The facts
Client: Carillion
Location: Old Basford, Nottingham
Services: Acoustics
Contract Type: Traditional
Start/ Completion: 2008 - 2010
The project
Southwark Park Primary School was designed in accordance
with the requirements of Building Bulletin 93, Acoustic Design of
Schools.
Due to the transformational nature of the educational model,
there were a number of areas where Capita Symonds worked with the
client and building control to develop appropriate alternative
performance standards. These included the development of central
breakout spaces (see above), with classrooms opening directly on to
them.
The classroom doors and walls were upgraded to control noise
transfer. The breakout zones themselves were treated with
acoustically absorptive panels on the roof and around the walls at
high level in order to provide appropriate conditions for speech
and learning.
Other acoustic features at Southwark Park included an open plan
nursery zone with adjoining quiet rooms, and the installation of a
small wind turbine for educational purposes. Capita Symonds
provided an assessment of potential noise impact from the turbine
both on teaching activity and on surrounding residents.
The school featured a multi use performance hall which was known
as “Hogwarts”. This double height space was divisible with an
acoustically rated operable wall, and had a first floor balcony
opening on to administration spaces. A similar acoustic strategy to
that adopted for the breakout zones was employed, with absorption
installed between the roof joists, on the balcony fronts, and on
the walls.
Acoustic concerns for this scheme arose during the planning
phase due to the proposal for a MUGA (multi use games area).
Capita Symonds carried out measurements at a similar facility in
East London for a range of sporting activities. These measurements
were then used as calibrated input data for a model of the
Southwark Park MUGA. This allowed a noise impact assessment to be
carried out and mitigation to be developed in the form of
screening, for agreement by the local authority.
Awards:
RIBA Awards - Shortlisted
BCSE - Shortlisted
Civic Trust - Shortlisted