Knauf AMF Ceilings Ltd

Design and acoustic performance were key criteria for this project, which is why HERADESIGN was installed in all the classrooms as floating rafts and throughout the school, in the main corridors, where bespoke swing down access panels were also installed. Reddy Architecture commented, “We really love the architectural raw wood wool quality of HERADESIGN. The visible texture provided the required aesthetic contrast.” A calm neutral colour palette with HERADESIGN specified in warm-white provided a gentle contrast with the soft charcoal walls and floors - the perfect backdrop for bold bursts of colour at the entrance to the classrooms.

Paradise Street student village, Coventry, provides 893 quality homes and 1,400sqm of social space including common rooms, café/bar, cinema and gym. Our Heradesign ceilings have been fitted in the acoustically-demanding areas to help create an environment that’s conducive for both study and relaxation. Heradesign was the first choice for FBM Architects as they had used it in another recent student accommodation project in Coventry and valued its aesthetic properties, acoustic credentials and durability. “We chose Heradesign because of its textured effect that would provide a tactile quality and soften the space, both acoustically and visually.”

Marking a £10.6m investment, a Hampshire County Council (HCC) designed school in Wellesley, Aldershot provides an excellent start to a child’s learning. Knauf AMF's Heradesign Superfine contributes to this vision by helping to create a healthy acoustic environment. Heradesign is manufactured from sustainably sourced wood-wool with a unique, organic aesthetic that can match any colour as ceilings, fins, rafts and wall absorbers. Thanks to the technologically-advanced mineral wool core, Heradesign demonstrates exceptional sound absorption which makes it suitable for a variety of environments, from schools and leisure buildings through to offices and hospitals.

The new Pavilion Bar and Grill is part of a five-year, DEFRA-funded, estate strategy, to regenerate buildings within the UNESCO World Heritage Kew Gardens. Ryder associate, Ruth Baker, said “Heradesign panels were a significant part of the interior design, we particularly liked the sustainable quality of the material and the unlimited colour options.” Heradesign panels were specified for the ceilings to absorb sound and minimise disturbance in the open plan eating area and kitchen. Heradesign’s natural raw wood wool texture and colour complemented the bold black steel finish, rational grid and use of glass.

Acoustic consideration was critical for the design of a new generation cycle studio in London. An isolated sound box was constructed to form the studio with stud walls built to separate it from the café – using a lift shaft model allowing for air and acoustic separation. To complement the paired back industrial ‘Scandi’ design and monochrome pallet, Heradesign in black was specified throughout. Joe Stuart of Warehome Architects said, “Heradesign was perfect for this project. It provides excellent acoustic properties and we love its natural, raw wood wool texture. Specified in black it is really striking.”

An £8m administrative hub at Bristol Airport has a bespoke Knauf AMF ceiling system fitted throughout. A visually intricate honeycomb effect ceiling required the meticulous installation of suspended hexagonal acoustic rafts with precise spacing. A bespoke Donn grid ensured each Topiq Sonic Raft was positioned equidistant to each other. Stride Treglown Associate Architects commented, “The internal aesthetic is an honest expression of the steel structure and exposed services installation. However, these two factors require careful acoustic consideration. The result is a series of randomly arranged, hexagonal suspended rafts that provide acoustic function, and a strong visual statement.”

Optimum sound control and humidity resistance were design imperatives for the new Strathclyde Sports Centre. Heradesign® and Thermatex Aquatec® were specified for the project. Heradesign® macro was installed on the walls around the swimming pool. Thermatex Aquatec® formed the ceiling system in the adjoining changing, showering and circulation areas. Gareth McKnight, Kennedy Fitzgerald & Associates said, “The challenge was finding a system that met the anti-corrosive criteria and performed acoustically. An acoustician measured the reverberation times and Heradesign performed well. With a white interior colour scheme Heradesign brought texture, added depth and interest to the overall interior design.”

Access Self Storage was one of the first companies to recognise the benefits of AMF ceiling tiles. Knauf AMF’s Thermatex range of high density mineral wool ceiling tiles provide in excess of 60 minutes fire protection to mezzanine floors, timber joists and steel beams in accordance with BS476: Parts 20 to 23. Warrington Fire Research Centre carried out specific tests on AMF ceiling tiles installed in a AMF Ventatec exposed grid system under a mezzanine floor found that they gave 90 minutes of load-bearing capacity, 89 minutes of integrity and 89 minutes of insulation

Murchison House, received a significant refurbishment, giving the University of Edinburgh a new purpose-designed venue. Reconfigured to provide light-filled, comfortable spaces for students and staff, architects Reiach & Hall specified Knauf AMF Heradesign for a first-class acoustic solution aligning with the university’s contemporary design brief. A suspended raft system in the café and breakout area was created using Heradesign. Cut to create triangular rafts, the floating ceiling solution offered the illusion of height and provides excellent acoustic performance. In the study areas, 100m2 of Heradesign wall absorbers were installed throughout the study zones continuing the geometric theme.

The new Oasis Academy in Oldham will welcome it’s first students this September 2012. Constructed by Willmott Dixon, it comprises state-of-the-art learning, ICT, community, sports and leisure facilities. Knauf AMF Ceilings were chosen to provide the ceiling solutions throughout this impressive new building in order to meet all the acoustic and aesthetic requirements

Complementing the exposed services and industrial design aesthetic, whilst fulfilling modern acoustic requirements was a challenge. Heradesign with its acoustic credentials and raw wood wool texture ticked all the boxes. Specified in Grey, Heradesign was installed throughout the main reception area, office spaces and the lift lobbies, providing a strong visual contrast to the exposed structural elements. Architects Allford Hall Monaghan Morris, “The conversion retained the original irregular structural gridlines of the building, so we had to create a consistent pattern across the ceiling- but Heradesign is a really versatile material that worked exceptionally well in the space.”

Northumbria University’s Grade II Listed Sutherland Building, home to its Architecture and Built Environment Department, now boasts a state-of-the-art architecture studios. Page\Park worked closely with ESH Group to deliver the new-build for which functionality and design were key. Heradesign, a high-performance product which effortlessly retains ambient sound whilst reducing disturbing background noise, provided the acoustic and aesthetic solution required for the project. Heradesign Superfine tiles are a versatile material and Page\Park were able to work with the tiles to deliver a distinctive, geometric herringbone design on the ceilings for maximum design impact.

Leeds Arts University completed a 5-year £22m building expansion with Heradesign rafts and baffles, installed throughout the main entrance, library and the new group spaces to minimise noise disturbance. The design for the project meant all the mechanical services had to be exposed and the lighting integrated into the hanging rafts. Paul King of DLA Design Group said, "We chose Heradesign because, aside of the acoustic performance, we liked the natural, raw wood wool. It’s a striking and versatile material and we were really impressed with how the individual panels could be matched to the chosen colour scheme.”