on to their
surface. We also wanted to introduce a textured finish, in keeping with the
original building, that is tough enough to withstand these heavily trafficked
areas.”
Manufactured from sustainable
wood-wool from PEFC and FSC certified sources, Heradesign Creative has a
distinctive, woven surface that lends warmth and visual appeal to interiors.
Available in any colour, these innovative wall absorbers offer architects and
interior designers the opportunity for unrivalled creative expression.
Heradesign Creative provides the very best in class for impact resistance (A1),
fire safety (A2), and outstanding Class A sound absorption, making it ideal for
education buildings, offices, retail outlets, hotels, restaurants and other
public spaces.
The outstanding sound absorbency of the wall absorbers is put to
good use in the main entrance as Angus Wilson explains, “Heradesign Creative
provides sound attenuation in a busy area of the building that is likely to
have large numbers of lively students passing through. It is concentrated on
the walls immediately adjacent to and opposite the reception for maximum sound
control.”
Kevin Cogan and John Forrest at KCC Contracts Ltd fitted the
Heradesign Creative wall absorbers and ceiling rafts and was impressed by the
service offered by Knauf AMF. “Knauf AMF offered helpful advice on which fixing
and suspension methods were required to meet the brief. The Specification
Manager ensured all materials were delivered on time, so we could meet the
tight timeframe.”
A group of street graffiti artists have created a mural in the
open-plan break-out area designed to appeal to students. Heradesign ceiling
rafts are installed here to help reduce reverberation and prevent noise from
disturbing neighbouring areas.
Heradesign ceiling rafts improve speech intelligibility in the
centre’s teaching studios, 10 seminar rooms, a
lecture theatre, breakout areas and 15 tutorial rooms, creating
effective learning environments. Angus Wilson gives positive feedback, “The
teaching spaces have proved to be extremely popular with both staff and
students. Much of this is down to the effective level of sound absorption
achieved by the Heradesign ceiling rafts fitted within the structural beam
lines and coordinated within the existing structure, which seem to be doing the
trick nicely.”
Heradesign offers flexibility as it can be fitted in a number of
ways: directly to the original ceiling; as a suspended ceiling with exposed or
concealed grid options; or hung as either rafts or baffles.
