Acoustics in education

Innovation in interior acoustics in education

Acoustic Solution for Westmount New Learning Centre

Interior Designer
Rosie Taylor - Unispace
Featured Products
Frontier™

Westmount School recently refurbished their Kaipara campus to include a new learning centre designed around modern learning styles. The learning centre includes a large open collaborative area, banquet seating, and glazed brainstorm and project rooms. Although aesthetically pleasing, the hard surfaces and large open space had the potential to produce high levels of noise reverberation – creating a disruptive learning environment.

Aware of the potential issue, interior design group Unispace sought out a high-performing custom acoustic solution that would be visually appealing whilst enhancing the fun and engaging learning environment.

 

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Solution – Product & Installation

 

Having previously worked with Autex, Unispace Associate Designer Rosie Taylor approached Account Manager Anton Agnew for a practical acoustic solution that would complement the school’s vibrant culture.  Autex FrontierTM was an ideal solution to creating an acoustic ceiling fin system that was simple to install and created exceptional acoustic absorption.  Working in collaboration with Autex, Unispace designed a rippled water pattern to form a softened, fluid effect and create a kinetic illusion that changes as you move around the learning centre.

As design and aesthetics were particularly important for this project, Frontier was chosen due to its impressive sound absorbing properties as well as allowing for complete design flexibility.  Having confidence in Autex, Unispace knew that the lightweight and semi-rigid acoustic fin would be perfect to create the custom acoustic feature they sought.

Working to an extremely tight programme; 74 bespoke Frontier fins were water cut in colours Senado, Flatiron and Savoye.  Fixed to the ceiling system using the patented Frontier channels and Frontier connector system, the ceiling system was a smooth and easy installation process, saving the installers plenty of time.  The ‘rippled water pattern’ had lights suspended in between fins to create a vibrant glisten, highlighting the contemporary colours selected to further complement the space.  The finished result was truly phenomenal.

 

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Benefits & Feedback

Post installation of Frontier, the new learning centre promotes a calm yet collaborative environment, benefiting students and staff alike.  Upon the success of this project, there are similar projects in the pipelines for Nelson and Hastings Westmount campuses.

Not only ideal for acoustic absorption; Frontier presents many benefits that make it a staple in any educational environment.  Frontier is highly durable, non-allergenic, non-irritant and non-toxic.  The complete design flexibility of Frontier fins creates endless possibilities and solutions for functional environments.