A stunning suite of high performance ceiling and wall acoustic solutions from OWA UK has been specified for the University of Birmingham’s new landmark Molecular Sciences Building. OWA collaborated closely with the project design team of Associated Architects, Morgan Sindall and specialist contractor Titan Interior Solutions.

The new building provides a state-of-the-art hub for the University of Birmingham’s ground-breaking research and academic work across chemical, environmental and bio-molecular sciences. Offering inclusive and flexible facilities for a variety of different users, the building uses eleven different ceiling and wall systems to enhance the acoustic performance of the building.

Laboratories

Our comprehensive product range enabled the project design team to devise tailored solutions to meet the different acoustic requirements of the building while creating a consistent and stylish aesthetic. Demountable, metal, OWAtecta S39 hook-on ceiling system, with a 55% open area, is in the laboratories. These perforated metal ceiling panels incorporate black acoustic fleece and class A pads but in some areas they have neither to support the specific ventilation strategy required for the lab spaces.

Study rooms

In the offices and study rooms, OWA UK’s metal, demountable, S80 acoustic rafts mask the major M&E services whilst still enabling easy access for servicing and repair. Designed to meet the aesthetic and acoustic requirements of the varying spaces, the metal rafts were specified in eight different rectangular sizes and in addition, irregular trapezoidal shaped versions were installed in the lift lobbies. The rafts include class A pads to maximise acoustic absorption, with these areas also benefitting from OWA UK’s Freestyle acoustic wall panels.

Communal areas

In the main communal areas of the building, various OWA UK ceiling systems control the acoustic reverberation, hide M&E installations, and improve design aesthetics. In the corridors, OWA UK supplied its OWAtecta aluminium S16 tubular baffle system, finished in the stunning Pearl Copper shade (RAL8029) which was the primary ‘feature’ colour of the design scheme. Regularly spaced tubes incorporate a full-length, integrated, LED light. Accompanying the tubes are OWA’s bespoke perforated metal bulkhead panels, also finished in the same Pearl Copper feature colour. The laboratory corridor spaces feature our clear spanning, metal, OWAtecta S36 lay-on corridor system. This ceiling system uses a simple wall trim to support the panels instead of an overhead grid. The system is quicker to install and allows easy access to pipework and essential services which run through the ceiling void. The S36 and bulkhead panels both contained high performance class A acoustic pads to capture sound and reduce echoes.

Staircase

One of the most stunning design features of the new Molecular Sciences building is the central staircase that leads to an upper atrium area. Here, OWA UK supplied various acoustic ceiling solutions, including bespoke rectangular panels beneath the stair runs and segmented panels beneath the semi-circular half landings. These too utilise the Pearl Copper ‘feature’ colour to create the focal point of the building. In the upper atrium, the metal OWAtecta S61 clip-in wall panel system was specified in various panel sizes to fit around the windows and grilles. All the wall panel joints fully co-ordinate with the metal OWAtecta S39 hook-on ceiling system to create a cohesive look. Both the wall and ceiling panels also benefit from the use of class A absorption acoustic pads.

General

OWA UK also procured a number of bespoke elements to offer greater design versatility, including its acoustic OWAconsult FreeStyle baffles and wall absorbers. Both are wrapped in the client’s choice of fabric to match the desired blue and grey colour scheme. The FreeStyle ceiling baffles interweave with rectangular lights in some corridors and in the large open plan workspaces. OWA UK also supplied its OWAcoustic premium Brillianto A fleece covered, class A ceiling tiles. These lay into our OWAconstruct T24 cliq ceiling grid to form an S3 cliq T24 exposed system in the back areas.