"acoustic panels"

Achieving a Building Regulations compliant level of soundproofing in residential conversion projects demands the use of superior quality soundproofing materials and systems, which are deployed in the right way. It is an approach that a recent development in the south Manchester suburb of Levenshulme perfectly encapsulates, with outstanding results for the developer and future residents.Hush Acoustics was tasked to provide a solution for a conversion project at 31 Albert Road, Levenshulme by Meridian Construction & Refurbishments. It was converting the five-bedroom Victorian dwelling into two residential flats, which meant the separating floors had to be constructed in a way that would meet the acoustic standards set out in Approved Document E of the Building Regulations for England and Wales.Under Approved Document E, ‘material change of use’ projects like this must incorporate soundproofing in the floors between individual dwellings to reduce the risk of nuisance sound transmission. Evidence that the floor construction complies with the standards is normally provided to building control through post-installation acoustic testing, which on this project was undertaken by C80 Solutions.Hush Acoustics was invited to attend the site by Meridian when the building was at its early rip out stage. This provided an opportunity to get a clear understanding of the situation and discuss the options for the separating floors to ensure they would meet the requirements of Approved Document E.The floor structure was a traditional timber floor with floorboards. There was only a very limited specification in the design, so Hush was able to help by providing specialist technical consultation to develop the most cost effective and easy to install solution for the Meridian site team.Following the site visit and inspection of the building, Hush Acoustics’ soundproofing specialists developed an acoustic product specification for the separating floors that would not only meet the minimum standards of the Building Regulations, but exceed them with ease.Hush-Panel 17, a thin MDF overlay board which incorporates a 10mm Hush-Felt resilient layer, was installed over the structural deck. This was glued using Hush-Bond Panel Adhesive and isolated at the perimeters using Hush-Seal 20.The structural deck consisted of the original floorboards that had been overboarded with a thin plywood. This provided a solid flat surface to install the acoustic flooring. The existing ceiling was left in place where possible to avoid the need for ripping out where it was not required, which allowed for a new acoustic ceiling to be installed. This consisted of two layers of 15mm Fireline plasterboard on a suspended frame with Hush-Slab 100 sound absorber slabs placed within the ceiling void.As part of the service, Hush Acoustics arranged for the acoustic testing to be carried out by testing partner C80 Solutions. They recorded the following results:Airborne – 53 dB DnTw+Ctr and 52 dB DnTw+Ctr (the higher, the better)Impact – 48 dB LnTw and 43 dB LnTw (the lower, the better)These are very good acoustic figures for a separating floor in a residential conversion project of this kind, demonstrating what can be achieved with a combination of high quality soundproofing materials are combined and installation correctly.Ultimately, this outstanding acoustic performance for the separating floors will help to ensure a high level of satisfaction for the future residents of these modern apartments.

Specified and installed specifically for the acoustic and impact resistant properties was our (Topakustik) Topperfo M 16/16/8 (aw 0.75LM Euro Class C, NRC 0.91) perforated panels.

This Laudescher LINEA Bespoke 2.4.3 acoustic slatted panels with the purpose of managing the reflective nature of the walls within the main entrance area. The extremely specific design of the ceiling panels here where each slat cut from a glulam block so as to achieve a curve that is not stressed. The same product is used inside and outside so as to achieve a seamless finish through the glass.

This wonderful acoustically treated auditorium at the Headington School featuring TOPAKUSTIK Lungern micro perforated and solid panels.Architects: Lyons+Sleeman+Hoare ArchitectsContractors: BeardFor any questions or queries do not hesitate to get in contact.

Hush Acoustics provided a range of acoustic products for the construction of Warren Court, a new development of 9x luxury two bedroom apartments. Working with Marlowe Building Contractors, we provided advice and materials for the apartments’ soundproofing to give acoustic performance better than New Build standard.The Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP) energy ratings had already been calculated and passed before Hush were involved with the acoustic design. The building’s structure consisted of lightweight masonry walls and a timber joist floor structure, which could not be changed due to SAP compliance. As a result, Hush was tasked with developing a comprehensive design to ensure compliance to Approved Document E of the Building Regulations with this form of construction detail. The biggest issue was the continuous lightweight block walls that may be thermally very efficient, but present major difficulties acoustically. To go over and above the new build standard, it was necessary for all blockwork and timber floor joists to be isolated on Hush Resilient Seating. Ceilings were also isolated by using Hush Suspended Ceilings in the main and an Enhanced Clip and Channel System was used where the floor/ceiling heights were at a premium. Hush Panel 28 was provided throughout as the floating acoustic flooring system.We carried out pre-completion sound tests which achieved results well in excess of the new build standard. Airborne sound test results ranged from 49 dB (DnTw+Ctr) to 61 dB (DnTw+Ctr) and impact achieved 46 dB (LnTw), 16 dB better than the required new build standard.

Hush Acoustics provided a solution to reverberation issues at the newly extended Queen Elizabeth Hall in the village of Layer de la Haye near Colchester.The hall was designed to be used as a multi-functional amenity for local residents and the general public and is host to anything from Scouts groups to wedding receptions. It was therefore imperative that the acoustics within the building were to a good level to be able to comfortably make use of the hall for all the varying activities.As in many domestic and public places, reverberation and in severe cases, echoes, had become a problem in with mid to high frequency sounds (in most cases) of speech causing disruptive and discomforting noise problems.After an initial inspection, Hush Acoustics proposed the installation of 30x Hush Absorber 50A panels. This Class A sound absorber has built in support frames to allow for bracket fixing to provide an air void behind the absorber for enhanced acoustic performance. The absorber panels were fitted over two days which meant the work had minimal impact to the running of the community activities.The client’s feedback was that the acoustics in the hall after installation “are perfect”.

BackgroundThe owner and operator of a luxury retirement village in Warwickshire approached Hush Acoustics to improve the acoustic comfort in its main social area after feedback from residents raised concerns about excessive background noise.Lime Tree Village at Dunchurch features a superbly equipped bar and sun room as part of its extensive range of facilities, where residents can relax and socialise. Despite it being a relatively new development, the managers of the complex were receiving feedback from residents that the quality and useability of these rooms was being seriously affected by excessive background noise and sound echoing.Tackling the issue Keen to resolve the situation, the site’s managers approached Hush Acoustics for assistance. Step one was for Hush to visit the site and undertake an extensive survey of Lime Tree Village’s affected spaces – the sun room and the adjoining bar. The acoustic survey carried out by Hush at Lime Tree Village quickly revealed the cause of the background noise issue – common types of reflective, hard surfaces such as plastered walls and wooden furniture were indeed responsible for reverberating sound back into the room. And it was immediately evident that users of the spaces were having to do what most people do in rooms affected in this way – increase their level of speech to try and be heard, which means the issue spirals as everyone attempts to speak over the growing background noise.The solutionThe reverberation solution provided by Hush centres on its Hush Absorber 50 sound absorber panels, which are designed to be strategically mounted on walls or ceilings inside rooms affected by excess background noise. The absorber panels are Class A for the highest sound absorption performance, formed of a 50mm thick acoustic foam which is hand finished in a high quality fabric applied on the face, edges and back.After the site visit, the Hush team were able to calculate how many panels were needed to control the issue and where they would be mounted. A report was prepared for the retirement village managers with a quotation for the supply and installation of the panels recommended and Hush was commissioned to deliver the solution in November 2022. Installation of the Hush Absorber panels was completed in just one day which meant very minimal disruption to the facilities and the improvements were noticed immediately.Client feedbackA representative from Lime Tree Village said:“We always aim to create the best quality environment for our residents, so we are delighted that Hush Acoustics has been able to respond quickly to deliver an effective solution for our sun room and bar. From the initial enquiry to their recommendations and installation service, the process has been professionally managed throughout, and our staff and residents are delighted with the results.”

Hush Acoustics were tasked with resolving acoustic issues within the King’s House School in South West London.The two Victorian buildings feature a dining hall which had become an extremely noisy environment during lunch service, and this had become disruptive. The hall itself featured hard surfaces throughout with no sound absorption potential, and this was also a problem when the hall was being used to deliver assemblies.Hush Acoustics carried out tests using its Acoustic Modelling Software to measure the reverberation time within the area. Reverberation time is the most common way of expressing a room’s basic acoustic character. It is the time taken for a steady noise to decay by 60dB after its source has been abruptly cut off.After analysing the result of the tests, 31x Hush 50A panels were proposed to be mounted across the ceilings of the two areas to significantly reduce these noise levels. These panels comply with BB93 standards for school acoustics and all the UK Building Regulations relating to acoustics.Feedback from King’s House Estates Management was very positive, saying that the enhancements made to the space made a huge difference for the school as well as the children.Scott Beavers says “Work was carried out professionally and the sound reduction/intensity has decreased dramatically. This has really made a great improvement, thanks!”

Construction of Herman Miller’s New HQ and distribution centre began in 2014, being the biggest single investment in the town, and creating 200 jobs in the local area.Soundis Absorb-R Timber Grooved 14/2m Sound Absorption panels...The 170,000 sq metre warehouse project required Absorb-R Timber Grooved 14/2m Sound Absorption panels to be fitted to the walls of the office area, meeting rooms, restaurant and general circulation space. The acoustic wall panels were specified for innovative design and high sound absorption acoustic performance.The timber wall panels are grooved, providing impeccable sound absorption performances, but also ensuring a high class aesthetic finish and feel with a choice of timber types and finishes.Herman Miller provide “Class A” products and are renowned for great quality and therefore required a sound absorption solution to comply with their own brand style. Soundis fitted perfectly to the Herman Miller specification throughout the installation space being treated and installed by UK Acoustic Systems.

Architect: Austin-Smith:LordInstaller: Lacunar LtdProduct: Gustafs Panel SystemOver 400m2 of Gustafs Panel System was installed to the walls of the Birmingham Royal Ballet during their £2.7m refurbishment in 2015. Acoustic panels were installed to two ballet rehearsal studios as well as the new informal performance space.In addition to the visual refurbishment of the space; the regeneration project aimed to improve the facility by upgrading the lighting, heating and ventilation, and accessibility, as well as improving administration and welfare areas.A mix of of SM5 and SM8 mini slotted acoustic perforations as well as nano acoustic perforations were used on the Birch, Oak, and White laminate faced panels. Slotted perforation styles give an elegant and dramatic finish to the panels whilst Nano perforations are almost invisible on the face of the panel, all three options provide up to Class B acoustic performance.

This high-profile London office needed a stunning re-design and high-quality finish to reflect the client’s values and surroundings. Vtec was specified to provide visually stunning acoustic ceilings. The contemporary design encompassed a modern reception area leading to a large open office floor with a staircase to breakout spaces and an attractive roof terrace. Finished to an extremely high standard throughout, the design featured Vtec MaxiBeam ceilings in white Supalami and Supacoustic panels in Oak Supalami. In the kitchen area, Supacoustic panels were specified in an oak Supalami finish and circular perforated design (SP4 with 10mm perforations) echos the circular supporting pillars and helps soften the acoustics.Explore how we ensure pinpoint accuracy in the design and production to ensure seamless integration.

Hinchley Wood School in Esher, Surrey is a mixed comprehensive academy, providing education for 11-18-year olds. They tasked Hush with a project to improve acoustic comfort in their sports hall following the success of a previous project to install Hush Absorber Panels within their canteen in 2016.Mike Robeson, Director of Finance and resources at the school, contacted us regarding their purpose-built Sports Hall in which they were experiencing severe reverberation issues. The Sports Hall has been in use for many years to carry out PE lessons and other sporting activities, along with being used as an Examination Hall.When being used for exams, the school were having to temporarily lay a carpet on the floor to dampen the sounds within the hall, hoping to create a calming and relaxing atmosphere with minimal echoes. However, this was unsatisfactory, and they sought an effective long term solution.When conducted a site visit which enabled us to measure the Sports Hall to be 8.5m in height, 27m in length and 18 m wide. The ceiling area features metal trunking around it and measures 486 sq. m in total. We calculated that 230.4 sq. m would need to be acoustically treated.In order to effectively treat the reverberation issues within the area, we specified 192x 50mm Hush Absorber panels to make the hall acoustically fit for purpose and they would need to be directly bonded to the metal deck.The panels that we supplied the school were from our new Polysorb range, in which the product itself is made from polyester as opposed to foam, giving equally excellent acoustic results. We also supplied these panels with a hard face material, to be damage protected from any equipment which may make its way up to the ceiling.The Polysorb panels are manufactured from 100% recyclable Polyester, in which a minimum of 45% is from post consumer waste PET (Plastic Bottles). The panels have been designed for exceptional sound absorption qualities, whilst being light-weight, impact resistant and durable. These panels can also be cut to any required size and finished in your chosen design.We allowed 5 working days to be able to fit the panels and were able to finish within 4. Whilst installing them, we also rescued 12 footballs and a whole host of shuttlecocks from the ceiling area!We are pleased to have been able to help the school with their reverberation issues and to make a positive impact on the pupils learning, as well as making for a more appropriate and less noisy exam hall.

“We have used products from CMS Danskin Acoustics on a variety of projects and always found them a good company to work with and very helpful to deal with,” said Gerry Winter, Allied Acoustics.The Council’s room was designed for holding meetings, training sessions and information days; but the acoustics in the room were distracting and the internal reverberation meant that hearing people speaking was difficult. CMS Danskin Acoustics engaged with the architect at East Renfrewshire Council to agree on the best solution without compromising on aesthetics, and ensuring they could offer the best value.The SolutionFollowing an on-site consultation at the Council with an external acoustician, CMS Danskin Acoustics was brought on-board to supply 25 SuperPhon® Acoustic Rafts; which are specially designed to reduce reverberation times and to improve listening environments. In addition, the tiles are available in a range of attractive colours meaning that the aesthetics of an internal building are not lost, which was of high importance to the Council. “The SuperPhon® Acoustic Rafts were chosen because they fitted with the style of the building, the need to retain the exposed roof structure and the fact that the fabric colour choice provided a less commercial ‘office feel’ to the final installation,” said Andrew Eaddy, East Renfrewshire Council.The ResultsFollowing the installation, CMS Danskin Acoustics carried out some calculations to evaluate how successful the Acoustic Rafts were performing. The team found that they had managed to bring the reverberation time down from 1.8 seconds to 0.8 seconds, ensuring a much-improved sound quality to the room for its multi-purpose activities.“The client was very happy with the end product at Rouken Glen and there was a substantial sound reduction after the panels were installed,” continued Gerry. “Overall we were very pleased with the results and the chosen product. The ease and speed of the installation, thanks to the bespoke fitting, meant that it wasn’t long before we were able to use the communal room again. We’re really pleased with the finish too, it’s exactly what we had in mind for the space,” concluded Andrew.

Background Opened in 1955, Stinchcombe Village Hall has been at the heart of the community in the Gloucestershire village for decades, and it continues to thrive thanks to the dedication of a group of local residents and regular users. An active programme ensures the hall is regularly used for a whole host of activities, classes, clubs, and events for residents, maintaining its original mission to provide a facility that supports physical and mental wellbeing, training and recreation.The committee works to ensure the village hall’s facilities are maintained to a high standard. The hall features dimmable lighting, a stage with seating area, kitchen; and toilets accessible to disabled users, plus another meeting room known as the ‘Committee Room. Over the years Stinchcombe Village Hall has benefited from various upgrading projects, including in recent times improved heating and energy efficient lighting throughout. However, the committee are constantly looking at how they can improve things further, including acoustics.ProblemCharlie Oakhill, Chairman of Stinchcombe Village Hall, approached acoustic specialists Sound Reduction Systems (SRS) to explore the potential for reducing excessive reverberation within the hall during use. The committee had taken the initiative prior to contacting SRS by completing and submitting SRS’s online 3 Step Estimator Form.They wanted to take action to make the hall more acoustically comfortable during regular activities. Users often found it difficult to hear speech and music easily because of the high levels of ambient noise that developed, particularly during performances and busy activities.SolutionUpon receiving key information about Stinchcombe Village Hall, including the dimensions, surface finishes and photographs of the ceiling and walls, SRS were able to input this data into their Sonata acoustic modelling software. This was able to evaluate the existing acoustic performance of the room and specify exactly how much Sonata Class A sound absorption would be required to solve the issue.The Stinchcombe Village Hall committee were then presented with a report detailing predicted before and after performance and a budget estimate for the treatment. Once this had been approved, the next step was for an SRS technical advisor to visit the hall and carry out a dimensional survey to confirm the specification and quote.SRS Sonata Aurio absorbers are a practical and cost effective way to control reverberation inside buildings like this village hall where there are a lot of hard surfaces. The panels comprise a technical, non-shedding, acoustic foam with an acoustically transparent fabric finish to the face and sides. They are easy and quick to install and can be directly bonded to walls and ceilings, and because they are robust, they are perfect for gyms, sports halls or anywhere where ball strikes may occur.Results The site survey was carried out by SRS Director, Alex Docherty. He said:“The presence of hard, acoustically reflective surfaces and lack of soft furnishings was creating a high level of reverberation and echo. This was creating an environment that wasn’t ideal for many activities undertaken within the hall and making speech intelligibility particularly poor. Once the details of the hall had been entered into the SRS computer prediction programme, it showed an estimated mid-frequency reverberation time (Tmf) of 3.73s – way higher than the recommended value of <1.5s for a room of this usage.”After the quotation was approved by the committee, approximately 52m2 of class A Sonata Aurio acoustic panels were installed to the walls and ceiling within the hall, with fantastic results.Client feedbackFollowing completion of the installation, Charlie Oakhill, Chairman of Stinchcombe Village Hall commented:“Thank you for completing the acoustics promptly and a very tidy job. The panels have made a tremendous difference in our hall and I am sure we will get a lot of positive feedback from our users.“Jed the installer did a great job and left everything neat and tidy, he is a credit to SRS. Thanks again and finally we are happy to speak to any potential customers and also happy if they want to come and have a look and a listen.”Products used·       Sonata Aurio panels

Architect: Barber Casanovas RufflesInstaller: S J EasternProduct: Gustafs Acoustic Panel System700m2 of Gustafs Panel System in Natural Oak veneer with PD8 and PH10 perforations were installed to the walls of the central atrium as well as the walls and ceilings of the 150 seat auditorium at the European Bioinformatics Institute (EBI) Technical Hub at the Genome Campus in Cambridge.The £17m, 5000sqm building is a collaborative research and training base for up to 225 staff from 85 research companies covering fields including bioinformatics and molecular data as well as pharmaceutical and agricultural studies.In addition to the acoustic panel system, LSA supplied over 500m2 of 44mm deep linear ribs in Natural Oak veneer were installed to the walls of the central atrium as well as the walls and ceilings of the auditorium.

AstraZeneca Case StudyProject: AstraZeneca HQ, CambridgeProduct: Fade acoustic plasterQuantity: 4200m2Main Contractor: MaceSubcontractors: CMS DanskinArchitect: Herzog & de MeuronValue of Overall Project: £50 Million +Introduction: AstraZeneca Acoustic Plaster Case StudyAfter starting the project with Skanska as lead contractors, in 2019 AstraZeneca switched to their current partnership with Mace to complete their multi-million pound HQ. The building is designed with research facilities at the forefront, and is sound insulted using Fade Acoustic technology.About AstraZenecaSince its inception in 1998, AstraZeneca has been a trailblazer in the fields of medical and scientific research. The Swedish-British company has over 90 locations worldwide and is active across Africa, Europe, Asia and North America. Their headquarters in Cambridge will act as a hub for global innovation, and their patents improve the lives of millions each year. Most recently, their Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine was the first COVID-19 vaccine to be approved in the UK, and has since been adopted worldwide. The company is also at the forefront of cancer research, partnering with Cancer Research UK to improve survival rates.About MaceMace Construction has been developing ideas for clients across five continents for the past 30 years. Their project list is extensive: they’ve worked on everything from airports to the world’s largest observation eye, and closer to home with a renovation of TV’s Coronation Street. Like many industries, the COVID-19 crisis has hit the construction industry in unexpected ways. Instead of seeing this as a setback, Mace have innovated their work-from-home technologies, introducing drones and remote technology to future-proof their business. The company is also future focused in their view towards the environment, implementing green ideas across all projects. Recently Mace were lead contractors on 70 St Mary Axe, the curved skyscraper currently under construction in central London. As well as boasting an attractive semi-elliptical design, by using double-glazed wall cladding and vertical shading fins, the skyscraper also boasts incredibly low carbon emissions.About the projectAstraZeneca’s UK based headquarters have been in the pipeline since 2013. Originally valued at £330 million, soaring material costs and increased investment in new technologies raised the cost to £500 million by 2019. The new headquarters is an immense glass-based structure at the center of Cambridge’s Chesterford Research Park. Herzog & de Meuron’s triangular design was chosen to encourage easy movement around the building, and glass panels are used liberally throughout to “promote ‘visible science’, according to AstraZeneca. The central piazza is a nod to the sprawling courtyards of Cambridge University, providing a communal space for socialising and the sharing of ideas. The headquarters will act as a central hub for both research and business, linking commerce and science under one glass roof.About Fade acousticsFade Acoustic plaster is a flexible alternative to traditional acoustic solutions. A fibreglass substrate provides a sound insulating layer which is then sprayed with 3mm of plaster. This extra layer gives a plastered-like finish, completely disguising the panels beneath. This invisible layer makes Fade Acoustics products ideal for preserving integrity of the building’s original design. The modernist Shenzhen Sea World Culture & Arts Center, for example, was completed using Fade Acoustics plus+ to provide seamless insulation that showed off the building’s angular modernist features. The product can me made to fit any type of structure, applied to concrete or timber substrate, or can even be attached direct to grid using Fade Special Washers. Fade Acoustic products have been proven to be durable and humidity resistant, receiving an A+ rating from French regulatory bodies for creating safe indoor environments.Why Was Fade Acoustics chosen?Mace had previously used Fade Acoustics Plus+ on Tottenham Hotspur’s new stadium, chosen for their hassle-free installation and wide range of colour options which allowed for flawless blending with existing plaster. After this success, Fade Acoustics were an obvious choice for AstraZeneca’s HQ. The project’s complex geometric structure required a soundproofing technique that could adapt to the building’s unique shape without hindering design. The HQ required a bespoke thickness due to the installation of sprinklers. This meant the team had to create a custom sized acoustic board by altering fibreglass substrate to 30mm, instead of their regular 25mm or 40mm. Due to travel restrictions during the COVID-19 crisis, the chosen product also needed to be installed quickly without compromising on quality. CMS Danskin were able to acquire the material quickly, meaning WRR UK, long-time contractors with Mace and the project’s approved installer, could start installation within two weeks. Fade Acoustic’s flexible and easy to install product meant the team could install 4200m² of Fade Acoustic plaster in the final two months of the project. The project is due to be unveiled later this year.

Sonata Vario Class A suspended acoustic absorption panels installed within the dining room at Burlington House School to control reverberation and noise during use.

PROJECTACTA, AmsterdamCOMPLETION2010ARCHITECTBenthem CrouwelPRODUCTSRectangular metal panels on two levels without visible sagging, 1 mm [dimensions 3950 x 900mm], approx 900 m2Perforated acoustic panel ceiling at the Academic Center for Dentistry in Amsterdam.

Individual or hinged panel single glazed sliding system with the option of with crittall bars. This single glazed sliding system can achieve 34dB.The benefit of our MG900 panels is that they work in the same way as conventional movable walls and can be either single or double point suspension. With the slim back painted border you have clear view visual lines. This allows a superior light flow around the office, cost-effective installation and flexibility in the work environment. Plus the simple fact that they look elegant and classy. Not only these, but they also offer exceptional sound reduction allowing for privacy to be had amongst clients or for important internal meetings.The MG900 glazed system is a 35mm thick panel that can be incorporated into your standard fixed glazed partitioning system.So this unique 35mm thickness gives endless designs and layout options.Furthermore, the aluminium frame can be coloured to your choice to match your design or branding needs. These panels retain a room’s spacious sense of proportion and maximise light and clear viewing lines. Truly a magnificent office aesthetic.MG900 Key FactsAcoustic reduction from 34dBSlimline 35mm thick panelsTop hung with a shallow 4mm floor guidePanel widths 450mm to 1200mmHeight up to 3000mmPanel border finish any chosen RAL finishCrittall bar glazing designs to suit your design needs

This high profile project in The Shard was a complete office fit-out, designed to future-proof and meet the end client’s operational needs. The modern design featured Vtec’s MaxiBeam system and Supacoustic panels. These systems allow for excellent visual appeal and acoustic performance combined with being easy to install and flexible to incorporate the specific access requirements.

Our double point movable walls allow the panels to stack away in a concealed recessed pocket to give a clear room and flexible spaces. The chosen finish was foamed backed 12mm stretched fabric Kvadrat. Colour name: Remix 3 123 both sides (flame retardancy) with concealed edge profiles, therefore giving the finest attention to detail. Structure opening was 4.5m wide and 2.7m high and consisted of 3 standard panels and 1 telescopic closure panel. The chosen acoustic sound reduction was our 50dB acoustic laboratory construction. As shown in our key facts and specifications above, there are many benefits that come with having movable walls in your environment. The made-to-measure panels of these operable walls work through an internal, retractable mechanism and move quietly and quickly along the head track. In their closed position, the MG100 walls are extremely secure and rigid. An element of flexibility is suddenly added to your space. And therefore the environment can quickly be manipulated to cater for any of your flexible space needs. Whether that be for meetings or a little bit of privacy. Contact Us for movable walls If you are looking to have movable walls installed in your work environment, please get in touch. Call one of our helpful and accommodating staff members on 01932 918 338. Or you can email us at sales@modernglide.co.uk. Alternatively, you can fill in our online enquiry form and we will reply as soon as we can.

WJL Contracts have been providing high-quality, bespoke joinery solutions to some of the largest contractors in UK construction for over forty years. Known for their expertise and design flair, their fire-rated doorsets and panels have been installed in prestigious building projects spanning the education, entertainment, and commercial sectors. They also offer a full installation service which ensures that their fire-rated and acoustic products are installed competently, setting them apart from a lot of other joinery manufacturers. One of these projects was for Crawley Town Hall in West Sussex on behalf of Kier construction. They successfully delivered bespoke joinery and acoustic panelling doors, an elliptical ceiling, a feature wall, mirrors and kitchenettes. The team overcame significant challenges to hit the deadline including managing the installation of 2700 large 2.7m doors.Fire and Acoustic Seals Fire Door FoamTM and Intumescent Acrylic Sealant were used to install all fire-rated doorsets to guarantee their compliance. Joel Mayer, Buyer & Commercial Manager at WJL comments“We’ve been using Fire and Acoustic Seals’ own-label Fire Door FoamTM and Intumescent Acrylic Sealant on our large construction projects for many years. Our team particularly like the Fire Door FoamTM because they think the quality is excellent compared to others on the market, it’s quick and easy to install and it’s backed up by specific fire door test evidence.We also love the service we get from the team at Fire and Acoustic Seals which is why we’ve continued to work with them for over a decade. They’re incredibly reliable and have a fast turnaround service which ensures our onsite team are never without the products they need when they need them. This is really important to us as we are constantly working to tight deadlines.” For more details about this and other WJL projects visit https://wjlcontracts.co.uk/portfolioContact our team for more information about Fire Door FoamTM and Intumescent Acrylic Sealant.0121 521 2179 | sales@fireandacousticseals.co.uk 

Hush Acoustics provided an effective solution to ‘noise break-in’ at a newly built primary school in Chester to ensure the internal acoustic environment was supportive of learning goals.The Huntington Primary school was designed by Cheshire West and Chester Council to cater for 420 primary age pupils and a 26-provision nursery. The former primary schools it replaced had a capacity of 120 children, but to cope with the demand of 1,200 new houses being built nearby on the former Saighton Army camp, the decision was made to build a new school to meet the requirements.An acoustic concern highlighted was ‘noise break in’ which is caused by issues such as the sound of rain falling onto the roof, which in turn would detract from the learning environment. In order to resolve this potential issue and to guarantee the children a healthy setting free from noise disturbance, we specified our Hush 10kg Barrier Mat to be installed in the roof of the building.Hush Barrier Mat is a vinyl sound barrier mat loaded with naturally occurring minerals. The product is free of lead, unrefined aromatic oils and bitumen. Designed to improve the sound insulation of existing panels of metal, wood, plastic etc., at all frequencies. The mat is normally fixed in intimate contact with the original panel. Hush barriers are particularly effective in overcoming coincidence dip resonance found in stiff lightweight composites such as plywood sheets and hollow core panels.Working alongside Kier, were Delta Group, who we supplied with 1100 sheets of our Hush 10 kg Barrier Mat. They then applied this to the roof of the school in 3x layers, to give a mass of 30 kg/m2 and improving acoustic performance across all frequencies.

Hoebridge Golf Centre is a busy commercial and leisure facility that has three golf courses, a function facility and a health club. Given the busy nature of the centre, it had become apparent to many golfers and patrons that the acoustic conditions within the bar and restaurant area needed improvement.Hush Acoustics was tasked by the golf centre’s owners to develop a solution to this major acoustic issue as it possible that revenue was being affected in the bar and restaurant because of poor acoustics. Some paying guests did not want to spend their time in these problematic and noisy areas so addressing the issue was crucial to the centre’s long term success. Hush carried out its extensive survey and to fulfil the client’s requirements to make the bar and restaurant areas a far more comfortable place to be. The acoustic problem at Hoebridge Golf Centre was caused by a high level of ambient, reverberation and echo noise within the bar and restaurant areas.The solution proposed by Hush was to install Hush Absorber 50 Sound Absorbing Panels within the bar and restaurant areas. Through a series of calculations based on the site survey data, the amount of absorption needed to treat the issues effectively could be established.Mike O’Connell, General Manager of Hoebridge Golf Centre was delighted with the panels. He mentioned how well they blended in and complemented the look and aesthetics of the room, and appreciated the minimalistic design with bold colours to give the room a sense of vibrancy. The client was particular happy with the quick and efficient installation by the Hush installation team. They arrived on site at 6:05am, discussed the installation with Mike and had completed the installation by 8am, meaning no disruption to customers during busy times.

‘Autobarn’ is an unusual build comprising an elegant five-bay garage and accompanying workshop sitting within the grounds of a Grade-II listed 18th-century home in Somerset.Designed by Bindloss Dawes Architects, the brief was to create a garage with an adjoining workshop to house the client’s classic car collection. The finished result is an aesthetically beautiful building with its deceptively simple wooden barn-themed styling using agricultural materials such as concrete and recycled wood under a zinc roof. With surfaces comprising steel, timber and polished concrete floor, the architects incorporated Troldtekt acoustic panels to clad both the walls and ceilings between the steel frames for sound absorption and to combat the issue of reverberating noise.The added advantage of having services hidden behind the white panelling means the final result is a stunning simplistic and minimalist design allowing the classic cars to be the focus of attention and transforming the space into more of a gallery than a traditional garage.Troldtekt acoustic panels are available in a variety of different surfaces and colours and combine sound absorption with a tactile surface. With an expected life cycle of at least 50 years and resistance to humidity and impact, they are available in various sizes and four grades, from extreme fine to coarse. The panels can be left untreated or painted in almost any RAL colour. Depending on the panel specified, reaction to fire is classed in accordance with EN 13501 as B-s1,d0 or A2-s1,d0 respectively. Founded on the Cradle-to-Cradle design concept and having attained Gold certification, Troldtekt wood wool acoustic panels are manufactured using wood from certified forests (PEFC™ and FSC®C115450) and can contribute positively to a building’s BREEAM, DGNB or LEED points. 

In partnership with Axis Architecture, we supported the creation of a new space for a financial services firm in Grosvenor House in Solihull.Designers, Axis Architecture/ Installation Contractors,John Atkinson Interiors Axis Architecture designed this clever break out area which used the Freestyle as bespoke cut baffles in on the ceiling and The 3D Wave and Tetris in the meeting rooms.The brief was to create a brand new high specification dining and refreshment area sitting within the buildings canteen area in order to create the right ambience, vibrancy and atmosphere Soundtect were chosen for their innovative acoustic paneling. Soundtect acoustic panels were chosen effectively control sound break out as well as add vibrancy to the space by co-ordinating with the rest of the fit out and client branding.

Hush Acoustics were tasked with providing a solution to reduce an impact noise issue on the upper floor of a luxury five-bedroom detached home in Knutsford, Cheshire.Home to a professional football player, the issue stemmed from the noise on the flooring of his snooker room. Impact noise from footsteps when using the room was generating nuisance noise within the living area directly below, which was making it difficult for others in the family to enjoy this space.Working with Short Construction, building contractors based in Wilmslow, Hush supplied 167x sheets of our Hush Panel 33 to solve the issue. This is a versatile, high performing acoustic flooring which is widely used in timber construction, making it ideal for the timber separating floors in this property.With a combination of our eco-friendly acoustic felt and our rubber barrier mat, the Hush Panel 33 performs to all UK Building Regulation requirements as well as the Robust Detail performance targets for timber frame developments. Its unique composition makes it easy to install and quick to use.The product works by creating a high mass barrier and isolating the floor finish from the structure. As the nuisance noise issue in this situation was due to impact noise, it was key to introduce a high performing acoustic floor product to break the connection of the floor finish from the structure. This, in turn, improved the impact performance of noise transmission through the floor structure, giving the client the desired effect and enabling him to use the snooker room as intended.

Walsall College is the largest provider of qualifications for 14-to 19-year-olds in the West Midlands Borough of Walsall. In addition, it also provides education and training for adults, which is delivered both at the college campuses and on-site at workplaces and community centres. In total, more than 11,000 people study vocational technical qualifications, apprenticeships and higher education programmes with the college each year.Its main Wisemore Campus was built in 2009 following a multi-million-pound investment programme designed to provide a vibrant, lively environment that inspires and motivates students. The state-of-the-art facility includes bespoke areas for studying business, creative arts, computing, health, public services and automotive.As is the nature of modern building design, the Wisemore Campus features many hard interior surfaces such as plastered walls, glazed partitions, large windows and carpet-tiled floors. Despite being integral to creating a visually appealing, energy-efficient, safe, secure and comfortable learning environment.Hush Acoustics were invited to carry out a site survey in these relatively poor acoustic environments by Lee Bate, Head of Operational Services. He sought to find an effective response to a large number of complaints from college users in relation to noise in these areas of the building, chiefly as a result of sound reverberation, echo and ambient noise. These issues are known to affect the concentration, focus and engagement of students and staff in schools, colleges and universities, so Walsall College were keen to take the necessary action.The learning pods are used for online training, enabling students to participate and collaborate in Zoom and Teams calls or simply access a quiet area to work. Due to the construction of these rooms, there was a significant acoustic issue that could only be addressed by the introduction of a Class A sound absorber. These would prevent noise reflecting back into the room, which was the cause of the issue.The boardroom presented similar issues. It also features many hard reflective surfaces which were causing it to be very echoey, especially during conference calls and training sessions. To reduce the issue here, a number of Class A absorbers would also need to be installed.Step one was for Hush Acoustics to conduct a site survey. This allowed information to be gathered in order to carry out a series of reverberation calculations with a view to determining how sound absorbers could be used in the affected spaces to control and reduce reverberation and echo.The solution came with Hush Absorber 50 panels installed to the ceilings and walls. These Class A absorber panels utilise a specially formulated 50mm thick acoustic foam, hand finished with interior fabric that is applied to the face, edges and back return. They are designed to fit on any alignment and angle including slopes and ceiling in both portrait and landscape, with a choice of stylish and visually pleasing designs available in sizes, colours and finishes to suit any internal environment.Hush Absorber 50 panels have been highly effective in controlling the problem noise within the areas, dampening the sound issue with a level of absorption material that complies with the design guidance of BB93.The transformation of the learning pods and boardroom has been a great success according to Walsall College’s Head of Operations for the campus, Lee Bate. He said:“We are delighted with the difference the Hush Absorber 50 panels make and the service from Hush. We are extremely happy with how the areas are instantly more comfortable to work from and the panels look good in the spaces they have been installed.”

Armourcoat’s Acoustic Plaster System has been specified by UK architects Softroom for the new $12billion Istanbul Airport in Turkey. The facility will eventually fly 200 million passengers a year when complete in 2028, making it the world’s biggest airport.The stunning interior design for the Turkish Airlines lounges is the result of an international competition won by Softroom. The brief called for 19,000m2 of lounges that embody the national carrier’s new brand philosophy of ‘flow’ within the airport environment. The lounge design forms a passenger journey that effortlessly weaves the spaces of the lounges together. To aid the sound quality within the lounges, the Armourcoat Acoustic plaster system creates a seamless ceiling finish with a class ‘A’ Noise Reduction Coefficient rating. Its clean and smooth mineral surface adding to the overall design.In addition, the Armourcoat Acoustic Seamless Plaster system was installed as large island panels within the 55,000m2 duty free area operated by Unifree duty free in partnership with Gebr Heinemann. The area takes inspiration from the Bosphorus strait in Turkey, with seven sections each selling brands related to its theme including Emporio Armani, Louis Vuitton, Christian Dior and Bulgari. Designed to optimize the acoustics of interior spaces, the Armourcoat Acoustic Seamless Plaster system comprises of a special mineral wool composite panel that is bonded onto the substrate and finished with a seamless layer. It offers an elegant marble based plaster finish while allowing sound energy to pass through the surface. The system consists of 80% recycled material, has zero VOCs and achieves class '0' fire rating. The system has also been granted the Quiet Mark Award - the international mark of approval from the Noise Abatement Society Charitable Foundation. Photography: © Büşra Yeltekin

Opened in 2009, Droylsden Academy in Manchester is a contemporary, open plan teaching environment. The state-of-the-art secondary school serves 1,400 pupils, however since opening it had become apparent that its design and layout had some challenges, in a large part due to the sound pollution associated with the open-plan layout. Contractors Buildmain were briefed to reconfigure a number of areas in order to minimise reverberation and improve the learning environment – and looked to CMS Danskin to identify an appropriate remedial acoustic solution.The ChallengeOne area of the school that needed particular attention was the music room, which was too large to be conducive to effective music practice. Contractors Buildmain were briefed to reconfigure the space into four separate rooms, to provide a soundproof environment for music recital and practice. The new practice rooms were to adjoin an existing classroom and the communal corridor, so controlling reverberation was an integral part of the scheme – the architects had specified the control of sound levels up to 68dB.The SolutionA complete overhaul of the existing music rooms was required – partition walls were removed and a new layout designed to incorporate the four separate practice rooms, an internal corridor and a store room. To achieve the dB rating of 68, Buildmain opted for a combination of acoustic solutions provided by CMS Danskin, including SuperPhon panels in all four rooms.In order to control reverberation in the area, Buildmain constructed the new rooms using a twin-wall method, using 15mm Soundbloc plasterboard with an acoustic matting sandwiched between the layers. The walls were then over-clad using IsoMax Acoustic Insulation Clips. A total of 20 panels were installed by direct fix to the walls of each of the four new music rooms. The 50mm thick panels were supplied in three sizes; 1200x600mm, 1000x500mm and 1000x750mm, and the colour was matched to the school’s existing interior scheme.To offer even higher levels of absorption, CMS Danskin recommended SuperPhon acoustic wall panels to reduce reverberation times and reflected sound. To assist with the correct specification, a CMS Danskin representative visited the site, at short notice, to assess the rooms and subsequently advised on the best options for the SuperPhon panels.The ResultCMS Danskin worked closely with contractors Buildmain in order to meet the very tight time frame of six weeks to install the Superphon wall panels – the project needed to be completed within the school summer holidays, so that the rooms were ready for pupils on their return to school in September 2016.Paul Bryan of Buildmain said: “We had to fit eight weeks’ work into the six-week summer holiday, and CMS Danskin impressed us with their ability to turn around the product so quickly. Not only were they able to deliver to meet our schedule, they were also able to send out an expert to advise on the best options to meet the specification, all within the timeframe.”

Our Type 100E Fully Electric movable wall was installed here a few years ago. This fully automatic system allows for ease of use and gives the client the ability to open or divide the lecture theatre in minutes with the touch of a button. With an acoustic rating of Rw 58dB, both sides of the theatre can have full AV lectures without disturbance. Each panel is hand crafted to millimetre precision to match every step and riser, then fabric wrapped in sound absorbing acoustic panels and installed by our own highly qualified technicians. There are walls, but there’s only one Movawall.

Our Type 100E Fully Electric movable wall was installed here a few years ago. This fully automatic system allows for ease of use and gives the client the ability to open or divide the lecture theatre in minutes with the touch of a button. With an acoustic rating of Rw 58dB, both sides of the theatre can have full AV lectures without disturbance. Each panel is hand crafted to millimetre precision to match every step and riser, then fabric wrapped in sound absorbing acoustic panels and installed by our own highly qualified technicians. There are walls, but there’s only one London Wall.

Light, air, acoustics and spatial organisation are well recognised as essential elements when designers work on medical and healing facilities. This is because they have an impact on the treatment of body and mind. Now a wealth of information is available from Troldtekt, a leading developer and manufacturer of acoustic ceiling and wall solutions. This is available in an online series of articles which focuses on visions and practices opportunities and pitfalls within healing architecture. Interestingly, the internationally acknowledged MIPIM Awards have in recent years started celebrating outstanding healthcare design. The award is an acknowledgement of the role architecture plays in healing and treatment of both physical and mental illnesses. The UK’s recent Mental Health Awareness Week also reinforces the severity of the issues around mental health.Right design is especially critical for people suffering from mental illness or feeling unwell. According to Swedish architects White Arkitekter, a good example is their design for the Ostra Hospital psychiatric facility where traditional conventions have been replaced by an open and unrestricted environment characterised by tranquillity and light. The area is also not isolated from the rest of the building. Another key aspect has been specifying superior acoustics, such as in the psychiatric ward in their design for the Södra Älvsborg Hospital in Borås. Recently shortlisted for the European Healthcare Design 2021 Awards in the Mental Health Design category, their starting point was that the architecture must cater for people’s need to feel safe and to improve their well-being. In designing the interior, the emphasis has always been on soft, round shapes (no sharp edges), while the colours strike a balance between providing stimulating sensory impressions and instilling a sense of calm. They say that the choice of materials, such as wood, also plays a key role because it adds warmth and naturalness. “Sound is an environmental factor that we’re very careful to incorporate correctly in psychiatric buildings,” explains White architect Peter Johnstone. “Creating subdued and comfortable acoustics helps to counteract stress and anxiety that can otherwise be triggered by a noisy environment. Apart from Sweden, international research shows that the therapeutic environment can be crucial to the treatment of mental disorders. In fact, research from Chalmers University of Technology proves that the right interior design, including perfect acoustics, can reduce both the use of physical restraint on psychiatric wards as well as the number of sick days among employees.Founded on the Cradle-to-Cradle design concept, Troldtekt’s natural and inherently sustainable panels are available in a variety of different surfaces and colours and contribute positively to a building’s BREEAM, DGNB and LEED ratings. In addition to their high sound absorption and tactile surface, they offer high durability and low cost lifecycle performance. Available in various sizes and in four grades from extreme fine to coarse, the panels can be left untreated or painted in virtually any RAL colour. Samples, case studies and technical guidance are available from tel 01978 664255 or Troldtekt.co.uk while the theme can be found at https://www.troldtekt.com/news/themes/healing-architecture

Technical Manager Tim Spencer “The initial need was for an elegant high-performance ceiling grid that could span 2500mm and support the ceiling infill. The answer was a bespoke version of our Rockfon® System MaxiSpan™ grid. We were then briefed to find an acoustic solution to resolve the acoustic challenges for the spaces which would host a variety of music concerts. We worked in partnership with ROCKWOOL and the solution was bespoke 100mm thick Rockfon Color-all® black ceiling tiles in combination with 100mm ROCKWOOL FLEXI® overlay and 40mm thick Color-all panels together with 100mm or 160mm FLEXI for the walls.”

This fire-rated and acoustic-rated Invisible Loft Hatch was installed to replace an unsightly loft hatch in a living room. This discreet and stylish solution seamlessly integrates with the ceiling, as the beaded frame of the product allows the plaster of the ceiling to cover it. This means the loft hatch offers easy attic access while enhancing the room's aesthetics. The Loft Hatch features The Access Panel Company's unique SLIK keyhole treatment, which is pushed out of the way when the key is entered and springs back into place when the key is removed. This means the keyhole is hidden from view when not in use. This innovative solution demonstrates how practicality and elegance can coexist in home design.

Troldtekt 100% wood wool acoustic panels have been used to dramatic effect at London’s famous Open Air Theatre in Regents Park. A newly-constructed rehearsal building, designed by architects Reed Watt, comprises a stunning double-height dance and rehearsal studio in its centre encircled by offices, kitchen and green room. Troldtekt wood wall panelling in natural grey also complement the natural setting while helping to dampen and keep reverberated sound to a minimum. The rehearsal studio has been acoustically rated so that the maximum noise level that can happen in the studio before being audible outside is 100dB.