Case Studies: Educational

Thames Valley School, National Autistic Society

This school was built for the National Autistic Society. Spectrum were involved from conception through to completion, assisting with design and implementation to satisfy the requirement of Building Bulletin 93 (BB93). Acoustic work related primarily to indoor ambient noise, sound insulation and the control of reverberation.

Holywell Primary School, Hillingdon

This school was built by Morgan Sindall for the London Borough of Hillingdon. It is very close to Heathrow Airport, and so the control of indoor ambient noise was of prime importance. Spectrum’s role was to help Morgan Sindall satisfy the requirement of Building Bulletin 93 (BB93), which means that as well as noise ingress, acoustic work related to sound insulation and the control of reverberation had to be considered.

Brooksby Melton College, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire

Brooksby Melton College constructed a brand new campus at Melton Hall. This included buildings for vehicle maintenance engineering, construction skills and a sports hall. We helped the College and their Architect (Maber Associates) develop proposals for tender, looking to satisfy BREEAM standards for acoustics. We then worked for the Main Contractor, Bowmer & Kirkland, to implement the designs. At completion, we attended to conduct commission measurements.

Marjory Kinnon School, Middlesex

This school is currently in design and is being developed as a specialist school for children with special educational needs. Spectrum are involved in the development of affordable proposals, particularly taking into account the site’s proximity to Heathrow Airport. This school is being constructed under the 2015 revision of Building Bulletin 93 (BB93). Acoustic work relates primarily to indoor ambient noise, sound insulation and the control of reverberation.

Oakgrove School, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire

Spectrum was appointed to undertake the acoustic design of this school and ensure it complied with requirements of Building Bulletin BB93. Work included balancing the requirements of sustainable natural ventilation with noise insulation from the busy dual carriageway outside the school. During the design stage, sound simulation listening tests were arranged for the client using recorded traffic noise replayed through loudspeakers. This auralisation enabled stakeholders to be more closely involved in acoustic design decisions. Spectrum undertook all the acoustic testing to show compliance with the projects acoustic objectives.

Recording Studio Suite, Leeds Beckett University

Leeds Beckett University has a strong reputation in its film, music and performing arts provision and asked Spectrum to develop the Acoustic Specifications for a new suite of 5 recording studios each with its own dedicated control room. Working with the client, Spectrum developed a balanced specification ensuring professional standards could be achieved but within reasonable budget constraints. The facility was then provided by leading supplier Munro Acoustics.

South Banks Arts Centre, Bedford College, Bedford

This new arts building posed a tough challenge for Spectrum. One building had to incorporate TV studios, sound recording studios, performance spaces and scenery workshops all in the same building. We developed optimum layouts of spaces with the architect to minimise disturbance and sound isolation costs, and then developed acoustic specifications and outline designs for building elements. Spectrum managed the involvement of specialists, including Studio People, the leading studio suppliers, and Mason Industries who provided the heavy vibration isolated floors to the workshops. We finished the project with a programme of detailed acoustic testing to show the project achieved its acoustic objectives.

Coleg Llandrillo, Rhyl, North Wales

Coleg Llandrillo were extending their sixth form college at Rhyl, providing new teaching rooms, laboratories and a communal atrium. Spectrum provided design advice and pre-completion testing, to allow the College to claim BREEAM credits for indoor noise levels and reverberation control. We also provide sound insulation advice for the design of walls, doors and partitions.

The Maughan Library, Kings College, London

The largest new University library development in the UK in the last 50 years saw Kings College London acquire the former public records office building in Chancery Lane. Spectrum were appointed as part of the design team converting the building to its new use a new library with study areas. We ensured noise levels were kept low and mechanical services noise met stringent criteria.