Heritage Christian School in Port Macquarie recently added a new library to its campus and successfully avoided noise reverberation issues by installing CSR Gyprock Soundchek plasterboard and Ecophon Ceiling.
The new library was designed by Building Designer, George Watt & Associates (GW+A) and completed by Bax Builders PtyLtd.
With 4m high ceilings, the library was sure to exacerbate noise attenuation, so the building design focused on minimising noise while also accommodating the varying degrees of the students’ needs.
GW+A Interior Designer, Annabelle McQuillan said, “… we designed an open space for multiple learning areas and good visual surveillance. Operable glazing was orientated to achieve good solar access and ventilation, whilst materials were chosen for their durability and longevity.”
Ecophon is a modern wall and ceiling solution for environments requiring superior acoustics. The tiles are manufactured from high-density glass wool and can be installed directly with screws and adhesive or as lay in tiles into a ceiling grid with minimal loss of ceiling height.
Gyprock Soundchek is a 10 or 13mm plasterboard that has a denser core enabling it to absorb sound. Its high-density construction, reflectivity and sound dampening characteristics result in noise reduction between rooms of up to 75%.
Approximately 350sqm of Ecophon Focus A in an exposed 'T' section grid was installed along with Gyprock Soundchek 10mm plasterboard for the internal walling.
The resulting library building has been well received by Heritage Christian School teachers and students, and is an example of how room functionality, aesthetics and room acoustics can be successfully combined to create a positive learning environment.
