Heartlands Academy

In the United Kingdom, for example, the government’s bb 93 guidelines for school acoustics are notoriously draconian. So when Archial Group was named Architect and Lead Designer for the new Heartlands Academy in Birmingham, acoustics were front and centre. Lead Architect Elly Loach explains: “Each area within the building had differing requirements, including acoustic performance, aesthetics and humidity resistance.”

Instead of thinking about the acoustics once they had designed the different spaces, Archial Group developed an overall design concept that integrated acoustics from the outset. “The inspiration was the TV test screen image with its pattern of vertical stripes of colour. ”To represent these rectangular shapes, Loach used Rockfon Color-all as acoustic wall panels throughout the building and Rockfon Contour baffles in double-height areas. Additional Rockfon ceilings are found in the music classrooms, kitchen and circulation areas of the Academy as well.