Category: Education

The Project

Ashville College is a co-educational independent school for both day and boarding pupils aged between 4-18 in Harrogate. Major refurbishment of the old Soothill Hall at Ashville College was being undertaken by DLG Architects and the works carried out by main contractor William Birch & Sons Ltd. Pacy and Wheatley Acoustics were commissioned to supply and install our Rockfon Mono TE Acoustic plaster system to various ceiling balcony and wall areas within Soothill Hall auditorium, to control the reverberation within the space to ensure both performers can perform without harsh reverberation and listeners can enjoy pure sound clarity of the performances for years to come.

The Solution

We were delighted to be chosen for the supply and installation of our Rockfon Mono TE acoustic plaster system which was to be integrated into the refurbishment works at College’s performance venue. The hall will now benefit from the fantastic reverberation control of a Class A seamless absorption system which this product offers. The design of the castellated ceiling section was very involved with many intricate corners and angles. Access was a particular problem from the outset on this project but our team worked closely with William Birch & Sons Ltd to overcome any issues.

Testimonial

“Pacy and Wheatley Acoustics where commissioned by William Birch & Sons to carry out the acoustic installation at Ashville college.The P&W operatives liaised well with ourselves and conducted themselves with a professional and can do attitude and provided a first class finish. The installation was by no means easy due to the amount of detail required however this was dealt with between both parties and a working relationship formed”.
Mr John Boundy
Site Manager
William Birch & sons

The Project

The Acoustic Plaster solution for Girton is a vibrant community of scholars, from all walks of life, united in their passion for learning, and determined to do well. The stunning buildings and grounds were being extensively extended and refurbished which included the addition of a new swimming pool area.

The designers understood that noise reverberation would be an issue within the space which has hard floor and furnishings with internal walls being face brickwork and required some sound absorbent materials to the ceiling area to absorb the sound to create a calm and coherent atmosphere coupled with a monolithic appearance to maintain minimalistic design of the space.

The Solution

In May 2013 Pacy and Wheatley were employed to provide Ambient Acoustic plaster system by Mansells Construction to install a 32mm system to control the reverberation to ensure perfect swimming pool room acoustics. The area requiring absorption was a pitched ceiling with truss ties spanning the width of the pool with shadow details to each abutment and shadow line to the perimeters with the late introduction of a curved ridge line. P&W Acoustics liaised with Mansells and the designers throughout and created the ambience without sacrifice to the development.

David Callow Mansell Construction’s Site Manager said:

“The acoustic ceiling installation has gone quite well, barring a few detailing changes. Despite these, the access difficulties and limited storage area your team completed on programme and were very accommodating to our site circumstances.

More importantly the Architect has inspected the ceiling and is also very happy with the finished article.”

The Project

The New Humanities building at the Queen Mary University required acoustic treatment to the main lecture theatre. The ceiling design was complicated with a series of radial suspended acoustic panels incorporating small up stands. Architects Wilkinson Eyre in conjunction with Acoustic Engineers Arup specified a spray acoustic plaster to the suspended areas.

The Solution

Pacy and Wheatley Acoustics were able to accommodate the design requirements with their Ambient Acoustic Plaster System. Budgetary constraints determined we were asked to value engineer the acoustic ceiling system. Working with contractors Walrite Ltd a reduced spray area was agreed in line with updated acoustic reports bringing a very satisfactory conclusion to project.

The Project

As Acoustic Plaster Specialists we were requested by one of the oldest Colleges of Cambridge University, Trinity Hall, originally founded in 1350 for the study of law. Trinity Hall is situated besides the beautiful riverside setting and is home to a friendly community of undergraduate and graduate students studying a range of subjects.

The Solution

Pacy and Wheatley Acoustics were delighted to be chosen once again to install our Ambient Acoustic Plaster system in to one of Cambridge’s 31 colleges, our product was commissioned to be installed within the Great Dining Hall and integrated between the original oak beams. The hall will now benefit from the fantastic reverberation control that this product offers. Access for our deliveries was a particular problem on this site due to the restrictions operating in Cambridge town centre, but these were overcome due to our close working relationship with Mr Russell Waller (Head of Building and Services) at Trinity Hall.

The Project

Pacy and Wheatley were invited by Wright and Wright architects and Stepnell Construction to install 32m2 of seamless Terraco Ambient Acoustic Plaster within 4 different areas in the newly refurbished library area of Magdalen college, Oxford. Magdalen College is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in England. William of Waynflete founded the College in 1458, although the building itself was extended and the great tower was originally built between 1492 and 1509 by William Orchard, and is an imposing landmark on the eastern approaches to the city centre.

The Solution

This project may have only been a small area but was quite difficult due to the light fittings being installed, which defined the installation area. Other difficulties included the shape of the room due to its corbel features together with the busy location of a through fare of the site. All issues were overcome by working close with the main contactors and other trades working alongside us, the job was fully complete with in the time and on budget. The work and all area was gladly signed off and the job was completed mid January 2016.

Testimonial

“The team and myself would like to say well done, what you have done looks great, and you did what you needed to do without fuss and on time”.
Paul Grandi
Site Manager

The Project

Specialists Acoustic Plaster Contractors, Pacy and Wheatley Acoustics, are delighted to have completed the King Edwards School project in Bath. King Edward’s School is an independent school providing education for pupils of all ages and has done since the school was established in the 16th century in a city centre. But In the 1960s the school was moved to the outskirts onto a multi-building site in hopes to build a bigger school. In addition to the academic curriculum the schools includes drama, music, sport and a combined cadet force.

Pacy and Wheatley were approached to provide an class A Rockfon mono acoustic seamless curved feature ceiling on the top and main floor of the new build project that was taking place. This building was built for canteen purposes and the top floor was for an overall use from a Study Hall to an Award and Assembly hall and the architect had envisaged that high reverberation would be created within the space and therefore required a superior product to control this.

The Solution

The Feature curved ceiling was originally a challenging task as the far end of the ceiling under the windows was an equilateral curve and they required being blended into a full Smooth curve. This was achieved by the complex installation methods of the metal mf celling with curved downstands helping to create the baffle islands. Sections of the rear of the Rockfon Mono Acoustic TE board had to receive relief cuts at the rear to allow the movement and flexibility required to suit the complex curve. An enormous amount of care had to be taken to ensure the curve was smooth and equal. The project was a trade mark Pacy and Wheatley project was completed successfully to the highest standard with numerous people showing there thanks and making remarks about the company and the work we had put into the scheme to achieve the ceiling which has the ambience with the space fantastic due the reverberation control implemented. Pacy and Wheatley also carried out the internal fit out to the project which is available to see at www.pacy-wheatley-interiors.co.uk.

Testimonial

“Performance excellent, great commutations, hard and dedicated workers”.
Mr Thomas Marshall, Site Manager, Beard Construction.

The Project

Pacy and Wheatley Acoustics were delighted to have been awarded the Acoustics Plaster Ceiling tender for Graham Construction. A £4 million specialist centre providing essential support to people with autism and learning difficulties was commissioned to be built by Edinburgh Council. Graham Construction was appointed main contractor for the development.

The unit, which will be built on the site of Pefferbank Day Service on Duddingston Road West, will replace two day care centres at Deanbank and Glenallan no longer considered fit for purpose.

The specialist, purpose-built centre will be designed with the needs of people with autism and learning disabilities in mind. It will be more convenient for families of service users.

The Solution

Pacy & Wheatley Acoustics were commissioned to install Rockfon Mono TE Acoustic plaster within 37 different areas of this new building, to control the noise levels within this space to create a unique atmosphere. Pacy & Wheatley Acoustics worked along side the main contractor Graham Construction to achieve the clients requirements, the works were undertaken as always in a considerate and timely fashion completed on time and within budget.

Testimonial

“We have found the Pacy and Wheatley team on site to be proactive, diligent, friendly and courteous in carrying out their works on site. They have reacted to any requests on coordination and safety in a timely manner and a good attitude and would recommend further their use for further works on other projects.”.
Kenneth Newlands
Project Manager Graham Construction

The Project

The Acoustic Plaster solution American School in Surrey is a charming campus near Egham. Founded 1976 as a University College and Preparatory School for international pupils. The Old Coach House in the Upper School, used for assemblies and examinations, required refurbishment. The Harris Partnership, Architects, realised there would be a problem with acoustic ambient noise and required a suitable acoustic plaster treatment for the ceilings. Existing beams were to be retained and protected leaving coffers for the installation of acoustic plaster. Additionally a colour treatment would be required to blend with architectural specification.

The Solution

Pacy and Wheatley Acoustics, Terraco Ambient Acoustic Plaster System, already a nationally acclaim product, was specified to address the sound absorption challenge. This comprised a 30mm sub layer of dense fibre board mechanically fixed to the ceiling substrate with a 2mm spray applied Ambient Acoustic Plaster finish coat. The plaster which is acrylic based allows for pigmentation in a large range of colours so we were able to match the architect’s specification. Down lights and ventilation openings were easily incorporated within the system providing reinforced areas for future maintenance. Working in parallel with other trades the project was completed on time and to budget and now provides a noise free, comfortable environment for important assemblies and meetings.

The Project

Pacy and Wheatley Construction, main contractor, had been commissioned to carry out the large extension to the school, contract value c£300,000.00, which included a large new build section, to be utilised as a crèche, designed by T.A.D Architects. Within the crèche T.A.D considered the classroom acoustics seriously and had concerns regarding possible poor classroom acoustics, especially taking into account the overall noise levels from the infant children.

The Solution

Pacy and Wheatley Acoustics supplied and installed their 32mm Ambient Acoustic Plaster System, TAD designed a curved baffle area across a section of the area. The contractor integration and cooperation was simplified due to the main and subcontract work being managed by our parent organisation. The result that followed was an award of two further centers at Newark and Ravenshead which were similarly completed.

The Project

Pacy and Wheatley Acoustics were delighted to have won the tender for the King Edward IV College in Stourbridge, West Midlands. King Edward VI College is one of the leading academic sixth form colleges in the country. Specialising in A levels and enjoy a national reputation for outstanding teaching and learning as well as results.  The college is regularly ranked as one of the top colleges in the country in regard to academic results, is a Beacon College, and has been formally recognised as ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted.

Pacy and Wheatley were commissioned to carry out the installation of approximately 500 m2 of Rockfon Mono Acoustic TE monolithic plaster system within the new state of the art learning facility. The product offers seamless appearance Class A solution to the project. With this Modern method of acoustic solution within the space a great amount of absorption shall be created allowing the modern minimalistic designs to be properly realised.

The building consisted of Drama and performance spaces laboratories, Digital graphics Rooms and practical learning areas.

Mainly standard white colour was chosen with exception of a strong black colour was utilised within one of the drama performance suites.

The Solution

The project was completed on time and to budget this was helped by the working relationship between P&W and Greswolde construction site personnel, a can do attitude from P&W mono installers and help from the Greswolde site team ensured a 1st class product for the client to enjoy this newly built facility and ensure the acoustic control created by the mono TE installation created a calm and peaceful environment for the students and staff to enjoy.

Due to the pitched nature of the works scaffold access to the areas was very difficult and small scissor lifts were utilised to carry out the works.

Testimonials

Pacy & Wheatley were commissioned to install Rockfon Acoustic ceilings in the new Drama and Arts building at King Edward V1 College Stourbridge. I would like to thank all the team at Pacy & Wheatley for delivering a first class job despite the complexity and difficulty associated with accessing the 40 degree and 60 degree pitches of the ceilings on the 1st floor.

I look forward to working with Pacy & Wheatley in the future.Bob Gardner | Site Manager | Greswolde Construction Limited